Main‐Chain Organometallic Microporous Polymers Bearing Triphenylene–Tris(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene)–Gold Species: Catalytic Properties

Two triphenylene‐based tris(N‐heterocyclic carbene)–gold–acetylide main‐chain organometallic microporous polymers (MOMPs) were obtained and fully characterized. Both materials show spherical shapes, and their size is highly dependent on the type of acetylene used in the synthetic protocol. The new solids were tested in the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes with NaBH₄ and in the three‐component Strecker reaction for the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles, and showed high activity in both processes. Whereas the activity of the solids in the reduction of nitroarenes may be attributed to the formation of Au nanoparticles due to the use of NaBH₄ as reducing agent, the activity in the Strecker reaction may originate from the Lewis acidic activation of the ketone or imine on coordination to Au.     

Gallic acid grafted to amine‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a proficient catalyst for environmentally friendly synthesis of α‐aminonitriles

An effective approach of one‐pot catalytic Strecker reaction between aromatic aldehydes, aniline or toluidine and trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of amine‐functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles grafted with gallic acid (GA) as a powerful catalyst was developed. The fabricated reusable catalyst demonstrated high efficiency in the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles along with facile work‐up procedure. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐NH₂‐GA was characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy image, vibrating‐sample magnetometer curve, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Three‐component solventless Strecker synthesis of α‐aminonitriles catalysed by a renewable sulfonated nanoporous carbon catalyst (CMK‐5‐SO3H)

The one‐pot three‐component synthesis of a variety of α‐aminonitriles has been studied using a catalytic amount of a sulfonic acid‐functionalized ordered nanoporous carbon catalyst, CMK‐5‐SO₃H, at room temperature under solvent‐free reaction conditions. The heterogeneous catalyst could be readily isolated from the reaction mixture and reused at least ten times without significant loss in activity. A clean, rapid and simple method for the preparation of α‐aminonitriles using the recoverable CMK‐5‐SO3H catalyst is described.     

‐Aminonitriles: From Sustainable Preparation to Applications in Natural Product Synthesis

Due to their numerous reactivity modes, α‐aminonitriles represent versatile and valuable building blocks in organic total synthesis. Since their discovery by Adolph Strecker in 1850, this compound class has seen a wide dissemination in synthetic applications from laboratory to million‐ton industrial scale and was extensively used in the syntheses of various classes of natural products. As these compounds provide a multitude of reactivity options, we feel that a broad overview of their multiple reaction modes may reveal less familiar opportunities for successful total synthesis planning. This personal account article will thus focus on α‐aminonitriles used as key intermediates in selected natural product synthesis sequences which have been reported in the two decades since Enders’ and Shilvock's seminal review. Natural α‐aminonitriles will also briefly be treated.     

Continuous‐Flow Oxidative Cyanation of Primary and Secondary Amines Using Singlet Oxygen

Primary and secondary amines can be rapidly and quantitatively oxidized to the corresponding imines by singlet oxygen. This reactive form of oxygen was produced using a variable‐temperature continuous‐flow LED‐photoreactor with a catalytic amount of tetraphenylporphyrin as the sensitizer. α‐Aminonitriles were obtained in good to excellent yields when trimethylsilyl cyanide served as an in situ imine trap. At 25°C, primary amines were found to undergo oxidative coupling prior to cyanide addition and yielded secondary α‐aminonitriles. Primary α‐aminonitriles were synthesized from the corresponding primary amines for the first time, by an oxidative Strecker reaction at –50 °C. This atom‐economic and protecting‐group‐free pathway provides a route to racemic amino acids, which was exemplified by the synthesis of tert‐leucine hydrochloride from neopentylamine.     

Asymmetric Strecker Reaction Arising from the Molecular Orientation of an Achiral Imine at the Single‐Crystal Face: Enantioenriched l‐ and d‐Amino Acids

Strecker synthesis has long been considered one of the prebiotic reactions for the synthesis of α‐amino acids. However, the correlation between the origin of chirality and highly enantioenriched α‐amino acids through this method remains a puzzle. In the reaction, it may be conceivable that the handedness of amino acids has been determined at the formation stage of the chiral intermediate α‐aminonitrile, that is, the enantioselective addition of hydrogen cyanide to an imine. Herein, an enantiotopic crystal surface of an achiral imine acted as an origin of chirality for the enantioselective formation of α‐aminonitriles by the addition of HCN. In conjunction with the amplification of the enantiomeric excess and multiplication of enantioenriched aminonitrile, a large amount of near enantiopure α‐amino acids, with the l ‐ and d ‐handedness corresponding to the molecular orientation of the imine, is reported.     

Synthesis of α‐Aminonitriles and 5‐Substituted 1H‐Tetrazoles Using an Efficient Nanocatalyst of Fe3O4@SiO2–APTES‐supported Trifluoroacetic Acid

Fe₃O₄@SiO₂–APTES‐supported trifluoroacetic acid nanocatalyst was used for the one‐pot synthesis of α‐aminonitriles via a three‐component reaction of aldehydes (or ketones), amines, and sodium cyanide. This method produced a high yield of 75–96% using only a small amount of the catalyst (0.05 g) in EtOH at room temperature. The catalyst was also employed for the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles from nitriles and sodium azide in EtOH at 80°C. The tetrazoles were produced with good‐to‐excellent yields in a short reaction time of 4 h. Both synthetic methods were carried out in the absence of an organic volatile solvent. Because the supported trifluoroacetic acid generated a solid acid on the surface, thus the acid corrosiveness was not a serious challenge. This heterogeneous nanocatalyst was magnetically recovered and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Synthesis α‐aminonitrile through anodic cyanation of N‐benzylpiperidine

Six‐membered cyclic α‐aminonitrile has been prepared from anodic cyanation of N‐benzylpiperidine. Good yields of α‐aminonitriles could be obtained through potentiostatic electrolysis under different conditions. The results also explain why high yield α‐aminonitriles could not be obtained under constant current electrolysis.     

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.     

Amidation of Aldehydes and Alcohols through α‐Iminonitriles and a Sequential Oxidative Three‐Component Strecker Reaction/Thio‐Michael Addition/Alumina‐Promoted Hydrolysis Process to Access β‐Mercaptoamides from Aldehydes,Amines, and Thiols

Mild and general alumina‐promoted hydrolysis conditions for converting α‐iminonitriles into carboxamides have been developed. In combination with the oxidative three‐component Strecker reaction, the one‐pot direct amidation of aldehydes and alcohols is reported. Subsequently, an Yb(OTf)₃‐catalyzed Michael addition of thiols to α,β‐unsaturated α‐iminonitriles is reported for the synthesis of β‐mercapto‐α‐iminonitriles. The successful integration of an oxidative Strecker reaction, thio‐Michael addition, and neutral‐alumina‐promoted hydrolysis of β‐mercapto‐α‐iminonitriles into a three‐component one‐pot process allowed us to develop the direct conversion of amines, aldehydes, and thiols into β‐mercaptoamides. All of these procedures were applicable to aromatic and aliphatic amines and aldehydes.     

Niobium(V) chloride‐catalyzed synthesis of α‐aminonitriles with simultaneous reaction of aldehydes,amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide

A simple and efficient one‐pot method has been developed for the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles by concurrent reaction of aldehydes, amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide with a catalytic amount of NbCl₅ (10 mol%) in CH₃CN at room temperature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxazoline‐Based Organocatalyst for Enantioselective Strecker Reactions: A Protocol for the Synthesis of Levamisole

A chiral oxazoline‐based organocatalyst has been found to efficiently catalyze asymmetric Strecker reactions of various aromatic and aliphatic N‐benzhydrylimines with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) as a cyanide source at ?20 °C to give α‐aminonitriles in high yield (96 %) with excellent chiral induction (up to 98 % ee). DFT calculations have been performed to rationalize the enantioselective formation of the product with the organocatalyst in these reactions. The organocatalyst has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, as well as by other analytical methods. This protocol has been extended to the synthesis of the pharmaceutically important drug molecule levamisole in high yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Novel nano molten salt tetra‐2,3‐pyridiniumporphyrazinato‐oxo‐vanadium tricyanomethanide as a vanadium surface‐free phthalocyanine catalyst: Application to Strecker synthesis of α‐aminonitrile derivatives

Efficient and recyclable novel nano tetra‐2,3‐pyridiniumporphyrazinato‐oxo‐vanadium tricyanomethanide, {[VO(TPPA)][C(CN)₃]₄}, as a vanadium surface‐free phthalocyanine‐based molten salt catalyst was successfully designed, produced and used for the Strecker synthesis of α‐aminonitrile derivatives through a one‐pot three‐component reaction between aromatic aldehydes, trimethylsilyl cyanide and aniline derivatives under neat conditions at 50 °C. This catalyst was well characterized using Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, X‐ray photoelectron and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopies, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalyst can be simply recovered and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

