Highly Enantioselective Intramolecular 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition: A Route to Piperidino‐Pyrrolizidines

Enantioselective catalytic intermolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions are powerful methods for the synthesis of heterocycles. In contrast, intramolecular enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions are virtually unexplored. A highly enantioselective synthesis of natural‐product‐inspired pyrrolidino‐piperidines by means of an intramolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition with azomethine ylides is now reported. The method has a wide scope and yields the desired cycloadducts with four tertiary stereogenic centers with up to 99 % ee. Combining the enantioselective catalytic intramolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition with a subsequent diastereoselective intermolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition yielded complex piperidino‐pyrrolizidines with very high stereoselectivity in a one‐pot tandem reaction.     

Enantioselective Catalytic Aldehyde α‐Alkylation/Semipinacol Rearrangement: Construction of α‐Quaternary‐δ‐Carbonyl Cycloketones and Total Synthesis of (+)‐Cerapicol

An enantioselective aldehyde α‐alkylation/semipinacol rearrangement was achieved through organo‐SOMO catalysis. The catalytically generated enamine radical cation serves as a carbon radical electrophile that can stereoselectively add to the alkene of an allylic alcohol and initiate ensuing ring‐expansion of cyclopropanol or cyclobutanol. This tandem reaction enables the production of a wide range of nonracemic functionalizable α‐quaternary‐δ‐carbonyl cycloketones in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity from simple aldehydes and allylic alcohols. As a key step, the intramolecular reaction was also successfully applied in the asymmetric total synthesis of (+)‐cerapicol.     

Efficient Catalytic Kinetic Resolution of Spiro‐epoxyoxindoles with Concomitant Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles

An efficient process involving the catalytic kinetic resolution of racemic spiro‐epoxyoxindoles with the simultaneous enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles has been realized using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst. The reaction provides two useful intermediates in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Performing the catalysis on a gram scale led to (R)‐3‐(3‐indolyl)‐oxindole‐3‐methanol, which was used in the asymmetric formal total synthesis of (+)‐gliocladin C. Notably, the enantiomers (S)‐3‐(3‐indolyl)‐oxindole‐3‐methanol can be obtained easily by the reaction of the resolved spiro‐epoxyoxindole with indole.     

Enantioselective Pd‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Reactions of Dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone Substrates: Efficient Syntheses of (−)‐Goniomitine, (+)‐Aspidospermidine,and (−)‐Quebrachamine

The successful application of dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone (DHPI) substrates in Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation chemistry facilitates rapid access to multiple alkaloid frameworks in an enantioselective fashion. Strategic bromination at the indole C3 position greatly improved the allylic alkylation chemistry and enabled a highly efficient Negishi cross‐coupling downstream. The first catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐goniomitine, along with divergent formal syntheses of (+)‐aspidospermidine and (?)‐quebrachamine, are reported herein.     

Enantioselective Pd‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Reactions of Dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone Substrates: Efficient Syntheses of (−)‐Goniomitine, (+)‐Aspidospermidine,and (−)‐Quebrachamine

The successful application of dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone (DHPI) substrates in Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation chemistry facilitates rapid access to multiple alkaloid frameworks in an enantioselective fashion. Strategic bromination at the indole C3 position greatly improved the allylic alkylation chemistry and enabled a highly efficient Negishi cross‐coupling downstream. The first catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐goniomitine, along with divergent formal syntheses of (+)‐aspidospermidine and (−)‐quebrachamine, are reported herein.     

A novel hydrophobic copper complex supported on γ‐Fe2O3 as a magnetically heterogeneous catalyst for one‐pot three‐component synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates

A novel hydrophobic copper complex supported on γ‐Fe₂O₃ is synthesized and characterized by different methods such as FT‐IR, XRD, TEM, SEM, TGA, VSM, ICP and CHN analysis. It was used as a magnetically recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates via a one‐pot three‐component reaction under solvent‐free conditions. The present catalytic system worked extremely well for the synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates even up to five subsequent trails without significant loss of its catalytic activity or copper leaching. The TEM image and FT‐IR spectrum of the catalyst after five times recovery showed that the structure of the catalyst was stable under the reaction conditions with no change being observed. The strong magnetic properties of the reused catalyst were revealed by complete and easy attraction using an external magnet and also by VSM curve. This work represents the first and unique example of a hydrophobic copper complex for catalysis in water generating reactions.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed γ‐ and ϵ‐Alkylation with Alkyl Radicals

The merging of photoredox catalysis and N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis for γ‐ and ?‐alkylation of enals with alkyl radicals was developed. The alkylation reaction of γ‐oxidized enals with alkyl halides worked well for the synthesis γ‐multisubstituted‐α,β‐unsaturated esters, including those with challenging vicinal all‐carbon quaternary centers. The synthesis of ?‐multisubstituted‐α,β‐γ,δ‐diunsaturated esters by an unprecedented NHC‐catalyzed ?‐functionalization was also established.     

