benzaldehydes and subsequent α,β-epoxyrearrangement is reported. The process developed is both amenable to large scale and parallel synthesis. While electron-poor benzaldehydes gave mixtures of aryl ketones and 2-substituted aryl ketones in mediocre to low yields, electron-rich benzaldehydes were found to react in high yields with complete regioselectivity to form 2-substituted aryl ketones.
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I):
as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus.