Recent advances in enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition

Enantioselective cycloaddition using chiral transition metal catalysts is an atom-economical and efficient synthetic tool for the construction of chiral carbo- and heterocyclic skeletons. This short account discloses our recent results of inter- and intramolecular enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of alkyne and/or alkene moiety(ies). Chiral iridium complexes catalyzed the alkyne trimerization for the generation of axial chirality(ies), and chiral rhodium ones catalyzed alkyne-alkyne-alkene cyclization for the generation of a quaternary carbon including spirocyclic system.     

Fused tetracycles with a benzene or cyclohexadiene core: [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions on macrocyclic systems

A series of fused tetracycles with a benzene or cyclohexadiene core (2a-h) is satisfactorily prepared by intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of triynic and enediynic macrocycles (1a-h) under RhCl(PPh3)3 catalysis; the enantioselective cycloaddition of macrocycles 1b and 1e and gives chiral tetracycles with moderate enantiomeric excess.     

4 + 2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes in water. Highly asymmetric synthesis of functionalized nitronates.

The [4 + 2] cycloadditions of (E)-2-aryl-1-cyano-1-nitroalkenes 1 with achiral and enantiopure vinyl ethers 2 and 3 carried out in sole water are reported. These reactions occur in a heterogeneous phase under mild conditions and are fast and highly stereoselective. By using (-)-N,N-dicyclohexyl-(1S)-isoborneol-10-sulfonamide as a chiral auxiliary, the cycloadditions are totally asymmetric. The face selectivity is discussed in terms of the shape of the chiral auxiliary and the reactive conformation of vinyl ether.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2] cycloadditions of bicyclic alkenes and ynamides

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2] cycloadditions between bicyclic alkenes and ynamides were investigated. The ynamide moiety was found to be compatible with the ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition conditions giving the corresponding cyclobutene cycloadducts in moderate to good yields (up to 97%). Diastereoselective cycloaddition utilizing chiral cyclic ynamides were also examined and a low to moderate level of asymmetric induction was observed.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [8+2] Dipolar Cycloadditions of Vinyl Carbamates and Photogenerated Ketenes

Higher-order cycloadditions, particularly [8+2] cycloadditions, are a straightforward and efficient strategy for constructing significant medium-sized architectures. Typically, configuration-restrained conjugated systems are utilized as 8π-components for higher-order concerted cycloadditions. However, for this reason, 10-membered monocyclic skeletons have never been constructed via catalytic asymmetric [8+2] cycloaddition with high peri- and stereoselectivity. Here, we accomplished an enantioselective [8+2] dipolar cycloaddition via the merger of visible-light activation and asymmetric palladium catalysis. This protocol provides a new route to 10-membered monocyclic architectures bearing chiral quaternary stereocenters with high chemo-, peri-, and enantioselectivity. The success of this strategy relied on the facile in situ generation of Pd-containing 1,8-dipoles and their enantioselective trapping by ketene dipolarophiles, which were formed in situ via a photo-Wolff rearrangement.     

Tandem azidination- and hydroazidination-Huisgen [3 + 2] cycloadditions of ynamides. Synthesis of chiral amide-substituted triazoles

Tandem azidination- and hydroazidination-Huisgen [3 + 2] cycloadditions of ynamides are described here. These processes are regioselective and chemoselective, leading to the synthesis of chiral amide-substituted triazoles.     

