Stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydropyran–tetrahydrofuran (THP–THF) core of (+)-muconin via Prins cyclization

A stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydropyran–tetrahydrofuran (THP–THF) core 2 of (+)-muconin (1) has been achieved using Prins cyclization as a key step to construct tetrahydropyran moiety. Other important transformations such as Wittig olefination, Sharpless epoxidation, regio-, and stereoselective exo-cyclization of the epoxy alcohol, titanocene induced regioselective deoxygenation of 2,3-epoxy alcohol, Grignard reaction, and Barton–McCombie reaction are successfully employed to accomplish the synthesis of THP–THF core 2.     

Stereoselective synthesis of chiral hydrocarbazoles via the catalytic Diels–Alder reaction of siloxyvinylindole and cyclic Z-olefin

The catalytic Diels–Alder reaction of siloxyvinylindole and cyclic Z-olefin derived from pyroglutamic acid gave optically active substituted hydrocarbazoles. The exo/endo selectivity of this reaction could be controlled by using an appropriate Lewis acid. Scandium triflate gave high exo-selectivity and copper triflate gave moderate endo-selectivity. Subsequent stereoselective alkylation of the cycloadduct led to the synthesis of highly substituted hydrocarbazoles with five continuous chiral centers including a quaternary carbon.     

An efficient synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyridone via a tandem olefin isomerization–ring-closing metathesis reaction

Novel 3,4-dihydropyridones were efficiently prepared via a tandem olefin isomerization–ring-closing metathesis reaction catalyzed by the second-generation Grubbs catalyst. The products were further functionalized at the 5-position, providing an interesting structural motif to be evaluated in medicinal chemistry.     

Stereoselective synthesis of benzofulvenes via a palladium-catalyzed cyclization of 1,3-dienes derived from Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts

A facile synthesis of benzofulvenes was carried out starting from the Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts of 2-bromobenzaldehyde. The synthesis was carried out via the sequential bromination, Wittig reaction with aldehyde, and Pd-catalyzed intramolecular Mizoroki–Heck reaction. The stereochemistry of benzofulvenes was dependent on the reaction condition, especially on the kinds of base and reaction time, and the substituent of starting materials.     

Facile synthesis of highly substituted 2-pyrone derivatives via a tandem Knoevenagel condensation/lactonization reaction of β-formyl-esters and 1,3-cyclohexadiones

A mild and efficient tandem process for the synthesis of new highly substituted 2-pyrones starting from commercially available 2-arylacetic acids has been developed. The synthesis is based on the Knoevenagel condensation of 1,3-cyclohexadiones with various β-formyl-esters, followed by lactonization in the presence of nano ZnO (20 mol %). Moderate to high yields and readily available cheap starting materials are the key features of the present method.     

Highly stereoselective and efficient synthesis of ω-heterofunctional di- and trienoic esters for Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction via alkyne hydrozirconation and Pd-catalyzed alkenylation

In situ OH metalation with ⁱBu₂AlH and hydrozirconation with HZrCp₂Cl of HOCH₂CCH, (E)-HOCH₂CHCHCCH, and HOCH₂CCCH₃ followed by Pd-catalyzed alkenyl-alkenyl coupling with (E)-BrCHCHCO₂Et and (E)-BrCHC(Me)CO₂Et using PEPPSI-IPr (7) as a catalyst provides a highly efficient and selective (?98% all-E) route to ω-hydroxy di- and trienoic acid esters (1a-6a). The corresponding phosphonate esters (1c-4c) of ?98% isomeric purity can be obtained via conventional bromination-phosphonation in >80% yields. As expected, their carbonyl olefination is ca. 85-90% E-selective with alkyl aldehydes but ?98% E-selective with PhCHO and some α,β-unsaturated aldehydes under the conditions used.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2,2-bis(C-branched-chain)glucopyranosid-3-ulose via autoxidation reaction

Many different approaches for synthesis of branched chain sugars have been established,1 because they are very useful intermediates for synthesis of other non-sugar chiral molecules, and usually occur in nature. Branched chain glycosidulose can be used for construction of five- and six-membered carbocyclic rings to which two chiral carbons of sugar are incorporated by intramolecular aldol condensation and Robinson annulation,2 Therefore they are useful in the synthesis of natural products whic…     

Design and synthesis of condensed thienocoumarins by Suzuki–Miyaura reaction/lactonization tandem protocol

A concise and efficient approach to a series of chromen-4-ones with fused thiophene ring has been developed using the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of bromothiophene-2- and 3-carboxylates with 2-methoxyboronic acids and subsequent cyclization of prepared alkyl (2-methoxy)aryl thiophene-2- and 3-carboxylates under the action of BBr₃/KOtBu. Starting bromothiophenes are easily obtained from corresponding commercially available aminothiophenes by diazotization/bromination reaction.     

Microwave-promoted efficient synthesis of spiroindenotetrahydropyridine derivatives via a catalyst- and solvent-free pseudo one-pot five-component tandem Knoevenagel/aza-Diels–Alder reaction

A microwave-assisted, one-pot pseudo five-component reaction strategy has been developed for the synthesis of some novel spiroindenotetrahydropyridine derivatives from 1,3-indanedione, an aromatic aldehyde, and ammonium acetate under catalyst- and solvent-free conditions via tandem Knoevenagel/aza-Diels–Alder reaction.     

