The first ionic liquid-promoted one-pot diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5-diamino-/2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3-thiazin-4-ones using masked amino/mercapto acids

The first expeditious synthesis of 2,5-diamino-/2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3-thiazin-4-ones from masked and activated amino/mercapto acids, viz. 2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5-one or 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-one, aromatic aldehydes and thioureas using the ionic liquid [Bmim]Br as an environmentally benign reaction promoter is reported. The synthesis is highly diastereoselective and involves tandem Knoevenagel, Michael and ring transformation reactions in a one-pot procedure. The sequential reaction pathway is supported by the isolation of arylidene derivatives and their Michael adducts with thiourea, and quantitative conversion of the latter into the final products under the same reaction conditions.     

A novel hydrazide type organocatalyst for enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions

The development of a new class of hydrazide type organocatalyst, (4R,5R)-1,3-bis(isopropylamino)-4,5-dihenylimidazolidin-2-one 2a, for enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions between cyclopentadiene and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes are presented. The new organocatalyst 2a promoted the reaction, affording Diels-Alder adducts in good yields with good levels of enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis of Functionalized Thiophenes by Four‐component Reactions of 1,3‐Thiazolidinedione,Aromatic Aldehydes,Cyanoacetamide and Cyclic Secondary Amines

The polysubstituted thiophene derivatives were conveniently prepared by the four‐component reactions of 1,3‐thiazolidinedione, aromatic aldehydes, cyanoacetamide and cyclic secondary amines such as pyrrolidine, morpholine and piperidine. The reaction mechanism is believed to involve domino reactions of Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition, ring‐opening and recyclization of 1,3‐thiazolidinedione.     

One-pot organocatalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions: direct catalytic enantioselective cyclopropanation and cyclopentanation reactions

The development of one-pot organocatalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions between bromomalonates or bromoacetoacetate esters and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The chiral-amine-catalyzed reactions with bromomalonates as substrates give access to the corresponding 2-formylcyclopropane derivatives in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity and up to 99 % ee. The catalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions between 4-bromo-acetoacetate and enals provide a route for the synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanones in good to high yields with 93-99 % ee. The products from the organocatalytic reactions were also reduced with high diastereoselectivity to the corresponding cyclopropanols and cyclopentanols, respectively. Moreover, one-pot combinations of amine and heterocyclic carbene catalysis (AHCC) enabled the highly enantioselective synthesis of beta-malonate esters (91-97 % ee) from the reaction between bromomalonates and enals. The tandem catalysis included the catalytic domino reaction followed by catalytic in situ chemoselective ring-opening of the 2-formylcyclopropane intermediates.     

Direct asymmetric Michael reactions of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and enamines catalyzed by chiral bisoxazoline-copper(II) complexes

The catalytic direct Michael addition of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and enamines to unsaturated 2-ketoesters is presented. A series of different 4-hydroxycoumarins, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone, 3-hydroxy-1H-phenalene-1-one, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, and various enamines of cyclic 1,3-diketones all add to unsaturated 4-substituted 2-ketoesters in an enantioselective manner. The reaction is catalyzed by chiral bisoxazoline-copper(II) complexes and proceeds in the absence of base to afford Michael adducts in good to high yields and with up to 98% ee. The products formed are substructures found in skeletons of important biological and pharmaceutical molecules. The scope and potential of the new reaction are discussed as well as the mechanism for the catalytic enantioselective reaction.     

Direct organocatalytic asymmetric heterodomino reactions: the Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder/epimerization sequence for the highly diastereoselective synthesis of symmetrical and nonsymmetrical synthons of benzoannelated centropolyquinanes

Amino acids and amines have been used to catalyze three component hetero-domino Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder/epimerization reactions of readily available various precursor enones (1a-l), aldehydes (2a-p), and 1,3-indandione (3). The reaction provided excellent yields of highly substituted, symmetrical and nonsymmetrical spiro[cyclohexane-1,2'-indan]-1',3',4-triones (5) in a highly diastereoselective fashion with low to moderate enantioselectivity. The Knoevenagel condensation of arylaldehydes (2a-p) and 1,3-indandione (3) under organocatalysis provided arylidene-1,3-indandiones (17) in very good yields. We demonstrate for the first time amino acid- and amine-catalyzed epimerization reactions of trans-spiranes (6) to cis-spiranes (5). The mechanism of conversion of trans-spiranes (6) to cis-spiranes 5 was shown to proceed through a retro-Michael/Michael reaction rather than deprotonation/reprotonation by isolation of the morpholine enamine intermediate of cis-spirane (22). Prochiral cis-spiranes (5ab) and trans-spiranes (6ab) are excellent starting materials for the synthesis of benzoannelated centropolyquinanes. Under amino acid and amine catalysis, the topologically interesting dispirane 24 was prepared in moderate yields. Organocatalysis with pyrrolidine catalyzed a series of four reactions, namely the Michael/retro-Michael/Diels-Alder/epimerization reaction sequence to furnish cis-spirane 5ab in moderate yield from enone 1a and 1,3-indandione 3.     

Efficient proline and prolinol ether mediated 3-component synthesis of 3- and 3,4-substituted chromenone derivatives

A highly efficient route for the synthesis of valuable 3,4-substituted chromenone derivatives by the reaction of 1,3-diketones with aldehydes in the presence of l-proline was developed. The reactions take advantage of readily available starting materials and follow a Knoevenagel condensation/Michael addition/hemiacetalization domino process. Chiral 3-substituted chromenones are obtained with high enantioselectivities when a chiral diarylprolinol TMS-ether is applied in the reaction.     

Organocatalytic multicomponent alpha-methylenation/Diels-Alder reactions: a versatile route to substituted cyclohexenecarbaldehyde derivatives

This article describes the design and optimization of an effective organocatalytic three-component domino alpha-methylenation/Diels-Alder reaction to produce vinyl-substituted cyclohexenecarboxaldehydes in a highly regioselective fashion. In these one-pot transformations, 2-formyl-1,3-butadienes (4) were prepared in situ from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and formalin and were subsequently trapped with a variety of buta-1,3-dienes. The outcomes of the reactions were dependent on the electronic properties of the dienes. 1-Vinylcyclohexenecarbaldehydes 6 were formed by use of acyclic electron-rich dienes, while the initially formed cycloadducts of 4 with cyclopentadiene underwent Cope rearrangements, leading to the formation of tetrahydro-3H-indene-5-carbaldehyde compounds 7. The mechanisms involved in these reactions were deduced from experimental findings. Furthermore, the method was also extended to one-pot domino methylenation/Diels-Alder reactions of dihydrofurans and dihydropyrans to yield spirocyclic lactols 22. In these reactions, the unstable intermediate hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl acroleins behaved as dienophiles, undergoing cycloaddition reactions with dienes with good yields and selectivities. The wide variety of functionalized 1-vinylcyclohex-3-enecarbaldehydes 6, 4-vinylcyclohex-1-enecarbaldehydes 7, and spiro lactols 22 generated through the use of these organocatalytic domino processes as a diversity-oriented synthesis provided useful intermediates for the construction of novel odorants.     

Organocatalytic sequential one-pot double cascade asymmetric synthesis of Wieland-Miescher ketone analogues from a Knoevenagel/hydrogenation/Robinson annulation sequence: scope and applications of organocatalytic biomimetic reductions

A practical and novel organocatalytic chemo- and enantioselective process for the cascade synthesis of highly substituted 2-alkyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diones and Wieland-Miescher (W-M) ketone analogs is presented via reductive alkylation as a key step. First time, we developed the one-step alkylation of dimedone and 1,3-cyclohexanedione with aldehydes and Hantzsch ester through an organocatalytic reductive alkylation strategy. Direct combination of l-proline-catalyzed cascade Knoevenagel/hydrogenation and cascade Robinson annulation of CH acids (dimedone and 1,3-cyclohexanedione), aldehydes, Hantzsch ester, and methyl vinyl ketone furnished the highly functionalized W-M ketone analogues in good to high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. Many of the reductive alkylation products show a direct application in pharmaceutical chemistry.     

Mimicking dihydroxy acetone phosphate-utilizing aldolases through organocatalysis: a facile route to carbohydrates and aminosugars

[reaction: see text] A practical and environmentally friendly organocatalytic strategy designed to mimic the DHAP aldolases has been developed and shown to be effective in the preparation of carbohydrates and aminosugars. (S)-Proline and (S)-2-pyrrolidine-tetrazole catalyzed the aldol reaction between dihydroxy acetone variants such as 1,3-dioxan-5-one and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one with aldehydes to give the corresponding polyols in good yields with very high ees.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric one-pot sequential reaction: synthesis of highly substituted spirocyclohexanepyrazolones with six contiguous stereogenic carbons

An atom-economical synthesis of chiral polyfunctionalized spiropyrazolone derivatives based on the development of a new organocatalytic enantioselective one-pot sequential Michael/Michael/Aldol reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with unsaturated pyrazolones and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The notable features of this one-pot sequential process include the generation of up to six consecutive stereogenic carbon centers including one quaternary stereocenter and five tertiary stereocenters with high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee) and excellent diastereoselectivities (>99:1 d.r.).     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Fully Substituted Cyclopentane‐Oxindoles through an Organocatalytic Triple Michael Domino Reaction

An efficient, highly stereoselective asymmetric synthesis of fully functionalized cyclopentanes bearing an oxindole moiety and several other functional groups in one pot has been developed. Key step is an organocatalytic triple Michael domino reaction forming three C?C bonds and six stereocenters, including a quaternary one. Starting from equimolar amounts of simple substrates, a high molecular complexity can be reached after a Wittig olefination in one pot. The new protocol can easily be scaled up to gram amounts.     

