Efficient synthesis of 4-(2'-alkenyl)-2,5-dihydrofurans and 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans via the Pd-catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of 2,3- or 3,4-allenols with allylic halides

In the absence of a base, palladium(II) catalysts, such as PdCl(2), PdCl(2)(CH(3)CN)(2), Pd(OAc)(2), and [(pi-C(3)H(5))PdCl](2), can catalyze the cyclizative coupling reaction of 2,3- or 3,4-allenols with allylic halides in DMA at room temperature to provide 2,5-dihydrofurans and 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans, respectively, in moderate to good yields. Under similar reaction conditions, nonsubstituted 2,3-allenol 1s affords bimolecular cyclizative coupling product 5s as the major product. The scope of the reaction and its mechanism have been studied briefly. On the basis of the experimental results, the transformation was believed to proceed via a divalent palladium-catalyzed pathway.     

PdI2-catalyzed coupling-cyclization reactions involving two different 2,3-allenols: an efficient synthesis of 4-(1',3'-dien-2'-yl)-2,5-dihydrofuran derivatives

Transition-metal-catalyzed dimeric coupling-cyclization reactions of two different 2,3-allenols afforded 4-(1',3'-dien-2'-yl)-2,5-dihydrofuran derivatives 3. 2-Substituted 2,3-allenols 1 cyclized to form the 2,5-dihydrofuran ring, whereas the 2-unsubstituted 2,3-allenols 2 provided the 1,3-diene unit at the 4-position. The reaction is proposed to proceed through an oxypalladation, insertion, and beta-hydroxide elimination process. The C=C double bond was formed with high E stereoselectivity by beta-hydroxide elimination.     

Novozym 435-catalyzed kinetic resolution of β-allenols. A facile route for the preparation of optically active β-allenols or allenyl acetates

A variety of optically active β-allenols and β-allenyl acetates were synthesized via the Novozym 435-mediated kinetic resolution of racemic β-allenols. A dramatic solvent effect was observed for the stereoselectivity. The scope of the substrates and the effect of the concentration and temperature on the reaction were also investigated.     

PdCl2-catalyzed two-component cross-coupling cyclization of 2,3-allenoic acids with 2,3-allenols. An efficient synthesis of 4-(1',3'-dien-2'-yl)-2(5H)-furanone derivatives

Cross-coupling cyclization reaction between 2,3-allenoic acids 1 and 2,3-allenols 2, in which two allenes functioned differently, was realized to afford 4-(1',3'-dien-2'-yl)-2(5H)-furanone derivatives 3. The reaction may proceed via an oxypalladation, insertion, and beta-hydroxide elimination process. A high E-stereoselectivity of the new formed C=C double bond was observed.     

Studies on Cu(I)-catalyzed synthesis of simple 3-substituted 1,2-allenes and optically active 2-substituted secondary 2,3-allenols

The sequential treatment of terminal alkynes or propargylic alcohols with n-BuLi and MOMCl afforded the corresponding propargylic methyl ethers, which would react with primary alkyl Grignard reagents under the catalysis of CuBr to afford 3-substituted 1,2-allenes or 2-substituted secondary 2,3-allenols, respectively. The reaction may be applied to the synthesis of optically active 2-substituted secondary 2,3-allenols with up to >99% ee without any protection to the free hydroxyl group in the starting 4-hydroxy-2-alkynyl methyl ethers.     

PdCl2/NaI-catalyzed homodimeric coupling-cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenols: an efficient synthesis of 4-(1',3'-dien-2'-yl)-2,5-dihydrofuran derivatives

A PdCl2/NaI-catalyzed homodimeric coupling-cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenols was observed to provide an efficient route to 4-(1',3'-dien-2'-yl)-2,5-dihydrofuran derivatives. By using the easily available optically active starting materials, 2,5-dihydrofurans with high enantiopurity may be prepared. A Pd(II)-catalyzed mechanism was also discussed.     

