Asymmetric rhodium-catalyzed hydroacylation has been utilized in the synthesis of 3-substituted indanones with high conversions and enantioselectivity. The hydroacylation reaction of 2-vinyl benzaldehyde had been previously reported to give a low yield of indanone and an unidentified product. We have identified this compound as a dimer of the starting material. Substitution at the alpha-position of the 2-vinyl benzaldehyde substrates blocks the competitive dimerization reaction and allows the reaction to proceed with yields generally greater than 90%. Utilization of BINAP as a chiral ligand results in good chemical yields and enantioselectivity greater than 95% in most cases.

The reaction of a 1,6-enyne with a hydrosilane catalyzed by Rh(acac)(CO)(2), Rh(4)(CO)(12), or Rh(2)Co(2)(CO)(12) under ambient CO atmosphere or N(2) gives 2-methyl-1-silylmethylidene-2-cyclopentane or its heteroatom congener in excellent yield through silylcarbocycization (SiCaC) process. The same reaction, but in the presence of a phosphite such as P(OEt)(3) and P(OPh)(3) under 20 atm of CO, affords the corresponding 2-formylmethyl-1-silylmethylidene-2-cyclopentane or its heteroatom congener with excellent selectivity through carbonylative silylcarbocycization (CO-SiCaC) process. The SiCaC reaction has also been applied to a 1,6-enyne bearing a cyclohexenyl group as the alkene moiety and a 1,7-enyne system. The functionalized five- and six-membered ring systems obtained by these novel cyclization reactions serve as useful and versatile intermediates for the syntheses of natural and unnatural heterocyclic and carbocyclic compounds. Possible mechanisms for the SiCaC and CO-SiCaC reactions as well as unique features of these processes are discussed.

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In this experiment the over-the-counter pain reliever ibuprofen is resolved using (S)-(-)-α-phenethylamine as the resolving agent. This procedure has several key advantages over previous resolution experiments. First, it involves the resolution of a well-known medicinal compound of commercial importance. Second, the resolution process is simpler and more foolproof than previous experiments. Third, the product obtained at the end of the resolution process is chemically stable. Finally, the reagents used in this resolution are relatively inexpensive and easily obtained.

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This synthesis of ethyl 6-acetoxyhexanoate (Berryflor) is designed as an experiment for use in a second-year organic chemistry course focusing on the synthesis and reaction of esters. The compound is described as having a raspberry-like odor with jasmine and anise aspects. A two-step procedure for its synthesis beginning with inexpensive ε-caprolactone is described. The first step involves an acid-catalyzed transesterification of the lactone to form ethyl 6-hydroxyhexanoate. Ethyl 6-hydroxyhexanoate is converted to the desired compound via acetylation under mildly basic conditions to give ethyl 6-acetoxyhexanoate in good yield. The product is characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, and by comparison to commercial samples.