Enantioselective Catalysis of the Intermolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition between 2‐Pyridones and Acetylenedicarboxylates

Intermolecular [2+2] photocycloadditions represent the most versatile and widely applicable of photochemical reactions. For the first time, such intermolecular reactions have been carried out in a catalytic fashion using a chiral triplet sensitizer, with high enantioselectivity (up to 92 % ee). The low catalyst loading (2.5–5 mol %) underlines the high efficiency of the process both in terms of reaction acceleration and differentiation of the enantiotopic faces of the substrate. The substrate is anchored to the chiral catalyst through noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonds), thus providing a chiral environment in which the enantioselective photocycloaddition proceeds. The densely functionalized products present numerous possibilities for further synthetic transformations.     

Enantioselective Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition Reactions of 4‐Substituted Coumarins Catalyzed by a Chiral Lewis Acid

Eight coumarins, which carry a terminal alkene tethered by a CH₂XCH₂ group to their 4‐position (X=CH₂, CMe₂, O, S, NBoc, NZ, NTs, NBn), were synthesized in overall yields of 51–80 %. Starting materials for the syntheses were either commercially available 4‐hydroxycoumarin or 4‐formylcoumarin. The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of these coumarins gave diastereoselectively products with a tetracyclic 3,3a,4,4a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐cyclopenta[2,3]cyclobuta[1,2‐c]chromen‐5(2H)‐one skeleton. Direct irradiation at λ=300 nm in dichloromethane (c=10 mM ) led to product formation in good yields for most substrates, presumably via a singlet excited state intermediate. Due to the low coumarin absorption at λ >350 nm the photocycloaddition was slow upon irradiation at λ=366 nm. Addition of a chiral oxazaborolidine‐based Lewis acid (50 mol %) increased the reaction rate at λ=366 nm and induced a significant enantioselectivity in the [2+2] photocycloaddition. Six out of eight coumarin substrates (X=CH₂, CMe₂, O, NBoc, NZ, NTs) gave the respective products in yields of 72–96 % and with 74–90 % enantiomeric excess (ee) upon irradiation in dichloromethane (c=20 mM ) at ?75 °C. The Lewis acid presumably acts by coordination to the coumarin carbonyl oxygen atom, which leads to a bathochromic shift (redshift) of the UV absorption and which increases the singlet state lifetime. A second electrostatic interaction of the hydrogen atom at C3 with the oxygen atom of the oxazaborolidine is likely.     

A Thioxanthone Sensitizer with a Chiral Phosphoric Acid Binding Site: Properties and Applications in Visible Light-Mediated Cycloadditions

A chiral phosphoric acid with a 2,2’-binaphthol core was prepared that displays two thioxanthone moieties at the 3,3’-position as light-harvesting antennas. Despite its relatively low triplet energy, the phosphoric acid was found to be an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of β-carboxyl-substituted cyclic enones (e.r. up to 93:7). Binding of the carboxylic acid to the sensitizer is suggested by NMR studies and by DFT calculations to occur by means of two hydrogen bonds. The binding event not only enables an enantioface differentiation but also modulates the triplet energy of the substrates.     

Triplet Energy Transfer from Ruthenium Complexes to Chiral Eniminium Ions: Enantioselective Synthesis of Cyclobutanecarbaldehydes by [2+2] Photocycloaddition

Chiral eniminium salts, prepared from α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes and a chiral proline derived secondary amine, underwent, upon irradiation with visible light, a ruthenium‐catalyzed (2.5 mol %) intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition to olefins, which after hydrolysis led to chiral cyclobutanecarbaldehydes (17 examples, 49–74 % yield), with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Ru(bpz)₃(PF₆)₂ was utilized as the ruthenium catalyst and laser flash photolysis studies show that the catalyst operates exclusively by triplet‐energy transfer (sensitization). A catalytic system was devised with a chiral secondary amine co‐catalyst. In the catalytic reactions, Ru(bpy)₃(PF₆)₂ was employed, and laser flash photolysis experiments suggest it undergoes both electron and energy transfer. However, experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that energy transfer is the only productive quenching mechanism. Control experiments using Ir(ppy)₃ showed no catalysis for the intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of an eniminium ion.     

Intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of substituted isoquinolones: enantioselectivity and kinetic resolution induced by a chiral template

From simple to complex: Starting from easily accessible isoquinolones 1 (X=Br, OH), complex cyclobutane photoproducts such as compound 2 can be obtained with high enantioselectivity (88-96?%?ee) through the use of a chiral template. Compound 3, which was isolated in 53?%?ee starting from a racemic substrate, is the product of a unique, unprecedented kinetic resolution process.     

Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition Reactions of 3‐(ω′‐Alkenyl)‐ and 3‐(ω′‐Alkenyloxy)‐Substituted 5,6‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones

3‐(ω′‐Alkenyl)‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones 2 – 4 were prepared as photocycloaddition precursors either by cross‐coupling from 3‐iodo‐5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐one ( 8 ) or—more favorably—from the corresponding α‐(ω′‐alkenyl)‐substituted δ‐valerolactams 9 – 11 by a selenylation/elimination sequence (56–62 % overall yield). 3‐(ω′‐Alkenyloxy)‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones 5 and 6 were accessible in 43 and 37 % overall yield from 3‐diazopiperidin‐2‐one ( 15 ) by an α,α‐chloroselenylation reaction at the 3‐position followed by nucleophilic displacement of a chloride ion with an ω‐alkenolate and oxidative elimination of selenoxide. Upon irradiation at λ=254 nm, the precursor compounds underwent a clean intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction. Substrates 2 and 5 , tethered by a two‐atom chain, exclusively delivered the respective crossed products 19 and 20 , and substrates 3 , 5 , and 6 , tethered by longer chains, gave the straight products 21 – 23 . The completely regio‐ and diastereoselective photocycloaddition reactions proceeded in 63–83 % yield. Irradiation in the presence of the chiral templates (?)‐ 1 and (+)‐ 31 at ?75 °C in toluene rendered the reactions enantioselective with selectivities varying between 40 and 85 % ee. Truncated template rac‐ 31 was prepared as a noranalogue of the well‐established template 1 in eight steps and 56 % yield from the Kemp triacid ( 24 ). Subsequent resolution delivered the enantiomerically pure templates (?)‐ 31 and (+)‐ 31 . The outcome of the reactions is compared to the results achieved with 4‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyridin‐2‐ones and quinolones.     

Evidence for Triplet Sensitization in the Visible‐Light‐Induced [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Eniminium Ions

Εniminium ions were prepared from the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds (enones and enals), and were found to be promoted to their respective triplet states by energy transfer. The photoexcited intermediates underwent intra‐ or intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition in good yields (50–78 %) upon irradiation at λ=433 nm or λ=457 nm. Iridium or ruthenium complexes with a sufficiently high triplet energy were identified as efficient catalysts (2.5 mol % catalyst loading) for the reaction. The intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of an eniminium ion derived from a chiral secondary amine proceeded with high enantioselectivity (88 % ee).     

Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Cyclic Enones: Selectivity Control by Lewis Acids and Mechanistic Implications

The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of 3-alkenyl-2-cycloalkenones was performed in an enantioselective fashion (nine representative examples, 54–86 % yield, 76–96 % ee) upon irradiation at λ=366 nm in the presence of an AlBr₃-activated oxazaborolidine as the Lewis acid. An extensive screening of proline-derived oxazaborolidines showed that the enantioface differentiation depends strongly on the nature of the aryl group at the 3-position of the heterocycle. DFT calculations of the Lewis acid–substrate complex indicate that attractive dispersion forces may be responsible for a change of the binding mode. The catalytic [2+2] photocycloaddition was shown to proceed on the triplet hypersurface with a quantum yield of 0.05. The positive effect of Lewis acids on the outcome of a given intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition was illustrated by optimizing the key step in a concise total synthesis of the sesquiterpene (±)-italicene.     

[2+2] Photocycloaddition of 3‐Alkenyloxy‐2‐cycloalkenones: Enantioselective Lewis Acid Catalysis and Ring Expansion

By application of substoichiometric amounts (50 mol %) of a chiral Lewis acid, the intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of the title compounds was achieved with high enantioselectivity (up to 94 % ee). Upon cleavage of the cyclobutane ring the resulting tricyclic products underwent ring‐expansion reactions under acidic conditions and formed anellated seven‐ or eight‐membered‐ring systems without racemization. The ring expansion could be combined with a diastereoselective reduction (triethylsilane) or allylation (allyltrimethylsilane) upon BF₃ catalysis (48–87 % yield).     

Chiral Silver Amides as Effective Catalysts for Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

Asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of α‐aminoester Schiff bases with substituted olefins is one of the most efficient methods for the preparation of chiral pyrrolidine derivatives in optically pure form. In spite of its potential utility, applicable substrates for this method have been limited to Schiff bases that bear relatively acidic α‐hydrogen atoms. Here we report a chiral silver amide complex for asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reactions. A silver complex prepared from silver bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (AgHMDS) and (R)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS worked well in asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of α‐aminoester Schiff bases with several olefins to afford the corresponding pyrrolidine derivatives in high yields with remarkable exo‐ and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, α‐aminophosphonate Schiff bases, which have less acidic α‐hydrogen atoms, also reacted with olefins with high exo‐ and enantioselectivities. The stereoselectivities of the [3+2] cycloadditions with maleate and fumarate suggested that the reaction proceeded by means of a concerted mechanism. An NMR spectroscopic study indicated that complexation of AgHMDS with the bisphosphine ligand was not complete, and that free AgHMDS, which did not show any significant catalytic activity, existed in the catalyst solution. This means that significant ligand acceleration occurred in the current reaction system.     

Regulatory Mechanism of the Enantioselective Intramolecular Enone [2+2] Photocycloaddition Reaction Mediated by a Chiral Lewis Acid Catalyst Containing Heavy Atoms

The asymmetric catalysis of the intramolecular enone [2+2] photocycloaddition has been subject of extensive experimental studies, however theoretical insight to its regulatory mechanism is still sparse. Accurate quantum chemical calculations at the CASPT2//CASSCF level of theory associated with energy‐consistent relativistic pseudopotentials provide a basis for the first regulation theory that the enantioselective reaction is predominantly controlled by the presence of relativistic effects, that is, spin–orbit coupling resulting from heavy atoms in the chiral Lewis acid catalyst.     

Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition of 3‐ and 4‐(But‐3‐enyl)oxyquinolones: Influence of the Alkene Substitution Pattern,Photophysical Studies,and Enantioselective Catalysis by a Chiral Sensitizer

The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of four 4‐(but‐3‐enyl)oxyquinolones (substitution pattern at the terminal alkene carbon atom: CH₂, Z‐CHEt, E‐CHEt, CMe₂) and two 3‐(but‐3‐enyl)oxyquinolones (substitution pattern: CH₂, CMe₂) was studied. Upon direct irradiation at λ=300 nm, the respective cyclobutane products were formed in high yields (83–95 %) and for symmetrically substituted substrates with complete diastereoselectivity. Substrates with a Z‐ or E‐substituted terminal double bond showed a stereoconvergent reaction course leading to mixtures of regio‐ and diastereomers with almost identical composition. The mechanistic course of the photocycloaddition was elucidated by transient absorption spectroscopy. A triplet intermediate was detected for the title compounds, which–in contrast to simple alkoxyquinolones such as 3‐butyloxyquinolone and 4‐methoxyquinolone–decayed rapidly (τ≈1 ns) through cyclization to a triplet 1,4‐diradical. The diradical can evolve through two reaction channels, one leading to the photoproduct and the other leading back to the starting material. When the photocycloaddition was performed in the presence of a chiral sensitizer (10 mol %) upon irradiation at λ=366 nm in trifluorotoluene as the solvent, moderate to high enantioselectivities were achieved. The two 3‐(but‐3‐enyl)oxyquinolones gave enantiomeric excesses (ees) of 60 and 64 % at ?25 °C, presumably because a significant racemic background reaction occurred. The 4‐substituted quinolones showed higher enantioselectivities (92–96 % ee at ?25 °C) and, for the terminally Z‐ and E‐substituted substrates, an improved regio‐ and diastereoselectivity.     

Highly Enantioselective [3+2] Coupling of Indoles with Quinone Monoimines Promoted by a Chiral Phosphoric Acid

Highly enantioselective [3+2] coupling of 3‐substituted indoles with quinone monoimines promoted by a chiral phosphoric acid has been reported. A large variety of benzofuroindolines were prepared in moderate to good yields (up to 98 %) with generally excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee).     

Catalytic Enantioselective and Regioselective [3+3] Cycloadditions Using 2‐Indolylmethanols as 3 C Building Blocks

The first catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition using 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks has been established by a chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective and regioselective [3+3] cycloaddition of 2‐indolylmethanols with azomethine ylides, which constructed biologically important tetrahydro‐γ‐carboline frameworks in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 83 % yield, 99:1 e.r.). This reaction not only represents the first application of 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks in catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions, but also has established an abnormal regioselectivity in indolylmethanol‐involved transformations.     

Enantioselective Visible‐Light‐Induced Radical‐Addition Reactions to 3‐Alkylidene Indolin‐2‐ones

The title compounds underwent a facile and high‐yielding addition reaction (19 examples, 66–99 % yield) with various N‐(trimethylsilyl)methyl‐substituted amines upon irradiation with visible light and catalysis by a metal complex. If the alkylidene substituent is non‐symmetric and if the reaction is performed in the presence of a chiral hydrogen‐bonding template, products are obtained with significant enantioselectivity (58–72 % ee) as a mixture of diastereoisomers. Mechanistic studies suggest a closed catalytic cycle for the photoactive metal complex. However, the silyl transfer from the amine occurs not only to the product, but also to the substrate, and interferes with the desired chirality transfer.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 8‐Oxabicyclooctanes by Intermolecular [5+2] Pyrylium Cycloadditions

Highly enantioselective intermolecular [5+2] cycloadditions of pyrylium ion intermediates with electron‐rich alkenes are promoted by a dual catalyst system composed of an achiral thiourea and a chiral primary aminothiourea. The observed enantioselectivity is highly dependent on the substitution pattern of the 5π component, and the basis for this effect is analyzed using experimental and computational evidence. The resultant 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives possess a scaffold common in natural products and medicinally active compounds and are also versatile chiral building blocks for further manipulations. Several stereoselective complexity‐generating transformations of the 8‐oxabicyclooctane products are presented.     

Enantioselective Aldol Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Phosphine Oxides

The development of enantioselective aldol reactions catalyzed by chiral phosphine oxides is described. The aldol reactions presented herein do not require the prior preparation of the masked enol ethers from carbonyl compounds as aldol donors. The reactions proceed through a trichlorosilyl enol ether intermediate, formed in situ from carbonyl compounds, which then acts as the aldol donor. Phosphine oxides activate the trichlorosilyl enol ethers to afford the aldol adducts with high stereoselectivities. This procedure was used to realize a directed cross‐aldol reaction between ketones and two types of double aldol reactions (a reaction at one/two α position(s) of a carbonyl group) with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities.