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A copper-catalyzed transfer aldol type reaction of β-hydroxy ketones or nitriles with aldehydes is reported, which enables chemo- and stereoselective access to (E)-α,β-unsaturated ketones and (E)-acrylonitriles. A key step of the in situ copper(I)-promoted retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxy ketones or nitriles is proposed to generate a reactive Cu(I) enolate or cyanomethyl intermediate, which undergoes ensuing aldol condensation with aldehydes to deliver the products. This reaction uses 1.2 mol% Cu(IPr)Cl (IPr denotes 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) as the catalyst in the presence of 6.0 mol% NaOtBu cocatalyst at room temperature or 70 °C. A range of aryl and heteroaryl aldehydes as well as acrylaldehydes are compatible with many useful functional groups being tolerated. Under the mild and weakly basic conditions, competitive Cannizzaro-type reaction of benzaldehydes and side reactions of base-sensitive functional groups can be effectively suppressed, which show synthetic advantages of this reaction compared to classic aldol reactions. The synthetic potential of this reaction is further demonstrated by the one-step synthesis of biologically active quinolines and 1,8-naphthyridine in excellent yields (up to 91%). Finally, a full catalytic cycle for this reaction has been constructed using DFT computational studies in the context of a retro-aldol/aldol two-stage mechanism. A rather flat reaction energy profile is found indicating that both stages are kinetically facile, which is consistent with the mild reaction conditions.

Catalysis by small molecules (≤1000 Da, 10−9 m) that are capable of binding and activating substrates through attractive, noncovalent interactions has emerged as an important approach in organic and organometallic chemistry. While the canonical noncovalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, ion pairing, and π stacking, have become mainstays of catalyst design, the cation–π interaction has been comparatively underutilized in this context since its discovery in the 1980s. However, like a hydrogen bond, the cation–π interaction exhibits a typical binding affinity of several kcal mol−1 with substantial directionality. These properties render it attractive as a design element for the development of small-molecule catalysts, and in recent years, the catalysis community has begun to take advantage of these features, drawing inspiration from pioneering research in molecular recognition and structural biology. This Review surveys the burgeoning application of the cation–π interaction in catalysis.

The novel cascade photoredox/iodide catalytic system enables the alkene to serve as a radical acceptor capable of achieving aminodifluoroalkylation of alkenes. Cheap iodide salts play a vital role in this reaction, which could tune carbocation reactivity through reversible C–I bond formation for controlling reaction selectivity, and a series of competitive reactions are completely eliminated in the presence of multiple reactivity pathways. The present dual catalytic protocol affords a very convenient method for direct synthesis of various difluoro-γ-lactams from simple and readily available starting materials under mild reaction conditions.

A retro-aldol reaction of two β-hydroxy compounds in synergy with Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl halides is reported herein, which produces selectively mono-α-arylated ketones and esters in good yields. This reaction is compatible with a broad range of aryl iodides, bromides, chlorides, and triflates and can tolerate an array of functional groups on the aromatic ring. Ready scale-up of this reaction to gram level is applicable without an appreciable decrease in the reaction yield. Furthermore, concise syntheses of biologically active isocoumarin and indole derivatives have been achieved to greatly demonstrate the synthetic value of this retro-aldol reaction. Finally, the reaction mechanism has been discussed on the basis of experimental observations and DFT computational results. A regulated six-membered-ring transition structure has been located for the key retro-aldol C−C cleavage, which constitutes the rate-determining step of a full catalytic cycle. The concept of C−C activation by retro-aldol reaction may also find applications in other fundamental reactions.

A Cu(I)-catalyzed cyanation reaction of aryl iodides with α-cyanoacetates is reported herein, which uses α-cyanoacetates as the nontoxic and easy-handling CN source through copper-mediated C-CN bond cleavage. This reaction enables access to aryl nitriles with an array of functional groups on the aromatic ring in good to excellent yields.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals semiconductors represent the thinnest, air stable semiconducting materials known. Their unique optical, electronic and mechanical properties hold great potential for harnessing them as key components in novel applications for electronics and optoelectronics. However, the charge transport behavior in 2D semiconductors is more susceptible to external surroundings (e.g. gaseous adsorbates from air and trapped charges in substrates) and their electronic performance is generally lower than corresponding bulk materials due to the fact that the surface and bulk coincide. In this article, we review recent progress on the charge transport properties and carrier mobility engineering of 2D transition metal chalcogenides, with a particular focus on the markedly high dependence of carrier mobility on thickness. We unveil the origin of this unique thickness dependence and elaborate the devised strategies to master it for carrier mobility optimization. Specifically, physical and chemical methods towards the optimization of the major factors influencing the extrinsic transport such as electrode/semiconductor contacts, interfacial Coulomb impurities and atomic defects are discussed. In particular, the use of ad hoc molecules makes it possible to engineer the interface with the dielectric and heal the vacancies in such materials. By casting fresh light on the theoretical and experimental studies, we provide a guide for improving the electronic performance of 2D semiconductors, with the ultimate goal of achieving technologically viable atomically thin (opto)electronics.

Highly enantioselective selenocyclization reactions are promoted by the combination of a new chiral squaramide catalyst, a mineral acid, and an achiral Lewis base. Mechanistic studies reveal that the enantioselectivity originates from the dynamic kinetic resolution of seleniranium ions through anion-binding catalysis.

Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-couplings of 2-(2-azaaryl)acetates with aryl halides and triflates have been discovered. This reaction is potentially useful for the synthesis of some functionalized pyridines, quinolines, pyrazines, benzoxazoles, and benzothiazoles. Theoretical analysis shows that the nitrogen atom at the 2-position of the heteroaromatics directly coordinates to Pd(II) in the decarboxylation transition state.

The coupling of an acylsilane, 2-propenyllithium and an alkyl halide produces tetrasubstituted Z-enol silyl ether in good yields, and provides the first route to these isomerically pure compounds.

A new thiourea catalyst is reported for the enantioselective cationic polycyclization of hydroxylactams.

Two new isotypic anhydrous borophosphates, KMBP(2)O(8) (M = Sr, Ba), have been prepared under high temperature solution growth (HTSG). Investigation of single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that they crystallize in noncentrosymmetric space group I42d with the following lattice parameters: a = 7.1095(18), c = 13.882(5)A for KSrBP(2)O(8) and a = 7.202(2), c = 14.300(6)A for KBaBP(2)O(8). The fundamental building block (FBB) of title borophosphates with B:P ratio = 1:2 is 12square: (symbol square represents BO(4) and PO(4) tetrahedra). The FBBs are further interlocked together to form the final 3D diamond-like architecture. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) on powder samples has been measured using Kurtz and Perry technique, which indicates that they are phase-matchable materials, and their SHG coefficients are measured to be about 1/5 (for KSrBP(2)O(8)) and 1/3 (for KBaBP(2)O(8)) times as large as that of KDP.

Hooking up: FeCl(2) catalyzes the efficient cross dehydrogenative arylation of substrates having benzylic C-H bonds (see scheme). High regioselectivity was observed during the cross-coupling between compounds containing aromatic C(sp(2))-H bonds and benzylic C(sp(3))-H bonds. This process is proposed to proceed by single-electron-transfer oxidation and Friedel-Crafts alkylation.

Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling of aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides with potassium oxalate monoesters has been discovered. This reaction is potentially useful for laboratory-scale synthesis of aryl and alkenyl esters. Bulky, electron-rich bidentate phosphine ligands are preferred in the reaction, whereas Cu is not needed for decarboxylation. Theoretical calculations suggest a five-coordinate Pd(II) transition state for decarboxylation with an energy barrier of ∼30 kcal/mol.

An alkali-metal indium phosphate crystal, K{sub 3}In{sub 3}P{sub 4}O{sub 16}, has been synthesized by a high-temperature solution reaction and exhibits a new structure in the family of the alkali-metal indium phosphates system. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows the structure to be monoclinic with space group P2{sub 1}/n, and the following cell parameters: a=9.7003(18), b=9.8065(18), c=15.855(3) A, beta=90.346(3){sup o}, V=1508.2(5) A{sup 3}, Z=4, R=0.0254. It possesses three-dimensional [In{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4}]{sub n}{sup 3-} anionic frameworks with tunnels occupied by K{sup +} cations running along the a-axis. The emission and absorption spectra of the compound have been investigated. Additionally, the calculations of energy band structure, density of states, dielectric constants and refractive indexes have been performed with the density functional theory method. Also, the two-photon absorption spectrum is simulated by two-band model. The obtained results tend to support the experimental data. - A new indium phosphate crystal, K{sub 3}In{sub 3}P{sub 4}O{sub 16}, was synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction with space group P2{sub 1}/n. It possesses three-dimensional [In{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4}]{sub n}{sup 3-} anionic frameworks built by InO{sub 6} octahedra, InO{sub 7} decahedra and PO{sub 4} tetrahedra, and with tunnels occupied by K1 and K2 running along the a-axis, while K3 cationsmore » are located in cavities of the structure.« less

The first catalytic direct alkylation of allylic C−H bonds via Pd(II)-catalysis is described in the absence of base. Polysubstituted cyclic compounds can also be constructed by the intramolecular direct allylic alkylation.

A sodium gadolinium phosphate crystal, Na 3 GdP 2 O 8 , has been synthesized by a high-temperature solution reaction, and it exhibits a new structural family of the alkali-metal-rare-earth phosphate system. Although many compounds with formula M 3 LnP 2 O 8 have been reported, but they were shown to be orthorhombic [R. Salmon, C. Parent, M. Vlasse, G. LeFlem, Mater. Res. Bull. 13 (1978) 439] rather than monoclinic as shown in this paper. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows the structure to be monoclinic with space group C 2/ c and the cell parameters: a =27.55 (25), b =5.312 (4), c =13.935(11) A, β =91.30(1)°, and V =2038.80 A 3 , Z =4. Its structure features a three-dimensional GdP 2 O 8 3− anionic framework with two different types of interesting tunnels at where Na atoms are located by different manners. The framework is constructed by Gd polyhedra and isolated PO 4 tetrahedra. It is different from the structure of K 3 NdP 2 O 8 [R. Salmon, C. Parent, M. Vlasse, G. LeFlem, Mater. Res. Bull. 13 (1978) 439] with space group P 2 1 / m that shows only one type of tunnel. The emission spectrum and the absorption spectrum of the compound have been investigated. Additionally, the calculations of band structure, density of states, dielectric constants, and refractive indexes have been also performed with the density functional theory method. The obtained results tend to support the experimental data.

Cu-catalyzed cross coupling between phosphinic amides and aryl halides was accomplished for the first time by using (±)-trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine as the ligand. This reaction provided a novel approach for synthesizing arylated phosphinic amides. Both kinetic measurement and theoretical calculation indicated that phosphinic amides were much less reactive than amides by about 10 times in Cu-catalyzed cross coupling.