Search for "furan" in Full Text gives 273 result(s) in Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry. Showing first 200.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 535–546, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.39
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Structures of isomeric melifoliones and corresponding oxidation products.
Scheme 1: Synthesis of melifoliones and by-products: a) pyridine/60 °C/8 h/51%, b) microwave/140 °C/20 min/70...
Figure 2: Structure of iodized melifoliones.
Scheme 2: Reaction of melifolione A (1) with iodosobenzene diacetate.
Scheme 3: Hypothetical pathway for the oxidative ring contraction of melifolione A (1) with ferricyanide/hydr...
Figure 3: Left Part: 11 (main fraction); Right part: 12 (side product).
Scheme 4: Oxidative ring contraction of melifolione B (2).
Scheme 5: Alternative routes to the spirofuranones 11 and 12 via hypothetical pyranone epoxides 13 and 14.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 495–526, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.37
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Eribulin with common synthetic precursor fragments and halichondrin B.
Scheme 1: Overview of the industrial process pathway for the large-scale production of the mesylate salt of 1...
Scheme 2: Synthesis of 22. (a) i. 2,2-dimethoxypropane, p-TsOH, MeOH, 65 °C; ii. NaBH4, MeOH, rt; (b) i. NaH,...
Scheme 3: Synthesis of 27. (a) i. NaH, BnBr, THF, rt; ii. iodobenzoic acid, MeCN, 80 °C; iii. (EtO)2POCH2COOE...
Scheme 4: Synthesis of 31 and 33. (a) i. MMTrCl, iPr2NEt, DCM, rt; ii. K2CO3, MeOH, DCM, rt; iii. TBDMSCl, im...
Scheme 5: Synthesis of 1. (a) CrCl2, 37, 38, 39 (proton sponge), LiCl, Mn, ZrCp2Cl2, MeCN, EtOAc; (b) SrCO3, t...
Scheme 6: Synthesis of 45. Above: Reaction conditions: (a) methoxyacetic acid, BF3·OEt2, DCM, −30 °C; (b) Pd(...
Scheme 7: Synthesis of 64. Reaction conditions: (a) i. acetone, I2, rt; ii. vinylmagnesium bromide, THF, −20 ...
Scheme 8: Synthesis of 79. Above: Reaction conditions: (a) i. K2CO3, MeOH, 60 °C; ii. 2,2-dimethoxypropane, H2...
Scheme 9: Synthesis of 92. Reaction conditions: (a) TESCl, imidazole, DCM, 0 °C to rt; (b) i. oxalyl chloride...
Scheme 10: Synthesis of 104. Above: Reaction conditions: (a) cyclohexanone, p-TsOH, toluene, 110 °C, crystalli...
Scheme 11: Synthesis of 117. (a) i. acetone, CuSO4, rt; ii. H2O2, K2CO3, H2O, rt; iii. EtI, MeCN, 70 °C; (b) i...
Scheme 12: Synthesis of 121. Reaction conditions: (a) i. TBDPSCl, imidazole, DMF, rt; ii. O3, DCM, −78 °C; iii...
Scheme 13: Synthesis of 131. (a) i. 2,2-dimethoxypropane, p-TsOH, MeOH, 60 °C; ii. LiAlH4, THF, 0 °C to rt; (b...
Scheme 14: Synthesis of 143. (a) i. I2, PPh3, imidazole, DCM; ii. HMPA, CuI, vinylmagnesium bromide, THF, −20 ...
Scheme 15: Modified synthesis of 104. Reaction conditions: (a) (EtO)2POCH2COOEt, KOt-Bu, THF, 15 °C; (b) TBAF,...
Scheme 16: Synthesis of 161. Reaction conditions: (a) crotyl bromide, Sn, TBAI, NaI, DMF/H2O, rt; (b) NaH, BnB...
Scheme 17: Synthesis of 169. Reaction conditions: (a) i. Co2(CO)8, BF3·Et2O, DCM, 23 °C; ii. CAN, acetone, 0 °...
Scheme 18: Synthesis of 181. Reaction conditions: (a) i. Co2(CO)8, BF3·Et2O, DCM, 23 °C; ii. (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6, a...
Scheme 19: Synthesis of 186. Reaction conditions: (a) NEt3, LiCl, MeCN, 0–23 °C; (b) HF·pyridine, MeCN, 23 °C;...
Scheme 20: Modified synthesis of 181. Reaction conditions: (a) i. Ni(cod)2, P(n-Bu)3, Et3SiH, THF, 23 °C; ii. ...
Scheme 21: Synthesis of 200. Reaction conditions: (a) i. Co2(CO)8, DCM, 23 °C; ii. BF3·Et2O, 0 °C; iii. (NH4)2...
Scheme 22: Modified synthesis of 186. Reaction conditions: (a) DDQ, 2,6-di-t-Bu-4-hydroxytoluene, hv, MeCN, 23...
Scheme 23: Synthesis of 1. Reaction conditions: (a) i. CrCl2, NiCl2, 206, NEt3, THF, 23 °C; ii. DBU, toluene, ...
Scheme 24: Synthesis of 217. Above: Reaction conditions: (a) TBDPSCl, imidazole, DCM, 0–5 °C. (b) m-CPBA, DCM,...
Scheme 25: Synthesis of 231. Reaction conditions: (a) i. AcCl, MeOH, 0 °C to rt; ii. TrCl, pyridine, 50 °C; (b...
Scheme 26: Synthesis of 239. Reaction conditions: (a) i. Boc2O, K2CO3, THF, rt; ii. Ru(acac)3, NaBrO3, EtOAc, H...
Scheme 27: Synthesis of 247. Reaction conditions: (a) NCS, 248, MeCN, 0 °C to rt; (b) LDA, 249, THF, −78 °C; (...
Scheme 28: Synthesis of 255. Reaction conditions: (a) i. LiHMDS, THF, −78 °C to rt; ii. m-CPBA, DCM, −78 °C to...
Scheme 29: Synthesis of 261. Reaction conditions: (a) allyltrimethylsilane, TiCl4, DCM −78 °C; (b) LiBH4, EtOH...
Scheme 30: Synthesis of 265. Reaction conditions: (a) (R,R)-Ru-cat (0.2 mol %), DCM, NEt3, HCOOH, rt; (b) TBAF...
Scheme 31: Synthesis of 272. Reaction conditions: (a) LDA, THF, −78 °C; (b) DMP, NaHCO3, DCM, 0 °C to rt; (c) (...
Scheme 32: Synthesis of 292. Reaction conditions: (a) TsCl, NEt3, DCM, rt; (b) K2CO3, MeOH, 45 °C; (c) vinylma...
Scheme 33: Synthesis of 296. Reaction conditions: (a) 171 (see Scheme 17), Cr-cat, CoPc (see Scheme 17), Mn, NEt3·HCl, LiCl, TMS...
Scheme 34: Synthesis of 299. Reaction conditions: (a) 172 (see Scheme 17), CrCl2, NEt3, NiCl2, THF, rt; (b) KHMDS, THF,...
Scheme 35: Synthesis of 305. Reaction conditions: (a) i. p-TsOH, MeOH, 40 °C; ii. MeLi, LiBr, THF, −25 °C; (b)...
Scheme 36: Synthesis of 1. Reaction conditions: (a) i. 41 (see Scheme 6), LDA, THF, −78 °C; ii. DMP, NaHCO3, DCM, rt; ...
Scheme 37: Synthesis of 324. Reaction conditions: (a) i. acetone, CuSO4, rt; ii. H2O2 (30%), K2CO3, rt; iii. E...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 289–343, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.21
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Mechanistic overview of enzymes involved in ring-size-altering reactions: A: Difference in ionisati...
Scheme 2: A: Ring contraction through involvement of carbocationic intermediates in thujane monoterpene biosy...
Scheme 3: Examples of concerted ring expansions of carbocation intermediates in PxaTPS8-catalysed cyclisation...
Scheme 4: Sequential ring expansions during astellifadiene (17) synthesis reported by Abe and co-workers.
Scheme 5: Cyclobutane ring expansion and sequential ring contractions catalysed by the synthase AITS in the b...
Scheme 6: Ring expansion and transannular ring contraction of a cyclopentane to cyclobutane in the biosynthes...
Scheme 7: Computationally elucidated concerted cyclisations/alkyl/hydride shifts during the biosynthesis of t...
