Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Synergistic solvent-catalyst paradigm for sustainable aerobic allylic C-H functionalization
Rui Wang1,2, Long Zhang1, Sanzhong Luo1
1Center of Basic Molecular Science, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
None:
Achieving sustainable catalytic transformations requires synergistic optimization of solvent systems, catalytic motifs and energy inputs. Herein, we report a synergistic Pd/hydroquinone catalytic system that enables aerobic allylic C-H functions under ambient conditions (room temperature to 50°C, air) with high turnover frequency (TOF), using ethanol/water as a green medium. This strategy achieves unparalleled synthetic efficiency and demonstrates remarkable versatility across two pivotal transformations (alkylation and amination) involving over 90 products (up to 96% yield). It also delivers exceptional stereocontrol (up to 93% ee for quaternary stereocenters) and enables advanced allylic transformations within a green framework through additional synergistic catalysis. By integrating solvent engineering with cooperative catalysis, we have developed a scalable platform for the synthesis of allylic functionalized molecules with pharmaceutical interests, demonstrating how molecule-level innovation can drive sustainable industrial transformation.
More Related Videos
06:46Facile Preparation of 2Z,4E-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
06:34Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides CHIPS
Published on: June 20, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Radical Substitution: Allylic Bromination