Total Syntheses of the Reported Structures of Curcusones I and J through Tandem Gold Catalysis

Total syntheses of the reported structures of the rhamnofolane diterpene natural products curcusones I and J in racemic form were achieved. The synthetic strategy features a novel tandem gold‐catalyzed furan formation and furan–allene [4+3] cycloaddition to build the 5,7‐fused ring system with an oxa‐bridge in one step, and a stereoselective exo ‐Diels–Alder reaction to form the 6‐membered ring. The newly developed tandem gold catalysis is quite general and can be scaled up. Our syntheses suggest that structural revisions of curcusones I and J are needed.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Furan‐Ynes bearing a Propargyl Carbonate Group: Intramolecular Diels–Alder Reaction with In Situ Generated Allenes

Gold‐catalyzed cyclization of various furan‐ynes with a propargyl carbonate or ester moiety results in the formation of a series of polycyclic aromatic ring systems. The reactions can be rationalized through a tandem gold‐catalyzed 3,3‐rearrangement of the propargyl carboxylate moiety in furan‐yne substrates to form an allenic intermediate, which is followed by an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction of furan and subsequent ring‐opening of the oxa‐bridged cycloadduct. It was found that the steric and electronic properties of phosphine ligands on the gold catalyst had a significant impact on the reaction outcome. In the case of 1,5‐furan‐yne, the cleavage of the oxa‐bridge in the cycloadduct with concomitant 1,2‐migration of the R¹ group occurs to furnish anthracen‐1(2H)‐ones bearing a quaternary carbon center. For 1,4‐furan‐yne, a facile aromatization of the cycloadduct takes place to give 9‐oxygenated anthracene derivatives.     

The Synthesis and Chemistry of 1,3‐Bridged Polycyclic Cyclopropenes: 8‐Oxatricyclo[3.2.1.02,4]octa‐2,6‐dienes

Three 1,3‐bridged polycyclic cyclopropenes, exo‐8‐oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]octa‐2,6‐diene ( 10 ), endo‐8‐oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]octa‐2,6‐diene ( 11 ), and exo‐6,7‐benzo‐1,5‐diphenyl‐8‐oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]octa‐2,6‐diene ( 12 ), have been synthesized by elimination of 2‐chloro‐3‐trimethylsilyl‐8‐oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]‐oct‐6‐enes, 17 , 18 and 30 , which were generated from 1‐chloro‐3‐trimethylsilylcyclopropene with furan and diphenylisobenzofuran. We have demonstrated a facile route to synthesize the highly strained 1,3‐fused polycyclic cyclopropenes, 10 , 11 , and 12 . The stereochemistry of the Diels‐Alder reactions of cyclopropene 16 with furan and DPIBF are different. Cyclopropene 16 was treated with furan to form exo‐exo and endo‐exo adducts (5:2) and treated with DPIBF to generate an exo‐exo adduct. Compounds 10 , 11 and 12 undergo isomerization reactions to form benzaldehyde and phenyl 4‐phenyl‐[1]naphthyl ketone to release strain energies via diradical mechanisms.     

Eight‐Step Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Cycloclavine

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐cycloclavine was accomplished in 8 steps and 7.1 % overall yield. Key features include the first catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of allene, mediated by the dirhodium catalyst Rh₂(S‐TBPTTL)₄, and the enone 1,2‐addition of a new TEMPO carbamate methyl carbanion. An intramolecular strain‐promoted Diels–Alder methylenecyclopropane (IMDAMC) reaction provided a pivotal tricyclic enone intermediate with more than 99 % ee after crystallization. The synthesis of (−)‐ 1 was completed by a late‐stage intramolecular Diels–Alder furan (IMDAF) cycloaddition to install the indole.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Salvinorin A

Salvinorin A ( 1 ) is natural hallucinogen that binds the human κ‐opioid receptor. A total synthesis has been developed that parlays the stereochemistry of l ‐(+)‐tartaric acid into that of (?)‐ 1 via an unprecedented allylic dithiane intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to obtain the trans‐decalin scaffold. Tsuji allylation set the C9 quaternary center and a late‐stage stereoselective chiral ligand‐assisted addition of a 3‐titanium furan upon a C12 aldehyde/C17 methyl ester established the furanyl lactone moiety. The tartrate diol was finally converted into the C1,C2 keto‐acetate.     

A Tunable and Enantioselective Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction Provides Access to Distinct Piperidinoyl Spirooxindoles

The active complexes of chiral N,N′‐dioxide ligands with dysprosium and magnesium salts catalyze the hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction between 2‐aza‐3‐silyloxy‐butadienes and alkylidene oxindoles to selectively form 3,3′‐ and 3,4′‐piperidinoyl spirooxindoles, respectively, in very high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. The exo ‐selective asymmetric cycloaddition successfully regaled the construction of sp³‐rich and highly substituted natural‐product‐based spirooxindoles supporting many chiral centers, including contiguous all‐carbon quaternary centers.     

