Direct arylations of indoles and pyrroles with differently substituted diaryliodonium salts were shown to efficiently proceed in the absence of metal catalysts.

Two original macrocyclic silver(I)(pyridine-containing ligand) complexes [Ag(I)(Pc-L)] were synthesized and characterized. Their ability to catalyze the coupling among aldehydes, terminal alkynes and amines (A(3)-coupling) was demonstrated. The reaction could be performed under conventional as well as dielectric heating. The catalysts were effective in both cases, but dielectric heating allowed a lower catalyst loading and reduced ratio among reaction partners in shorter reaction times. The reaction scope was broad, including aryl/alkyl aldehydes, aryl/alkyl acetylenes and secondary aliphatic amines. Some unprecedented propargylamines have been prepared. The new catalytic system was also tested with more challenging coupling partners such as aniline and ketones.

The synthesis of 3‐substituted 1‐methylpyrrolo[1,2‐a]pyrazines and 3‐substituted isoquinolines was achieved by the intramolecular cyclisation of 2‐acetyl‐1‐propargylpyrroles and 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes, respectively, in the presence of ammonia under microwave heating. The tandem imination/annulation of 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes was easily accomplished under standard conditions, while TiCl4 was used to achieve pyrrolo[1,2‐a]pyrazines. The reaction mechanism and the regioselectivity were discussed on the basis of theoretical calculations and spectroscopic data. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)

The synthesis of 3-substituted-1-alkoxyisochromenes starting from 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes and different alcohols is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by a silver(I) complex with an original macrocyclic pyridine-containing ligand. The approach is characterized by absolute regioselectivity, mild reaction conditions, good to excellent reaction yields, cleanness of the reaction, and reduced purification steps. The reaction mechanism was investigated by in-depth (1)H NMR experiments and an aimed "trapping" experiment.

A new gold-catalyzed reaction of ynamides with 3-substituted indoles as nucleophiles is reported. The reaction allows for the synthesis of a new class of 2-vinylindole derivatives in good yields via the intermediacy of a cyclopropyl gold-carbenoid species.