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Ketones are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, and widely present in various pharmacological compounds, biologically active molecules and functional materials. Over the past few decades, transition metal-catalyzed conversion of aldehydes has been found to be a powerful method. With the continuous development in recent years, it has become an efficient and uncomplicated strategy for constructing ketones. There are four major mechanisms for transition metal-catalyzed ketone synthesis from aldehyde: (1) carbonyl-Heck reaction, that is 1,2-insertion of organometal species to aldehydic C=O double bond, (2) direct insertion of transition metal catalysts to aldehydic C-H bond, (3) aldehyde as acyl radical, (4) aldehyde as carbon radical acceptor. This article summarizes related reports on the transformations of aldehydes to generate corresponding ketones under different reaction conditions.

A facile and straightforward approach for the construction of amides via redox-neutral Ru-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of long-range alkenyl alcohols with amines to realize remote site-selective functionalization has been developed.

A facile and straightforward synthetic method for the construction of amides via redox-neutral Ni/NHC-catalyzed dehydrogenative cross-coupling of alcohols and amines has been developed.

Aryl ketones are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, and widely present in various pharmacological compounds, biologically active molecules and functional materials. Presented herein is a facile synthetic method for the construction of ketones

We present herein highly effective nickel-catalyzed Larock annulations of substituted 2-formylphenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate with alkynes to provide an access to a wide range of indenones that are valuable synthetic intermediates for natural compounds. This catalytic system is shown to proceed through a redox neutral arylation to produce indenone products in high yields with excellent regioselectivities. In addition, a highly efficient transformation of the natural product estrone via Ni-catalyzed Larock annulation can also be achieved.

Herein, we report microwave-assisted catalytic enantioselective amination of tetralin- and Indane-derived alcohols to produce the corresponding chiral amines that are important structural motifs in...

Reported herein is the divergent syntheses of [5,5] and [6,5] spiro-heterocycles under Lewis-acid-assisted palladium catalysis. In particular, an unprecedented switch from alkoxide-π-allyl to dienolate reactivity was achieved by the use of palladium-titanium relay catalysis, and represents umpolung reactivity of vinylethylene carbonates. This method uses a simple procedure and commercially available catalysts, and delivers both classes of spiro-heterocycles, bearing three contiguous stereocenters, in high yield and uniformly excellent diastereoselectivity.

We report herein the first enantioselective cycloaddition of vinyl oxetanes, the reaction of which with azadienes provided unprecedented access to ten-membered heterocycles through a [6+4] cycloaddition. By using a commercially available chiral Pd-SIPHOX catalyst, a wide range of benzofuran- as well as indole-fused heterocycles could be accessed in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. A unique Lewis acid induced fragmentation of these ten-membered heterocycles was also discovered.

The first enantioselective formal [5+4] cycloaddition is realized under palladium catalysis to deliver benzofuran-fused nine-membered rings. These medium-sized heterocycles and derivatives undergo unique rearrangements induced by transannular bond formation, resulting in the production of two classes of densely substituted polycyclic heterocycles in excellent efficiency and stereoselectivity.

The first catalytic formal [5+4] cycloaddition to prepare nine-membered heterocycles is presented. Under palladium catalysis, the reaction of N-tosyl azadienes and substituted vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) proceeds smoothly to produce benzofuran-fused heterocycles in uniformly high efficiency. Highly diastereoselective functionalization of the nine-membered heterocycles through peripheral attack is also demonstrated.

Herein we present a highly efficient N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC)-catalyzed atroposelective acylation of amino bisphenols to provide access to a wide range of 1,1′-biaryl-2,2′-amino alcohols (NOBIN analogs) in high yield and with uniformly excellent enantioselectivity. This catalytic system is shown to proceed through a combination of desymmetrization and secondary kinetic resolution to produce the axially chiral products in excellent enantioselectivity.

Herein we report a nickel-catalyzed aryl addition/intramolecular esterification in a cascade fashion. Under the combination of commercially available nickel precursor and tridentate ligand, the one pot protocol offers a direct, simple and regioselective approach to access 3-aryl phthalide derivatives from two readily available substrates with good efficiency, broad scope as well as satisfactory functional group compatibility.

Highly efficient and diastereodivergent aza-Diels-Alder reactions have been developed to access either diastereomeric series of benzofuran-fused δ-lactams and dihydropyridines in nearly perfect stereoselectivity (d.r. >20:1, >99 % ee for all examples). The complementarity of N-heterocyclic carbene and chiral amine as the catalyst was demonstrated for the first time, together with an excellent level of catalytic efficiency (1 mol % loading).

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common chronic neurodegenerative disorder, broadly remains incurable. Both genetic susceptibility and exposure to deleterious environmental stimuli contribute to dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra. Hence, reagents that can ameliorate the phenotypes rendered by genetic or environmental factors should be considered in PD therapy. In this study, we found that polydatin (Pol), a natural compound extracted from grapes and red wines, significantly attenuated rotenone- (Rot) or Parkin deficiency-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in SH-SY5Y, a human dopaminergic neuronal cell line. We showed that Pol significantly attenuated the Rot-induced decrease in cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and Sirt 1 expression and increase in cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DJ1 expression. Rot resulted in a decrease in mTOR/Ulk-involved autophagy and an increase in PGC1β/mfn2-involved mitochondrial fusion, which was inhibited by Pol. We further demonstrated that the protective effects of Pol are partially blocked when autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) is genetically inactivated, suggesting that Pol-mediated neuroprotection requires Atg5. Moreover, Pol rescued Parkin knockdown-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy impairment, and mitochondrial fusion enhancement. Interestingly, Pol treatment could also rescue the mitochondrial morphological abnormality and motorial dysfunction of a Drosophila PD model induced by Parkin deficiency. Thus, Pol could represent a useful therapeutic strategy as a disease-modifier in PD by decreasing oxidative stress and regulating autophagic processes and mitochondrial fusion.

