A novel phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of γ-substituted allenoates with succinimides was developed, which was successfully applied to the synthesis of 2-azaspiro[4.4]nonene-1,3-dione derivatives. The reaction afforded the desired products in moderate to high yields (up to 96%) with excellent regioselectivities and diastereoselectivities (up to >99 : 1 dr). A plausible reaction mechanism has also been proposed based on previous literature.

AbstractThe first example of cobalt-catalyzed C(sp2)−H carbonylation of benzylamines using a traceless directing group is reported, which was successfully applied to the synthesis of N−unprotected iso-indolinones through direct C−H/N−H bonds activation. This protocol tolerates a variety of functional groups and provides a facile and efficient method for the formal synthesis of (+)-garenoxacin.

The front cover picture, provided by Weihui Zhong and co-workers, illustrates the first example of cobalt-catalyzed C(sp2)−H carbonylation of benzylamines using a traceless directing group, which was successfully applied to the synthesis of N-unprotected isoindolinones through direct C−H/N−H bonds activation. This protocol tolerates a variety of functional groups and provides a facile and efficient method for the formal synthesis of (+)-garenoxacin. Details of this work can be found in the communication on pages 3707–3712 (F. Ling, C. Ai, Y. Lv, W. Zhong, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2017, 359, 3707–3712; DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201700780)

A series of air-stable ferrocenylphosphines LB1–LB8 were designed and prepared in high yields. (R,SFc)-ferrocenylphosphine LB5 was found to efficiently promote the asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with maleimides to afford the corresponding bicyclic imides with 84–99% ee and 67–99% yield. Interestingly, the configuration of these products was contrary to those reported in the literature.

A series of air-stable ferrocenylphosphines LB1–LB8 were designed and prepared in high yields. (R,SFc)-ferrocenylphosphine LB5 was found to efficiently promote the asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with maleimides to afford the corresponding bicyclic imides with 84–99% ee and 67–99% yield. Interestingly, the configuration of these products was contrary to those reported in the literature.