The bimetallic bis(pentalene) complex (μ:η(5),η(5)-Pn(†))2Ti2 reductively splits CO2 to form a bis(oxo) bridged dimer [(η(8)-Pn(†))Ti(μ-O)]2, in which the Ti-Ti bond has been cleaved, and the dicarbonyl complex (μ:η(5),η(5)-Pn(†))2[Ti(CO)]2.

The dual activation of simple substrates by the combination of organocatalysis and palladium catalysis has been successfully applied in a variety of different asymmetric transformations. Thus, the asymmetric a-allylation of carbonyl compounds, a-fluorination of acyl derivatives, decarboxylative protonation of β-dicarbonyl compounds, cyclization reactions of alkynyl carbonyl compounds and β-func...

The multicomponent reaction of 5-aminopyrazole derivatives with cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMFDMA) in DMF at 150 °C under controlled microwave heating afforded regioselectively 8,9-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolin-6(7H)-ones 6 rather than the corresponding dihydropyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolin-8(5H)-ones 4.

A simple fluorescent chemosensor 1 exhibits a 40-fold fluorescence enhancement upon addition of lead ion and yet is insensitive to most of univalent and divalent metal ions. The high affinity of 1 toward Pb2+ presumably results from the cooperative binding behaviors of two potential metal binding sites: the dicarbonyl and the 15-monoazacrown-5 ether.

A new method for preparing naphthyl amines from 1,5 unsaturated dicarbonyl precursors is described; the utility of this new method was proven in the syntheses of several natural products, all containing the benzo[c]phenanthridine core and enabled by a radical promoted cyclisation of the naphthyl amine products formed in the key cyclisation.

Selective α-amination and α-acylation of esters and amides have been developed, employing O-acylhydroxylamines as a dually reactive aminating and acylating reagent. Treatment of zinc enolates with O-acylhydroxylamines provides solely 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds under mild conditions. Introduction of a copper catalyst into the system shifts the reactivity entirely, yielding α-amination products exc...

A palladium-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective coupling of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via an allylic linker has been developed. This reaction, which displays broad substrate scope, forms two C-C bonds and installs two all-carbon quaternary centers. The regioselectivity of the reaction can be predictably controlled by utilizing an enol carbonate of one of the coupling partners.

Bifunctional chiral 2-aminobenzimidazole derivatives 1 and 2 catalyze the enantioselective stereodivergent α-chlorination of β-ketoesters and 1,3-diketone derivatives with up to 50% ee using N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) or 2,3,4,4,5,6-hexachloro-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one as electrophilic chlorine sources.