Synthesis of densely functionalized α-methylene γ-butyrolactones via an organocatalytic one-pot allylic-alkylation–cyclization reaction

The tertiary amine-catalyzed one-pot allylic-alkylation–cyclization (AAC) reaction has been developed, which provided an efficient synthetic route for the preparation of densely functionalized α-methylene-γ-cyano-γ-butyrolactones with various substituents at the β-position and the γ-position.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of indoles with 5-hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one: access to chiral γ-lactones and γ-lactams via a Ugi 4-center 3-component reaction

5-Hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one 1, a readily available renewable resource, was used as an electrophile in the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles catalyzed by a diphenylprolinol silyl ether. Moderate catalyst loading was achieved because of the high reactivity of 5-hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one 1 in this process. Reduction of the Friedel-Crafts adduct (FC adduct) afforded indoyl lactones in high yield and enantioselectivity. Moreover, the FC adduct was used as a chiral synthon in a diversity-oriented synthesis, as illustrated by its successful engagement in a 4-center 3-component Ugi reaction (U-4C-3CR) to afford chiral five-membered lactams in high yield and enantioselectivity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α-amino boronate esters via organocatalytic pinacolboryl addition to tosylaldimines

Organocatalytic nucleophilic pinacolboryl addition from in situ generated MeO(-)→ B(2)pin(2) to C=N double bond can be performed enantioselectively with the aid of chiral phosphines, which promote enantiofacial differentiation in the course of the C-B bond formation.     

Facile access to γ-aminothiols from 1,3-thiazines via a microwave-assisted three-component reaction

A new efficient and general synthetic methodology to access γ-aminothiols was investigated and developed. 1,3-Thiazines were used as convenient precursors and were prepared by a fast microwave-assisted three-component reaction (3CR) of thioamides, aldehydes, and alkenes. The transformation of thiazines into aminothiols was achieved via a thiazinium salt hydrolysis, in three very facile steps.     

Unexpected reactivity of diaryl α-diketones with thiazolium carbenes: discovery of a novel multicomponent reaction for the facile synthesis of 1,4-thiazin-3-ones

Diaryl α-diketones do not undergo polarity reversal in the presence of (benzo)thiazolium carbenes but are engaged in a novel multicomponent reaction with water to efficiently give medicinally relevant 1,4-thiazin-3-one heterocycles. Three different sets of conditions have been optimized to furnish the title compounds in fair to excellent yields depending on the electronic properties of α-diketone aromatic substituents and thiazolium or benzothiazolium substrate. A plausible reaction mechanism is also proposed based on the isolation and characterization of the postulated key intermediate and isotopic labeling experiments.     

Ring expansion reaction of α-sulfonyl cyclic ketones via insertion of arynes into C-C: a facile and mild access to medium- and large-sized benzannulated carbocycles

Insertion of arynes into C-C of α-sulfonyl ketones was investigated, which lead to the ring expansion reactions when α-sulfonyl cyclic ketones were used. By ring expansions and desulfonylations, medium- and large-sized benzannulated cyclic ketones were obtained in moderate yields.     

Synthesis of novel cyclic α-amino acid derivatives via a one-pot sequential Petasis reaction/palladium catalysed process

A novel one pot Petasis reaction/palladium catalysed process is described involving 2-iodo/bromo benzylamine, ethyl glyoxalate and aryl/heteroaryl boronic acids. The in situ generated carbinolamine/imine undergoes the Petasis reaction to afford 2 which reacts with carbon monoxide or allene (1 atm) in the presence of Pd(0) to generate acyl palladium or π-allyl palladium species which are intercepted intramolecularly by the proximal secondary amine to afford isoindolone/4-methylene-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline α-amino acid derivatives in good yield.     

