An iron-catalyzed oxidative unsymmetrical biphenol coupling in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol that proceeds via a chelated radical-anion coupling mechanism was developed. Based on mechanistic studies, electrochemical methods, and density functional theory calculations, we suggest a general model that enables prediction of the feasibility of cross-coupling for a given pair of phenols.

Novel chiral iron phosphate complexes were prepared as catalysts for asymmetric oxidative coupling reactions. These catalysts were applied for the synthesis of enantio-enriched C- and C-symmetric BINOLs, in which the 3 and 3' positions are available for chemical modifications. It was proposed that the reaction takes place via an oxidative radical-anion coupling mechanism. A destructive BINOL racemization that competes with the enantioselective oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols was revealed, thereby offering new insights into this highly important reaction.

Efficient and highly selective catalytic conditions for the aerobic autoxidation of methylarenes to benzaldehydes, based on N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) and cobalt(II) acetate in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP), were developed. The sustainable conditions enable a multigram scale preparation of benzaldehyde derivatives in high efficiency and with excellent chemoselectivity (up to 99 % conversion and 98 % selectivity).

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A novel catalytic system for oxidative cross-coupling of readily oxidized phenols with poor nucleophilic phenolic partners based on an iron meso-tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (Fe[TPP]Cl) complex in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP) was developed. The unique chemoselectivity of this reaction is attributed to the coupling between a liberated phenoxyl radical with an iron-ligated phenolic coupling partner. The conditions are scalable for preparing a long list of unsymmetrical biphenols assembled from a less reactive phenolic unit substituted with alkyl or halide groups.

The iron-catalyzed oxidative coupling of phenols has emerged as a powerful method for preparing complex phenolic frameworks from simple and readily available compounds. This synopsis describes the selectivity challenges inherent in oxidative coupling reactions while at the same time presents our mechanistic-driven strategy employed to confront them.

Significant enhancement of both the rate and the chemoselectivity of iron-catalyzed oxidative coupling of phenols can be achieved in fluorinated solvents, such as 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP), 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), and 1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. The generality of this effect was examined for the cross-coupling of phenols with arenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and of phenol with β-dicarbonyl compounds. The new conditions were utilized in the synthesis of 2'''-dehydroxycalodenin B in only four synthetic steps.

A methodology for the preparation of asmarine analogues has been developed. The asmarines are cytotoxic marine alkaloids with a unique tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[1,2,3-g,h]purine (THDAP) structure. Three cyclization methods were applied for the preparation of the 9,9-disubstituted 10-hydroxy-THDAP system, namely, aminomercurization, iodocyclization, and acid-catalyzed cyclization. The DMPM group of the NOH functionality and cyanoethyl group of the N-9 atom were found to be the most suitable protecting groups. The structures of all compounds were mainly determined from NMR measurements including (15)N chemical shifts obtained from (15)NH HMBC spectra. The end products are at least about 1 order of magnitude less active than the natural product asmarine B.