Ene reaction of Diels–Alder adducts of levoglucosenone and 1,3-dienes with acetaldehyde

Diels–Alder adducts of levoglucosenone with isoprene, butadiene and piperylene in the presence of AlCl₃ smoothly react with acetaldehyde or benzaldehyde to give products of the ene reaction, the hydroxy group of the primary intermediates participating in the formation of semiketal moiety. The yields of the reaction products depend both on the Lewis acid used (AlCl , BF ·Et O, ZnBr , SnCl or EtAlCl₂) and on the nature of the substrate.     

Synthesis of α-carbolines via Pd-catalyzed amidation and Vilsmeier-Haack reaction of 3-acetyl-2-chloroindoles

A new class of α-carboline derivatives has been synthesized by Pd(2)(dba)(3)/BINAP catalyzed amidation of 3-acetyl-2-chloroindoles followed by a Vilsmeier-Haack reaction and is reported.     

Regioselective synthesis of linalyl compounds via addition reaction of geranyl bromide and tin with carbonyl compounds

Linalyl alkyl or aryl carbinols were regioselectively synthesized by the reaction ofgeranyl bromide and powdered tin with aldehydes and ketones.     

Stereoselective synthesis of spiro[pyrrolidin-3,3′-oxindoles] via organocatalyzed asymmetric Mannich-type reaction

The organocatalyzed asymmetric Mannich-type spirocyclization was employed to access the spiro[pyrrolidin-3,3′-oxindoles], a biologically privileged ring structure, from readily available 2-oxotryptaphan methyl ester and aromatic aldehydes. The stereoselectivity of this cyclization are closely correlated with the organocatalyst and solvent used for the reaction. The best diastereoselectivity (d.r. ≥99%) was achieved using only 5% loading of the bifunctional organocatalyst, Takemoto’s thiourea, and dioxane as solvent, resulting in the formation of the the spirocycle with the (2′R, 3R) configuration. The yield could be increased up to 97% when excess of benzaldehyde was used to overcome its trimerization.     

Design and synthesis of oxa-bowls via Diels–Alder reaction and ring-rearrangement metathesis as key steps

Ring-rearrangement metathesis of norbornene derivatives prepared by Diels–Alder reaction has been used to design various oxa-bowls. Enyne ring-rearrangement metathesis of norbornene ring systems with propargyl moiety produced diene containing oxa-bowls, suitable for further expansion by Diels–Alder strategy.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of anti-1,3-mercapto alcohols from α,β-unsaturated ketones via tandem Michael addition–MPV reduction

A new and effective asymmetric synthesis of anti-1,3-mercapto alcohols 3 from α,β-unsaturated ketones 1 utilizing tandem Michael addition–Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction is described. Transformation of the MPV products anti-4 via the Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement was optimized under acidic or basic conditions to afford 1,3-mercapto alcohols anti-3, depending on the substituent R² of 4.     

Synthesis of δ-carbolines via a Pd-catalyzed sequential reaction from 2-iodoanilines and N-tosyl-enynamines

A facile Pd-catalyzed sequential reaction has been developed for the synthesis of δ-carbolines from 2-iodoanilines and N-tosyl-enynamines. This protocol involves Larock heteroannulation/elimination/electrocyclization/oxidative aromatization cascade sequences and allows access to multisubstituted δ-carbolines in moderate to good yields.     

A facile synthesis of β-allenyl furanimines via Pd-catalyzed cyclization of 2,3-allenamides with propargylic carbonates

The Pd(OAc)₂/TFP-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenamides in the presence of propargylic carbonates provides an efficient route to β-allenyl furanimine derivatives. Preliminary mechanistic study showed that this reaction was probably initiated by Pd(0) species.     

Stereoselective synthesis of α-methylenecyclopentenones via a Diels–Alder/retro-Diels–Alder protocol

A new procedure for the stereoselective synthesis of cross-conjugated dienones is reported. This method makes use of the Diels–Alder adduct of anthracene and dimethyl fumarate, a precursor to a spirocyclopent-2-enone anthracene adduct as the key intermediate. The addition of propyllithium or octyllithium to the key intermediate followed by a retro-Diels–Alder reaction furnished α-methylenecyclopentenones bearing a γ-propyl or γ-octyl side chain, respectively, in moderate yields and as single geometric isomers.     

Stereoselective synthesis of ambiphilic alkenes via regioselective methylation of α-trifluoromethanesulfonyl carbonyl compounds with trimethylsilyldiazomethane

α-Trifluoromethanesulfonyl esters, ketones and amides are C-H acids capable of reacting with trimethylsilyldiazomethane to afford the corresponding ambiphilic alkenes. While esters were found to be non-selective, ketones were highly regioselective for O-methylation and displayed variable E/Z stereoselectivity. Amides were observed to be both highly regio- and stereoselective, affording O-methylation with exclusive formation of the Z-alkene.