Enamines: efficient nucleophiles for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

Enamines were tested to be efficient nucleophiles for palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation, avoiding the use of unstablilized ketone enolates formed by strong bases. The influence of the chiral metallocene-based ligands upon this reaction was studied in detail. It was shown that planar chirality played an important role in enantioselectivities. Meanwhile, different kinds of enamines and allylic acetate to the reactions were also investigated. High catalytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) were obtained with pyrrolidine enamines of both aliphatic and aromatic ketone.     

Thiyl radical-mediated cleavage of allylic C-N bonds: scope, limitations, and theoretical support to the mechanism

Thiols mediate the radical isomerization of allylic amines into enamines. The reaction results in the cleavage of the allylic C-N bond, after treatment with aqueous HCl. The mechanism involves the abstraction of an allylic hydrogen alpha to nitrogen by thiyl radical, followed by a return hydrogen transfer from the thiol to the carbon gamma to nitrogen in the intermediate allylic radical. The scope and limitations of the reaction with respect to the nature of the thiol, to the structure of the allylic chain, and to the nature of the substituents at nitrogen were investigated. The experimental results were interpreted on the ground of DFT calculations of the C-Halpha BDE in the starting allylic amines, and of the C-Hgamma BDE in the resulting enamines. The efficiency of the initial hydrogen transfer is the first requirement for the reaction to proceed. A balance must be found between the S-H BDE and the two above-mentioned C-H BDEs. The incidence of stereoelectronic factors was analyzed through NBO calculations performed on the optimized geometries of the starting allylic amines. Additional calculations of the transition structures and subsequent tracing of the reaction profiles were performed for the abstraction of Halpha from both the allyl and the prenyl derivatives by p-TolS(*). The latter allowed us to estimate the rate constant for the abstraction of hydrogen by thiyl radical from an N-prenylamine and an N-allylamine.     

Acid-promoted multicomponent allylic amidation towards 7-acetamido tetrahydroindole derivatives

An acid-promoted multicomponent reaction for the direct C(sp³)N bond formation was achieved through intermolecular allylic amidation in a one-pot operation to synthesize 7-acetamido tetrahydroindole derivatives from simple and readily available arylglyoxal monohydrates, acetonitriles, and enamines of 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadione (dimedone) has been developed. Here acetonitrile acts both as solvent and reagent. These tetahydroindole derivatives are formed through domino condensation of the enamines and arylglyoxals followed by annulation and allylic amidation.     

Tandem radical and non-radical reactions mediated with thiols--a new method of cleavage of allylic amines

Thiyl radical promotes the isomerisation of allylic amines into enamines via two consecutive hydrogen atom abstraction steps, and the subsequent polar addition of the corresponding thiol to the enamine results in the cleavage of the C-N bond via a thioaminal intermediate: this reaction provides a mild, metal-free methodology for the deprotection of allylated primary and secondary amines.     

Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Malonate Esters to α,β‐Unsaturated N‐Sulfonyl Imines: An Expeditious Route to Chiral δ‐Aminoesters and Piperidones

The asymmetric conjugate addition of malonate esters to α,β‐unsaturated N‐sulfonyl imines is catalyzed by PyBOX/La(OTf)₃ complexes in the presence of 4 Å MS. The reaction gives the corresponding E enamines bearing a stereogenic center at the allylic position with good yields and enantiomeric ratios up to 97:3. This reaction provides a synthetic entry to chiral δ‐aminoesters and piperidones.     

Tandem inverse electron demand Diels-Alder, retro-Diels-Alder and intramolecular Diels-Alder sequences: one-pot synthesis of diaza-polycycles

A new and straightforward methodology is described for the construction of complex nitrogen-containing polycycles from substituted 1,2,4-triazines and enamines, prepared in situ from carbonyl components and allylic amines. The transformation proceeds via a pericyclic reaction cascade (inverse electron demand Diels-Alder then retro-Diels-Alder then intramolecular Diels-Alder) forming the polycyclic systems in good to excellent yield and with high diastereoselectivity in a one-pot procedure. The scope and limitations of the methodology are described as are preliminary studies to extend its synthetic utility.     

Palladium-catalyzed nucleophilic allylic substitution of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts with enamines: Synthesis of 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds

An efficient nucleophilic allylic substitution of a variety of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts with enamines catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of ZnBr₂ as a promoter is described in the present study. The reaction gives S_N2-type 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds that may subsequently undergo an intramolecular conjugate addition onto the enone moiety affording the corresponding 1,4-adducts. All the synthesized compounds have been isolated in moderate to good yields and fully characterized.     

