Custom synthesis of substituted butenolides, dihydropyranones, and α-E-alkylidenelactones via alkenylalumination

Alkenylalumination of aldehydes with [α-(ethoxycarbonyl)-β-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxyalkyl)alkenyl]diisobutylaluminum provides the corresponding α-Z-alkylidene-β′-hydroxy esters, which upon protection and treatment with trifluoroacetic acid lactonizes to furnish α-acetoxyalkyl butenolides (n = 1) and dihydropyranones (n = 2) in 40% overall yield. Conjugate addition to these lactenones and concurrent acetate elimination constitute a general and stereospecific synthesis of the corresponding α-E-alkylidene lactones.     

A short synthesis of 3-enoyltetramic acids employing a new acyl ylide conjugate of Meldrum’s acid

2,2-Dimethyl-5-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)acetyl-1,3-dioxan-4,6-dione (3) is a new activated β-ketoacyl equivalent, readily prepared in quantitative yield by reaction of Meldrum’s acid with the stable ylide Ph₃PCCO. Its reaction with α-amino esters affords the corresponding N-(β-ketoacyl)amino ester ylides which, when treated with aldehydes and KOtBu, undergo a simultaneous Wittig olefination cum Dieckmann cyclisation to yield the respective 3-enoyltetramic acids.     

Zirconium-catalyzed asymmetric Kabachnik–Fields reactions of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes

An effective catalyst has been developed for the three-component reaction of aldehydes, anilines and phosphites in an asymmetric catalytic Kabachnik–Fields reaction to give α-aminophosphonates. A catalyst was sought that would give high asymmetric inductions for aromatic and, and more particularly, for aliphatic aldehydes since there has not previously been an effective catalyst developed for this class of aldehydes. The optimal catalyst is prepared from three equivalents of the 7,7′-di-t-butylVANOL ligand, one equivalent of N-methylimidazole and one equivalent of zirconium tetraisopropoxide. This catalyst was most efficient in the presence of 10 mol% benzoic acid. Optimal conditions for aryl aldehydes required the use of 3,5-diisopropyl-2-hydroxyaniline and gave the aryl α-aminophosphonates in up to 96% yield and 98% ee over 11 different aryl aldehydes. The best aniline for aliphatic aldehydes was found to be 3-t-butyl-2-hydroxyaniline and gave the corresponding phosphonates in up to 83% yield and 97% ee over 18 examples. The asymmetric inductions for aliphatic aldehydes were comparable with those for aromatic aldehydes with a mean induction of 90% ee for the former and 91% ee for the latter. The best method for the liberation of the free amine from the aniline substituted α-aminophosphonates involved oxidation with N-iodosuccinimide.

An effective catalyst has been developed for the three-component reaction of aldehydes, anilines and phosphites in an asymmetric catalytic Kabachnik–Fields reaction to give α-aminophosphonates.     

tert-Butyl esters of tripeptides based on Pro-Phe as organocatalysts for the asymmetric aldol reaction in aqueous or organic medium

The enantioselective aldol reaction between ketones and aldehydes constitutes one the most common reaction models for the evaluation of novel organocatalysts. The last few years, it has been shown that the organocatalytic aldol reaction can be performed in water. A family of tripeptides consisting of proline, phenylalanine, and tert-butyl esters of amino acids was successfully employed in this asymmetric transformation. The products of the reaction between various ketones and aldehydes were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereo- (up to 97:3 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The C-terminal amino acid determines the ability of the tripeptide (Pro-Phe-AA-O^tBu) to act efficiently in aqueous or organic medium.     

A new synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from three components, aldehydes, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and tert-butyl acetate, via magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CH and 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from various aldehydes, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate at −78 °C in THF gave adducts in high yields. Magnesium carbenoids were generated by treatment of these adducts with Grignard reagents via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. When the adducts were derived from alkyl aldehydes or electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CH insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to afford β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having a substituent at the β-position. On the contrary, when the adducts were derived from electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to give β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having the aromatic group at the γ-position. Highly stereospecific 1,2-CC insertion reactions were observed in the latter reactions. This procedure provides a good way for a synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from aldehydes with two carbon-carbon bond-formations.     

