Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Allyloxindoles and 3‐Allenyloxindoles by Scandium(III)‐Catalyzed Claisen Rearrangement Reactions

Scandium‐catalyzed asymmetric Claisen rearrangement reactions of 2‐allyloxyindoles and 2‐propargyloxyindoles provide a novel approach to diverse 3‐allyloxindoles and 3‐allenyloxindoles in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee ) under mild reaction conditions. The scandium catalyst was derived from Sc(OTf )₃ and Pybox ligand.     

Development of a syn‐Selective Mannich Reaction of Aldehydes with Propargylic Imines by Dual Catalysis: Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Propargylic Amines

Direct coupling of enolizable aldehydes with C‐alkynyl imines is realized affording the corresponding propargylic Mannich adducts of syn configuration, thus complementing previous methods that gave access to the anti‐isomers. The combination of proline and a urea Brønsted base cocatalyst is key for the reactions to proceed under very mild conditions (3–10 mol % catalyst loading, dichloromethane as solvent, ?20 °C, 1.2 molar equivalents of aldehyde) and with virtually total stereocontrol (syn/anti ratio up to 99:1; ee up to 99 %). Some possibilities of further chemical elaboration of adducts are also briefly illustrated.     

Nickel(II)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Propargyl and Allyl Claisen Rearrangements to Allenyl‐ and Allyl‐Substituted β‐Ketoesters

Highly efficient catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangements of O‐propargyl β‐ketoesters and O‐allyl β‐ketoesters have been accomplished under mild reaction conditions. In the presence of the chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Ni^II complex, a wide range of allenyl/allyl‐substituted all‐carbon quaternary β‐ketoesters was obtained in generally good yield (up to 99 %) and high diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1 d.r.) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee).     

Bimetallic Gold(I)/Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide Nickel(II) Asymmetric Relay Catalysis: Chemo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiroketals and Spiroaminals

A highly efficient asymmetric cascade reaction between keto esters and alkynyl alcohols and amides is reported. The success of the reaction was attributed to the combination of chiral Lewis acid N,N′‐dioxide nickel(II) catalysis with achiral π‐acid gold(I) catalysis working as an asymmetric relay catalytic system. The corresponding spiroketals and spiroaminals were synthesized in up to 99 % yield, 19:1 d.r., and more than 99 % ee under mild reaction conditions. Control experiments suggest that the N,N′‐dioxide ligand was essential for the formation of the spiro products.     

Synthesis of Novel Monodentate Phosphoramidites and Their Application in Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenations

New monodentate H₈‐binaphthol based phosphoramidites 6 b–i have been prepared. Starting from (S)‐3,3′‐dibromo‐5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′‐octahydro‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diol 3 , a general protocol for the synthesis of ligands 6 is presented. A small ligand library bearing aryl substituents in the 3,3′‐position of the binaphthol core was synthesized and successfully tested in the iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2‐amidocinnamates to obtain different α‐amino acid derivatives in up to 99 % ee.     

Asymmetric iodoamination of chalcones and 4-aryl-4-oxobutenoates catalyzed by a complex based on scandium(III) and a N,N'-dioxide ligand

Highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective iodoamination of chalcones, 4‐aryl‐4‐oxobutenoates, and a trifluoro‐substituted enone has been accomplished in the presence of a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/[Sc(OTf)₃] complex (0.5–2 mol %), delivering the desired vicinal anti‐α‐iodo‐β‐amino carbonyl compounds regioselectively in high yields (up to 97 %) and with excellent diastereoselectivities (>99:1 d.r.) and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). Enantiopure syn‐α‐iodo‐β‐amino products could also be obtained from the isomerization of particular iodo compounds. TsNHX species (X=Cl, Br, I), generated from the reactions between the halo sources and TsNH₂, were further confirmed as the active species in the haloamination reactions involved in the formation of the key halonium ion intermediates. A typical haloamination dependency was observed, with reactivity decreasing in the order NBS>NIS?NCS.     

Stereodivergent Organocatalytic Intramolecular Michael Addition/Lactonization for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Substituted Dihydrobenzofurans and Tetrahydrofurans

A stereodivergent asymmetric Lewis base catalyzed Michael addition/lactonization of enone acids into substituted dihydrobenzofuran and tetrahydrofuran derivatives is reported. Commercially available (S)‐(?)‐tetramisole hydrochloride gives products with high syn diastereoselectivity in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99:1 d.r._syn/anti, 99 % ee_syn), whereas using a cinchona alkaloid derived catalyst gives the corresponding anti‐diastereoisomers as the major product (up to 10:90 d.r._syn/anti, 99 % ee_anti).     