Investigation of the Corey Bromolactamization with N‐Functionalized Allylamines

N‐Allylamines were employed for the diastereoselective synthesis of 8‐bromo‐substituted, cis‐configured perhydroquinoxalines and β‐bromoalcohols. The yield and constitution of the products depend considerably on the functionalization of the allylic N‐atom. Herein the reaction of glycine‐derived cyclohex‐2‐enamines 5 under bromolactamization conditions (LiOtBu, NBS) is reported. Methyl carbamate 5a led diastereoselectively to the cis‐configured perhydroquinoxaline 6a , whereas the amides 5b and 5c provided cis,trans‐configured ‐bromoalcohols 7b and 7c . Based on high level theoretical calculations (DFT) factors controlling the cyclization of lithiated intermediates and the relative energies of possible products are discussed.     

Enamines a halogene allylique—II: Action des organometalliques

In the condensation of organometallic reagents (Mg, Li, Cu) with halogenated enamines, there is a competition between substitution of the allylic halogen and rearrangement with loss of halogen, to give bicyclic compounds3 (6-pyrrolidino 6-alkyl bicyclo [3.1.0] hexanes). The reaction can be oriented toward the formation of the α-substituted ketone or of the bicyclic amine by an appropriate choice of the organometallic derivative, of the solvent and of the amino group of the enamine. The structure of the bicyclic amine3 could be the result of a selective attack on the least hindered side of the postulated intermediate immonium.     

Direct palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations of alcohols with enamines: Synthesis of homoallyl ketones

An efficient, direct nucleophilic allylic substitution of α-, β- and γ-substituted alcohols with enamines, using the Pd(OAc)_2/PPh₃ catalyst system and ZnBr₂ as a promoter in CH₂Cl₂ at reflux, is reported. The reaction course was dependent on the steric hindrance at the α- or γ-positions with respect to the functionalized α-carbon, selectively affording in moderate to good yields, α- or γ-homoallyl ketones, the so-called “linear” and “branched” products, respectively.     

Efficient palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of ketones and aldehydes

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of ketones, via enamines generated in situ as nucleophiles, were carried out smoothly with chiral metallocene-based P,N-ligands. Under the same conditions, however, reactions of aldehydes could hardly be observed. Subsequently, this obstacle was resolved by using chiral metallocene-based P,P-ligands. Both ketones and aldehydes afforded excellent enantioselectivities with up to 98% ee and 94% ee, respectively.     

3-Aza-cope rearrangement of quaternary N-allyl enammonium salts. Stereospecific 1,3 allyl migration from nitrogen to carbon on a tricyclic template

N-Allyl enamines can undergo a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement known as a 3-aza-Cope (or amino-Claisen) reaction. We explored a 3-aza-Cope reaction involving 1,3 allylic migration from nitrogen to carbon in N-allyl enammonium quaternary salts, exemplified by benzo[a]quinolizine 8 and pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline 13, with an interest in stereochemistry and mechanism. Salts 8 and 13 were accessed, respectively, through stereospecific allylation of hydroxy amines 4 and 11a/11b to give 7 and 12a/12b, which were dehydrated with trifluoroacetic acid. Allylic migration in these tricyclic tetrahydroisoquinolines occurred with high stereospecificity, with the major products 9 (from 8) and 15a (from 13) apparently deriving from a concerted suprafacial [3,3] rearrangement. The rearrangement of 8 to 9 was facile at 23 degrees C (t(1/2) = ca. 5 h) and was >98% stereospecific, whereas the rearrangement of 13 to 15a/15b required heating between 50 and 100 degrees C, with ca. 90-95% stereospecificity (t(1/2) = ca. 0.3 h at 100 degrees C). A deuterium-labeling experiment with 21 ((2)H-13) confirmed that allylic inversion accompanies the 1,3 migration en route to major isomer 22a ((2)H-15a), supporting the predominance of a concerted [3, 3] sigmatropic mechanism. However, the 5-10% loss of stereospecificity in the rearrangements of the pyrroloisoquinolines 13 and 21, reflected by formation of minor isomers 15b and 22b, respectively, indicates a minor nonconcerted reaction pathway.     

N-Haloamidines-V: Reaction of N-chloro-N'-aroyl-acetamidines and -benzamidines with enamines

The reaction between N-chloro-N'-aroyl-amidines and β,β-disubstituted enamines affords 1 - aroyl - 4 -amino - 4,5 - dihydro - imidazoles in low yields, the main reaction product being N - (2 - morpholino - 2,2 -disubstituted) - ethylidene - N' - aroyl - amidines. A similar reaction course was not observed with enamines bearing a hydrogen atom in the β-position. In this case only products derived from electrophilic chlorination on enamines were isolated.     

