Organocatalytic Asymmetric Annulation of ortho‐Alkynylanilines: Synthesis of Axially Chiral Naphthyl‐C2‐indoles

A chiral Brønsted base catalyzed asymmetric annulation of ortho‐alkynylanilines has been developed to access axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles via vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediates. This strategy provides a unique organocatalytic atroposelective route to axially chiral aryl‐C2‐indole skeletons with excellent enantioselectivity and functional‐group tolerance. This transformation was applicable to decagram‐scale preparation (50.0 g) with perfect enantioselectivity through simple recrystallization. Moreover, the utility of this reaction was demonstrated by a variety of transformations towards chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles for a series of carbon–heteroatom bond formations. Furthermore, the prepared axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles were applied as a chiral skeleton for organocatalytic aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction and asymmetric formal [4+2] tandem cyclization to give the corresponding adducts in high yields with improved enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Desymmetrization of 1,4‐Pentadien‐3‐ol by the Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Imines

Desymmetrization of the divinyl carbinol 1,4‐pentadien‐3‐ol was accomplished by the asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine imines based on a magnesium‐mediated, multinucleating chiral reaction system utilizing diisopropyl (R,R)‐tartrate as the chiral auxiliary. The corresponding optically active trans‐pyrazolidines, each with three contiguous stereogenic centers, were obtained with excellent regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivity, with results as high as 99 % ee. This reaction was shown to be applicable to both aryl‐ and alkyl‐substituted azomethine imines. The use of a catalytic amount of diisopropyl (R,R)‐tartrate was also effective when accompanied by the addition of MgBr₂.     

Me‐BIPAM for the Synthesis of Optically Active 3‐Aryl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles by Ruthenium‐catalyzed Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Isatins

A chiral O‐linked C₂‐symmetric bidentate phosphoramidite (Me‐BIPAM) was found to be efficient for the ruthenium‐catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to isatins. Asymmetric synthesis of 3‐aryl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles by 1,2‐addition of arylboronic acids to isatins was carried out in the presence of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃]/(R,R)‐Me‐BIPAM and KF, resulting in an enantioselectivity as high as 90 % ee. It was found that the reaction with N‐protected isatins proceeds with high yields and good enantioselectivities. The best protective groups on the nitrogen atom were different depending on the substituents on the aromatic ring. The use of a N‐benzyl group resulted in excellent enantioselectivities in many substrates compared with other groups.     

Practical Enantioselective Arylation and Heteroarylation of Aldehydes with In Situ Prepared Organotitanium Reagents Catalyzed by 3‐Aryl‐H8‐BINOL‐Derived Titanium Complexes

A highly efficient and practical method for the catalytic enantioselective arylation and heteroarylation of aldehydes with organotitanium reagents, prepared in situ by the reaction of aryl‐ and heteroaryllithium reagents with ClTi(OiPr)₃, is described. Titanium complexes derived from DPP‐H₈‐BINOL ( 3 d ; DPP=3,5‐diphenylphenyl) and DTBP‐H₈‐BINOL ( 3 e ; DTBP=3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) exhibit excellent catalytic activity in terms of enantioselectivity and turnover efficiency for the transformation, providing diaryl‐, aryl heteroaryl‐, and diheteroarylmethanol derivatives in high enantioselectivity at low catalyst loading (0.2–2 mol %). The reaction begins with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides through their conversion into organolithium intermediates by Br/Li exchange with nBuLi, thus providing straightforward access to a range of enantioenriched alcohols from commercially available starting materials. Various 2‐thienylmethanols can be synthesized enantioselectively by using commercially available 2‐thienyllithium in THF. The reaction can be carried out on a 10 mmol scale at 0.5 mol % catalyst loading, demonstrating its preparative utility.     

Construction of Optically Active Quaternary Propargyl Amines by Highly Enantioselective Zinc/BINOL‐Catalyzed Alkynylation of Ketoimines

A general and efficient method for the highly enantioselective alkynylation of ketoimines through a zinc/1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL)‐catalyzed process has been developed. A variety of ketoimines, including α‐fluoroalkyl α‐imine esters, α‐aryl α‐imine esters, and trifluoromethyl aryl ketoimines, are applicable and provide their corresponding quaternary propargyl amines in excellent yields with high ee values (up to 99 % ee). Both the steric and electronic effects of substituents at the 3,3′ positions of BINOL are critical for the reaction efficiency and enantioselectivity. To demonstrate the usefulness of the method, (R)‐α‐CF₃ α‐proline has been prepared in a highly efficient manner. The notable features of this protocol are its broad substrate scope, high reaction efficiency (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), low catalyst loading (5 mol % of BINOL derivative), and mild reaction conditions.     

