An enantioselective strategy to macrocyclic bisindolylmaleimides. An efficient formal synthesis of LY 333531

[reaction: see text]. The ability to employ a bromo alcohol as a nucleophile in a palladium-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation leads to an efficient synthesis of a selective PKC inhibitor under clinical development.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation. A short route to the cyclopentyl core of viridenomycin

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation effects a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of racemic isoprene monoepoxide and a surrogate for Nazarov's reagent in which a quaternary center is created with exellent ee. The resultant adduct allows easy access to a substrate for ring-closing metathesis to form a cyclopentenone and sets the stage for an 11-step synthesis of the cyclopentyl core of the antibiotic antitumor agent viridenomycin. [reaction: see text]     

A "chiral aldehyde" equivalent as a building block towards biologically active targets

Chiral gamma-aryloxybutenolides, readily accessible through dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of racemic acyloxybutenolides, were utilized as "chiral aldehyde" building blocks for intermolecular cycloadditions and Michael reactions. Unprecedented selectivity in trimethylenemethane cycloadditions with this building block allowed an efficient synthesis of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonist in development by the Bayer corporation. These studies further inspired work that culminated in the total synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A, a natural product with a range of significant biological properties. All of the stereochemistry in this target molecule was derived from two palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions. The trans-alkenes were synthesized by a Julia olefination and a ruthenium-catalyzed trans-hydrosilylation-protodesilylation protocol. The route to (+)-brefeldin A lends itself to analogue syntheses and was completed in 18 steps in 6 % overall yield.     

Total synthesis of (-)-galanthamine and (-)-lycoramine via catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and intramolecular reductive Heck cyclization

A synthetic strategy featuring efficient ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α-aryloxy cyclic ketone via dynamic kinetic resolution and palladium-catalyzed intramolecular reductive Heck cyclization has been developed for the asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-galanthamine (20.1%, 12 steps) and (-)-lycoramine (40.2%, 10 steps).     

Asymmetric Dearomatization of Indole by Palladium/PC-Phos-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Transformation

A palladium-catalyzed intermolecular dynamic kinetic asymmetric dearomatization of 3-arylindoles with internal alkynes was developed with the use of achiral Xantphos and chiral sulfinamide phosphine ligand ( PC-Phos ) as the co-ligands. This method could deliver various spiro[indene-1,3′-indole] compounds in good yields (up to 95 % yield) with up to 98 % ee. The salient features of the transformation include the use of readily available substrates, ease of scale-up and the versatile functionalization of the products. The mechanistic experiments gave some insights on active intermediates.     

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of thiocarboxylate ions: asymmetric synthesis of allylic thioesters and memory effect/dynamic kinetic resolution of allylic esters

The palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of KSAc and KSBz with racemic cyclic and acyclic allylic esters by using N,N'-(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexandiylbis[2-(diphenylphosphino)-benzamide] as ligand frequently gave the corresponding allylic thioesters with high ee values and yields. The reaction of the cyclic allylic carbonates with KSAc in the presence of H(2)O was accompanied by a partial palladium-catalyzed enantioselective "hydrolysis" of the substrates with formation of the corresponding enantioenriched allylic alcohols. The degree of the "hydrolysis" was strongly dependent on the solvent and the thiocarboxylate ion. Highly selective kinetic resolutions (KRs) were observed in the palladium-catalyzed reaction of the racemic cyclohexenyl and cycloheptenyl acetates with KSAc. While the KR of the cyclohexenyl acetate is characterized by a selectivity factor S = 72 +/- 19, that of the cycloheptenyl acetate afforded (R)-cycloheptenyl acetate of >or=99% ee in 48% yield and (S)-cycloheptenyl thioacetate of 98% ee in 50% yield. The palladium-catalyzed reaction of the racemic cyclopentenyl acetate with KSAc showed a strong "memory effect" (ME), that is, both enantiomers reacted with different enantioselectivities. The ME was probed by studying the palladium-catalyzed reactions of both the matched acetate of >or=99% ee and the mismatched acetate of >or=99% ee with KSAc. The acetates not only reacted with different enantioselectivities and rates but also suffered an unexpected and concomitant palladium-catalyzed racemization in the presence of the chiral ligand. This led in the case of the mismatched acetate to a temporary dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) that featured a racemization of the mismatched acetate by the chiral catalyst. Studies of the palladium-catalyzed reaction of the racemic cyclopentenyl acetate, carbonate, and naphthoate with KSAc in the presence of the chiral ligand also showed the ME to be strongly dependent on the nucleofuge. This also allowed the synthesis of (S)-cyclopentenyl thioacetate of 92% ee in high yield from the racemic cyclopentenyl naphthoate.     

