Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed Michael addition to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes by redox oxidation

Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed Michael addition reactions to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes by redox oxidation were realized. With 10 mol % of camphor-derived triazolium salt D, 15 mol % of DBU, 5 mol % of NaBF(4), and 100 mol % of quinone oxidant, the reactions of various dicarbonyl compounds with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes led to 3,4-dihydro-α-pyrones in good yields and excellent ee's.     

Manganese-catalyzed bicyclic annulations of imines and α,β-unsaturated esters via C-H activation

A manganese-catalyzed bicyclic annulation of imines with α,β-unsaturated esters via C–H activation is described, which provides an expedient access to fused β-lactams in one-step operation with high efficiency and good functional group tolerance. Of note, both ketimines and aldimines are amenable to this transformation. Mechanistic studies have identified a five-membered azamanganacycle as the key reaction intermediate.     

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed homoenolate additions with N-aryl ketimines as electrophiles: efficient synthesis of spirocyclic γ-lactam oxindoles

In pole position: A simple and efficient approach to spirocyclic γ-lactam oxindoles by the N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed addition of homoenloate equivalents to N-aryl isatinimines has been developed (see scheme). The use of N-aryl isatinimines as electrophiles in the NHC-catalyzed umpolung reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is demonstrated for the first time.     

Nucleophilic carbene-catalyzed redox-esterification reaction of α-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde

A nucleophilic carbene catalyzed redox esterification between α-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and various alcohols has been developed. Interestingly, the reaction provided α,β-unsaturated esters instead of the saturated α-halo substituted esters as the only product in good to high yield with excellent trans-selectivity, presumably via the umpolung-halo-elimination pathway.     

Regioselective synthesis of α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds via photocatalytic α-bromination reactions

A visible light-mediated approach for the preparation of α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes was developed. In comparison to traditional methods that generally take two steps to afford the above compounds, this protocol was highlighted by its operational simplicity, avoiding using hazardous bromine and mild reaction conditions.     

Tandem reactions of 1,2-allenic ketones leading to substituted benzenes and α,β-unsaturated nitriles

One-pot double Michael addition/intramolecular aldol reaction/decarboxylation of 1,2-allenic ketones with cyanoacetate offers an efficient and convenient approach to highly functionalized benzenes. With 2-substituted cyanoacetates, the reaction proceeds via a different tandem process to afford α,β-unsaturated nitriles effectively.     

Secondary amine catalyzed retro-aldol reactions of enals and enones: one-pot conversion of enals to α-substituted derivatives

A practical synthetic procedure to hydrolytically cleave the C,C-double bond of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones has been developed. Secondary amines are employed as organocatalysts for the retro-aldol process under simple and mild reaction conditions. Beside the generation of the parent aromatic aldehydes, the synthetic procedure has been successfully used in a one-pot reaction sequence to convert simple cinnamaldehydes into their α-aryl/alkyl substituted derivatives.     

Thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric domino Michael-cyclization reaction of 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles with β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles

A reaction between 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles and β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters catalyzed by a chiral thiourea organocatalyst via a domino Michael-cyclization process is described, which delivers a range of biologically important 2′-thioxospiro[indoline-3,4′-oxazolidin]-2-one compounds in high yields with good diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, >99:1 dr, >99% ee). Moreover, two of 2′-thioxospiro[indoline-3,4′-oxazolidin]-2-one compounds were found to significantly behave in anti-inflammatory activities in a preliminary biological evaluation.     

Regio- and enantioselective conjugate addition of β-nitro α,β-unsaturated carbonyls to construct 3-alkenyl disubstituted oxindoles

Reversal of regioselectivity in the catalytic asymmetric conjugate additions of 3-substituted oxindoles to β-nitroenones or β-nitroacrylates was established with chiral scandium catalysts. It enabled the construction of functionalized 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles, including terminal and internal vinyl groups in excellent yields and ee values.     

Efficient synthesis of fluorinated α- and β-amino nitriles from fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines

A simple and efficient synthesis of fluoroalkylated α-amino nitrile (4) derivatives by regioselective 1,2-addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines (1) is described. Fluoroalkylated β-amino nitriles (7) are also prepared by regioselective 1,2-addition of α-carbanions derived from acetonitrile to fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines (1). Fluoroalkylated α-(4) and β-amino nitriles (7) are also prepared through an ‘one pot’ procedure by reaction of enaminophosphonate 2 with BuLi, addition of aldehydes and subsequent addition of either trimethylsilyl cyanide or α-carbanion derived from acetonitrile. Basic hydrolysis of α-(4) and β-amino nitriles (7) gives fluoroalkylated α-(5) and β-amino acids (8).     