Efficient synthesis of 3-chloromethyl-2(5H)-furanones and 3-chloromethyl-5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones via the PdCl2-catalyzed chlorocyclocarbonylation of 2,3- or 3,4-allenols

A mild and efficient methodology involving PdCl2-catalyzed chlorocyclocarbonylation of 2,3- or 3,4-allenols with CuCl2 for the synthesis of 3-chloromethyl-2(5H)-furanones and 3-chloromethyl-5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones was developed. This reaction proceeded in a highly regioselective manner, i.e., the chlorine atom was introduced to the terminal position of the allene moiety while the lactone linkage was formed between the center carbon atom of the allene moiety and the hydroxyl oxygen, which was established by the X-ray single crystal diffraction study of gamma-lactone 3p. The highly optically active 3-chloromethyl-2(5H)-furanones could be easily prepared from the readily available optically active 2,3-allenols. A mechanism for this reaction was proposed.     

Efficient synthesis of carbazoles via PtCl2-catalyzed RT cyclization of 1-(indol-2-yl)-2,3-allenols: scope and mechanism

A detailed study on the scope of the efficient PtCl(2)-catalyzed synthesis of carbazoles from 1-(indol-2-yl)-2,3-allenols is described. Through isotopic labeling experiments, it is confirmed that the reaction proceeds through a unique metal carbene intermediate, which undergoes subsequent highly selective 1,2-hydrogen migration to afford carbazoles. The reaction shows wide scope and allows the introduction of a variety of different substituents at different positions on the carbazole due to the substituent-loading capability of both indole and the allene moiety.     

One-pot construction of aza- or oxa-bridged benzocycloheptanes from readily available 2,3-allenyl malonates or 2,3-allenols and o-iodobenzaldehyde or imine

A Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed reaction of 2,3-alkadienyl malonates or 2,3-allenols with o-iodobenzaldehyde or its N-tosyl imine occurred smoothly in MeCN at 80 °C to form the oxa- or aza-bridged benzocycloheptane derivatives with important biological potential. With the optically active 2,3-allenols, the absolute configurations of all the three chiral centers have been conveniently established.     

Absolute structures of some naturally occurring isopropenyldihydrobenzofurans,remirol, remiridiol,angenomalin, and isoangenomalin

The absolute structures of some naturally occurring chiral 2-isopropenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, (+)-remirol (1a), (+)-remiridiol (1b), (+)-angenomalin (2), and (+)-isoangenomalin (3), were studied by respective chiral synthesis. Kinetic resolutions of racemic 2-isopropenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, 2-isopropenyl-4,6-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (4), 4-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carbaldehyde (8), and 2-isopropenyl-6-(MOM)oxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carbaldehyde (11c), by Sharpless dihydroxylation using (DHQ)(2)AQN or (DHQD)(2)AQN gave the corresponding chiral 2-isopropenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans. Chiral (S)-(+)-4 (99% ee, using (DHQD)(2)AQN) was converted to natural remirol (S)-(+)-1a and then to natural remiridiol (S)-(+)-1b. (S)-(+)-8 (97% ee, using (DHQD)(2)AQN) was converted to natural angenomalin (S)-(+)-2. (R)-(-)-11c (>99% ee, using (DHQ)(2)AQN), was converted to natural isoangenomalin (R)-(+)-3. Thus, the absolute structures of natural remirol (+)-1a and remiridiol (+)-1b and angenomalin (+)-2 were determined to be S, and the structure of natural isoangenomalin (+)-3 was R.     

Efficient enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of Brassard's diene with aliphatic aldehydes: a one-step synthesis of (R)-(+)-kavain and (S)-(+)-dihydrokavain

An efficient catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of Brassard's diene with aliphatic aldehydes was reported. The catalyst, which was generated from (R)-BINOL, Ti(i-PrO)4, and 4-picolyl chloride hydrochloride, promoted the reaction smoothly to afford the corresponding alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactone derivatives in moderate-to-good yields (46-79%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 88% ee). Natural products (R)-(+)-kavain (70% ee, >99% ee after single recrystallization) and (S)-(+)-dihydrokavain (84% ee) were also prepared in one step by using this methodology.     

