Transition metal catalyzed redox triggered C–C bond forming reactions of alcohols via transfer hydrogenation

Abstract

Carbonyl addition is one of the fundamental reactions forming C–C bonds in organic chemistry to construct structurally complex organic molecules, in particular natural products, from small molecules. For this useful carbonyl addition, transition metal catalyzed redox-triggered C–C bond forming reactions of alcohols have been developed via transfer hydrogenation. Combined redox events are more efficient in terms of step- and atom-economy by delivering nucleophile-electrophile pairs in situ from π-unsaturates and alcohols, respectively. Furthermore, transition metal catalyzed redox-triggered C–C couplings bypass the need of stoichiometric (organo)metallic reagents. This dissertation shows the development of new methodologies for this goal including prenylation, vinylation, alkylation and allylation using various ruthenium, osmium and iridium catalysts.