Highly Diastereoselective and Regioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Nitrosoformate Dearomatization Reaction under Aerobic‐Oxidation Conditions

An unprecedented copper‐catalyzed acylnitroso dearomatization reaction, which expands the traditional acylnitroso ene reaction and acylnitroso Diels–Alder reaction to a new type of transformation, has been developed under aerobic oxidation. Intermolecular and intra‐/intermolecular reaction modes demonstrate an entirely different N‐ or O‐acylnitroso selectivity. Hence, we can utilize this reaction as a highly diastereoselective access to a series of new pyrroloindoline derivatives, which are important structural motifs for natural‐product synthesis.     

PyBidine/Copper Catalyst: Asymmetric exo′‐Selective [3+2] Cycloaddition using Imino Ester and Electrophilic Indole

Electrophilic indoles having two electron‐withdrawing groups undergo nucleophilic attack at C2 and electrophilic functionalization at C3. This is the first enantioselective formal [3+2] cycloaddition using electrophilic indoles. The PyBidine/Cu catalyst smoothly promoted highly enantio‐ and exo′‐selective [3+2] cycloaddition using imino esters and 3‐nitroindoles. This reaction provides a method for the preparation of diverse and complex chiral pyrroloindoline compounds.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Lansai B and (+)‐Nocardioazines A and B

The concise total syntheses of the bis(pyrroloindolines) (?)‐lansai B and (+)‐ nocardioazines A and B are reported. The key pyrroloindoline building blocks are rapidly prepared by enantioselective formal [3+2] cycloaddition reactions. The macrocycle of (+)‐nocardioazine A is constructed by an unusual intramolecular diketopiperazine formation.     

An Organocatalytic Mannich/Denitration Reaction for the Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Ethylacetate‐Substitued 3‐Amino‐2‐Oxindoles: Formal Synthesis of AG‐041R

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic addition of ethyl nitroacetate to isatin‐derived N‐Boc ketimines (Boc=tert‐butoxycarbonyl), followed by the removal of the nitro group, is described. The scalable reaction sequence leads to the title compounds as important intermediates of pyrroloindoline alkaloids and related drugs in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The synthesis of the hexahydrofurano[2,3‐b]indole skeleton, the spirocarbamate oxindole unit, and the formal synthesis of AG‐041R have been carried out to demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol.     

A Pyrene‐Linked Cavity within a β‐Barrel Protein Promotes an Asymmetric Diels–Alder Reaction

A unique π‐expanded reaction cavity tethering a polycyclic moiety which provides a platform for substrate binding was constructed within the robust β‐barrel structure of nitrobindin (NB). NB variants with cavities of different sizes and shapes are coupled with N ‐(1‐pyrenyl)maleimide ( Pyr ) to prepare a series of NB‐ Pyr conjugates. The orientation of the pyrene moiety is fixed within the cavity by the coupling reaction. The fluorescent quenching analysis of NB‐ Pyr indicates that azachalcone ( aza ), which is a dienophile for a Diels–Alder (DA) reaction, is efficiently incorporated within the pyrene‐linked reaction cavity by the aromatic interaction. The DA reaction between aza and cyclopentadiene proceeds within the reaction cavity of NB‐ Pyr in the presence of Cu^II ion in high yield and high enantio‐ and regioselectivity.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Annulation To Construct Functionalized β‐ and γ‐Lactones in Ionic Liquids

A highly efficient and mild palladium‐catalyzed, one‐pot, four‐step cascade annulation has been developed to afford functionalized β‐ and γ‐lactones in moderate to good yields with high regio‐ and diastereoselectivities in ionic liquids. The employment of ionic liquids under mild reaction conditions makes this transformation green and practical. Especially, this reaction provided a novel and convenient methodology for the construction of naturally occurring biologically active β‐ and γ‐lactones.     

Regio‐ and Enantio‐selective Chemo‐enzymatic C−H‐Lactonization of Decanoic Acid to (S)‐δ‐Decalactone

The conversion of saturated fatty acids to high value chiral hydroxy‐acids and lactones poses a number of synthetic challenges: the activation of unreactive C?H bonds and the need for regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Here the first example of a wild‐type cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP116B46 from Tepidiphilus thermophilus) capable of enantio‐ and regioselective C5 hydroxylation of decanoic acid 1 to (S)‐5‐hydroxydecanoic acid 2 is reported. Subsequent lactonization yields (S)‐δ‐decalactone 3 , a high value fragrance compound, with greater than 90 % ee. Docking studies provide a rationale for the high regio‐ and enantioselectivity of the reaction.     

