Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with methyl (E)-2-oxo-4-aryl-3-butenoates catalyzed by Sc(OTf)3/pybox

The asymmetric Friedel–Crafts reaction between a series of substituted indoles 2 a – l and methyl (E)‐2‐oxo‐4‐aryl‐3‐butenoates 3 a – c has been efficiently catalyzed by the scandium(III) triflate complex of (4′S,5′S)‐2,6‐bis[4′‐(triisopropylsilyl)oxymethyl‐5′‐phenyl‐1′,3′‐oxazolin‐2′‐yl]pyridine (pybox; 1 ). Substituted 4‐(indol‐3‐yl)‐2‐oxo‐4‐arylbutyric acid methyl esters 4 a – n were usually formed in excellent yields and the enantioselectivity was up to 99 % ee, irrespective of the electronic character of the substituent and its location on the indole ring, albeit with the exclusion of position 2. The adducts could be obtained as stable enol tautomers and the equilibrium with the keto structure is discussed. The X‐ray crystal structure determination of 4 m indicated the 4R absolute configuration, thus confirming the proposal of Jørgensen for 4 i . The sense of the stereoinduction can be rationalized by the same octahedral complex 5 between 3 , pybox 1 , and scandium triflate already proposed for the Diels–Alder/hetero‐Diels–Alder and the Mukaiyama–aldol reactions of pyruvates.     

Diels-Alder cycloaddition of 2-azadienes to methyl 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2H-azirine-3-carboxylate in the synthesis of methyl 4-oxo-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-6-carboxylates

A number of fused 4-oxo-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-6-carboxylates, a new type of compound, have been obtained by Diels-Alder cycloaddition between nucleophilic 2-azadienes and an electrophilic 2H-azirine. The reactions are completely endo- and regioselective, the azirine being added by its less hindered face to the diene. There are two isomers 7 and 8 formed from dienes 1 due either to isomerization of the cycloadducts 7 and 8 or by isomerization of the CN bond of the diene during the reaction. The isomer 10 is formed from diene 2e, and a single diastereoisomer structure 4a-i is formed from dienes 11. Some pyrimidones 8a, 7c/8c, 7e, 10, 11d have been hydrolyzed leading to functionalised aziridines 12, 13 and 15.     

Decarboxylative [4+2] Cycloaddition by Synergistic Palladium and Organocatalysis

A novel reaction based on synergistic catalysis, combining palladium‐ and organocatalysis has been developed. The palladium catalyst activates vinyl benzoxazinanones via a decarboxylation to undergo a [4+2] cycloaddition with iminium‐ion activated α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The reaction is demonstrated to proceed for a number of combinations of vinyl benzoxazinanones reacting with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, providing highly substituted vinyl tetrahydroquinolines in good to high yields, and excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities (>98 % ee and >20:1 d.r.). The palladium catalyst used in the synergistic catalysis can be re‐used in a one‐pot sequential coupling reaction with an aromatic boronic acid forming the coupling product in 95 % yield, >20:1 d.r. and 99 % ee.     

Ming-Phos/铜催化的亚甲胺叶立德与硝基烯烃的不对称[3＋2]环加成反应

手性吡咯烷骨架是合成具有生物活性的化合物、天然产物、药物和催化剂的重要中间体,其高效的不对称合成方法是有机化学研究热点之一.该工作通过一类新型的Ming-Phos手性配体实现了铜催化的亚甲胺叶立德与硝基烯烃的不对称[3+2]环加成反应,以较好的非对映选择性和对映选择性合成了一系列手性吡咯烷类化合物（ee值高达98%,产率高达95%）.该方法具有反应条件温和、操作简单、底物普适性广以及配体合成简单易制备等众多优点.     

Catalytic Enantioselective and Regioselective [3+3] Cycloadditions Using 2‐Indolylmethanols as 3 C Building Blocks

The first catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition using 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks has been established by a chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective and regioselective [3+3] cycloaddition of 2‐indolylmethanols with azomethine ylides, which constructed biologically important tetrahydro‐γ‐carboline frameworks in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 83 % yield, 99:1 e.r.). This reaction not only represents the first application of 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks in catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions, but also has established an abnormal regioselectivity in indolylmethanol‐involved transformations.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2+2] and [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Two Alkynes with Cyclopropylideneacetamides

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/H₈‐binap complex catalyzes the [3+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6‐diynes with cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce cycloheptadiene derivatives through cleavage of cyclopropane rings. In contrast, a cationic rhodium(I)/(S)‐binap complex catalyzes the enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes, acetylenedicarboxylates, and cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce spiro‐cyclohexadiene derivatives which retain the cyclopropane rings.     

