Cascade intramolecular Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization for the synthesis of 4-aryltetralin-2-ols and 5-aryltetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-7-ols

The treatment of 2-(2-vinylphenyl)acetaldehydes or 3-(2-vinylphenyl)propanals with BF3·Et2O results in an intramolecular Prins reaction affording intermediary benzyl carbenium ions, which are then trapped by a variety of electron-rich aromatics via Friedel–Crafts alkylation. This cascade Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization protocol paves an expedient path to medicinally useful 4-aryltetralin-2-ol and 5-aryltetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-7-ol derivatives.

Cascade Intramolecular Prins/Friedel–Crafts Cyclization for the Synthesis of 4-Aryl-tetralin-2-ols and 5-Aryl-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-7-ols

Treatment of 2-(2-vinylphenyl)acetaldehydes or 3-(2-vinylphenyl)propanals with BF3×Et2O results in intramolecular Prins reaction affording intermediary benzyl carbenium ions, which are then trapped by a variety of electron-rich aromatics via Friedel–Crafts alkylation. This cascade Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization protocol paves an expedient path to medicinally useful 4-aryl-tetralin-2-ol and 5-aryl-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-7-ol derivatives.

Carbenium ion-mediated oligomerization of methylglyoxal for secondary organic aerosol formation

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) represents a major constituent of tropospheric fine particulate matter, with profound implications for human health and climate. However, the chemical mechanisms leading to SOA formation remain uncertain, and atmospheric models consistently underpredict the global SOA budget. Small α-dicarbonyls, such as methylglyoxal, are ubiquitous in the atmosphere because of their significant production from photooxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons from traffic and industrial sources as well as from biogenic isoprene. Current experimental and theoretical results on the roles of methylglyoxal in SOA formation are conflicting. Using quantum chemical calculations, we show cationic oligomerization of methylglyoxal in aqueous media. Initial protonation and hydration of methylglyoxal lead to formation of diols/tetrol, and subsequent protonation and dehydration of diols/tetrol yield carbenium ions, which represent the key intermediates for formation and propagation of oligomerization. On the other hand, our results reveal that the previously proposed oligomerization via hydration for methylglyoxal is kinetically and thermodynamically implausible. The carbenium ion-mediated mechanism occurs barrierlessly on weakly acidic aerosols and cloud/fog droplets and likely provides a key pathway for SOA formation from biogenic and anthropogenic emissions.

Carbenium ion formation by fragmentation of electrochemically generated oxonium ions

Fragmentation of electrochemically generated oxonium ions can be exploited to form carbenium ions at a low oxidation potential in the presence of a nucleophile such as allylsilane.