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed reactions of α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes/α,β-dibromoaldehydes with 1,3-dinucleophilic reagents

Carbenes ring true: N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed reactions of α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes/α,β-dibromoaldehydes with 1,3-dinucleophilic reagents, such as 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, β-enamino ketones, and β-enamino esters through umpolung processes gave functionalized 3,4-dihydropyranones and 3,4-dihydropyridinones. The availability of the starting materials, lack of external oxidant, and usefulness of the products make this strategy attractive.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β′-amino-α,β-enones via addition of α,β-unsaturated ketone-derived enolates to chiral N-phosphonyl imines

Efficient asymmetric Mannich addition reactions between α,β-unsaturated ketone derived enolates and N-phosphonyl imines were reported. These reactions could proceed smoothly for a variety of imine substrates with good (up to 96%) chemical yields and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 98:2 dr). The method reported in this work provides an easy access to chiral β′-amino-α,β-enones.     

Two-carbon homologation of aldehydes and ketones to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Phosphonate reagents were developed for the two-carbon homologation of aldehydes or ketones to unbranched- or methyl-branched α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The phosphonate reagents, diethyl methylformyl-2-phosphonate dimethylhydrazone and diethyl ethylformyl-2-phosphonate dimethylhydrazone, contained a protected aldehyde group instead of the usual ester group. A homologation cycle entailed condensation of the reagent with the starting aldehyde, followed by removal of the dimethylhydrazone protective group with a biphasic mixture of 1 M HCl and petroleum ether. This robust two-step process worked with a variety of aldehydes and ketones. Overall isolated yields of unsaturated aldehyde products ranged from 71% to 86% after the condensation and deprotection steps.     

Enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated imines and isocyanates

A [4+2] cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated imines and isocyanates catalyzed by a phosphoramidite-rhodium complex provides pyrimidinones in good yields and high enantioselectivities.     

Features and applications of reactions of α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles with amino compounds

Promoted by triethylamine, α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles reacted with amino compounds in a variety of ways. Thus, N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles reacting with aromatic amines afforded novel addition products β-benzotriazolyl amides 3, which might be normally formed from the alternative but unknown 1,4-addition of benzotriazole to N-cinnamoylamides. The type 3 compounds could also result from the reaction between N-crotonoylbenzotriazole and aliphatic amines. However, normal 1,4-addition could occur between α,β-unsaturated aliphatic N-acylbenzotriazoles and aromatic amines, leading to β-amino N-acylbenzotriazoles 4 in good yields. In addition, exclusive 1,2-addition of aliphatic amines to N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles gave excellent yields of cinnamides 5. Accordingly, three possible routes were proposed to rationalize the formation of compounds 3-5. Finally, with o-phenylenediamine and o-aminothiophenol as the substrates, the 1,4- and 1,2-addition to α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles could take place concurrently and the corresponding heterocycles 1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one and 1,5-benzothiazepine-4-one were constructed, respectively.     

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed annulation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with 1,3-dicarbonyls

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed annulations of ynals and enals with 1,3-dicarbonyls have been described. The two reactions provided direct and efficient methods for enantioselective synthesis of functionalized dihydropyranones. Comparatively, the reactions starting from ynals were atom-economical; furthermore the reactions of enals demonstrated broader substrate compatibility.     

Copper-catalysed approach to spirocyclic oxindoles via a direct C–H,Ar-H functionalisation

A practical and efficient entry to spirocyclic oxindoles from readily accessible anilide precursors, using only catalytic amounts of an inexpensive copper salt together with air as the sole re-oxidant, is described. In addition to providing access to a broad range of spiro-oxindole products, the utility of this method is demonstrated in a formal synthesis of the natural product, horsfiline.     

Modular approach to saturated and α,β-unsaturated ketones

2-Fluoro-6-pyridinyloxy derivatives of 2-ethoxyvinyl carbinols react with radicals derived from xanthates by an addition-fragmentation pathway to give highly functionalized ketones after acid hydrolysis. 1,4-Diketones are readily accessible by this approach. α,β-Unsaturated ketones can be obtained by starting with geminal acetoxy xanthates prepared by addition of a simpler xanthate to vinyl acetate.     

Asymmetric cyclization reactions of allenoates with imines or α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by organocatalysts derived from cinchona alkaloids

Lewis base-catalyzed cyclization reactions of allenoates with electron-deficient olefins and imines have been demonstrated by the preparation of biologically active natural products and pharmaceutically interesting substances and have emerged as powerful synthetic tools in the rapid construction of cyclic molecular complexity. In contrast to phosphine-containing Lewis bases, nitrogen-containing Lewis base amines display markedly different reaction profiles; however, this area is not well-developed. Herein we summarize the recent progress in this emerging field and outline the challenges ahead.     

Synthesis of β-carbolines from aldehydes and ketones via the α-siloxy α,β-unsaturated esters

We report an efficient method for the synthesis of β-carbolines from α-siloxy α,β-unsaturated esters, which are accessible from a variety of aldehydes and ketones.