Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Annulation To Construct Functionalized β‐ and γ‐Lactones in Ionic Liquids

A highly efficient and mild palladium‐catalyzed, one‐pot, four‐step cascade annulation has been developed to afford functionalized β‐ and γ‐lactones in moderate to good yields with high regio‐ and diastereoselectivities in ionic liquids. The employment of ionic liquids under mild reaction conditions makes this transformation green and practical. Especially, this reaction provided a novel and convenient methodology for the construction of naturally occurring biologically active β‐ and γ‐lactones.     

Cascade Synthesis of Five‐Membered Lactones using Biomass‐Derived Sugars as Carbon Nucleophiles

We report the cascade synthesis of five‐membered lactones from a biomass‐derived triose sugar, 1,3‐dihydroxyacetone, and various aldehydes. This achievement provides a new synthetic strategy to generate a wide range of valuable compounds from a single biomass‐derived sugar. Among several examined Lewis acid catalysts, homogeneous tin chloride catalysts exhibited the best performance to form carbon–carbon bonds. The scope and limitations of the synthesis of five‐membered lactones using aldehyde compounds are investigated. The cascade reaction led to high product selectivity as well as diastereoselectivity, and the mechanism leading to the diastereoselectivity was discussed based on isomerization experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The present results are expected to support new approaches for the efficient utilization of biomass‐derived sugars.     

Highly Enantioselective Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Carbonyl Carboacylations Initiated by CC Bond Activation

The lactone motif is ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceuticals. The Tishchenko disproportionation of two aldehydes, a carbonyl hydroacylation, is an efficient and atom‐economic access to lactones. However, these reaction types are limited to the transfer of a hydride to the accepting carbonyl group. The transfer of alkyl groups enabling the formation of C? C bonds during the ester formation would be of significant interest. Reported herein is such asymmetric carbonyl carboacylation of aldehydes and ketones, thus affording complex bicyclic lactones in excellent enantioselectivities. The rhodium(I)‐catalyzed transformation is induced by an enantiotopic C? C bond activation of a cyclobutanone and the formed rhodacyclic intermediate reacts with aldehyde or ketone groups to give highly functionalized lactones.     

A General and Mild Catalytic α‐Alkylation of Unactivated Esters Using Alcohols

Catalytic α‐alkylation of esters with primary alcohols is a desirable process because it uses low‐toxicity agents and generates water as the by‐product. Reported herein is a NCP pincer/Ir catalyst which is highly efficient for α‐alkylation of a broad scope of unactivated esters under mild reaction conditions. For the first time, alcohols alkylate unactivated α‐substituted acyclic esters, lactones, and even methyl and ethyl acetates. This method can be applied to the synthesis of carboxylic acid derivatives with diverse structures and functional groups, some of which would be impossible to access by conventional enolate alkylations with alkyl halides.     

Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of (+)‐trans‐Dihydronarciclasine

A highly stereoselective and efficient total synthesis of trans‐dihydronarciclasine from a readily available chiral starting material was developed. The synthesis defines two of the five stereogenic centers of the natural product by an amino acid ester–enolate Claisen rearrangement. The other three stereogenic centers are created in a highly stereocontrolled fashion via a six‐ring vinylogous ester intermediate, which is generated from the γ,δ‐unsaturated ester functional group of the Claisen rearrangement product in an efficient three‐step sequence. This concise total synthesis exemplifies the use of a highly regioselective Friedel–Crafts‐type cyclization to form the B ring via an isocyanate intermediate derived from an N‐Boc group, which is superior to the conventional method using an imino triflate intermediate. This same N‐Boc group is employed to give high selectivity in the Claisen rearrangement earlier in the sequence.     

N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Indoles

A convergent and efficient transition‐metal‐free catalytic synthesis of 2‐aryl‐indoles has been developed. The interception of a highly reactive and transient aza‐ortho‐quinone methide by an acyl anion equivalent generated through N‐hetereocyclic carbene catalysis is central to this successful strategy. High yields and a wide scope as well as the streamlined synthesis of a kinase inhibitor are reported.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of γ‐Amino Acids Featuring Quaternary Stereocenters

The first general asymmetric synthesis of γ,γ‐disubstituted γ‐amino acids by copper‐catalyzed ring opening of nonstrained lactones with amines is reported. This approach features ample scope, operational simplicity, and wide functional‐group diversity. The catalytic process allows access to a series of highly functionalized enantioenriched γ‐amino acids featuring quaternary stereocenters with excellent enantiomeric ratios of up to 98:2 and excellent yields of up to 98 %.     

