Enantioselective Organocatalytic Reactions of 4‐Hydroxycoumarin and 4‐Hydroxypyrone with α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes – An Efficient Michael Addition‐Acetalization Cascade to Chromenones,Quinolinones and Pyranones

An efficient, organocatalytic enantioselective addition‐cyclization reaction of cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds with different α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The diarylprolinol ether‐catalyzed reaction cascade provides a variety of chromenones, quinolinones and pyranones in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.     

A Highly Enantioselective Catalytic Domino Aza‐Michael/Aldol Reaction: One‐Pot Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2‐Dihydroquinolidines

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic domino aza‐Michael/aldol reaction is presented. The unprecedented, chiral amine‐catalyzed asymmetric domino reactions between 2‐aminobenzaldehydes and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes proceed with excellent chemo‐ and enantioselectivity to give the corresponding pharmaceutically valuable 1,2‐dihydroquinolines derivatives in high yields with 90 to >99 % ee.     

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition of Cyclobutanones to Nitroalkenes

Synthetic applications of cyclobutanones other than ring expansion and fragmentation reactions are rare. Herein, highly efficient diastereo‐ and enantioselective organocatalytic Michael additions of 2‐substituted cyclobutanone derivatives to nitroalkenes are reported allowing the stereocontrolled creation of ‘all‐carbon’ quaternary centers. The approach relies on both the use of Brønsted base/hydrogen‐bond donor bifunctional organocatalysts, and importantly, the specific stabilization and activation of cyclobutanone with a secondary amide moiety. The reaction was found to nicely accommodate a broad scope of substrates, allowing the control of up to three contiguous stereogenic centers. This work has opened new synthetic opportunities.     

Amine‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Epoxidation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

The direct organocatalytic enantioselective epoxidation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with different peroxides is presented. Proline, chiral pyrrolidine derivatives, and amino acid‐derived imidazolidinones catalyze the asymmetric epoxidation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. In particular, protected commercially available α,α‐diphenyl‐ and α,α‐di(β‐naphthyl)‐2‐prolinols catalyze the asymmetric epoxidation reactions of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities to furnish the corresponding 2‐epoxy aldehydes in high yield with up to 97:3 dr and 98 % ee. The use of non‐toxic catalysts, water and hydrogen peroxide, urea hydroperoxide or sodium percarbonate as the oxygen sources could make this reaction environmentally benign. In addition, one‐pot direct organocatalytic asymmetric tandem epoxidation‐Wittig reactions are described. The reactions were highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective and provide a rapid access to 2,4‐diepoxy aldehydes. Moreover, a highly stereoselective one‐pot organocatalytic asymmetric cascade epoxidation‐Mannich reaction, which proceeds via the combination of iminium and enamine activation, is presented. The mechanism and stereochemistry of the amino acid‐ and chiral pyrrolidine‐catalyzed direct asymmetric epoxidation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes are also discussed.     

2,3‐Disubstituted Benzo[b]thiophenes from Diarylalkynes via Electrophilic Addition‐Cyclization and Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling

Diarylalkynes are readily transformed in 3‐chlorobenzo[b]thiophenes in a two‐step electrophilic addition‐cyclization procedure that runs highly efficiently in solution or in the solid phase. The heteroaromatic carbon‐chlorine bond participates in palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura or Buchwald–Hartwig cross‐couplings to give, in a single step, 2,3‐disubstituted derivatives of pharmacological relevance .     

Cinchona Alkaloid‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Amination of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones: An Asymmetric Approach to Δ2‐Pyrazolines

Δ²‐Pyrazolines are of significant medicinal and synthetic interest due to their therapeutic properties and utility in the synthesis of 1,3‐diamines, yet few asymmetric methods exist to prepare them. An unprecedented and highly enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of 2‐pyrazolines was achieved through an asymmetric conjugate addition catalyzed by 9‐epi‐amino Cinchona alkaloids followed by deprotection‐cyclization, which furnished chiral 2‐pyrazolines in 46–78% yield and 59–91% ee. This bifunctional catalytic methodology thus provides easy access to a considerable range of optically active 3,5‐dialkyl 2‐pyrazolines.     

Functionalization of Acetalic C(sp3)‐H Bonds by Scandium(III) Triflate‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Redox Reactions: Tandem 1,4‐Hydride Transfer/1,5‐Cyclization Processes Leading to Protected 1‐Indanones

A new C C bond forming reaction leading to adjacent quaternary carbons is reported. It is a one‐pot hydride shift/cyclization process facilitated by the hydricity of the acetalic C H bonds, with benzylidenemalonate fragments as electrophilic hydride acceptors, and the catalysis of scandium(III) triflate. The reaction products are 1,2‐dihydroindane derivatives. Alkoxy and alkanethiolate groups can be also intramolecularly transferred from the acetalic carbon to the electrophilic benzylidenemalonate CC bond.     

