Efficient synthesis of multicyclic spirooxindoles via a cascade Michael/Michael/oxa-Michael reaction of curcumins and isatylidene malononitriles

A cascade Michael/Michael/oxa-Michael reaction between curcumins and isatylidene malononitriles has been developed. Multicyclic spirooxindoles were prepared in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities. DMAP was found to catalyze this transformation efficiently under mild reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of spiroindene-1,3-dione isothiazolines via a cascade michael/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one and 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones

The reaction of 1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one derivative with 2-arylidene-1,3-indandione to furnish novel spiroindene-1,3-dione isothiazoline derivatives by Michael/1,3-dipolar [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction was investigated. The key 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction step was examined in toluene solvent at reflux temperature to obtain mixture of two regioisomers (6a and 6b – 14a and 14b) and single isomers (15–20). The scope of this new reaction was demonstrated with many examples with high reactivity and yields.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-thiazolidine-derived spiro-β-lactams via a Staudinger reaction between chiral ketenes and imines

Enantiomerically pure 1,3-thiazolidine-derived spiro-β-lactams were stereoselectively synthesised by means of a Staudinger ketene–imine reaction starting from optically active N-Boc-1,3-thiazolidine-2-carboxylic acid derivatives and imines. The reactions were stereoselective and afforded spiro-β-lactams with a relative trans-configuration. The absolute configuration of the new stereocentres was assigned on the basis of the well-accepted mechanism and confirmed by means of the X-ray crystal structure analysis. The spiro-β-lactams were transformed into enantiomerically pure chiral monocyclic β-lactams by opening the thiazolidine ring and recovering the chiral auxiliary.     

Diphthalolylpyrkolidines from 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones and phenyl azide

Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 269–270, February, 1989.     

Enantioselective synthesis of fused dihydropyranones via squaramide-catalyzed Michael addition/lactonization cascade reaction

A highly enantioselective (49–99% ee) Michael addition/lactonization cascade process has been developed to construct 3,4-dihydropyran-2-one in the presence of a bifunctional squaramide. Various α,β-unsaturated N-acyl heterocycles were well tolerated and afforded 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones in moderate to excellent isolated yields (50–99%). Both cyclic and acyclic β-diketones functioned as appropriate donors. The resulting 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones could be readily converted into oxadecalinones.     

A rapid, one-pot, microwave-influenced synthesis of spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines via a cascade Ugi/6-exo-trig aza-Michael reaction

A rapid, cascade reaction process has been developed to access biologically validated spiro-2,5-diketopiperazines. The facile and environmentally benign method capitalizes on commercially available starting reagents for a sequential Ugi/6-exo-trig aza-Michael reaction, water as a solvent, and microwave irradiation without any extraneous additives.     

Asymmetric synthesis of trifluoromethyl substituted dihydropyrans via organocatalytic cascade Michael-hemiketalization reaction

Asymmetric conjugate addition of ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate and other trifluoromethyl substituted nucleophiles to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters has been developed. The reaction efficiently provided dihydropyrans via cascade Michael-hemiketalization pathways. Quinine-derived thiourea was identified to be the best catalyst. A number of trifluoromethyl substituted dihydropyrans with three consecutive chiral centers were obtained in excellent yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. The product was readily transformed to the corresponding tetrahydropyridine without the loss of the optical purity.     

Direct synthesis of fluorescent 1,3a,6a-triazapentalene derivatives via click-cyclization-aromatization cascade reaction

An efficient and versatile method was established for the preparation of 1,3a,6a-triazapentalenes. The 1,3a,6a-triazapentalene skeleton without an additional fused ring system was discovered to be a compact and highly fluorescent chromophore, which exhibited various interesting fluorescent properties such as a noteworthy correlation of luminescent wavelength with the Hammett σ(p) value and a strongly positive solvatofluorochromism.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted indole derivatives containing tetrahydrothiophene via cascade sulfa-Michael/Michael additions catalyzed by a chiral squaramide catalyst

The organocatalyzed enantioselective cascade sulfa-Michael/Michael addition reaction of (E)-3-mercapto-2-butenoic acid esters to (E)-3-aryl-2-(indol-3-ylcarbonyl)acrylonitriles has been developed. This process was promoted by a chiral squaramide catalyst to afford chiral 3-substituted indole derivatives containing tetrahydrothiophene with three contiguous stereocenters in excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr) with moderate to good yields and enantioselectivities (up to 93%, 89% ee).     