The first dynamic kinetic asymmetric amination of alcohols via borrowing hydrogen methodology is presented. Under the cooperative catalysis by an iridium complex and a chiral phosphoric acid, α-branched alcohols that exist as a mixture of four isomers undergo racemization by two orthogonal mechanisms and are converted to diastereo- and enantiopure amines bearing adjacent stereocenters. The preparation of diastereo- and enantiopure 1,2-amino alcohols is also realized using this catalytic system.

A rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular acetyl-group transfer has been achieved through a "cut and sew" process. The challenge arises from the existence of different competitive pathways. Preliminary success has been achieved with unstrained enones that contain a biaryl linker. The use of an electron-rich N-heterocycilc carbene (NHC) ligand is effective to inhibit undesired β-hydrogen elimination. Various 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives can be prepared with excellent functional-group compatibility. The 13 C-labelling study suggests that the reaction begins with cleavage of the unstrained C-C bond, followed by migratory insertion and reductive elimination.

Highly efficient and diastereodivergent aza-Diels-Alder reactions have been developed to access either diastereomeric series of benzofuran-fused δ-lactams and dihydropyridines in nearly perfect stereoselectivity (d.r. >20:1, >99 % ee for all examples). The complementarity of N-heterocyclic carbene and chiral amine as the catalyst was demonstrated for the first time, together with an excellent level of catalytic efficiency (1 mol % loading).

Spirocyclohexadienone derivatives are obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities by intramolecular asymmetric allylic dearomatization of phenols bearing tethered allylic ethers.

Chiral triazolium salts based on the camphor scaffold have beenfound highly efficient for the asymmetric intramolecular Stetterreaction. With 10 mol% of the catalyst, the desired products wereobtained in excellent yields with up to 97% ee.

The first dynamic kinetic asymmetric amination of alcohols via borrowing hydrogen methodology is presented. Under the cooperative catalysis by an iridium complex and a chiral phosphoric acid, α-branched alcohols that exist as a mixture of four isomers undergo racemization by two orthogonal mechanisms and are converted to diastereo- and enantiopure amines bearing adjacent stereocenters. The preparation of diastereo- and enantiopure 1,2-amino alcohols is also realized using this catalytic system.

NHC-catalyzed divergent annulation of enals (II) with heterocyclic enones (I) and (IV) is developed to produce benzofuran/indole-containing e-lactones (III) and (V) or spiro-heterocycles (VI) with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

NHC-catalyzed divergent annulation of enals with heterocyclic enones was developed to produce benzofuran/indole-containing e-lactones or spiro-heterocycles in a highly diastereo- and enantioselective fashion. The chemo-selectivity controlled by the chiral catalyst backbone is particularly noteworthy.

Quinine-derived urea has been identified as a highly efficient organocatalyst for the enantioselective oxidation of 1,2-diols using bromination reagents as the oxidant. This simple procedure utilizes readily available reagents and operates at ambient temperature to yield a wide range of α-hydroxy ketones in good yield (up to 94%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee).

Quinine-derived urea has been identified as a highly efficient organocatalyst for the enantioselective oxidation of 1,2-diols using bromination reagents as the oxidant. This simple procedure utilizes readily available reagents and operates at ambient temperature to yield a wide range of α-hydroxy ketones in good yield (up to 94%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee).

Enantioselective oxodiene Diels–Alder reactions catalyzed by (1R,2R)-DPEN-derived triazolium salts were realized successfully. With 0.5 mol % of (1R,2R)-DPEN-derived triazolium salt C and 150 mol % of Et3N, the reactions of various α-chloroaldehydes (α-bromoaldehyde) with substituted enones led to 3,4-dihydropyridinones and their derivatives in good yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).

The reaction of various aromatic α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with dicarbonyl compounds under conditions A) provides enantioenriched substituted 3,4-dihydro-α-pyrones.

Chiral triazolium salts catalyze the asymmetric Stetter reaction of the salicylaldehyde-derived substrates (I) and (III), providing the corresponding chromanone products in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

Among 4 ligands prepared, TRI is found to be the most efficient one to produce benzopyrans and thiopyran (VI) in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities.

Spirocyclohexadienone derivatives are obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities by intramolecular asymmetric allylic dearomatization of phenols bearing tethered allylic ethers.

A series of novel chiral triazolium salts has been synthesized from readily available (1R,2R)-DPEN and found to be efficient for the enantioselective intramolecular Stetter reaction. With 10 mol% of the catalyst, the intramolecular Stetter reaction was realized in excellent yields with up to 97% ee.

A chiral phosphoric acid catalyzes the title reaction to give highly enantioenriched 1,4-dioxanes (II) and tetrahydrofuran derivative (IV).

Desymmetrization of cyclohexadienones via enantioselective oxo-Michael reaction catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acid to afford highly enantioenriched 1,4-dioxane and tetrahydrofuran derivatives in excellent yields has been realized. The newly established methodology allows the facile enantioselective synthesis of cleroindicins C, D, and F.