Scheme 8: Cyclisation events and 6→5-ring contraction during the construction of epi-isozizaene (26) catalyse...
Scheme 9: Transannular cyclisations and 4→5-membered ring expansion through dyotropic 1,2-rearrangement of al...
Scheme 10: Ring expansion in presilphiperfolan-8b-ol (31) biosynthesis and ring contraction of the presilphipe...
Scheme 11: Ring contraction via transannular cyclopropanation and opening of cyclopropane in the biosynthesis ...
Scheme 12: The crucial CYP450-catalysed oxidative rearrangement defining the skeleton in gibberellin biosynthe...
Scheme 13: CYP450-mediated oxidation of cyclopentane methylene expanding the 8-membered ring in the biosynthes...
Scheme 14: CYP450-mediated oxidation of an exocyclic methyl group to effect transannular cyclisation across th...
Scheme 15: Non-enzymatic transannular aldol reaction enables the formation of the 5/13/3-tricyclic ring system...
Scheme 16: A: Oxidative ring expansion of a cyclopentane by incorporation of a methyl group in the biosynthesi...
Scheme 17: Rearrangement and ring expansion in the construction of the complex bridged carbon framework of and...
Scheme 18: Ketoglutarate-mediated oxidations of preaustinoid A1 (53) en route to complex meroterpenoids, B-rin...
Scheme 19: Proposed putative biosynthetic formation of the tigliane skeleton from an E,E,Z-triene.
Scheme 20: Photocatalytic tandem ring expansion/contraction of santonin to give photosantonin products and gua...
Scheme 21: A: Proposed biosynthesis of stelleroid B (66) from stelleranoid I (65) by ketol rearrangement; B: o...
Scheme 22: Singular examples of A,B-ring contractions and expansions in the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids e...
Scheme 23: A: plausible proposed biosynthetic pathway for the tigliane/ingenane skeletal rearrangement and 1,2...
Scheme 24: A: Multiple ring-size alterations during xenovulene A (90) biosynthesis; B: Ring contraction and re...
Scheme 25: Proposed biosyntheses of the complex, polycyclic terpenoid illisimonin A (97) and the bridged antro...
Scheme 26: Proposed biogenetic origin for the meroterpenoid liphagal (104) via epoxide-mediated ring expansion....
Scheme 27: Proposed biogenetic origin for the ring-contracted members of the taiwaniaquinol family.
Scheme 28: A: Schenck ene/Hock/Aldol cascade effecting B-ring contraction in atheronal B (113); B: Selective C...
Scheme 29: A: D-ring expansion of buxenone (118) via cyclopropanation towards buxaustroine A (119); B: Propose...
Scheme 30: Biosynthetic origin of alstoscholarinoids A (124) and B (125) via cascade oxidative rearrangement c...
Scheme 31: Biogenetic origin of the hedgehog signalling inhibitor cyclopamine (129) by tandem ring contraction...
Scheme 32: Proposed biogenetic origin of the B-ring contracted spirocyclic triterpenoid spirochensilide A (131...
Scheme 33: A: Proposed B-ring contraction during the biosynthesis of holophyllane A (133); B: B-ring contracti...
Scheme 34: Radical and ionic/polar mechanisms for the C-ring-contracted triterpenoids phomopsterone B (139) an...
Scheme 35: A: Plausible mechanism for the formation of schiglautone A (144) from anwuweizic acid (145); B: Pro...
Scheme 36: Reported biosynthetic proposal for the formation of B-ring expanded triterpenoids rhodoterpenoids A...
Scheme 37: A: Final reaction step in the synthesis of euphorikanin A (154), benzilic acid-type ring contractio...
Scheme 38: Tricyclic ring expansion in the Gui synthesis of gibbosterol A (158) and sarocladione (160) via Ru-...
Scheme 39: A: A-ring expansion during the Gui synthesis of rubriflordilactone B (161); B: Mechanism for the bi...
Scheme 40: Photosantonin rearrangement effects A/B ring contraction/expansion in Li’s synthesis of the complex...
Scheme 41: Tandem A/B ring expansion/contraction of an ergosterol derivative via pinacol rearrangement in the ...
Scheme 42: Synthetic studies towards cyclocitrinol (179) by A) the semisynthetic approach by Gui et al. using ...
Scheme 43: A: Bioinspired synthesis of spirochensilide A (131) by the Heretsch group via selective 8,9-epoxida...
Scheme 44: Baran’s synthesis of cortistatin A (191), expanding the B-ring through a cyclopropane fragmentation....
Scheme 45: Ding’s total synthesis of retigeranic acid (198) showcasing sequential 6→5 ring contractions.
Scheme 46: A: Oxa-di-π-methane (ODPM) rearrangement of a bicyclic ketone en route to silphiperfolenone (203); ...
Scheme 47: Biomimetic synthesis of liphagal (104) from sclareolide (221) by George and co-workers.
Scheme 48: Wu’s bioinspired synthesis of cucurbalsaminones B (224) and C (225) by photocatalytic oxa-di-π-meth...
Scheme 49: Baran’s total synthesis of maoecrystal V (230) featuring a pinacol rearrangement for ring expansion...
Scheme 50: A: Ketol rearrangement leading to ring contraction in the total synthesis of preaustinoid B; B: Ben...
Scheme 51: A: Scheidt’s synthesis of isovelleral (251) by pinacol rearrangement triggered by Mitsunobu conditi...
Scheme 52: Biomimetic transformations of simplified test substrates related to Euphorbia diterpenoids.
Scheme 53: A: First generation synthesis of taiwaniaquinones by benzilic acid-type rearrangement of the B-ring...
Scheme 54: A: Norrish type 1 radical recombination leading to ring contraction en route to cuparenone (272): 1...
Scheme 55: Ring contraction of a bridged D-ring system in the total synthesis of andrastatin D (280), terrenoi...
Scheme 56: Biomimetic synthesis of hyperjapone A (284) and hyperjaponol C (285) by George et al.
Scheme 57: Heretsch’ synthesis of dankastarones A (288) and B (289), swinhoeisterol A (290), and periconiaston...
Scheme 58: A: Zhang’s ring contraction during the synthesis of stemar-13-ene (295) by pinacol rearrangement; B...
Scheme 59: Trauner’s biomimetic synthesis of preuisolactone A (307) featuring a ring contraction via benzilic ...
Scheme 60: Bioinspired approaches for ring contraction/expansion reactions in the synthesis of alstoscholarino...
Scheme 61: A: Sarpong and Li, Wang and co-workers’ ring expansion of cephanolide A (313) to reach harringtonol...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2657–2693, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.206
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Representatives of steroid alkaloid classes. Marked in blue is the steroidal cholestane framework, ...
Scheme 2: Subclasses of Veratrum alkaloids: jervanine, veratramine and cevanine-type [8].
Scheme 3: Flow chart presentation of the synthesis of (−)-englerin A developed by the Christmann group [10].
Scheme 4: Structures and year of synthesis of the three types of Veratrum alkaloids reported in the literatur...
Scheme 5: Key step in the synthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the Giannis group [21].
Scheme 6: Overview of the semisynthesis of cyclopamine (6) reported by the Giannis group in 2009 [21].
Scheme 7: Key steps in the synthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the Baran group [23].
Scheme 8: Overview of the total synthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the Baran group in 2023 [23].
Scheme 9: Key steps in the synthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the Zhu/Gao group [25].
Scheme 10: Overview of the total synthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the group of Zhao/Gao in 2023 [25].
Scheme 11: Key steps in the synthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the Liu/Qin group [26].
Scheme 12: Overview of the semisynthesis of cyclopamine (6) by the Liu/Qin group in 2024 [26].
Scheme 13: Key steps in the synthesis of jervine (12) by the Masamune group [14].
Scheme 14: Overview of the total synthesis of jervine (12) by the Masamune group in 1968 [14].
Scheme 15: Color-coded schemes of the presented cyclopamine (6) syntheses by Giannis, Baran, Zhu/Gao, and Liu/...
Scheme 16: Key steps in the total synthesis of veratramine (13) by the Johnson group [15].
Scheme 17: Overview of the total synthesis of veratramine (13) by the Johnson group in 1967 [15].
Scheme 18: Key steps in the synthesis of veratramine (13) by the Zhu/Gao group [25].
Scheme 19: Shortened overview of the total synthesis of veratramine (13) by the Zhu/Gao group in 2023 [25].
