Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with β‐Trifluoromethyl β,β‐Disubstituted Enones

Reported herein is an asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides with β‐trifluoromethyl β,β‐disubstituted enones, a reaction which is enabled by a Ming‐Phos‐derived copper(I) catalyst (Ming‐Phos=chiral sulfinamide monophosphines, Figure 2 ). This method provides scalable and efficient access to the highly substituted pyrrolidines with a trifluoromethylated, all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields with up to greater than 20:1 d.r. and 98 % ee. The reaction has a broad substrate scope and tolerates a wide range of functional groups.     

An Amine‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes: Applications and Mechanistic Implications

The catalytic enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by α,α‐diphenylprolinol has been studied in detail. In particular, the reaction has been extended to the use of 2‐alkenylidene aminomalonates generated in situ as azomethine ylide precursors. These reactions lead to the formation of pyrrolidines containing a 5‐alkenyl side chain with potential for chemical manipulation. Moreover, a detailed and concise computational study has been carried out to understand the exact nature of the mechanism of this reaction and especially the consequences derived from the incorporation of the chiral secondary amine catalyst on the reaction pathway.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Dispiro[oxindole‐3,3′‐pyrrolidines] by Three‐Component [3+2] Cycloadditions of in situ‐Generated Azomethine Ylides with 3‐Benzylidene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐2‐ones

An efficient one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of novel dispiro[oxindole‐3,3′‐pyrrolidines] by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides, in situ generated by reaction of 1,2‐diones with sarcosine and subsequent decarboxylation, with a series of (E)‐3‐benzylidene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐2‐ones is reported. Molecular complexity is generated in only one synthetic step. All reactions proceed with excellent regioselectivity and in good‐to‐excellent yields. The workup is easy, the reaction times are short, and no catalyst is required.     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Novel Pyrrolidine or Pyrrolizine‐Fused Benzo‐δ‐sultams via 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions

The synthesis of novel pyrrolidine or pyrrolizine‐fused benzosultams is described. A number of (E)‐N‐(2‐formylphenyl)‐N‐alkyl‐2‐phenylethenesulfonamides derivatives were synthesized and subjected to intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition with azomethine ylides derived in situ from the reaction with sarcosine, phenylglycine, and L‐proline.     

Highly enantioselective Ag(i)-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

A highly reactive Ag(I)-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides is founded using AgOAc as the catalytic precursor and phosphines as ligands. Using a new bis-ferrocenyl amide phosphine (FAP) as the ligand, we found that high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) have been achieved in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. Up to four stereogenic centers can be established in this multicomponent coupling reaction from readily available materials such as aldehydes, aminoesters, and dipolarophiles.     

Catalytic Enantioselective and Regioselective [3+3] Cycloadditions Using 2‐Indolylmethanols as 3 C Building Blocks

The first catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition using 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks has been established by a chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective and regioselective [3+3] cycloaddition of 2‐indolylmethanols with azomethine ylides, which constructed biologically important tetrahydro‐γ‐carboline frameworks in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 83 % yield, 99:1 e.r.). This reaction not only represents the first application of 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks in catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions, but also has established an abnormal regioselectivity in indolylmethanol‐involved transformations.     

Microwave-assisted [3 + 2] cycloadditions of azomethine ylides

The microwave-assisted intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides to activated and nonactivated alkenes and alkynes is described. The procedure allows the synthesis of pyrrolidines and pyrrole products in good to excellent overall yields in short reaction times. It appears from parallel comparative studies that the microwave procedure favors the reaction times and overall purity of the crude reaction mixture. The reactions can also be performed in the absence of solvent. [reaction: see text]     

The Cyano Group as a Traceless Activation Group for the Intermolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides: A Five‐Step Synthesis of (±)‐Isoretronecanol

The cyano group was used as a traceless activation group for the [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides in a two‐step process, thereby providing a highly effective approach to 5‐unsubstituted pyrrolidines. The transformation includes the silver acetate catalyzed intermolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of α‐iminonitriles and an unprecedented sodium borohydride induced reductive decyanation reaction. A diverse array of substrates is amenable to this transformation. The methodology was further extended to a five‐step total synthesis of the pyrrolizidine natural product isoretronecanol.     

A facile and efficient synthesis of highly functionalised 3,3′-dispiropyrrolidine- and 3,3′-dispiropyrrolizidine bisoxindoles via [3+2] cycloaddition

The [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides with isomerised Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts, both dipoles and dipolarophiles are derived from isatin, afforded highly functionalised 3,3′-dispiro pyrrolidine- and 3,3′-dispiropyrrolizidine bisoxindoles in high yields.     

Hetero [6+3] cycloaddition of fulvenes with N-alkylidene glycine esters: a facile synthesis of the delavayine and incarvillateine framework

[reaction: see text] In contrast to the [3+2] or [4+3] cycloaddition of N-metalated azomethine ylides and various alkenes, N-benzylidene glycine ethyl ester reacts with fulvenes to give the hetero [6+3] cycloaddition adducts with high stereoselectivity, constituting an efficient and novel route to [2]pyrindines.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+3] Cycloaddition of an Azomethine Ylide with 3‐Indolylmethanol: Enantioselective Construction of a Six‐Membered Piperidine Framework

A catalytic asymmetric formal [3+3] cycloaddition of 3‐indolylmethanol and an in situ‐generated azomethine ylide has been established to construct a chiral six‐membered piperidine framework with two stereogenic centers. This approach not only represents the first enantioselective cycloaddition of isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanol, but also has realized an unusual enantioselective formal [3+3] cycloaddition of azomethine ylide rather than its common [3+2] cycloadditions. Besides, this protocol combines the merits of a multicomponent reaction and organocatalysis, which efficiently assembles a variety of isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanols, aldehydes, and amino esters into structurally diverse spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridoindoles] with one all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93 % yield, >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)). Although the diastereoselectivity of the reaction is generally moderate, most of the diastereomers can be separated by using column chromatography followed by preparative TLC.     

