Pd-catalyzed regioselective and stereospecific Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of allylic carbonates with arylboronic acids

The Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of unsymmetric 1,3-disubstituted secondary allylic carbonates with arylboronic acids has been developed in a wet solvent under a base-free system to afford allyl-aryl coupling products in a high level of isolated yields with complete regio- and E/Z-selectivities with good to excellent chemoselectivities. The coupling reaction of optically active allyl carbonates gave allyl-aryl coupling products with excellent enantioselectivities with inversion of the stereochemistry. This coupling method was successfully applied to the synthesis of (S)-naproxen.     

Asymmetric organocatalytic allylic substitution of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with allylamines for the synthesis of 2,5-dihydropyrroles

The asymmetric allylic substitution reaction of MBH carbonates with allylamines has been developed, which affords N-allyl-β-amino-α-methylene esters in high yields and enantioselectivities. After a subsequent ring-closure metathesis of the products, a series of optically active 2,5-dihydropyrroles could be obtained smoothly in high yields without any loss of enantioselectivity. Finally, a tentative mechanism for rationalization of the reaction has been proposed.     

Enantiospecific and regioselective rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation: diastereoselective approach to quaternary carbon stereogenic centers

The enantiospecific and regioselective rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of a series of chiral nonracemic allylic carbonates, followed by ozonolysis and reductive lactonization, provides a convenient route to optically active gamma-lactones. Sequential alkylation and reductive alkylation furnished the alpha-quaternary-beta-ternary substituted gamma-lactone derivative as a >/=10:1 mixture of diastereoisomers.     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed amination of allylic natural terpenic functionalized olefins

The palladium(0) catalyzed amination of allylic acetates and carbonates derivatives from terpenic olefins was carried out under mild conditions. The reaction offers a very good method for the preparation of allylic amines and thus to provide a useful entry to new functionalized terpenic olefin products. The mechanism involving a formation of p-allyl-palladium intermediate complex is in good agreement with the results obtained with the optically active substrates, as well as via an analysis of the observed regio-and stereoselectivity.      

Pseudo‐Stereodivergent Synthesis of Enantioenriched Tetrasubstituted Alkenes by Cascade 1,3‐Oxo‐Allylation/Cope Rearrangement

The catalytic diastereodivergent construction of stereoisomers having two or more stereogenic centers has been extensively studied. In contrast, the switchable introduction of another stereogenic element, that is, Z/E configuration involving a polysubstituted alkene group, into the optically active stereoisomers, has not been recognized yet. Disclosed here is the pseudo‐stereodivergent synthesis of highly enantioenriched tetrasubstituted alkene architectures from isatin‐based Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates and allylic derivatives, under the cooperative catalysis of a tertiary amine and a chiral iridium complex. The success of the switchable construction of the tetrasubstituted alkene motif relies on the diastereodivergent 1,3‐oxo‐allylation reaction between N‐allylic ylides and chiral π‐allyliridium complex intermediates by ligand and substrate control, followed by the stereoselective concerted 3,3‐Cope rearrangement process.     

Palladium-catalyzed carbon dioxide elimination-fixation reaction of 4-methoxycarbonyloxy-2-buten-1-ols

A new type of palladium-catalyzed CO(2) recycling reaction using allylic carbonates is described. Reaction of trans-4-methoxycarbonyloxy-2-buten-1-ols in the presence of a palladium catalyst produces cyclic carbonates having a vinyl group via a CO(2) elimination-fixation process. A variety of allylic carbonates participate in the reaction giving cyclic carbonates with high efficiencies. Stereoselective construction of trans-cyclic carbonates is achieved by using nonsymmetric substrates. An enantiospecific reaction proceeds to give chiral cyclic carbonate when a chiral methyl-substituted substrate is subjected to the reaction conditions.     