Highly Enantioselective Conjugate Additions of Phosphites to α,β‐Unsaturated N‐Acylpyrroles and Imines: A Practical Approach to Enantiomerically Enriched Amino Phosphonates

The first highly enantioselective phosphonylation of α,β‐unsaturated N‐acylpyrroles has been developed. Excellent yields (91–99 %) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)) were observed for a broad spectrum of both phosphites and N‐acylpyrroles under mild conditions. In particular, when diethyl phosphite was employed to test the scope of the N‐acylpyrroles, almost optically pure products (98 to >99 % ee) were obtained for 20 examples of N‐acylpyrroles. Moreover, optically pure α‐substituted β‐ or γ‐amino phosphonates can be obtained by several simple transformations of the pyrrolyl phosphonates. The versatility of the N‐acylpyrrole moiety makes the phosphorus adducts powerful chiral building blocks that enable the synthesis of various phosphonate‐containing compounds. Finally, the present strategy can also be applied to the asymmetric hydrophosphonylation of N‐acylimines with high enantioselectivities (93 to >99 % ee).     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydroindolizines by Bimetallic Relay Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Pyridinium Ylides

A highly enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydroindolizines by catalytic multicomponent cycloaddition reactions of diazoacetate, pyridine, and alkenyloxindole was developed. Under the relay catalysis, involving an achiral iron(III) catalyst and chiral N,N′‐dioxide‐scandium(III) complex, a series of tetrahydroindolizines bearing different substituents were obtained in moderate to high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to >19:1 d.r., 99 % ee).     

Efficient Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy‐α‐Amino Acid Derivatives via Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Reaction of α‐Isothiocyanato Imide with Aldehydes

An easily available and efficient chiral N,N′‐dioxide–nickel(II) complex catalyst has been developed for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of α‐isothiocyanato imide with aldehydes which produces the products in morderate to high yields (up to 98 %) with excellent diastereo‐ (up to >99:1 d.r.) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). A variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic, α,β‐unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes were found to be suitable substrates in the presence of 2.5 mol % L ‐proline‐derived N,N′‐dioxide L5 –nickel(II) complex. This process was air‐tolerant and easily manipulated with available reagents. Based on experimental investigations, a possible transition state has been proposed to explain the origin of reactivity and asymmetric inductivity.     

Asymmetric Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction of Danishefsky’s Diene with α‐Ketoesters and Isatins Catalyzed by a Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide/Magnesium(II) Complex

A highly enantioselective hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction of Danishefsky’s diene with α‐ketoesters and isatins has been realized by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Mg^II complex. In the presence of only 0.1–0.5 mol % catalyst, a series of substrates were transformed into the corresponding tetrasubstituted 2,3‐dihydropyran‐4‐ones in up to 99 % yield and more than 99 % ee in two hours.     

Efficient Synthesis of Chiral Trisubstituted 1,2‐Allenyl Ketones by Catalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Malonic Esters to Enynes

An N,N′‐dioxide/scandium(III) complex catalyzed, highly efficient conjugate addition of malonic esters to enynes is described. A range of trisubstituted 1,2‐allenyl ketones were obtained in high yields (up to 99 %) with good d.r. (up to 95/5) and excellent ee values (97 %–99 %). Moreover, the products could be easily transformed into chiral furan and 5‐hydroxypyrazoline derivatives, both of which are important skeletons of many biologically active compounds and pharmacologicals.     

Asymmetric Michael Addition/Intramolecular Cyclization Catalyzed by Bifunctional Tertiary Amine–Squaramides: Construction of Chiral 2‐Amino‐4H‐chromene‐3‐Carbonitrile Derivatives

The efficient asymmetric Michael addition/intramolecular cyclization of malononitrile with dienones catalyzed by a chiral bifunctional tertiary amine–squaramide catalyst for the synthesis of chiral 2‐amino‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives was developed. The corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98 % ee) for most of the bisarylidenecyclopentanones.     

