Asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydrothiophenes by organocatalytic domino reactions

A simple approach for the formation of optically active highly functionalized tetrahydrothiophenes, which might find important use in biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, and nanoscience is presented. Development of new organocatalytic Michael-aldol domino reactions is outlined, and with the appropriate choice of additives it is possible to control the regioselectivity of these domino reactions, yielding diastereomerically pure (tetrahydrothiophen-2-yl)phenyl methanones or tetrahydrothiophene carbaldehydes in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities up to 96% ee. The stereochemical outcome of these reactions is investigated, and the mechanism of these organocatalytic domino processes is presented.     

One-pot organocatalytic domino Michael/α-alkylation reactions: highly enantioselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanones and cyclopentanols

A simple, highly enantioselective catalytic route to cyclopentanones is presented. The chiral amine catalyzed domino Michael/α-alkylation reaction gives access to functionalized cyclopentanones in good to high yields with 93 → 99% ee. The products were also reduced with high diastereoselectivity to the corresponding cyclopentanols.     

Asymmetric organocatalytic domino reactions

The current status of organic synthesis is hampered by costly protecting-group strategies and lengthy purification procedures after each synthetic step. To circumvent these problems, the synthetic potential of multicomponent domino reactions has been utilized for the efficient and stereoselective construction of complex molecules from simple precursors in a single process. In particular, domino reactions mediated by organocatalysts are in a way biomimetic, as this principle is used very efficiently in the biosynthesis of complex natural products starting from simple precursors. In this Minireview, we discuss the current development of this fast-growing field.     

Enatioselective organocatalytic synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydrothiophenes by a Michael-aldol cascade reaction

A catalytic asymmetric Michael-aldol cascade process for efficient synthesis of trisubstituted tetrahydrothiophenes is reported with high enantio- and diastereo-selectivities. Notably, three consecutive stereogenic centers including one chiral quaternary carbon center are efficiently created in the ‘one-pot’ operation.     

Three-component domino reaction synthesis of highly functionalized bicyclic pyrrole derivatives

An efficient one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized bicyclic pyrrole derivatives by a three-component domino reaction of heterocyclic ketene aminals (HKAs), arylglyoxal monohydrate, and indoles in ethanol medium catalyzed by acetic acid is described. In this procedure, three sigma bonds were formed simultaneously. The present synthesis features excellent regio-selectivity, easy purification as well as simple starting materials.     

Organocatalytic domino reactions: synthesis of densely functionalized cyclohexene derivatives

A highly enantioselective domino reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and 4-acetyl-5-oxohexanal catalyzed by a chiral secondary amine catalyst has been developed, providing an efficient synthetic approach for the synthesis of densely functionalized chiral cyclohexene derivatives with high yields (up to 96%) and enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) under mild conditions.     

Facile four-component domino reactions for the synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydroquinolones

The four-component domino reactions of (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with anilines, aromatic aldehydes, and 1,3-cyclohexanediones in an equimolar ratio in acetic acid afforded functionalized tetrahydroquinolones in good yields. This one-pot transformation involves the formation of two C–C and two C–N bonds in a single synthetic operation.     

One-pot organocatalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions: direct catalytic enantioselective cyclopropanation and cyclopentanation reactions

The development of one-pot organocatalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions between bromomalonates or bromoacetoacetate esters and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The chiral-amine-catalyzed reactions with bromomalonates as substrates give access to the corresponding 2-formylcyclopropane derivatives in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity and up to 99 % ee. The catalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions between 4-bromo-acetoacetate and enals provide a route for the synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanones in good to high yields with 93-99 % ee. The products from the organocatalytic reactions were also reduced with high diastereoselectivity to the corresponding cyclopropanols and cyclopentanols, respectively. Moreover, one-pot combinations of amine and heterocyclic carbene catalysis (AHCC) enabled the highly enantioselective synthesis of beta-malonate esters (91-97 % ee) from the reaction between bromomalonates and enals. The tandem catalysis included the catalytic domino reaction followed by catalytic in situ chemoselective ring-opening of the 2-formylcyclopropane intermediates.     

One-pot synthesis of adamantane derivatives by domino Michael reactions from ethyl 2,4-dioxocyclohexanecarboxylate

Adamantane derivatives were constructed by the one-pot reaction of ethyl 2,4-dioxocyclohexanecarboxylate with 2-phenylethyl 2-(acetoxymethyl)acrylate or 2-(acetoxymethyl)-1-phenyl-2-propen-1-one via domino Michael reactions and a Dieckmann condensation or an aldol-type reaction (four-bond formation). This is the first one-pot construction of adamantane derivatives from cyclohexanone derivatives not involving enamines.     

One-pot enantioselective syntheses of iminosugar derivatives using organocatalytic anti-michael-anti-aza-Henry reactions

Organocatalyst-controlled asymmetric anti-Michael reactions of (tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)acetaldehyde with a range of nitroolefins, followed by an intermolecular aza-Henry reaction with imine, provided iminosugar derivatives with five contiguous stereocenters in very high enantiomeric excess in one pot. The stereochemistry of the aza-Henry reaction was substrate controlled and is explained by a six-membered cyclic transition-state model.     

Efficient solid-phase synthesis of highly functionalized 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-one derivatives and related compounds by intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions

Due to their widespread biological activities and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, benzodiazepines were among the first classes of small molecules to be synthesized on solid supports. Since then, there have been numerous reports on the synthesis of similar skeletons. We have employed the T1 triazene linker to yield 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-one. Starting from various substituted triazene resins, cleavage in the presence of an azide donor, such as trimethylsilylazide, gave rise to aryl azides. Intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions produced the appropriately functionalized N-heterocycles. By using this route, the natural product deoxyvasicinone and related compounds were prepared.     

