Highly Selective Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with Acyclic 1,3‐Dienes

The first examples of the catalytic asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with acyclic activated 1,3‐dienes (and 1,3‐enynes) are described. Under copper catalysis, a selective cycloaddition at the terminal γ,δ‐C?C bond is observed. In addition, depending on the ligand used, either the exo or the endo adduct can be obtained with high selectivity. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the acyclic 1,6‐addition product is detected, suggesting a stepwise mechanism. The resulting C4‐alkenyl‐substituted pyrrolidines are suitable substrates for further access to polycyclic systems, as highlighted by the preparation of hexahydrochromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrole and the tetracyclic core of the alkaloid gracilamine.     

Binap-gold(I) versus Binap-silver trifluoroacetate complexes as catalysts in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and alkenes is efficiently catalysed by [{(S(a))-Binap-Au(tfa)}(2)] (Binap=2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl; tfa=trifluoroacetyl). Maleimides, 1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene, chalcone and nitrostyrene were suitable dipolarophiles even when using sterically hindered 1,3-dipole precursors. The results obtained in these transformations improve the analogous ones obtained in the same reactions catalysed by [Binap-Ag(tfa)]. In addition, computational studies have also been carried out to demonstrate both the high enantioselectivity exhibited by the chiral gold(I) complex, and the non-linear effect observed in this transformation.     

Microwave-assisted [3 + 2] cycloadditions of azomethine ylides

The microwave-assisted intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides to activated and nonactivated alkenes and alkynes is described. The procedure allows the synthesis of pyrrolidines and pyrrole products in good to excellent overall yields in short reaction times. It appears from parallel comparative studies that the microwave procedure favors the reaction times and overall purity of the crude reaction mixture. The reactions can also be performed in the absence of solvent. [reaction: see text]     

Intramolecular [3+2] cycloadditions of functionalized azomethine ylides

The use of dithiane chemistry to synthesize functionalized azomethine ylides which are then employed in [3+2] cycloaddition chemistry is described. The advantages of this methodology as well as an approach to the lycorenine alkaloid system are presented.     

Catalytic Asymmetric [3+1]-Cycloaddition Reaction of Ylides with Electrophilic Metallo-enolcarbene Intermediates

The first asymmetric [3+1]-cycloaddition was successfully achieved by copper(I) triflate/double-sidearmed bisoxazoline complex catalyzed reactions of β-triisopropylsilyl-substituted enoldiazo compounds with sulfur ylides. This methodology delivered a series of chiral cyclobutenes in good yields with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities (up to 99 % ee, and >20:1 d.r.). Additionally, the [3+1]-cycloaddition of catalytically generated metallo-enolcarbenes was successfully extended to reaction with a stable benzylidene dichlororuthenium complex.     

Catalytic Enantioselective and Regioselective [3+3] Cycloadditions Using 2‐Indolylmethanols as 3 C Building Blocks

The first catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition using 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks has been established by a chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective and regioselective [3+3] cycloaddition of 2‐indolylmethanols with azomethine ylides, which constructed biologically important tetrahydro‐γ‐carboline frameworks in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 83 % yield, 99:1 e.r.). This reaction not only represents the first application of 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks in catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions, but also has established an abnormal regioselectivity in indolylmethanol‐involved transformations.     

Reaction of difluorocarbene with 2H-azirines: generation and transformations of strained azomethine ylides -- aziriniodifluoromethanides

The reaction of difluorocarbene with azirines affords a new type of azomethine ylides, viz., strained aziriniodifluoromethanides. 1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of ylides derived from 2-unsubstituted 3-arylazirines to dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and aldehydes give derivatives of 2,2-difluoro-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene-3,4-dicarboxylic acids and 1,4-oxazin-3(4H)-ones, respectively. Ylides derived from 2-mono- and 2,2-disubstituted azirines undergo isomerization to 2-aza-1,3-diene derivatives. 2,2-Difluoro-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-enes are transformed into 2-fluoropyridine derivatives in high yields and react with amines to give 2,4-diamino-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene derivatives.     

Highly enantioselective Ag(i)-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

A highly reactive Ag(I)-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides is founded using AgOAc as the catalytic precursor and phosphines as ligands. Using a new bis-ferrocenyl amide phosphine (FAP) as the ligand, we found that high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) have been achieved in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. Up to four stereogenic centers can be established in this multicomponent coupling reaction from readily available materials such as aldehydes, aminoesters, and dipolarophiles.     

Catalytic Enantioselective [5+2] Cycloaddition between Oxidopyrylium Ylides and Enals under Dienamine Activation

Benzopyrylium ylides generated in situ from 1‐acetoxyisochroman‐4‐ones reacted with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in the presence of a bifunctional secondary‐amine/squaramide catalyst to furnish [5+2] cycloaddition products in good yield with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. The reaction proceeds by dienamine activation and involves β,γ‐functionalization of the enal. The dienamine intermediates showed exclusive β,γ‐reactivity and provided direct access to compounds with the 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework. The ability of the bifunctional secondary‐amine/squaramide catalyst to engage in hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the ylide made it particularly effective in terms of both the yield and the stereoselectivity of the transformation.