Base‐Free Conditions for Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation To Produce Stereochemically Labile α‐Aryl Ketones

The asymmetric arylation of 2,2‐dialkyl cyclopent‐4‐ene‐1,3‐diones with aryl boronic acids was found to be efficiently catalyzed by a chiral diene–rhodium μ‐chloro dimer, [{RhCl((R)‐diene*)}₂], in the absence of bases in toluene/H₂O to give 2,2‐dialkyl 4‐aryl cyclopentane‐1,3‐diones in high yields with high enantioselectivity. Such compounds can not be obtained with high enantiomeric purity under the standard basic conditions used for rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric arylation because the α‐aryl ketone products undergo racemization under the basic conditions.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Cacchi Reaction: Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2,3-Disubstituted Indoles

We report herein the first examples of a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective Cacchi reaction for the synthesis of indoles bearing a chiral C2-aryl axis. In the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ and (R,R)-QuinoxP* ligand, reaction of N-aryl(alkyl)sulfonyl-2-alkynylanilides with arylboronic acids under oxygen atmosphere afforded enantioenriched 2,3-disubstituted indoles in high yields and enantioselectivity. The indole ring is constructed de novo in this process and a complexation-induced chirality transfer is proposed to account for the observed enantioselectivity.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct C2 Arylation of N‐Substituted Indoles with 1‐Aryltriazenes

A novel and efficient palladium‐catalyzed C2 arylation of N‐substituted indoles with 1‐aryltriazenes for the synthesis of 2‐arylindoles was developed. In the presence of BF₃ ? OEt₂ and palladium(II) acetate (Pd(OAc)₂), N‐substituted indoles reacted with 1‐aryltriazenes in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAC) to afford the corresponding aryl–indole‐type products in good to excellent yields.     

Chiral Brønsted Acid Directed Iron‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with β‐Aryl α′‐Hydroxy Enones

A cooperative catalytic system established by the combination of an iron salt and a chiral Brønsted acid has proven to be effective in the asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with β‐aryl α′‐hydroxy enones. Good to excellent yields and enatioselectivities were observed for a variety of α′‐hydroxy enones and indoles, particularly for the β‐aryl α′‐hydroxy enones bearing an electron‐withdrawing group at the para position of the phenyl ring (up to 90 % yield and 91 % ee). The proton of the chiral Brønsted acid, the Lewis acid activation site, as well as the inherent basic site for the hydrogen‐bonding interaction of the Brønsted acid are responsible for the high catalytic activities and enantioselectivities of the title reaction. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed. The key catalytic species in the catalytic system, the phosphate salt of Fe^III, which was thought to be responsible for the high activity and good enantioselectivity, was then confirmed by ESIMS studies.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,3‐Diols through Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation of Allenes

A gold(I)‐catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of 1,3‐diols was achieved by intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of allenes. The catalyst system 3‐F‐dppe(AuCl)₂ /(R)‐C₈‐TRIPAg proved to be specifically efficient to promote the desymmetrizing cyclization of 2‐aryl‐1,3‐diols, which have proven challenging substrates in previous reports. Multisubstituted tetrahydrofurans were prepared in good yield with good enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity by this method.     

Bismuth triflate–L(−)‐proline catalyzed synthesis of chiral 2,5‐diaryl‐2,3‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐b]quinolin‐4‐ones

The synthesis of chiral (2R) 2,5‐diaryl‐2,3‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐b]quinolin‐4‐ones, was achieved, at ambient temperature, by the reaction of 3‐acetyl‐4‐aryl‐carbostyril and an aldehyde, in the presence of bismuth triflate–L(?)‐proline complex, formed in situ. The products were obtained in 62–78% yield with high enantioselectivity (72–96% ee). J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioposition‐Selective Hydroarylation of Divinylphosphine Oxides with Aryl Boroxines

The rhodium‐catalyzed hydroarylation of divinylphosphine oxides (RP(O)(CH=CH₂)₂) with aryl boroxines ((ArBO)₃) gives the corresponding monoarylation products (RP(O)(CH=CHAr)CH₂CH₃) in high yields. One of the two vinyl groups in the phosphine oxide undergoes oxidative arylation while the other one is reduced to an ethyl moiety. These reactions proceed with high selectivity in terms of the enantiotopic vinyl groups in the presence of (R)‐DTBM‐segphos/Rh to give the P‐stereogenic monoarylation products with high enantioselectivity.     