Short, enantioselective total synthesis of aflatoxin B2 using an asymmetric [3+2]-cycloaddition step

A highly enantioselective [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction of 2,3-dihydrofuran with 1,4-benzoquinones using a chiral oxazaborolidinium triflimidate as catalyst has been developed which allows rapid access to a variety of chiral phenolic tricycles (enantiomeric excesses ranging from 91 to 98%). The utility of this new methodology is demonstrated by a short synthesis of the important pentacyclic natural product, aflatoxin B2. This exploratory study indicates that an even broader application of these catalysts to enantioselective cycloadditions may be possible.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [8+2] Dipolar Cycloadditions of Vinyl Carbamates and Photogenerated Ketenes

Higher‐order cycloadditions, particularly [8+2] cycloadditions, are a straightforward and efficient strategy for constructing significant medium‐sized architectures. Typically, configuration‐restrained conjugated systems are utilized as 8π‐components for higher‐order concerted cycloadditions. However, for this reason, 10‐membered monocyclic skeletons have never been constructed via catalytic asymmetric [8+2] cycloaddition with high peri‐ and stereoselectivity. Here, we accomplished an enantioselective [8+2] dipolar cycloaddition via the merger of visible‐light activation and asymmetric palladium catalysis. This protocol provides a new route to 10‐membered monocyclic architectures bearing chiral quaternary stereocenters with high chemo‐, peri‐, and enantioselectivity. The success of this strategy relied on the facile in situ generation of Pd‐containing 1,8‐dipoles and their enantioselective trapping by ketene dipolarophiles, which were formed in situ via a photo‐Wolff rearrangement.     

Dual catalysis in enantioselective oxidopyrylium-based [5 + 2] cycloadditions

A new method for effecting catalytic enantioselective intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloadditions based on oxidopyrylium intermediates is reported. The dual catalyst system consists of a chiral primary aminothiourea and a second achiral thiourea. Experimental evidence points to a new type of cooperative catalysis with each species being necessary to generate a reactive pyrylium ion pair that undergoes subsequent cycloaddition with high enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis of extended triphenylenes by palladium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of triphenylynes

The synthesis of ortho-(trimethylsilyl)triphenylenyl triflates 7 is described. Fluoride-induced decomposition of these triflates leads to the generation of didehydrotriphenylenes (triphenylynes) 6. These arynes undergo [4+2] cycloadditions with dienes to afford the corresponding Diels-Alder adducts or palladium-catalyzed formal [2+2+2] cycloadditions to afford extended triphenylenes.     

Enantioselective Formal [4+2] Cycloadditions to 3‐Nitroindoles by Trienamine Catalysis: Synthesis of Chiral Dihydrocarbazoles

The first enantioselective formal [4+2] cycloadditions of 3‐nitroindoles are presented. By using 3‐nitroindoles in combination with an organocatalyst, chiral dihydrocarbazole scaffolds are formed in moderate to good yields (up to 87 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). The reaction was extended to include enantioselective [4+2] cycloadditions of 3‐nitrobenzothiophene. The reaction proceeds through a [4+2] cycloaddition/elimination cascade under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, a diastereoselective reduction of an enantioenriched cycloadduct is presented. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed based on experimental and computational studies.     

Tandem double intramolecular [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes

[reaction: see text]. A new class of tandem [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes is described in which both pericyclic processes are intramolecular. Two subclasses of intra [4 + 2]/intra [3 + 2] cycloadditions have been explored in which the dipolarophile is tethered at either C(5) or C(6) of the nitronate. For both families of precursors, the cycloadditions occur in good yield and are found to be highly regio- and stereoselective. This method converts linear polyenes to functionalized polycyclic systems bearing up to six stereogenic centers.     

Kinetic resolutions of azomethine imines via copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloadditions

An effective method has been developed for the kinetic resolution of racemic azomethine imines via [3 + 2] cycloadditions with alkynes catalyzed by a chiral copper complex. Efficient kinetic resolution is observed for a variety of N1 and C5 substituents on the dipole, thereby furnishing a wide array of useful enantioenriched azomethine imines, which can readily be transformed into monocyclic and bicyclic pyrazolidinones.     

Substrate control of stereoselection in the rhodium(I) catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction

The Rh(I) catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of representative achiral and chiral enedienes has been shown to proceed with excellent levels of stereoselectivity and in high yield under mild reaction conditions. In contrast, the corresponding noncatalyzed cycloadditions for three substrates in the latter category require higher temperatures and exhibit low levels of stereocontrol.     