Highly Efficient and Diastereoselective Construction of Tricyclic Pyrrolidine‐Fused Benzo[b]thiophene 1,1‐dioxide Derivatives via 1,3‐Dipolar [3 + 2] Cycloaddition

A rapid and highly efficient 1,3‐dipolar [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylides generated in situ with benzo[b]thiophene 1,1‐dioxides as the dipolarophiles has been developed. The efficient method affords tricyclic pyrrolidine‐fused benzo[b]thiophene 1,1‐dioxide derivatives in high to excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >25:1 dr) under mild reaction conditions. The structure of a typical product was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

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.     

ZrOCl2·8H2O mediated microwave induced [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides—a facile one-pot synthesis of novel dispiroheterocycles

An efficient microwave-assisted, ZrOCl₂·8H₂O mediated, synthesis of novel dispiro-oxindolopyrrolidines and -pyrrolizidines was accomplished through [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides derived from acenaphthenequinone and sarcosine/l-proline with (E)-2-oxoindolino-3-ylidene acetophenones in good yields.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of Enoldiazoimides with Sulfur Ylides

Enoldiazoimides, a new subclass of enoldiazo compounds, generate enol‐substituted carbonyl ylides whose reactions with sulfur ylides enable an unprecedented formal [4+2] cycloaddition. The resulting multifunctionalized indolizidinones, which incorporate sulfur, are formed in good yields under mild reaction conditions. The uniqueness of this transformation stems from the role of the silyl‐protected enol, since the corresponding acetyldiazoimide failed to provide any cross‐products in metal‐catalyzed reactions with sulfur ylides. This copper‐catalyzed cycloaddition is initiated with the generation of enol‐substituted carbonyl ylides and sulfur ylides from enoldiazoimides and sulfonium salts, respectively, and proceeds through stepwise six‐membered ring formation, C?O and C?S bond cleavage, and silyl and acetyl group migration.     

Thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric formal [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with nitroolefins

A chiral thiourea catalyst possessing an amine function catalyzes an asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to nitroolefins to provide highly functionalized pyrrolidines with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 98:1:1 dr, 92% ee). The reaction proceeds in a stepwise manner consisting of Michael addition and subsequent intramolecular aza-Henry reaction. Both reactions are promoted by the thiourea catalyst, and the reaction rate of the latter step is efficiently enhanced by the addition of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol.     

One‐Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of 2‐Acylaziridines and 2‐Acylpyrrolidines from N‐(Propargylic)hydroxylamines

The stereoselective direct transformation of N‐(propargylic)hydroxylamines into cis‐2‐acylaziridines was achieved by the combined use of AgBF₄ and CuCl. Copper salts were found to promote the transformation of the intermediary 4‐isoxazolines into 2‐acylaziridines and both 3‐aryl‐ and 3‐alkyl‐substituted 2‐acylaziridines could be prepared by using this method. Furthermore, subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides that were generated in situ from the intermediary 2‐acylaziridines with maleimides was achieved in a stereoselective one‐pot procedure to afford the corresponding 2‐acylpyrrolidines, which consisted of an octahydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole skeleton.     

FeCl3‐Mediated Three‐Component Cascade Reaction: An Effective Approach to the Construction of Highly Functionalized Pyrrolo[1,2‐c]quinazolinones

An unexpected FeCl₃‐mediated three‐component cascade reaction has been used to construct structurally diverse pyrrolo[1,2‐c]quinazolinone derivatives with potential biological activities. This method has advantages of mild conditions, simple work‐up, as well as wide substrate scope, which makes it a powerful approach to the synthesis of diverse pyrrolo[1,2‐c]quinazolinones. This cascade reaction involves 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and allenoates, followed by intramolecular nucleophilic addition in the presence of FeCl₃. The obtained products could be easily transformed into derivatives with the pyrrolo[2,3‐c]quinazoline alkaloid skeleton.     

An expedient synthesis of ferrocene grafted spirooxindolopyrrolizidines via [3+2]-cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

A facile and rapid one-pot synthesis of ferrocene bearing novel spiropyrrolizidines has been accomplished by [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction of various azomethine ylides derived from isatin/5,7-dibromoisatin and l-proline with various ferrocene derivatives as dipolarophile in good yield. The protocol is general and applicable to a wide variety of ferrocenyl derived dipolarophiles. Effect of various solvents on [3+2]-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is also studied.     

Synthesis of ferrocenyl monospirooxindolopyrrolidines—a facile [3+2]-cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

One-pot synthesis of novel ferrocenylmonospirooxindolopyrrolidines has been accomplished in good yield via a facile [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction of several azomethine ylides, derived from isatin/5,7-dibromoisatin and sarcosine, with various ferrocene derivatives as the dipolarophile. The effect of solvent on the [3+2]-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is also studied.