Hydroarylation of 2‐Aryloxybut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via Pd/Acid‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Activation: A Concise Synthesis of 2,3‐Bismethylene‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans

An intramolecular exo ‐hydroarylation of 2‐aryloxy‐1,4‐disilylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via ortho ‐C−H bond activation under palladium(0) and acid catalysis was found to give 2,3‐bis(silylmethylidene)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans. The two silyl groups present probably promoted the reaction and played a key role in stabilizing the diene moiety in the product. The products readily led to functionalized condensed cycles by a Diels–Alder reaction.     

Oxidative Degradation of l‐Isoleucine by Au3+ Complexes in Weakly Acid Medium: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Investigation

Oxidative degradation of l ‐isoleucine (Ileu) by Au³⁺ complexes has been studied spectrophotometrically in weakly acid medium (acetic acid–sodium acetate buffer, pH range 3.72–4.80) in the temperature range 288–308 K. The reaction is first order with respect to Au^III but complex order (<1) with respect to isoleucine. Ionic strength has no significant effect on the reaction kinetics. Both H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions have been found to show inhibiting effect on the reaction rate. Decreasing solvent polarity exerts an adverse effect on the reaction. Au³⁺ complexes react with the zwitterion form of isoleucine in a one‐step two‐electron transfer redox process. The reaction passes through intermediate formation of iminic cation, which hydrolyzes to produce 2‐methyl butanal, identified by ¹H NMR. The activation parameters ΔH ^≠ and ΔS ^≠ related to the rate‐limiting step of the reaction are evaluated. The derived rate law is in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The kinetic and activation parameters of this investigation have been compared and analyzed with those of the oxidation of l ‐leucine by gold(III).     

Insights into the Reactivity of Gold–Dithiocarbamato Anticancer Agents toward Model Biomolecules by Using Multinuclear NMR Spectroscopy

Some gold(III)–dithiocarbamato derivatives of either single amino acids or oligopeptides have shown promise as potential anticancer agents, but their capability to interact with biologically relevant macromolecules is still poorly understood. We investigated the affinity of the representative complex [Au^IIIBr₂(dtc‐Sar‐OCH₃)] (dtc: dithiocarbamate; Sar: sarcosine (N‐methylglycine)) with selected model molecules for histidine‐, methionine‐, and cysteine‐rich proteins (that is, 1‐methylimidazole, dimethylsulfide, and N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine, respectively). In particular, detailed mono‐ and multinuclear NMR studies, in combination with multiple ¹³C/¹⁵N enrichments, allowed interactions to be followed over time and indicated somewhat unexpected reaction pathways. Whereas dimethylsulfide proved to be unreactive, a sudden multistep redox reaction occurred in the presence of the other potential sulfur donor, N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine (confirmed if glutathione was used instead). On the other hand, 1‐methylimidazole underwent an unprecedented acid–base reaction with the gold(III) complex, rather than the expected coordination to the metal center by replacing, for instance, a bromide. Our results are discussed herein and compared with the data available in the literature on related complexes; our findings confirm that the peculiar reactivity of gold(III)–dithiocarbamato complexes can lead to novel reaction pathways and, therefore, to new cytotoxic mechanisms in cancer cells.     

Is Gold Chemistry a Topical Field of Study?

The question raised in the title of this progress report is answered point for point with an emphatic “yes”: Ranging from metallic gold, via clusters of gold atoms in low valence states, compounds of Au^I, Au^II, Au^III, and Au^V, organogold derivatives, ylide and carbene complexes, to the catalytic activity of gold it embraces a long-neglected area of chemistry holding promise of many a discovery.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroarylation of Allenes with Indoles and Reaction Mechanism by Density Functional Theory Calculations

