A New Chiral Organosulfur Catalyst for Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Epoxides

A new chrial organosulfide was synthesized through an unexpected Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement. This organosulfide could catalyze the epoxidation reaction of various aromatic aldehydes smoothly with benzyl bromide to give trans‐diaryl epoxides in satisfactory yields (60–84%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (trans:cis=95:5–100:0) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (86–96% ee).     

Aldehyde‐Catalyzed Transition Metal‐Free Dehydrative β‐Alkylation of Methyl Carbinols with Alcohols

Different to the borrowing hydrogen strategy in which alcohols were activated by transition metal‐catalyzed anaerobic dehydrogenation, the direct addition of aldehydes was found to be an effective but simpler way of alcohol activation that can lead to efficient and green aldehyde‐catalyzed transition metal‐free dehydrative C‐alkylation of methyl carbinols with alcohols. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds via in situ formation of ketones by Oppenauer oxidation of the methyl carbinols by external aldehydes, aldol condensation, and Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV)‐type reduction of α,β‐unsatutated ketones by substrate alcohols, affording the useful long chain alcohols and generating aldehydes and ketones as the by‐products that will be recovered in the next condensation to finish the catalytic cycle.     

Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed Oxidative Allylation: A New Approach for the Synthesis of Homoallylic Alcohols and Amines Directly from Alcohols

A new approach for the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols and amines directly from alcohols via one‐pot sequential oxidation–Barbier reaction and oxidation–condensation–Barbier reactions, respectively, is reported. The protocol involves the one‐pot ferric chloride‐catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes with chloramine‐T followed by indium‐mediated Barbier allylation with allyl bromide to afford homoallylic alcohols in 70–90% overall yields. The ferric chloride‐catalyzed condensation of aldehydes and oxidation by‐product p‐toluenesulfonamide followed by indium‐mediated Barbier‐type allylation of the resulting aldimines with allyl bromide affords homoallylic amines in 60–80% overall yields in the same reaction vessel. The present work demonstrates a new one‐pot approach toward homoallylic alcohol and amine synthesis directly from alcohols.     

Base–Base Bifunctional Catalysis: A Practical Strategy for Asymmetric Michael Addition of Malonates to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Lewis base–Brønsted base bifunctional catalysis is a novel and practical strategy for the asymmetric Michael addition. The addition of malonates to a series of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes can take place under base–base bifunctional catalytic conditions using 0.5–5 mol% of (S)‐2‐[diphenyl(trimethylsilyloxy)methyl]pyrrolidine as catalyst and 5–30 mol% of lithium 4‐fluorobenzoate as additive base with up to 99% ee.     

Selective Iron‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Benzylic and Allylic Alcohols

A convenient and selective oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide to give aldehydes and ketones has been developed. Using in situ generated iron chloride complexes [Fe( L3 )₂Cl_n] [n=0–1, L3 =6‐(N‐phenylbenzimidazoyl)‐2‐pyridinecarboxylic acid], aldehydes and ketones were obtained in good yield and excellent selectivity after a short reaction time at room temperature.     

Cyclodextrin Aldehydes are Oxidase Mimics

Cyclodextrins containing 6‐aldehyde groups were found to catalyse oxidation of aminophenols in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The catalysis followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics and is related to the catalysis previously observed with cyclodextrin ketones. A range of different cyclodextrin aldehydes were prepared containing one, two or more aldehydes at the primary rim (6‐positions) or a ethoxy‐2‐al or propoxy‐3‐al at the secondary rim. 2‐O‐ethoxy‐2‐al‐β‐cyclodextrin ( 22 ) was found to be the best catalyst. The aldehydes are in many cases better catalysts than the ketones, because of their powerful covalent binding of hydrogen peroxide.     

Asymmetric Aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman‐Type Reactions: The Highly Enantioselective Reaction between Unmodified α,β‐ Unsaturated Aldehydes and N‐Acylimines by Organo‐co‐catalysis

The highly enantioselective organo‐co‐catalytic aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH)‐type reaction between N‐carbamate‐protected imines and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The organic co‐catalytic system of proline and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) enables the asymmetric synthesis of the corresponding N‐Boc‐ and N‐Cbz‐protected β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐aldehydes in good to high yields and up to 99% ee. In the case of aza‐MBH‐type addition of enals to phenylprop‐2‐ene‐1‐imines, the co‐catalytic reaction exhibits excellent 1,2‐selectivity. The organo‐co‐catalytic aza‐MBH‐type reaction can also be performed by the direct highly enantioselective addition of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes to bench‐stable N‐carbamate‐protected α‐amidosulfones to give the corresponding β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐aldehydes with up to 99% ee. The organo‐co‐catalytic aza‐MBH‐type reaction is also an expeditious entry to nearly enantiomerically pure β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐amino acids and β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐lactams (99% ee). The mechanism and stereochemistry of the chiral amine and DABCO co‐catalyzed aza‐MBH‐type reaction are also discussed.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Oxidative ortho‐Acylation of Aryl Ketone O‐Methyl Oximes with Aryl and Alkyl Aldehydes

