1,3‐Difunctionalization of Aminocyclopropanes via Dielectrophilic Intermediates

We report an oxidative ring‐opening strategy to transform acyl, sulfonyl or carbamate protected aminocyclopropanes into 1,3‐dielectrophilic carbon intermediates bearing a halide atom (Br, I) and a N,O‐acetal. Replacing the alkoxy group of the N,O‐acetal can be achieved under acidic conditions through an elimination–addition pathway, while substitution of the halides by nucleophiles can be done under basic conditions through a S_N2 pathway, generating a wide range of 1,3‐difunctionalized propylamines. A proof of concept for asymmetric induction was realized using a chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) as catalyst, highlighting the potential of the method in enantioselective synthesis of important building blocks.     

Selective Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Non‐Strained γ‐Butyrolactone Catalyzed by A Cyclic Trimeric Phosphazene Base

A new superbase, the cyclic trimeric phosphazene base (CTPB), was prepared with high yield and purity. In the presence of alcohol, the CTPB serves as a highly efficient organocatalyst for ring‐opening polymerization of the “non‐polymerizable” γ‐butyrolactone to offer well‐defined poly(γ‐butyrolactone) with high conversions (up to 98 %) at −60 °C. The produced polymers have high molecular weights (up to 22.9 kg mol⁻¹) and low polydispersity distributions (1.27–1.50). NMR analysis of initiation process and the structural analysis of resulting polymers by MALDI‐TOF suggest a mechanism involving an activating initiator which leads only to linear polymers with BnO/H chain ends.     

An Enantioselective CpxRh(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization/Ring‐Opening Route to Chiral Cyclopentenylamines

A chiral Cp^xRh^III catalyst system in situ generated from a Cp^xRh^I(cod) precatalyst and bis(o‐toluoyl) peroxide as activating oxidant was developed for a C?H activation/ring‐opening sequence between aryl ketoxime ethers and 2,3‐diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐enes. This transformation provides access to densely functionalized chiral cyclopentenylamines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities of up to 97:3 er. The reported method is also well suitable for asymmetric alkenyl C?H functionalizations of α,β‐unsaturated oxime ethers, furnishing skipped dienes with high levels of enantiocontrol.     

Asymmetric Ring‐Opening of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Thiol,Alcohol, and Carboxylic Acid Nucleophiles Catalyzed by a Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium(III) Complex

A highly efficient asymmetric ring‐opening reaction of cyclopropyl ketones with a broad range of thiols, alcohols and carboxylic acids has been first realized by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–scandium(III) complex as catalyst. The corresponding sulfides, ethers, and esters were obtained in up to 99 % yield and 95 % ee. This is also the first example of one catalytic system working for the ring‐opening reaction of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with three different nucleophiles, let alone in an asymmetric version.     

3‐Aminodeoxypyranoses in Glycosylation: Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis and Assembly in Oligosaccharides

A concise, diversity‐oriented approach for the synthesis of naturally occurring 3‐amino‐ and 3‐nitro‐2,3,6‐trideoxypyranose derivatives and analogues thereof from simple sugars has been developed. In addition, we investigated the synthesis of various 3‐aminoglycosyl donors and their application in glycosylation reactions. These studies led to the successful synthesis of a tetrasaccharide containing four different 3‐aminosugar components using ortho ‐alkynylbenzoate donors.     

Photoresponsive Circular Supramolecular Polymers: A Topological Trap and Photoinduced Ring‐Opening Elongation

Topological features of one‐dimensional macromolecular chains govern the properties and functionality of natural and synthetic polymers. To address this issue in supramolecular polymers, we synthesized two topologically distinct supramolecular polymers with intrinsic curvature, circular and helically folded nanofibers, from azobenzene‐functionalized supramolecular rosettes. When a mixture of circular and helically folded nanofibers was exposed to UV light, selective unfolding of the latter open‐ended supramolecular polymers was observed as a result of the curvature‐impairing internal force produced by the trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene. This distinct sensitivity suggests that the topological features of supramolecular polymers define their mechanical stability. Furthermore, the exposure of circular supramolecular polymers in more polar media to UV irradiation resulted in ring opening followed by chain elongation, thus demonstrating that the circular supramolecular polymer can function as a topological kinetic trap.     

α‐Arylation and Ring Expansion of Annulated Cyclobutanones: Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Tetralones

α‐Arylcyclobutanones display unique reactivity that makes them valuable synthetic intermediates and target molecules. We describe the preparation of α‐aryl‐ and α‐heteroarylcyclobutanones through a direct α‐arylation reaction. Problematic fragmentations are avoided by the use of LiO^tBu, which promotes a rapid but reversible self‐aldol reaction that slowly releases the enolate required for α‐arylation. We also demonstrate the ring expansion of α‐arylcyclobutanones, a process that is highlighted in the stereoselective synthesis of 1‐methoxy coniothyrinone D.     

Broadly Applicable Z‐ and Diastereoselective Ring‐Opening/Cross‐Metathesis Catalyzed by a Dithiolate Ru Complex

A broadly applicable Ru‐catalyzed protocol for Z‐selective ring‐opening/cross‐metathesis (ROCM) is disclosed. In addition to reactions relating to terminal alkenes of different sizes, the first examples of Z‐selective ROCM processes involving heteroaryl olefins, 1,3‐dienes, and O‐ and S‐substituted alkenes as well as allylic and homoallylic alcohols are reported. Z‐Selective transformations with an α‐substituted allylic alcohol are shown to afford congested Z alkenes with high diastereoselectivity. Transformations are performed in the presence of 2.0–5.0 mol % of a recently disclosed Ru‐based dithiolate complex that can be easily prepared in a single step from commercially available starting materials. Typically, transformations proceed at ambient temperature and are complete within eight hours; products are obtained in up to 97 % yield, >98:2 Z/E, and >98:2 diastereomeric ratio. The present investigations reveal a mechanistically significant attribute of the Ru‐based dithiolates that arises from electrostatic interactions with anionic S‐based ligands.     

Fluorinative Rearrangements of Substituted Phenylallenes Mediated by (Difluoroiodo)toluene: Synthesis of α‐(Difluoromethyl)styrenes

Phenylallenes undergo fluorinative rearrangement upon the action of (difluoroiodo)toluene in the presence of 20 mol % BF₃⋅OEt₂ to yield α‐difluoromethyl styrenes. This unprecedented reaction was entirely chemoselective for the internal allene π bond, and showed remarkable regioselectivity during the fluorination event. Substituted phenylallenes, phenylallenes possessing both phenyl‐ and α‐allenyl substituents, and diphenylallenes were investigated, and good functional‐group compatibility was observed throughout. The ease with which allenes can be prepared on a large scale, and the operational simplicity of this reaction allowed us to rapidly access fluorine‐containing building blocks that have not been accessed by conventional deoxyfluorination strategies.