Synthesis of Farnesol Analogues through Cu(I)-Mediated Displacements of Allylic THP Ethers by Grignard Reagents

The synthesis of a family of farnesol analogues, incorporating aromatic rings, has been achieved in high yields through the development of a regioselective coupling of allylic tetrahydropyranyl ethers with organometallic reagents. The allylic THP group is displaced readily by Grignard reagents in the presence of Cu(I) halides but is stable in the absence of added copper. Thus, an allylic THP group can fulfill its traditional role as a protecting group or serve as a leaving group depending on reaction conditions. An improved synthesis of (2E,6E)-10,11-dihydrofarnesol also has been accomplished using this methodology, and some preliminary studies on the reactivity and regioselectivity of THP ether displacements were conducted. The farnesol analogues reported herein may be useful probes of the importance of nonbonding interactions in enzymatic recognition of the farnesyl chain and allow development of more potent competitive inhibitors of enzymes such as farnesyl protein transferase.     

Biomimetic syntheses of (-)-gochnatiolides a-C and (-)-ainsliadimer B

We report the first biomimetic syntheses of (-)-gochnatiolides A-C and (-)-ainsliadimer B based on our proposed biogenetic pathway. Our synthesis features one-pot cascade transformations including Saegusa oxidation, intermolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition, and radical-mediated allylic oxidation, which allow for the rapid generation of (-)-gochnatiolides A-C in a collective manner. We also disclose an unprecedented "copper effect" on the stereochemical outcome of the radical-mediated allylic oxidation. Our synthetic endeavors led to the structural reassignment of (-)-gochnatiolide B. Ultimately, a biomimetic transformation from gochnatiolide B to ainsliadimer B was achieved through a remarkable direct enone hydration.     

Iterative deoxypropionate synthesis based on a copper-mediated directed allylic substitution: formal total synthesis of borrelidin (C3-C11 fragment)

A new iterative strategy for the flexible preparation of any oligodeoxypropionate stereoisomer is presented which relies on an o-DPPB-directed copper mediated allylic substitution employing enantiomerically pure Grignard reagents; the reaction is working with perfect control over all aspects of the reaction selectivity. This key C--C bond-forming step features reversed polarity compared with established enolate alkylation methodology. It thus avoids existing problems of enolate alkylation strategies such as enolate reactivity as well as costs and problems associated with the chiral auxiliary. Practicability of this new method is demonstrated through application in natural product syntheses. Thus, an efficient synthesis of the northern part of the angiogenesis inhibitor borrelidin (28), the deoxypropionate building block 27, could be devised, representing a formal total synthesis.     

Alkylation of Unsaturated Aldehyde and Allylic Bisacetate With Organomanganese Reagents in Presence of Tetrakis Acetonitrile Copper(I) Tetrafluroborate

The conjugate addition of organomanganese reagents to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes and allylic bisacetate in presence of Me₃Si‐Cl and tetrakis acetonitrile copper(I) tetrafluroborate is described.     

Couplage des sulfones allyliques avec des reactifs de grignard en presence de cuivre synthese d'olefines

A convenient synthesis of di- and trisubstituted olefins using the coupling of Grignard reagents with allylic sulphones in the presence of copper II acetylacetonate is reported. The influence of sulphone, Grignard reagent and solvent on the regio- and stereoselectivity is discussed.     

Cu(I)-catalyzed carboxylative coupling of terminal alkynes, allylic chlorides, and CO2

A highly selective synthesis of a variety of functionalized allylic 2-alkynoates was realized via the carboxylative coupling of terminal alkynes, allylic chlorides, and CO(2) catalyzed by the N-heterocyclic carbene copper(I) complex (IPr)CuCl. The catalyst can be easily recovered without any loss in activity and product selectivity.     

High diversity on simple substrates: 1,4-dihalo-2-butenes and other difunctionalized allylic halides for copper-catalyzed S(N)2' reactions

Enantioselective allylic alkylation with an organomagnesium reagent catalyzed by copper thiophene carboxylate (CuTC) was carried out on difunctionalized substrates, such as commercially available 1,4-dichloro-2-butene and 1,4-dibromo-2-butene, and on similar compounds of higher substitution pattern of the olefin for the formation of all-carbon chiral quaternary centers. The high regioselectivity obtained throughout the reactions favored good regiocontrol for the addition of phenyl Grignard reagents. Other difunctionalized substrates (allylic ethers and allylic alcohols) also underwent asymmetric S(N)2' substitution.     