Catalytic enantioselective three-component hetero-[4+2] cycloaddition/allylboration approach to alpha-hydroxyalkyl pyrans: scope, limitations, and mechanistic proposal

This article describes the design and optimization of a catalytic enantioselective three-component hetero-[4+2] cycloaddition/allylboration reaction between 3-boronoacrolein, enol ethers, and aldehydes to afford alpha-hydroxyalkyl dihydropyrans. The key substrate, 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate (2) was found to be an exceptionally reactive heterodiene in the hetero-[4+2] cycloaddition catalyzed by Jacobsen's chiral Cr(III) catalyst 1. The scope and limitations of this process were thoroughly examined. The adduct of 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate and ethyl vinyl ether was obtained in high yield and with over 95 % enantioselectivity. This cyclic alpha-chiral allylboronate adds to a very wide variety of aldehyde substrates, including unsaturated aldehydes and alpha-chiral aldehydes to give diastereomerically pure products. Acyclic 2-substituted enol ethers can be employed, in which case the catalyst promotes a kinetically selective reaction that favors Z enol ethers over the E isomers. Surprisingly, 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate was found to be a superior heterodiene than ethyl (E)-4-oxobutenoate, and a mechanistic interpretation based on a possible [5+2] transition state is proposed.     

Pt(IV)-catalyzed generation and [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions of o-quinone methides

Novel intermolecular and intramolecular generations of ortho-quinone methides and their formal [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions with olefins catalyzed by PtCl₄ and AuCl₃ under mild conditions have been developed. Good to excellent yields (up to 99%) and diastereoselectivity (up to >99:1) of the chromans were obtained. PtCl₄ was found to be effective and compatible with various functional groups present in the substrates. A mechanism accounting for its catalytic cycle is proposed and discussed.     

Enantiodivergent [4+2] Cycloaddition of Dienolates by Polyfunctional Lewis Acid/Zwitterion Catalysis

Diels–Alder reactions have become established as one of the most effective ways to prepare stereochemically complex six-membered rings. Different catalysis concepts have been reported, including dienophile activation by Lewis acids or H-bond donors and diene activation by bases. Herein we report a new concept, in which an acidic prodiene is acidified by a Lewis acid to facilitate deprotonation by an imidazolium–aryloxide entity within a polyfunctional catalyst. A metal dienolate is thus formed, while an imidazolium–ArOH moiety probably forms hydrogen bonds with the dienophile. The catalyst type, readily prepared in few steps in high overall yield, was applied to 3-hydroxy-2-pyrone and 3-hydroxy-2-pyridone as well as cyclopentenone prodienes. Maleimide, maleic anhydride, and nitroolefin dienophiles were employed. Kinetic, spectroscopic, and control experiments support a cooperative mode of action. High enantioselectivity was observed even with unprecedented TONs of up to 3680.     

Intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of substituted isoquinolones: enantioselectivity and kinetic resolution induced by a chiral template

From simple to complex: Starting from easily accessible isoquinolones 1 (X=Br, OH), complex cyclobutane photoproducts such as compound 2 can be obtained with high enantioselectivity (88-96?%?ee) through the use of a chiral template. Compound 3, which was isolated in 53?%?ee starting from a racemic substrate, is the product of a unique, unprecedented kinetic resolution process.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Methylidenetrimethylene Carbonate with Alkenes: Access to Chiral Tetrahydropyran-Fused Spirocyclic Scaffolds

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-methylidenetrimethylene carbonate with alkenes derived from pyrazolones, indandione, or barbiturate has been successfully developed, affording pharmacologically interesting chiral tetrahydropyran-fused spirocyclic scaffolds. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled up, and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of other useful chiral spiropyrazolone and spiroindandione derivatives.