How easy are the syntheses of allenes?

Allenes have proven themselves to be valuable building blocks toward complex molecular targets, revealing novel applications in natural product synthesis, pharmaceutical chemistry and materials science. The ongoing interest in allene chemistry results in a variety of new methodologies and pathways for the synthesis of allenes. This feature article highlights some of the recent important developments on the synthesis of allenes and the applications on the synthesis of allenic natural products and allenic-based optoelectronic materials.     

Radical transformations for allene synthesis

Allenes are valuable organic molecules that feature unique physical and chemical properties. They are not only often found in natural products, but also act as versatile building blocks for the access of complex molecular targets, such as natural products, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials. Therefore, many remarkable and elegant methodologies have been established for the synthesis of allenes. Recently, more and more methods for radical synthesis of allenes have been developed, clearly emphasizing the associated great synthetic values. In this perspective, we will discuss recent important advances in the synthesis of allenes via radical intermediates by categorizing them into different types of substrates as well as distinct catalytic systems. The mechanistic studies and synthetic challenges will be highlighted.

Recent important advances in the synthesis of allenes via radical strategies are highlighted.     

以炔烃衍生物为底物的联烯合成研究进展

联烯是一类含有累积双键的不饱和化合物, 因其具有重要的生理、药理活性及多种反应活性, 在有机合成中得到了广泛的应用; 随着对联烯性质的深入研究, 联烯的合成方法也日益丰富且各具特色, 其中炔烃衍生物已成为联烯合成的重要前体. 综述了以炔烃衍生物为底物, 经SN2取代、SN2-还原、1,4-加成、迁移、过渡金属催化、开环以及光环化等方式合成联烯的研究进展, 探讨了各种反应历程的特点及其影响因素.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of trisubstituted allenes via lithiation of 1-aryl-3-alkylpropadiene, subsequent transmetalation, and Pd-catalyzed Negishi coupling reaction

A novel methodology for the synthesis of trisubstituted allenes is reported. Lithiation of 1-aryl-3-alkylpropadienes and subsequent transmetalation with zinc bromide followed by Pd-catalyzed Negishi coupling reactions with halides afforded the corresponding trisubstituted allenes in a highly regioselective fashion with moderate to excellent yields. A plausible regioselective lithiation mechanism was proposed on the basis of deuterium labeling experiments.     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed synthesis of chiral ene-allenes using alkenyl trifluoroborates

Enantioenriched allenes serve as chiral transfer reagents, making them attractive synthetic targets. Herein, the synthesis of enantioenriched allenes utilizing a Pd(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of propargylic carbonates and phosphates with alkenyl trifluoroborates is reported. Di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted allenes were synthesized in moderate to high optical yields. Several racemic allenes possessing various functional groups were also synthesized.     

Heterogeneous Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling for Sustainable Synthesis of Chiral Allenes: Application to the Synthesis of Allenic Natural Products

Classical Crabbé type S_N2' substitutions of propargylic substrates has served as one of the standard methods for the synthesis of allenes. However, the stereospecific version of this transformation often requires either stoichiometric amounts of organocopper reagents or special functional groups on the substrates, and the chirality transfer efficiency is also capricious. Herein, we report a sustainable methodology for the synthesis of diverse 1,3-di and tri-substituted allenes by using a simple and cheap cellulose supported heterogeneous nanocopper catalyst (MCC-Amp-Cu(I/II)). This approach represents the first example of heterogeneous catalysis for the synthesis of chiral allenes. High yields and excellent enantiospecificity (up to 97 % yield, 99 % ee) were achieved for a wide range of di- and tri-substituted allenes bearing various functional groups. It is worth noting that the applied heterogeneous catalyst could be recycled at least 5 times without any reduced reactivity. To demonstrate the synthetic utility of the developed protocol, we have applied it to the total synthesis of several chiral allenic natural products.     