Evidence for the Formation of an Enamine Species during Aldol and Michael‐type Addition Reactions Promiscuously Catalyzed by 4‐Oxalocrotonate Tautomerase

The enzyme 4‐oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4‐OT), which has a catalytic N‐terminal proline residue (Pro1), can promiscuously catalyze various carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions, including aldol condensation of acetaldehyde with benzaldehyde to yield cinnamaldehyde, and Michael‐type addition of acetaldehyde to a wide variety of nitroalkenes to yield valuable γ‐nitroaldehydes. To gain insight into how 4‐OT catalyzes these unnatural reactions, we carried out exchange studies in D₂O, and X‐ray crystallography studies. The former established that H–D exchange within acetaldehyde is catalyzed by 4‐OT and that the Pro1 residue is crucial for this activity. The latter showed that Pro1 of 4‐OT had reacted with acetaldehyde to give an enamine species. These results provide evidence of the mechanism of the 4‐OT‐catalyzed aldol and Michael‐type addition reactions in which acetaldehyde is activated for nucleophilic addition by Pro1‐dependent formation of an enamine intermediate.     

Chiral Squaramide‐Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Michael Addition of 2‐Hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinones to Nitroalkenes

A chiral squaramide‐organocatalyzed, highly enantioselective Michael addition of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinones to nitroalkenes has been developed. This reaction afforded the chiral naphthoquinones in excellent yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) under very low catalyst loading (0.25 mol%). This organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition provides an efficient alternative route toward the synthesis of chiral functionalized naphthoquinones.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Mediated Organocatalytic Transfer of Tin onto Aldehydes: An Easy Access to syn‐Diols and Mechanistic Studies

An update of our preliminary communication concerning an efficient organocatalytic procedure for the transfer of tin onto aldehydes is presented. This update combines (i) a full study of the preparation of γ‐silyloxyallylstannanes from β‐substituted enals, (ii) a “one‐pot” sequence (in inter‐ and intramolecular version) including N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed silylstannation reaction/Lewis acid‐promoted allylstannation reaction to furnish the corresponding syn‐diols, and (iii) mechanistic studies on the organocatalytic 1,2‐addition.     

Asymmetric Organocatalytic Cascade Michael/Michael/Henry Reaction Sequence: Control of All Stereocenters in One Cyclohexane Skeleton

The highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective relay cascade Michael/Michael/Henry reaction catalyzed by combination of readily available diphenylprolinol silyl ether and the quinine thiourea in a one‐pot fashion has been developed. Up to 70% yield and up to >99% enantioselectivity of the single major isomer were obtained from the cascade reactions.     

Iron(III)‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction between Nitroolefins and 2‐Aminopyridines: Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines and Easy Access towards Zolimidine

The iron(III)‐catalyzed one‐pot cascade reaction between nitroolefins and 2‐aminopyridines has been demonstrated for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by exploiting the bielectrophilic nature of nitroolefins. This methodology could be successfully applicable for the synthesis of zolimidine, a useful drug for the treatment of peptic ulcer. The reaction proceeds through Michael addition followed by intramolecular cyclization and in situ denitration.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Construction of Spirooxindoles by Arylative Cyclization of 3‐(γ,δ‐Disubstituted)allylidene‐2‐Oxindoles

The palladium‐catalyzed, one‐pot arylative cyclization of 3‐(γ,δ‐disubstituted)allylidene‐2‐oxindoles afforded spirodihydronaphthalene‐2‐oxindole frameworks via an oxidative Heck arylation (Fujiwara–Moritani reaction), an allylic palladium migration, and an aryl C H bond functionalization/arylation cascade of reactions. This is a first example of the palladium‐catalyzed oxidative arylation and an aryl C H bond functionalization/arylation cascade reaction which involves an electrophilic arylative quenching of a π‐allylpalladium intermediate and a regio‐controlled aryl C H bond activation assisted by a weak palladium‐arene interaction.

     

Highly Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Catalytic Domino Thia‐Michael/Aldol Reactions: Synthesis of Benzothiopyrans with Three Contiguous Stereocenters

Highly enantioselective organocatalytic domino thia‐Michael/aldol reactions between 2‐mercaptoacetophenone and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes are presented. The reactions proceed with excellent chemo‐, diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity to give the corresponding benzothiopyran derivatives in high yields with up to >15:1 dr and 96 to >99 % ee.     