Reaction of enamines with trifluoromethyl containing carbonyl reagents

The reaction of linear push-pull enamines bearing a methyl group at the α-position with a set of trifluoromethylated carbonyl compounds was investigated. It has been found that the reaction proceeds at the methyl group of the enamines. The first computational study of the reaction between push-pull enamines and strong electrophilic reagents was reported. Out of three pathways considered DFT and MP2 calculations support ene-mechanism previously suggested based on experimental results only.     

Reaction of unsymmetrical trifluoromethyl-containing 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with ‘push-pull’ enamines

The reaction of ‘push-pull’ enamines with trifluoromethyl-containing 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds was investigated. It was found that the reaction is sensitive both to the structure of the enamines and to reaction conditions. As a result, a set of various trifluoromethyldialkylanilines was obtained.     

Stereoselectivity of the Radical Reductive Alkylation of Enamines: Importance of the Allylic 1,3-Strain Model

Radical addition to enamines using Bu₃SnH as reducing agent are reported (Schemes 2 and 4). The diastereoselectivity of these reactions was examined in different systems (Tables 1 and 2). Enamines derived from cyclic ketones such as cyclohexanone were alkylated with high diastereoselectivity with preferential formation of the cis-disubstituted cycloalkanes. In acyclic systems such as enamines derived from propiophenone and diethyl ketone, moderate to high stereoselectivities were observed in the H-abstraction step. A model based principally on minimization of allylic 1,3-strain (A^1,3 strain) was deduced from the experimental results and semi-empirical (AM1) calculations.     

Synthesis of functionalized m-bistrifluoromethylbenzenes via cyclocondensation of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone with enamines

The reaction of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone with push-pull enamines having a methyl group at the α-position was investigated. It was found that the reaction is sensitive both to the structure of enamines and to reaction conditions. As a result, a set of bistrifluoromethyldialkylanilines and ethyl bistrifluoromethylsalicylate was prepared. Plausible mechanisms and factors influencing the course of the reaction are discussed.     

The Action of Carbon Disulfide and Sulfur on Enamines,Ketimines, and CH Acids

The reaction of sulfur, carbon disulfide, and enamines at room temperature leads mainly or exclusively to 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thiones; these are occasionally accompanied by 2H-1,3-dithiole-2-thiones, which can also be prepared by a modified procedure. Many enamines react with sulfur at room temperature to form thioamides. At about 50°C, enamines of acetophenone give 2-benzylidene-4-phenyl-2H-1,3-dithiol. The action of isothiocyanates and sulfur on enamines leads to the formation of thiazolidine-2-thiones. 2H-Thiopyran-2-thiones can be prepaAred from enamines or dienamines with carbon disulfide at room temperature. The reaction of ketimines (Schiff bases) with carbon disulfide and sulfur yields 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thiones or isothiazoline-5-thiones. The reaction of alkynes with sulfur and carbon disulfide leads to 2H-1,3-dithiole-2-thiones. Nitriles containing active methylene groups react with carbon disulfide and sulfur to form 5-amino-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thiones. When isothiocyanates are used instead of CS₂, the reaction leads to δ⁴-4-amino-thiazoline-2-thiones.     

Solid-phase synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-pyridones via aza-annulation of enamines

An efficient solid-phase approach has been developed to prepare nitrogen heterocycles with a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-pyridone core via aza-annulation of enamines. Immobilized enamines were prepared from the reaction of primary amines with propynoic acid derivatives or ketones. Aza-annulation reactions were carried out by reacting resin-bound enamines with symmetrical alpha,beta-unsaturated acid anhydrides or alpha,beta-unsaturated acids in the presence of DPPA and TEA. The annulation products were isolated in good to high crude yields. Influence of sterically hindered amines as well as alpha- and beta-substituted acrylic acid derivatives on the annulation reaction was also investigated.     

1,3-Dipolar Addition of Methyl α-Diazoacetoacetate to Enamines： A New Synthetic Route to 5-Amino-4,5-dihydrofurans

The reaction of methyl α-diazoacetoacetate with enamines catalyzed by dirhodium and copper complexes underwent formal 1,3-dipolar addition to give 5-amino-4,5-dihydrofurans in moderate yields. The reaction was suggested to proceed via a nucleophilic addition of enamines to rnetal-carbenes and a subsequent intramolecular cyclization of the resulting zwitterionic intermediates.