Themed collection Organic Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series

32 items
Profile

Contributors to the Organic Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2022–2023

This profile article showcases researchers who have contributed an article to the Organic Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series.

Graphical abstract: Contributors to the Organic Chemistry Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series 2022–2023
Review Article

Recent advances in the chemistry of α-oxylboronate reagents

The synthesis and transformation of α-oxylboronates including their C–B bond and C–O bond functionalizations are reviewed.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in the chemistry of α-oxylboronate reagents
Open Access Review Article

Chiral organophosphates as ligands in asymmetric metal catalysis

Chiral phosphates have successfully been used as ligands in asymmetric metal-catalysis. This Minireview discusses the most recent examples, including main-group catalysis, transition-metal catalysis and catalysis by rare-earth metals.

Graphical abstract: Chiral organophosphates as ligands in asymmetric metal catalysis
Review Article

N-Amino pyridinium salts in organic synthesis

This review summarizes the synthesis and reactivity of N-aminopyridinium salts, discusses applications in organic synthesis, and highlights the potential for these reagents to enable novel synthetic disconnections and innovations.

Graphical abstract: N-Amino pyridinium salts in organic synthesis
Review Article

Exploring visible light for carbon–nitrogen and carbon–oxygen bond formation via nickel catalysis

In this review, we highlight the recent synthetic methodology development for the formation of C–N and C–O bonds via visible-light-driven nickel catalysis, with in-depth discussions with reaction designs and mechanistic scenarios.

Graphical abstract: Exploring visible light for carbon–nitrogen and carbon–oxygen bond formation via nickel catalysis
Review Article

Advances in circularly polarized electroluminescence based on chiral TADF-active materials

This review summarizes the development status of chiral TADF-active materials with CPEL, covering chiral perturbed TADF molecules, intrinsically chiral TADF molecules, and TADFsensitized fluorescent enantiomers.

Graphical abstract: Advances in circularly polarized electroluminescence based on chiral TADF-active materials
Research Article

A convergent paired electrochemical strategy for decarboxylative C(sp2)–C(sp3) bond formation

In this report, we describe a convergent paired electrochemical decarboxylative C(sp2)–C(sp3) cross-coupling reaction that employs readily available alkyl carboxylic acids and C(sp2)–iodides as direct coupling partners.

Graphical abstract: A convergent paired electrochemical strategy for decarboxylative C(sp2)–C(sp3) bond formation
Research Article

Nickel/photoredox dual-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of aryl halides and aldehydes

A photoredox-assisted nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of aryl halides and aldehydes to afford silyl-protected alcohols is reported. Key to success of this strategy is to identify α-silylamines as efficient organic reductants.

Graphical abstract: Nickel/photoredox dual-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of aryl halides and aldehydes
Research Article

Facile and practical access to chiral benzofused oxa-heterocycles via an asymmetric hydrogenation and intramolecular SNAr cascade

Herein, we report a tandem asymmetric hydrogenation and SNAr reaction, providing valuable six- and five-membered chiral benzofused cyclic ethers with high yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and up to 99% ee).

Graphical abstract: Facile and practical access to chiral benzofused oxa-heterocycles via an asymmetric hydrogenation and intramolecular SNAr cascade
Open Access Research Article

Pulsed electrolysis: enhancing primary benzylic C(sp3)–H nucleophilic fluorination

Pulsed electrolysis waveforms benefit primary benzylic cation generation and fluorination.

Graphical abstract: Pulsed electrolysis: enhancing primary benzylic C(sp3)–H nucleophilic fluorination
Research Article

Enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate addition of pyridyl alkyl ketones to enones by Cu(II)-Lewis acid/Brønsted base catalysis

Cu(II) Lewis acid/Brønsted base catalysis was employed to achieve enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate additions of pyridyl alkyl ketones to enones, resulting in the formation of various 1,5-diketones with vicinal stereocenters.

Graphical abstract: Enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate addition of pyridyl alkyl ketones to enones by Cu(ii)-Lewis acid/Brønsted base catalysis
Open Access Research Article

Asymmetric copper-catalyzed alkynylallylic dimethylamination

A reliable protocol for asymmetric Cu-catalyzed alkynylallylic dimethylamination is described with the discovery of tetramethyldiaminomethane as a new, stable and convenient surrogate of the dimethylamine nucleophile.