Studies on the Cu(I)-catalyzed regioselective anti-carbometallation of secondary terminal propargylic alcohols

A highly regioselective Cu(I)-catalyzed anti-carbometallation of secondary terminal propargylic alcohols with 1 degrees alkyl or aryl Grignard reagents affording 2-substituted allylic alcohols was developed. By using this method, optically active allylic alcohols can be prepared from the optically active propargylic alcohols without obvious loss of the enantiopurity. The cyclic organometallic intermediate formed may undergo an iodination or a Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reaction to afford stereo-defined allylic alcohols.     

A one-pot multicomponent coupling reaction for the stereocontrolled synthesis of (Z)-trisubstituted allylic alcohols

In this Communication, we outline a new one-pot, multicomponent coupling reaction that allows easy access to (Z)-trisubstituted allylic alcohols. Our strategy is based on E to Z isomerization of the 1-bromo-1-dialkylvinylborane upon reaction with dialkylzinc reagents, and subsequent transmetalation to give (Z)-trisubstituted vinylzinc species. In situ trapping of the reactive vinylzinc intermediates with aldehydes furnished a series of (Z)-trisubstituted allylic alcohols. This method represents a viable alternative to the Still-Gennari modification of the HWE olefination reaction, and it has the advantage that it allows coupling of larger fragments.     

Enantioselective syntheses of the alkaloids cis-195A (pumiliotoxin C) and trans-195A based on multiple applications of asymmetric catalysis

Short enantio- and diastereoselective syntheses of the decahydroquinoline alkaloids cis- (pumiliotoxin C) and trans-195A are presented. Key steps are an enantioselective iridium-catalyzed allylic amination, a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, a catalyst-controlled copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition, and a reductive amination.     

Synthetic studies towards pentacyclic quassinoids: total synthesis of unnatural (-)-14-epi-samaderine E and natural (-)-samaderine Y from (S)-(+)-carvone

First total syntheses of unnatural (-)-14-epi-samaderine E (5) and natural (-)-samaderine Y (2) were accomplished from (S)-(+)-carvone (6) in 18 and 21 steps, respectively. The syntheses are short, efficient (with an average yield of 80 % plus for each transformation), enantiospecific, and produce nine new chiral centers. The crucial points of the syntheses included a regioselective allylic oxidation on ring C, regio- and stereoselective reduction of ketone, a stereocontrolled epoxidation, an epoxymethano-bridge formation, a chemoselective Grignard reaction, an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, an intramolecular aldol addition, and a newly developed manganese(III)-catalyzed allylic oxidation on ring A.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Coupling of 1,2,3-Triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines (8-Azapurines)

The palladium-catalyzed coupling of the sodium salt of 7-amino-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine (8-azaadenine, 1) with allylic phosphates or carbonates resulted in mixtures of 2- and 3-substituted 1,2,3-triazolopyrimidines, which were separated by chromatography. 1-Substituted triazolopyrimidines were not isolated from these reactions. Regioselectivity (and stereoselectivity) was also observed for substitution of the allylic moiety when more than one isomer is possible from the reaction. The use of 5-amino-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7-ones (8-azaguanine, 2), instead of 8-azaadenine, also resulted in mixtures. Alternate syntheses of the 3-allyl-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines confirmed the structures of these compounds.     

A brief survey on the copper‐catalyzed allylation of alkylzinc and Grignard reagents under Barbier conditions

The same regioselectivity can be obtained in the CuI catalyzed allylic coupling of n‐butylzinc reagents prepared by either pre‐transmetallation or in situ transmetallation of Grignard reagents in the presence of allylic partner and catalyst. n‐Butylzinc bromide and di‐n‐butylzinc undergo γ‐selective allylation whereas tri‐n‐butylzincate gives preferential α‐selectivity. The regioselectivity obtained in the reaction of n‐butyl bromide and E‐crotyl chloride in the presence of Mg and CuCN is parallel to the coupling of preformed n‐butylmagnesium bromide. It is remarkable that the regiochemical outcome of copper catalyzed alkyl‐allyl coupling can be controlled by using Grignard reagents prepared under Barbier conditions and alkylzincs prepared by in situ transmetallation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanism and regioselectivity of reductive elimination of pi-allylcopper (III) intermediates

