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As a large number of organic compounds possessing two isoprene units, monoterpenes and monoterpenoids play important roles in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, and food industries. In nature, monoterpenes are constructed from geranyl pyrophosphate (C10) via various transformations. Herein, the bulk C5 chemical—isoprene, is used for the creation of various monoterpenoids via a nucleophilic aromatization of monoterpenes under cascade catalysis of nickel and iodine. Drugs and oil mixtures from conifer and lemon can be convergently transformed to the desired monoterpenoid. Preliminary mechanistic studies are conducted to get insights about reaction pathway. Two types of cyclic monoterpenes can be respectively introduced onto two similar heterocycles via orthogonal C–H functionalization. And various hybrid terpenyl indoles are programmatically assembled from abundant C5 or C10 blocks. This work not only contributes a high chemo-, regio-, and redox-selective transformation of isoprene, but also provides a complementary approach for the creation of unnatural monoterpenoids. Organic compounds possessing two isoprene units play important roles in chemical industry. Herein, the authors use bulk C5 chemical—isoprene to synthesise various monoterpenoids via a nucleophilic aromatization of monoterpenes under cascade catalysis of nickel and iodine [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, prenylation and geranylation are two important metabolic processes for the creation of hemiterpenoids and monoterpenoids under enzyme catalysis. Herein, we have demonstrated bioinspired unnatural prenylation and geranylation of oxindoles using the basic industrial feedstock isoprene through ligand regulation under Pd catalysis. Pentenylated oxindoles (with C5 added) were attained with high selectivity when using a bisphosphine ligand, whereas upon switching to a monophosphine ligand, selectivity toward geranylated oxindoles (with C10 added) was achieved. Moreover, the head‐to‐head product could be further isomerized to an internal skipped diene under Pd−H catalysis. No stoichiometric by‐product was formed in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the reactant property and reaction mechanism, one major regioisomer can be favored in a reaction that involves multiple active sites. Herein, an orthogonal regulation of nucleophilic and electrophilic sites in the regiodivergent hydroamination of isoprene with indazoles is demonstrated. Under Pd‐hydride catalysis, the 1,2‐ or 4,3‐insertion pathway with respect to the electrophilic sites on isoprene could be controlled by the choice of ligands. In terms of the nucleophilic sites on indazoles, the reaction occurs at either the N1‐ or N2‐position of indazoles is governed by the acid co‐catalysts. Preliminary experimental studies have been performed to rationalize the mechanism and regioselectivity. This study not only contributes a practical tool for selective functionalization of isoprene, but also provides a guide to manipulate the regioselectivity for the N‐functionalization of indazoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the regiodivergent and stereoselective hydrosilylation of the basic industrial feedstock isoprene with unactivated silanes has been developed using earth‐abundant iron catalysts. The manipulation of regioselectivity relies on fine modification of the coordination geometry of the iron center. While a bidentate pyridine imine ligand promoted the formation of allylic silanes through 4,1‐addition, selectivity for the 3,4‐adduct homoallylic silanes was observed with a tridentate nitrogen ligand. Experimental studies and analysis were carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanism and the factors enabling manipulation of the regioselectivity. This study contributes to the art of regioselectivity control in alkene hydrofunctionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acid‐catalyzed regiodivergent formal [3+3] annulation of 4‐hydroxycoumarins with isoprene is developed. A variety of pyranocoumarins were obtained exclusively in the presence of strong Brønsted acid, while varying to Lewis acid delivered pyranochromones as main products. The protocol also features high atom‐economy, wide substrate scope, easy scale‐up, and good applications in natural product synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic industrial feedstock isoprene was employed as a building block to install prenyl and reverse‐prenyl groups onto indoles. The regioselectivity can be manipulated by the choice of metal hydride. Reverse‐prenylated indoles were attained with high selectivity when using Rh−H. By switching to a Pd−H catalyst, selectivity toward prenylated indoles was achieved. This regiodivergent method also features high atom economy without stoichiometric byproduct formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]