Reaction of 4,5,6‐triaminopyrimidine and 2,4,5,6‐tetraaminopyrimidine with 3‐dimethylaminopropiophenones. Synthesis of new 4‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydropyrimido[4,5‐b][1,4]diazepines

Several new 6‐amino‐ and 6,8‐diamino‐4‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydropyrimido[4,5‐b][1,4]diazepines were obtained from the reaction of 4,5,6‐triaminopyrimidine 1a and 2,4,5,6‐tetraaminopyrimidine 1b with one equivalent of 3‐dimethylaminopropiophenones 2 in absolute ethanol. Structure analysis of 6‐amino‐ and 6,8‐diamino‐4‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydropyrimido[4,5‐b][1,4]diazepines 3a‐i , determined by detailed nmr measurements, reveals a high regioselectivity of this reaction.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Asymmetric Propargylic Dearomatization of Indoles

The first copper‐catalyzed intermolecular dearomatization of indoles by an asymmetric propargylic substitution reaction was developed. This method provides a highly efficient synthesis of versatile furoindoline and pyrroloindoline derivatives containing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center and a terminal alkyne moiety with up to 86 % yield and 98 % ee.     

New trans/cis tetrahydroisoquinolines. 2. trans‐ and cis‐3‐(1‐methyl‐1h‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐1‐(2H)‐oxo‐2‐phenethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquino‐lin‐4‐carboxylic acids and subsequent transformations

Stereochemical course of the reaction of homophthalic anhydride and N‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐methylidene)‐phenethylamine was studied. Mixtures of the expected trans‐ and cis‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroiso‐quinoline‐4‐carboxylic acids trans‐ 4 and cis‐ 4 were obtained along with by‐products 5 and 6 . The ratios of all products and the diastereomers, obtained under different reaction conditions, were established by pmr. THF as a solvent and ultrasonic treatment are applied for the first time in the reaction of this type. The reaction was made diastereoselective towards any isomer. The carboxylic group of trans‐ 4 was transformed in four steps into various cyclic amino‐methyl groups yielding numerous new tetrahydroisoquinolinones trans‐ 10a‐i incorporating a given fragment of pharmacological interest. Reduction of 10a‐i was studied.     

Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Nine‐Membered CF3‐Substituted Heterocycles Using a Single Chiral Ligand: Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Ring Expansion with Kinetic Resolution

The two enantiomers of trifluoromethyl‐benzo[c][1,5]oxazonines, (R)‐ 4 and (S)‐ 4 , can be selectively accessed with high enantiopurity by the Pd‐catalyzed ring‐expansion reaction of trifluoromethyl‐benzo[d][1,3]oxazinones ( 1 ) with vinyl ethylene carbonates ( 3 ) using one antipode of a chiral ligand. Initially, the reaction proceeds by a double decarboxylative ring‐expansion with kinetic resolution of 1 in the presence of a Pd‐catalyst/chiral ligand to provide (R)‐ 4 with high enantiopurity. At the same time, the nonreactive antipode of 1 , (S)‐ 1 , which was recovered with an impeccable s factor of up to 713 and an ideal chemical yield, was transferred into the antipode of the products, (S)‐ 4 , with high enantiopurity by a second run of the Pd‐catalyzed double decarboxylation reaction, but this time without any chiral auxiliary. Thus, both antipodes of the chiral trifluoromethyl heterocycles 4 can be obtained in excellent enantiopurity using only a single antipode of the chiral catalyst.     

Photoinduced and thermal reactions of α‐cyano‐β‐bromomethylcinnamide with 1‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydronicotinamide

The photoinduced reaction of a mixture of (Z)‐α‐cyano‐β‐bromomethylcinnamide (1) and (E)‐α‐cyano‐β‐bromomethylcinnamide (2) with 1‐benzyl‐1, 4‐dihydronicotinamide produces a mixture of the (E)‐ and (Z)‐ isomers of α‐cyano‐β‐methylcinnamide (3 and 4). Using spin‐trapping technique for monitoring reactive intermediate, it is shown that the reaction proceeds via electron transfer‐debromination‐H abstraction mechanism. The thermal reaction of the same substrate with BNAH at 60°C in the dark gives three products: the (E)‐ and (Z)‐isomers of α‐cyano‐β‐methylcinnamide and a dehydrodimeric product; 2, 7‐dicyano‐3, 6‐diphenylocta‐2, 4, 6‐trien‐1, 8‐dioic amide (7). Based on product analysis, scavenger experiment and cyclic voltammetry, an electron transfer‐debromination‐disproportionation mechanism is proposed.     

Synthesis of 3‐substituted 2‐trifluoro(trichloro)methyl‐2H‐chromenes by reaction of salicylaldehydes with activated trihalomethyl alkenes

The reaction of activated trihalome‐ thylsubstituted alkenes with salicylaldehydes in the presence of triethylamine gives 3‐substituted 2‐trifluo‐ romethylchroman‐4‐ols and 2‐trifluoro(trichloro)methyl‐2H‐chromenes in high yields. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:492–496, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20146     

Synergistic Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Functionalization of Unactivated Alkyl Quinolines with α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

A novel alkyl functionalization of unactivated alkyl quinolines has been developed combining InCl₃ activation with organocatalytic activation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in a synergistic fashion. The reaction proceeds in a highly stereoselective manner as a sequence involving two consecutive synergistic catalytic cycles (Lewis acid‐ and iminium ion‐catalyzed) and requires neither pre‐activated alkyl quinoline substrates with electron‐withdrawing substituents nor highly activated electrophiles. The reaction provides selectively double‐ or mono‐addition products in good yields and high to excellent stereoselectivities. Furthermore, based on spectroscopic and labelling experiments, the mechanisms for the reactions are discussed.     