Development of Asymmetric Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Organotin‐Alkoxide Reagents

Asymmetric catalysis under almost‐neutral reaction conditions is key for the efficient synthesis of optically active polar molecules. We have developed catalytic enantioselective reactions of acyclic or cyclic alkenyl esters by using an (S)‐BINOL‐derived chiral tin‐dibromide reagent that possesses a bulky aryl group at the 3 or 3′ position as the chiral pre‐catalyst in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and an alcohol, in which a chiral tin alkoxide bromide is generated in situ and recycled with the assistance of an alcohol. In this Personal Account, we describe three types of asymmetric transformation that proceed through a chiral tin enolate: 1) The asymmetric aldol reaction of alkenyl esters or unsaturated lactones with aldehydes or isatins; 2) the asymmetric three‐component Mannich‐type reaction of alkenyl esters and related cycloaddition reactions; and 3) the asymmetric N‐nitroso aldol reaction of unsaturated lactones with nitrosoarenes.     

Synthesis of β‐Methoxyacrylate Natural Products Based on Box‐PdII‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Methoxycarbonylation of Alkynoles

Bis(oxazoline)‐palladium(II) catalyzed carbonylation of homopropargyl alcohols afforded acyclic methoxyacrylate 2 and 6‐membered lactone 3a , 3b , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k in good combined yield. In the case of propargyl alcohols, 5‐membered lactones 3p , 3q , 16 were obtained in moderate yields. The one‐pot synthesis of kawa lactones 3a , 3r , 3s and formal synthesis of dihydroxycystothiazole A and dihydroxycystothiazole C are presented. To elucidate the stereochemistry of (+)‐annularin G and (?)‐annularin H, the first asymmetric syntheses of these natural products were achieved.     

Electrochemical Intramolecular C—H/O—H Cross‐Coupling of 2‐Arylbenzoic Acids

A synthetic protocol to lactones by electro‐oxidative induced C—H activation of 2‐arylbenzoic acids has been developed. By using Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution as a cheap and green supporting electrolyte, different 2‐arylbenzoic acids could provide the corresponding lactones in 30%—90% yields. This reaction could be conducted on a gram scale with a good efficiency as well as a high utility for natural product synthesis.     

Solvent‐free ring‐opening polymerization of lactones with hydrogen‐bonding bisurea catalyst

Development of effective organocatalysts for the living ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones is highly desired for the preparation of biocompatible and biodegradable polyesters with controlled microstructures and physical properties. Herein, a new class of hydrogen‐bond donating bisurea catalysts is reported for the ROP of lactones under solvent‐free conditions. ROP of lactones mediated by the bisurea/7‐methyl‐1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (MTBD) catalyst exhibits a living/controlled manner, affording the polymers and copolymers with the well‐defined structure, predictable molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distribution, and high selectivity for monomer at low catalyst loadings at ambient temperature. The possible mechanism of bisurea/MTBD‐catalyzed ROP of lactones is proposed, in which the bisurea activates the carbonyl group of lactones while MTBD facilitates the nucleophilic attack of the initiating/propagating alcohol by hydrogen bonding. Moreover, the poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐δ‐valerolactone) [P(CL‐co‐VL)] random copolymers with various compositions were synthesized using the bisurea/MTBD catalyst. The measurements of thermal properties and crystalline structure demonstrate that the CL and VL units are cocrystallized in the crystalline phase of P(CL‐co‐VL) copolymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 90–100     

Efficient Total Synthesis of (S)‐14‐Azacamptothecin

An efficient total synthesis of (S)‐14‐azacamptothecin has been accomplished in 10 steps and 56 % overall yield from 5H‐pyrano[4,3‐d]pyrimidine 8 . A mild Hendrickson reagent‐triggered intramolecular cascade cyclization, a highly enantioselective dihydroxylation, and an efficient palladium‐catalyzed transformation of an O‐allyl into N‐allyl group are the key steps in the synthesis. This work provides a much higher overall yield than the previous achievement and shows sound flexibility for the further applications that will lead to new bioactive analogues.     

A General Entry to Antifeedant Sesterterpenoids: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐Norleucosceptroid B,and (−)‐Leucosceptroid K

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the antifeedant terpenoids (+)‐norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐norleucosceptroid B, and (−)‐leucosceptroid K has been accomplished. This highly concise synthetic route was guided by our efforts to develop a platform for the collective synthesis of a whole family of antifeedant natural products. The synthesis features a Hauser–Kraus‐type annulation followed by an unprecedented, highly efficient intramolecular dilactol aldol‐type condensation reaction to produce the 5,6,5 skeleton. The developed synthetic route proceeds for norleucosceptroid A and B in 16 steps (longest linear sequence) from known compounds.     

