Enantioselective syntheses of tremulenediol A and tremulenolide A

A concise entry to the skeleton of the tremulane sesquiterpenes is described that culminated in the first enantioselective syntheses of tremulenediol A and tremulenolide A. The approach features a series of efficient transition metal-catalyzed reactions commencing with an enantioselective rhodium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation followed by a regioselective allylic alkylation and a diastereoselective rhodium(I)-catalyzed [5+2] cycloaddition.     

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric ring opening of oxabicyclic alkenes with organoboronic acids

The first rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric addition of organoboronic acids to oxabicyclic alkenes is reported. This asymmetric ring-opening (ARO) reaction can proceed in high yield under very mild conditions with electronically diverse organoboronic acids, in a highly diastereoselective and enantioselective manner. [structure: see text]     

A new beta-carbolinone synthesis using a Rh(II)-promoted [3 + 2]-cycloaddition and Pd(0) cross-coupling/Heck cyclization chemistry

[reaction: see text]. A short and efficient synthesis of the beta-carbolinone ring system was achieved using a rhodium(II)-catalyzed [3 + 2]-cycloaddition, a Pd(0)-catalyzed C-N amination reaction, and a subsequent intramolecular Heck reaction as the key synthetic steps.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction and cycloisomerization of allenynes: selective preparation of monocyclic, bicyclo[m.3.0], and bicyclo[5.2.0] ring systems

[reaction: see text] Rhodium(I)-catalyzed PKR of allenynes was found to be applicable for constructing azabicyclo[5.3.0]decadienone as well as oxabicyclo[5.3.0]decadienone frameworks. In addition, a reliable procedure for constructing a 10-monosubstituted bicyclo[5.3.0]deca-1,7-dien-9-one ring system by the rhodium(I)-catalyzed PKR of allenynes was developed under the condition of 10 atm of CO. Investigation of the rhodium(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 4-phenylsulfonylnona-2,3-dien-8-ynes under nitrogen atmosphere gave the corresponding cyclohexene derivatives, whereas the C1-homologated allenynes produced cycloheptene derivatives and/or bicyclo[5.2.0]nonene skeletons depending on the substitution pattern at the allenic terminus. Thus, proper choice of the starting allenynes and reaction conditions led to the selective formation of 2-phenylsulfonylbicyclo[5.3.0]deca-1,7-dien-9-ones (Pauson-Khand-type product), 3-alkylidene-1-phenylsulfonyl-2-vinylcycloheptene derivatives, and bicyclo[5.2.0]nonene frameworks.     

Stereoselective C-glycoside formation by a rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to acetylated enones derived from glycals

[reaction: see text] A new method for the formation of C-glycosides has been developed employing a cationic rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to enones derived from glycals. The reaction is stereoselective for the alpha-anomer and is highly dependent on the nature of the rhodium catalyst.     

Intramolecular isomünchnone cycloaddition approach to the antitumor agent camptothecin

A novel, convergent approach to the antitumor agent camptothecin has been developed with a rhodium (II)-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition as the key step.     

The diazo route to diazonamide A. Studies on the indole bis-oxazole fragment

[structure: see text] Various approaches to the indole bis-oxazole fragment of the marine secondary metabolite diazonamide A are described, all of which feature dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds in key steps. Thus, 3-bromophenylacetaldehyde is converted into an alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester, dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of which with N-Boc-valinamide resulted in N-H insertion of the intermediate rhodium carbene to give a ketoamide that readily underwent cyclodehydration to give (S)-2-(1-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]-5-(3-bromobenzyl)oxazole-4-carboxamide, after ammonolysis of the initially formed ester. This aryl bromide was then coupled to a 3-formyl-indole-4-boronate under Pd catalysis to give the expected biaryl. Subsequent conversion of the aldehyde group into a second alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester gave a substrate for an intramolecular carbene N-H insertion, although attempts to effect this cyclization were unsuccessful. A second approach to an indole bis-oxazole involved an intermolecular rhodium carbene N-H insertion, followed by oxazole formation to give (S)-2-[1-tert-(butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]-5-methyloxazole-4-carboxamide. A further N-H insertion of this carboxmide with the rhodium carbene derived from ethyl 2-diazo-3-[1-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)indol-3-yl]-3-oxopropanoate gave a ketoamide, cyclodehydration of which gave the desired indole bis-oxazole. Finally, the boronate formed from 4-bromotryptamine was coupled to another diazocarbonyl-derived oxazole to give the corresponding biaryl, deprotection and cyclization of which produced a macrocyclic indole-oxazole derivative. Subsequent oxidation and cyclodehydration incorporated the second oxazole and gave the macrocyclic indole bis-oxazole.     

