Cycloalkyl-based unsymmetrical unsaturated (U2)-NHC ligands : flexibility and dissymmetry in ruthenium-catalysed olefin metathesis.

International audienceAir-stable Ru-indenylidene and Hoveyda-type complexes bearing new unsymmetrical unsaturated N-heterocyclic carbene (U2-NHC) ligands combining a mesityl unit and a flexible cycloalkyl moiety as N-substituents were synthesised. Structural features, chemical stabilities and catalytic profiles in olefin metathesis of this new library of cycloalkyl-based U2-NHC Ru complexes were studied and compared with their unsymmetrical saturated NHC-Ru homologues as well as a set of commercially available Ru-catalysts bearing either symmetrical SIMes or IMes NHC ligands

Synthetic applications of the nickel-catalyzed cyclization of alkynes combined with addition reactions in a domino process.

International audienceCarbonickelations of alkynes and functionalization of the resulting vinylnickel moiety have been performed efficiently in a nickel-catalyzed domino cyclization-condensation process. This reaction, which does not require the preparation of any other organometallic reagent, proceeds only by exo-dig cyclization. This convenient and mild method constitutes a one-pot synthesis of substituted dihydrobenzofurans, chromans, isochromans, indoles, or indanes. Theses valuable products are generally obtained in good yields and high stereoselectivity. They are shown to be useful synthons for rapid access to functionalized polycyclic skeletons

ChemInform Abstract: Synthetic Applications of the Nickel-Catalyzed Cyclization of Alkynes Combined with Addition Reactions in a Domino Process.

International audienceCarbonickelations of alkynes and functionalization of the resulting vinylnickel moiety have been performed efficiently in a nickel-catalyzed domino cyclization-condensation process. This reaction, which does not require the preparation of any other organometallic reagent, proceeds only by exo-dig cyclization. This convenient and mild method constitutes a one-pot synthesis of substituted dihydrobenzofurans, chromans, isochromans, indoles, or indanes. Theses valuable products are generally obtained in good yields and high stereoselectivity. They are shown to be useful synthons for rapid access to functionalized polycyclic skeletons

Activation of olefin metathesis complexes containing unsymmetrical unsaturated N-heterocyclic carbenes by copper and gold transmetalation

International audienceThe activation of ruthenium-indenylidene complexes containing two unsymmetrical unsaturated N-heterocyclic carbenes (u2-NHCs) by a transmetalation process is reported. The use of copper(i) or gold(i) chlorides promotes the rapid trapping of one NHC ligand, which releases the catalytically active Ru-species. Impressive initiation rates with full-conversions are observed within one minute. This practical protocol demonstrates excellent catalytic performances in various ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and self-metathesis (SM) reactions

Highly selective macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis of terminal olefins in non-chlorinated solvents at low dilution

International audienceA set of new ruthenium-indenylidene complexes bearing two unsymmetrical unsaturated N-cycloalkyl-NHC ligands were synthesized. These catalysts proved to be highly selective in the macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis performed in non-chlorinated solvents at low dilution (0.01 M). Without the requirement of benzoquinone derivatives to prevent the isomerisation side reactions, this environmentally friendly catalytic process promoted the synthesis of macrocyclic odorant molecules with remarkable > 99% purity

Probing solvent effects on mixed aggregates associating a chiral lithium amide and n-BuLi by NMR: from structure to reactivity

International audienceAn NMR study of a 1 : 1 mixture of a chiral lithium amide (4a) and n-BuLi shows that depending on the solvent employed (Et2O or THF) a mixed aggregate can form in proportions that are directly related to the ees measured during the enantioselective alkylation of o-tolualdehyde by these same species

Synthesis and Application of Stereoretentive Ruthenium Catalysts on the Basis of the M7 and the Ru-Benzylidene-Oxazinone Design

International audienceA series of new stereoretentive ruthenium catalysts bearing the dithiocatecholate ligand was synthesiszed on the basis of the M7 and Ru-benzylidene-oxazinone design. The activity of the catalysts was tested in ring-opening cross-metathesis reactions, ring-closing metathesis reactions, cross-metathesis reactions, and self-metathesis reactions using Z- and E-configured starting materials. The desired metathesis products were obtained with moderate to high yields and with excellent stereoselectivities (>95%). Substrate-dependent reactivity was found by carrying out kinetic studies on internal and terminal olefins

Chiral Lithium Amido Aryl Zincates: Simple and Efficient Chemo- and Enantio-Selective Aryl Transfer Reagents

International audienceAn enantioselective aryl transfer is promoted using chiral tricoordinated lithium amido aryl zincates that are easily accessible reagents and whose chiral appendage is simply recovered for reuse. The arylation reaction is run in good yields (60 % average on twenty substrates) and high enantiomeric excesses (95 % ee average). This occurs whatever the ortho, meta, or para substituent borne by the substrate and a complete chemoselectivity is observed with respect to the aldehyde function. Sensitive groups such as nitriles, esters, ketones, and enolisable substrates resist to the action of the ate reagent, warranting a large scope to this methodology