Synlett 2011(1): 30-51  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259094
ACCOUNT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Iridium-Catalyzed Reactions Involving Transfer Hydrogenation, Addition, N-Heterocyclization, and Alkylation Using Alcohols and Diols as Key Substrates

Yasushi Obora*, Yasutaka Ishii*
Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering and ORDIST, Kansai University, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
Fax: +81(6)63394026; e-Mail: obora@kansai-u.ac.jp; e-Mail: r091001@kansai-u.ac.jp;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 24 August 2010
Publication Date:
10 December 2010 (online)

Abstract

This account gives an overview of iridium-catalyzed ­reactions developed by our group using mainly alcohols and diols as substrates. In the presented reactions, the iridium catalyst serves as a hydrogen acceptor from the alcohols giving iridium hydride, which is a key transient species. Herein, we report hydrogenation, alkylation, esterification, N-heterocyclization, and coupling reactions using alcohols and diols as reagents.

1 Introduction

2 Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds and Alkenes

3 Synthesis of Vinyl and Allyl Ethers

4 Synthesis of γ,δ-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

5 α-Alkylation Using Alcohols and Diols as Alkylating Agents

5.1 α-Alkylation of Methyl Ketones

5.2 α-Alkylation of Arylacetonitriles

5.3 α-Alkylation of Active Methylene Compounds

5.4 α-Alkylation of Acetates

6 β-Alkylation (Guerbet Reaction)

7 Oxidative Esterification

8 N-Heterocyclization

8.1 Synthesis of Quinolines from Amino Alcohols and Ketones

8.2 Synthesis of Benzo[h]quinolines and Benzoindole Derivatives from Naphthylamines and Diols

9 Coupling Reaction of Alcohols with Alkynes

9.1 Synthesis of Homoallylic Alcohols

9.2 Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones (Hydroacylation)

10 Concluding Remarks

30

See also ref. 24 and references cited therein