Chiral binuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes catalyze enantioselective intermolecular hydroarylation of allenes with indoles in high product yields (up to 90 %) and with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 63 % ee). Among the gold(I) complexes examined, better ee values were obtained with binuclear gold(I) complexes, which displayed intramolecular Au^I Au^I interactions. The binuclear gold(I) complex 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] with chiral biaryl phosphine ligand (S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep ( L3 ) is the most efficient catalyst and gives the best ee value of up to 63 %. Substituents on the allene reactants have a slight effect on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Electron‐withdrawing groups on the indole substrates decrease the enantioselectivity of the reaction. The relative reaction rates of the hydroarylation of 4‐X‐substituted 1,3‐diarylallenes with N‐methylindole in the presence of catalyst 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] / AgOTf [ L3 =(S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep], determined through competition experiments, correlate (r²=0.996) with the substituent constants σ. The slope value is −2.30, revealing both the build‐up of positive charge at the allene and electrophilic nature of the reactive Au^I species. Two plausible reaction pathways were investigated by density functional theory calculations, one pathway involving intermolecular nucleophilic addition of free indole to aurated allene intermediate and another pathway involving intramolecular nucleophilic addition of aurated indole to allene via diaurated intermediate E2 . Calculated results revealed that the reaction likely proceeds via the first pathway with a lower activation energy. The role of Au^I Au^I interactions in affecting the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Healable network polymers bearing flexible poly(lauryl methacrylate) chains via thermo‐reversible furan‐maleimide diels–alder reaction

A new ATRP initiator containing two furyl rings, namely, bis(furan‐2‐ylmethyl) 2‐bromopentanedioate was synthesized starting from commercially available l ‐glutamic acid as a precursor. Well‐defined bisfuryl‐terminated poly(lauryl methacrylate) macromonomers with molecular weight and dispersity in the range 5000–12,000 g mol^?1 and 1.30–1.37, respectively, were synthesized employing the initiator by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Independently, 1,1′,1″‐(nitrilotris(ethane‐2,1‐diyl))tris(1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione) was synthesized as a tris‐maleimide counterpart for furan‐maleimide click reaction. Thermo‐reversible network polymer bearing flexible poly(lauryl methacrylate; (PLMA) chains was obtained by furan‐maleimide Diels–Alder click reaction of bisfuryl‐terminated PLMA with 1,1′,1″‐(nitrilotris(ethane‐2,1‐diyl))tris(1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione). The prepared network polymer showed retro‐Diels–Alder reaction in the temperature range 110–170 °C as determined from DSC analysis. The presence of low Tg (–40 °C) PLMA chains induced chain mobility to the network structure which led to the complete scratch healing of the coating at 60 °C in five days due to furan‐maleimide adduct formation. The storage modulus of the network polymer was found to be 3.7 × 10⁴ Pa at the constant angular frequency of 5 rad/sec and strain of 0.5%. The regular reversal of storage (G ′) and loss modulus (G ″) was observed with repeated heating (40 to 110 °C) and cooling cycles (110 to 40 °C) at constant angular frequency and strain. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 2700–2712     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Onoseriolide,Bolivianine, and Isobolivianine

In this article, we describe our efforts on the total synthesis of bolivianine ( 1 ) and isobolivianine ( 2 ), involving the synthesis of onoseriolide ( 3 ). The first generation synthesis of bolivianine was completed in 21 steps by following a chiral resolution strategy. Based on the potential biogenetic relationship between bolivianine ( 1 ), onoseriolide ( 3 ), and β‐(E)‐ocimene ( 8 ), the second generation synthesis of bolivianine was biomimetically achieved from commercially available (+)‐verbenone in 14 steps. The improved total synthesis features an unprecedented palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation through an allylic metal carbene, for the construction of the ABC tricyclic system, and a Diels–Alder/intramolecular hetero‐Diels–Alder (DA/IMHDA) cascade for installation of the EFG tricyclic skeleton with the correct stereochemistry. Transformation from bolivianine to isobolivianine was facilitated in the presence of acid. The biosynthetic mechanism and the excellent regio‐ and endo selectivities in the cascade are well supported by theoretical chemistry based on the DFT calculations.     

Bioinspired Intramolecular Diels–Alder Reaction: A Rapid Access to the Highly‐Strained Cyclopropane‐Fused Polycyclic Skeleton

A bioinsipred gold‐catalyzed tandem Diels–Alder/Diels–Alder reaction of an enynal and a 1,3‐diene, forming the highly‐strained benzotricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]octane skeleton, was reported. In contrast, a Diels–Alder/Friedel–Crafts tandem reaction occurred instead when silver salts were used as the catalyst. Although both reactions experienced the similar Diels–Alder reaction of a pyrylium intermediate with a 1,3‐diene, they have different reaction mechanisms. The former proceeded with a stepwise Diels–Alder reaction, while the latter one with a concerted one.     

