Abstract A highly efficient intermolecular mutual addition of aromaticaldehydes with ethyl acrylate was developed by using tris(4-methoxylphenyl)phosphine as the catalyst. The reaction corresponds to the construction of 1,4-dicarbonyl compound and allylic alcohol fragments, which also provides a new way to form C-C bond. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Asymmetric cyclization of 4-aryl-4-pentenals by using a cationic [Rh((R)-BINAP)]ClO4 afforded (3R)-3-substituted cyclopentanones; on the other hand, the cyclization of 4-pentenals bearing ortho-halogeno phenyl groups afforded the opposite (3S)-ones.
Pd(OAc)2/phosphonium tetrafluoroborates efficiently catalyzed Fukuyama coupling reaction with p-tolyl thioesters and 3-ethoxy-3-oxopropylzinc bromide which provide γ-oxo carboxylicesters under mild conditions. Pd(OAc)2/PCy3·HBF4 is the most effective catalyst and provides a direct method for synthesizing functionalized γ-oxo esters with high efficiency from readily accessible carboxylicacids as starting materials