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The mechanism of asymmetric α-hydroxylation of tetralone-derived β-ketoesters with guanidine-bisurea bifunctional organocatalyst in the presence of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) was examined by means of DFT calculations to understand the origin of the stereocontrol in the reaction. The identified transition-state model was utilized to design an enantioselective synthesis of β- or γ-substituted tetralones by catalytic oxidative kinetic resolution reaction of tetralone-derived β-ketoesters. This kinetic resolution reaction proceeded with high selectivity, and selectivity factors (s value) of up to 99 were obtained. The potential utility of this oxidative kinetic resolution method for synthesis of natural products was confirmed by applying it to achieve an enantioselective synthesis of (+)-linoxepin (13) from β-substituted tetralone rac-7 in only six steps.

Homogeneous Pd catalysts have been identified for the conversion of cyclohexenone and tetralone O-pivaloyl oximes to the corresponding primary anilines and 1-aminonaphthalenes. This method is inspired by the Semmler-Wolff reaction, a classic method that exhibits limited synthetic utility owing to its forcing conditions, narrow scope, and low product yields. The oxime N-O bond undergoes oxidative addition to Pd(0)(PCy3)2, and the product of this step has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and shown to undergo dehydrogenation to afford the aniline product.

The highly enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselective dynamic kinetic resolution of β-ketoesters and 1,3-diketones was achieved via a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed intramolecular cross-benzoin reaction. A variety of tetralone derivatives bearing two contiguous stereocenters and multiple functionalities were liberated in moderate to excellent yields and with high levels of stereoselectivity (95% ee and20:1 dr in most cases). In addition, the excellent regioselectivity control for aryl/alkyl 1,3-diketones, and the superior electronic differentiation of 1,3-diarylketones were highlighted. Moreover, a set of new mechanistic rationale that differs with the currently widely accepted understanding of intramolecular benzoin reactions was established to demonstrate the superior preference of benzoin over aldol transformation: (1) A coexistence of competitive aldol and benzoin reactions was detected, but a retro-aldol-irreversible benzoin process performs a vital role in the generation of predominant benzoin products. (2) The most essential role of an N-electron-withdrawing substituent in triazolium catalysts was revealed to be accelerating the rate of the benzoin transformation, rather than suppressing the aldol process through reducing the inherent basicity of the catalyst.

The cesium (1-Cs, CsPhPAT) and lithium (1-Li, LiPhPAT) enolates of 2,6-diphenyl-α-tetralone, 1, and the lithium enolate (2-Li, LiPhAT) of 2-phenyl-α-tetralone, 2, are present in dilute THF solution as monomers and dimers with K1,2 = 1810 (1-Cs, CsPhPAT), 2650 (1-Li, LiPhPAT), and 1930 (2-Li, LiPhAT) M-1. These values were obtained by singular value decomposition analysis of the UV spectra and by the dependence of ion pair pK's with concentration. On the ion pair pK scales previously defined, the monomers have pK = 17.80 (1-Cs, CsPhPAT) and 11.14 (1-Li, LiPhPAT). The monomers are much faster than dimers in alkylation reactions; reaction products from alkyl halides are those of C-alkylation, but 1-Cs (CsPhPAT) with methyl sulfonates gives large amounts of O-alkylation. Comparison with previous results shows that the reactivity of cesium enolates parallels their basicity but that lithium enolates show no correlation between ion pair pK and alkylation reactivity.

The asymmetric α-arylation of ketones with aryl triflates is described, and the use of this electrophile with nickel and palladium catalysts containing a segphos derivative increases substantially the scope of highly enantioselective arylations of ketone enolates. The combination of aryl triflates as reactant, difluorphos as ligand, palladium catalysts for reactions of electron-neutral to (or) electron-rich aryl triflates, and nickel catalysts for reactions of electron-poor aryl triflates led to a series of α-arylations of tetralone, indanone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone derivatives with electron-rich and electron poor aryl electrophiles. Enantioselectivities ranged from 70–98% with ten examples over 90%. Systematic studies on these α-arylations have revealed a number of factors that affect enantioselectivity. Ligands containing biaryl backbones with small dihedral angles generate catalysts that react with higher enantioselectivity than related ligands with larger dihedral angles. In addition, faster rates for reactions of aryl triflates vs those for reactions of aryl bromides allow the α-arylations of aryl triflates to be conducted at lower temperatures, and this lower temperature improves enantioselectivity. Finally, studies that compare the enantioselectivities of catalytic reactions to those of stoichiometric reactions of isolated [(segphos)Pd(Ar)(Br)], [(segphos)Pd(Ar)(I)] and [(segphos)Ni(C6H4-4-CN)Br] suggest that catalyst decomposition affects enantioselectivity.

Nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed cyclopentannulation of enals and chalcones via homoenolate has been observed for the first time. Serendipitously, the reaction lead to a very efficient synthesis of 3,4-trans-disubstituted-1-aryl cyclopentenes instead of the expected cyclopentanones. The strategy works well with thienylidene tetralone also, leading to the tricyclic cyclopentene derivative.

We have described the first Brønsted acid-mediated cyclizations of siloxyalkynes with simple arenes and alkenes to afford substituted tetralone and cyclohexenone derivatives. The most notable aspect of the carbocyclizations involving siloxyalkynes is the ability to employ a range of substrates that are not restricted to those containing electron-rich arenes and alkenes. The key mechanistic feature of the reaction is the generation of a highly reactive ketenium ion upon protonation of siloxyalkyne. We believe that the low nucleophilicty of the counteranion is crucial for enabling the formation and effective interception of this highly reactive intermediate.