A synthesis of di- and tri-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters from aldehydes by the magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CH and 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from aldehydes, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate at −78 °C in THF gave adducts in high yields. Treatment of these adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoids via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. When the adducts were derived from alkyl aldehydes or electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CH insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to afford β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having a substituent at the β-position. On the other hand, when the adducts were derived from electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to give β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having the aromatic group at the γ-position. Highly stereospecific 1,2-CC insertion reactions were observed in the latter reactions. When the addition reactions were quenched with iodoalkanes, the alkylated adducts were obtained in quantitative yields. Tri-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters, or in some case γ,δ-unsaturated esters, were obtained by the treatment of the alkylated adducts with EtMgCl. These procedures provide a good way for a new synthesis of di- and tri-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters from aldehydes with two or three carbon-carbon bond-formations.     

Chiral spiroborate esters catalyzed highly enantioselective direct aldol reaction

Asymmetric catalysis of chiral spiroborate esters with an O₃BN framework toward the direct aldol reaction of acetone and aromatic aldehydes was examined, and a new, efficient chiral catalyst was discovered. In the presence of the novel catalyst, acetone was allowed to react with aromatic aldehydes at 0 °C for 50 h to afford chiral β-hydroxyketone in up to >99% ee and 92% yield. The catalyst, which is readily synthesized, is highly stable to hydrolysis, thermolysis, oxidation, and racemization, can be conveniently recovered.     

A facile one-pot synthesis of α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters from alkoxycarbonylmethyltriphenylphosphonium bromides

A convenient one-pot synthesis of α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters from ethoxy- and tert-butoxycarbonylmethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide was developed. The fluorinated phosphoranes, generated in situ from alkoxycarbonylmethyltriphenylphosphonium bromides and 1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate) (Selectfluor^®), undergo a Wittig reaction with aldehydes to yield α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters with (Z)-selectivity.     

Solvent-free Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction using DBU

The solvent-free Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction with a variety of aldehydes using 1.5 equiv of DBU gave E-α,β-unsaturated esters and ketones in high yields. The E-selectivity was high and the used DBU was recovered.     

Transesterifications mediated by t-BuNH2

A mild protocol for transesterification of simple esters is described. The method is based on the use of t-BuNH₂/ROH (R = Me, Et, i-Pr, t-Bu) with or without LiBr. The scope of the procedure was explored for aliphatic and aromatic esters. The protocol is particularly useful when going from higher to lower hindered esters and harsh reaction conditions are needed for the reversal process. A rationalization of the mechanism is presented. The scope and limitation of this transformation are also described.     

Electrochemical synthesis of α,β-(E)-unsaturated esters in undivided cell (Horner–Emmons reaction)

The known electrochemical synthesis of α,β-(E)-unsaturated esters (Horner–Emmons reaction) was modified in order to achieve the electrolysis in an undivided cell using magnesium as the sacrificial anode. The undivided cell procedure showed advantages over the traditional two-compartment cell methodology. The best yield using undivided cell methodology for the synthesis of aliphatic α,β-(E)-unsaturated esters was 85–86%, which is almost the yield obtained by means of the homogenous chemical reaction. This electrochemical methodology presented some limitations when aromatic aldehydes or base sensitive products were used.     

Nickel-catalysed addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-phosphinoyl- and N-sulfonylimines

A catalytic amount of a nickel complex (0.1-5.3 mol %) extraordinarily increases the reaction rate of the addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)- or N-(benzenesulfonyl)imines. The reaction of imines derived from both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with various dialkylzinc reagents in the presence of several nickel complexes gives the expected addition products in most cases in 1 h and in very good yields. In general, the formation of reduction by-products was not an important side reaction. The process represents a great improvement, with regard to the reaction rate and the yield of the addition products, in comparison with the reactions performed in the absence of the nickel catalyst, and reaction times are much shorter than the ones reported so far using other catalysts.     

Solventless DBU-promoted Mannich-type reactions of α-amido p-tolylsulfones with diethyl fluoromalonates and diethyl malonates

Mannich-type reactions of α-amido p-tolylsulfones with diethyl fluoromalonates and diethyl malonates, respectively in presence of catalytic amount of DBU have been developed. A variety of α-amido p-tolylsulfones prepared from aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes reacts with diethyl fluoromalonates and diethyl malonates, respectively under mild reaction conditions to afford α-fluoro β-amino esters and β-amino esters in moderate to good yield.     