A convergent and enantioselective synthesis of (+)-amurensinine via selective C-H and C-C bond insertion reactions

A convergent and enantioselective synthesis of the natural product amurensinine is described. The synthetic strategy takes advantage of mild and selective C-H and C-C bond insertion reactions, in addition to the palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative kinetic resolution recently developed in these laboratories.     

Synthesis of amides via palladium-catalyzed amidation of aryl halides

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of amides via palladium-catalyzed C-C coupling of aryl halides with isocyanides is reported, by which a series of amides were formed from readily available starting materials under mild conditions. This transformation could extend its use to the synthesis of natural products and significant pharmaceuticals.     

A convergent Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of dl- and meso-divinylethylene carbonate: enantioselective synthesis of (+)-australine hydrochloride and formal synthesis of isoaltholactone

The use of a mixture of dl- and meso-divinylethylene carbonate as an electrophile in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions is reported. From the diastereomeric mixture of meso and chiral racemic starting materials, a single product is obtained in high optical purity employing either oxygen or nitrogen nucleophiles. The resulting dienes have proven to be versatile synthetic intermediates as each carbon is functionalized for further transformation and differentiated by virtue of the reaction. A mechanism for this intriguing transformation is proposed and a concise enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-australine hydrochloride is reported as well as a formal synthesis of isoaltholactone.     

Combined Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and C−H Functionalization for Facile Synthesis of Non-Biaryl-Atropisomer-Type Axially Chiral Organosilanes

Although asymmetric C−H functionalization has been available for the synthesis of structurally diverse molecules, catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) approaches to change racemic stereogenic axes remain synthetic challenges in this field. Here, a concise palladium-catalyzed DKR was combined with C−H functionalization involving olefination and alkynylation for the highly efficient synthesis of non-biaryl-atropisomer-type (NBA) axially chiral oragnosilanes. The chemistry proceeded through two different and distinct DKR: first, an atroposelective C−H olefination or alkynylation produced axially chiral vinylsilanes or alkynylsilanes as a new family of non-biaryl atropisomers (NBA), and second, the extension of this DKR strategy to twofold o,o′-C−H functionalization led to the multifunctional axially chiral organosilicon compounds with up to >99 % ee.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed intramolecular amidoarylation of alkenes with molecular oxygen as sole oxidant

Stereoselective palladium-catalyzed synthesis of structurally versatile indoline derivatives, using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant, is described. New C-N and C-C bonds form across an alkene in an intramolecular manner. The C-N bond-forming step proceeds via a syn-amidopalladation pathway. The moderate kinetic isotope effects (intramolecular KIE = 3.56) suggest that electrophilic aromatic substitution occurs in the arylation step.     

Chiral (acyclic diaminocarbene)gold(I)-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of propargyl esters

A highly enantioselective transformation catalyzed by chiral (acyclic diaminocarbene)gold(I) complexes is reported. The enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted chromenyl pivalates from racemic phenol-substituted propargyl pivalates was developed. Rearrangement of the substrates in the presence of cationic gold gave allene intermediates, whose cyclization resulted in formation of enantioenriched product through a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation.     