One‐pot Three Component Synthesis of ω‐(oxathiolan‐2‐thion‐5‐yl)‐α‐oxazolidin‐2‐ones

We report a practical and one‐pot synthesis of novel series of ω‐(oxathiolan‐2‐thione‐5‐yl)‐α‐ oxazolidin‐2‐ones ( 3a‐h ). The obtained compounds have been designed, synthesized via reaction of oligoethylene glycols diglycidyl ethers, isocyanate and carbon disulfide in the presence of catalytic amount of lithium bromide. A variety of important oxazolidinone derivatives can be obtained from simple starting materials in good yields and the biological activity of these new products will be investigated in complementary study.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 3‐amino‐1‐aryl‐1H‐benzo[f]chromene‐2‐carbonitrile derivatives by Fe3O4@PS‐arginine as an efficient chiral magnetic nanocatalyst

A novel chiral magnetic nanocatalyst was prepared by the surface modification of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with a chloropropylsilane and further by arginine to form Fe₃O₄@propylsilan‐arginine (Fe₃O₄@PS‐Arg). After the structural confirmation of Fe₃O₄@PS‐Arg synthesized MNPs by Fourier transform‐infrared, X‐ray diffraction, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating‐sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analyses, their catalytic activity was evaluated for one‐pot enantioselective synthesis of 3‐amino‐1‐aryl‐1H‐benzo[f]chromene‐2‐carbonitrile derivatives. The results showed that in the presence of 0.07 g Fe₃O₄@PS‐Arg nanocatalyst and ethanol as solvent, the best reaction yield (96%) was obtained in the least time (5 min). Easy operation, reusability and stability, short reaction time, high reaction yields and good enantioselectivity are the major advantages of the newly synthesized nanocatalyst. Also, this study provides a novel strategy for further research and investigation on the synthesis of new reusable enantioselective catalysts and chiral compounds.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Acyclic α‐Quaternary Carboxylic Acid Derivatives through Iridium‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation

The first highly enantioselective iridium‐catalyzed allylic alkylation that provides access to products bearing an allylic all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center has been developed. The reaction utilizes a masked acyl cyanide (MAC) reagent, which enables the one‐pot preparation of α‐quaternary carboxylic acids, esters, and amides with a high degree of enantioselectivity. The utility of these products is further explored through a series of diverse product transformations.     

Highly Enantioselective Formation of α‐Allyl‐α‐Arylcyclopentanones via Pd‐Catalysed Decarboxylative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

A highly enantioselective Pd‐catalysed decarboxylative asymmetric allylic alkylation of cyclopentanone derived α‐aryl‐β‐keto esters employing the (R,R)‐ANDEN‐phenyl Trost ligand has been developed. The product (S)‐α‐allyl‐α‐arylcyclopentanones were obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to >99.9 % ee). This represents one of the most highly enantioselective formations of an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center reported to date. This reaction was demonstrated on a 4.0 mmol scale without any deterioration of enantioselectivity and was exploited as the key enantioselective transformation in an asymmetric formal synthesis of the natural product (+)‐tanikolide.     

Total Synthesis of Potent Antitumor Agent (−)‐Lasonolide A: A Cycloaddition‐Based Strategy

A detailed account of the enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐lasonolide A is described. Our initial synthetic route to the top tetrahydropyran ring involved Evans asymmetric alkylation as the key step. Initially, we relied on the diastereoselective alkylation of an α‐alkoxyacetimide derivative containing an α′ stereogenic center and investigated such an asymmetric alkylation reaction. Although alkylation proceeded in good yield, the lack of diastereoselectivity prompted us to explore alternative routes. Our subsequent successful synthetic strategies involved highly diastereoselective cycloaddition routes to both tetrahydropyran rings of lasonolide A. The top tetrahydropyran ring was constructed stereoselectively by an intramolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The overall process constructed a bicyclic isoxazoline, which was later unravelled to a functionalized tetrahydropyran ring as well as a quaternary stereocenter present in the molecule. The lower tetrahydropyran ring was assembled by a Jacobsen catalytic asymmetric hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction as the key step. The synthesis also features a Lewis acid catalyzed epoxide opening to form a substituted ether stereoselectively.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Heck Reactions: Convenient Access to 3,3‐Disubstituted 2,3‐Dihydrobenzofuran

The first example of highly enantioselective intramolecular hydroarylation of allyl aryl ethers was realized by palladium‐catalyzed reductive heck reactions utilizing a new chiral sulfinamide phosphine ligand (N‐Me‐ XuPhos ). N‐Me‐ XuPhos can be easily prepared on gram scale from readily available starting materials in a one‐pot synthesis approach. A series of optically active 2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans bearing a quaternary stereocenter were obtained in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. The practicality of this reaction was validated in the straightforward synthesis of CB2 receptor agonists. Moreover, deuterium was efficiently incorporated into the products.     