Dramatic Substituent Effect on the CCL-catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of 1-Aryl-2,3-allenols

Optically active 1-aryl-2,3-allenols were obtained via CCL-mediated kinetic resolution of the racemic allenols. The substitution pattern of the aromatic ring, regarding to both the type of the substituent and its position on the aromatic ring, was found to be critical for the kinetic resolution of 1-aryl-2,3-allenols.     

A simple method of synthesis of (+/-)-2,3-diarylpiperazines and a novel method of resolution of (+/-)-2,3-diphenylpiperazine

Intramolecular reductive coupling of diimines in the presence of Zn/Ti(O(i)Pr)2Cl2 gives the corresponding (+/-)-2,3-diarylpiperazines in 73-83% yields with dl/meso ratio >99%:<1%. The (+/-)-2,3-diphenylpiperazine obtained in this way was readily resolved partially using L-(+)-tartaric acid, and the enantiomeric purity was enhanced to >99% ee via preparation of hydrogen-bonded salt aggregates using oxalic acid.     

A new free recoverable and reusable mono-alkaloid-type ligand and its use in preparation of ethyl （2R,3S）-2,3-dihydroxy-3-phenylpropionate

A new free recoverable and reusable mono-alkaloid-type ligand has been synthesized by a simple method.With highly polar groups,the ligand can be recycled and reused eight times to prepare ethyl(2R,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-phenylpropionate with high yield and ee via asymmetric dihydroxylation(AD) reaction.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric amination and imidation of 2,3-allenyl phosphates

[reaction: see text] Asymmetric amination of 2,3-allenyl phosphates with nitrogen nucleophiles such as amines, hydroxylamines, and imides can be performed efficiently using a combination of zerovalent palladium complexes and SEGPHOS or MeOBIPHEP ligand, affording the corresponding optically active 1-aminated derivatives with enantiomeric excess of up to 97% ee.     

Pd(CH3CN)2Cl2-catalyzed oxidative heterodimerization reaction of 2,3-allenamides and 1,2-allenyl ketones: an efficient synthesis of 4-(furan-3'-yl)-2(5H)-furanimines

The Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative heterodimerization reaction of 2,3-allenamides and 1,2-allenyl ketones was studied. It provides an efficient route for the synthesis of the polysubstituted 4-(furan-3'-yl)-2(5H)-furanimines, which are not readily available from the known methods. Due to the application of benzoquinone, the loadings of both the palladium catalyst and ketone have been greatly reduced for the oxidative heterodimerization of 2,3-allenamides and 1,2-allenyl ketones in acetic acid.     

Construction of Chiral 2,3-Allenols through a Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Direct Alkynylogous Aldol Reaction

Chiral 2,3-allenols were constructed through copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric direct alkynylogous aldol reaction. With aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes, the alkynylogous aldol reaction with (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS as the ligand proceeded smoothly to furnish the products in excellent regioselectivity with good to high diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity. In the cases of aliphatic aldehydes, esters of but-2-yn-1-ol as the substrates and (R,R)-Ph-BPE as the ligand were found to be crucial to get good to high regio- and diastereoselectivity. The produced chiral 2,3-allenols are easily transformed into synthetically useful 2-furanones through cyclization. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied in the rapid synthesis of two chiral intermediates toward the synthesis of two pharmaceutically active compounds that have been proposed for the treatment of neurological disorders.     

