Enantioselective Formal [4+2] Cycloadditions to 3‐Nitroindoles by Trienamine Catalysis: Synthesis of Chiral Dihydrocarbazoles

The first enantioselective formal [4+2] cycloadditions of 3‐nitroindoles are presented. By using 3‐nitroindoles in combination with an organocatalyst, chiral dihydrocarbazole scaffolds are formed in moderate to good yields (up to 87 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). The reaction was extended to include enantioselective [4+2] cycloadditions of 3‐nitrobenzothiophene. The reaction proceeds through a [4+2] cycloaddition/elimination cascade under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, a diastereoselective reduction of an enantioenriched cycloadduct is presented. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed based on experimental and computational studies.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Tandem Reaction of Tertiary Enamides: Expeditious Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline Alkaloid Derivatives

Reported is a new and efficient strategy for rapid construction of the chiral tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolin‐3(2H)‐one structure from unique tertiary enamide synthons. A Cu(OTf)₂/chiral Pybox complex catalyzes the intramolecular enantioselective addition of tertiary enamides to ketonic carbonyls with subsequent diastereoselective interception of the resulting acyliminium by tethered electron‐rich aryl moiety. The tandem reaction produces diverse tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolin‐3(2H)‐one derivatives as the sole diastereoisomers in good to excellent yields with up to 98.5 % ee. The transformations of the resulting heterocycles into various hexahydropyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives were also demonstrated. The cyclization products, which are difficult to obtain by other synthetic means, are structural motifs found in many bioactive alkaloids.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3,3′‐Diaryloxindoles as Triarylmethanes with a Chiral All‐Carbon Quaternary Center: Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed SNAr Reaction

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanes with a chiral all‐carbon quaternary center was achieved by using a chiral bifunctional quaternary phosphonium bromide catalyst in the S_NAr reaction of 3‐aryloxindoles under phase‐transfer conditions. The presence of a urea moiety in the chiral phase‐transfer catalyst was important for obtaining high enantioselectivity in this reaction.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric 1,6‐Addition/1,4‐Addition Sequence to 2,4‐Dienals for the Synthesis of Chiral Chromans

A novel asymmetric organocatalytic 1,6‐addition/1,4‐addition sequence to 2,4‐dienals is described. Based on a 1,6‐Friedel–Crafts/1,4‐oxa‐Michael cascade, the organocatalyst directs the reaction of hydroxyarenes with a vinylogous iminium‐ion intermediate to give only one out of four possible regioisomers, thus providing optically active chromans in high yields and 94–99 % ee. Furthermore, several transformations are presented, including the formation of an optically active macrocyclic lactam. Finally, the mechanism for the novel reaction is discussed based on computational studies.     

Diastereodivergent Catalysis Using Modularly Designed Organocatalysts: Synthesis of both cis‐ and trans‐Fused Pyrano[2,3‐b]pyrans

Both enantiomers of cis‐ and trans‐fused 3,4,4a,8a‐tetrahydro‐2H,5H‐pyrano[2,3‐b]pyran‐7‐carboxylates have been obtained in high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities from the same starting materials using a tandem inverse‐electron‐demand hetero‐Diels–Alder/oxa‐Michael reaction catalyzed by modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs). Diastereodivergence was achieved in these reactions through the direct control of the stereochemistry of the bridgehead atoms of the fused ring using new MDOs self‐assembled from both enantiomers of proline and cinchona alkaloid thiourea derivatives.     

Combining Organocatalysis and Lanthanide Catalysis: A Sequential One‐Pot Quadruple Reaction Sequence/Hetero‐Diels–Alder Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Tricycles

A stereoselective one‐pot synthesis of functionalized complex tricyclic polyethers has been achieved using the combination of secondary amine and lanthanide catalysis. This one‐pot quadruple reaction/Hetero‐Diels–Alder sequence gave good yields (per step) as well as excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the particular combination of lanthanide complexes with organocatalysis is one of the first examples described for sequential catalysis.     

