@article {42458, title = {Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 2-unsubstituted, n-substituted benzimidazoles}, journal = {Journal of Organic Chemistry}, volume = {74}, year = {2009}, month = {NOV}, pages = {9570{\textendash}9572}, abstract = {

An efficient copper-catalyzed intramolecular arylation of formamidines forming 2-unsubstituted benzimidazoles in excellent yields is reported. Sixteen examples bearing sterically demanding substituents on nitrogen like Mes, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, or 2-tert-butylphenyl and tolerating various functional groups demonstrate the utility of this method.

}, doi = {10.1021/jo902160y}, author = {Hirano, Keiichi and Biju, Akkattu T. and Glorius, Frank} } @article {42457, title = {N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed hydroacylation of unactivated double bonds}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {131}, year = {2009}, month = {SEP}, pages = {14190{\textendash}14191}, abstract = {

An intramolecular N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed hydroacylation of unactivated double bonds is reported. Systematic variation of the catalyst structure revealed an N-mesitylthiazolylidene annulated with a seven-membered ring to be especially reactive. This NHC enables a unique C-C bond-forming reaction to afford substituted chroman-4-ones in moderate to excellent yields, even ones containing all-carbon quaternary centers.

}, doi = {10.1021/ja906361g}, author = {Hirano, Keiichi and Biju, Akkattu T. and Piel, Isabel and Glorius, Frank} } @article {42459, title = {Switching the electron-donor properties of n-heterocyclic carbenes by a facile deprotonation strategy}, journal = {Chemistry an Asian Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2009}, month = {DEC}, pages = {1786{\textendash}1789}, abstract = {

Flip the switch! The facile and distinct variation of the electronic properties of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand is reported. In this process, a simple deprotonation/protonation strategy can render the NHC to be an electron-poor or an electron-rich NHC ligand: one ligand, two electronic natures.

}, keywords = {carbenes; electronic properties; enolates; heterocycles; ligand design}, doi = {10.1002/asia.200900410}, author = {Biju, Akkattu T. and Hirano, Keiichi and Frohlich, Roland and Glorius, Frank} }