Alkyl 2-(2-benzothiazolylsulfinyl)acetates as useful synthetic reagents for alkyl 4-hydroxyalk-2-enoates by sulfinyl-Knoevenagel reaction

Isopropyl, ethyl, and methyl 2-(2-benzothiazolylsulfinyl)acetates have been found to be useful synthetic reagents for sulfinyl-Knoevenagel reaction with various aldehydes to give directly the corresponding 4-hydroxyalk-2-enoates [R′CH(OH)CHCHCO₂R], which are ubiquitous structures in biologically active natural products and useful building blocks for organic synthesis of chiral compounds. From the optically pure (R)-2-(2-benzothiazolylsulfinyl)acetates (>99% ee) prepared by the enzymatic kinetic resolution of (±)-2-(2-benzothiazolylsulfinyl)acetates, optically active 4-hydroxyalk-2-enoates (up to 91% ee) have been obtained in good yields.     

Molecular basis for enantioselectivity of lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum toward the diesters of 2,3-dihydro-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-5-ol

2,3-Dihydro-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-5-ol, 1, is a chiral bisphenol useful for preparation of polymers. Previous screening of commercial hydrolases identified lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum (CVL) as a highly regio- and enantioselective catalyst for hydrolysis of diesters of 1. The regioselectivity was > or =30:1 favoring the ester at the 5-position, while the enantioselectivity varied with acyl chain length, showing the highest enantioselectivity (E = 48 +/- 20 S) for the dibutanoate ester. In this paper, we use a combination of nonsymmetrical diesters and computer modeling to identify that the remote ester group controls the enantioselectivity. First, we prepared nonsymmetrical diesters of (+/-)-1 using another regioselective, but nonenantioselective, reaction. Lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) showed the opposite regioselectivity (>30:1), allowing removal of the ester at the 4'-position (the remote ester in the CVL-catalyzed reaction). Regioselective hydrolysis of (+/-)-1-dibutanoate (150 g) gave (+/-)-1-5-dibutanoate (89 g, 71% yield). Acylation gave nonsymmetrical diesters that varied at the 4'-position. With no ester at the 4'-position, CVL showed no enantioselectivity, while hindered esters (3,3-dimethylbutanoate) reacted 20 times more slowly, but retained enantioselectivity (E = 22). These results indicate that the remote ester group can control the enantioselectivity. Computer modeling confirmed these results and provided molecular details. A model of a phosphonate transition state analogue fit easily in the active site of the open conformation of CVL. A large hydrophobic pocket tilts to one side above the catalytic machinery. The tilt permits the remote ester at the 4'-position of only the (S)-enantiomer to bind in this pocket. The butanoate ester fits and fills this pocket and shows high enantioselectivity. Both smaller and larger ester groups show low enantioselectivity because small ester groups cannot fill this pocket, while longer ester groups extend beyond the pocket. An improved large-scale resolution of 1-dibutanoate with CVL gave (R)-(+)-1-dibutanoate (269 g, 47% yield, 92% ee) and (S)-(-)-1-4'-monobutanoate (245 g, 52% yield, 89% ee). Methanolysis yielded (R)-(+)-1 (169 g, 40% overall yield, >97% ee) and (S)-(-)-1 (122 g, 36% overall yield, >96% ee).     

Asymmetric synthesis of [2,3-(13)C(2),(15)N]-4-benzyloxy-5,6-diphenyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-oxazine-2-one via lipase TL-mediated kinetic resolution of benzoin: general procedure for the synthesis of [2,3-(13)C(2),(15)N]-L-alanine.

Lipase TL-mediated kinetic resolution of benzoin proceeded to give the corresponding optically pure (R)-benzoin (R)-1. On the other hand, (S)-benzoin O-acetate (S)-7 could be hydrolyzed without epimerization to give (S)-benzoin (S)-1 under alkaline conditions. Furthermore, both enantiomers of benzoin (1) were converted to [(15)N]-(1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)- 2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol (3a and 3b), respectively, according to the procedure reported previously. [2,3-(13)C(2),(15)N]-(5S,6R)-4-benzyloxy-5,6-diphenyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-oxazine-2-one (10) was synthesized from ethyl [1,2-(13)C(2)]bromoacetate and (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol (3b) in three steps. Finally, [2,3-(13)C(2),(15)N]-L-alanine (12) was prepared via alkylation of the lactone 10 and hydrogenation of the alkylated product 11.