1. Rhodium-Catalyzed Addition of Alkynes to Activated Ketones and Aldehydes
John D. Chisholm, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244
Our work involves the development of new, catalytic methods to create carbon-carbon bonds. The formation of these bonds is critical for the synthesis of new pharmaceutical and materials. Catalytic methods are highly desirable as they minimize the formation of unwanted waste byproducts, offering a greener alternative to classical methods. Development of practical, environmentally friendly chemical synthesis is a crucial goal in the sustainable development of our global society.
One example of note is the rhodium-catalyzed dimerization addition reaction of alkynes and electron-poor ketones that was recently discovered in our group. This is an example of a transition metal catalyzed multicomponent reaction. These reactions typically shorten synthetic routes to complex molecules by combining several reactions into a single step process, greatly improving efficiency. This reaction results in the combination of two equivalents of the alkyne with an equivalent of a reactive ketone to provide an enyne which posses a defined configuration. This multicomponent reaction greatly simplifies the synthesis of these substituted enynes, which have been used as synthetic intermediates and in molecular electronics.