Scheme 20: Key steps in the synthesis of veratramine by the Liu/Qin group [26].
Scheme 21: Overview of the semisynthesis of veratramine (13) by the Liu/Qin group in 2024 [26].
Scheme 22: Key steps in the synthesis of veratramine (13) by the Trauner group [27].
Scheme 23: Overview of the total synthesis of veratramine (13) by the Trauner group in 2025 [27].
Scheme 24: Key steps in the synthesis of verarine (14) by the Kutney group [16-19].
Scheme 25: Overview of the total synthesis of verarine (14) by the Kutney group reported 1962–1968 [16-19].
Scheme 26: Color-coded schemes of the presented veratramine-type alkaloid synthesis of Zhu/Gao, Liu/Qin and Tr...
Scheme 27: Structures of veracevine (86), veratridine (87), and cevadine (88).
Scheme 28: Key step in the semisynthesis of verticine (15) by the Kutney group (1977) [20,46].
Scheme 29: Overview of the semisynthesis of verticine (15) by the Kutney group (1977) [20,46].
Scheme 30: Key step of the total synthesis of (±)-4-methylenegermine (17) by the Stork group (2017) [22].
Scheme 31: Overview of the total synthesis of (±)-4-methylenegermine (17) by the Stork group (2017) [22].
Scheme 32: Key step of the total synthesis of heilonine (16) by Cassaidy and Rawal (2021) [24].
Scheme 33: Overview of the total synthesis of heilonine (16) by Cassaidy and Rawal (2021) [24]. FGI: functional gr...
Scheme 34: Key steps of the synthesis of heilonine (16) by Dai and co-workers (2024) [28].
Scheme 35: Overview of the total synthesis of heilonine (16) by Dai and co-workers (2024) [28].
Scheme 36: Key steps of the total synthesis of zygadenine (18) reported by Luo and co-workers [29].
Scheme 37: Overview of the total synthesis of zygadenine (18) by Luo and co-workers (2023) [29].
Scheme 38: Key step of the divergent total syntheses of highly oxidized cevanine-type alkaloids by Luo and co-...
Scheme 39: Divergent syntheses of highly oxidized cevanine-type alkaloids by Luo and co-workers (2024) [30].
Scheme 40: Color-coded overview of the presented cevanine-type alkaloid syntheses [10,20,22,24,28-30,46]. LLS: longest linear sequen...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2584–2603, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.200
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: NHC-catalyzed umpolung strategy for the metal-free synthesis of amide via dual catalysis.
Scheme 2: Visible-light promoted cooperative NHC/photoredox catalyzed ring-opening of aryl cyclopropanes.
Scheme 3: NHC-catalyzed benzylic C–H acylation by dual catalysis.
Scheme 4: NHC/photoredox-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction for the preparation of γ-aryloxy ketones....
Scheme 5: NHC-catalyzed silyl radical generation from silylboronate via dual catalysis.
Scheme 6: NHC-catalyzed C–H acylation of arenes and heteroarenes through photocatalysis.
Scheme 7: NHC-catalyzed iminoacylation of alkenes via photoredox dual organocatalysis.
Scheme 8: NHC/photoredox catalyzed direct synthesis of β-arylketoesters.
Scheme 9: Visible-light-driven NHC/photoredox catalyzed borylacylation of alkenes.
Scheme 10: NHC-catalyzed oxidative functionalization of cinnamaldehyde.
Scheme 11: NHC/photocatalyzed oxidative Smiles rearrangement.
Scheme 12: NHC-catalyzed synthesis of cyclohexanones through photocatalyzed annulation.
Scheme 13: Dual organocatalyzed meta-selective acylation of electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes using blue L...
Scheme 14: Asymmetric synthesis of fused pyrrolidinones via organophotoredox/N‑heterocyclic carbene dual catal...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2548–2552, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.197
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: The structures of aglacins A, B, C, and E.
Scheme 1: Retrosynthetic analysis of (+)-aglacin B (2).
Scheme 2: Synthesis of cyclization precursor 5.
Scheme 3: Synthesis of (+)-aglacin B (2).
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2315–2333, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.177
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: a) The mechanism of Norrish type II reaction and Norrish–Yang cyclization; b) The mechanism of the ...
Scheme 2: Total synthesis of (+)-cyclobutastellettolide B.
Scheme 3: Norrish–Yang cyclization and 1,2-methyl migration.
Scheme 4: Synthetic study toward phainanoids.
Scheme 5: a) Mitsunobu reaction of the C9 ketal; b) Norrish–Yang cyclization of the saturated C5–C6; c) calcu...
Scheme 6: Total synthesis of avarane-type meroterpenoids.
Scheme 7: Total synthesis of gracilisoid A.
Scheme 8: Divergent total synthesis of gracilisoids B–I.
Scheme 9: Mechanism of the late-stage biomimetic photooxidation.
Scheme 10: Asymmetric total synthesis of lycoplatyrine A.
Scheme 11: Photoreaction of pyrrolidine-derived phenyl keto amide.
Scheme 12: Photoredox reactions of naphthoquinones.
Scheme 13: Synthetic study toward γ-rubromycin.
Scheme 14: Substituent-dependent conformational preferences.
Scheme 15: Total synthesis of preussomerins EG1, EG2, and EG3.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2260–2282, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.173
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Economical synthesis and pathway economy.
Scheme 2: Au(I)-catalyzed cascade cyclization paths of 1,5-enynes.
Scheme 3: Au(I)-catalyzed cyclization paths of 1,7-enynes.
Scheme 4: I2/TBHP-mediated radical cycloisomerization paths of 1,n-enyne.
Scheme 5: Au(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization paths of 3-allyloxy-1,6-diynes.
Scheme 6: Pd(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization paths of 2-alkynylbenzoate-cyclohexadienone.
Scheme 7: Stereoselective cyclization of 1,5-enynes.
Scheme 8: Substituent-controlled cycloisomerization of propargyl vinyl ethers.
Scheme 9: Au(I)-catalyzed pathway-controlled domino cyclization of 1,2-diphenylethynes.
Scheme 10: Au(I)-catalyzed tandem cyclo-isomerization of tryptamine-N-ethynylpropiolamide.
Scheme 11: Au(I)-catalyzed tunable cyclization of 1,6-cyclohexenylalkyne.
Scheme 12: Substituent-controlled 7-exo- and 8-endo-dig-selective cyclization of 2-propargylaminobiphenyl deri...
Scheme 13: BiCl3-catalyzed cycloisomerization of tryptamine-ynamide derivatives.
Scheme 14: Au(I)-mediated substituent-controlled cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes.
Scheme 15: Ligand-controlled regioselective cyclization of 1,6-enynes.
Scheme 16: Ligand-dependent cycloisomerization of 1,7-enyne esters.
Scheme 17: Ligand-controlled cycloisomerization of 1,5-enynes.
Scheme 18: Ligand-controlled cyclization strategy of alkynylamide tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes.
Scheme 19: Ag(I)-mediated pathway-controlled cycloisomerization of tryptamine-ynamides.
Scheme 20: Gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of indoles with alkynes.
Scheme 21: Catalyst-dependent cycloisomerization of dienol silyl ethers.
Scheme 22: Cycloisomerization of aromatic enynes governed by catalyst.
Scheme 23: Catalyst-dependent 1,2-migration in cyclization of 1-(indol-2-yl)-3-alkyn-1-ols.
Scheme 24: Gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of N-propargyl-N-vinyl sulfonamides.
Scheme 25: Gold(I)-mediated enantioselective cycloisomerizations of ortho-(alkynyl)styrenes.
Scheme 26: Catalyst-controlled intramolecular cyclization of 1,7-enynes.
Scheme 27: Brønsted acid-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of tryptamine ynamides.
Scheme 28: Catalyst-controlled cyclization of indolyl homopropargyl amides.
Scheme 29: Angle strain-dominated 6-endo-trig cyclization of propargyl vinyl ethers.
Scheme 30: Angle strain-controlled cycloisomerization of alkyn-tethered indoles.
Scheme 31: Geometrical isomeration-dependent cycloisomerization of 1,3-dien-5-ynes.
Scheme 32: Temperature-controlled cyclization of 1,7-enynes.
Scheme 33: Cycloisomerizations of n-(o-ethynylaryl)acrylamides through temperature modulation.