Scalable,Stereocontrolled Formal Syntheses of (+)‐Isoschizandrin and (+)‐Steganone: Development and Applications of Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Atroposelective C−H Alkynylation

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans are an interesting class of molecules because of their unique structure based on an axially chiral biaryl moiety as well as their significant biological activity. Herein, we describe the development of a palladium‐catalyzed atroposelective C?H alkynylation and its application in gram‐scale, stereocontrolled formal syntheses of (+)‐isoschizandrin and (+)‐steganone. tert‐Leucine was identified as an efficient, catalytic transient chiral auxiliary. A wide range of enantiomerically enriched biaryl compounds were prepared by this approach in good yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee).     

Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Cyclic Enol Acetates Catalyzed by a Rh–PennPhos Complex

The electron‐rich and conformationally rigid (R,S,R,S)‐Me‐PennPhos ligand (shown schematically) appears to chelate rhodium and form well‐defined chiral pockets. This allows, for example, efficient differentiation between the two enantiotopic approaches available to a substrate in a hydrogenation reaction. The Rh–Me‐PennPhos complex is the first catalyst for the highly enantioselective asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic enol acetates. For example, 3,4‐dihydronaphth‐1‐yl acetate can be hydrogenated with up to 99% ee.     

Enantioselective Alkynylation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones Catalyzed by Cation‐Binding Salen Nickel Complexes

Cation‐binding salen nickel catalysts were developed for the enantioselective alkynylation of trifluoromethyl ketones in high yield (up to 99 %) and high enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). The reaction proceeds with substoichiometric quantities of base (10–20 mol % KOt‐Bu) and open to air. In the case of trifluoromethyl vinyl ketones, excellent chemo‐selectivity was observed, generating 1,2‐addition products exclusively over 1,4‐addition products. UV‐vis analysis revealed the pendant oligo‐ether group of the catalyst strongly binds to the potassium cation (K⁺) with 1:1 binding stoichiometry (K_a=6.6×10⁵ m ^?1).     

Isosteviol‐amino Acid Conjugates as Highly Efficient Organocatalysts for the Asymmetric One‐pot Three‐component Mannich Reactions

Isosteviol‐amino acid conjugates were synthesized and used as chiral catalysts for the asymmetric three‐component Mannich reaction with hydroxyacetone as donor molecule. Good yields (up to 98%) and excellent stereoselectivities (up to 97:3 dr and 99% ee) were achieved in a short reaction time. In addition, syn‐ or anti‐configurations of α‐hydroxy‐β‐amino carbonyl compounds were obtained as main products with different chiral catalysts.     

Synthesis and Application of Modular Phosphine–Phosphoramidite Ligands in Asymmetric Hydroformylation: Structure–Selectivity Relationship

A series of hybrid phosphine–phosphoramidite ligands has been designed and synthesized in moderate yields from chiral BINOL (1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol) or NOBIN (2‐amino‐2′‐hydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl). They have achieved highly regio‐ and enantioselectivities in Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylations of styrene derivatives (branched/linear ratio up to 56.6, ee up to 99 %), vinyl acetate derivatives (up to 98 % ee), and allyl cyanide (up to 96 % ee). Systematic variation of ligand structure showed that the steric factor on the phsophoramidite moiety determined the performance of the ligand. With the increased hindrance, the branched/linear ratio rose, while the ee value dropped in the hydroformylation of styrene. However, the N‐substituents did not influence the selectivities much.     

Highly Enantioselective Direct Synthesis of Endocyclic Vicinal Diamines through Chiral Ru(diamine)‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of 2,2′‐Bisquinoline Derivatives

An asymmetric hydrogenation of 2,2′‐bisquinoline and bisquinoxaline derivatives, catalyzed by chiral cationic ruthenium diamine complexes, was developed. A broad range of chiral endocyclic vicinal diamines were obtained in high yields with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity (up to 93:7 dl/meso and >99 % ee). These chiral diamines could be easily transformed into a new class of chiral N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), which are important but difficult to access.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Hydroalkenylation of Vinylarenes: Electronic Effects of Substrates and Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

An asymmetric tail‐to‐tail cross‐hydroalkenylation of vinylarenes with terminal olefins was achieved by catalysis with NiH complexes bearing chiral N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). The reaction provides branched gem‐disubstituted olefins with high enantioselectivity (up to 94 % ee) and chemoselectivity (cross/homo product ratio: up to 99:1). Electronic effects of the substituents on the vinylarenes and on the N‐aryl groups of the NHC ligands, but not a π,π‐stacking mechanism, assist the steric effect and influence the outcome of the cross‐hydroalkenylation.