Synlett 2017; 28(08): 873-878
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1588395
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Biomimetic Oxidative Carbene Catalysis: Enabling Aerial Oxygen as a Terminal Oxidant

Anton Axelsson
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden   Email: sundenh@chalmers.se
,
Linda Ta
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden   Email: sundenh@chalmers.se
,
Henrik Sundén*
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden   Email: sundenh@chalmers.se
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 02 December 2016

Accepted: 26 December 2016

Publication Date:
31 January 2017 (online)


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Abstract

Oxidative carbene catalysis is a quickly growing field in organic synthesis. However, these catalytic protocols traditionally rely on the stoichiometric addition of a high-molecular-weight oxidant, providing these reactions with a high E-factor. Here, we review efforts to replace high-molecular-weight oxidants with oxygen using a biomimetic system of coupled electron-transfer mediators. Two reactions are discussed: the aerobic oxidative esterification of aldehydes and the aerobic oxidative NHC-catalyzed enantioselective formation of dihydropyranones.

1 Introduction

2 Biomimetic Oxidations

3 Oxidative NHC Catalysis

4 NHC-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Esterification of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes

5 Aerobic Enantioselective Synthesis of Dihydropyranones

6 Conclusion