Planar‐Chiral Cyclopentadienyl‐Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Silyl Enolates under Unusually Mild Conditions

We report the asymmetric allylic alkylation of allylic chlorides with silyl enolates as a carbon nucleophile using a planar‐chiral cyclopentadienyl‐ruthenium (Cp′Ru) catalyst. The reaction proceeds under unusually mild conditions to give the desired branched products with complete regioselectivity and high enantioselectivity, and reactive functional groups, such as aldehyde, can be tolerated. In this reaction system, Cp′Ru plays an important role in activating both silyl enolate and allylic chloride.

     

Highly Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation with Phosphoramidite Ligands

New phosphoramidites were applied as chiral ligands in the Cu‐catalyzed allylic alkylation with dialkylzinc reagents. A variety of substrates, reagents and chiral ligands were screened, resulting in improved catalytic methodology for allylic bromides in which enantioselectivities up to 88% were reached.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Etherification and Ring‐Closing Metathesis Reaction for Enantioselective Synthesis of Chromene and 2,5‐Dihydrobenzo[b]oxepine Derivatives

Iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric etherifications of allylic carbonates with 2‐vinylphenols and 2‐allylphenols were realized. With a catalyst generated from 2 mol% of [Ir(cod)Cl]₂ (cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) and 4 mol% of the phosphoramidite ligand L2 , the etherification products were obtained in excellent ees and then subjected to the ring‐closing metathesis reaction providing an efficient synthesis of enantioenriched 2H‐chromene and 2,5‐dihydrobenzo[b]oxepine derivatives.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Amination with Polar Amines: Access to Building Blocks with Lead‐Like Molecular Properties

The combination of an air‐stable iridium catalyst and the dipolar aprotic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) allowed, for the first time, the systematic exploitation of highly polar, functionalized amines in asymmetric allylic substitutions: low molecular weight, sp³‐rich chiral building blocks were obtained with physicochemical properties that will be valuable in the synthesis of lead‐like small molecules.     

Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Propargylic Etherification of Propargylic Esters with Phenols Promoted by Inorganic Base Additives

An enantioselective copper‐catalyzed propargylic etherification of both aromatic and aliphatic propargylic esters with phenols has been developed, in which the employment of inorganic base additives, in particular cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃), was found to significantly promote not only the reactivity but also the enantioselectivity of the reaction. By using a structurally hindered chiral ketimine P,N,N‐ligand, a wide range of optically active propargylic ethers were prepared in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).

     

Ruthenium Catalyzed Selective Regio‐and‐Mono‐Allylation of Cyclic 1,3‐Diketones Using Allyl Alcohols as Substrates

The new ruthenium‐sulfonate catalyst Ru(Cp*)(η³‐C₃H₅) (p‐CH₃C₆H₄SO₃)₂, (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), rapidly and regioselectively mono‐allylates dimedone to the branched products using substituted allyl alcohols as substrates, without acid, base or other additives, under relatively mild conditions. We consider the ruthenium sulfonate to be a “green” alternative in that it uses allyl alcohols as substrate, (rather than carbonates, acetates, etc.) and therefore does not waste the leaving group. The catalyst induces rapid double allylation of various 1,3‐diketones in high yield using allylic alcohol.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Tandem Isomerization–Transfer Hydrogenation Reactions of γ‐Trifluoromethylated Allylic Alcohols and β‐Trifluoromethylated Enones

The ruthenium–2‐propanol combination was found to transform γ‐trifluoromethylated allylic alcohols and β‐trifluoromethylated enones into the corresponding saturated alcohols in excellent yields via a one‐pot tandem process involving isomerization and transfer hydrogenation(s). High stereospecificity was demonstrated and evidence for two mechanistic pathways is provided. The method was applied to a rapid synthesis of trifluoromethylated citronellol.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed O‐Allylation of Phenols from Allylic Chlorides via Cationic [Cp*(η3‐allyl)(MeCN)RuX][PF6] Complexes

The [Cp*(MeCN)₃Ru(II)][PF₆] complex is an efficient catalyst precursor for the O‐allylation of phenols with allylic chlorides in the presence of K₂CO₃ under mild conditions. This ruthenium precursor affords branched allyl aryl ethers according to a regioselective reaction, which contrasts with the uncatalyzed nucleophilic substitution from the same substrates. Stable (η³‐allyl)Ru(IV) cationic complexes resulting from the reaction of [Cp*(MeCN)₃Ru][PF₆] with allylic halides were identified as intermediate catalytic species. An X‐ray structure determination of the complex [Cp*(MeCHCHCH₂)(MeCN)RuBr][PF₆] disclosed an (endo‐trans‐MeCHCHCH₂) allylic ligand. The structural information obtained from the study of Cp*(allyl)Ru(IV) complexes indicated that electronic effects at the coordinated allylic ligand likely account for the better regioselectivity obtained from cinnamyl chloride as compared to aliphatic allylic chlorides.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Dearomatization/Migration Reaction of Indoles and Pyrroles

An efficient synthesis of polycyclic indole and pyrrole derivatives via a ruthenium‐catalyzed intramolecular allylic dearomatization/migration reaction has been developed. This method features wide substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and an operationally simple procedure. The capture of the spiro intermediate provides solid evidence for the dearomatization/migration reaction pathway.