Brønsted Acid Catalyzed [3+2]‐Cycloaddition of 2‐Vinylindoles with In Situ Generated 2‐Methide‐2H‐indoles: Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles

Pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles are privileged structural elements of many natural products and pharmaceuticals. An efficient one‐step process for their highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective synthesis, comprising a direct [3+2]‐cycloaddition, has been developed. A chiral BINOL‐derived phosphoric acid catalyzes the reaction of in situ‐generated 2‐methide‐2H‐indoles with 2‐vinylindoles, furnishing the target products incorporating three contiguous stereogenic centers as single diastereoisomers and with excellent yields and enantioselectivities.     

Catalytic Asymmetric 1,6‐Conjugate Addition of para‐Quinone Methides: Formation of All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters

Described herein is a general and mild catalytic asymmetric 1,6‐conjugate addition of para‐quinone methides (p‐QMs), a class of challenging reactions with previous limited success. Benefiting from chiral Brønsted acid catalysis, which allows in situ formation of p‐QMs, our reaction expands the scope to general p‐QMs with various substitution patterns. It also enables efficient intermolecular formation of all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters with high enantioselectivity.     

Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction of β,β‐Disubstituted Enones: An Enantioselective Organocatalytic Approach for the Synthesis of Cyclopenta[b]annulated Arenes and Heteroarenes

The first enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction of sterically highly demanding β,β‐disubstituted enones is presented. The MBH reaction of β,β‐disubstituted‐α,β‐unsaturated electron‐withdrawing systems was previously considered to be unfeasible. Towards this end, designer substrates, which under simple and practical reaction conditions generate a variety of cyclopenta[b]annulated arenes and heteroarenes in excellent enantiopurities and near‐quantitative yields in remarkably short reaction times, are described. The reason for the unusually facile nature of this reaction is attributed to the synergy guided and entropically favored intramolecular reaction. Further, this strategy provides easy access to a substantial number of bioactive natural products and pharmaceutically significant compounds.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Generation of the Two Components of a Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction for the Synthesis of Tetracyclic Pyrano[2,3,4‐de]chromenes

Ortho‐Alkynylbenzaldehydes have been widely used to generate isochromenylium derivatives through gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization. These isochromenylium derivatives have been exploited as formal diene derivatives for reactions with different dienophiles. Herein, we describe the behavior of ortho‐alkynylsalicylaldehydes, a particular case of ortho‐alkynylbenzaldehydes. The gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of ortho‐alkynylsalicylaldehydes delivers an unusual heterodiene derivative that reacts with electron‐rich alkenes through a formal [4+2] cycloaddition. In this reaction, both the diene and dienophile are generated in situ through gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of appropriate alkynamines or alkynols. This reaction was used to synthesize complex tetracyclic pyrano[2,3,4‐de]chromenes from two very simple starting materials (an ortho‐alkynylsalicylaldehyde and an alkynamine or alkynol) with complete atom economy and with selective formation of bonds, cycles, and stereocenters.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indoles from Nitrones and Allenoates

An asymmetric method for the synthesis of dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indoles from mixtures of nitrones and allenoates has been developed. This transformation showcases the use of squaramide catalysis in a complicated cascade system that has been shown to be highly sensitive to reaction conditions and substituent effects. The new method provides access to enantiomerically enriched dihydropyridoindoles from modular, non‐indole reagents. The optimization and scope of the new transformation is discussed in addition to initial mechanistic experiments that indicate the role of the catalyst.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Prins Bicyclization for the endo‐Selective Formation of 2,6‐dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

A new Lewis acid‐catalyzed endo‐selective Prins bicyclization of γ,δ‐unsaturated aldehydes or ketones with a broad range of aldehydes to dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes is disclosed. When using a chiral BINOL‐derived N‐triflylphosphoramide (NTPA) as catalyst and glyoxylate esters as substrates, the cross‐dimerization afford functionalized bicyclic acetals with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities.