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Trinuclear all-metal aromatic clusters are an original class of molecules with a cyclic and planar metal core. Characterized by peculiar metal-metal delocalized bonds, they represent a new frontier in transition-metal catalysis. We report a study on C-C-forming reactions of polyunsaturated substrates catalyzed by trinuclear all-metal aromatic palladium clusters. The synthesis of two new families of tricyclic compounds was obtained with a broad functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions. A peculiar regio- and diastereoselectivity characterized the method, demonstrating that trinuclear palladium complexes are complementary to their popular mononuclear peers. Furthermore, preliminary studies on the mechanism of these polycyclization reactions revealed unique features of the homogeneous catalytic system.

The first organo-catalyzed synthesis of imidazolidin-2-ones and imidazol-2-ones via intramolecular hydroamidation of propargylic ureas is reported. The phosphazene base BEMP turned out to be the most active organo-catalyst compared with guanidine and amidine bases. Excellent chemo- and regioselectivities to five-membered cyclic ureas have been achieved under ambient conditions, with a wide substrate scope and exceptionally short reaction times (down to 1 min). A base-mediated isomerization step to an allenamide intermediate is the most feasible reaction pathway to give imidazol-2-ones, as suggested by DFT studies.

A variety of isocoumarins have been synthesized directly from 2-halobenzoates and ketones through a palladium-catalyzed α-arylation step followed by an intramolecular cyclization process. The addition of iodide anions to the reaction mixture increased yields and selectivities especially when 2-bromobenzoates were employed. This phosphine-free one-pot synthesis features a high functional group tolerance and gives access to richly decorated isocoumarins. This general methodology was successful in the total synthesis of Xyridin A, an important natural product with antibacterial and antifungal activity.

4-Yn-1-ones containing different substituents, prop-2-ynyl alpha-ketoesters, and prop-2-ynyl alpha-ketoamides have been caused to react catalytically under oxidative carbonylation conditions to give tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane and oxazoline, dihydropyridinone, and tetrahydropyridinedione derivatives in satisfactory yields. Reactions were carried out in MeOH or MeCN/MeOH mixtures at 65-100 degrees C in the presence of catalytic amounts of PdI(2) in conjunction with KI under 32 bar (at 25 degrees C) of a 3:1 mixture of CO and air. Anti and syn 5-exo-dig cyclization modes account for the formation of different products. It has been found that cyclopentenone, dihydropyridinone, and tetrahydropyridinedione derivatives, formed when the reaction is carried out at higher temperature and for a longer time, can also be selectively obtained through an acid treatment of tetrahydrofuran and oxazoline derivatives involving an unusual rearrangement. The structures of 6-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 2,2,5-trimethyl-3,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.