Scheme 34: Temperature-controlled boracyclization of biphenyl-embedded 1,3,5-trien-7-ynes.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2103–2172, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.165
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: C2–C6 biobased carbonyl building blocks.
Scheme 1: Proposed (2 + 2) route to glycolaldehyde and glycolic acid from erythritol by Cu/AC catalyst (AC = ...
Scheme 2: Reductive amination of GCA.
Scheme 3: N-Formylation of secondary amines by reaction with GCA.
Scheme 4: Synthesis and conversion of hydroxy acetals to cyclic acetals.
Scheme 5: Synthesis of 3-(indol-3-yl)-2,3-dihydrofurans via three-component reaction of glycolaldehyde, indol...
Scheme 6: BiCl3-catalyzed synthesis of benzo[a]carbazoles from 2-arylindoles and α-bromoacetaldehyde ethylene...
Scheme 7: Cu/NCNSs-based conversion of glycerol to glycolic acid and other short biobased acids.
Scheme 8: E. coli-based biotransformation of C1 source molecules (CH4, CO2 and CO) towards C2 glycolic acid.
Scheme 9: N-Formylation of amines with C2 (a) or C3 (b) biomass-based feedstocks.
Scheme 10: Methods for the formation of propanoic acid (PA) from lactic acid (LA).
Scheme 11: Co-polymerization of biobased lactic acid and glycolic acid via a bicatalytic process.
Scheme 12: Oxidation of α-hydroxy acids by tetrachloroaurate(III) in acetic acid–sodium acetate buffer medium.
Figure 2: Selective catalytic pathways for the conversion of lactic acid (LA).
Scheme 13: Synthesis of 1,3-PDO via cross-aldol reaction between formaldehyde and acetaldehyde to 3-hydroxypro...
Scheme 14: Hydrothermal conversion of 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propane and 2,3-dihydroxypropanal to methylglyoxal.
Scheme 15: FLS-catalyzed formose reaction to synthesize GA and DHA.
Scheme 16: GCA and DHA oxidation products of glycerol and isomerization of GCA to DHA under flow conditions us...
Scheme 17: Acid-catalyzed reactions of DHA with alcohols.
Scheme 18: Synthesis of dihydroxyacetone phosphate from dihydroxyacetone.
Scheme 19: Bifunctional acid–base catalyst DHA conversion into lactic acid via pyruvaldehyde or fructose forma...
Scheme 20: Catalytic one-pot synthesis of GA and co-synthesis of formamides and formates from DHA.
Scheme 21: (a) Synthesis of furan derivatives and (b) synthesis of thiophene derivative by cascade [3 + 2] ann...
Scheme 22: Brønsted acidic ionic liquid catalyzed synthesis of benzo[a]carbazole from renewable acetol and 2-p...
Scheme 23: Asymmetric hydrogenation of α-hydroxy ketones to 1,2-diols.
Scheme 24: Synthesis of novel 6-(substituted benzylidene)-2-methylthiazolo [2,3-b]oxazol-5(6H)-one from 1-hydr...
Scheme 25: ʟ-Proline-catalyzed synthesis of anti-diols from hydroxyacetone and aldehydes.
Scheme 26: C–C-bond-formation reactions of a biomass-based feedstock aromatic aldehyde (C5) and hydroxyacetone...
Scheme 27: Ethanol upgrading to C4 bulk chemicals via the thiamine (VB1)-catalyzed acetoin condensation.
Scheme 28: One-pot sequential chemoenzymatic synthesis of 2-aminobutane-1,4-diol and 1,2,4-butanetriol via 1,4...
Scheme 29: Synthesis of 1,4-dihydroxybutan-2-one by microbial transformation.
Scheme 30: Conversion of polyols by [neocuproine)Pd(OAc)]2(OTf)2] to α-hydroxy ketones.
Scheme 31: Chemoselective oxidation of alcohols with chiral palladium-based catalyst 2.
Scheme 32: Electrochemical transformation of furfural to 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (HFO).
Scheme 33: Selective hydrodeoxygenation of HFO and oxidation to γ-butyrolactone (GBL).
Scheme 34: Photosensitized oxygenation of furan towards HFO via ozonide intermediates.
Scheme 35: Conversion of furfural to HFO and MAN by using mesoporous carbon nitride (SGCN) as photocatalyst.
Scheme 36: Synthesis of HFO from furan derivatives.
Scheme 37: Photooxidation of furfural to 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (HFO).
Scheme 38: Synthesis of Friedel–Crafts indole adduct from HFO.
Scheme 39: Conversion of HFO to α,γ-substituted chiral γ-lactones.
Scheme 40: Tautomeric transformation of HFO to formylacrylic acid.
Scheme 41: Hydrolysis of HFO to succinic acid in aqueous solution.
Scheme 42: Substitution and condensation reactions of 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (HFO).
Scheme 43: (a) Conversion of HFO towards valuable C4 chemicals and (b) anodic oxidation of 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-fur...
Figure 3: Conversion of HFO towards other natural and synthetic substances.
Scheme 44: Conversion of furfural to maleic anhydride (reaction a: VOx/Al2O3; reaction b: VPO).
Scheme 45: Conversion of furfural into succinic acid.
Scheme 46: Electro‑, photo‑, and biocatalysis for one-pot selective conversions of furfural into C4 chemicals.
Scheme 47: Production route of furfural from hemicellulose.
Scheme 48: Mechanism for xylose dehydration to furfural through a choline xyloside intermediate.
Scheme 49: Conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol and its derivatives.
Scheme 50: Conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol and 3-(2-furyl)acrolein.
Scheme 51: The aerobic oxidative condensation of biomass-derived furfural and linear alcohols.
Scheme 52: The single-step synthesis of 2-pentanone from furfural.
Scheme 53: Electrocatalytic coupling reaction of furfural and levulinic acid.
Scheme 54: Conversion of furfural to m-xylylenediamine.
Scheme 55: Conversion of furfural to tetrahydrofuran-derived amines.
Scheme 56: Formation of trans-4,5-diamino-cyclopent-2-enones from furfural.
Scheme 57: Production of pyrrole and proline from furfural.
Scheme 58: Synthesis of 1‑(trifluoromethyl)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-ones from furfural.
Scheme 59: Conversion of furfural to furfural-derived diacids.
Scheme 60: A telescope protocol derived from furfural and glycerol.
Scheme 61: A tandem cyclization of furfural and 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione.
Scheme 62: A Ugi four-component reaction to construct furfural-based polyamides.
Scheme 63: One-pot synthesis of γ-acyloxy-Cy7 from furfural.
Scheme 64: Dimerization–Piancatelli sequence toward humins precursors from furfural.
Scheme 65: Conversion of furfural to CPN.
Scheme 66: Synthesis of jet fuels range cycloalkanes from CPN and lignin-derived vanillin.
Scheme 67: Solar-energy-driven synthesis of high-density biofuels from CPN.
Scheme 68: Reductive amination of CPN to cyclopentylamine.
Scheme 69: Asymmetric hydrogenation of C=O bonds of exocyclic α,β-unsaturated cyclopentanones.
Scheme 70: Preparation of levulinic acid via the C5 route (route a) or C6 route (routes b1 and b2).
Scheme 71: Mechanism of the rehydration of HMF to levulinic acid and formic acid.
Scheme 72: Important levulinic acid-derived chemicals.
Scheme 73: Direct conversion of levulinic acid to pentanoic acid.
Scheme 74: Catalytic aerobic oxidation of levulinic acid to citramalic acid.
Scheme 75: Conversion of levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol (a) see ref. [236]; b) see ref. [237]; c) see ref. [238]; d) see r...
Scheme 76: Selective production of 2-butanol through hydrogenolysis of levulinic acid.
Scheme 77: General reaction pathways proposed for the formation of 5MPs from levulinic acid.
Scheme 78: Selective reductive amination of levulinic acid to N-substituted pyrroles.
Scheme 79: Reductive amination of levulinic acid to chiral pyrrolidinone.
Scheme 80: Reductive amination of levulinic acid to non-natural chiral γ-amino acid.
Scheme 81: Nitrogen-containing chemicals derived from levulinic acid.
Scheme 82: Preparation of GVL from levulinic acid by dehydration and hydrogenation.
Scheme 83: Ruthenium-catalyzed levulinic acid to chiral γ-valerolactone.