One‐Pot Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of 2‐Pyrazolines

A scalable, one‐pot, enantioselective catalytic synthesis of 2‐pyrazolines from beta‐substituted enones and hydrazines is described. Pivoting on a two‐stage catalytic Michael addition/condensation strategy, the use of an aldehyde to generate a suitable hydrazone derivative of the hydrazine was found to be key for curtailing background reactivity and tuning the catalyst‐controlled enantioselectivity. The new synthetic method is easy to perform, uses a new and readily prepared cinchona‐derived bifunctional catalyst, is broad in scope, and tolerates a range of functionalities with high enantioselectivity (up to >99:1 e.r.). The significant scalability of this methodology was demonstrated with the synthesis of more than 80 grams of a pyrazoline product with 89 % catalyst recovery.     

Niobium(V) chloride‐catalyzed synthesis of α‐aminonitriles with simultaneous reaction of aldehydes,amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide

A simple and efficient one‐pot method has been developed for the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles by concurrent reaction of aldehydes, amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide with a catalytic amount of NbCl₅ (10 mol%) in CH₃CN at room temperature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanochemical Strecker Reaction: Access to α‐Aminonitriles and Tetrahydroisoquinolines under Ball‐Milling Conditions

A mechanochemical version of the Strecker reaction for the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles was developed. The milling of aldehydes, amines, and potassium cyanide in the presence of SiO₂ gave the corresponding α‐aminonitriles in good to high yields. The high efficiency of the mechanochemical Strecker‐type multicomponent reaction allowed the one‐pot synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines after a subsequent internal N‐alkylation reaction.     

Synthesis of Enantioenriched 5,6‐Dihydrophenanthridine Derivatives through retro‐Carbopalladation of Chiral o‐Bromobenzylamines

Retro‐carbopalladation of aldimines in the presence of a suitable β‐hydrogen atom has been observed in the Pd‐catalyzed homocoupling reactions of o‐bromobenzylamines, providing an expeditious synthetic route to 5,6‐dihydrophenanthridine derivatives. Furthermore, a highly enantioselective synthesis of 6‐aryl‐substituted 5,6‐dihydrophenanthridines was achieved in a one‐pot manner by taking advantage of Rh and Pd catalysis.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Substituted β‐Amino Alcohols from Aldehydes and Isocyanides

A practical two‐stage one‐pot synthesis of N‐substituted β‐amino alcohols using aldehydes and isocyanides as starting materials has been developed. This method features mild reaction conditions, broad scope, and general tolerance of functional groups. Based on a less common central carbon–carbon bond disconnection, this protocol complements traditional approaches that involve amines and various carbon electrophiles (epoxides, α‐halo ketones, β‐halohydrins). Medicinally relevant products can be prepared in a concise and efficient way from simple building blocks, as demonstrated in the synthesis of the antiasthma drug salbutamol. Upgrading the synthesis to an enantioselective variant is also feasible.     

Heteroannulation of Arynes with α‐Amino Imides: Synthesis of 2,2‐Disubstituted Indolin‐3‐ones and Application to the Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)‐Hinckdentine A

A novel heteroannulation reaction between α‐amino imides and in situ generated arynes has been developed for the synthesis of 2,2‐disubstituted indolin‐3‐ones. An enantioselective total synthesis of the marine alkaloid (+)‐hinckdentine A was subsequently accomplished using this reaction as a key step. A catalytic enantioselective Michael addition of an α‐aryl‐α‐isocyanoacetate to phenyl vinyl selenone was employed for the construction of the enantioenriched α‐quaternary α‐amino ester.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Terengganensine A

A seven‐step enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐terengganensine A, a complex heptacyclic monoterpene indole alkaloid, was accomplished. Key steps included: a) Noyori's catalytic enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of the iminium salt to set up the absolute configuration at the C21 position; b) a highly diastereoselective C7 benzoyloxylation with dibenzoyl peroxide under mild conditions; and c) an integrated one‐pot oxidative cleavage of cyclopentene/triple cyclization/hydrolysis sequence for the construction of the dioxa azaadamantane motif with complete control of four newly generated stereocenters.