A One-pot Synthesis of Terminal Alkynes from anti-3-Aryl-2,3-dibromopropanoic Acids under Microwave Irradiation

A facile one-pot synthesis of terminal alkynes was achieved by microwave irradiation of a mixture of anti-3-aryl-2,3-dibromopropanoic acids, Et3N and DMF and subsequent irradiation in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU). This method requires short reaction time (1–2 min) and gives terminal alkynes in high yields

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds-mediated Electrochemical Reduction of Alkyl Mesylates

Electrochemical reduction of alkyl mesylates was successfully carried out by using an undivided cell equipped with a Pt cathode and an Mg anode in the presence of biphenyl and t-BuOH. The reaction could proceed efficiently under mild conditions to give the corresponding alkanes in moderate to good yields. This procedure could also be applicable to chemoselective reduction of mesylates having functional groups such as epoxide, olefin, acetal, hydroxy, or cyano groups