Scheme 84: Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of levulinic acid to chiral GVL.
Scheme 85: Three steps synthesis of ε-caprolactam from GVL.
Scheme 86: Multistep synthesis of nylon 6,6 from GVL.
Scheme 87: Preparation of MeGVL by α-alkylation of GVL.
Scheme 88: Ring-opening polymerization of five-membered lactones.
Scheme 89: Synthesis of GVL-based ionic liquids.
Scheme 90: Preparation of butene isomers from GVL under Lewis acid conditions.
Scheme 91: Construction of C5–C12 fuels from GVL over nano-HZSM-5 catalysts.
Scheme 92: Preparation of alkyl valerate from GVL via ring opening/reduction/esterification sequence.
Scheme 93: Construction of 4-acyloxypentanoic acids from GVL.
Scheme 94: Synthesis of 1,4-pentanediol (PDO) from GVL.
Scheme 95: Construction of novel cyclic hemiketal platforms via self-Claisen condensation of GVL.
Scheme 96: Copper-catalyzed lactamization of GVL.
Figure 4: Main scaffolds obtained from HMF.
Scheme 97: Biginelli reactions towards HMF-containing dihydropyrimidinones.
Scheme 98: Hantzsch dihydropyridine synthesis involving HMF.
Scheme 99: The Kabachnik–Fields reaction involving HMF.
Scheme 100: Construction of oxazolidinone from HMF.
Scheme 101: Construction of rhodamine-furan hybrids from HMF.
Scheme 102: A Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction involving HMF.
Scheme 103: HMF-containing benzodiazepines by [4 + 2 + 1] cycloadditions.
Scheme 104: Synthesis of fluorinated analogues of α-aryl ketones.
Scheme 105: Synthesis of HMF derived disubstituted γ-butyrolactone.
Scheme 106: Functionalized aromatics from furfural and HMF.
Scheme 107: Diels–Alder adducts from HMF or furfural with N-methylmaleimide.
Scheme 108: Pathway of the one-pot conversion of HMF into phthalic anhydride.
Scheme 109: Photocatalyzed preparation of humins (L-H) from HMF mixed with spoiled HMF residues (LMW-H) and fur...
Scheme 110: Asymmetric dipolar cycloadditions on HMF.
Scheme 111: Dipolar cycloadditions of HMF based nitrones to 3,4- and 3,5-substituted isoxazolidines.
Scheme 112: Production of δ-lactone-fused cyclopenten-2-ones from HMF.
Scheme 113: Aza-Piancatelli access to aza-spirocycles from HMF-derived intermediates.
Scheme 114: Cross-condensation of furfural, acetone and HMF into C13, C14 and C15 products.
Scheme 115: Base-catalyzed aldol condensation/dehydration sequences from HMF.
Scheme 116: Condensation of HMF and active methylene nitrile.
Scheme 117: MBH reactions involving HMF.
Scheme 118: Synthesis of HMF-derived ionic liquids.
Scheme 119: Reductive amination/enzymatic acylation sequence towards HMF-based surfactants.
Scheme 120: The formation of 5-chloromethylfurfural (CMF).
Scheme 121: Conversion of CMF to HMF, levulinic acid, and alkyl levulinates.
Scheme 122: Conversion of CMF to CMFCC and FDCC.
Scheme 123: Conversion of CMF to BHMF.
Scheme 124: Conversion of CMF to DMF.
Scheme 125: CMF chlorine atom substitutions toward HMF ethers and esters.
Scheme 126: Introduction of carbon nucleophiles in CMF.
Scheme 127: NHC-catalyzed remote enantioselective Mannich-type reactions of CMF.
Scheme 128: Conversion of CMF to promising biomass-derived dyes.
Scheme 129: Radical transformation of CMF with styrenes.
Scheme 130: Synthesis of natural herbicide δ-aminolevulinic acid from CMF.
Scheme 131: Four step synthesis of the drug ranitidine from CMF.
Scheme 132: Pd/CO2 cooperative catalysis for the production of HHD and HXD.
Scheme 133: Different ruthenium (Ru) catalysts for the ring-opening of 5-HMF to HHD.
Scheme 134: Proposed pathways for preparing HXD from HMF.
Scheme 135: MCP formation and uses.
Scheme 136: Cu(I)-catalyzed highly selective oxidation of HHD to 2,5-dioxohexanal.
Scheme 137: Synthesis of N‑substituted 3‑hydroxypyridinium salts from 2,5-dioxohexanal.
Scheme 138: Ru catalyzed hydrogenations of HHD to 1,2,5-hexanetriol (a) see ref. [396]; b) see ref. [397]).
Scheme 139: Aviation fuel range quadricyclanes produced by HXD.
Scheme 140: Synthesis of HDGK from HXD and glycerol as a chain extender.
Scheme 141: Synthesis of serinol pyrrole from HXD and serinol.
Scheme 142: Synthesis of pyrroles from HXD and nitroarenes.
Scheme 143: Two-step production of PX from cellulose via HXD.
Scheme 144: Preparation of HCPN from HMF via hydrogenation and ring rearrangement.
Scheme 145: Suggested pathways from HMF to HCPN.
Scheme 146: α-Alkylation of HCPN with ethylene gas.
Scheme 147: Synthesis of 3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentylamine from HMF via reductive amination of HCPN.
Scheme 148: Production of LGO and Cyrene® from biomass.
Scheme 149: Synthesis of HBO from LGO and other applications.
Scheme 150: Construction of m-Cyrene® homopolymer.
Scheme 151: Conversion of Cyrene® to THFDM and 1,6-hexanediol.
Scheme 152: RAFT co-polymerization of LGO and butadienes.
Scheme 153: Polycondensation of HO-LGOL and diols with dimethyl adipate.
Scheme 154: Self-condensation of Cyrene® and Claisen–Schmidt reactions.
Scheme 155: Synthesis of 5-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran from Cyrene®.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1864–1889, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.145
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: General structure of CPAs and selected CPAs with various chiral scaffolds.
Figure 2: Representative elements of molecular chirality.
Scheme 1: CPA-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of azahelicenes via Fischer indole synthesis.
Scheme 2: CPA-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of azahelicenes via sequential Povarov reaction and oxidative ar...
Scheme 3: CPA-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of azahelicenes via sequential Povarov reaction involving 3-viny...
Scheme 4: CPA-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of heterohelicenes via sequential Povarov reaction involving 2-v...
Scheme 5: Diverse enantioselective synthesis of hetero[7]helicenes via a CPA-catalyzed double annulation stra...
Scheme 6: CPA-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of indolohelicenoids through enantioselective cycloaddition and ...
Scheme 7: Kinetic resolution of helical polycyclic phenols via CPA-catalyzed enantioselective aminative dearo...
Scheme 8: Kinetic resolution of azahelicenes via CPA-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation.
Scheme 9: Asymmetric synthesis of planarly chiral macrocycles via CPA-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic aminat...
Scheme 10: Enantioselective synthesis of planarly chiral macrocycles via CPA-catalyzed macrocyclization.
Scheme 11: (Dynamic) kinetic resolution of planarly chiral paracyclophanes via CPA-catalyzed asymmetric reduct...
Scheme 12: Kinetic resolution of macrocyclic paracyclophanes through CPA/Bi-catalyzed asymmetric allylation.
Scheme 13: Enantioselective synthesis of planarly chiral macrocycles via CPA-catalyzed coupling of carboxylic ...
Scheme 14: Kinetic resolution of substituted amido[2.2]paracyclophanes via CPA-catalyzed asymmetric electrophi...
Scheme 15: Enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes via sequential CPA-catalyzed Povarov...
Scheme 16: Asymmetric synthesis of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes via CPA-catalyzed aminative desymmetrizati...
Scheme 17: Asymmetric synthesis of chiral heterocalix[4]arenes via CPA-catalyzed intramolecular SNAr reaction.
Scheme 18: Enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral DDDs via CPA-catalyzed cyclocondensation.
Scheme 19: Asymmetric synthesis of saddle-shaped inherently chiral 9,10-dihydrotribenzoazocines via CPA-cataly...
Scheme 20: Enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral saddle-shaped dibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocines via CPA-c...
Scheme 21: Enantioselective synthesis of inherent chiral 7-membered tribenzocycloheptene oximes via CPA-cataly...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1808–1853, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.143
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Energy diagram of a two-state photoswitch. Figure 1 was redrawn from [2].
