Regioselective and Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Indolyl Cyclopentenamides by Chiral Anion Catalysis

The regioselective and enantioselective synthesis of β‐indolyl cyclopentenamides, a versatile chiral building block, by asymmetric addition of indoles to α,β‐unsaturated iminium intermediates has been achieved through chiral anion catalysis. Key to the success of this methodology is the generation of a chiral anion‐paired ketone‐type α,β‐unsaturated iminium intermediate from α‐hydroxy enamides. Preliminary mechanistic studies and DFT calculations are consistent with a mechanism involving multiple, concurrent pathways for isomerization of the initially formed azaallylcation into the key α,β‐unsaturated iminium intermediate, all mediated by the phosphoric acid catalyst.     

Chiral Fluorinated α‐Sulfonyl Carbanions: Enantioselective Synthesis and Electrophilic Capture,Racemization Dynamics,and Structure

Enantiomerically pure triflones R¹CH(R²)SO₂CF₃ have been synthesized starting from the corresponding chiral alcohols via thiols and trifluoromethylsulfanes. Key steps of the syntheses of the sulfanes are the photochemical trifluoromethylation of the thiols with CF₃Hal (Hal=halide) or substitution of alkoxyphosphinediamines with CF₃SSCF₃. The deprotonation of RCH(Me)SO₂CF₃ (R=CH₂Ph, iHex) with nBuLi with the formation of salts [RC(Me)? SO₂CF₃]Li and their electrophilic capture both occurred with high enantioselectivities. Displacement of the SO₂CF₃ group of (S)‐MeOCH₂C(Me)(CH₂Ph)SO₂CF₃ (95 % ee) by an ethyl group through the reaction with AlEt₃ gave alkane MeOCH₂C(Me)(CH₂Ph)Et of 96 % ee. Racemization of salts [R¹C(R²)SO₂CF₃]Li follows first‐order kinetics and is mainly an enthalpic process with small negative activation entropy as revealed by polarimetry and dynamic NMR (DNMR) spectroscopy. This is in accordance with a C_α? S bond rotation as the rate‐determining step. Lithium α‐(S)‐trifluoromethyl‐ and α‐(S)‐nonafluorobutylsulfonyl carbanion salts have a much higher racemization barrier than the corresponding α‐(S)‐tert‐butylsulfonyl carbanion salts. Whereas [PhCH₂C(Me)SO₂tBu]Li/DMPU (DMPU = dimethylpropylurea) has a half‐life of racemization at ?105 °C of 2.4 h, that of [PhCH₂C(Me)SO₂CF₃]Li at ?78 °C is 30 d. DNMR spectroscopy of amides (PhCH₂)₂NSO₂CF₃ and (PhCH₂)N(Ph)SO₂CF₃ gave N? S rotational barriers that seem to be distinctly higher than those of nonfluorinated sulfonamides. NMR spectroscopy of [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂R]M (M=Li, K, NBu₄; R=CF₃, tBu) shows for both salts a confinement of the negative charge mainly to the C_α atom and a significant benzylic stabilization that is weaker in the trifluoromethylsulfonyl carbanion. According to crystal structure analyses, the carbanions of salts {[PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li? L }₂ ( L =2 THF, tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)) and [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]NBu₄ have the typical chiral C_α? S conformation of α‐sulfonyl carbanions, planar C_α atoms, and short C_α? S bonds. Ab initio calculations of [MeC(Ph)SO₂tBu]^? and [MeC(Ph)SO₂CF₃]^? showed for the fluorinated carbanion stronger n_C→σ* and n_O→σ* interactions and a weaker benzylic stabilization. According to natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations of [R¹C(R²)SO₂R]^? (R=tBu, CF₃) the n_C→σ*_{S? R} interaction is much stronger for R=CF₃. Ab initio calculations gave for [MeC(Ph)SO₂tBu]Li ? 2 Me₂O an O,Li,C_α contact ion pair (CIP) and for [MeC(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li ? 2 Me₂O an O,Li,O CIP. According to cryoscopy, [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li, [iHexC(Me)SO₂CF₃]Li, and [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]NBu₄ predominantly form monomers in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?108 °C. The NMR spectroscopic data of salts [R¹(R²)SO₂R³]Li (R³=tBu, CF₃) indicate that the dominating monomeric CIPs are devoid of C_α? Li bonds.     

Preparation of “Si‐Centered” Chiral Silanes by Direct α‐Lithiation of Methylsilanes

The direct α‐lithiation of methyl‐substituted silanes as an efficient method for the preparation and elaboration of Si‐chiral compounds is reported. Deprotonation of chiral oligosilanes occurs selectively and with high yields at the methyl group of the stereogenic silicon center, even in the presence of multiple methylsilyl or methylgermyl substituents. Computational studies have confirmed this preference as a consequence of pre‐coordination of the lithiating agent by the amino side‐arm and repulsion effects in the corresponding transition state. This complexation is also obvious from X‐ray structure analyses of the α‐lithiated silanes, which exhibit intriguing structure formation patterns differing in the type of aggregation and the amount of alkyllithium used. An alternative route to Si‐chiral compounds is also presented, which involves desymmetrization of dimethylsilanes mediated by a chiral side‐arm. Structure analyses and computational studies have shown that the diastereoselectivity of this α‐lithiation is influenced by the selectivity of the formation of the stereogenic nitrogen upon complexation of the alkyllithium.     