The rhodium‐catalyzed oxidative ortho‐acylation of aryl ketone O‐methyl oximes with aryl and alkyl aldehydes via C H bond activation is described. The cross‐coupling reaction exhibits high functional group tolerance and regioselectivity under relatively mild conditions and constitutes a versatile route to a diverse library of diaryl ketones, which are difficult to obtain by the classical Friedel–Crafts acylation. Moreover, this reaction proceeds via an unprecedented Rh‐catalyzed oxidative ortho‐acylation of aryl ketone O‐methyl oximes with highly electron‐deficient aryl aldehydes followed by a direct addition of the second ortho C H bond to aldehydes in a one‐pot reaction, to generate two C C bonds simultaneously.     

Controlling Stereoselection in Aza-Cope-Mannich Reactions

The synthesis of 2-substituted cis-octahydroindolones from the reaction of cis-2-amino-1-alkenylcyclopentanols with aldehydes was studied to examine whether stereoselection in the aza-Cope–Mannich reaction could be controlled by the nature of the nitrogen substituent. 2-Alkylamino-1-(1-phenylethenyl)cyclopentanols 7 and 8 , which contain nitrogen substituents of widely differing size (Me and CHPh₂), were condensed with four aldehydes to give oxazolidines 9a–d and 10a-c. Rearrangement of these intermediates at 23–60 °C, in the presence of 0.9 equiv of (±)-10-camphorsulfonic acid in acetonitrile, gave cis-octahydroindolones 11a-d and 12a–c in yields of 77–95%. Using a combination of single-crystal X-ray crystallography, ¹H nOe measurements, and comparisons with known materials it was established that the N-methyl oxazolidines 9a–d provided exclusively cis-octahydroindolones having the 2-substituent trans to the angular substituents, while N-benzhydryl analogs 10a–c provided exclusively the all-cis products 12a–c. These results are interpreted to mean: (1) When the nitrogen substituent is small (Me), the stereochemistry-determining [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement occurs preferentially through a transition-state topography having the R² substituent oriented quasiequatorially ( 14 → 15 → 16 ); (2) When this substituent is large (CHPh₂), destabilizing steric interactions between the vicinal R¹ and R² substituents causes the rearrangement to occur preferentially through the alternate iminium ion stereoisomer ( 17 → 18 → 19 ).     

Second‐Generation N,O‐[2.2]Paracyclophane Ketimine Ligands for the Alkenylzinc Addition to Aliphatic and Aromatic Aldehydes: Scope and Limitations

Second generation N,O‐[2.2]paracyclophane ketimine ligands were investigated for their ability to catalyze the 1,2‐addition of alkenylzinc reagents to aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes with special focus on functionalized substrates. For aliphatic aldehydes, which have always been challenging in this field, remarkably high enantiomeric excesses could be determined (50–95 % ee). However, alkenylzinc reagents bearing heteroatoms proved to be demanding substrates for this system.     

Asymmetric Domino Nitro‐Michael/Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons Reaction for Disubstituted Cyclohexenecarboxylate Annulation: Efficient Synthesis of Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitor ABT‐341 and Influenza Neuraminidase Inhibitor

An asymmetric domino nitro‐Michael/Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reaction involving α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes and nitro phosphonates has been developed, which gave 4,5‐disubstituted cyclohexenecarboxylates with high stereoselectivities (dr up to >20:1, ee 83–92%) in good yields (44–76%). Furthermore, using this methodology as a key step, a short and practical synthesis of pharmaceutically useful compounds (such as the dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor ABT‐341 and an influenza neuraminidase inhibitor) has also been accomplished.     

Efficient and Scalable Protocol for the Z‐Selective Synthesis of Unsaturated Esters by Horner?Wadsworth?Emmons Olefination

The synthesis of a highly Z‐selective Horner–Wadsworth Emmons (HWE) reagent from cheap and readily available starting materials on a 200‐g scale is described. The HWE reaction conditions have also been studied in order to design an efficient and scalable protocol leading to Z‐selectivities close to 95% with aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes.     

Iron(III) Chloride‐Catalyzed Tandem Aza‐Prins/Friedel–Crafts Cyclization of 2‐Arylethyl‐2,3‐butadienyl Tosylamides and Aldehydes‐An Efficient Synthesis of Benzo[f]isoquinolines

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexahydrobenzo[f]isoquinolines via a tandem aza‐Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization from 2‐arylethyl‐2,3‐butadienyl tosylamides and aldehydes has been developed. This iron(III) chloride‐catalyzed cascade cyclization at the room temperature with different types of aldehydes, such as aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes, alkyl aldehydes, and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, affords the products in moderate to excellent yields (up to 97 %). In this reaction, chlorotrimethylsilane was applied to activate the aldehydes. The cheap catalyst, the mild reaction conditions, and the broad scope of the substrates make this method highly useful.