Asymmetric (4+n) Cycloadditions of Indolyldimethanols for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched Indole-Fused Rings

Catalytic asymmetric construction of chiral indole-fused rings has become an important issue in the chemical community because of the significance of such scaffolds. In this work, we have accomplished the first catalytic asymmetric (4+2) and (4+3) cycloadditions of 2,3-indolyldimethanols by using indoles and 2-naphthols as suitable reaction partners under the catalysis of chiral phosphoric acids, constructing enantioenriched indole-fused six-membered and seven-membered rings in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, this approach is used to realize the first enantioselective construction of challenging tetrahydroindolocarbazole scaffolds, which are found to show promising anticancer activity. More importantly, theoretical calculations of the reaction pathways and activation mode offer an in-depth understanding of this class of indolylmethanols. This work not only settles the challenges in realizing catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions of indolyldimethanols but also provides a powerful strategy for the construction of enantioenriched indole-fused rings.     

Tandem double intramolecular [4+2]/[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes. The fused/bridged mode

A new class of tandem [4+2]/[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes is described in which both pericyclic processes are intramolecular. Two subclasses of intra [4+2]/intra [3+2] cycloadditions have been explored in which the dipolarophile is tethered at either C(5) or C(6) of the nitronate. For both families of precursors, the cycloadditions occur in good yield and are found to be highly regio- and stereoselective. This method converts linear polyenes to functionalized polycyclic systems bearing up to six stereogenic centers.     

Reversal of stereoselectivity in [5 + 2] pyrone--alkene cycloadditons using a sulfoxide-to-sulfoximine switch. Enantiodivergent synthesis of 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane systems

[reaction: see text] Switching from a sulfinyl to a sulfonimidoyl group allows the reversal of the sense of asymmetric induction in thermal [5C + 2C] intramolecular pyrone-alkene cycloadditions. Removal of the sulfoximine unit from the resulting cycloadducts yields optically active oxabicyclic systems that are enantiomeric to those obtained using the sulfinyl chiral auxiliary.     

Asymmetric catalysis of the [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of vinylcyclopropanes and pi-systems

As part of our studies of metal-catalyzed [m + n (+...o)] cycloadditions, we have previously reported the rhodium-catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) and pi-systems. These studies have led to Rh(I) complexes that catalyze these reactions in minutes at room temperature or in water without organic solvents. We describe a comparative evaluation of several chiral catalysts for the [5 + 2] reaction, evaluation of a preferred catalyst, [((R)-BINAP)Rh]+SbF6-, with substrates differing in substitution and tether types-producing enantiomeric excesses >/=95% for several systems. A predictive model for the selectivity is also presented.     

A novel synthesis of enantiopure octahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrroles by intramolecular [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition on chiral perhydro-1,3-benzoxazines

[reaction: see text] Condensation of N-substituted glycines with chiral 3-allyl-2-formyl perhydro-1,3-benzoxazines forms an azomethine ylide that cyclizes to give octahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrrole derivatives. The [3 + 2] dipolar cycloadditions are stereoespecific leading to a single diastereoisomer. The chemical yields are dependent on the reaction temperature and the presence or absence of a base.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 8‐Oxabicyclooctanes by Intermolecular [5+2] Pyrylium Cycloadditions

Highly enantioselective intermolecular [5+2] cycloadditions of pyrylium ion intermediates with electron‐rich alkenes are promoted by a dual catalyst system composed of an achiral thiourea and a chiral primary aminothiourea. The observed enantioselectivity is highly dependent on the substitution pattern of the 5π component, and the basis for this effect is analyzed using experimental and computational evidence. The resultant 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives possess a scaffold common in natural products and medicinally active compounds and are also versatile chiral building blocks for further manipulations. Several stereoselective complexity‐generating transformations of the 8‐oxabicyclooctane products are presented.