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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Efficient Construction of Drug-like Bispirocyclic Scaffolds Via Organocatalytic Cycloadditions of α-Imino γ-Lactones and Alkylidene Pyrazolones
Published on: February 7, 2019
A readily synthesized and highly active epoxide carbonylation catalyst based on a chromium porphyrin framework:
Joseph A R Schmidt1, Viswanath Mahadevan, Yutan D Y L Getzler
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, USA.
Abstract:
[reaction: see text] Catalytic carbonylation of epoxides to beta-lactones was effected by a highly active and selective bimetallic catalyst comprised of a chromium(III) porphyrin cation and a cobalt tetracarbonyl anion. The complex is readily synthesized from commercially available compounds in high yield. Carbonylation of numerous linear epoxides, as well as bicyclic epoxides derived from 8- and 12-membered hydrocarbons, proceeded with high activity, selectivity, and yield.
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