Highly Enantioselective Formation of α‐Allyl‐α‐Arylcyclopentanones via Pd‐Catalysed Decarboxylative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

A highly enantioselective Pd‐catalysed decarboxylative asymmetric allylic alkylation of cyclopentanone derived α‐aryl‐β‐keto esters employing the (R,R)‐ANDEN‐phenyl Trost ligand has been developed. The product (S)‐α‐allyl‐α‐arylcyclopentanones were obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to >99.9 % ee). This represents one of the most highly enantioselective formations of an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center reported to date. This reaction was demonstrated on a 4.0 mmol scale without any deterioration of enantioselectivity and was exploited as the key enantioselective transformation in an asymmetric formal synthesis of the natural product (+)‐tanikolide.     

Temperature‐tuned enantioselectivity in transfer hydrogenation: preparation and catalytic property of amino acid‐modified benzimidazole

A series of l ‐amino acid‐modified benzimidazoles have been synthesized and their application in Ru‐catalysed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of ketones has been evaluated using i‐propanol as hydrogen donor as well as solvent. The enantioselectivity of the product was sensitive to the reaction conditions and showed reversed temperature effect. Better reaction activity and enantioselectivity were obtained at higher reaction temperature and higher molar ratio of substrate to catalyst (S/C). At an S/C of 2000:1 and 5000:1, the turnover frequency (TOF) and the enantiomeric excess (ee) value of the ATH of acetophenone promoted by the combination of l ‐proline benzimidazole 7c and [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ were up to 6880, 13 000 h^?1 and 67%, 51% respectively. The ee value dropped off after the reaction reached equilibrium. The high activity and enantioselectivity of [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂/ 7c was primarily influenced by the (S,R) configuration, whereas the (S,S) configuration had low activity and enantioselectivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Indium Trichloride Catalyzed Diels–Alder Reaction: Synthesis of Novel 5‐Butyl‐11a‐aryl‐4a,5,11,11a‐tetrahydro‐11bH‐indolo[3,2‐c]quinoline‐1,4‐dione

Hetero Diels–Alder reaction of 3‐butyliminomethyl‐2‐aryl‐1H‐indoles (Schiff's base) 1 with p‐benzoquinone 2 affords six novel 5‐butyl‐11a‐aryl‐4a,5,11,11a‐tetrahydro‐11bH‐indolo[3,2‐c]quinoline‐1,4‐diones 3 in good yields. All the reactions proceeded with complete diastereoselectivity giving only one product in each case, which was characterized on the basis of its elemental analyses and spectral data (IR, ¹H NMR, and Mass).     

Triphenylantimony(V) o‐amidophenolates with unsymmetrical N‐aryl group for a reversible dioxygen binding

New triphenylantimony(V) o‐amidophenolates (AP‐Me,Et)SbPh₃ (1) and (AP‐Me,iPr)SbPh₃ (2) with unsymmetrically substituted N‐aryl groups and (AP‐Et,Et)SbPh₃ (3) with symmetrical N‐aryl group {AP‐R¹,R² is 4,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[2‐alkyl(R¹),6‐alkyl(R²)‐phenyl]‐o‐amidophenolate dianion} were synthesized and characterized in detail. Complexes were examined for dioxygen activity. The unsymmetrical complexes 1 and 2 were found to form different geometrical isomers (A and B) of spiroendoperoxides [L‐R¹,R²(O₂)]SbPh₃ (4 and 5, respectively) with different dispositions of peroxide group and N‐aryl fragment (methyl and peroxide group are on the same side of the molecule in the less shielded isomer A, and on different sides in the more hindered isomer B). The isomer A prevails over isomer B, reflecting the possibility of steric control on the dioxygen‐binding reaction. Complex 3, where R¹ = R² = Et, formed the isomers 6A and 6B as 50:50. The ratio 4A:4B was 60:40 (for methyl‐ethyl containing complex 4) and it increased up to 80:20 for methyl‐isopropyl‐containing 5. The molecular structure of isomers 4A and 4B was confirmed by X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Platinum‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Ring‐opening Reaction of Oxabenzonorbornadiene with Terminal Alkynes