Graphical abstract: Asymmetric copper-catalyzed alkynylallylic dimethylamination
Research Article

Conjugated figure-of-eight macrocycles derived from the anthracene photodimer: synthetic execution through intramolecular cyclization and topological manipulation through ring expansion

Employing the anthracene photodimer core, conjugated figure-of-eight macrocycles are facilely prepared via intramolecular cyclizations followed by ring expansion.

Graphical abstract: Conjugated figure-of-eight macrocycles derived from the anthracene photodimer: synthetic execution through intramolecular cyclization and topological manipulation through ring expansion
Research Article

Electrochemical multicomponent reaction toward vicinal sulfenyltetrazolation of unactivated alkenes

An electrochemical multicomponent reaction (e-MCR) enables the green and sustainable preparation of diverse vicinal sulfenyltetrazolation using the readily available unactivated olefins, thiols, azidotrimethylsilane, and acetonitrile.

Graphical abstract: Electrochemical multicomponent reaction toward vicinal sulfenyltetrazolation of unactivated alkenes
Research Article

Re-examining the stereochemistry of polycyclic suffruticosine via TDDFT calculations, ECD spectroscopy, and chemical synthesis

The stereochemistry of suffruticosine has been revised by using experimental and computational methods.

Graphical abstract: Re-examining the stereochemistry of polycyclic suffruticosine via TDDFT calculations, ECD spectroscopy, and chemical synthesis
Research Article

Stereodivergent asymmetric synthesis of P-atropisomeric Si-stereogenic monohydrosilanes

We herein report an efficient one-pot strategy for the stereodivergent asymmetric synthesis of various P-atropisomeric Si-stereogenic monohydrosilanes with excellent stereoselectivity from dichlorosilanes.

Graphical abstract: Stereodivergent asymmetric synthesis of P-atropisomeric Si-stereogenic monohydrosilanes
Research Article

Oxidative Mizoroki–Heck reaction of unprotected cinnamylamines at ambient temperature under air

Cinnamylamines make-up many important drugs that target G protein-coupled receptors.

Graphical abstract: Oxidative Mizoroki–Heck reaction of unprotected cinnamylamines at ambient temperature under air
Research Article

Efficient multigram procedure for the synthesis of large hydrazone-linked molecular cages

An efficient pathway to synthesize covalent hydrazone-linked molecular tetrahedra is reported. Our new synthesis enabled us to create a family of hydrolytically stable organic molecular cages with large openings required to bind complex guests.

Graphical abstract: Efficient multigram procedure for the synthesis of large hydrazone-linked molecular cages
Research Article

Copper-catalysed controllable hydrodefluorination of trifluoromethylated alkenes

An effective method for the construction of difluoromethylated alkenes through Cu-catalysed controllable hydrodefluorination of trifluoromethylated alkenes is described.

Graphical abstract: Copper-catalysed controllable hydrodefluorination of trifluoromethylated alkenes
Research Article

Carboxyl group assisted isodesmic meta-C–H iodination of phenethylamines, benzylamines, and 2-aryl anilines

Remote isodesmic meta-C–H iodination of phenethylamines, benzylamines, and 2-aryl anilines was enabled by an alkyl carboxyl group.

Graphical abstract: Carboxyl group assisted isodesmic meta-C–H iodination of phenethylamines, benzylamines, and 2-aryl anilines
Research Article

Pyrene bridged double[7]helicene embedded with a heptagonal ring

The article explores the intricate relationship between chiroptical properties and molecular symmetry of pyrene-conjugated single and double [7]helicene.

Graphical abstract: Pyrene bridged double[7]helicene embedded with a heptagonal ring
Research Article

Photoinduced carbene transfer for copper-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 1] cycloadditions: an entry to chiral indolines bearing quaternary stereocenters

A copper-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 1] cycloaddition of ethynylbenzoxazinones with sulfur ylides formed in situ by photoinduced carbene transfer is reported to afford chiral indolines with good efficiency, enantio- and diastereoselectivities.

Graphical abstract: Photoinduced carbene transfer for copper-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 1] cycloadditions: an entry to chiral indolines bearing quaternary stereocenters
Research Article

A practical synthesis of 3,4-diamino-6-azido-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ium energetic ionic compounds

We report herein a practical synthesis of 3,4-diamino-6-azido-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ium energetic ionic compounds which show good detonation performances and low sensitivities.

