Rhenium complex, [ReBr(CO)3(thf)]2-catalyzed reactions between aromatic imines and either acetylenes or α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds gave indene derivatives in good to excellent yields. These reactions proceed via C–H bond activation, insertion of acetylenes or α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, and reductive elimination. Indene derivatives were a...

Friedel-Crafts acylation of the aryldiazirine with ω-ester-α-acyl halide and successive reduction of the carbonyl group to methylene with triethylsilane and trifluoroacetic acid gave diazirinylated fatty acids. Photoaffinity labeling with the carbene generating precursor, 3-phenyl-3-trifluoromethyldiazirine, has become increasingly important as a photophor. However, the complicated synthesis of...