Iron salts catalyzed synthesis of β-N-substituted aminoacrylates

The direct condensation of amines with β-ketoesters to produce functional enamine derivatives has been investigated with iron Lewis acid catalysts. FeCl₃·6H₂O shows good catalytic activity and makes possible the chemo- and stereoselective formations of (Z)-enamine derivatives from aliphatic and aromatic primary amines under mild conditions.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Electrochemical α‐Arylation of Cyclic β‐Ketocarbonyls with Anodic Benzyne Intermediates

Asymmetric catalysis with benzyne remains elusive because of the highly fleeting and nonpolar nature of benzyne intermediates. Reported herein is an electrochemical approach for the oxidative generation of benzynes (cyclohexyne) and its successful merging with chiral primary aminocatalysis, formulating the first catalytic asymmetric enamine–benzyne (cyclohexyne) coupling reaction. Cobalt acetate was identified to stabilize the in situ generated arynes and facilitate its coupling with an enamine. This catalytic enamine‐benzyne protocol provides a concise method for the construction of diverse α‐aryl (α‐cyclohexenyl) quaternary carbon stereogenic centers with good stereoselectivities.     

Visible Light Promoted β‐C—H Alkylation of β‐Ketocarbonyls via a β‐Enaminyl Radical Intermediate

A 5πe carbonyl activation mode is reported on the basis of photo‐induced single‐electron‐transfer (SET) oxidation of a secondary enamine. The resultant β‐enaminyl radical intermediate was trapped by a wide range of Michael acceptors, producing β‐alkylation products of β‐ketocarbonyls in a highly efficient manner.     

Multicomponent Diene‐Transmissive Diels–Alder Sequences Featuring Aminodendralenes

1‐Aminodecalins were prepared from acyclic precursors by combining the powerful twofold diene‐transmissive Diels–Alder chemistry of [3]dendralenes with the simplicity of enamine formation. On mixing at ambient temperature, a simple dienal condenses with a primary or secondary amine to generate the enamine, a 1‐amino‐[3]dendralene in situ, and this participates as a double diene in a sequence of two Diels–Alder events with separate dienophiles. Overall, four C?C bonds and one C?N bond are formed. Mechanistic insights into these reactions are provided by means of density functional theory calculations.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of β‐Branched Amides

A general asymmetric route for the one‐step synthesis of chiral β‐branched amides is reported through the highly enantioselective isomerization of allylamines, followed by enamine exchange, and subsequent oxidation. The enamine exchange allows for a rapid and modular synthesis of various amides, including challenging β‐diaryl and β‐cyclic.     

Ligand‐Enabled Arylation of γ‐C−H Bonds

Pd^II‐catalyzed arylation of γ‐C(sp³)?H bonds of aliphatic acid‐derived amides was developed by using quinoline‐based ligands. Various γ‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared from natural amino acids using this method. The influence of ligand structure on reactivity was also systematically investigated.     

Chiral Primary‐Amine‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition to α‐Substituted Vinyl Ketones/Aldehydes: Divergent Stereocontrol Modes on Enamine Protonation

Enantioselective protonation with a catalytic enamine intermediate represents a challenging, yet fundamentally important process for the synthesis of α‐chiral carbonyls. We describe herein chiral primary‐amine‐catalyzed conjugate additions of indoles to both α‐substituted acroleins and vinyl ketones. These reactions feature enamine protonation as the stereogenic step. A simple primary–tertiary vicinal diamine 1 with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) was found to enable both of the reactions of acroleins and vinyl ketones with good activity and high enantioselectivity. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal that these reactions are rate‐limiting in iminium formation and they all involve a uniform H₂O/acid‐bridged proton transfer in the stereogenic steps but divergent stereocontrol modes for the protonation stereoselectivity. For the reactions of α‐branched acroleins, facial selections on H₂O‐bridged protonation determine the enantioselectivity, which is enhanced by an OH???π interaction with indole as uncovered by DFT calculations. On the other hand, the stereoselectivity of the reactions with vinyl ketones is controlled according to the Curtin–Hammett principle in the C? C bond‐formation step, which precedes a highly stereospecific enamine protonation.     

Application of 10‐ethyl‐acridine‐3‐sulfonyl chloride for HPLC determination of aliphatic amines in environmental water using fluorescence and APCI‐MS

A simple, sensitive method for the determination of aliphatic amines based on a sulfonylation reaction using 10‐ethyl‐acridine‐3‐sulfonyl chloride (EASC) as pre‐column labeling reagent with fluorescence detection and APCI‐MS identification has been developed. The labeled derivatives exhibited high stability and were enough to be efficiently analyzed by HPLC with an excitation maximum at λ_ex 270 nm and an emission maximum at λ_em 430 nm. Identification of derivatives was carried out by online post‐column MS in positive‐ion mode. Comparing with the widely used 5‐dimethylaminonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonylchloride (Dansyl‐Cl), EASC‐amine derivatives not only exhibited high fluorescence but also exhibited excellent MS ionizable potential. Detection limits obtained from 0.10 pmol injection, at a S/N of 3, were 4.0–12.7 fmol. The mean intra‐ and inter‐assay precision for all aliphatic amine levels were <3.84 and 3.21%, respectively. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of >0.9995.     