First total synthesis of (+)-heteroplexisolide E

In this study, we achieved the first total synthesis of (+)-heteroplexisolide E. The synthetic highlights of our approach include a one-pot regioselective methylation method and the transformation of a β-methallyl alcohol moiety to a prenyl group using palladium-catalyzed hydrogenolysis.     

A highly diastereoselective chloride-mediated dynamic kinetic resolution at phosphorus on-route to a key intermediate in the synthesis of GSK2248761A

A highly diastereoselective chloride-mediated dynamic kinetic resolution at phosphorus has been developed to access a key intermediate in the synthesis of GSK2248761A. This procedure utilises a soluble chloride source and a cheap readily available chiral auxiliary. The practicality of this transformation is demonstrated on a multi-gram scale.     

Pd-catalyzed carboetherification of beta,gamma-unsaturated oximes: a novel approach to Delta2-isoxazolines

A novel route to the synthesis of Delta2-isoxazoline derivatives is described. Reaction of beta,gamma-unsaturated oximes with aryl bromides via palladium-catalyzed carboetherification affords 3,5-disubstituted Delta2-isoxazolines in good yields. The use of Xantphos as ligand is crucial for the transformation. The carboetherification products can be further converted to beta-hydroxy ketones in the presence of Fe powder and NH4Cl.     

A new one-Pot synthesis of alkynylphosphonates

A method for the palladium-catalyzed synthesis of alkynylphosphonates from 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes has been developed. In general, the best catalyst system for this transformation was found to be Pd(OAc)(2), dppf, H-phosphonate, propylene oxide, DMF, 80 degrees C. The reaction appears tolerant of a range of functional groups in both the 1,1-dibromo-1-alkene and H-phosphonate coupling partners. The synthesis of a backbone-modified thymidine dimer is used to illustrate the application of this methodology in the synthesis of complex target molecules.     

Asymmetric induction of conduritols via AAA reactions: synthesis of the aminocyclohexitol of hygromycin A

Two synthetic routes towards the construction of the aminocyclohexitol moiety of hygromycin A have been developed based on palladium-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of conduritol derivatives. A protocol has been established whereby this biologically relevant molecule is formed from benzoquinone. A conduritol A derivative is synthesized in eight steps from benzoquinone and is then subjected to the palladium reaction. From this flexible intermediate, four epimers of the aminocyclitol, including the natural one, can be obtained with complete stereoselectivity. Racemic conduritol B derivatives are available in four steps from benzoquinone, and these are then made enantiomerically pure by a palladium-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution. From the chiral conduritol B, the aminocyclitol is available in six steps. Excellent levels of enantio- and diastereoselectivity highlight these strategies.     

First total synthesis of clausine L and pityriazole, a metabolite of the human pathogenic yeast Malassezia furfur

The first total synthesis of the alkaloid pityriazole is described using three consecutive palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions.     

Amino acid-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT): one-step de novo synthesis of polyketide sugars from racemic β-hydroxy aldehydes

The ability of amino acids to catalyze dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) with excellent stereoselectivity is presented. The novel DYKAT process was applied in the proline-catalyzed one-step de novo synthesis of triketide- and deoxysugars, which were formed with excellent diastereoselectivity and up to 99% ee. The de novo synthesis is accomplished via an enzyme-like DYKAT process, which includes continuous amino acid-mediated racemization of the acceptor β-hydroxy aldehyde in combination with amino acid-catalyzed direct selective aldol addition.     

Direct palladium-catalyzed arylation of cyclopropenes

The first examples of direct palladium-catalyzed arylation and heteroarylation of cyclopropenes have been demonstrated. This method allows for efficient synthesis of various tetrasubstituted cyclopropenes, incuding nonracemic cyclopropenes, which are not available via known asymmetric cyclopropenation methods. Mechanistic studies strongly suggest an electrophilic path for this Heck-type transformation.