Versatile In Situ Generated N‐Boc‐Imines: Application to Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Mannich‐Type Reactions

The efficient construction of nitrogen‐containing organic compounds is a major challenge in chemical synthesis. Imines are one of the most important classes of electrophiles for this transformation. However, both the available imines and applicable nucleophiles for them are quite limited given the existing preparative methods. Described herein are imine precursors which generate reactive imines with a wide variety of substituents under mild basic conditions. This approach enables the construction of various nitrogen‐containing molecules which cannot be accessed by the traditional approach. The utility of the novel imine precursor was demonstrated in the asymmetric Mannich‐type reaction under phase‐transfer conditions.     

Squaramide‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reactions

Bifunctional squaramides have emerged as powerful hydrogen‐bonding catalysts for promoting a wide array of useful asymmetric reactions, which provides convenient methods for the construction of complex molecular structures and chiral biologically active compounds. This review highlights the recent advances of our research group in the chiral squaramide‐catalyzed asymmetric reactions, including Michael addition, Mannich reaction, aza‐Henry reaction, Strecker reaction as well as cascade or sequential reactions.     

Applications of Chiral Phosphine‐Based Organocatalysts in Catalytic Asymmetric Reactions

Chiral phosphines are versatile Lewis basic catalysts that are capable of promoting a wide range of asymmetric reactions. In particular, recently designed chiral phosphines based on the concept of bi‐/multifunctionality have been demonstrated to be effective catalysts for many types of asymmetric reactions, such as (aza)‐MBH reactions, cycloaddition reactions, and nucleophilic addition reactions. This short overview summarizes the recent advances in this field and highlights the most‐significant achievements.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones by Sequential Organo‐ and Silver Catalysis

A stereoselective one‐pot synthesis of spiropyrazolones through an organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition and a formal Conia‐ene reaction has been developed. Depending on the nitroalkene, the 5‐exo‐dig‐cyclization could be achieved by silver‐catalyzed alkyne activation or by oxidation of the intermediate enolate. The mechanistic pathways have been investigated using computational chemistry and mechanistic experiments.     

One‐Pot Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Nitro‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines by a Dual‐Activation Protocol

Generally, amine‐catalyzed enantioselective transformations rely on chiral enamine or unsaturated iminium intermediates. Herein, we report a protocol involving dual activation by an aromatic iminium and hydrogen‐bonding. An enantioselective aza‐Michael–Henry domino reaction of 2‐aminobenzaldehydes with nitroolefins has been developed through this protocol using primary amine thiourea catalysts to provide a variety of 3‐nitro‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines in moderate yields and with up to 90 % ee. The mechanism for the catalytic enantioselective reaction was confirmed by ESI mass spectrometric detection of the reaction intermediates. The products formed are substructures found in skeletons of important biological and pharmaceutical molecules.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Umpolung Addition of Trifluoromethyl Ketimines to Morita–Baylis–Hillman Carbonates

A novel phosphine‐catalyzed, highly enantioselective umpolung addition of trifluoromethyl ketimines to Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates was developed and it provides facile access to optically active trifluoromethyl amines with a chiral tertiary stereocenter under mild reaction conditions. The salient features of this reaction include general substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, good yields, high enantioselectivity, ease of scale‐up to gram scale, and further transformations of the products.     

Towards a Zinc‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation/Transfer Hydrogenation of Imines

The first asymmetric hydrogenation/transfer hydrogenation of imines to amines using zinc(II) triflate in combination with chiral ligands is described. The monodentate binaphthophosphepine ligand ( 3g ) provided the highest enantioselectivities. Using different imines, the corresponding amines were obtained in moderate yields and enantioselectivities.     

Cinchonamine Squaramide Catalyzed Asymmetric aza‐Michael Reaction: Dihydroisoquinolines and Tetrahydropyridines

The first example of a chiral cinchona‐squaramide catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aza‐Michael addition for the synthesis of dihydroisoquinolines and tetrahydropyridines has been developed. In general, good yields and excellent enantioselctivities were observed. Broad classes of Michael acceptors, such as enones, esters, thioesters, and Weinreb amides, were successful substrates. The possibility of recycling the catalysts has also been demonstrated. An oxidation of combined enamine and keto functionalities on chiral dihydroisoquinolines leads to a single diastereomer of an architecturally unprecedented tetracyclic core without loss in enantioselectivity.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Imines

We have evaluated a wide range of iridium complexes derived from chiral oxazoline‐based N,P ligands for the asymmetric hydrogenation of imines and identified three efficient catalysts. These catalysts are readily synthesized by straightforward convenient routes and are air and moisture stable. In the reduction of acetophenone N‐arylimines and related acyclic substrates, excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee) were obtained by using 0.1–0.5 mol % of catalyst at ?20 °C and 5–50 bar hydrogen pressure.     

Recent Developments in Asymmetric Phase‐Transfer Reactions

Phase‐transfer catalysis has been recognized as a powerful method for establishing practical protocols for organic synthesis, because it offers several advantages, such as operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, suitability for large‐scale synthesis, and the environmentally benign nature of the reaction system. Since the pioneering studies on highly enantioselective alkylations promoted by chiral phase‐transfer catalysts, this research field has served as an attractive area for the pursuit of “green” sustainable chemistry. A wide variety of asymmetric transformations catalyzed by chiral onium salts and crown ethers have been developed for the synthesis of valuable organic compounds in the past several decades, especially in recent years.     

Stacking and Electrostatic Interactions Drive the Stereoselectivity of Silylium‐Ion Asymmetric Counteranion‐Directed Catalysis

Computational analysis shows that the enantioselectivity of asymmetric Lewis‐acid organocatalysis of the Diels–Alder cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to cinnamates arises from stacking interactions that favor the addition of the diene to the more hindered face of the dienophile, while electrostatic interactions control the diastereoselectivity by selectively stabilizing the endo transition state. These results not only explain the stereoselectivity of these silylium‐ion‐ACDC reactions but should also guide the development of more effective ion‐pairing asymmetric organocatalysts.