Graphical abstract: A practical synthesis of 3,4-diamino-6-azido-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ium energetic ionic compounds
Research Article

Redox-active alkyl xanthate esters enable practical C–S cross-coupling by nickel catalysis

A new nickel catalysis strategy that harnesses readily accessible alkyl xanthate esters, while previously well-studied as alkyl radical precursors, herein as ideal sulfenylating agents via an unprecedented C–S bond activation pattern.

Graphical abstract: Redox-active alkyl xanthate esters enable practical C–S cross-coupling by nickel catalysis
Open Access Research Article

One-step synthesis of polycyclic thianthrenes from unfunctionalized aromatics by thia-APEX reactions

In this paper, thia-APEX reactions affording π-extended thianthrene derivatives from unfunctionalized aromatics are described.

Graphical abstract: One-step synthesis of polycyclic thianthrenes from unfunctionalized aromatics by thia-APEX reactions
Research Article

Zinc-catalyzed desymmetric hydrosilylation of monosubstituted malonic esters

A dinuclear zinc catalyst with a pipecolinol-derived tetradentate ligand enables the diverse synthesis of tertiary stereocenters via desymmetrization.

Graphical abstract: Zinc-catalyzed desymmetric hydrosilylation of monosubstituted malonic esters
Research Article

Nickel-catalyzed desulfonylative olefination of β-hydroxysulfones

A Ni-catalyzed C–O bond activation is used to access alkenes directly from β-hydroxysulfones.

Graphical abstract: Nickel-catalyzed desulfonylative olefination of β-hydroxysulfones
Research Article

Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane-catalyzed E-selective isomerization of terminal alkenes to internal alkenes

The bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane-catalyzed E-selective isomerization of terminal alkenes to internal alkenes via a hydroboration/retro-hydroboration sequence is reported.

Graphical abstract: Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane-catalyzed E-selective isomerization of terminal alkenes to internal alkenes
Research Article

Visible light-mediated NHC and photoredox co-catalyzed 1,2-sulfonylacylation of allenes via acyl and allyl radical cross-coupling

Visible light-mediated NHC and photoredox co-catalyzed radical 1,2-sulfonylacylation of allenes via cross-coupling between an allyl radical and an NHC-stabilized acyl radical.

Graphical abstract: Visible light-mediated NHC and photoredox co-catalyzed 1,2-sulfonylacylation of allenes via acyl and allyl radical cross-coupling
Research Article

Synthesis of 2,4-diarylated pyrimidines enabled by Ni-catalyzed C–sulfone bond activation

The readily available pyrimidinyl sulfones, in which the C–S bond is cleaved selectively, could serve as electrophiles in the Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to prepare 2,4-diarylated pyrimidines under mild conditions with a broad scope.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of 2,4-diarylated pyrimidines enabled by Ni-catalyzed C–sulfone bond activation
Research Article

4,5-Disubstituted pyrenes from phenangermoles

The synthesis of discriminated 4,5-disubstitued pyrene from phenangermoles is accomplished via a Pd-catalyzed annulative π-extension reaction.

Graphical abstract: 4,5-Disubstituted pyrenes from phenangermoles
Research Article

Cr-catalyzed chiral allenone synthesis via sequential radical–polar crossover and Oppenauer oxidation

We describe the Cr-catalyzed enantioconvergent synthesis of chiral 2,3-allenones from aldehydes and propargyl bromides, which features an unprecedented cascade of Cr-catalyzed asymmetric reductive radical–polar crossover and Oppenauer oxidation.

Graphical abstract: Cr-catalyzed chiral allenone synthesis via sequential radical–polar crossover and Oppenauer oxidation
32 items

About this collection

Organic  Chemistry Frontiers is pleased to publish this Emerging Investigator Series to highlight early-career scientists and their excellent research at the forefront of organic chemistry.

Scientists featured in the collection are recognized for the high novelty of their research, their outstanding contributions made during independent career stages, as well as the potential to influence chemistry in future.

More details about the Emerging Investigator Series can be found below, including details on how to apply for considerations. This collection will be updated when new Emerging Investigator Series papers are published – so keep checking this page and watch the collection grow!

Check out the call for papers by Organic Chemistry FrontiersMaterials Chemistry Frontiers and Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers.

Read below the author profiles to know more about the emerging investigators.

Liang-An Chen

Meng Li

Guangfan Zheng

Michael C. Young

Chuan He

Spotlight

Advertisements