Enantioselective NH Insertion Reaction of α‐Aryl α‐Diazoketones: An Efficient Route to Chiral α‐Aminoketones

A highly enantioselective N? H insertion reaction of α‐diazoketones was developed by using cooperative catalysis by dirhodium(II) carboxylates and chiral spiro phosphoric acids. The insertion reaction provides a new access route to diverse chiral α‐aminoketones, which are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis, with fast reaction rates, good yields and high enantioselectivity under mild and neutral conditions.     

A Persistent α‐Fluorocarbanion and Its Analogues: Preparation,Characterization, and Computational Study

Fluoro power : In agreement with theoretical studies on α‐fluorocarbanions an X‐ray crystal structure shows the α‐fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methide anion adopts a pyramidal configuration (see picture). High‐level calculations and NMR spectroscopy studies demonstrate that electron‐withdrawing substituents play a crucial role in modulating the properties of bis(phenylsulfonyl)methide anions.

     

The 2‐Arsaethynolate Anion: Synthesis and Reactivity Towards Heteroallenes

The synthesis and isolation of the 2‐arsaethynolate anion, AsCO^?, and its subsequent reactivity towards heteroallenes is reported. Reactions with ketenes and carbodiimides afford four‐membered anionic heterocycles in formal [2+2] cycloaddition reactions. By contrast, reaction with an isocyanate yielded a 1,4,2‐diazaarsolidine‐3,5‐dionide anion and the unprecedented cluster anions As₁₀^2? and As₁₂^4?. These preliminary reactivity studies hint at the enormous potential synthetic utility of this novel anion, which may be employed as an arsenide (As^?) source.     

A Mild and Rapid Synthesis of (Z)‐β‐Sulfonyl Enoates from Sodium Sulfinates and Propargyl Esters

Water‐promoted sulfonylation of propargyl esters leading to highly regioselective and stereoselective formation of (Z)‐β‐sulfonyl enoates in excellent yields, by a simple, mild, rapid and environmentally benign reaction procedure is reported.     

Chiral Cinchona Alkaloid‐Thiourea Catalyzed Mannich Reaction for Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Amino Ketones Bearing Benzothiazol Moiety

Mannich reactions of imine with acetylacetone were effectively catalyzed by the modified chiral cinchona alkaloid‐derived thiourea. The reactions led to chiral β‐amino carbonyl compounds in high yields and good enantioselectivities. The study demonstrated for the first time that Mannich reactions of unmodified acetylacetone with heterocyclic imine derived from benzothiazole can be promoted by chiral bifunctional organocatalyst.     

Chiral Primary Amine/Palladium Dual Catalysis for Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of β‐Ketocarbonyl Compounds with Allylic Alcohols

An efficient dual catalytic system composed of a chiral primary amine and a palladium complex was developed to promote the direct asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) of β‐ketocarbonyl compounds. In particular, the synergistic dual catalytic system enabled the AAA reaction of challenging acyclic aliphatic ketones, such as β‐ketocarbonyl compounds and 1,3‐diketones.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Secondary and α‐Tertiary Piperazin‐2‐ones and Piperazines by Catalytic Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

The asymmetric palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation of differentially N‐protected piperazin‐2‐ones allows the synthesis of a variety of highly enantioenriched tertiary piperazine‐2‐ones. Deprotection and reduction affords the corresponding tertiary piperazines, which can be employed for the synthesis of medicinally important analogues. The introduction of these chiral tertiary piperazines resulted in imatinib analogues which exhibited comparable antiproliferative activity to that of their corresponding imatinib counterparts.     

The Structure Elucidation and Total Synthesis of β‐Lipomycin

Here we describe the synthesis of β‐lipomycin, a secondary metabolite isolated from the fermentation broth of Corallococcus coralloides. The synthesis relies on the structural assignment made by a statistical method, the so‐called profile hidden Markov model. Using this protocol, not only the configuration of the secondary alcohol, but also of the adjacent methyl branch could be deduced. The synthesis therefore not only provides access to this natural product but also confirms the validity of this approach for configurational assignment at methyl branches of modular polyketides.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Medium‐Sized Lactams via Chiral α,β‐Unsaturated Acylammonium Salts

Medium‐sized lactams are important structural motifs found in a variety of bioactive compounds and natural products but are challenging to prepare, especially in optically active form. A Michael addition/proton transfer/lactamization organocascade process is described that delivers medium‐sized lactams, including azepanones, benzazepinones, azocanones, and benzazocinones, in high enantiopurity through the intermediacy of chiral α,β‐unsaturated acylammonium salts. An unexpected indoline synthesis was also uncovered, and the benzazocinone skeleton was transformed into other complex heterocyclic derivatives, including spiroglutarimides, isoquinolinones, and δ‐lactones.