A Switchable Gold Catalyst by Encapsulation in a Self‐Assembled Cage

Dinuclear gold complexes have the ability to interact with one or more substrates in a dual‐activation mode, leading to different reactivity and selectivity than their mononuclear relatives. In this contribution, this difference was used to control the catalytic properties of a gold‐based catalytic system by site‐isolation of mononuclear gold complexes by selective encapsulation. The typical dual‐activation mode is prohibited by this catalyst encapsulation, leading to typical behavior as a result of mononuclear activation. This strategy can be used as a switch (on/off) for a catalytic reaction and also permits reversible control over the product distribution during the course of a reaction.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of C−N Axially Chiral N‐Aryloxindoles by Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed Dual C−H Activation

The first enantioselective Satoh–Miura‐type reaction is reported. A variety of C?N axially chiral N‐aryloxindoles have been enantioselectively synthesized by an asymmetric rhodium‐catalyzed dual C?H activation reaction of N‐aryloxindoles and alkynes. High yields and enantioselectivities were obtained (up to 99 % yield and up to 99 % ee). To date, it is also the first example of the asymmetric synthesis of C?N axially chiral compounds by such a C?H activation strategy.     

Functional‐Group‐Tolerant Catalytic Migratory Oxidative Coupling of Nitrones

A copper‐catalyzed migratory oxidative‐coupling reaction between nitrones and various ethers/amines exhibited high functional‐group tolerance. Even in aqueous media, the reaction proceeded efficiently. For practical use of this catalysis, a unique sequential Huisgen cycloaddition was demonstrated. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the reaction proceeded through oxidative catalytic activation of ethers/amines to afford iminium/oxonium intermediates by concurrent dual one‐electron abstractions by copper(II) and oxyl radicals.     

An enantioselective biginelli reaction catalyzed by a simple chiral secondary amine and achiral brønsted acid by a dual-activation route

An enantioselective Biginelli reaction that proceeds by a dual‐activation route has been developed by using a combined catalyst of a readily available trans‐4‐hydroxyproline‐derived secondary amine and a Brønsted acid. Aromatic, heteroaromatic, and fused‐ring aldehydes were found to be suitable substrates for this multicomponent reaction. The corresponding dihydropyrimidines were obtained in moderate‐to‐good yields with up to 98 % ee under mild conditions. Based on the experimental results and the observed absolute configurations of the products, a plausible transition state has been proposed to explain the origin of the activation and the asymmetric induction.     

One‐Pot Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Nitro‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines by a Dual‐Activation Protocol

Generally, amine‐catalyzed enantioselective transformations rely on chiral enamine or unsaturated iminium intermediates. Herein, we report a protocol involving dual activation by an aromatic iminium and hydrogen‐bonding. An enantioselective aza‐Michael–Henry domino reaction of 2‐aminobenzaldehydes with nitroolefins has been developed through this protocol using primary amine thiourea catalysts to provide a variety of 3‐nitro‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines in moderate yields and with up to 90 % ee. The mechanism for the catalytic enantioselective reaction was confirmed by ESI mass spectrometric detection of the reaction intermediates. The products formed are substructures found in skeletons of important biological and pharmaceutical molecules.     

Chelation versus Non‐Chelation Control in the Stereoselective Alkenyl sp2 C−H Bond Functionalization Reaction

A hydroxy group chelation‐assisted stereospecific oxidative cross‐coupling reaction between alkenes was developed under mild reaction conditions. In the presence of palladium catalyst, the alkenes tethered with hydroxy functionality can couple efficiently with electron‐deficient alkenes to form the corresponding multi‐substituted olefin products. The hydroxy group on the substrate could play dual roles in reaction, acting as the directing group for alkenyl C−H bond activation and controlling the stereoselectivity of the products.     

Sulfinate and Carbene Co‐catalyzed Rauhut–Currier Reaction for Enantioselective Access to Azepino[1,2‐a]indoles

A carbene and sulfinate co‐catalyzed intermolecular Rauhut–Currier reaction between enals and nitrovinyl indoles is disclosed. The carbene catalyst activates the enal and the sulfinate co‐catalyst activates the nitrovinyl indole. Both activation processes are realized via the formation of covalent bonds between the catalysts and substrates to generate catalyst‐bound intermediates. The dual catalytic reaction affords azepino[1,2‐a]indole products with excellent stereoselectivity. Our study demonstrates the unique involvement of sulfinate as an effective nucleophilic catalyst in activating electron‐deficient alkenes for asymmetric reactions. This dual catalytic approach should also encourage future explorations of both sulfinate and carbene catalysts for new reactions.     