Analysis of short‐chain aliphatic amines in food and water samples using a near infrared cyanine 1‐(ε‐succinimydyl‐hexanoate)‐1′‐methyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethyl‐indocarbocyanine‐5,5′‐disulfonate potassium with CE–LIF detection

Precolumn derivatization of six short‐chain aliphatic amines by a near‐infrared dye, 1‐(ε‐succinimydyl‐hexanoate)‐1′‐methyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethyl‐indocarbocyanine‐5,5′‐ disulfonate potassium (MeCy5‐OSu), followed by MEKC–CE–LIF detection has been developed as a method for the determination of aliphatic amines in environmental water and food. Optimum derivatization was operated nicely in pH 9.0 borate buffer at 20°C for 30 min. Well separated peaks were observed with a pH 9.5 BGE containing 10 mmol L^?1 phosphoric acid, 20 mmol L^?1 SDS, and 7% methanol buffered with 1.0 mol L^?1 NaOH. The separation procedure was rapidly achieved within 11 min and the matrix interferences could be effectively eliminated. A linear calibration graph was obtained for 5–200 nmol L^?1 analytes with a correlation coefficient in the range 0.9933–0.9995 for amines. This method was successfully utilized to determine aliphatic amines in lake, sewage water, and red wine with recoveries ranging from 96.4 to 105% and the RSDs ranging from 0.9 to 2.9%. Near‐infrared, LIF‐detector‐compatible MeCy5‐OSu was proved suitable for the accurate, sensitive, and rapid separation and determination of aliphatic amines in water and food samples.     

Synthesis of β‐Arylacyl/β‐Heteroarylacyl‐β‐alkylidene Malonates and Their Application in Substituted Pyridone Synthesis

A novel approach has been developed for the synthesis of β‐arylacyl/β‐heteroarylacyl‐β‐alkylidine malonates in moderate to good yields by the reaction of Stork aryl and heteroaryl enamine with β‐chloroalkylidene malonates. The reaction involves conjugate (Michael) addition of Stork enamine on β‐chloroalkylidene malonates and elimination of chloride ion. These Michael adducts were utilized as intermediates for the synthesis of highly substituted 1,4‐dialkyl‐2‐oxo‐6‐aryl/hetreoaryl‐1,2‐dihydro‐pyridine‐3‐carboxylic acid ethyl esters via 5 + 1 ring annulation protocol.     

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.     

Cu(I)‐catalyzed Green Synthesis of Propargyl Amines Decorated with Carbazole Moiety by A3 ‐Coupling

A series of novel N ‐alkylcarbazol–propargylamine hybrids were designed and synthesized by Cu^IBr ‐catalyzed A³ ‐coupling of N ‐octylcarbazol‐3‐carbaldehyde, amines, and alkynes. The tri‐substituted propargyl amines decorated with carbazole moiety were obtained under solvent‐free conditions in good to moderate yields. Furthermore, the scope of the method was studied, which was found to be applicable to primary aliphatic and aromatic amines. Also, a large variety of substituents both on alkynes and anilines are well tolerated.     

Novel Organocatalytic Activation of Unmodified Morita–Baylis–Hillman Alcohols for the Synthesis of Bicyclic α‐Alkylidene‐Ketones

The organocatalytic activation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman alcohols via H‐bonding‐iminium‐ion formation is demonstrated for the first time. This activation strategy enables the Morita‐Baylis–Hillman alcohols to undergo a formal S_N2′ reaction. In combination with the well‐established enamine reactivity, this creates a new reactivity pattern. The application of this new activation mode for the synthesis of bicyclic α‐alkylidene‐ketones is demonstrated. The developed reaction sequence proceeds efficiently affording nature‐inspired target products with four contiguous stereogenic centers in a highly stereoselective manner.     

Synthese und Koordinationsverhalten neuer Schiffscher Basen aus 3‐Formylacetylaceton und natürlichen L‐Aminosäuren

Three novel chiral Schiff Base ligands (H₂L) were prepared from the condensation reaction of 3‐formyl acetylacetone with the amino acids L ‐alanine, L ‐phenylalanine, and L ‐threonine. X‐ray single crystal analyses revealed that the Schiff Base compounds exist as enamine tautomers in the solid state. The molecular structure of the compounds is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bridge between the enamine NH function and a carbonyl oxygen atom of the pentandione residue. Treatment of the ligands H₂L with copper(II) actetate in the presence of pyridine led to the formation of copper complexes [CuL(py)]. In each of the complexes the copper atoms adopt a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination. Three of the basal coordination sites are occupied by the doubly deprotonated Schiff Bases L^2– which act as tridentate chelating O, N, O‐ligands. The remaining coordination sites are occupied by a pyridine ligand at the base and a carboxyl oxygen atom of a neighboring complex at the apical position. The latter coordination is responsible for a catenation of the complexes in the solid state.     