     

Enantioselective Vanadium‐Catalyzed Oxidation of 1,3‐Dithianes from Aldehydes and Ketones using β‐Amino Alcohol Derived Schiff Base Ligands

The asymmetric vanadium‐catalyzed oxidation of 1,3‐dithianes from aldehydes and ketones by β‐amino alcohol‐derived Schiff base ligands with two stereogenic centers was investigated. Using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant and the Schiff base 3b as a chiral ligand, a variety of 1,3‐dithianes derived from aldehydes were easily converted into the corresponding mono‐sulfoxides in good yields (81–88%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). Additionally, 99% ee was obtained for the enantioselective vanadium‐catalyzed oxidation of the 1,3‐dithianes derived from ketones. We found a slight kinetic resolution when using a higher ratio of hydrogen peroxide during the oxidation of the aldehyde‐derived 1,3‐dithianes but not in the ketone‐derived 1,3‐dithianes.     

Enantioselective Silylcyanation of Aldehydes and Ketones by a Titanium Catalyst Prepared from a Partially Hydrolyzed Titanium Alkoxide and a Schiff Base Ligand

In the presence of small amount (0.2–1.0 mol%) of a titanium complex catalyst prepared from a partially hydrolyzed titanium alkoxide and an optically active tridentate Schiff base ligand, the enantioselective silylcyanation of aldehydes and ketones proceeded in a short reaction time at room temperature to afford the corresponding optically active cyanohydrin derivatives in excellent chemical yield with high enantiomeric excess (86–97% ee). The results indicate that partially hydrolyzed titanium alkoxides are a promising titanium source for the preparation of efficient catalysts for asymmetric synthesis.     

Organocatalytic Multiple Cascade Reactions: A New Strategy for the Construction of Enantioenriched Tetrahydrocarbazoles

A novel cascade Friedel–Crafts alkylation/Michael addition/aromatization reaction of 2‐vinylindoles with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed for the construction of functionalized tetrahydrocarbazoles. The products were obtained in up to 97% yield and with excellent stereoselectivities (ee up to>99%, dr up to>99:1).     

Asymmetric Synthesis of cis‐3,4‐Disubstituted Chromans and Dihydrocoumarins via an Organocatalytic Michael Addition/ Hemiacetalization Reaction

The organocatalytic domino Michael/hemiacetalization reaction between various aldehydes and ortho‐nitrovinylphenols has been developed. Under the catalysis of diphenyl prolinol trimethylsilyl ether, cis‐3,4‐disubstituted chromanols are obtained in high to excellent yields (81–98%) and stereoselectivities (dr: 86:14 to >99:1, ee 96 to >99%). The corresponding disubstituted chromans are available by dehydroxylation of the domino products in good to excellent yields (58–95%). Furthermore, oxidation of the domino products with pyridinium chlorochromate provided 3,4‐dihydrocoumarins in good yields (65–83%) without any epimerization.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydronaphthalenes via an Organocatalytic Nitroalkane‐Michael/Henry Domino Reaction

An organocatalytic nitroalkane‐Michael/Henry reaction sequence to functionalized 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalen‐1‐ols is described. Starting from 2‐(nitromethyl)benzaldehyde and nitroalkenes a bifunctional quinine‐based squaramide organocatalyst is used to afford the title compounds in moderate to very good yields (25–84%), high diastereomeric ratios (dr>95:5) after crystallization and good to excellent enantioselectivities of 63–99% ee. Starting from γ‐nitro aldehydes and ketones secondary and tertiary cyclohexanols bearing four stereogenic centers can also be prepared with this Michael/Henry domino reaction.     

Hydroxylamine as a Source for Nitric Oxide in Metal‐Free 2,2,6,6‐ Tetramethylpiperidine N‐Oxyl Radical (TEMPO) Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

The communication reports on the metal‐free 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine N‐oxyl radical (TEMPO) catalyzed aerobic oxidation of various alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. A novel catalyst system that uses 1–4 mol% of TEMPO in combination with 4–6 mol% of aqueous hydroxylamine is introduced. No other additives are necessary and corrosive by‐products are not formed during oxidation. Nitric oxide which is important for the catalytic cycle is generated in situ by reaction of the hydroxylamine with TEMPO. A catalytic cycle for the overall oxidation process is suggested.     

Synthesis of an Enantiocomplementary Catalyst of β‐Isocupreidine (β‐ICD) from Quinine

Compound 20 , a pseudoenantiomer of β‐isocupreidine (β‐ICD), was synthesized from quinine employing a Barton reaction of nitrosyl ester 13 and acid‐catalyzed cyclization of carbinol 18 as key steps. The Baylis–Hillman reaction of benzaldehyde, p‐nitrobenzaldehyde, and hydrocinnamaldehyde with 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (HFIPA) using 20 as a chiral amine catalyst was found to give the corresponding S‐enriched adducts in high optical purity (>91% ee) in contrast to the β‐ICD‐catalyzed reaction which affords R‐enriched adducts. This result suggests that compound 20 can serve as an enantiocomplementary catalyst of β‐ICD in the asymmetric Baylis–Hillman reaction of aldehydes with HFIPA.