Dual Functionalization of α‐Monoboryl Carbanions through Deoxygenative Enolization with Carboxylic Acids

A dual functionalization of 1,1‐diborylalkanes through deoxygenative enolization with carboxylic acids was developed. 1,1‐Diborylalkanes were activated by MeLi to generate α‐monoboryl carbanions. In situ IR spectroscopy indicated an interaction between carboxylic acid and 1,1‐diborylalkane before addition of the activation reagent. Release of the active α‐monoboryl carbanion from the masked form was necessary for its reaction with carboxylate to afford enolate species. Electrophilic trapping of enolate species with various electrophiles achieved dual functionalization of 1,1‐diborylalkanes to afford a variety of α‐mono, di‐, and tri‐substituted ketones.     

Merging Gold and Organocatalysis: A Facile Asymmetric Synthesis of Annulated Pyrroles

The combination of cinchona‐alkaloid‐derived primary amine and Au^I–phosphine catalysts allowed the selective C?H functionalization of two adjacent carbon atoms of pyrroles under mild reaction conditions. This sequential dual activation provides seven‐membered‐ring‐annulated pyrrole derivatives in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.     

Synthesis of Phenanthridinones from N‐Methoxybenzamides and Aryltriethoxysilanes through RhIII‐Catalyzed C?H and N?H Bond Activation

An efficient method for the one‐pot synthesis of substituted phenanthridinone derivatives from N‐methoxybenzamides and aryltriethoxysilanes through rhodium‐catalyzed dual C? H bond activation and annulation reactions is described. A double‐cycle mechanism is proposed to account for this catalytic reaction. In addition, isotope‐labeling studies were performed to understand the intimate mechanism of the reaction.     

Organocatalytic Activation of the Leaving Group in the Intramolecular Asymmetric SN2′ Reaction

A Brønsted‐acid‐catalyzed intramolecular enantioselective S_N2′ reaction was developed utilizing trichloroacetimidate as a leaving group. The findings indicated that dual activation of the substrates is operative. This metal‐free allylic alkylation allows highly enantioselective access to 2‐vinylpyrrolidines bearing various substituents.     

Theoretical study on mechanism of cinchona alkaloids catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of dimethyl malonate to β‐nitrostyrene

The mechanism and enantioselectivity of the asymmetric conjugate addition of dimethyl malonate to β‐nitrostyrene catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid QD‐4 as organic catalyst are investigated using density function theory and ab initio methods. Six different reaction pathways, corresponding to the different approach modes of β‐nitrostyrene to dimethyl malonate are considered. Calculations indicate that the reaction process through a dual‐activation mechanism, in which the tertiary amine of cinchona alkaloid QD‐4 first works as a Brønsted base to promote the activation of the dimethyl malonate by deprotonation, and then, the hydroxyl group of QD‐4 acts as Brønsted acid to activate the β‐nitrostyrene. The rate‐determining step is the proton transfer process from the tertiary amine of QD‐4 to α‐carbon of β‐nitrostyrene. The comparison of the mechanisms and energies of the six reaction channels enable us to learn the fact that QD‐4 has good catalytic activities for the system, and implies C9? OH in QD‐4 may not be involved in the activation. These calculation results account well for the observations in experiments. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Benzannulation of N‐Pivaloylanilines with Internal Alkynes through Dual C−H Bond Activation: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Naphthalenes

An efficient method was developed for the synthesis of highly substituted naphthalenes through rhodium‐catalyzed oxidative benzannulation of N‐pivaloylanilines with internal alkynes. The benzannulation reaction proceeded smoothly through dual C?H bond activation to produce the corresponding highly substituted naphthalene products in satisfactory to good yields.     

Dual Gold‐Catalyzed Cycloaromatization of Unconjugated (E)‐Enediynes

A synthesis of unconjugated (E)‐enediynes from allenyl amino alcohols is reported and their gold‐catalyzed cascade cycloaromatization to a broad range of enantioenriched substituted isoindolinones has been developed. Experimental and computational studies support the reaction proceeding via a dual‐gold σ,π‐activation mode, involving a key gold‐vinylidene‐ and allenyl‐gold‐containing intermediate.     