Figure 2: Example of the absorption spectra of the isomers of a photoswitch with most efficient irradiation w...
Scheme 1: Photoswitch classes described in this review.
Figure 3: Azoheteroarenes.
Scheme 2: E–Z Isomerisation (top) and mechanisms of thermal Z–E isomerisation (bottom).
Scheme 3: Rotation mechanism favoured by the electron displacement in push–pull systems. Selected examples of...
Figure 4: A) T-shaped and twisted Z-isomers determine the thermal stability and the Z–E-PSS (selected example...
Figure 5: Effect of di-ortho-substitution on thermal half-life and PSS.
Figure 6: Selected thermal lifetimes of azoindoles in different solvents and concentrations. aConcentration o...
Figure 7: Aryliminopyrazoles: N-pyrazoles (top) and N-phenyl (bottom).
Scheme 4: Synthesis of symmetrical heteroarenes through oxidation (A), reduction (B), and the Bayer–Mills rea...
Scheme 5: Synthesis of diazonium salt (A); different strategies of azo-coupling: with a nucleophilic ring (B)...
Scheme 6: Synthesis of arylazothiazoles 25 (A) and heteroaryltriazoles 28 (B).
Scheme 7: Synthesis of heteroarylimines 31a,b [36-38].
Figure 8: Push–pull non-ionic azo dye developed by Velasco and co-workers [45].
Scheme 8: Azopyridine reported by Herges and co-workers [46].
Scheme 9: Photoinduced phase transitioning azobispyrazoles [47].
Figure 9: Diazocines.
Scheme 10: Isomers, conformers and enantiomers of diazocine.
Scheme 11: Partial overlap of the ππ* band with electron-donating substituents and effect on the PSS. Scheme 11 was ada...
Figure 10: Main properties of diazocines with different bridges. aMeasured in n-hexane [56]. bMeasured in THF. cMe...
Scheme 12: Synthesis of symmetric diazocines.
Scheme 13: Synthesis of asymmetric diazocines.
Scheme 14: Synthesis of O- and S-heterodiazocines.
Scheme 15: Synthesis of N-heterodiazocines.
Scheme 16: Puromycin diazocine photoswitch [60].
Figure 11: Indigoids.
Figure 12: The main representatives of the indigoid photoswitch class.
Scheme 17: Deactivation process that prevents Z-isomerisation of indigo.
Figure 13: Stable Z-indigo derivative synthesised by Wyman and Zenhäusern [67].
Figure 14: Selected examples of indigos with aliphatic and aromatic substituents [68]. Dashed box: proposed π–π in...
Scheme 18: Resonance structures of indigo and thioindigo involving the phenyl ring.
Scheme 19: Possible deactivation mechanism for 4,4'-dihydroxythioindigo [76].
Scheme 20: Effect of different heteroaryl rings on the stability and the photophysical properties of hemiindig...
Figure 15: Thermal half-lives of red-shifted hemithioindigos in toluene [79]. aMeasured in toluene-d8.
Scheme 21: Structures of pyrrole [81] and imidazole hemithioindigo [64].
Figure 16: Examples of fully substituted double bond hemithioindigo (left), oxidised hemithioindigos (centre),...
Scheme 22: Structure of iminothioindoxyl 72 (top) and acylated phenyliminoindolinone photoswitch 73 (bottom). ...
Scheme 23: (top) Transition states of iminothioindoxyl 72. The planar transition state is associated with a lo...
Scheme 24: Baeyer–Drewsen synthesis of indigo (top) and N-functionalisation strategies (bottom).
Scheme 25: Synthesis of hemiindigo.
Scheme 26: Synthesis of hemithioindigo and iminothioindoxyl.
Scheme 27: Synthesis of double-bond-substituted hemithioindigos.
Scheme 28: Synthesis of phenyliminoindolinone.
Scheme 29: Hemithioindigo molecular motor [85].
Figure 17: Arylhydrazones.
Scheme 30: Switching of arylhydrazones. Note: The definitions of stator and rotor are arbitrary.
Scheme 31: Photo- and acidochromism of pyridine-based phenylhydrazones.
Scheme 32: A) E–Z thermal inversion of a thermally stable push–pull hydrazone [109]. B) Rotation mechanism favoured...
Scheme 33: Effect of planarisation on the half-life.
Scheme 34: The longest thermally stable hydrazone switches reported so far (left). Modulation of thermal half-...
Figure 18: Dependency of t1/2 on concentration and hypothesised aggregation-induced isomerisation.
Figure 19: Structure–property relationship of acylhydrazones.
Scheme 35: Synthesis of arylhydrazones.
Scheme 36: Synthesis of acylhydrazones.
Scheme 37: Photoswitchable fluorophore by Aprahamian et al. [115].
Scheme 38: The four-state photoswitch synthesised by the Cigáň group [116].
Figure 20: Diarylethenes.
Scheme 39: Isomerisation and oxidation pathway of E-stilbene to phenanthrene.
Scheme 40: Strategies adapted to avoid E–Z isomerisation and oxidation.
Scheme 41: Molecular orbitals and mechanism of electrocyclisation for a 6π system.
Figure 21: Aromatic stabilisation energy correlated with the thermal stability of the diarylethenes [127,129].
Figure 22: Half-lives of diarylethenes with increasing electron-withdrawing groups [128,129].
Scheme 42: Photochemical degradation pathway promoted by electron-donating groups [130].
Figure 23: The diarylethenes studied by Hanazawa et al. [134]. Increased rigidity leads to bathochromic shift.
Scheme 43: The dithienylethene synthesised by Nakatani's group [135].
Scheme 44: Synthesis of perfluoroalkylated diarylethenes.
Scheme 45: Synthesis of 139 and 142 via McMurry coupling.
Scheme 46: Synthesis of symmetrical derivatives 145 via Suzuki–Miyaura coupling.
Scheme 47: Synthesis of acyclic 148, malonic anhydride 149, and maleimide derivatives 154.
Figure 24: Gramicidin S (top left) and two of the modified diarylethene derivatives: first generation (bottom ...
Scheme 48: Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and its reaction with an amino acid (top). The analogous dithienylethene der...
Figure 25: Fulgides.
Scheme 49: The three isomers of fulgides.
Scheme 50: Thermal and photochemical side products of unsubstituted fulgide [150].
Figure 26: Maximum absorption λc of the closed isomer compared with the nature of the aromatic ring and the su...
Scheme 51: Possible rearrangement of the excited state of 5-dimethylaminoindolylfulgide [153].
Figure 27: Quantum yields of ring closure (ΦE→C) and E–Z isomerisation (ΦE→Z) correlated with the increasing s...
Scheme 52: Active (Eα) and inactive (Eβ) conformers (left) and the bicyclic sterically blocked fulgide 169 (ri...
Scheme 53: Quantum yield of ring-opening (ΦC→E) and E–Z isomerisation (ΦE→Z) for different substitution patter...
Scheme 54: Stobbe condensation pathway for the synthesis of fulgides 179, fulgimides 181 and fulgenates 178.
Scheme 55: Alternative synthesis of fulgides through Pd-catalysed carbonylation.
Scheme 56: Optimised synthesis of fulgimides [166].
Scheme 57: Photoswitchable FRET with a fulgimide photoswitch [167].
Scheme 58: Three-state fulgimide strategy by Slanina's group.
Figure 28: Spiropyrans.
Scheme 59: Photochemical (left) and thermal (right) ring-opening mechanisms for an exemplary spiropyran with a...
Figure 29: Eight possible isomers of the open merocyanine according to the E/Z configurations of the bonds hig...
Scheme 60: pH-Controlled photoisomerisation between the closed spiropyran 191-SP and the open E-merocyanine 19...
Scheme 61: Behaviour of spiropyran in water buffer according to Andréasson and co-workers [180]. 192-SP in an aqueo...
Scheme 62: (left box) Proposed mechanism of basic hydrolysis of MC [184]. (right box) Introduction of electron-dona...
Scheme 63: Photochemical interconversion of naphthopyran 194 (top) and spirooxazine 195 (bottom) photoswitches...
Scheme 64: Synthesis of spiropyrans and spirooxazines 198 and the dicondensation by-product 199.
Scheme 65: Alternative synthesis of spiropyrans and spirooxazines with indolenylium salt 200.
