Iminium Ions as Dienophiles in Aza‐Diels–Alder Reactions: A Closer Look

This review highlights the state of the art of the use of iminium ions as dienophiles in Aza‐Diels–Alder (ADA) cycloadditions. An historical survey spanning the very first discovery of the reaction to modern developments, mechanistic studies and synthetic applications of the iminium variant of the ADA (iADA) reaction are presented. The discussion is focused on the intermolecular and intramolecular versions of the iADA reactions that are conducted in aqueous solutions to generate, in situ, the reactive dienophile from an amine hydrochloride and either aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes in the presence of a variety of dienes. The retro‐ADA reaction is also presented as an interesting method for the protection of amines. The use of Lewis acid catalysis in these reactions was thoroughly studied by the reactions of different amines and aldehydes conducted in the presence of lanthanide(III) complexes.     

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Intramolecular Aza‐Diels–Alder Reaction

A highly efficient catalytic enantioselective intramolecular Povarov reaction was developed with primary anilines as 2‐azadiene precursors. A wide variety of angularly fused azacycles were obtained without column chromatography in high to excellent yields and with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity (d.r.>99:1 and up to e.r. 99:1). Furthermore, the catalyst loading could be lowered to 1 mol %, and the obtained azacycles could be used as key intermediates for further transformations to generate additional molecular diversity.     

不对称Heck反应在天然产物合成中的应用

综述了不对称Ｈｅｃｋ反应在天然产物合成中的应用，按照分子内和分子间的不对称Ｈｅｃｋ反应分两个方面加以介绍和总结。参考文献２６篇。     

Catalytic Enantioselective Aza Diels–Alder Reactions of Imino Dienophiles

1 mol% of catalyst is sufficient : The hetero Diels–Alder reaction of α-imino esters 1 with activated conjugated dienes 2 (R=H, Me) needs only 1 mol% of a 2,2′-bis(diarylphosphanyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl (BINAP) copper(I ) complex as the catalyst to generate the adducts 3 in good yields and with enantioselectivities up to 96%. The reaction can also be carried out on gram scale! Tos=H₃CC₆H₄SO₂; TMS=Me₃Si.     

Regio‐ and Stereochemical Studies on the Nitroso‐Diels–Alder Reaction with 1,2‐Disubstituted Dienes

The regioselectivity of the nitroso‐Diels–Alder reaction between unsymmetrical acyclic dienes and Boc‐nitroso (Boc=tert‐butoxycarbonyl) reagent or the Wightman chiral chloronitroso reagents has been studied. With the Boc‐nitroso reagent, the selectivity is a consequence of steric effects at the C1‐position in the diene and electronic effects at the C2‐position in the diene. The combination of an unprotected hydroxyethyl side chain at C1 and an electron‐withdrawing group at C2 allows complete regioselectivity in favour of the proximal isomer. The same isomer was obtained exclusively with the chiral nitroso reagent with high enantioselectivities. A model based on steric effects is proposed.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Catalysis of Tetraalkylammonium Salts in an Aza‐Diels–Alder Reaction

A piperidine‐derived tetraalkylammonium salt with a non‐coordinating counteranion worked as an effective hydrogen‐bonding catalyst in an aza‐Diels–Alder reaction of imines and a Danishefsky diene. The hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the ammonium salt and an imine was observed as part of a ¹H NMR titration study.     

The Diels–Alder Reaction in Total Synthesis

The Diels–Alder reaction has both enabled and shaped the art and science of total synthesis over the last few decades to an extent which, arguably, has yet to be eclipsed by any other transformation in the current synthetic repertoire. With myriad applications of this magnificent pericyclic reaction, often as a crucial element in elegant and programmed cascade sequences facilitating complex molecule construction, the Diels–Alder cycloaddition has afforded numerous and unparalleled solutions to a diverse range of synthetic puzzles provided by nature in the form of natural products. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Alder's birth, selected examples of the awesome power of the reaction he helped to discover are discussed in this review in the context of total synthesis to illustrate its overall versatility and underscore its vast potential which has yet to be fully realized.     

Industrial Applications of the Diels–Alder Reaction

The Diels–Alder reaction is one of the most popular transformations for organic chemists to generate molecular complexity efficiently. Surprisingly, little is known about its industrial application for the synthesis of pharmacologically active ingredients, agrochemicals, and flavors and fragrances. This Review highlights selected examples, with a focus on large‐scale applications (>1 kg) from a process research and development perspective.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Intramolecular Aza‐Diels–Alder Reactions

A readily available chiral Brønsted acid was identified as an efficient catalyst for intramolecular Povarov reactions. Polycyclic amines containing three contiguous stereogenic centers were obtained with excellent stereocontrol in a single step from secondary anilines and aldehydes possessing a pendent dienophile. These transformations constitute the first examples of catalytic enantioselective intramolecular aza‐Diels–Alder reactions.     

