Iron‐Catalyzed Aminomethyloxygenative Cyclization of Hydroxy‐α‐diazoesters with N,O‐Aminals

A new and efficient cyclization reaction has been developed to synthesize cyclic α,α‐disubstituted β‐amino esters via iron‐catalyzed intramolecular aminomethyloxygenative cyclization of diazo compounds with N,O‐aminal under mild reaction conditions. A broad range of hydroxy‐α‐diazoesters with different substituents and various N,O‐aminals were compatible with this protocol, affording the corresponding α,α‐disubstituted β‐amino esters bearing a five‐ to eight‐membered oxacycle in good yields.     

Gold(I)/Chiral N,N′-Dioxide–Nickel(II) Relay Catalysis for Asymmetric Tandem Intermolecular Hydroalkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement

A highly efficient asymmetric cascade reaction between alkynyl esters and allylic alcohols has been realized. Key to success was the combination of a hydroalkoxylation reaction catalyzed by a π-acidic gold(I) complex with a Claisen rearrangement catalyzed by a chiral Lewis acidic N,N′-dioxide–nickel(II) complex. A range of acyclic α-allyl β-keto esters were synthesized in high yields (up to 99 %) with good diastereoselectivities (up to 97:3) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee) under mild reaction conditions. These products can be easily transformed into optically active β-hydroxy esters, β-hydroxy acids, or 1,3-diols.     

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).     

Efficient P‐Chiral Biaryl Bisphosphorus Ligands for Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

A series of structurally novel P‐chiral biaryl bisphosphorus ligands L1‐L5 (BABIBOPs) are developed, providing high efficiency for the first time in palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐aryl and β‐alkyl substituted β‐keto esters. With the Pd‐ L3 (iPr‐BABIBOP) catalyst, a series of chiral β‐hydroxyl carboxylic esters are formed in excellent enantioselectivities (up to>99% ee) and yields at catalyst loading as low as 0.01 mol%.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed anti‐Selective Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α‐Substituted β‐Ketoamides

A Mn‐catalyzed diastereo‐ and enantioselective hydrogenation of α‐substituted β‐ketoamides has been realized for the first time under dynamic kinetic resolution conditions. anti‐α‐Substituted β‐hydroxy amides, which are useful building blocks for the synthesis of bioactive molecules and chiral drugs, were prepared in high yields with excellent selectivity (up to >99 % dr and >99 % ee) and unprecedentedly high activity (TON up to 10000). The origin of the excellent stereoselectivity was clarified by DFT calculations.     

Facile Synthesis of Chiral Cyclic Ureas through Hydrogenation of 2‐Hydroxypyrimidine/Pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one Tautomers

A facile access to optically active cyclic ureas was developed through palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrimidines containing tautomeric hydroxy group with up to 99 % ee. Mechanistic studies indicated that reaction pathway proceed through hydrogenation of C=N of the oxo tautomer pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one, acid‐catalyzed isomerization of enamine–imine, and hydrogenation of imine pathway. In addition, the chiral cyclic ureas are readily converted into useful chiral 1,3‐diamine and thiourea derivatives without loss of optical purity.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐(α‐Hydroxy‐β‐carbonyl) Oxindoles by a ScIII‐Catalyzed Direct Aldol‐Type Reaction

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol‐type reaction of 3‐substituted‐2‐oxindoles with glyoxal derivatives and ethyl trifluoropyruvate, catalyzed by a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Sc(OTf)₃ (Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonyl) complex, has been developed that tolerates a wide range of substrates. The reaction proceeds in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93 % yield, 99:1 diastereomeric ratio (dr), and >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)) under mild conditions, to deliver 3‐(α‐hydroxy‐β‐carbonyl) oxindoles with vicinal quaternary–tertiary or quaternary–quaternary stereocenters. Even with 1 mol % catalyst loading or on scaleup (10 mmol of starting material), maintenance of ee was observed, which showed the potential value of the catalyst system. In studies probing the reaction mechanism, a positive nonlinear effect was observed and Sc^III‐based enolate intermediates were detected by using ESIMS. On the basis of the experimental results and previous reports, a possible catalytic cycle was assumed.     

Efficient Access to Multifunctional Trifluoromethyl Alcohols through Base‐Free Catalytic Asymmetric C−C Bond Formation with Terminal Ynamides

The asymmetric addition of terminal ynamides to trifluoromethyl ketones with a readily available chiral zinc catalyst gives CF₃‐substituted tertiary propargylic alcohols in up to 99 % yield and 96 % ee. The exclusion of organozinc additives and base as well as the general synthetic utility of the products are key features of this reaction. The value of the β‐hydroxy‐β‐trifluoromethyl ynamides is exemplified by selective transformations to chiral Z‐ and E‐enamides, an amide, and N,O‐ketene acetals. The highly regioselective hydration, stereoselective reduction, and hydroacyloxylation reactions proceed with high yields and without erosion of the ee value of the parent β‐hydroxy ynamides.     

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 Reduction of α‐Amino Ketones with a KBH4 Solution Catalyzed by Chiral Lewis Acids

An efficient enantioselective reduction of α‐amino ketones with potassium borohydride solution catalyzed by chiral N,N′‐dioxide–metal complex catalysts was accomplished under mild reaction conditions for the first time. It provided a simple, convenient, and practical approaches for obtaining synthetically important chiral β‐amino alcohols in good to excellent yields (up to 98 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee).     

Catalytic Asymmetric [3+1]‐Cycloaddition Reaction of Ylides with Electrophilic Metallo‐enolcarbene Intermediates

The first asymmetric [3+1]‐cycloaddition was successfully achieved by copper(I) triflate/double‐sidearmed bisoxazoline complex catalyzed reactions of β‐triisopropylsilyl‐substituted enoldiazo compounds with sulfur ylides. This methodology delivered a series of chiral cyclobutenes in good yields with high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities (up to 99 % ee , and >20:1 d.r.). Additionally, the [3+1]‐cycloaddition of catalytically generated metallo‐enolcarbenes was successfully extended to reaction with a stable benzylidene dichlororuthenium complex.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Tertiary α‐Hydroxy Phosphonic Acid Derivatives with In Situ Generated Nitrosocarbonyl Compounds as the Oxygen Source

α‐Hydroxy phosphonic acids and their derivatives are highly bioactive structural motifs. It is now reported that these compounds can be accessed through the copper‐catalyzed direct α‐oxidation of β‐ketophosphonates using in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds as an electrophilic oxygen source. These reactions proceeded in high yields (up to 95 %) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee) for both cyclic as well as acyclic substrates. This method was also applied for the synthesis of α,β‐dihydroxy phosphonates and β‐amino‐α‐hydroxy phosphonates.     

Chemoselectivity Control in the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of γ‐ and δ‐Keto Esters into Hydroxy Esters or Diols

The asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic γ‐ and δ‐keto esters into optically active hydroxy esters or diols under the catalysis of a novel DIPSkewphos/3‐AMIQ–Ru^II complex was studied. Under the optimized conditions (8 atm H₂ , Ru complex/t‐C₄H₉OK=1:3.5, 25 °C) the γ‐ and δ‐hydroxy esters (including γ‐lactones) were obtained quantitatively with 97–99 % ee. When the reaction was conducted under somewhat harsh conditions (20 atm H₂ , [t‐C₄H₉OK]=50 mm , 40 °C), the 1,4‐ and 1,5‐diols were obtained predominantly with 95–99 % ee. The reactivity of the ester group was notably dependent on the length of the carbon spacer between the two carbonyl moieties of the substrate. The reaction of β‐ and ?‐keto esters selectively afforded the hydroxy esters regardless of the reaction conditions. This catalyst system was applied to the enantioselective and regioselective (for one of the two ester groups) hydrogenation of a γ‐?‐diketo diester into a trihydroxy ester.     

Chemoselective Synthesis of β‐Amino Ester or β‐Lactam via Sonochemical Reformatsky Reaction

A series of β‐amino esters were synthesized by the reaction of N‐tosyl aldimine or N‐hydroxy aldimine with bromoacetate by sonochemical Reformatsky reaction. The β‐N‐hydroxyamino ester was obtained and the formed sensitive hydroxylamino functionality was resistant under the reaction condition. The β‐lactam also was synthesized by the reaction of N‐p‐methoxy aldimine as reacting substrate under this sonochemical Reformatsky reaction condition.     

Organocatalytic Friedel–Crafts Alkylation/Lactonization Reaction of Naphthols with 3‐Trifluoroethylidene Oxindoles: The Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydrocoumarins

Naphthols and 3‐trifluoroethylidene oxindoles were found to undergo an asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation/lactonization reaction, catalyzed by only 2.5 mol % of a quinine‐derived squaramide catalyst, to afford the corresponding α‐aryl‐β‐trifluoromethyl dihydrocoumarin derivatives in high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities (up to 98 % ee , >20:1 d.r.). Importantly, the lactonization proceeded by nucleophilic attack of the naphthol hydroxy group at the amide motif of the oxindoles under mild reaction conditions. This protocol represents a new strategy for the formation of dihydrocoumarins by an efficient intramolecular amide C−N bond‐cleavage and esterification process.     

Desilylation‐Activated Propargylic Transformation: Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Propargylic Esters with β‐Naphthol or Phenol Derivatives

A copper‐catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of 3‐trimethylsilylpropargylic esters with either β‐naphthols or electron‐rich phenols has been realized and proceeds by a desilylation‐activated process. Under the catalysis of Cu(OAc)₂?H₂O in combination with a structurally optimized ketimine P,N,N‐ligand, a wide range of optically active 1,2‐dihydronaphtho[2,1‐b]furans or 2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans were obtained in good yields and with high enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee). This represents the first desilylation‐activated catalytic asymmetric propargylic transformation.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters with Chiral Yttrium–Biaryldiol Complexes

The full details of the asymmetric epoxidation of α,β‐unsaturated esters catalyzed by yttrium complexes with biaryldiol ligands are described. An yttrium–biphenyldiol catalyst, generated from Y(OiPr)₃–biphenyldiol ligand–triphenylarsine oxide (1:1:1), is suitable for the epoxidation of various α,β‐unsaturated esters. With this catalyst, β‐aryl α,β‐unsaturated esters gave high enantioselectivities and good yields (≤99 % ee). The reactivity of this catalyst is good, and the catalyst loading could be decreased to as little as 0.5–2 mol % (the turnover number was up to 116), while high enantiomeric excesses were maintained. For β‐alkyl α,β‐unsaturated esters, an yttrium–binol catalyst, generated from Y(OiPr)₃–binol ligand–triphenylphosphine oxide (1:1:2), gave the best enantioselectivities (≤97 % ee). The utility of the epoxidation reaction was demonstrated in an efficient synthesis of (?)‐ragaglitazar, a potential antidiabetes agent.     

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Stereogenic Esters through Catalytic Asymmetric Michael Addition of 4‐Oxo‐4‐arylbutenoates

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds and nitromethane to 4‐oxo‐4‐arylbutenoates catalyzed by N,N′‐dioxide–Sc(OTf)₃ complexes has been developed. Using 0.5–2 mol % catalyst loading, various α‐stereogenic esters were obtained regioselectively with excellent yields (up to 97 %) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). Moreover, the reaction performed well under nearly solvent‐free conditions. The products with functional groups are ready for further transformation, which showed the potential value of the catalytic approach. According to the experimental results and previous reports, a plausible working model has been proposed to explain the origin of the activation and the asymmetric induction.     

Stereoselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Functionalization of Homoallylic Alcohols: A Convenient Synthesis of Di‐ and Trisubstituted Isoxazolidines and β‐Amino‐δ‐Hydroxy Esters

Enantiopure, Boc‐protected alkoxyamines 12 and 13 , derived from the readily available homoallylic alcohols 4 via a reaction that involves either inversion or retention of configuration, undergo a diastereoselective Pd‐catalyzed ring‐closing carbonylative amidation to produce isoxazolidines 16/17 (≤50:1 diastereoisomer ratio (d.r.)) that can be readily converted into the N‐Boc‐protected esters of β‐amino‐δ‐hydroxy acids and their γ‐substituted homologues 37 . The key carbonylative cyclization proceeds through an unusual syn addition of the palladium and the nitrogen nucleophile across the C?C bond ( 19 → 21 ), as revealed by the reaction of 15 , which afforded isoxazolidine 18 with high diastereoselectivity.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of C−N Axially Chiral N‐Aryloxindoles by Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed Dual C−H Activation

The first enantioselective Satoh–Miura‐type reaction is reported. A variety of C?N axially chiral N‐aryloxindoles have been enantioselectively synthesized by an asymmetric rhodium‐catalyzed dual C?H activation reaction of N‐aryloxindoles and alkynes. High yields and enantioselectivities were obtained (up to 99 % yield and up to 99 % ee). To date, it is also the first example of the asymmetric synthesis of C?N axially chiral compounds by such a C?H activation strategy.