The first sequential reaction promoted by manganese: complete stereoselective synthesis of (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters from 2,2-dichloroesters and aldehydes

Alpha,beta-unsaturated esters were obtained with complete control of stereoselectivity utilizing a sequential reaction of dichloroesters with a variety of aldehydes, promoted by active manganese. This methodology is generally applicable, and the C-C double bond can be di- or trisubstituted. A mechanism based on a successive aldol-type reaction/beta-elimination is proposed to explain these results.     

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of beta-trifluoromethyl alpha,beta-unsaturated esters via iron(III) porphyrin-catalyzed olefination of ketones

beta-Trifluoromethyl alpha,beta-unsaturated esters were efficiently prepared by reactions of fluorine-containing ketones with diazo compounds via metalloporphyrin-catalyzed olefination in the presence of triphenylphosphine. The commercially available Fe(III)(TPP)Cl (TPP: tetraphenylporphyrin) is effective for catalyzing the olefination of a variety of trifluoromethyl ketones with different diazoacetate esters under mild conditions. The reactions proceeded with high yields (up to 95% isolated yield) and high stereoselectivity (up to 99% (E)-selectivity).     

Asymmetric synthesis of gamma-hydroxy alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes via enantioselective direct addition of propargyl acetate to aldehydes

We report the first example of enantioselective and diastereoselective aldehyde additions of propargyl acetate to aldehydes using the methodology recently reported from our laboratories. Subsequent O-silyl protection, Pd-catalyzed isomerization, AcOH addition, and hydrolysis result in optically active gamma-hydroxy alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes as powerful building blocks. Reaction: see text.     

One-pot synthesis of alpha-iodo-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes from propargylic alcohols

An efficient one-pot method for the preparation of alpha-iodo-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes (alpha-iodoenals) from propargylic alcohol is developed. The reaction proceeds via an iodoallene intermediate, which is generated in situ by the reaction of propargylic alcohol with aqueous HI. The iodoallene intermediate is further transformed to an alpha-iodoenal derivative in good overall yield by oxidation with molecular O(2).     

A regio- and stereoselective alpha-methylation of gamma,delta-epoxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters with a Me2Zn-CuCN reagent

A highly regio- and stereoselective alpha-methylation reaction of gamma,delta-epoxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters was achieved by using a Me2Zn-CuCN reagent.     

The intramolecular,stereoselective addition of sulfoximine carbanions to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters

ortho-Bromocinnamates can be coupled with methyl phenylsulfoximine to afford N-arylsulfoximines in excellent yield. Treatment of these products with an amide base results in a completely stereoselective cyclization to afford enantiomerically pure benzothiazines. This reaction is stereospecific.     

Organocatalytic sequential alpha-amination-Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination of aldehydes: enantioselective synthesis of gamma-amino-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters

A novel and highly enantioselective method for the synthesis of gamma-amino-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters via tandem alpha-amination-Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) olefination of aldehydes is described. The one-pot assembly has been demonstrated for the construction of functionalized chiral 2-pyrrolidones, subunits present in several alkaloids. [structure: see text]     

Proline promoted synthesis of ring-fused homodimers: self-condensation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes

1,2,4-Trisubstituted cyclohexadienals can be prepared synthetically by self-condensation of beta-methyl substituted alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes. While molecules with this structural scaffold have been observed in nature, the biological roles of these compounds have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Here we investigate the use of L-proline and its derivatives to effect synthesis of these ring-fused homodimers. The scope of this reaction is investigated with different substrates and proline derivatives. Mechanistic hypotheses are put forth supported by NMR and mass spectrometry studies. The method will enable diversification of this scaffold in sufficient quantities for biological investigations.     

Facile three-component coupling procedure for the synthesis of substituted tetrahydroisoindole-1,3-diones from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes

[reaction: see text]. A new one-pot procedure for the efficient synthesis of a small library of amino-functionalized tetrahydroisoindole-1,3-dione derivatives was developed. This three-component coupling reaction comprises subsequent condensation and Diels-Alder reactions of ubiquitous available starting materials (alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, amide, and maleimide). The synthesized compounds share a substituted tetrahydroisoindole motif in an endo fashion.     

Synthesis of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans by Ru-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective codimerization of dihydrofurans with alpha,beta-unsaturated esters

2-(1-Alkoxycarbonyl)alkylidenetetrahydrofurans were readily synthesized by the codimerization of 2,3- or 2,5-dihydrofurans with alpha,beta-unsaturated esters using a zerovalent Ru catalyst, Ru(cod)(cot), with high regio- and stereoselectivity.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-alpha-halo-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, and amides from aldehydes and trihaloesters or amides promoted by manganese

Preliminary results of a Mn-promoted sequential process directed toward the stereoselective synthesis of different (Z)-alpha-halo-alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds are described.     

Virtually complete E-selective alpha,beta-unsaturated ester synthesis by Hg(OTf)2-catalyzed hydration of sec-ethoxyalkynyl acetate

The reaction of alkyl-substituted sec-ethoxyalkynyl acetates with water catalyzed by Hg(OTf)2 afforded alpha,beta-unsaturated esters in excellent yield with high catalytic turnover up to 1000 times under very mild reaction conditions with virtually complete E-selectivity, superior even to that of the HWE reaction.     

Functionalization of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ketones: a facile and highly stereoselective one-pot approach to N-protected alpha,beta-dehydroamino acid derivatives

A new, facile, and highly stereoselective protocol toward alpha,beta-dehydroamino acid derivatives has been developed. The one-pot synthesis was very convenient to perform by using the aminohalogenation reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ketones followed by treatment with specific bases. Only two [2.2.2] bicyclic organic bases were found to be effective for this transformation. Good yields (58-68%) and excellent Z-selectivity were obtained for 12 examples. [reaction: see text]     

gem-Dibromomethylarenes: a convenient substitute for noncommercial aldehydes in the knoevenagel-doebner reaction for the synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids

A facile synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids from gem-dibromomethylarenes is described. gem-Dibromomethylarenes are employed for the first time in the Knoevenagel-Doebner reaction as aldehyde equivalents for the efficient synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids.     

Conversion of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes into saturated esters: an Umpolung reaction catalyzed by nucleophilic carbenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes derived from benzimidazolium salts are effective catalysts for generating homoenolate species from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. These nucleophilic intermediates can be protonated, and the resulting activated carbonyl unit is trapped with an alcohol nucleophile, thereby promoting a highly efficient conversion of an alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde into a saturated ester. A kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols can be achieved using chiral imidazoylidene catalysts. [reaction: see text]