Tertiary α‐Silyl Alcohols by Diastereoselective Coupling of 1,3‐Dienes and Acylsilanes Initiated by Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Borylation

An efficient synthesis of functionalized tertiary α‐silyl alcohols by an enantio‐ and diastereoselective copper‐catalyzed three‐component coupling of 1,3‐dienes, bis(pinacolato)diboron, and acylsilanes is reported. The reaction proceeds well with different 1,3‐dienes and a broad range of aryl‐ as well as alkenyl‐ but also alkyl‐substituted acylsilanes. The target compounds are formed with high regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee and d.r. >20:1) and are highly versatile synthetic building blocks.     

Regioselective and 1,2‐cis‐α‐Stereoselective Glycosylation Utilizing Glycosyl‐Acceptor‐Derived Boronic Ester Catalyst

Regioselective and 1,2‐cis‐α‐stereoselective glycosylations using 1α,2α‐anhydro glycosyl donors and diol glycosyl acceptors in the presence of a glycosyl‐acceptor‐derived boronic ester catalyst. The reactions proceed smoothly to give the corresponding 1,2‐cis‐α‐glycosides with high stereo‐ and regioselectivities in high yields without any further additives under mild reaction conditions. In addition, the present glycosylation method was successfully applied to the synthesis of an isoflavone glycoside.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Quick Route to Aldol‐Tethered 1,6‐ and 1,7‐Enynes from ω‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

An effective asymmetric route to functionalized 1,6‐ and 1,7‐enynes has been developed based on a direct cross‐aldol reaction between ω‐unsaturated aldehydes and propargylic aldehydes (α,β‐ynals) promoted by combined α,α‐dialkylprolinol ether/Brønsted acid catalysis. This synergistic activation strategy is key to accessing the corresponding aldol adducts with high stereoselectivity, both enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity. The aldol reaction also proceeds well with propargylic ketones (α,β‐ynones) thus enabling a stereocontrolled access to the corresponding tertiary alcohols. The utility of these adducts, which are difficult to prepare through standard methodology, is demonstrated by their transformation into trisubstituted bicyclic enones using standard Pauson–Khand conditions.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Enantioselective γ‐Addition of 3‐Substituted Oxindoles to 2,3‐Butadienoates and 2‐Butynoates: Use of Prochiral Nucleophiles

The first phosphine‐catalyzed enantioselective γ‐addition with prochiral nucleophiles and 2,3‐butadienoates as the reaction partners has been developed. Both 3‐alkyl‐ and 3‐aryl‐substituted oxindoles could be employed in this process, which is catalyzed by a chiral phosphine that is derived from an amino acid, thus affording oxindoles that bear an all‐carbon quaternary center at the 3‐position in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity. The synthetic value of these γ‐addition products was demonstrated by the formal total synthesis of two natural products and by the preparation of biologically relevant molecules and structural scaffolds.     

Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition Reactions of 3‐(ω′‐Alkenyl)‐ and 3‐(ω′‐Alkenyloxy)‐Substituted 5,6‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones

3‐(ω′‐Alkenyl)‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones 2 – 4 were prepared as photocycloaddition precursors either by cross‐coupling from 3‐iodo‐5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐one ( 8 ) or—more favorably—from the corresponding α‐(ω′‐alkenyl)‐substituted δ‐valerolactams 9 – 11 by a selenylation/elimination sequence (56–62 % overall yield). 3‐(ω′‐Alkenyloxy)‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones 5 and 6 were accessible in 43 and 37 % overall yield from 3‐diazopiperidin‐2‐one ( 15 ) by an α,α‐chloroselenylation reaction at the 3‐position followed by nucleophilic displacement of a chloride ion with an ω‐alkenolate and oxidative elimination of selenoxide. Upon irradiation at λ=254 nm, the precursor compounds underwent a clean intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction. Substrates 2 and 5 , tethered by a two‐atom chain, exclusively delivered the respective crossed products 19 and 20 , and substrates 3 , 5 , and 6 , tethered by longer chains, gave the straight products 21 – 23 . The completely regio‐ and diastereoselective photocycloaddition reactions proceeded in 63–83 % yield. Irradiation in the presence of the chiral templates (?)‐ 1 and (+)‐ 31 at ?75 °C in toluene rendered the reactions enantioselective with selectivities varying between 40 and 85 % ee. Truncated template rac‐ 31 was prepared as a noranalogue of the well‐established template 1 in eight steps and 56 % yield from the Kemp triacid ( 24 ). Subsequent resolution delivered the enantiomerically pure templates (?)‐ 31 and (+)‐ 31 . The outcome of the reactions is compared to the results achieved with 4‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones and quinolones.     

Highly Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Vinyl Aziridines and α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

A palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of vinylaziridines with α,β‐unsaturated ketones, wherein the alkenes have a single activator, is realized in high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity, thus affording 3,4‐disubstituted pyrrolidines in high yields with excellent ee values. The introduction of a methyl group at C1 of the vinyl group the vinylaziridines greatly improves the stereochemistry of the reaction. A plausible transition state is proposed.