Catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of indoles to simple α,β-unsaturated ketones

Chiral [Al(salen)Cl] complex (10 mol%) in the presence of 2,6-lutidine (10 mol%) was found to be effective in catalysing the enantioselective Friedel-Crafts-type conjugate addition of indoles (3) to (E)-arylcrotyl ketones (2), furnishing the corresponding β-indolyl ketones in excellent yield and high enantioselectivity (ee up to 89%).     

Diastereoselective addition of nitro compounds to α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones

Herein, we report our results on the diastereoselective addition of nitro compounds to α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones, which afforded the corresponding Michael adducts 9-17 in moderate to good yields and good to excellent diastereoisomeric ratio. A one-pot conversion of α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones 7 and 8 to the corresponding trisubstituted keto-γ-butyrolactones 24 and 25 via a tandem Michael-Nef protocol is also described.     

Recyclable graphite oxide catalyzed Friedel-Crafts addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones

The Friedel-Crafts addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones, and nitro styrenes was studied with graphite oxide as catalyst. Various indole derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields. The preparation of graphite oxide catalyst from simple and readily available starting materials makes this method more affordable. The heterogeneous graphite oxide can be easily recovered and recycled up to five cycles without loss of activity.     

Rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition of arylindium reagents to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

A novel rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition of indium reagents to electron deficient olefins is reported. The reaction takes place in THF/MeOH at 110 °C using arylindium dichlorides, a rhodium(I)-binap complex as catalyst, and α,β-unsaturated ketones and lactones in good yields (45–94%). The addition of MeOH is crucial for an efficient transformation and NMR studies seem to indicate that promotes the catalytic cycle leaving the indium organometallic unaltered. The use of chiral non-racemic ligands allows performing the reaction with moderate enantioselectivities.     

A rapid and highly efficient Michael addition of methoxybenzenes and indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones using BF3·OEt2 as a catalyst

An efficient and general protocol is described for the Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated ketones with electron-rich arenes/indoles to give alkylated arenes/indoles under mild reaction condition at room temperature. Shorter reaction time, convenient and good isolated yields are the significant features of this protocol. Moreover, the procedure is environmentally benign in nature and applicable to variety of arenes/indoles as well as α,β-unsaturated ketones.     

Green, efficient and practical Michael addition of arylamines to α,β-unsaturated ketones

The aza-Michael addition of aromatic amines to α,β-unsaturated ketones was carried out effectively at room temperature in good to excellent yields without any catalyst or solvent. It was significant that part of adducts could be collected in almost quantitative yield without column chromatography. This procedure offered a green, efficient, and practical approach for the synthesis of β-amino ketones.     

Visible-light-mediated addition of α-aminoalkyl radicals generated from α-silylamines to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Visible-light-mediated addition of α-aminoalkyl radicals generated from α-silylamines to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using a photoredox catalyst is developed. We also succeeded in the isolation of a silyl enol ether as a primary product of the photochemical reaction.     

Gallium trichloride-catalyzed conjugate addition of indole and pyrrole to α,β-unsaturated ketones in aqueous media

Michael addition of indole and pyrrole to a variety ofα,β-unsaturated ketones was efficiently promoted by a catalytic amount of GaCl_3 in aqueous media to afford the corresponding products in good to excellent yields.     

Effect of chiral diene ligands in rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated sulfonyl compounds

Asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated sulfonyl compounds proceeded in the presence of a rhodium catalyst coordinated with a chiral diene ligand to give high yields of the addition products with high enantioselectivity (96->99.5% ee). The diene ligand was proved to be essential for the formation of the addition products, while the use of a bisphosphine ligand mainly gave the cine-substitution product.     

Cobalt-catalyzed conjugate addition of silylacetylenes to α,β-unsaturated ketones

Catalytic addition of silylacetylenes to α,β-unsaturated ketones proceeded in the presence of a cobalt complex coordinated with a bisphosphine ligand to give high yields of β-alkynylketones.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate addition of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated ketones in water

The catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition reaction of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated ketones promoted by chiral bifunctional organocatalysts is described. The treatment of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated ketones under aqueous-phase reaction conditions afforded the corresponding Michael adducts with high enantioselectivity. The conjugate addition adducts are easily converted to chiral δ-keto nitroalkanes and δ-keto esters.     

Organocatalytic oxy-Michael addition of alcohols to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

1,4-Addition of alcohols to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was found to be efficiently promoted by biphenyldiamine-based catalyst 3 without formation of the acetals.     

Indium/copper-mediated conjugate addition of unactivated alkyl iodides to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in water

An efficient method for the conjugate addition of unactivated alkyl iodides to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using indium/copper in water is described. The reactions proceed more efficiently in water than in organic solvents. In, CuI, and InCl₃ are all essential for efficient reaction. Formation of a symmetrical vic-diarylalkane is observed when an aryl-substituted alkene is used as substrate.     

Promiscuous enzyme-catalyzed regioselective Michael addition of purine derivatives to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in organic solvent

Regioselective Michael addition of purine derivatives to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds could be catalyzed by d-aminoacylase amano (DA) in DMSO. The influence of reaction conditions on the Michael addition, including solvent, temperature, and enzyme concentration was systematically investigated. Then we extended this methodology to six structurally diverse purine derivatives and a variety of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. 21 Michael adducts were selectively synthesized in moderate to high yields. It is the first report on enzyme-catalyzed Michael addition for the preparation of purine derivatives.     

Palladium-catalyzed desulfitative addition of sodium sulfinates with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

A palladium-catalyzed desulfitative conjugate addition of sodium sulfinates with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is described. The reaction showed very good selectivity and tolerated a wide range of functionalities under an atmosphere of argon.     

Alkylating potential of α,β-unsaturated compounds

Alkylation reactions of the nucleoside guanosine (Guo) by the α,β-unsaturated compounds (α,β-UC) acrylonitrile (AN), acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA) and acrolein (AC), which can act as alkylating agents of DNA, were investigated kinetically. The following conclusions were drawn: i) The Guo alkylation mechanism by AC is different from those brought about the other α,β-UC; ii) for the first three, the following sequence of alkylating potential was found: AN > AM > AA; iii) A correlation between the chemical reactivity (alkylation rate constants) of AN, AM, and AA and their capacity to form adducts with biomarkers was found. iv) Guo alkylation reactions for AN and AM occur through Michael addition mechanisms, reversible in the first case, and irreversible in the second. The equilibrium constant for the formation of the Guo-AN adduct is K(eq) (37 °C) = 5 × 10(-4); v) The low energy barrier (≈10 kJ mol(-1)) to reverse the Guo alkylation by AN reflects the easy reversibility of this reaction and its possible correction by repair mechanisms; vi) No reaction was observed for AN, AM, and AA at pH < 8.0. In contrast, Guo alkylation by AC was observed under cellular pH conditions. The reaction rate constants for the formation of the α-OH-Guo adduct (the most genotoxic isomer), is 1.5-fold faster than that of γ-OH-Guo. vii) a correlation between the chemical reactivity of α,β-UC (alkylation rate constants) and mutagenicity was found.     

1,4-Addition of tetraethyl fluoromethylenebisphosphonate to α,β-unsaturated compounds

Tetraethyl fluoromethylenebisphosphonate in the presence of cesium carbonate in DMF undergoes efficient 1,4-addition to Michael acceptors having terminal double bond such as α,β-unsaturated ketones, esters, sulfones, sulfoxides, and phosphonates to yield the corresponding adducts (α-alkyl-α-fluoromethylenebisphosphonates) in good to excellent yields.     

Highly effective and regioselective Michael addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones promoted by pentafluorophenylammonium triflate

A simple, inexpensive, environmentally friendly and efficient route for Michael addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones using pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT) as a catalyst is described. Various indole derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields. The preparation of PFPAT catalyst from simple and readily available starting materials makes this method more affordable.