Scheme 66: Synthesis of 4’-substituted spiropyrans 203 by condensation of an acylated methylene indoline 201 w...
Scheme 67: Synthesis of spironaphthopyrans 210 by acid-catalysed condensation of naphthols and diarylpropargyl...
Scheme 68: Photoswitchable surface wettability [194].
Figure 30: Some guiding principles for the choice of the most suitable photoswitch. Note that this guide is ve...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1737–1741, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.136
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Proposed approach for the preparation of vinyloxazoline 6.
Scheme 2: Synthesis of furfuryl amino alcohols S-2d and R-2d and their electrochemical oxidation to esters S-...
Scheme 3: Cleavage of the N-Alloc group leading to a mixture of isomers cis-S-5 and trans-S-5.
Scheme 4: Cleavage of the N-Alloc group with PdCl2(S-BINAP) leading to trans-S-5 and trans-R-5.
Scheme 5: Cyclization of amides trans-S-5 and trans-R-5 to oxazolines S-6 and R-6.
Scheme 6: aza-Diels–Alder reaction of vinyloxazoline S-6 with TsNCO.
Scheme 7: The proposed mechanism of product 7 formation.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1648–1660, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.129
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: a) Common types of chirality. b) Representative functional molecules bearing non-central chirality.
Scheme 1: Construction of planar chirality.
Scheme 2: Construction of axial chirality.
Scheme 3: Construction of inherent chirality.
Scheme 4: Construction of helical chirality.
Scheme 5: CPA-catalyzed enantioselective Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction.
Scheme 6: Construction of axially chiral 3-arylpyrroles via de novo pyrrole formation.
Scheme 7: Synthesis of atropoisomeric 3-arylpyrroles via central-to-axial chirality transfer.
Scheme 8: Dynamic kinetic resolution of bridged biaryls with α-acidic isocyanides.
Scheme 9: Desymmetrization of prochiral compounds with α-acidic isocyanides.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1422–1453, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.106
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1324–1373, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.101
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Bond lengths and bond angles in oxetane at 140 K [2].
Figure 2: Analogy of 3-substituted oxetanes to carbonyl and gem-dimethyl groups [12].
Figure 3: Use of oxetanes in drug design – selected examples.
Figure 4: Examples of oxetane-containing natural products.
Scheme 1: Synthetic strategies towards construction of the oxetane ring.
Scheme 2: Overview of intramolecular Williamson etherification and competing Grob fragmentation.
Scheme 3: Synthesis of spiro-oxetanes via 1,4-C–H insertion and Williamson etherification.
Scheme 4: Use of phenyl vinyl selenone in the synthesis of spirooxindole oxetanes.
Scheme 5: Synthesis of bicyclic 3,5-anhydrofuranoses via double epoxide opening/etherification.
Scheme 6: Preparation of spirooxetanes by cycloisomerisation via MHAT/RPC.
Scheme 7: Oxetane synthesis via alcohol C–H functionalisation.
Scheme 8: Access to oxetanes 38 from α-acetyloxy iodides.
Scheme 9: The kilogram-scale synthesis of oxetane intermediate 41.
Scheme 10: Overview of the intramolecular opening of 3-membered rings.
Scheme 11: Synthesis of 4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.03,6]octane skeletons.
Scheme 12: Silicon-directed electrophilic cyclisation of homoallylic alcohols.
Scheme 13: Hydrosilylation–iodocyclisation of homopropargylic alcohols.
Scheme 14: Cu-catalysed intramolecular O-vinylation of γ-bromohomoallylic alcohols.
Scheme 15: Cu-catalysed intramolecular cross-coupling of hydroxyvinylstannanes.
Scheme 16: Isomerisation of oxiranyl ethers containing weakly carbanion-stabilising groups.
Scheme 17: Cyclisation of diethyl haloalkoxymalonates.
Scheme 18: Synthesis of oxetanes through a 1,5-HAT/radical recombination sequence.
Scheme 19: General approach to oxetanes via [2 + 2] cycloadditions.
Scheme 20: Synthesis of tricyclic 4:4:4 oxetanes through a photochemical triple cascade reaction.
Scheme 21: Iridium-catalysed Paternò–Büchi reaction between α-ketoesters and simple alkenes.
Scheme 22: Three-step synthesis of spirocyclic oxetanes 83 via Paternò–Büchi reaction, nucleophilic ring openi...
Scheme 23: Enantioselective Paternò–Büchi reaction catalysed by a chiral iridium photocatalyst.
Scheme 24: Synthesis of polysubstituted oxetanes 92 via Cu(II)-mediated formal [2 + 2] cycloadditions.
Scheme 25: Synthesis of alkylideneoxetanes via NHC- and DBU-mediated formal [2 + 2] cycloadditions.
Scheme 26: Use of sulphur-stabilised carbanions in ring expansions.
Scheme 27: Synthesis of α,α-difluoro(arylthio)methyl oxetanes.
Scheme 28: Ring expansion in an industrial synthesis of PF-06878031.
Scheme 29: Ring contraction of triflated 2-hydroxy-γ-lactones.
Scheme 30: Ring contraction in an industrial synthesis of PF-06878031.
Scheme 31: Photochemical ring contraction of 2,5-dihydrofurans by aryldiazoacetic acid esters.
Scheme 32: Synthesis of 3-oxetanones via O-H insertion of carbenes.
Scheme 33: Synthesis of phosphonate oxetanones via gold-mediated alkyne oxidation/O–H insertion.
Scheme 34: Syntheses and common derivatisations of 3-oxetanone.
Scheme 35: SN1 substitution of 3-aryloxetan-3-ols by thiols and alcohols.
Scheme 36: Fe–Ni dual-catalytic olefin hydroarylation towards 3-alkyl-3-(hetero)aryloxetanes.
Scheme 37: Synthesis of 3-aryloxetan-3-carboxylic acids.
Scheme 38: Decarboxylative alkylation of 3-aryloxetan-3-carboxylic acids.
Scheme 39: Synthesis of 3-amino-3-aryloxetanes via photoredox/nickel cross-coupling catalysis.
Scheme 40: Intermolecular cross-selective [2 + 2] photocycloaddition towards spirooxetanes.
Scheme 41: Synthesis of 3-aryl-3-aminooxetanes via defluorosulphonylative coupling.
Scheme 42: Two-step synthesis of amide bioisosteres via benzotriazolyl Mannich adducts 170.
Scheme 43: Functionalisation of oxetanyl trichloroacetimidates 172.
Scheme 44: Synthesis of oxetane-amino esters 176.
Scheme 45: Tandem Friedel–Crafts alkylation/intramolecular ring opening of 3-aryloxetan-3-ols.
Scheme 46: Synthesis of polysubstituted furans and pyrroles.
Scheme 47: Synthesis of oxazolines and bisoxazolines.
Scheme 48: Tandem, one-pot syntheses of various polycyclic heterocycles.
Scheme 49: Synthesis of 1,2-dihydroquinolines via skeletal reorganisation of oxetanes.
Scheme 50: Synthesis of benzoindolines and 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and their derivatisations.
Scheme 51: Synthesis of polysubstituted 1,4-dioxanes.
Scheme 52: Preparation of various lactones via ring opening of oxetane-carboxylic acids 219.
Scheme 53: Tsuji-Trost allylation/ring opening of 3-aminooxetanes.
Scheme 54: Arylative skeletal rearrangement of 3-vinyloxetan-3-ols to 2,5-dihydrofurans.
Scheme 55: Reductive opening of oxetanes using catalytic Mg–H species.
Scheme 56: Opening of oxetanes by silyl ketene acetals.
Scheme 57: Rhodium-catalysed hydroacylation of oxetanes.
Scheme 58: Generation of radicals from oxetanes mediated by a vitamin B12-derived cobalt catalyst.
Scheme 59: Reductive opening of oxetanes by B–Si frustrated Lewis pairs.
Scheme 60: Zirconocene-mediated reductive opening of oxetanes.
Scheme 61: Enantioselective syntheses of small and medium-size rings using chiral phosphoric acids.
Scheme 62: Asymmetric synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]oxepines catalysed by a chiral scandium complex.
Scheme 63: Enantioselective synthesis of 1,3-bromohydrins under a chiral squaramide catalysis.
Scheme 64: Enantioselective opening of 2-aryl-2-ethynyloxetanes by anilines.
Scheme 65: Ru-catalysed insertion of diazocarbonyls into oxetanes.