Enantioselective Addition of Cyclic Enol Silyl Ethers to 2‐Alkenoyl‐Pyridine‐N‐Oxides Catalysed by CuII–Bis(oxazoline) Complexes

Asymmetric reactions involving (E)‐3‐aryl‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl‐N‐oxide)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones and cyclic enol silyl ethers show good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.9 % ee) when catalysed by bis(oxazoline)–Cu^II complexes. Different reaction pathways can be followed by different enol silyl ethers: with 2‐(trimethylsilyloxy)furan, a Mukaiyama–Michael adduct is obtained, whereas a hetero Diels–Alder cycloadduct was formed by using (1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐4‐yloxy)trimethylsilane. In the latter reaction, the absolute configuration of the product is consistent with a reagent approach to the less hindered Re face of the coordinated substrate in the reactive complex.     

Divergent Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangements of 1,7‐Enynes

The gold(I) complex catalyzed cycloisomerization and skeletal rearrangement of 1,n‐enynes (n=5–7) is a powerful methodology for the efficient synthesis of complex molecular architectures. In contrast to 1,6‐enynes, readily accessible homologous 1,7‐enynes are largely unexplored in such transformations. Here, the divergent skeletal rearrangement of all‐carbon 1,7‐enynes by catalysis with a cationic gold(I) complex is reported. Depending on electronic and steric factors, differently substituted 1,7‐enynes react via different carbocations formed from a common gold carbene intermediate to yield on the one hand novel exocyclic allenes and on the other hand tricyclic hexahydro‐anthracenes through a novel dehydrogenative Diels–Alder reaction.     

C,O‐Chelated BINOL/Gold(III) Complexes: Synthesis and Catalysis with Tunable Product Profiles

Unprecedented stable BINOL/gold(III) complexes, adopting a novel C,O‐chelation mode, were synthesized by a modular approach through combination of 1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2,2′‐diols (BINOLs) and cyclometalated gold(III) dichloride complexes [(C^N)AuCl₂]. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the bidentate BINOL ligands tautomerized and bonded to the Au^III atom through C,O‐chelation to form a five‐membered ring instead of the conventional O,O′‐chelation giving a seven‐membered ring. These gold(III) complexes catalyzed acetalization/cycloisomerization and carboalkoxylation of ortho ‐alkynylbenzaldehydes with trialkyl orthoformates.     

Anion–π Catalysis of Diels–Alder Reactions

Among concerted cycloadditions, the Diels–Alder reaction is the grand old classic, which is usually achieved with acid catalysis. In this report, hydroxypyrones, oxa‐, and thiazolones are explored because they provide access to anionic dienes. Their [4+2] cycloaddition with cyclic and acyclic dienophiles, such as maleimides and fumarates, affords bicyclic products with four new stereogenic centers. Bifunctional anion–π catalysts composed of amine bases next to the π surface of naphthalenediimides (NDIs) are shown to selectively stabilize the “open”, fully accessible anionic exo transition state on the π‐acidic aromatic surface. Our results also include reactivities that are hard to access with conventional organocatalysts, such as the exo ‐specific and highly enantioselective Diels–Alder reaction of thiazolones and maleimides with complete suppression of the otherwise dominant Michael addition. With increasing π acidity of the anion–π catalysts, the rates, chemo‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivities increase consistently.     

Screen Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Poly(L‐Lactide) Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive As(III) Detection

Poly(L ‐lactide) stabilized gold nanoparticles (designated as PLA–Au^NP) with an average particle size of ca. 10 nm were used to modify a disposable screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPE) for the detection of As(III) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Gold modification was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, whereas scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the size and distribution of gold nanoparticles. The PLA–Au^NP/SPE was applied effectively to detect toxic As(III) in HCl medium. Under the optimal experimental conditions, a linear calibration curve up to 4 ppm with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.09 ppb was obtained. The sensitivity was good enough to detect As(III) at levels lower than the current EPA standard (10 ppb). Most importantly, the PLA–Au^NP/SPE can be tolerable from the interference of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Ni and hence provides a direct and selective detection method for As(III) in natural waters. Practical utility of the PLA–Au^NP/SPE was demonstrated to detect As(III) in “Blackfoot” disease endemic village groundwater from southwestern coast area of Taiwan (Pei‐Men).     

Ring Expansion and 1,2‐Migration Cascade of Benzisoxazoles with Ynamides: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Demonstrated herein is an Au^I‐catalyzed annulation of sulfonyl‐protected ynamides with substituted 1,2‐benzisoxazoles for the synthesis of E‐benzo[e][1,3]oxazine derivatives. The transformation involves the addition of benzisoxazole to the gold‐activated ynamide, ring expansion of the benzisoxazole fragment to provide an α‐imino vinylic gold intermediate, and 1,2‐migration of the sulfonamide motif to the masked carbene center to deliver the respective ring‐expanded benzo[e][1,3]oxazine of predominant E configuration. A trapping experiment justifies the participation of the α‐imino masked gold carbene. DFT computations also support the hypothesized mechanism and rationalize the product stereoselectivity.