Organocatalytic asymmetric conjugate addition to allenic esters and ketones

The first example of an organocatalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of cyclic beta-ketoesters and glycine imine derivatives to electron-deficient allenes is described. We disclose that the corresponding chiral beta,gamma-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are formed exclusively under phase-transfer conditions using either cinchona-alkaloid-derived or biphenyl-based chiral quaternary ammonium salts as catalysts. The scope of the reaction for beta-ketoesters is outlined for allenes having a ketone or ester motif as electron-withdrawing group as well as different substituents in the 3-position, giving the optically active products in high yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (90-96% ee). The conjugate addition also proceeds for a number of cyclic beta-ketoesters having different ring sizes, ring systems, and substituents in high yields and enantioselectivities. Glycine imine derivatives also undergo the asymmetric conjugate addition to electron-deficient allenes in high yields and with enantioselectivities in the range of 60-88% ee, thus providing a rapid entry to optically active alpha-vinyl-substituted alpha-amino acid derivatives. It is shown that the enantioselectivity is strongly dependent on the size of the ester moiety of the nucleophile in combination with the catalytic system used. The high synthetic value of the chiral products arising from these new catalytic processes is demonstrated by two straightforward transformations leading in one case to optically active hexahydrobenzopyranones and in the other to substituted pyroglutamates (gamma-lactames).     

Cyclization reaction of cyano-substituted unsaturated esters prompted by conjugate addition of organoborons

[reaction: see text] Unsaturated esters possessing a pendent cyano moiety react with B-Ar-9-BBNs in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst to give the five- and six-membered beta-enamino esters in good yield. An (oxa-pi-allyl)rhodium(I) intermediate, formed by initial conjugate addition of an Ar-rhodium(I) species, undergoes a facile intramolecular addition to the cyano group to construct the carbocyclic skeletons.     

An efficient, asymmetric organocatalyst-mediated conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to unsaturated cyclic and acyclic ketones

5-Pyrrolidin-2-yltetrazole is a versatile organocatalyst for the asymmetric conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to enones. Using this catalyst, this transformation requires short reaction times, tolerates a broad substrate scope, and possibly proceeds via generation of an iminium species.     

The synthesis of unsaturated trifluoromethyl ketones by regioselective organocuprate addition to acetylemic trifluoromethyl ketones

Regiospecific and stereoselective synthesis of unsaturated trifluoromethyl ketones has been accomplished by the addition of higher order cyano cuprates to acetylenic trifluoromethyl ketones.     

A novel catalytic decarbonylative Heck-type reaction and conjugate addition of aldehydes to unsaturated carbonyl compounds

A novel rhodium-catalyzed decarbonylative reaction of aldehydes with unsaturated carbonyl compounds was discovered to generate Heck-type reaction product and conjugate addition product.     

A catalytic and iterative route to beta-substituted esters via highly enantioselective conjugate addition of dimethylzinc to unsaturated malonates

Using the chiral phosphoramidite ligand (S,R,R)-L1 in the conjugate addition of dimethylzinc to acyclic unsaturated malonates, enantioselectivities of up to 98% have been obtained for the first time. An iterative and stereodivergent route to 3,5-dimethyl esters that takes advantage of this asymmetric catalysis has been developed.     

Organocatalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of ketones to isatylidine malononitriles

An enantioselective Michael addition of ketones to alkylidenemalononitriles catalyzed by chiral primary amine I with (R)-5c as a co-catalyst in good yields (>90%) and with good enantioselectivities (85-96% ee) has been developed. The strategy has also been extended to a three-component version through a domino Knoevenagel/Michael sequence with similar or better outcomes.     

Indium(III) chloride catalyzed conjugate addition reaction of alkynylsilanes to acrylate esters

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of δ,γ-alkynyl esters by the conjugate addition of alkynylsilanes to acrylate esters in the presence of a catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride has been developed. This method provides a rapid and efficient access to substituted δ,γ-alkynyl esters.     

Catalytic enantioselective conjugate allylation of unsaturated methylidene ketones

The use of unsaturated methylidene ketones in catalytic conjugate allylations allows a significant expansion in substrate scope and, with appropriate chiral ligands, occurs in a highly enantioselective fashion.     

Fluoride-catalyzed conversion of acylsilanes to aldehydes and ketones

Acylsilanes undergo efficient protodesilylation upon treatment with fluoride ion in moist DMSO, HMPT, or THF. The reaction is also catalyzed by methoxide ion in methanol or DMSO, but not by chloride ion or bromide ion. Fluoride-catalyzed desilylation in the presence of alkyl halides, aldehydes, or ketones results in modest yields of the corresponding alkylated products.     

Michael-Stork addition of cyclopentyl enamine to allenyl ketones and esters

[Chemical reaction: see text] We report the first examples of a Michael-Stork enamine addition to allenyl esters and ketones. Studies reveal that 2 equivalents of enamine are required for optimal yields. In the case of an allenyl methyl ketone, cyclopentyl enamine addition led to 8-oxobicyclo[3.2.1]octane formation, providing evidence for the in situ formation of an enamine intermediate following the initial Michael-Stork reaction.     

Rhodium-catalyzed reaction of aryl- and alkenylboronic acids with 2,4-dienoate esters: conjugate addition and Heck reaction products

[chemical reaction: see text]. We report herein the first examples of the addition of aryl- and alkenylboronic acids catalyzed by RhI complexes to 2,4-dienoate esters. Three different types of products have been obtained depending on the substitution pattern of the starting ester and the organoboronic acid: 1,6-conjugate addition products, 1,4-conjugate addition products, and Heck reaction products.     

Contribution to the bromination of conjugate unsaturated ketones: Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated bromo ketones

Selective bromination of α,β-unsaturated ketones has been achieved by the action of 2,4,4,6-tetrabromocyclohexa-2,5-dienone. The stereochemistry, conformation and relative stability of the bromination products of some steroidic unsaturated ketones have been also determined.     

The retro Grignard addition reaction revisited: the reversible addition of benzyl reagents to ketones

The Grignard addition reaction is known to be a reversible process with allylic reagents, but so far the reversibility has not been demonstrated with other alkylmagnesium halides. By using crossover experiments it has been established that the benzyl addition reaction is also a reversible transformation. The retro benzyl reaction was shown by the addition of benzylmagnesium chloride to di-tert-butyl ketone followed by exchange of both the benzyl and the ketone moiety with another substrate. Similar experiments were performed with phenylmagnesium bromide and tert-butylmagnesium chloride, but in these two cases the Grignard addition reaction did not show any sign of a reverse transformation.     

Stereoselective conjugate addition reactions to phenylglycinol-derived, unsaturated oxazolopiperidone lactams

Phenylglycinol-derived, unsaturated oxazolopiperidone lactams are extremely useful building blocks that undergo stereoselective conjugate addition reactions with organocuprates, enolates, and sulfur-stabilized anions, allowing the stereocontrolled introduction of substituents at the piperidine 4-position. The factors governing the exo- or endo-facial selectivity are discussed. The methodology can be used for the preparation of a variety of enantiopure piperidines, including pharmaceuticals, alkaloids precursors, piperidine-fused derivatives, as well as complex piperidine-containing natural products.     

Microwave-accelerated conjugate addition of aldehydes to α,β-unsaturated ketones

Aldehydes undergo smooth conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-thiazolium halides and DBU adsorbed onto the surface of basic alumina under microwave irradiation and solvent-free conditions to afford 1,4-diketones in enhanced yields and reduced reaction times compared to conventional methods.     

Free radical addition of carboxylic esters to unsaturated epoxy compounds

Conclusion The addition of esters to unsaturated epoxy compounds, initiated by di-t-butyl peroxide, forms esters containing an epoxy group.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, pp. 2297–2300, October, 1969.     

The first conjugate addition reaction of terminal alkynes catalytic in copper: conjugate addition of alkynes in water

We document that alkynyl copper reagents generated under aqueous conditions from terminal acetylenes, catalytic Cu(OAc)2, and sodium ascorbate undergo additions to Meldrum's acid-derived Michael acceptors at room temperature (Scheme 1). The additions are not only novel, but also constitute the first example of the conjugate addition reaction of an acetylide catalytic in copper.