Construction of Axially Chiral Compounds via Central‐to‐Axial Chirality Conversion

Central‐to‐axial chirality conversion represents a fascinating class of chemical processes consisting of the destruction of stereogenic centers and the simultaneous installation of axial chiral elements, which provides efficient methods for the preparation of axially chiral compounds. Using the strategy, a wide range of axially chiral compounds, including biaryls, heterobiaryls, aromatic amides, allenes and vinyl arenes, have been synthesized with high efficiency and excellent enantioselectivity. In addition, central‐to‐axial chirality conversion strategy has been applied to the synthesis of natural products. The strategy has undoubtedly become and will continue to be a hot research topic in the field of asymmetric catalysis and synthesis. In this minireview, we selected some examples to introduce the developments and trends in the central‐to‐axial chirality conversion strategy up to April 2020.     

Kinetic Resolution of Azaarylethynyl Tertiary Alcohols by Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalysed Phosphine-Mediated Deoxygenation

A chiral Brønsted acid catalysed phosphine-mediated deoxygenation protocol is reported. This metal-free method provides a precise kinetic resolution platform for azaarylethynyl tertiary alcohols, which are a broad category of biologically and synthetically important azaarene derivatives. In addition to providing an efficient method for the first asymmetric preparation of these tertiary alcohols, the strategy facilitates the construction of azaaryl-functionalized allenes with good to excellent enantioselectivities. The high selectivity factors (s up to 235), broad substrate scope, and ability to convert azaaryl compounds into both chiral tertiary alcohols and allenes robustly underscore the efficiency and promising utility of this method. The practicability is further validated by the successful synthesis of deuterated allenes with high ee values and substantial incorporation of deuterium using inexpensive D₂O as the deuterium source.     

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Allenes by Point‐to‐Axial Chirality Transfer

An enantiodivergent method for the synthesis of multiply substituted allenes is described. Highly enantioenriched, point‐chiral boronic esters were synthesized by homologation of α‐seleno alkenyl boronic esters with lithiated carbamates and eliminated to form axially chiral allene products. By employing either oxidative or alkylative conditions, both syn and anti elimination could be achieved with complete stereospecificity. The process enables the synthesis of either M or P allenes from a single isomer of a point‐chiral precursor and can be employed for the enantioselective assembly of di‐, tri‐, and tetrasubstituted allenes.     

Highly Regioselective Radical Amination of Allenes: Direct Synthesis of Allenamides and Tetrasubstituted Alkenes

The first controllable, regioselective radical amination of allenes with N‐fluoroarylsulfonimide is described to proceed under very mild reaction conditions. With this methodology, a general and straightforward route for the synthesis of both allenamides and fluorinated tetrasubstituted alkenes was realized from a wide range of terminal and internal allenes.     

Organocatalytic Formation of Chiral Trisubstituted Allenes and Chiral Furan Derivatives

A novel reaction that provides chiral allenes by amino catalytic activation of either aldehydes or α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes for reaction with alkynyl‐substituted enones is presented. The reaction forms a variety of trisubstituted allenes in high yields and with excellent stereoselectivities. The utility of the reaction concept is demonstrated by the synthesis of chiral furan derivatives in high yields and stereoselectivities.     

Methods for the preparation of allenes employing indium- and zinc-mediated dehalogenation reactions in aqueous solutions

Simple and mild methods for the synthesis of allenes, employing indium- and zinc-mediated dehalogenation reactions of vicinal dihalides in an aqueous solvent, are described. By using these procedures, various allenylmethyl aryl ethers and monosubstituted allenes have been prepared in good to excellent yields.     

Amplification of chirality by transition metal coordination: synthesis of chiral allenes and allene manganese complexes of high enantiomeric purity. Synthesis of methyl (R,E)-(−)-(2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate (pheromone of Acanthoscelides obtectus (say))

The enhancement of the asymmetry of chiral allenes by coordination with a transition metal can be turned to account for (easy) resolution of the complexes and therefore the allenes themselves. This is illustrated here on allene aldehyde complexes of (η-methylcyclopentadienyl) dicarbonylmanganese, possibly bearing a second electron withdrawing substituent, and by the synthesis of an optically active alkenylallenic insect pheromone of high enantiomeric purity.     