Synthesis and reactions of the optically active selenols derived from monoterpenes

A convenient methodology for the synthesis of optically active selenols, derived from p-menthane, carane, and pinane, is described. The selenols were oxidized with air to give the optically active diselenides, and were also converted into the corresponding allylic selenides via reaction with Z- and E-cinnamyl, geranyl, and neryl chlorides. Oxidation of the allylic selenides with mCPBA gave the optically active alcohols via [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of the in situ generated allylic selenoxides.     

Pseudo-Stereodivergent Synthesis of Enantioenriched Tetrasubstituted Alkenes by Cascade 1,3-Oxo-Allylation/Cope Rearrangement

The catalytic diastereodivergent construction of stereoisomers having two or more stereogenic centers has been extensively studied. In contrast, the switchable introduction of another stereogenic element, that is, Z/E configuration involving a polysubstituted alkene group, into the optically active stereoisomers, has not been recognized yet. Disclosed here is the pseudo-stereodivergent synthesis of highly enantioenriched tetrasubstituted alkene architectures from isatin-based Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates and allylic derivatives, under the cooperative catalysis of a tertiary amine and a chiral iridium complex. The success of the switchable construction of the tetrasubstituted alkene motif relies on the diastereodivergent 1,3-oxo-allylation reaction between N-allylic ylides and chiral π-allyliridium complex intermediates by ligand and substrate control, followed by the stereoselective concerted 3,3-Cope rearrangement process.     

Facile Palladium catalyzed decarboxylative allylation of active methylene compounds under neutral conditions using allylic carbonates

Palladium catalyzed decarboxylative allylation of active methylene compounds proceeded under mild neutral conditions using allylic carbonates, which are much more reactive than allylic acetates or phenoxides used commonly in the reaction.     

Ru-Catalyzed Hydrogenolysis of Chiral Allylic and Propargylic Cyclic Carbonates: Synthesis of Optically Active (E)-Allylic and Allenic Alcohols

RuH₂(PPh₃)₄-catalyzed reductive cleavage reactions of chiral allylic cyclic carbonates with ammonium formate afforded optically active (E)-allylic alcohols with excellent regioselectivity. Alternatively, hydrogenolysis of propargylic cyclic carbonates in the presence of RuH₂(PPh₃)₄ catalyst afforded allenic alcohols as a sole products.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic allylic amination

A new strategy for catalytic enantioselective allylic amination based on organocatalysis has been developed. Using a commercially available organocatalyst we demonstrate a direct highly enantioselective allylic electrophilic functionalization of alkylidene cyanoacetates and malononitriles with azodicarboxylates. The reaction is broad in scope and proceeds in high yields and with enantioselectivities up to 99%. Furthermore, we demonstrate the synthetic utility of the optically active products formed: highly diastereoselective Diels-Alder reaction, reduction, and formation of optically active building blocks, which are found in various important bioactive compounds such as quinacrine, chloroquine, and analogues thereof.     

Studies on the Cu(I)-catalyzed regioselective anti-carbometallation of secondary terminal propargylic alcohols

A highly regioselective Cu(I)-catalyzed anti-carbometallation of secondary terminal propargylic alcohols with 1 degrees alkyl or aryl Grignard reagents affording 2-substituted allylic alcohols was developed. By using this method, optically active allylic alcohols can be prepared from the optically active propargylic alcohols without obvious loss of the enantiopurity. The cyclic organometallic intermediate formed may undergo an iodination or a Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reaction to afford stereo-defined allylic alcohols.     

Effects of catalyst activation and ligand steric properties on the enantioselective allylation of amines and phenoxides

[reaction: see text] The yields, enantioselectivities, and regioselectivities of the reactions of amines and phenoxides with allylic carbonates in the presence of a metallacyclic iridium catalyst were compared. These data show that both preactivation of the catalyst and the size of the ligand affect the yield, enantioselectivity, and regioselectivity. With the activated catalyst containing a bis-naphthethylamino group, the allylic amination and etherification of a broad range of allylic carbonates occurred in high yields and with high regioselectivities and enantioselectivities.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Reductive Allylation of Tertiary Alkyl Halides with Allylic Carbonates

The construction of all C(sp³) quaternary centers has been successfully achieved under Ni‐catalyzed cross‐electrophile coupling of allylic carbonates with unactivated tertiary alkyl halides. For allylic carbonates bearing C1 or C3 substituents, the reaction affords excellent regioselectivity through the addition of alkyl groups to the unsubstituted allylic carbon terminus. The allylic alkylation method also exhibits excellent functional‐group compatibility, and delivers the products with high E selectivity.     

Allylic etherification via Ir(I)/Zn(II) bimetallic catalysis

[reaction: see text] An efficient allylic etherification of aliphatic alcohols with allylic carbonates has been achieved by an iridium catalysis using stoichiometric zinc alkoxides or a two-component bimetallic catalytic system where the Ir(I) catalyst acts on allylic carbonates to generate electrophiles while aliphatic alcohols are separately activated by Zn(II) coordination to function as nucleophilies. This reaction occurs with complete regiospecificity and tolerates a wide range of functional groups.     

Iridium-catalyzed allylic vinylation and asymmetric allylic amination reactions with o-aminostyrenes

An Ir-catalyzed allylic vinylation reaction of allyl carbonates with o-aminostyrene derivatives has been realized, providing skipped (Z,E)-diene derivatives. With (E)-but-2-ene-1,4-diyl dimethyl dicarbonate as the substrate, an efficient enantioselective synthesis of 1-benzazepine derivatives via an Ir-catalyzed domino allylic vinylation/intramolecular allylic amination reaction has been developed. Mechanistic studies of the allylic vinylation reaction have been carried out, and the results suggest that the leaving group of the allylic precursor plays a key role in directing the reaction pathway. Screening of various allylic precursors showed that Ir-catalyzed reactions of allyl diethyl phosphates with o-aminostyrene derivatives proceed via an allylic amination pathway. A subsequent ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction of the amination products led to a series of enantiomerically enriched 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives. Their utility is indicated by an asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-angustureine.     

Enzymatic syntheses of chiral building blocks with trifluoromethyl or pentafluoroethyl groups

A number of optically active allylic alcohols with a trifluoromethyl or a pentafluoroethyl group were prepared by the biological reduction of the corresponding ketones with active fermenting baker's yeast.     

Direct, stereoselective substitution in [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2)-catalyzed allylic alkylations of unsymmetrical substrates

[Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) has been found to possess the unusual property of catalyzing allylic alkylations of unsymmetrical allylic carbonates with high levels of regioselectivity to provide products arising from substitution at the carbon atom bearing the leaving group, irrespective of the structure of the starting carbonate. The substitution reaction occurs with retention of stereochemistry at the reacting center, and the carbon-carbon double-bond stereochemistry of primary (Z)-allylic carbonates is maintained. [reaction: see text]     

Retention of regiochemistry and chirality in the ruthenium catalyzed allylic alkylation of disubstituted allylic esters

The regiospecific nucleophilic substitution during the ruthenium catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1,3-unsymmetrical disubstituted allylic esters was demonstrated. The nucleophile was selectively introduced at the position originally substituted with leaving group in the 2-DPPBA or ip-pybox ligated [RuCl(2)(p-cymene)](2) catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1,3-unsymmetrical disubstituted allylic esters. The chirality of the optically active allylic esters was also transferred to the alkylated products.     

Palladium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective formate reduction of fluorine-containing allylic mesylates. A new entry for the construction of a tertiary carbon attached with a fluoroalkyl group

The regioselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction of gamma-fluoroalkylated allylic esters is described. Reduction of the allylic esters under the influence of palladium with a monodentate phosphine ligand proceeded preferentially at the gamma position, the corresponding reduction products with a fluoroalkyl group at the tertiary carbon being afforded in high yields. When the chiral allylic ester was employed, complete chirality transfer was observed, leading to the optically active materials in high yields.