C3‐Symmetric Cinchonine‐Squaramide‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Chlorolactonization of Styrene‐Type Carboxylic Acids with 1,3‐Dichloro‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin: An Efficient Method to Chiral Isochroman‐1‐ones

A more practical and efficient catalytic asymmetric chlorolactonization of styrene‐type carboxylic acids with 1,3‐dichloro‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin (DCDMH) using C₃‐symmetric cinchonine‐squaramide (CSCS) as organocatalyst has been developed. A series of chiral chloro‐substituted isochroman‐1‐ones was obtained in excellent yields (up to 95%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee), whwereby the results for chloro‐substituted isochroman‐1‐ones are the best ever achieved. The catalyst can be recovered and reused for six cycles. Moreover, the chlorolactonization product 3b was further transformed to optically active bicyclic isochroman‐1‐one derivatives in high yield without losing the enantioselectivity. Furthermore, compounds 3e and 2n proved to be highly potent inhibitors of the HIV‐1 in TZM‐bl cells.

     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Amino‐γ‐sulfonyl Phosphonates with a Tetrasubstituted Chiral α‐Carbon via Quinine‐Squaramide‐Catalyzed Michael Addition of Nitrophosphonates to Vinyl Sulfones

α‐Nitro‐γ‐sulfonyl phosphonates with a key tetrasubstituted chiral α‐carbon center have been synthesized for the first time in high yield and enantioselectivity through a quinine‐squaramide‐catalyzed conjugate addition of α‐nitro phosphonates to aryl vinyl sulfones. Representative examples presented here for the transformation of nitrosulfonyl phosphonates to aminosulfonyl phosphonates, alkylation at the α‐position of the sulfonyl group followed by desulfonation and scale‐up of the conjugate addition highlight the practical applications of the methodology.     

A Bifunctional Cinchona Alkaloid‐Squaramide Catalyst for the Highly Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Thiols to trans‐Chalcones

A chiral squaramide catalysts‐promoted asymmetric sulfa‐Michael conjugated addition of thiols to trans‐chalcones is presented. Moderate to excellent yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) were achieved under mild conditions.     

Fluorescence Recognition of Anions Using a Heteroditopic Receptor: Homogenous and Two-Phase Sensing

In contrast to monotopic receptor 3, the anthracene functionalized squaramide dual-host receptor 1 is capable of selectively extracting sulfate salts, as was evidenced unambiguously by DOSY, mass spectrometry, fluorescent and ion chromatography measurements. The receptors were investigated in terms of anion and ion pair binding using the UV–vis and ¹H NMR titrations method in acetonitrile. The reference anion receptor 3, lacking a crown ether unit, was found to lose the enhancement in anion binding induced by the presence of cations. Besides the ability to bind anions in an enhanced manner exhibited by ion pair receptors 2 and 4, changing the 1-aminoanthracene substituent resulted in their exhibiting a lower anion affinity than receptor 1. By using receptor 1 and adjusting the water content in organic phase it was possible to selectively detect sulfates both by “turn-off” and “turn-on” fluorescence, and to do so homogenously and under interfacial conditions. Such properties of receptor 1 have allowed the development of a new type of sensor capable of recognizing and extracting potassium sulfate from the aqueous medium across a phase boundary, resulting in an appropriate fluorescent response in the organic solution.     

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.     

1,3‐Diamine‐Derived Bifunctional Organocatalyst Prepared from Camphor

Chiral 1,2‐diamines are privileged structural motifs in organocatalysis, whereas efficient 1,3‐diamine‐derived organocatalysts are very rare. Herein we report a highly efficient camphor‐1,3‐diamine‐derived squaramide organocatalyst. Its catalytic activity in Michael additions of 1,3‐dicarbonyl nucleophiles to trans‐β‐nitrostyrene derivatives provides excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).

     

Enantioselective Aza‐Henry Reaction of Imines Bearing a Benzothiazole Moiety Catalyzed by a Cinchona‐Based Squaramide

An efficient enantioselective aza‐Henry reaction of nitroalkanes to imines bearing a benzothiazole moiety catalyzed by a Cinchona‐based squaramide has been developed. In the reaction of imines, the corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) for most of the aromatic substituted imines. The imines with electron‐withdrawing groups gave better yields than those bearing electron‐donating groups in the aza‐Henry reaction. Moreover, a one‐pot three‐component enantioselective aza‐Henry reaction using 2‐aminobenzothiazoles, aldehydes, and nitromethane was also developed. Moderate to good yields and high enantioselectivities were obtained in the one‐pot cases (up to 98% ee).     

Stereoselective thia‐Michael 1,4‐Addition to Acyclic 2,4‐Dienones and 2‐En‐4‐ynones

Organocatalyzed highly stereoselective 1,4‐thia‐Michael addition of mercaptans to linear 2,4‐dienones and 2‐en‐4‐ynones was developed using Cinchona alkaloid‐based squaramides. Application of only 0.5–1 mol % loading afforded products in up to 98:2 e.r. and above 99:1 after a single recrystallization. The adducts of allyl mercaptan can be conveniently further transformed to new chiral 2‐substituted 2,5‐dihydrothiophenes by ring‐closing metathesis.

     

Squaramide‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Cascade Approach to Bispirooxindoles with Multiple Stereocenters

A bifunctional squaramide‐catalyzed Michael/Michael cascade reaction for the construction of spirotetrahydrofuran bispirooxindoles was developed. The products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, >99% ee). This straightforward process serves as a powerful method for the enantioselective construction of potentially bioactive bispirooxindoles in which two of the four contiguous chiral centers are spiro all‐carbon quaternary centers on a single tetrahydrofuran ring. Meanwhile, the synthetic practicality of this methodology was illustrated by performing the reaction on a gram‐scale with the same efficiency and stereoselectivity.

     

Trifunctional Squaramide Catalyst for Efficient Enantioselective Henry Reaction Activation

A new class of trifunctional squaramide catalyst acting by means of multiple interactions has been found in a study of the Henry reaction. Enantiomerically enriched nitroaldol products were obtained in good yields and high enantioselectivities under mild conditions using one of the smallest amounts of organocatalyst reported so far for this reaction (0.25 mol%). The catalyst was able to generate hydrogen bonding and anion‐π/hydrogen‐π interactions with the substrates, responsible of the improvement in the reactivity and the enantioselectivity of this process. Computational calculations support a mechanistic hypothesis based on an anion‐π effect, this being the first example reported in asymmetric catalysis.