A Stable and Recoverable Chiral Ru Lewis Acid: Synthesis,Asymmetric Diels–Alder Catalysis and Structure of the Lewis Acid Methacrolein Complex

Ease of generation , stablity in solution at ambient temperature, high enantioselectivity in Diels–Alder reactions, efficient catalyst recovery, and large rate differences on variation of the anion are all characteristics of the new Ru Lewis acid [CpRu((S,S)-biphop-F)]⁺ (biphop-F=(C₆F₅)₂POCH₂(Ph)CH₂(Ph)OP(C₆F₅)₂). The structure of complex 1 (L=methacrolein, Y=SbF₆) provides evidence for a cooperative binding of the dienophile by both the Lewis acid and the anion.     

Molecular Iodine Catalyzed One‐pot Aza‐Diels‐Alder Reaction under Solvent‐free Conditions

Catalyzed by molecular iodine at room temperature, under solvent‐free conditions, a two component aza‐Diels‐Alder cyclization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone with N‐arylimine gave tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in good yields and high stereo‐selectivity. And three components aza‐Diels‐Alder reaction of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, anilines and indole‐3‐carbaldehydes under the same condition afford only cis‐product in good yields.     

The Asymmetric Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction in the Syntheses of Biologically Relevant Compounds

The hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction is one of the most powerful transformations in the chemistry toolbox for the synthesis of aza‐ and oxa‐heterocycles embodying multiple stereogenic centers. However, as compared to other cycloadditions, in particular the dipolar cycloadditions and the Diels–Alder reaction, the hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction has been much less explored and exploited in organic synthesis. Nevertheless, this powerful transformation has opened up efficient and creative routes to biologically relevant small molecules and different natural products which contain six‐membered oxygen or nitrogen ring systems. Recent developments in this field, in particular in the establishment of enantioselectively catalyzed hetero‐Diels–Alder cycloadditions steered by a plethora of different catalysts and the application of the resulting small molecules in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry research, are highlighted in this Minireview.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Inverse‐Electron‐Demand Hetero‐Diels−Alder Reactions

In this review, the recent developments in catalytic asymmetric inverse‐electron‐demand hetero‐Diels−Alder reaction, which is recognized as one of the most powerful routes to construct highly functionalized and enantioenriched six‐membered heterocycles, are described. The article is organized on the basis of different kinds of electron‐deficient heterodienes, including α,β‐unsaturated ketones/aldehydes, o‐benzoquinones, α,β‐unsaturated imines, N‐aryl imines, o‐benzoqinone imides, and other aza‐olefins.     

Electrochemically Induced Diels‐Alder Reaction: An Overview

One of the most important name reactions in organic chemistry, is the Diels‐Alder cycloaddition reaction. It is a chemical reaction between a conjugated diene and a substituted alkene, commonly termed the dienophile to construct a substituted cyclohexene derivative. It is the stereotypical example of a pericyclic reaction with a concerted mechanism. In synthesis, the use of electricity instead of stoichiometric amounts of oxidant or reducing agents is definitely appealing for economic, ecological and selective, reasons. In this review, we try to underscore the combination of the electrosynthesis with Diels‐Alder cycloaddition reaction to establish of a powerful synthetic tool which may encourage synthetic organic chemists to use it in the future.     

Quinones as Dienophiles in the Diels–Alder Reaction: History and Applications in Total Synthesis

In the canon of reactions available to the organic chemist engaged in total synthesis, the Diels–Alder reaction is among the most powerful and well understood. Its ability to rapidly generate molecular complexity through the simultaneous formation of two carbon? carbon bonds is almost unrivalled, and this is reflected in the great number of reported applications of this reaction. Historically, the use of quinones as dienophiles is highly significant, being the very first example investigated by Diels and Alder. Herein, we review the application of the Diels–Alder reaction of quinones in the total synthesis of natural products. The highlighted examples span some 60 years from the landmark syntheses of morphine (1952) and reserpine (1956) by Gates and Woodward, respectively, through to the present day examples, such as the tetracyclines.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Diels–Alder Reaction of Quinone Imine Ketals: A Site‐Divergent Approach

The catalytic asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of quinone imine ketals with diene carbamates catalyzed by axially chiral dicarboxylic acids is reported herein. A variety of primary and secondary alkyl‐substituted quinone derivatives which have not been applied in previous asymmetric quinone Diels–Alder reactions could be employed using this method. More importantly, we succeeded in developing a strategy to divert the reaction site in unsymmetrical 3‐alkyl quinone imine ketals from the inherently favored unsubstituted C?C bond to the disfavored alkyl‐substituted C?C bond.     

Asymmetric Hetero Diels‐Alder Reaction of Chiral Imines with Danishefsky's Diene Catalyzed by Yb(OTf)3

Reaction of chiral imines with Danishefsky's diene in the presence of a catalytic amount (20 mol%) of ytterbium triflate afforded the corresponding hetero Diels‐Alder adducts with a moderate to good diastereoselectivity.