SpinPhox/Iridium(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Cyclic α‐Alkylidene Carbonyl Compounds

Optically active medium‐sized cyclic carbonyl compounds bearing an α‐chiral carbon center are of interest in pharmaceutical sciences and asymmetric synthesis. Herein, SpinPhox/Ir^I catalysts have been demonstrated to be highly enantioselective in the asymmetric hydrogenation of the CC bonds in the exocyclic α,β‐unsaturated cyclic carbonyls, including a broad range of α‐alkylidene lactams, unsaturated cyclic ketones, and lactones. It is noteworthy that the procedure can be successfully used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of the challenging α‐alkylidenelactam substrates with six‐ or seven‐membered rings, thus affording the corresponding optically active carbonyl compounds with an α‐chiral carbon center in generally excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 98 % ee). Synthetic utility of the protocol has also been demonstrated in the asymmetric synthesis of the anti‐inflammatory drug loxoprofen and its analogue, as well as biologically important ε‐aminocaproic acid derivatives.     

Palladium‐catalysed cyclocarbonylation reactions in dimethyl carbonate,an eco‐friendly solvent and ring‐opening reagent

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is used as an alternative and eco‐friendly solvent for selective cyclocarbonylation reactions of allyl phenol derivatives for the synthesis of lactones; in some cases, depending on the reaction condition, DMC behaves as a ring‐opening reagent producing methoxycarbonyl compounds. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel π2s+π2a Electrocyclization of Triethylenic‐Malonic Acids Exemplified for a One‐Pot Synthesis of New γ‐Dilactones cis‐Fused with a Cyclopentene

A new, easy and rapid synthesis of γ‐dilactones is cis‐fused with a cyclopentenic ring via cyclization of 7‐chlorotriethylenic‐malonic acids. The key step implicates an intramolecular cyclization to a cyclopentenyl cation, according to an electrocyclic π_2s + π_2a conrotatory process. This cyclopentenyl cation led to unstable γ‐lactones intermediates that are rearrange to more stable isomers. δ‐lactones (6Z and 6E‐(3‐chlorobut‐2‐en‐2‐yl)‐5‐methyl‐3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one) were obtained as secondary products. Mechanistic pathways were considered. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by elemental and spectral data.     

A General Entry to Antifeedant Sesterterpenoids: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐Norleucosceptroid B,and (−)‐Leucosceptroid K

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the antifeedant terpenoids (+)‐norleucosceptroid A, (?)‐norleucosceptroid B, and (?)‐leucosceptroid K has been accomplished. This highly concise synthetic route was guided by our efforts to develop a platform for the collective synthesis of a whole family of antifeedant natural products. The synthesis features a Hauser–Kraus‐type annulation followed by an unprecedented, highly efficient intramolecular dilactol aldol‐type condensation reaction to produce the 5,6,5 skeleton. The developed synthetic route proceeds for norleucosceptroid A and B in 16 steps (longest linear sequence) from known compounds.     

Construction of Fused Pyrrolidines and β‐Lactones by Carbene‐Catalyzed C−N,C−C,and C−O Bond Formations

A carbene‐catalyzed intermolecular C−N bond formation, which initiates a highly selective cascade reaction for the synthesis of pyrrolidine fused β‐lactones, is disclosed. The nitrogen‐containing bicyclic β‐lactone products are obtained with good yields and excellent stereoselectivities. Synthetic transformations of the reaction products into useful functional molecules, such as amino catalysts, can be efficiently realized under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistically, this study provides insights into modulating the reactivities of heteroatoms, such as nitrogen atoms, in challenging carbene‐catalyzed asymmetric carbon–heteroatom bond‐forming reactions.     

Construction of Fused Pyrrolidines and β‐Lactones by Carbene‐Catalyzed C−N,C−C,and C−O Bond Formations

A carbene‐catalyzed intermolecular C−N bond formation, which initiates a highly selective cascade reaction for the synthesis of pyrrolidine fused β‐lactones, is disclosed. The nitrogen‐containing bicyclic β‐lactone products are obtained with good yields and excellent stereoselectivities. Synthetic transformations of the reaction products into useful functional molecules, such as amino catalysts, can be efficiently realized under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistically, this study provides insights into modulating the reactivities of heteroatoms, such as nitrogen atoms, in challenging carbene‐catalyzed asymmetric carbon–heteroatom bond‐forming reactions.     

Solvent‐free Synthesis of 1,8‐Dioxo‐octahydroxanthenes and Tetra‐hydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones over Poly(N,N′‐dibromo‐N‐ethylnaphtyl‐2,7‐sulfonamide)

In this work, poly(N,N ′‐dibromo‐N ‐ethylnaphtyl‐2,7‐sulfonamide) (PDNES ) as a highly efficient catalyst was applied for the synthesis of 1,8‐dioxo‐octahydroxanthenes and tetra‐hydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones under neutral and solvent‐free conditions.