Palladium-catalysed synthesis of allyl acetates from allenes

Allyl acetates were synthesised from allenes utilising methodology based on the general reactivity of π-allyl palladium intermediates which participate efficiently in transformations involving nucleophiles. Reactions of allenes and aryl iodides in the presence of AcONa and Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃ as the catalytic system afforded allyl acetates in moderate to good yields. Monosubstituted allenes, depending on their structure, produced either a separable mixture of two regioisomeric products or a single regioisomer. As allylic acetates can be easily hydrolysed, the methodology is applicable for the synthesis of allyl alcohols as well.     

Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Allenes by Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

A protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted chiral allenes with control of point and axial chirality has been developed. A palladium‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition using readily available racemic allenes gives access to densely functionalized chiral allenes with excellent yields and functional group tolerance. The catalytic asymmetric protocol utilizes a broad range of allenyl TMM (trimethylenemethane) donors to form cyclopentanes, pyrrolidines, and spirocycles with very good control of regio‐, enantio‐, and diastereoselectivity. The chiral allene moiety is shown to be a valuable functional group for rapid elaboration towards complex targets.     

Regio‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of N‐Substituted Pyrazoles by Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition to Allenes

The rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric N‐selective coupling of pyrazole derivatives with terminal allenes gives access to enantioenriched secondary and tertiary allylic pyrazoles, which can be employed for the synthesis of medicinally important targets. The reaction tolerates a large variety of functional groups and labelling experiments gave insights into the reaction mechanism. This new methodology was further applied in a highly efficient synthesis of JAK 1/2 inhibitor (R)‐ruxolitinib.     

Au(I)-catalyzed annulation of enantioenriched allenes in the enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-rhazinilam

Highly stereoselective Au(I)-catalyzed pyrrole additions to enantioenriched allenes afford a unique entry to optically active heterocycles. Asymmetric quaternary carbons can be installed with concurrent heterocycle annulation utilizing this methodology. The enantioenriched allenes are conveniently obtained by catalytic asymmetric acyl halide-aldehyde cyclocondensations and SN2' ring opening of the resulting enantioenriched beta-lactones. An enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-rhazinilam highlights the potential utility of this reaction technology in target-oriented synthesis.     

ZnI2‐promoted homologation of ferrocenylacetylene and aldehydes: an efficient synthesis of ferrocene‐containing allenes

A concise and efficient protocol for the first synthesis of ferrocene‐containing allenes based on the homologation reaction of ferrocenylacetylene and aldehydes promoted by ZnI₂ was developed. The present method was applicable to many kinds of substituted aldehydes, providing good to excellent yields of ferrocene‐containing allenes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on ZnBr2-mediated synthesis of axially chiral aryl-substituted allenes from terminal alkynes,aromatic aldehydes and (S)-α,α-diphenylprolinol

The studies on the ZnBr₂-mediated synthesis of axially chiral aryl-substituted allenes from terminal alkynes, aromatic aldehydes, and commercially available chiral amine (S)-α,α-diphenylprolinol were conducted. Axially chiral aryl-substituted allenes can be obtained in moderate yields with up to 96% ee.     

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Allenes: Remote Asymmetric 1,8-Addition of Indole Imine Methides

An organocatalytic enantioconvergent synthesis of chiral tetrasubstituted allenes is disclosed. With suitable chiral phosphoric acid catalysts, a range of racemic indole-substituted propargylic alcohols reacted with nucleophiles to provide efficient access to a series of enantioenriched allenes with high enantioselectivities. Control experiments suggested a mechanism involving remotely controlled asymmetric 1,8-addition of the in situ generated indole imine methide via a bifunctional transition state.