Asymmetric Friedel-crafts reaction of indoles with imines by an organic catalyst

In this communication, we report an asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction of indoles with imines catalyzed by a bifunctional cinchona alkaloid catalyst. This is the first efficient organocatalytic asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction of indoles with imines. This reaction is operationally simple and, unprecedentedly, affords high enantioselectivity for a wide range of indoles and both aryl and alkyl imines. This establishes a direct, convergent, and versatile approach to optically active 3-indolyl methanamines, a structural motif embedded in numerous indole alkaloids and synthetic indole derivatives.     

Abnormal aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction of N-tosylated imines with ethyl 2,3-butadienoate and penta-3,4-dien-2-one

[reaction: see text] The attempted aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction of N-tosylated imines with ethyl 2,3-butadienoate or penta-3,4-dien-2-one gave azetidine derivatives in the presence of DABCO. In the case of the aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction of N-tosylated imines with ethyl 2,3-butandieonate catalyzed by DMAP, novel dihydropyridine derivatives were formed.     

Novel 2-pyridone synthesis via nucleophilic addition of malonic esters to alkynyl imines

[reaction: see text] A novel 2-pyridone synthesis via nucleophilic addition of malonic esters to alkynyl imines has been developed. The reaction of dialkylalkyl sodiomalonates with alkynyl imines provided 2-pyridones in good to excellent yields.     

Stereocontrolled aziridination of imines via a sulfonium ylide route and a mechanistic study

The reaction of N-diphenylphosphinoyl imines 1 with [3-(trimethylsilyl)allyl]dimethylsulfonium bromide (5) in the presence of NaH at room temperature predominantly gave trans-vinylaziridines 4. On the other hand, cis-vinylaziridines 4 were the main products when the preformed ylide prepared from the reaction of [3-(trimethylsilyl)allyl]diphenylsulfonium perchlorate (6) was reacted with the same imines 1 at low temperature. trans-Aziridines were also obtained when imines 1 and sulfinimines 9 were reacted with N,N-dimethylacetamide-2-dimethylsulfonium bromide (7) in the presence of a base, respectively. A mechanistic study showed that the stereochemistry of these reactions was controlled by the reactivity of the imines and ylides. A higher reactivity of imines and ylides favors the formation of cis-aziridines, whereas a lower reactivity leads to trans-products.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of cyclic 1,3-aminoalcohols bearing CF3(CCl3)-groups

An aldol-type reaction of cyclic imines and cyclic lactims with carbonyl compounds activated by electron withdrawing trifluoromethyl or trichloromethyl groups proceeded without any catalyst under mild condition. β-Hydroxymethyl substituted cyclic imines or imidates are formed as a result of the reaction. The reduction of the prepared imines leads stereoselectively to the cyclic 1,3-aminoalcohols. Application of methyl trifluoropyruvate in this transformation opens an opportunity for the synthesis of γ-aminoacids derivatives which contain pyrrolidine moiety.     

A general organic catalyst for asymmetric addition of stabilized nucleophiles to acyl imines

Cinchona alkaloid-derived thiourea catalysts promote nucleophilic additions to acyl imines for the asymmetric synthesis of secondary amine adducts. The hydroquinine-derived thiourea catalyst efficiently promotes the aza-Henry reaction of nitroalkane with acyl imines, affording β-nitroamines in good yields with enantioselectivities of 90-98% ee and diastereoselectivities up to 97%. The scope of the reaction also includes dimethyl malonate as a nucleophile to access β-amino esters in high enantiopurity. Under the optimized reaction conditions, secondary amine adducts of high enantiopurity are generated based on various aromatic and α,β-unsaturated acyl imines.     

Synthesis of novel spiro-[3H-indole-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidine]-2-ones via azomethine imines

Novel spiroindoles 5 are prepared easily via a one-pot, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine imines with isatin imines under thermal conditions.     

Dinuclear zinc-catalyzed enantioselective Aza-Henry reaction

The dinuclear zinc catalyst 1a was found to catalyze the addition of nitroalkanes to carbamate-protected imines. This aza-Henry reaction proceeds with high enantioselectivity when various carbamate-protected imines are used. alpha,beta-Unsaturated imines proved to be a particularly useful class of substrate routinely giving the alpha-nitro amine products in high enantiomeric excess.     

Chemo- and regioselective assembly of polysubstituted pyridines and isoquinolines from isocyanides, arynes, and terminal alkynes

We have disclosed a general and efficient synthetic strategy for polysubstituted pyridines and isoquinolines with high chemo- and regioselectivity. In this methodology, 1-alkynyl imines act as the key compound to undergo a sequential alkynyl imine-allenyl imine isomerization/aza-Diels-Alder reaction/aromatization. In the first place, 1-alkynyl imines were formed in situ by a highly selective multicomponent reaction of isocyanides, arynes, and terminal alkynes and reacted with another molecule of arynes or terminal alkynes to furnish target heterocyclic products in a highly efficient and atom-economic manner. On the other hand, we attempted to prepare 1-alkynyl imines by other approaches to undergo a similar reaction sequence to afford polysubstituted pyridines and isoquinolines with a wider range. Different from the first approach, the second approach utilized the preprepared 1-alkynyl imines to introduce the related different substitutents into the final products: arynes or terminal alkynes bearing substituents different from those of 1-alkynyl imines have been successfully applied for the synthesis a wide variety of pyridines and isoquinolines with diversity.     

The ruthenium catalyzed formation of chiral dihydropyrrolones from α,β-unsaturated imines: extending the reaction to terminal alkenes and investigating the formation of pyrroles as side-products

The reaction of α,β-unsaturated imines derived from cinnamaldehyde with CO and various alkenes produces chiral 1,3-dihydropyrrolone derivatives. As a byproduct the formation of 2,3-disubstituted pyrroles is observed in every reaction. If the imines are reacted with ethylene only, products with an ethyl group at C-3 of the imine chain are formed. The implications of these findings on the reaction mechanism are discussed.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Reaction of α‐Aminoacetonitriles Using Chiral Bis(imidazoline) Palladium Catalysts

The catalytic enantioselective reaction of diphenylmethylidene‐protected α‐aminoacetonitriles with imines has been developed. Good yields and diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities were observed for the reaction of various imines using chiral bis(imidazoline)/Pd catalysts. The reaction of α‐aminonitriles with di‐tert‐butyl azodicarboxylate afforded chiral α,α‐diaminonitriles in high yields with high enantioselectivities.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Reaction of Allenylnitriles with Imines Using Chiral Bis(imidazoline)s Palladium(II) Pincer Complexes

The first highly enantioselective reaction of allenylnitriles with imines has been developed. Excellent yields and enantioselectivities were observed for the reaction with various imines using chiral Phebim‐Pd^II complexes. This process offers a simple and efficient synthetic route for various functionalized α‐vinylidene‐β‐aminonitriles and their derivatives.     

Comparison of preparation methods of N-arylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinone monoimines

Advantages and shortcomings were discussed of three procedures for preparation N-arylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinone imines: the reaction of arenesulfenyl chlorides with 1,4-benzoquinone oximes, the oxidation of N-arylthio-1,4-benzoquinone imines, and the reaction of arylsulfinyl chlorides with p-aminophenols followed by oxidation. A series of new N-arylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinone imines was obtained.     

Synthesis of N6-phosphorylated sydnone imines and their functionalization via 4-Li derivatives. Novel bicyclic sydnone imines

The highly efficient gram-scale method for preparation of up to date hardly available N₆-phosphorylated sydnone imines based on the reaction of sydnone imine hydrochlorides with substituted phosphinate or phosphonate acids chlorides in the presence of a base was elaborated. A possibility of straight deprotonation of sydnone imines with n-BuLi followed by the reaction 4-Li-derivatives thus obtained with electrophiles was demonstrated. Novel representatives of bicyclic sydnone imines fused via 4,5-edge of the oxadiazolium ring were obtained. Also sydnone imines containing both phosphorus and sulfur functionalities were obtained with high yields.     

Copper-catalyzed Petasis-type reaction: a general route to α-substituted amides from imines, acid chlorides, and organoboron reagents

A copper-catalyzed Petasis-type reaction of imines, acid chlorides, and organoboranes to form α-substituted amides is described. This reaction does not require the use of activated imines or the transfer of special units from the organoboranes and represent a useful generalization of the Petasis reaction.     

Enantioselective aza-Henry reaction catalyzed by a bifunctional organocatalyst

[reaction: see text] The aza-Henry reaction of imines with nitroalkanes was promoted by chiral thiourea with an N,N-dimethylamino group to give beta-nitroamines with good enantioselectivity. Various N-protected imines were examined as substrates. N-Phosphinoylimine gave the best result in terms of chemical yield and enantioselectivity (up to 91% yield, up to 76% ee).     

Catalytic Enantioselective Reaction of α‐Phenylthioacetonitriles with Imines Using Chiral Bis(imidazoline)–Palladium Catalysts

The catalytic enantioselective reaction of α‐phenylthioacetonitriles with imines has been developed. The reaction of various imines proceeds in good yields and diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities in the presence of chiral bis(imidazoline)–palladium catalysts. The obtained products can be converted into β‐aminonitrile or β‐aminoamide compounds without loss of enantiopurity.     

Lithium heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate catalyzed Mannich-type and aza-Diels-Alder reactions in supercritical carbon dioxide

The Mannich-type reaction of imines with (1-methoxy-2-methylpropenyloxy)trimethylsilane and aza-Diels-Alder reaction of imines with Danishefsky's diene can be carried out in scCO₂ in the presence of lithium heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate which offer a way to synthesize β-amino carbonyl compounds and nitrogen-containing six-membered ring compounds under environmentally benign conditions.     

Trans-stereoselectivity in the reaction between homophthalic anhydride and imines

The reaction between homophthalic anhydride and imines in the presence of TiCl4 and diisopropyl ethyl amine is trans-selective. Under these conditions, the reaction using homochiral imines can be highly diastereoselective, thus allowing the synthesis of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxoquinoline-4-carboxylic acids.     

Catalytic asymmetric Mannich reactions of glycine derivatives with imines. A new approach to optically active alpha,beta-diamino acid derivatives

Imines of glycine alkyl esters react with imines in a diastereo- and highly enantioselective Mannich reaction in the presence of chiral copper(I) complexes as the catalyst to give optically active alpha,beta-diamino acid derivatives. A series of imines of glycine esters derived from glycine and aromatic carbonyl compounds has been screened as substrates for the Mannich reaction with different imines in the presence of various combinations of metal salts and chiral ligands. The benzophenone imine of glycine esters was found to react with N-protected imines in a diastereoselective fashion giving functionalized alpha,beta-diamino acid esters with excellent enantioselectivities. The most effective chiral catalysts are chiral copper(I) complexes having phosphino-oxazoline (P,N)-ligands, and among these ligands, those derived from (1R,2S)-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene gave the best results. The scope of this new catalytic asymmetric reaction of the benzophenone imine glycine esters is demonstrated for the reaction with different N-protected-C-aryl and C-alkyl imines giving the Mannich adducts with excellent optical purity. Furthermore, the synthetic aspects of the reaction are presented by converting the Mannich adducts into alpha,beta-diamino acid derivatives. The relative and absolute configuration of the Mannich adduct have been determined and based on the stereochemical outcome of the reaction a tetrahedral chiral-copper(I)-imino glycine alkyl ester intermediate is proposed. In this intermediate the Re-face of the benzophenone imine glycine ester is shielded by the chiral ligand leaving the Si-face available for approach of the Si-face of the imine. A series of semiempirical calculations has been performed to support the structure of the tetrahedral chiral-copper(I) complex and to account for the influence of the substituents in the chiral phosphino-oxazoline ligands.