A process of forming compounds of formula I

##STR00001##

comprising the steps of addition of an amino compound H.sub.2NR to a compound of formula (II)

##STR00002##

followed by cyclization, isomerization and hydrolysis.

A process of forming compounds of formula I

##STR00001##

comprising the steps of addition of an amino compound H.sub.2NR to a compound of formula (II)

##STR00002##

followed by cyclization, isomerization and hydrolysis.

The present disclosure relates in part to sterically hindered N-aliphatic N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, which are readily synthetically available from inexpensive starting materials. The present disclosure further relates to NHC catalyst complexes comprising transition metals such as Cu, Ag, Au, and Pd. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides methods for using the catalysts described herein in a number of organic transformations, including alkyne hydroboration and hydration, in addition to CO, CC, and CN coupling reactions.

Methods of making indole analogs using a rhodium-containing catalyst are described, along with methods of using the compounds to treat hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic, or autoimmune disorders in mammals, and corresponding pharmaceutical compositions. Disclosed herein is a method of making indoles. The method comprises contacting a reactant of formula I wherein E is a protecting group, SO2-Aryl, or SO2-substituted-Aryl; and R and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, C1-C12-alkyl and aryl; with a rhodium(1)-containing catalyst.

Methods of making indole analogs using a rhodium-containing catalyst are described, along with methods of using the compounds to treat hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic, or autoimmune disorders in mammals, and corresponding pharmaceutical compositions. Disclosed herein is a method of making indoles. The method comprises contacting a reactant of formula I wherein E is a protecting group, SO2-Aryl, or SO2-substituted-Aryl; and R and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, C1-C12-alkyl and aryl; with a rhodium(1)-containing catalyst.

The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of 8-chloro-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione (hereafter referred to as the compound (IV)), which is useful as a key intermediate for the synthesis of Clobazam (referred to as the compound (I)) 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione. The process of the present invention further involves transformation of the compound (IV) into Clobazam (I), comprising (a) reacting the compound (II) (as described herein) with monoalkyl malonate in the presence of a coupling agent to obtain the compound (III) (as described herein); followed by the cyclization using a base; (b) reacting the compound-IV (as described herein) obtained from step (a) with methylating agent. The process of the present invention involves formation of novel intermediates methyl 3-((4-chloro-2-(phenylamino)phenyl)amino)-3-oxopropanoate (IIIa) and 3-((4-chloro-2-(phenylamino)phenyl)amino)-3-oxopropanoic acid (V).

The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of 8-chloro-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione (hereafter referred to as the compound (IV)), which is useful as a key intermediate for the synthesis of Clobazam (referred to as the compound (I)) 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione. The process of the present invention further involves transformation of the compound (IV) into Clobazam (I), comprising (a) reacting the compound (II) (as described herein) with monoalkyl malonate in the presence of a coupling agent to obtain the compound (III) (as described herein); followed by the cyclization using a base; (b) reacting the compound-IV (as described herein) obtained from step (a) with methylating agent. The process of the present invention involves formation of novel intermediates methyl 3-((4-chloro-2-(phenylamino)phenyl)amino)-3-oxopropanoate (IIIa) and 3-((4-chloro-2-(phenylamino)phenyl)amino)-3-oxopropanoic acid (V).

Disclosed is a method of preparing an oxa-bicycloalkene via the reaction of a cycloalkanone and an allyl alcohol compound in the presence of an organic acid, a manganese catalyst, and oxygen at a predetermined temperature.

Disclosed is a method of preparing an oxa-bicycloalkene via the reaction of a cycloalkanone and an allyl alcohol compound in the presence of an organic acid, a manganese catalyst, and oxygen at a predetermined temperature.

Disclosed herein are palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenation processes of carboxylic acids to make ?, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acids or ?-alkylidene butenolides. The processes allow the chemoselective dehydrogenation of carboxylic acids in the presence of other enolizable functionalities such as ketones, providing reactivity that is inaccessible with existing carbonyl desaturation protocols.