Catalytic Intramolecular Ketone Alkylation with Olefins by Dual Activation

Two complementary methods for catalytic intramolecular ketone alkylation reactions with unactivated olefins, resulting in Conia‐ene‐type reactions, are reported. The transformations are enabled by dual activation of both the ketone and the olefin and are atom‐economical as stoichiometric oxidants or reductants are not required. Assisted by Kool’s aniline catalyst, the reaction conditions can be both pH‐ and redox‐neutral. A broad range of functional groups are thus tolerated. Whereas the rhodium catalysts are effective for the formation of five‐membered rings, a ruthenium‐based system that affords the six‐membered ring products was also developed.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Cascade Reactions of 7‐Vinylindoles: Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of C7‐Functionalized Indoles

The first catalytic asymmetric cascade reaction of 7‐vinylindoles has been established by the rational design of such substrates. Cascade reactions with isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanols in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid derivative allow the diastereo‐ and enantioselective synthesis of C7‐functionalized indoles as well as the construction of cyclopenta[b]indole and spirooxindole frameworks (all >95:5 d.r., 94–>99 % ee). This approach not only addresses the great challenge of the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of C7‐functionalized indoles, but also provides an efficient method for constructing biologically important cyclopenta[b]indole and spirooxindole scaffolds with excellent optical purity. Investigation of the reaction pathway and activation mode has suggested that this cascade reaction proceeds through a vinylogous Michael addition/Friedel–Crafts process, in which dual H‐bonding activation of the two reactants plays a crucial role.     

Competitive Gold‐Activation Modes in Terminal Alkynes: An Experimental and Mechanistic Study

The competition between π‐ and dual σ,π‐gold‐activation modes is revealed in the gold(I)‐catalyzed heterocyclization of 1‐(o‐ethynylaryl)urea. A noticeable effect of various ligands in gold complexes on the choice of these activation modes is described. The cationic [Au(IPr)]⁺ (IPr=2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) complex cleanly promotes the π activation of terminal alkynes, whereas [Au(PtBu₃)]⁺ favors intermediate σ,π species. In this experimental and mechanistic study, which includes kinetic and cross‐over experiments, several σ‐gold, σ,π‐gold, and other gold polynuclear reaction intermediates have been isolated and identified by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, or MALDI spectrometry. The ligand control in the simultaneous or alternative π‐ and σ,π‐activation modes is also supported by deuterium‐labeling experiments.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed γ‐C(sp3)−H Arylation of Thiols by a Detachable Protecting/Directing Group

Reported herein is a palladium‐catalyzed, directed γ‐C(sp³)?H arylation of protected thiols. The key is to utilize Michael acceptors as a dual reagent to install a protecting/directing group on thiols by a thiol‐Michael click reaction, and remove it later under basic conditions. The C?H arylation proceeds with high functional‐group tolerance and the deprotected thiols can be further transformed into other sulfur‐containing compounds. This unique mode of activation could open the door for site‐selective functionalization of thiols or other sulfur‐containing compounds at unactivated positions.     

A Theoretical Investigation on the Strecker Reaction Catalyzed by a TiIV‐Complex Catalyst Generated from a Cinchona Alkaloid,Achiral Substituted 2,2′‐Biphenol,and Tetraisopropyl Titanate

The mechanism and the origin of selectivity of the asymmetric Strecker reaction catalyzed by a Ti^IV‐complex catalyst generated from a cinchona alkaloid, achiral substituted 2,2′‐biphenol, and tetraisopropyl titanate have been investigated by DFT and ONIOM methods. The calculations indicate that the reaction proceeds through a dual activation mechanism, in which Ti^IV acts as Lewis acid to activate the electrophile aldimine substrate, whereas the tertiary amine in cinchona alkaloid works as Lewis base to promote the activation and isomerization of HCN. The C? C bond formation step is predicted to be the selectivity‐controlling step in the reaction with an energy barrier of 9.3 kcal mol^?1. The “asymmetric activation” is achieved by the transfer of asymmetry from the chiral cinchonine ligand to the axially flexible achiral biphenol ligand through coordination interaction with the central metal Ti^IV. The large steric hindrance from the 3,3′‐position substitute of biphenol, combined with the quinoline fragment of cinchona alkaloid and the orientation of hydrogen bonding of iPrOH, play a key role in controlling the stereoselectivity, which is in good agreement with the experimental observations.     

Synthesis of Bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes by a Cobalt‐Catalyzed Multiple C(sp3)−H Activation Strategy

A cobalt‐catalyzed dual C(sp³)−H activation strategy has been developed and it provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes. A key to the success of this reaction is the conformation‐induced methylene C(sp³)−H activation of the resulting cobaltabicyclo[4.n.1] intermediate. In addition, the synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane from pivalamide, by a triple C(sp³)−H activation, has also been demonstrated.