@article { ISI:000295817100054, title = {Efficient synthesis of benzofuranones: N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/base-catalyzed hydroacylation-stetter-rearrangement cascade}, journal = {Organic Letters}, volume = {13}, number = {20}, year = {2011}, month = {OCT}, pages = {5624-5627}, publisher = {AMER CHEMICAL SOC}, address = {1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA}, abstract = {

A N-heterocyclic carbene/base-catalyzed cascade reaction leading to the formation of functionalized benzofuranones is reported. The reaction proceeds via an intramolecular hydroacylation of unactivated alkynes followed by an intermolecular Stetter reaction and a base-catalyzed chromanone to benzofuranone rearrangement.

}, issn = {1523-7060}, doi = {10.1021/ol2023483}, author = {Padmanaban, Mohan and Biju, Akkattu T. and Glorius, Frank} } @article { ISI:000295259700041, title = {N-Heterocyclic carbene catalyzed umpolung of michael acceptors for intermolecular reactions}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie-International Edition}, volume = {50}, number = {36}, year = {2011}, month = {AUG}, pages = {8412-8415}, publisher = {WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH}, address = {BOSCHSTRASSE 12, D-69469 WEINHEIM, GERMANY}, abstract = {

eahciM! The N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed umpolung of Michael acceptors proceeds through the formation of a deoxy-Breslow intermediate (see scheme; EWG=electron-withdrawing group). This nucleophilic species can react with other Michael acceptors in an intermolecular fashion, thereby resulting in the formation of homo- or heterodimeric olefins. This {\textquotedblleft}Michael umpolung{\textquotedblright} should become a valuable method for the formation of densely functionalized olefins.

}, keywords = {carbenes, Michael acceptors, nitrogen heterocycles, organocatalysis, umpolung}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201103555}, author = {Biju, Akkattu T. and Padmanaban, Mohan and Wurz, Nathalie E. and Glorius, Frank} } @article {42450, title = {N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed cross-coupling of aromatic aldehydes with activated alkyl halides}, journal = {Organic Letters}, volume = {13}, year = {2011}, month = {NOV}, pages = {98{\textendash}101}, abstract = {

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed umpolung of aldehydes followed by their interception with diarylbromomethanes has been reported. This conceptually novel transition-metal-free cross-coupling of aldehydes with alkyl halides works well at low catalyst loadings and under mild reaction conditions leading to the formation of diaryl acetophenone derivatives in good yields. In addition, α-halo ketones and esters can also be used as aldehyde reaction partners.

}, doi = {10.1021/ol102626p}, author = {Padmanaban, Mohan and Biju, Akkattu T. and Glorius, Frank} }