Asymmetric synthesis of cis-5-substituted pyrrolidine 2-phosphonates using metal carbenoid NH insertion and delta-amino beta-ketophosphonates

Cis-5-substituted pyrrolidine phosphonates, proline surrogates, are prepared by a highly stereoselective intramolecular metal carbenoid N-H insertion from a sulfinimine-derived delta-amino alpha-diazo beta-ketophosphonate. [reaction: see text]     

Asymmetric synthesis of cis-2,4-disubstituted azetidin-3-ones from metal carbene chemistry

Several chiral cis-2,4-disubstituted azetidin-3-ones were prepared as single diastereoisomers from N-protected amino acids, employing a highly stereoselective copper carbenoid N–H insertion reaction of diazoketones. These azetidin-3-ones were then converted into fully substituted azetidines in a few steps in good to high yields.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed one-pot carbenoid N-H insertion reactions and diastereoselective synthesis of prolines

Aryl- and aliphatic-substituted 3-hydroxyprolines and various other amino esters are conveniently prepared by [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2-catalyzed one-pot intramolecular and intermolecular carbenoid N-H insertion reactions, respectively, and the prolines are formed with high diastereoselectivities. The catalytic reactions are tolerant toward air/moisture, and the product yields are insensitive to the organic solvents used.     

Asymmetric synthesis of permethric acid. stereochemistry of chiral copper carbenoid reaction

The most effective optical isomer (1$\text{R}$-$\text{cis}$) of permethric acid ($\text{2}$, R = H), a potent intermediate in the production of synthetic pyrethroid, was enantioselectively prepared.     

Asymmetric synthesis of cis-2-substituted cyclohexanamines with high optical purity

Asymmetric reductive amination of racemic 2-substituted cyclohexanones (R= methyl, ethyl, phenyl, benzyl) using optically active 1-phenyl-ethylamines yields optically active cis-cyclohexanamines.     

Application of carbenoid N-H insertion in the synthesis of the tricyclic 1,4-dihydropyrazines

The N-H insertion of the substituted anilines with 2-diazo-1,3-cyclohexanedione or 2-diazo-1,3-cyclopentanedione and subsequent cyclization enabled an efficient synthesis of a novel series of tricyclic 1,4-dihydropyrazines.     

Ring expansion of 5- to 6-member zirconacycles by carbenoid insertion

A wide range of carbenoids (1-lithio-1-halo species), including those with α-SiR₃, OEt, SPh, SO₂Ph, P(O)(OEt)₂, and CN substituents, insert into 5-member zirconacycles (saturated and unsaturated, mono- and bi-cyclic) to afford functionalized 6-member zirconacycles. 1-Lithio-1-haloalkenes insert to afford 6-member zirconacycles with an alkylidene substituent next to the metal. Unexpected double insertion of some carbenoids, and evidence for endocylic β-hydride transfer processes provide additional mechanistic interest.     

Asymmetric synthesis of secondary alcohols from primary alcohols via intramolecular carbenoid C-H insertion catalyzed by rhodium(II) 3-phenylcholestane-2-carboxylate

Chiral secondary alcohols may be prepared from primary alcohols via asymmetric C-H insertion reactions of alpha'-alkoxy-alpha-diazoketones catalyzed by rhodium(II)(2R,3R)-3-phenylcholestane-2-carboxylate.     

Cyclopropyl carbenoid insertion into alkenylzirconocenes—a convergent synthesis of alkenylcyclopropanes and alkylidenecyclopropanes

The insertion of cyclopropyl carbenoids into alkenylzirconocenes, derived by hydrozirconation of terminal alkynes, affords allylzirconium species which react with protons and isonitriles to afford alkenylcyclopropanes, and with aldehydes to afford alkylidene cyclopropanes. The addition of lithium carbenoid to zirconium occurs with the inversion of the organolithium centre.     

Rhodium carbenoid N-H insertion reactions of primary ureas: solution and solid-phase synthesis of imidazolones

[reaction: see text] The solution and solid-phase synthesis of imidazolones is reported. The key step for the preparation of these compounds is the N-H insertion reaction of primary ureas into highly reactive rhodium carbenoid intermediates. Typically, a soluble or support-bound alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester is treated with a rhodium carboxylate catalyst in the presence of a primary urea to give the corresponding N-H insertion product. Subsequent acid-catalyzed cyclodehydration of these insertion products affords the desired imidazolone products.     

Solid-phase rhodium carbenoid N-H insertion reactions: the synthesis of a diverse array of indoles

A solid-phase synthesis of an array of indoles is reported. The key step in our approach involves a N-H insertion reaction of N-alkylanilines into a highly reactive polymer-bound rhodium carbenoid intermediate to yield the corresponding alpha-arylamino-beta-ketoester. These insertion products were then treated under acid-catalyzed cyclodehydration conditions to yield a series of polymer-bound indole esters, which were subsequently cleaved from the resin under Lewis acid-promoted amidation conditions to yield the desired indoles in good yields and with excellent purities.     

An efficient synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles via a tandem carbenoid N-H insertion/ring-closing metathesis sequence

A series of five- to eight-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles were prepared via a general and efficient one-pot, two-component sequence featuring rhodium-catalyzed insertion of a vinyl-substituted α-diazocarbonyls into the N-H bond of a series of tert-butoxycarbonyl-(Boc)-protected amines, followed by ring-closing metathesis catalyzed by ruthenium benzylidene complexes. This methodology allows easy and convenient access to highly functionalized azacycloalkenes in moderate yields and excellent chemoselectivity in a single transformation.     

Facile chemoselective rhodium carbenoid N-H insertion reactions: synthesis of 3-arylamino- or 3-heteroarylpiperidin-2-ones

Rhodium(II) acetate catalyzed reactions of various substituted 3-diazopiperidin-2-ones with a range of aromatic amines, indoles, and benzotriazole yield exclusively the corresponding N-H insertion products despite competing C-H or O-H insertions. This strategy provides an example of a facile chemoselective N-H insertion reaction delivering a library of 3-arylamino and 3-heteroarylpiperidin-2-one derivatives in high yields.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of 5′-epi-paecilomycin-F

The asymmetric total synthesis of one of the stereoisomers of the naturally occurring 14-membered ring macrolide paecilomycin-F (5′-epi) has been reported in this article. The main highlight of the synthetic strategy involves the successful application of a ring closing metathesis (RCM) reaction at a late stage. Asymmetric Keck allylation, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, and Mitsunobu esterification have also been used successfully for the total synthesis of 5′-epi-paecilomycin-F.