Enantioselective Michael/aza‐Michael/Cyclization Organocascade to Tetracyclic Spiroindolines: Concise Total Synthesis of Kopsinine and Aspidofractine

Kopsinine and related alkaloids are attractive synthetic targets because of their structural complexity and biological activities. An organocatalytic Michael addition/aza‐Michael addition/cyclization cascade sequence has been developed for the enantioselective preparation of tetracyclic spiroindolines from 2,3‐disubstituted indoles and propargyl aldehyde in moderate to good yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities. The synthetic value of these advanced structures has been demonstrated by the synthesis of kopsinine and related alkaloids. Key steps for the concise synthesis of these alkaloids included an efficient enantioselective construction of tetracyclic spiroindolines bearing a dienamino ester moiety and the organocatalyzed nucleophilic addition of a dienamino ester to acrolein.

     

Practical Synthesis of Polysubstituted Imidazoles via Iodine‐ Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cyclization of Aryl Ketones and Benzylamines

A practical synthetic method for polysubstituted imidazoles via iodine‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of aryl ketones and benzylamines has been developed. It was found to tolerate a broad range of substrates to prepare polysubstituted imidazole derivatives in a one‐pot manner, and thus importantly allowed product diversity for imidazole chemistry. Additionally, the resultant 1,2,4‐trisubstituted imidazoles could be conveniently transformed to functionalized 1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted imidazoles via electrophilic substitution or direct C H functionalization, or 2,4‐diaryl‐1H‐imidazoles by debenzylation reaction, which further indicates potential applications of this method in synthetic and pharmaceutical chemistry.     

Ring Expansion versus Cyclization in 4‐Oxoazetidine‐2‐ carbaldehydes Catalyzed by Molecular Iodine: Experimental and Theoretical Study in Concert

Molecular iodine (10 mol%) efficiently catalyzes the ring expansion of 4‐oxoazetidine‐2‐carbaldehydes in the presence of tert‐butyldimethylsilyl cyanide, or allylic and propargylic trimethylsilanes to afford protected 5‐functionalized‐3,4‐dihydroxypyrrolidin‐2‐ones with good yield and high diastereoselectivity, through a C3 C4 bond cleavage of the β‐lactam nucleus. Interestingly, in contrast to the iodine‐catalyzed reactions of 3‐alkoxy‐β‐lactam aldehydes which lead to the corresponding γ‐lactam derivatives (rearrangement adducts), the reactions of 3‐aryloxy‐β‐lactam aldehydes under similar conditions gave β‐lactam‐fused chromanes (cyclization adducts) as the sole products, through exclusive electrophilic aromatic substitution involving the C3 aromatic ring and the carbaldehyde. In order to support the mechanistic proposals, theoretical studies have been performed.     

Control of Six Contiguous Stereocenters in an Asymmetric Organocatalytic One‐Pot Michael/Michael/Aldol Addition Sequence

The asymmetric organocatalytic one‐pot synthesis of polyfunctionalized cyclohexanes is described. Starting from β‐keto esters, nitroalkenes and α,β‐unstaturated aldehydes and employing a bifunctional norephedrine‐based thiourea catalyst, six contiguous stereocenters including one quarternary center are generated. The one‐pot protocol follows a Michael/Michael/aldol addition sequence and affords the highly substituted cyclohexanes in moderate to very good yields (22–70%), diastereomeric ratios of dr>95:5 and excellent enantioselectivities of 91–99% ee.     

On the Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enyne Cyclization

Several chiral ligands were tested in the enantioselective rhodium‐catalyzed enyne cyclization, but none gave results comparable to the BINAP ligand. Among the tested catalyst precursors the soon to be commercially available [(COD)Rh(H₂O)₂]CF₃SO₃ complex is an interesting alternative to the [(COD)RhCl]₂ because it did not need the activation with silver ions. A new stereogenic and 1,2‐disubstituted double bond was formed in the product 12 , the latter was proved to have an (E)‐configuration. A new product, the 1,3‐diene 16 was observed at higher temperatures. In the presence of an (E)‐configurated double bond in the starting material, the reaction completely failed.     

Organocatalysis in Natural Product Synthesis: A Simple One‐Pot Approach to Optically Active β‐Diols

Optically active β‐diols have been prepared using an organocatalytic one‐pot approach from α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes using (E)‐benzaldehyde oxime as nucleophile in an oxa‐Michael reaction with subsequent in situ reduction or Grignard addition. With this protocol at hand, two biologically active compounds, an insect sex pheromone and a glycerol kinase substrate have been synthesized.