One-pot synthesis of disulfide-linked N-sulfonylazetidin-2-imines via a copper-catalyzed multicomponent cascade reaction

A copper-catalyzed, three-component reaction between a sulfonyl azide, an alkyne, and a 2-aminothiophenol derived Schiff base is reported. This novel one-pot procedure involves a click reaction, a formal [2+2] cycloaddition, and S–S coupling, therefore, providing a unique method for the synthesis of novel disulfide-linked N-sulfonylazetidin-2-imines under mild conditions.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of densely functionalized cyclohexanones via double Michael addition of curcumins with nitroalkenes

The asymmetric double Michael additions of curcumins to nitroalkenes to afford highly functionalized cyclohexanones have been carried out for the first time. A combination of a dihydrocinchonine-thiourea organocatalyst and K₂CO₃ was found to be the most effective in obtaining the desired cyclohexanones in good yield, diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of naproxen via a pinacol-type reaction

An asymmetric pinacol-type rearrangement was used in the synthesis of (S)-naproxen. The pinacol-type reaction of a vicinal diol provided an -aryl ketone which was oxidized with sodium hypochlorite in the presence of methanol to the methyl ester of naproxen.     

Novel synthesis of fused isoxazolidines via a palladium catalysed allene insertion-intramoleculer 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition cascade reaction

A one pot, three component palladium catalysed allenation of aryl iodides, in combination with a nitrone cycloaddition, leads to formation of fused isoxazolidines, creating two rings, two stereocentres and one tetrasubstituted carbon centre.     

Visible-light-activated selective synthesis of sulfoxides via thiol-ene/oxidation reaction cascade

A convenient, highly selective and metal-free synthesis of sulfoxides from alkenes and thiols using NHPI as an inexpensive and reusable organophotoredox catalyst is reported. The protocol involves radical thiol-ene/oxidation reaction cascade and utilizes visible light and air (O₂) as inexpensive, readily available, non-toxic and eco-sustainable reagents to afford up to 96% yields of the product at room temperature.     

A formal synthesis of ezetimibe via cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade reaction

A formal synthesis of a powerful cholesterol inhibitor, ezetymibe 1, is described. The crucial step of the synthesis is based on Cu(I)-mediated Kinugasa cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade reaction between terminal acetylene derived from acetonide of L-glyceraldehyde and suitable C,N-diarylnitrone. The adduct with (3R,4S) configuration at the azetidinone ring, obtained with high stereoselectivity, was subsequently subjected to deprotection of the diol side chain followed by glycolic cleavage and base-induced isomerization at the C3 carbon atom to afford the (3S,4S) aldehyde, which has been already transformed into ezetimibe by the Schering-Plough group.     

Asymmetric synthesis of spiroketal, spiroether, and oxabicycle building blocks via stereoselective spiro- and bicycloannulation of 2-hydroxy dihydropyrans

A modular asymmetric synthesis of spiroketal, spiroether, and oxabicycle building blocks is described based on the spiro- and bicycloannulation of alpha-hydroxy dihydropyrans, which were obtained from sulfoximine-substituted homoallylic alcohols. Key steps of the syntheses are stereoselective Ferrier-type O- and C-glycosidation, ring-closing metathesis, and stereoselective Prins cyclization.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of 1,3-diiodonaphthalene derivatives via a sequential cascade iodocyclization

A novel and flexible sequentially cascade iodocyclization for the synthesis of highly substituted 1,3-diiodinated naphthalene derivatives in up to 99% yield under mild conditions is reported. The dihalogenated moiety can be readily introduced into the naphthalenes in a position that is usually not easily functionalized.     

Lewis acid-promoted cascade reaction for the synthesis of Michael acceptors and its application in a dimerization reaction

An efficient Lewis acid-promoted cascade reaction with dimethyl sulfoxide as a methylene source for the synthesis of Michael acceptors is reported. The key to developing this procedure is the selection of a mild base to modulate the equilibrium of various intermediates in order to drive the reaction forward to the formation of Michael acceptor and dimeric compound products. Extensive studies were performed to gain insight into a possible reaction mechanism.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-scabronine G via intramolecular double Michael reaction and Prins cyclization

The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-scabronine G is described. The key features of the present synthesis include the construction of a 5-6 ring system containing two quaternary carbon centers via a diastereoselective intramolecular double Michael reaction and the formation of a seven-membered ring using a Prins cyclization.