Ligand‐Enabled PdII‐Catalyzed Iterative γ‐C(sp3)−H Arylation of Free Aliphatic Acid

C?H functionalization of aliphatic carboxylic acids without attaching exogenous auxiliary has been so far limited at the proximal β‐position. In this work, we demonstrate a ligand enabled palladium catalyzed first regioselective distal γ‐C(sp3)?H functionalization of aliphatic carboxylic acids without incorporating an exogenous directing group. Aryl iodides containing versatile functional groups including complex organic molecules are well tolerated with good to excellent yields during the γ‐C(sp3)?H arylation reaction. Interestingly, weak coordination of carboxylate group can be further extended for sequential hetero di‐arylation. Application of the protocol has been showcased by synthesizing substituted α‐tetralone. Mechanistic investigations have been carried out to shed light on the reaction pathway.     

Iridium(III)‐Catalyzed Regioselective Intermolecular Unactivated Secondary Csp3−H Bond Amidation

For the first time, a highly regioselective intermolecular sulfonylamidation unactivated secondary Csp³?H bond has been achieved using Ir^III catalysts. The introduced N,N’‐bichelating ligand plays a crucial role in enabling iridium–nitrene insertion into a secondary Csp³?H bond via an outer‐sphere pathway. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that a two‐electron concerted nitrene insertion was involved in this Csp³?H amidation process. This method tolerates a broad range of linear and branched‐chain N‐alkylamides, and provides efficient access to diverse γ‐sulfonamido‐substituted aliphatic amines.     

Enantioselective addition of EtzZn to aldehydes catalyzed by chiral aliphatic β‐amino alcohols

This paper describes the preparation of two new optically active aliphatic β‐amino alcohols (R)‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2–(dimethylamino)‐1, 1‐diphenyl‐1‐bersanol (la) and (S)‐8,8‐dimethyl‐2–(dimethylamino)‐1, 1‐diphenyl‐1‐nonanol (1b). They were synthesized by methylation of the corresponding β‐amino alcohols 2a and 2b. Compounds 1a and 1b catalyze the addition of diethylzinc to various aldehydes enantioselectivity. The catalyst structure‐enantioselectivity relationships were discussed.     

Umpolung Strategy for α‐Functionalization of Aldehydes for the Addition of Thiols and other Nucleophiles

Nucleophile–nucleophile coupling is a challenging transformation in organic chemistry. Herein we present a novel umpolung strategy for α‐functionalization of aldehydes with nucleophiles. The strategy uses organocatalytic enamine activation and quinone‐promoted oxidation to access O‐bound quinol‐intermediates that undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions. These quinol‐intermediates react with different classes of nucleophiles. The focus is on an unprecedented organocatalytic oxidative α‐thiolation of aldehydes. The reaction scope is demonstrated for a broad range of thiols and extended to chemoselective bioconjugation, and applicable to a large variety of aldehydes. This strategy can also encompass organocatalytic enantioselective coupling of α‐branched aldehydes with thiols forming quaternary thioethers. Studies indicate a stereoselective formation of the intermediate followed by a stereospecific nucleophilic substitution reaction at a quaternary stereocenter, with inversion of configuration.     

PPh3‐Catalyzed Reactions of Alkyl Propiolates with N‐Tosylimines: A Facile Synthesis of Alkyl 2‐[aryl(tosylimino)methyl]acrylate and an Insight into the Reaction Mechanism

A new PPh₃‐catalyzed synthesis of alkyl 2‐[aryl(tosylimino)methyl]acrylates from propiolate and N‐tosylimine has been developed. Deuterium‐labelling experiments show that the reaction mechanism involves several hydrogen‐transfer processes, which are not the turnover‐limiting step and strongly rely on the nature of the reaction media. The stable phosphonium–enamine zwitterion, which was proven to play an important role in the catalytic cycle, has been isolated and characterised by X‐ray analysis.     

1,2,3‐Triazole derivatives of 3‐ferrocenylidene‐2‐oxindole: Synthesis,characterization, electrochemical and antimicrobial evaluation

A series of bioactive, triazole‐linked benzyl, aryl, sugar and aliphatic conjugates of 3‐ferrocenylidene‐oxindole have been synthesized. A facile 1,3‐dipolar‐Huisgen coupling reaction of the respective azides with the 3‐ferrocenylidene‐oxindole N‐propargyl moiety ( 3 ) gave the corresponding conjugates ( 5a–n ). All the newly synthesized compounds ( 5a–n ) were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, HRMS, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The UV–Vis and electrochemical studies of these compounds were performed in dimethylsulfoxide solutions. The structure of compound ( 3 ) was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. These compounds exhibited moderate to good antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative strains.