Reductive elimination of a pi-allylcopper(III) compound leading to the formation of a C-C bond on an allylic terminal has been considered to occur via the corresponding sigma-allylcopper(III) species. The present B3LYP density functional study has shown however that the C-C bond formation occurs directly from the pi-allyl complex via an enyl[sigma+pi]-type transition state, which has structural features different from a simple sigma-allylcopper(III) intermediate. In the case of unsymmetrically substituted pi-allylcopper(III) compound that has a partial sigma-allylcopper(III) structure, the reductive elimination occurs preferentially at the sigma-bonded allylic terminal since, in this way, the copper atom can recover most effectively its d-electrons shared with the allyl system. The regioselectivity of the reductive elimination of a substituted pi-allylcopper(III) intermediate is mainly controlled by the electronic effect, and correlated well to the Hammett sigma(p)(+) constant. The analyses revealed mechanistic kinship between the allylic substitution and the conjugate addition reaction of organocopper reagents.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-Allylic Silanes by Copper-Mediated Substitution Reactions of Allylic Carbamates with Grignard Reagents

Both (Z)- and (E)-allylic silanes were prepared with high stereoselectivity by the copper-mediated substitution of allylic carbamates by organometallic reagents. The reaction of alkylmagnesium reagents with (E)-allylic carbamates provides (Z)-allylic silanes, whereas both alkylmagnesium and alkyllithium reagents react with (Z)-allylic carbamates to afford (E)-allylic silanes. Because Grignard reagents are often more facile to prepare than alkyllithium species, these reagents are the optimal nucleophiles for the synthesis of both (Z)- and (E)-allylic silanes. This method also allows readily available nonracemic allylic carbamates to be converted to chiral, nonracemic (Z)- and (E)-allylic silanes with high stereoselectivity.     

Regioselective Transition‐Metal‐Free Allyl–Allyl Cross‐Couplings

Readily prepared allylic zinc halides undergo S_N2‐type substitutions with allylic bromides in a 1:1 mixture of THF and DMPU providing 1,5‐dienes regioselectively. The allylic zinc species reacts at the most branched end (γ‐position) of the allylic system furnishing exclusively γ,α′‐allyl–allyl cross‐coupling products. Remarkably, the double bond stereochemistry of the allylic halide is maintained during the cross‐coupling process. Also several functional groups (ester, nitrile) are tolerated. This cross‐coupling of allylic zinc reagents can be extended to propargylic and benzylic halides. DFT calculations show the importance of lithium chloride in this substitution.     

Preparation of Solid,Substituted Allylic Zinc Reagents and Their Reactions with Electrophiles

The treatment of various allylic chlorides or bromides with zinc dust in the presence of lithium chloride and magnesium pivalate (Mg(OCOtBu)₂) in THF affords allylic zinc reagents which, after evaporation of the solvent, produce solid zinc reagents that display excellent thermal stability. These allylic reagents undergo Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with PEPPSI‐IPent, as well as highly regioselective and diastereoselective additions to aryl ketones and aldehydes. Acylation with various acid chlorides regioselectively produces the corresponding homoallylic ketones, with the new C? C bond always being formed on the most hindered carbon of the allylic system.     

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 New Dimeric Copper(II) Complex of Hexyl Bis(pyrazolyl)acetate Ligand as an Efficient Catalyst for Allylic Oxidations

A new dimeric copper(II) bromide complex, [Cu(L^OHex)Br(μ-Br)]₂ (1), was prepared by a reaction of CuBr₂ with the hexyl bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate ligand (L^OHex) in acetonitrile solution and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution. The crystal structure of 1 was also determined: the complex is interlinked by two bridging bromide ligands and possesses terminal bromide ligands on each copper atom. The two pyrazolyl ligands in 1 coordinate with the nitrogen atoms to complete the Cu coordination sphere, resulting in a five-coordinated geometry—away from idealized trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal geometries—which can better be described as distorted square pyramidal, as measured by the τ and χ structural parameters. The pendant hexyloxy chain is disordered over two arrangements, with final site occupancies refined to 0.705 and 0.295. The newly synthesized complex was evaluated as a catalyst in copper-catalyzed C–H oxidation for allylic functionalization through a Kharasch–Sosnovsky reaction without any external reducing agent. Using 0.5 mol% of this catalyst, and tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (Luperox) as an oxidant, allylic benzoates were obtained with up to 90% yield. The general reaction time was only slightly decreased to 24 h but a very significant decrease in the alkene:Luperox ratio to 3:1 was achieved. These factors show relevant improvements with respect to classical Kharasch–Sosnovsky reactions in terms of rate and amount of reagents. The present study highlights the potential of copper(II) complexes containing functionalized bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate ligands as efficient catalysts for allylic oxidations.