Catalytic Asymmetric Diels–Alder Reaction/[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement Cascade of 1‐Thiocyanatobutadienes

A highly efficient asymmetric Diels–Alder/[3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement reaction of methyleneindolinones with 1‐thiocyanatobutadienes has been realized by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/nickel(II) complex as the catalyst. A range of cyclohexenyl isothiocyanates were synthesized in high yields with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Based on mechanistic studies, a catalytic cycle with possible transition‐state models were proposed to explain the process.     

Catalytic Enantioselective α‐Ketol Rearrangement

A highly enantioselective α‐ketol rearrangement has been developed. In the presence of a chiral Cu‐bisoxazoline complex, achiral β‐hydroxy‐α‐dicarbonyls were isomerized to chiral α‐hydroxy‐β‐dicarbonyls and their bicyclic derivatives in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Enantioenriched 2‐acyl‐2‐hydroxy cyclohexan‐1‐ones, dihydroxyhexahydrobenzofuranones, and dihydroxyhexahydro‐cycloheptafuranones, with up to three stereocenters, were readily prepared from achiral starting materials in one operation. The reaction is applicable to the desymmetrization of meso substrates and kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Construction of Vicinal Tertiary and All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters by Allylation of β‐Ketocarbonyls with Morita–Baylis–Hillman Adducts

Palladium‐catalyzed regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective allylic alkylation of β‐ketocarbonyls with Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts has been developed using a spiroketal‐based diphosphine (SKP) as the ligand, thus affording a range of densely functionalized products bearing vicinal tertiary and all‐carbon quaternary stereodyad in high selectivities. The utility of the protocol was demonstrated by the facile synthesis of some complex molecules by simple product transformations.