Sequence Selective Michael Addition for Synthesis of Indeno‐Pyridine and Indeno‐Pyran Derivatives in One‐Pot Reaction Using CuO Nanoparticles in Water

The alternate synthesis of indeno‐pyridine and indeno‐pyran derivatives have been described by an unprecedented, green, one‐pot reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and indane 1,3‐dione. The formation of either indeno‐pyridine or indeno‐pyran derivatives based on a precise change in the Michael addition of indane 1,3‐dione or malononitrile on Knoevenagel product during the progress of reaction has been investigated. The reaction completed up to 30 min of time using CuO nanoparticles in water at an ambient temperature renders the protocol novel and environment friendly. All the synthesized compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The CuO nanoparticles have been prepared by coprecipitation method and characterized by SEM, PXRD spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy.     

Organocatalytic cascade reactions based on push-pull dienamine platform: synthesis of highly substituted anilines

A practical and novel one-pot organocatalytic selective process for the cascade synthesis of highly substituted o-hydroxydiarylamines and o-pyrrolidin-1-yldiarylamines is reported. Direct combination of amine-catalyzed cascade Knoevenagel/Michael/aldol condensation/decarboxylation and cascade enamine amination/isoaromatization of alkyl acetoacetates, aldehydes, and nitrosoarenes furnished the highly functionalized anilines with high yields.     

Imidazole‐catalyzed Three‐component Cascade Reaction for the Facile Synthesis of Highly Substituted 3,4‐Dihydropyridin‐2‐one Derivatives

A novel one‐pot protocol for the synthesis of valuable 3,4‐dihydropyridin‐2‐ones from the condensation of aldehyde with cyanoacetamide and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of imidazole was developed. A series of aldehydes and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds were employed to examine the scope of substrates for this protocol. This reaction proceeded through the formation of one ring and four new bonds (two C? C, one C? N, one C?C) via the sequence involving Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition and intramolecular cyclization with moderate to excellent yields. All new compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS.     

Organocatalytic strategies for the construction of optically active imidazoles, oxazoles, and thiazoles

This study demonstrates the first enantioselective synthesis of hydroxyalkyl- and aminoalkyl-substituted imidazoles, oxazoles, and thiazoles. The approach developed utilizes a highly effective one-pot reaction cascade that consists of either an organocatalytic epoxidation or aziridination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes coupled with a [3+2]-annulation, in which amidines, ureas, or thioureas act as effective 1,3-dinucleophilic species. The methodology described benefits from low catalyst loadings, commercially and readily available starting materials, and mild reaction conditions.     

Mn(III)–pentadentate Schiff base complex supported on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as a green,mild and heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans via tandem Knoevenagel–Michael cyclocondensation reaction

Mn(III)–pentadentate Schiff base complex supported on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as a recyclable and reusable, green and nano‐heterogeneous catalyst was designed and fully characterized using infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy , inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. A facile, eco‐friendly, mild and green procedure was developed for the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b ]pyrans via tandem Knoevenagel–Michael cyclocondensation reactions between aromatic aldehydes, 1,3‐diones and malononitrile using a catalytic amount of Mn(III)–pentadentate Schiff base complex supported on MWCNTs as an efficient recyclable heterogeneous catalyst under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature. This process has the advantages of easy availability, stability, recyclability and eco‐friendliness of the catalyst, short reaction times, high to excellent yields and simple work‐up procedure.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric epoxidation reactions in water-alcohol solutions

The diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous solutions is presented. By the screening of the reaction conditions for the epoxidation of cinnamic aldehyde applying hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant and 2-[bis-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-trimethylsilanyloxy-methyl]-pyrrolidine as the catalyst, a highly stereoselective reaction has been developed. The scope of the diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation in aqueous solutions is documented by the asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes with enantioselectivities up to 96% ee.     

Direct enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl ketones catalyzed by chiral amines

Chiral amines such as (S)-2-[bis(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl]pyrrolidine and the C(2)-symmetric (2S,5S)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine can catalyze the direct enantioselective Michael addition of simple aldehydes to vinyl ketones. The conditions for this organocatalytic reaction have been optimized and it has been found that the chiral amines catalyze the formation of optically active substituted 5-keto aldehydes in good yields and enantioselectivities, using aldehydes and, e.g., methyl vinyl ketone as starting compounds. Taking into account that the chiral amine can activate the aldehyde and/or the enone, the mechanism for the reaction has been investigated. On the basis of intermediate synthesis, nonlinear effect, and theoretical investigations, the mechanism for the catalytic direct enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl ketones is discussed.     

Guanidine hydrochloride catalyzed efficient one-pot pseudo five-component synthesis of 4,4′-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazol-5-ols) in water

The present methodology describes an efficient, environmentally friendly and simple protocol for the synthesis of some 4,4′-(arylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrazol-5-ol) derivatives through a one-pot pseudo-five-component reaction of hydrazine hydrate/phenyl hydrazine, ethyl acetoacetate, and various aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by guanidine hydrochloride. This condensation reaction was performed by tandem Knoevenagel–Michael reaction in water under refluxing conditions giving the title compounds in 82–92% yields. Atom economy, simple operation, easy work-up, using inexpensive organocatalyst, high yields in short times, clean transformation, and environmentally benign are some of the important features of this new protocol.