Highly efficient synthesis of terminal alkenes from ketones

[reaction: see text] The rhodium(I)-catalyzed methylenation of ketones using trimethylsilyldiazomethane proceeds to give the corresponding alkenes in good yields (60-97%). The use of an excess of 2-propanol and 1,4-dioxane as a solvent were instrumental to obtain the desired alkenes in high yields. Superior results were achieved with the rhodium(I)-catalyzed methylenation in comparison with the standard Wittig reaction.     

Unexpected C-C bond cleavage of epoxide motif: rhodium(I)-catalyzed tandem heterocyclization/[4+1] cycloaddition of 1-(1-alkynyl)oxiranyl ketones

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed tandem heterocyclization and formal [4+1] cycloaddition of 1-(1-alkynyl)oxiranyl ketones was developed, which provides a general, efficient and practical route to highly substituted furo[3,4-b]furan-3(2H)-ones, wherein the epoxide motif undergo unexpected C-C bond cleavage rather than the classical C-O bond cleavage.     

Unique strategy for the assembly of the carbon skeleton of guanacastepene A using an allenic Pauson-Khand-type reaction

[reaction: see text] An approach to the highly functionalized tricyclic core of guanacastepene A has been developed using a rhodium(I)-catalyzed allenic Pauson-Khand reaction. This approach constitutes a conceptually novel strategy for the synthesis of this tricyclic framework, whereby the six-membered ring is formed intially followed by simultaneous formation of the five- and seven-membered rings.     

Enantioselective Silylation of Aliphatic C−H Bonds for the Synthesis of Silicon-Stereogenic Dihydrobenzosiloles

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed enantioselective silylation of aliphatic C−H bonds for the synthesis of silicon-stereogenic dihydrobenzosiloles is demonstrated. This reaction involves a highly enantioselective intramolecular C(sp³)−H silylation of dihydrosilanes, followed by a stereospecific intermolecular alkene hydrosilylation leading to the asymmetrically tetrasubstituted silanes. A wide range of dihydrosilanes and alkenes displaying various functional groups are compatible with this process, giving access to a variety of highly functionalized silicon-stereogenic dihydrobenzosiloles in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities.     

Cationic palladium(II)-catalyzed highly enantioselective [3+2] annulation of 2-acylarylboronic acids with substituted alkynes

A cationic palladium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective tandem [3+2] annulation of 2-acylarylboronic acids with substituted alkynes to yield optically active 1-indenols was developed in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.     

Tandem cyclization of alkynes via rhodium alkynyl and alkenylidene catalysis

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed tandem cyclization of alkynes has been developed. The reaction allows for multiple bond formations to occur at both the alpha- and beta-positions of alkynes under mild conditions to yield a variety of fused ring systems as the products. In the presence of triethylamine and the complex derived from [Rh(COD)Cl]2 and P(4-F-C6H4)3, a terminal alkyne is converted to a rhodium alkynyl species which reacts with a tethered alkyl halide at the beta-position to provide a beta,beta-disubstituted alkenylidene complex. The rhodium alkenylidene species then undergoes additional ring closures with a range of pendent functional groups such as alkene, hydroxyl, and phenyl groups through [2 + 2] cycloaddition, nucleophilic addition, and 6pi-electrocyclization processes, respectively.     

Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Acetophenone over Cinchonidine-Stabilized and Supported Rhodium Clusters

Because of the importance of the chirality in chemicals in everyday, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure chiral compounds has become an important academic and commercial advantage. In asymmetric synthesis field, enantioselective catalysis has been the most challenging subject over the past decades. Among the numerous enantioselective heterogeneous catalysts, the rhodium is always an unsuccessful example under favorable reaction conditions with only 20%-30% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)^[1].And almost all of papers about heterogeneous enantioselective catalysis have reported that rhodium is not suitable for heterogeneous enantioselective hydrogenation^[1-3].     

A stereochemically well-defined rhodium(III) catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

[reaction: see text] A rhodium(III) catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones has been designed. The incorporation of a tethering group between the diamino group and the cyclopentadienyl unit provides extra stereochemical rigidity. The catalyst is capable of enantioselective reduction of a range of ketones in excellent ee using formic acid/triethylamine as both the solvent and the reducing agent.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-roccellaric acid

[reaction in text] A new strategy for the synthesis of anti-4,5-disubstituted gamma-butyrolactones starting from inexpensive furan-2-carboxylic methyl ester was developed. By applying this methodology, the enantioselective synthesis of (-)-roccellaric acid ((-)-17) was accomplished using a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation, a tin(IV)-catalyzed retroaldol/lactonization sequence of cyclopropanols, and a ruthenium-catalyzed intermolecular metathesis reaction as key steps.     

Rhodium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkenyl isocyanates and alkynes

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition between alkenyl isocyanates and alkynes has been developed. Heating a mixture of an alkenyl isocyanate and a symmetrical internal alkyne in the presence of [Rh(ethylene)2Cl]2/P(4-OMe-C6H4)3 in toluene delivers substituted indolizinones and quinolizinones. Depending on the substrates, a rare fragmentation of the isocyanate unit can be involved within the cycloaddition process to furnish a vinylogous amide embedded in the indolizinone.     

Rhodium-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to isatins: an entry to diversity in 3-aryl-3-hydroxyoxindoles

[reaction: see text] A general method for the catalytic 1,2-addition of aryl and alkenyl boronic acids to isatins is described using a rhodium(I)/triphenylphosphite catalyst. The application of this transformation allows the synthesis of a variety of 3-aryl-3-hydroxyoxindole building blocks in high yields. An enantioselective version of this reaction using a rhodium(I)/phosphoramidite system is also presented.     

Some new C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene ligands: synthesis and catalytic activity in rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4- and 1,2-additions

C₂-Symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes with various substituents (R=Bn, i-Bu, c-Hex, allyl) are prepared starting from the corresponding enantiomerically pure bis-triflate (R=OTf). These chiral ligands are tested and compared in rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4- and 1,2-addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclic enones and aryl aldehydes, respectively. Some interesting reactivity and selectivity effects due to the introduction of sterically demanding or olefinic substituents are reported. Moreover, remarkably high catalytic activity is observed for the rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,2-addition.     

A new atropisomeric P,N ligand for rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroboration

A new optically active and large dihedral angle atropisomeric P,N ligand, pyphos, which contains a tertiary phosphine and pyridine moiety, was prepared and resolved through diastereomeric complexation with chiral palladium amine complexes. The hexafluorophosphate salt of the diastereomers were found to be separable by fractional recyrstallization, while the corresponding chloride salt did not. [Rh(COD)pyphos]PF(6) complex was synthesized by metalation of pyphos with [Rh(COD)Cl](2) followed by anion exchange with NH(4)PF(6) in excellent yield, and the target rhodium complex was characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The chiral cationic rhodium complex was utilized in the enantioselective hydroboration of vinylarenes. Excellent regioselectivity and good enantioselectivity were observed, and the ee values were found to be dependent on the electronic properties of para-substituted styrenes.