A Synthetic Study of Chiral α‐Hydroxy‐H‐Phosphinates Based on Proline Catalysis

A highly enantioselective synthesis of α‐hydroxyphosphinates was achieved based on the L ‐proline‐catalyzed aldol reaction of α‐acylphosphinates and acetone. Due to the preexisting chirality at the phosphorus center, mixtures of two diastereomers of the α‐hydroxyphosphinates were obtained in moderate to good yields, with simultaneously high enantioselectivity for both diastereomers. The products could be converted into α‐hydroxy‐H‐phosphinates with satisfactory yields. Furthermore, an unprecedented oxidation–reduction reaction of the α‐hydroxyphosphinates or α‐hydroxy‐H‐phosphinates to form phosphonates was observed, and the mechanism involved in such a chemical transformation is discussed.     

Enantioselective Construction of α‐Chiral Silanes by Nickel‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp3) Cross‐Coupling

An enantioselective C(sp³)?C(sp³) cross‐coupling of racemic α‐silylated alkyl iodides and alkylzinc reagents is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by NiCl₂/(S,S)‐Bn‐Pybox and yields α‐chiral silanes with high enantiocontrol. The catalyst system does not promote the cross‐coupling of the corresponding carbon analogue, corroborating the stabilizing effect of the silyl group on the alkyl radical intermediate (α‐silicon effect). Both coupling partners can be, but do not need to be, functionalized, and hence, even α‐chiral silanes with no functional group in direct proximity of the asymmetrically substituted carbon atom become accessible. This distinguishes the new method from established approaches for the synthesis of α‐chiral silanes.     

One‐Pot,Four‐Component Synthesis of Novel Spiro[indeno[2,1‐b]quinoxaline‐11,4′‐pyran]‐2′‐amines

A one‐pot, four‐component reaction for the efficient synthesis of novel spiro[indeno[2,1‐b]quinoxaline‐11,4′‐pyran]‐2′‐amines by using InCl₃ is described. The syntheses are achieved by reacting ninhydrin with 1,2‐diaminobenzenes to give indenoquinoxalines, which are trapped in situ by alkyl malonates and various α‐methylencarbonyl compounds through cyclization, providing multifunctionalized spiro‐substituted indeno[2,1‐b]quinoxaline‐11,4′‐pyran‐2′‐amines.     

Magnetically separable g‐C3N4 hybrid nanocomposite: Highly efficient and eco‐friendly recyclable catalyst for one‐pot synthesis of α‐aminonitriles

A magnetically separable graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄/g‐C₃N₄) as a catalyst for the three‐component condensation reactions of carbonyl compounds, amines and trimethylsilylcyanide was thoroughly investigated. The reaction of these three components was found to be efficient, economical and green and took place in the presence of a catalytic amount of the magnetically separable catalyst to yield the corresponding α‐aminonitriles in good to excellent yields. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The nanocomposite was also found to be reusable could be recovered easily and reused several times without distinct deterioration in its catalytic activity.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Oxazolines from Ethyl α‐Cyanocinnamate Derivatives with N‐Bromoacetamide

An efficient method for the one‐pot synthesis of 2‐oxazolines from ethyl α‐cyanocinnamate derivatives with N‐bromoacetamide in the presence of K₃PO₄ has been developed. The reaction performed smoothly and cleanly to give 2‐oxazolines in good to excellent yields (up to 98%) within 4.5 h in acetone at room temperature without protection of inert gases. A total of 13 examples have been investigated. A possible nucleophilic addition reaction mechanism is proposed.     

Design,synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of a new cellulose‐based magnetic nanocomposite in the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of α‐aminonitriles

A sulfonated magnetic cellulose‐based nanocomposite was prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Then, it was used as a green nanocatalyst for the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles by a one‐pot three‐component condensation reaction of aldehydes or ketones, amines and trimethylsilylcyanide in ethanol at room temperature. The reaction procedure is simple, yields are very high, reaction time is very short and the catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused in subsequent reactions without significant loss of catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rhodium‐catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α‐Dehydroamino Ketones: A General Approach to Chiral α‐amino Ketones

Rhodium/DuanPhos‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aliphatic α‐dehydroamino ketones has been achieved and afforded chiral α‐amino ketones in high yields and excellent enantioselectives (up to 99 % ee), which could be reduced further to chiral β‐amino alcohols by LiAlH(tBuO)₃ with good yields_. This protocol provides a readily accessible route for the synthesis of chiral α‐amino ketones and chiral β‐amino alcohols.