Asymmetric synthesis of O-alkylated tetronic acid derivatives via an organocatalytic Mannich reaction and subsequent intramolecular cyclization

The organocatalytic asymmetric Mannich reaction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate with N-Boc-imines has been studied and Cinchona alkaloids and chiral thiourea-tertiary amines were evaluated as catalysts. A pyrrolidine-based thiourea-tertiary amine was identified as the best catalyst for the transformation. The Mannich adducts readily underwent a one-pot intramolecular cyclization in the presence of triethylamine. A number of O-ethyl tetronic acid derivatives were obtained in good yields and enantioselectivities (up to 91% ee). The products could be further converted to the heteroatomic mimics of prostaglandins via reaction with primary amines.     

One-pot,three-component synthesis of highly functionalized pyrimidone derivatives and access to indole fused pyrimidones via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular Heck reaction

A simple and facile approach to highly functionalized pyrimidone derivatives and indole fused pyrimidones has been developed. The synthesis of substituted pyrimidone derivatives in moderate to good yields involves [4+2] cycloaddition of 1,4-dipoles generated from α,β-unsarurated imines and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) with isocyanates as dipolarophiles. Furthermore, the pyrimidones resulted from 2-bromophenyl isocyanate could be transformed into various indole fused pyrimidones via intramolecular palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction under different conditions.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic domino synthesis of tetrahydropyridin-2-ols

The asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydropyridin-2-ols from enals and enaminones is described. The organocatalytic domino reaction involves a Michael addition-hemiaminalization sequence using the J?rgensen-Hayashi catalyst. Dehydration or oxidation leads to the corresponding 1,4-dihydro-pyridines or 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-ones in a one-pot fashion.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions. The asymmetric synthesis of solanapyrone D

The first direct enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction has been accomplished. The use of iminium catalysis has provided a new catalytic strategy for the enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloisomerization of a wide variety of tethered diene-enal systems. The use of imidazolidinones 1 and 2 as the asymmetric catalysts has been found to mediate the enantioselective construction of [4.4.0] and [4.3.0] ring systems. Application of this methodology to the highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of the marine metabolite solanpyrone D has also been accomplished. A diverse spectrum of aldehyde substrates can also be accommodated in this new organocatalytic transformation. Importantly, this technology has been utilized to execute the first enantioselective, catalytic Type II IMDA reaction.     

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans by domino SN/SN' and SN/SN reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions

The domino C,O-cyclodialkylation reaction of dilithiated 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 1,4-dibromo-2-butene resulted in regio- and diastereoselective formation of 2-alkylidene-5-vinyltetrahydrofurans. The cyclization of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1-bromo-2-chloroethane regio- and diastereoselectively afforded 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans under thermodynamic reaction control.     

Dual behavior of masked o-benzoquinones in intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions. Expedient synthesis of highly functionalized cis-decalins from 2-methoxyphenols

[Reaction: see text]. The potential dual behavior as dienes and dienophiles of the diene moieties of masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 10a-e-12a-e, generated upon oxidation of 2-methoxyphenols 1-3 with BTIB in the presence of appropriate dienols, in their intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions has been examined. The IMDA reactions of MOBs 10a-d, 11a,b,d, and 12a,b,d resulted in highly functionalized oxatricyclic compounds 18a-d, 19a,b,d, and 20a,b,d, respectively, with concomitant formation of cis-decalin derivatives 21a-d, 22a,b,d, and 23a,b,d in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. However, the MOBs 10e-12e provided exclusively oxatricyclic compounds 18e-20e. The formation of cis-decalins in these IMDA reactions illustrates the dienophilic character of MOBs, in addition to their behavior as dienes. The ratio of the two cycloadducts obtained in each reaction as a result of the dual character of MOBs depends on the nature and/or position of the substituents on both the cyclohexadienone moiety and the added 2,4-dienol. The majority of the cycloadducts resulted from the diene property of MOBs in intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions smoothly underwent Cope rearrangement to furnish cis-decalins as sole products in excellent to quantitative yields that provides a short and efficient entry to polyfunctionized cis-decalins from 2-methoxyphenols. Furthermore, the variation of dienophilic and diene characters of MOBs in the IMDA reactions with the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituent of both cyclohexadienone moiety and the added conjugated acyclic diene or 2,4-dienol has been studied in detail.     

Asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized tyrosine derivatives for the construction of bistetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids

A novel and facile synthesis of l-5-hydroxy-2,4-methoxy-3-methylphenylalanine derivatives, which are the key coupling partners for the asymmetric total synthesis of natural bistetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, is realized starting from l-tyrosine with 17% overall yield. The synthesis has been carried out on a multigram scale featuring the following key steps: (a) transformation of phenol to dihydroquinone via salcomine-catalyzed oxidation followed by zinc-acetic acid reduction; (b) single TBS-protection of dihydroquinone; (c) Mitsunobu methylation of the newly generated phenolic hydroxyl group.     

Asymmetric tandem Michael-aldol reactions between 3-cinnamoyloxazolidine-2-thiones and aldehydes

Reactions between chiral 3-cinnamoyl-4-methyl-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidine-2-thiones and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of BF3Et2O diastereoselectively produced tricyclic compounds incorporating a bridgehead carbon bound to four heteroatoms in high yields. Four stereocenters were induced during the reaction. The tricyclic products were transformed into propane-1,3-diols bearing three consecutive stereocenters by acid hydrolysis, S-methylation, and reductive removal of the chiral auxiliary.