Highly enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between trans-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxybuta-1,3-diene and aldehydes catalyzed by (R)-BINOL-Ti(IV) complex

An efficient enantioselective approach to 2,5-disubstituted dihydropyrones was developed. Some easily accessible inexpensive diol ligand metal complexes were employed, and [(R)-BINOL]₂-Ti(OiPr)₄ complex was found to be the most effective catalyst (up to 99% yield and 99% ee in the presence of 5 mol% catalyst) for the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between trans-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxybuta-1,3-diene (1) and aldehydes. The potential and generality of this catalyst were evaluated by a variety of aldehydes including aromatic, heteroaromatic, α,β-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes. Based on the isolated intermediate from the reaction of benzaldehyde being confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and HRMS data, the mechanism was proposed as a Mukaiyama aldol pathway.     

A synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino acids and esters by assembling three components, ketones, (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and sodium azide, via sulfinyloxiranes

Treatment of lithium α-sulfinyl carbanion of chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with ketones at low temperature afforded adducts in almost quantitative yields, which were exposed to t-BuOK to give sulfinyloxiranes in high yields. The sulfinyloxirane was reacted with benzylamine to give α-amino aldehyde, which was oxidized with iodine in methanol to afford α-amino carboxylic ester in moderate yield. The sulfinyloxiranes were treated with sodium azide to afford α-azido aldehydes in good yields. Oxidation with NaClO₂ followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the azido group of the α-azido aldehydes gave α-quaternary α-amino acids in good overall yields. The oxidation of the azido aldehydes with iodine in methanol in the presence of KOH followed by the catalytic hydrogenation resulted in α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters in good yields. When these reactions were carried out starting from unsymmetrical ketones and optically pure (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, a new method for a synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino acids and esters in good overall yields was realized.     

Efficient preparation method of 4-hydroxybenzoic esters – Oxidation of substituted Hagemman’s ester

A practical two-step synthetic method of diversely R-substituted 4-hydroxybenzoic esters, which may have wide applications in household chemicals and polymeric materials, was developed by 2:1 coupling between ethyl acetoacetate and aldehydes (RCHO) in t-BuOK/t-BuOH, followed by oxidative aromatization of the resulting Hagemman’s esters. Application of the condition using stoichiometric NBS and catalytic TMS·OTf efficiently induced oxidation of the Hagemman’s esters to produce 4-hydroxybenzoic esters.     

Halogen-lithium exchange versus deprotonation: synthesis of diboronic acids derived from aryl-benzyl ethers

Lithiation of a series of aryl benzyl ethers containing halogen substituents (-F, -Br, -I) was investigated. The resultant mono- and diorganolithium intermediates were converted into the corresponding aldehydes or diboronic acids in good yields. The dilithiation of aryl benzyl ethers containing a reactive hydrogen atom and halogen atom capable of halogen-lithium exchange proceeds quantitatively in THF at −50 °C. It was found that mono aryllithiums formed in the reaction can remove the reactive hydrogen atom from a molecule of aryl benzyl ether thus decreasing the yield of dilithiated species. This effect does not occur when t-BuLi is used instead of n-BuLi.     

Highly enantioselective addition of linear alkyl alkynes to linear aldehydes

It is discovered that the use of biscyclohexylamine (Cy₂NH) as an additive can greatly enhance the enantioselectivity for the reaction of linear alkyl alkynes with linear aldehydes. The combination of (S)-BINOL (20 mol %), Cy₂NH (5 mol %), ZnEt₂ (2 equiv), and Ti(OⁱPr)₄ (0.5 equiv) catalyzes the reaction at room temperature in diethyl ether solution with 81-89% ee and 57-77% yield.     

Direct Mannich reaction mediated by Fe(Cp)2PF6 under solvent-free conditions

Fe(Cp)₂PF₆ (5 mol %) efficiently catalyzed Mannich reaction of aldehydes, anilines, and ketones under solvent-free condition to give β-amino-ketones in high yield (up to 94%) within 30 min with anti-isomer in excess. Simple experimental conditions and product isolation procedure makes this protocol potential for the development of clean and environment-friendly strategy for the synthesis of β-amino-ketones.     

Copper diisobutyl-t-butoxyaluminum hydride: A novel reagent for chemoselective reduction of tertiary amides over esters

We demonstrate that copper diisobutyl-t-butoxyaluminum hydride, readily prepared from lithium diisobutyl-t-butoxyaluminum hydride and CuI, effectively and chemoselectively reduces tertiary amides over esters at ambient temperature, affording the corresponding aldehydes in excellent yields.