Catalytic Asymmetric Intramolecular Darzens Reaction of 2-Halomalonate Derivatives

A catalytic asymmetric intramolecular Darzens reaction of 2-halomalonate derivatives was developed for the enantioselective preparation of chiral building blocks for epoxide-containing natural products. Among the screened catalysts, some phase-transfer catalysts gave the desired epoxide in moderate enantioselectivity, albeit in low yield. The epoxide product would be useful as versatile chiral building blocks for natural product synthesis.

Darzens reaction of thioisatins and sulfonium salts: approach to the synthesis of thiochromenone derivatives with anticancer potency

A new Darzens reaction of thioisatins and sulfonium salts has, for the first time, been reported. Some of the synthesized thiochromenone derivatives have been found to show good potent anticancer activities against six different cancer cell lines.