     

Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Reactions Using Mo(CO)6 as Precatalyst

Molybdenum‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions were carried out using the inexpensive, air‐stable, and readily available Mo(CO)₆ as precatalyst. In situ IR was used to determine the required activation time and temperature required to achieve the maximum concentration of the ‘‘active’’ catalyst from the molybdenum‐precatalyst and chiral ligand. Results from comparison studies are consistent with the notion that the same active catalyst is generated regardless of molybdenum‐precatalyst.     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Allyl Ketones from Alkynes and their Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation into γ‐Functionalized Ketones

The regioselective synthesis of β,γ‐unsaturated ketones from terminal alkynes is achieved by cooperative action of tris(acetonitrile)pentamethylcyclopentadieneruthenium hexafluorophosphate [Cp*Ru(NCMe)₃⁺ PF₆⁻] and para‐toluenesulfonic acid catalysts. These allyl ketones undergo direct regioselective hydroarylation/Friedel–Crafts reaction to introduce an electron‐rich aryl group at the γ‐position in the presence of ligand‐free silver triflate (AgOTf) catalyst. Both catalytic reactions take place with atom economy and provide an alternative to the synthesis of a variety of allyl ketones and γ‐arylated ketones.     

Practical Synthesis of Allylic Silanes from Allylic Esters and Carbamates by Stereoselective Copper‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution Reactions

The first copper‐catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of allylic acetates and carbamates employing a bis(triorganosilyl)zinc reagent are reported. This novel procedure avoids the use of stoichiometric amounts of copper salts which are usually mandatory with this chemistry. Application of this methodology to standard model substrates substantiates a high diastereoselectivity for the double bond geometry (E : Z) as well as the relative configuration (syn : anti).     

Highly Efficient Molybdenum(II)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkylation of Arenes

The Friedel–Crafts‐type intramolecular allylic alkylation of simple arenes is performed in the presence of a catalytic amount of [Mo(II) (CO)₄Br₂]₂ (2.5 mol%). The moisture‐tolerant protocol provided a mild and direct access to a large library of functionalized 4‐vinyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalenes in high yields.     

Asymmetric Epoxidation of Allylic Alcohols Catalyzed by (≡SiO) x Ta(OEt)3-x (Dialkyl Tartrate Diolate): Influence of the Reaction Conditions

Silica-supported chiral tantalum alkoxides are active catalysts for the asymmetric epoxidation of propenol and trans hex-2-en-1ol. The influence of different parameters on their catalytic performance was followed: the impregnation duration by a tartrate (step in their preparation); the nature of the solvent (CH₂Cl₂, pentane, toluene) and of the oxidant (TBHP, CHP, H₂O₂); poisoning effects by water or t-butanol; the reaction temperature and the substrate concentration.     

A Bis(Triazolecarboxamido) Ligand for Enantio‐ and Regioselective Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Reactions

A modular, enantiomerically pure bis(1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxamide) has been assembled from N,N′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl]dipropiolamide through a copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction and evaluated as a ligand in the molybdenum‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (MoAAA) reaction, very high regio‐ and enantioselectivities being recorded.

     

2H‐Chromenes Generated by an Iron(III) Complex‐Catalyzed Allylic Cyclization

A straightforward method based on an iron(III) complex‐catalyzed cyclization of 2‐(1‐hydroxyallyl)phenols is reported to access a large variety of 2H‐chromenes. This method was applied to the total synthesis of a natural product, tephrowatsin B.

     

Application of SDP Ligands for Pd‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation

Chiral spiro diphosphines (SDP) are efficient ligands for the Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate and related nucleophiles. The newly synthesized ligand DMM‐SDP ( 1e ) with 3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐methoxy groups on the P‐phenyl rings of the phosphine shows the highest enantioselectivity (up to 99.1% ee). Diethylzinc as a base is critical for obtaining high enantioselectivity in the allylic alkylation using β‐dicarbonyl nucleophiles. The structure of catalyst [PdCl₂((S)‐SDP)] was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The SDP ligands create an effective asymmetric environment around the palladium, resulting in high enantioselectivities for the asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction     

Novel N,N‐Bidentate Ligands for Enantioselective Copper(I)‐ Catalyzed Allylic Oxidation of Cyclic Olefins

New N,N‐bidentate Schiff base ligands containing the 2‐quinolyl moiety proved to be effective in conferring high reactivity and moderate to high enantioselectivity (up to 84% ee) to the copper(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation of various cylic olefins with tert‐butyl perbenzoate. As copper(I) sources, we employed copper(II) triflate/phenylhydrazine [Cu(OTf)₂/PhNHNH₂] and tetra(acetonitrile)copper hexafluorophosphate [Cu(CH₃CN)₄PF₆]. Using the same N,N‐bidentate Schiff base ligand, the former showed high reactivity and the latter showed high enantioselectivity.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation using Chiral Phosphoramidite Ligand Bearing an Amide Moiety

New chiral phosphoramidites with an amide moiety were used for iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions. The best results were obtained with a ligand bearing an oxazolidinone moiety. The reaction of cinnamyl acetate with diethyl sodiomalonate without the use of lithium chloride gave the branched product with 94% ee.