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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Hydrogenolysis of unstrained carbon-carbon sigma bonds: stereoselective entry into benzylic tertiary centers
Ashraf Wilsily1, Yen Nguyen, Eric Fillion
1Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1.
Abstract:
The modification of sp(3)-hybridized carbon centers through Pd-catalyzed reductive cleavage of unstrained carbon-carbon sigma bonds is described. From the hydrogenolysis of benzyl Meldrum's acids bearing an all-carbon benzylic quaternary center, Meldrum's acid and aromatics substituted with a tertiary benzylic stereocenter were obtained in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies showed that the reductive cleavage of enantioenriched benzylic quaternary centers proceeded with inversion of configuration, supporting a "loose" S(N)2 pathway.
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