A novel platinum‐catalyzed asymmetric ring‐opening reaction of oxabenzonorbornadiene with terminal alkynes is described. The reaction affords optically active cis‐2‐alkynyl‐1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐1‐ols in moderate yields with good enantioselectivity in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pt(COD)Cl₂/(S)‐BINAP and an excess of zinc powder. The products were obtained exclusively with the relative cis‐configuration of the ring substituents and the prevalent (1R,2S)‐configuration of the stereocenters, as determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Reaction of Optically Active Oxiranes with Thiofenchone and 1‐Methylpyrrolidine‐2‐thione: Formation of 1,3‐Oxathiolanes and Thiiranes

The SnCl₄‐catalyzed reaction of (?)‐thiofenchone (=1,3,3‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐thione; 10 ) with (R)‐2‐phenyloxirane ((R)‐ 11 ) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ at ?60° led to two spirocyclic, stereoisomeric 4‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxathiolanes 12 and 13 via a regioselective ring enlargement, in accordance with previously reported reactions of oxiranes with thioketones (Scheme 3). The structure and configuration of the major isomer 12 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. On the other hand, the reaction of 1‐methylpyrrolidine‐2‐thione ( 14a ) with (R)‐ 11 yielded stereoselectively (S)‐2‐phenylthiirane ((S)‐ 15 ) in 56% yield and 87–93% ee, together with 1‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one ( 14b ). This transformation occurs via an S_N2‐type attack of the S‐atom at C(2) of the aryl‐substituted oxirane and, therefore, with inversion of the configuration (Scheme 4). The analogous reaction of 14a with (R)‐2‐{[(triphenylmethyl)oxy]methyl}oxirane ((R)‐ 16b ) led to the corresponding (R)‐configured thiirane (R)‐ 17b (Scheme 5); its structure and configuration were also determined by X‐ray crystallography. A mechanism via initial ring opening by attack at C(3) of the alkyl‐substituted oxirane, with retention of the configuration, and subsequent decomposition of the formed 1,3‐oxathiolane with inversion of the configuration is proposed (Scheme 5).     

Chirally Functionalized Hollow Nanospheres Containing L‐Prolinamide: Synthesis and Asymmetric Catalysis

Chirally functionalized hollow nanospheres with different surface properties were successfully synthesized by co‐condensation of (2S,1′R,2′R)‐N‐tert‐butyloxycarbonylpyrrolidine‐2‐carboxylic acid [2′‐(4‐trimethoxysilylbenzylamide)cyclohexyl] amide with 1,2‐bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane or tetramethoxysilane using F127 (EO₁₀₆PO₇₀EO₁₀₆) as surfactant in water. The TEM and N₂ sorption characterizations show that the particle size of the hollow nanosphere is 15–21 nm with a core diameter of 10–16 nm. These L ‐prolinamide‐functionalized hollow nanospheres are highly efficient solid catalysts for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and aromatic aldehydes. It was found that the addition of water in the reaction system not only enhanced the catalytic activity but also increased the enantioselectivity, which is probably due to the enhanced hydrogen bond between the amide oxygen atom and the hydroxyl group of water. Moreover, the catalytic activity increases sharply as the surface hydrophobicity of the hollow nanospheres increases. These hollow nanospheres are quite stable and can be reused with almost the same enantioselectivity and only a slight decrease in catalytic activity.     

Disulfonimide‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reduction of N‐Alkyl Imines

A chiral disulfonimide (DSI)‐catalyzed asymmetric reduction of N‐alkyl imines with Hantzsch esters as a hydrogen source in the presence of Boc₂O has been developed. The reaction delivers Boc‐protected N‐alkyl amines with excellent yields and enantioselectivity. The method tolerates a large variety of alkyl amines, thus illustrating potential for a general reductive cross‐coupling of ketones with diverse amines, and it was applied in the synthesis of the pharmaceuticals (S)‐Rivastigmine, NPS R‐568 Hydrochloride, and (R)‐Fendiline.