Scheme 66: Ring expansion of oxetanes by stabilised carbenes generated under blue light irradiation.
Scheme 67: Expansion of oxetanes via nickel-catalysed insertion of alkynyltrifluoroborates.
Scheme 68: Nickel-catalysed expansion of oxetanes into ε-caprolactones.
Scheme 69: Expansion of oxetanes via cobalt-catalysed carbonyl insertion.
Scheme 70: Gold-catalysed intramolecular 1,1-carboalkoxylation of oxetane-ynamides.
Scheme 71: Expansion of oxetanes by stabilised sulphoxonium ylides.
Scheme 72: Cu-catalysed ring expansion of 2-vinyloxetanes by diazoesters.
Scheme 73: Total synthesis of (+)-oxetin.
Scheme 74: Total synthesis of racemic oxetanocin A.
Scheme 75: Total synthesis of (−)-merrilactone A.
Scheme 76: Total synthesis of (+)-dictyoxetane.
Scheme 77: Total synthesis of ent-dichrocephone B.
Scheme 78: Total synthesis of (−)-mitrephorone A.
Scheme 79: Total synthesis of (−)-taxol.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1192–1200, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.96
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Recent approaches for the synthesis of β-ketophosphonates by the oxyphosphorylation of unsaturated ...
Scheme 2: The scope of the discovered copper(II)-mediated phosphorylation of enol acetates.
Scheme 3: Gram-scale synthesis of 3a.
Scheme 4: Control experiments.
Scheme 5: Proposed mechanism for copper(II) mediated phosphorylation of enol acetates.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1161–1169, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.92
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Bioactive compounds bearing imidazopyridine (red) and isoquinolinone-kind (blue) rings.
Scheme 1: GBB-initiated synthesis of imidazopyridine-fused isoquinolinones.
Scheme 2: GBB reaction and N-acylation for the preparation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines 6.
Scheme 3: Substrate scope for IMDA and dehydrative aromatization in making 8. Reaction conditions: 6 and AlCl3...
Figure 2: Transition state analysis of IMDA reactions for 6a, 6j, 6h and 6r.
Figure 3: Relative energy diagram for the synthesis of 8a from 6a.
Scheme 4: Using thiophene-2-carbaldehyde for the synthesis of 8t.
Scheme 5: Proposed mechanisms for IMDA reaction and dehydration re-aromatization.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1087–1094, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.86
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Oxazolidine-containing bioactive compounds.
Scheme 1: Asymmetric catalytic synthetic methods of oxazolidine derivatives.
Scheme 2: Scope of aziridines and aldehydes.
Scheme 3: Proposed reaction mechanism.
Scheme 4: Gram-scale synthesis.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1024–1030, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.84
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: a) CDs-mediated 1,2-difunctionalization of alkenes by alkyl halides R–Y and b) light-driven reducti...
Figure 1: UV–vis spectra of the CDs. All the measurements have been performed in water, except for CD-a-GLU, ...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 926–934, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.75
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Representative limonoid triterpenes.
Scheme 1: Structures and retrosynthetic analysis of krishnolides A (7) and C (8).
Scheme 2: Construction of α-iodoenone 13.
Scheme 3: Construction of aldehyde 14.
Scheme 4: Synthesis of the advanced intermediate 10 (in the X ray structure of 10 solvent molecule is omitted...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 807–816, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.64
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Basic principle of the NBD to QC conversion and vice versa. The bridge-atom at position 7 was varie...
Scheme 1: Synthetic procedure towards new X-NBD derivatives C-NBD1, O-NBD1 and N-NBD1. 1-((Bromoethynyl)sulfo...
Figure 2: Conversion of O-NBD1 to O-QC1 using a 275 nm LED. The UV–vis spectrum was recorded in MeCN; b) the ...
Figure 3: Rearrangement of O-NBD2 to O-QC2 using a 385 nm LED. The UV–vis measurement in the middle were cond...
Figure 4: Rearrangement of N-NBD2 using a 385 nm LED. The UV–vis measurement in the middle were conducted in ...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 770–797, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.61
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Electrosynthesis of phenanthridine phosphine oxides.
Scheme 2: Electrosynthesis of 1-aminoalkylphosphine oxides.
Scheme 3: Various electrochemical C–P coupling reactions.
Scheme 4: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of indolines.
Scheme 5: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of ferrocene.
Scheme 6: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of acridines with phosphites.
Scheme 7: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of alkenes.
Scheme 8: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of arenes in a flow system.
Scheme 9: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of heteroarenes.
Scheme 10: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of thiazoles.
Scheme 11: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of indole derivatives.
Scheme 12: Electrosynthesis of 1-amino phosphonates.
Scheme 13: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of aryl and vinyl bromides.
Scheme 14: Electrochemical C–P coupling reaction of phenylpyridine with dialkyl phosphonates in the presence o...
Scheme 15: Electrochemical P–C bond formation of amides.
Scheme 16: Electrochemical synthesis of α-hydroxy phosphine oxides.
Scheme 17: Electrochemical synthesis of π-conjugated phosphonium salts.
Scheme 18: Electrochemical phosphorylation of indoles.
Scheme 19: Electrochemical synthesis of phosphorylated propargyl alcohols.
Scheme 20: Electrochemical synthesis of phosphoramidates.
Scheme 21: Electrochemical reaction of carbazole with diphenylphosphine.
Scheme 22: Electrochemical P–N coupling of carbazole with phosphine oxides.
Scheme 23: Electrochemical P–N coupling of indoles with a trialkyl phosphite.
Scheme 24: Electrochemical synthesis of iminophosphoranes.
Scheme 25: Electrochemical P–O coupling of phenols with dialkyl phosphonate.
Scheme 26: Electrochemical P–O coupling of alcohols with diphenylphosphine.
Scheme 27: Electrochemical P–S coupling of thiols with dialkylphosphines.
Scheme 28: Electrochemical thiophosphorylation of indolizines.
Scheme 29: Electrosynthesis of S-heteroaryl phosphorothioates.
Scheme 30: Electrochemical phosphorylation reactions.
Scheme 31: Electrochemical P–Se formation.
Scheme 32: Electrochemical selenation/halogenation of alkynyl phosphonates.
Scheme 33: Electrochemical enantioselective aryl C–H bond activation.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 556–563, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.44
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Various examples of transformations of furanones.
Scheme 2: Interaction of starting 2H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-2-ones with diverse amines.
Scheme 3: Synthesis of enamines 4. Reaction conditions: 1a (1 mmol, 0.38 g), amine 2 (1.2 mmol), AcOH (3 mL).
Scheme 4: Synthesis of pyrazol-3-ones 8. Reaction conditions: 1 (1 mmol), hydrazine 7 (1.1 mmol), EtOH (5 mL)....
Scheme 5: Synthesis of pyrazol-3-one 10a.
Scheme 6: Synthesis of unsubstituted pyrazol-3-ones 10. Reaction conditions: 1 (1 mmol), hydrazine hydrate (2...
Scheme 7: Synthesis of isoxazolone 11. Reaction conditions: 1c (1 mmol, 0.30 g), hydroxylamine hydrochloride ...
Scheme 8: Proposed reaction mechanism.
Scheme 9: Synthesis of product 13. Reaction conditions: 8o (1 mmol, 0.37 g), pivaloyl chloride (3 mmol, 0.36 ...
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 490–499, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.36
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: a) Structural similarity of N-acetyl diazocine 1 with known 17βHSD3-inhibitor tetrahydrodibenzazoci...
Figure 2: The halogen-substituted N-acetyl diazocines 2–4 were used as the starting compounds for further der...
Scheme 1: Synthesis of amino-N-acetyl diazocine by deprotection of the carbamate.
Scheme 2: Reaction conditions for the attempted Ullmann-type reaction with sodium azide.
Scheme 3: Reaction conditions for the palladium-catalyzed introduction of a nitrile functionality.
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 444–450, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.31
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: State of the art of Ugi/Diels–Alder reaction based on furan.
Scheme 1: Preparation of 4,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-3aH-furo[2,3-f]isoindoles via Ugi/IMDAV tandem reaction.
Scheme 2: Kinetic product 5 does not transform into thermodynamic product 6.
Scheme 3: Synthesis of compounds 6a.
Scheme 4: Synthesis of compound 7.
Scheme 5: Synthesis of compounds 9.