Dissecting Anion Effects in Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Cycloadditions

From a series of gold complexes of the type [t‐BuXPhosAu(MeCN)]X (X=anion), the best results in intermolecular gold(I)‐catalyzed reactions are obtained with the complex with the bulky and soft anion BAr₄^F− [BAr₄^F−=3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylborate] improving the original protocols by 10–30% yield. A kinetic study on the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkynes with alkenes is consistent with an scenario in which the rate‐determining step is the ligand exchange to generate the (η²‐phenylacetylene)gold(I) complex. We have studied in detail the subtle differences that can be attributed to the anion in this formation, which result in a substantial decrease in the formation of unproductive σ,π‐(alkyne)digold(I) complexes by destabilizing the conjugated acid formed.

     

Regioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrroles via Gold(I)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Stabilized Vinyl Diazo Derivatives and Nitriles

The reaction of nitriles with alkenyldiazo compounds in the presence of gold catalysts provides functionalized pyrrole derivatives in moderate to high yields. This formal [3+2] cyclization reaction takes place with complete regioselectivity. The observed regiochemical outcome suggests the attack of the nitrile to the terminal position of the alkenylgold carbenoid (vinylogous reactivity). A broad range of nitriles (including those bearing functional groups) is compatible with this cyclization reaction.     

Gold‐Catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig Selective Cyclizations of Alkynyl Silyl Enol Ethers: Efficient Method for [3+2] and [4+2] Annulations onto α,β‐Enones

An efficient method for the annulation of five‐ and six‐membered rings onto α,β‐enones is described via gold‐catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig selective cyclizations of alkynyl silyl enol ethers.     

Cationic Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition between Dienes and Allenyl Ethers

Simple allenyl ethers have been shown to be efficiently activated by cationic gold(I) catalysts to form reactive dienophiles in intermolecular Diels–Alder reactions. A range of different dienes give the cycloaddition products in moderate to excellent yields and good selectivity.     

Synthesis of Substituted 2,2′‐Bipyridines and 2,2′:6′,2′′‐Terpyridines by Cobalt‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitriles and α,ω‐Diynes with Exclusive Regioselectivity

A variety of substituted 2,2′‐bipyridines were synthesized by a 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)/cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂⋅6 H₂O)/zinc‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of diynes and nitriles, with all reactions exhibiting exclusive regioselectivity. Thus, symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,6‐diynes and 2‐cyanopyridine reacted in the presence of 5 mol % of dppe, 5 mol % of CoCl₂⋅6 H₂O and 10 mol % of zinc powder to provide the corresponding 2,2′‐bipyridines. Under identical reaction conditions, 1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,6‐diynes and nitriles reacted smoothly with exclusive regioselectivity to produce 2,2′‐bipyridines in good yield. 2,2′‐Bipyridines were also obtained by the double [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,6,8,13‐tetraynes with nitriles. Similarly, 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridines were synthesized from 1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,6‐diyne and 2‐cyanopyridine. The regiochemistry observed can be explained by considering the electronic nature of cobaltacyclopentadiene intermediates and nitriles. A survey of the exclusive regiochemical trend gives reasonable credence to the synthetic potential of the present method.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar [3+4] Cycloaddition of Nitrones with Azoalkenes

The first copper(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar [3+4] cycloaddition of nitrones with azoalkenes has been developed, affording a variety of biologically important 1,2,4,5‐oxatriazepane derivatives in good yields with exclusive regioselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities.

     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Annulation of Vinyl Ketones with Oxindole‐Derived α,β‐Unsaturated Imines: Enantioselective Syntheses of 2′,3′‐Dihydro‐1′H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridin]‐2‐ones

A novel asymmetric [4+2] annulation of vinyl ketones with oxindole‐derived α,β‐unsaturated imines has been developed in the presence of a multifunctional thiourea‐phosphine catalyst derived from a natural amino acid, providing the first phosphine‐catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 2′,3′‐dihydro‐1′H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridin]‐2‐ones in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities under mild conditions.

     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed [4+2] Annelation/Nucleophilic Addition Sequence: Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenes

The gold(I)‐catalyzed isomerization of readily available 1,8‐dien‐4‐ynes allows the rapid construction of a variety of synthetically useful bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenes by a stereoselective sequence involving a [4+2] annelation/nucleophilic addition process.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+3] Cycloaddition Reactions of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes with Nazarov Reagents

An organocatalytic asymmetric formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with Nazarov reagents promoted by prolinol derivatives afforded, after oxidation, 3,4‐dihydropyranones in good yields with high enantioselectivities of up to 97% ee.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cascade for Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,2‐a:2′,1′‐c]‐/Pyrido[2,1‐c]pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalinones

An efficient and convenient method was developed for the one‐pot construction of the complex polycyclic heterocycles pyrrolo[1,2‐a:2′,1′‐c]‐/pyrido[2,1‐c]pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalinones from two simple starting materials via a gold(I)‐catalyzed domino reaction. This strategy presents an atom economical and environmentally friendly transformation, in which two new C N bonds and one new C C bond are formed in a one‐pot reaction process.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 4‐Isoxazolines by 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of Nitrones to Alkynals Catalyzed by Fluorodiphenylmethylpyrrolidines

The first organocatalytic enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar reaction between nitrones and alkynals catalyzed by (S)‐2‐(fluorodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine to give 4‐isoxazolines (2,3‐dihydroisoxazoles) with high enantiomeric excess, excellent yields and low catalyst loading (1–5 mol%) is presented. The catalytic loading could be reduced to 1 mol% with only slight increases in reaction times.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Carboaminations of Allenes by N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines bearing a pendant allene undergo unprecedented gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclizations proceeding with an allyl migration from the nitrogen to the allene moiety. The initial product of the gold‐catalyzed cyclization evolves either via isomerization or Cope rearrangement, leading to different scaffolds. Density function theory (DFT) calculations established that the allyl migration occurs in an asynchronous suprafacial manner.

     

Rhodium‐Catalysed Alkoxycarbonylative Cyclisation Reactions of 1,6‐Enynes

The rhodium‐catalysed carbonylation of 1,6‐enynes possessing an electron‐deficient alkenyl moiety in an alcohol reagent in the presence of a rhodium complex proceeded stereo‐ and chemoselectively to afford exocyclic α,β‐enoates.     

Synthesis of (E)‐α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyls via Silver‐Catalyzed Tandem Epoxide Rearrangement/Intermolecular Carbonyl‐ Heteroalkyne Metathesis

A regio‐ and stereoselective method for the synthesis of (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated carbonyls has been developed via a silver‐catalyzed tandem epoxide rearrangement/intermolecular carbonyl‐heteroalkyne metathesis. Various heteroalkynes including ynol ethers, ynamides, and thioalkynes work well for this transformation, leading to the production of (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated esters, amides, and thioesters in moderate to excellent yields with good functional group compatibility. It represents one of the rare examples of regio‐ and stereoselective intermolecular alkyne‐carbonyl metathesis (ACM).

     

Four‐Electron Electrocyclic Ring‐Opening/Intermolecular [4+2] Cycloadditions of α‐Hydroxycyclobutenones: Stereoselective Synthesis of Multiple Substituted δ‐Lactams

A four‐electron electrocyclic ring‐opening/intermolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of α‐hydroxycyclobutenones is reported. The reaction represents the first example for the intermolecular cycloaddition of the extensively studied enol‐ketene intermediate, and provides a new synthetic route to multiply substituted δ‐lactams in high stereoselectivity.

     

Synthesis of Spiro[piperidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles] via Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Dearomatization of N‐Propargyl‐ and N‐Homoallenyl‐2‐bromotryptamines

N‐Propargyl‐ and N‐homoallenyl‐2‐bromo‐β‐tryptamines undergo gold(I)‐catalyzed dearomatizing cyclizations to afford 2‐bromospiroindolenines that are in situ hydrolyzed to furnish spirooxindoles in a one‐pot process. Tryptophane derivatives (R²=CO₂Et) led upon cyclization to chiral spirooxindoles in excellent diastereoselectivities.

     

Combining in situ Generated Chiral Silicon Lewis Acid and Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalysts for [3+2] Cycloadditions: Cooperative Catalysis as a Convenient Enantioselective Route to Pyrazolidines

A facile enantioselective synthesis of chiral pyrazolidines via a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction, involving a BINOL‐derived phosphoric acid and an in situ generated BINOL phosphate‐derived silicon Lewis acid, which may act cooperatively, has been developed.     

An Efficient Cobalt(I)‐Catalysed Reformatsky Reaction using α‐Chloro Esters

An efficient cobalt(I )‐catalysed Reformatsky reaction using α‐chloro esters has been developed. The catalyst is prepared by reducing the cobalt(II ) chloride (5 %)/1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)(5 %)/zinc iodide (10 %) system with zinc metal in acetonitrile in the presence of both the α‐chloro ester and the carbonyl compound; good to excellent conversions to β‐hydroxy esters are obtained at room temperature in 2.5 h.     

Direct Construction of the 9H‐Pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepin‐9‐amine Skeleton via [4+3] Annulation of Alkyl 2‐Aroyl‐1‐chlorocyclo‐ propanecarboxylates

A direct diastereoselective synthesis approach of important 9H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepin‐9‐amines was established via base‐promoted [4+3] annulation between donor–acceptor reagents derived from 1H‐pyrrole‐2‐carbaldehydes and alkyl 2‐aroyl‐1‐chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates. This transition metal‐free domino reaction proceeded quickly under mild basic conditions, affording potentially bioactive azepine derivatives in moderate to high yields with high diastereoselectivities (up to >20:1).