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of α-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives via a Lewis acid catalyzed three-component condensation reaction

A very efficient three-component synthesis of a series of syn α-hydroxy-β-amino esters, obtained in high diastereoselection and yield, was realized starting from an aldehyde, benzylamine, and the ketene silyl acetals derived from Ley's lactones. The synthetic protocol was optimized and the above compounds were obtained without the isolation of intermediates. The origin of the observed diastereoselection was investigated through a computational model of the key reaction step.     

Stereospecific novel glycosylation of hydroxy β-lactams via iodine-catalyzed reaction: a new method for optical resolution

Glycosylation of racemic and optically active α-hydroxy β-lactams by reaction with a few glycal derivatives in the presence of catalytic amounts of iodine has provided stereospecific formation of α-glycosides. This method has been extended for the preparation of optically active hydroxy β-lactams in excellent yields. The stereochemistry and nature of the glycals as well as the stereochemistry of the β-lactam ring has a profound influence for effective glycosylation.     

Tris(oxazoline)/copper-catalyzed coupling of alkynes with nitrones: a highly enantioselective access to β-lactams

Chiral tris(oxazoline)/Cu(I) complexes are demonstrated as a type of efficient catalysts for the asymmetric Kinugasa reaction of terminal alkynes with C-arylnitrones, providing a highly enantio- and diastereoselective access to optically active β-lactams.     

Stereoselective organocatalytic one-pot α,α-bifunctionalization of acetaldehyde by a tandem Mannich reaction/electrophilic amination

The first asymmetric organocatalyzed one-pot α,α-bifunctionalization of acetaldehyde with two different electrophiles is described. A diarylprolinol silyl ether-catalyzed reaction of acetaldehyde with an imine and di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate affords syn-2,3-diaminoalcohols with excellent ee values of up to 98%. This methodology was successfully applied to the synthesis of a chiral α,β-diaminocarboxylic acid.     

Facile synthesis of highly functional pyrrolizidine derivatives from β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters and proline via a tandem cycloaddition

A new tandem cycloaddition between proline and β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters was disclosed. Highly functional and diastereomerically pure pyrrolizidine derivatives were obtained in moderate to high yields.     

Highly regioselective ring-opening of aziridines with arenesulfinates on water: a facile access to β-amino/vinyl sulfones

We have developed a LiBr catalyzed efficient synthesis of β-amino sulfones from readily available aziridines and sodium sulfinates in good to excellent yields. The synthetic potential of β-amino sulfones has also been demonstrated by their facile conversion to the corresponding vinyl sulfones. The use of water as reaction media, atom-economy and isolation of products by simple filtration in the case of solid β-amino sulfones are certain green virtues of the synthetic protocol.     

Synthesis of γ-lactams via a domino Michael addition/cyclization reaction of vinyl selenone with substituted amides

A novel, simple, and flexible approach to α,α-disubstituted γ-lactams via a domino Michael addition/cyclization process involving the phenyl vinyl selenone and β-ketoamides, malonylamides, or β-cyanoamides is reported. The reactions proceed in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective synthesis of functionalized α-amino acids via a chiral guanidine catalyzed Michael addition reaction

Several chiral guanidines were evaluated as catalysts for the Michael reaction of glycine derivatives 7 with acrylic esters 8. The best result (30.4% ee) was obtained when 7b was reacted with 8b under the catalysis of guanidine 1 in THF.     

Synthesis of indenoindene-fused α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones via a tandem intra- and intermolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction

An efficient synthesis of indenoindene-fused α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones was carried out via a tandem intra- and intermolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction from the spiro-lactone, which can be easily prepared from ninhydrin by indium-mediated Barbier reaction of cinnamyl bromide.     

Asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized γ-lactams through an organocatalytic aza-Michael–Michael reaction cascade using fumaric acid amide esters as multi-reactive substrates

We developed a novel method for the asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized γ-lactams through an organocatalytic aza-Michael–Michael reaction cascade using fumaric acid amide esters as multi-reactive substrates. Using chiral primary or secondary amine organocatalysts, we obtained two types of γ-lactams with three contiguous chiral centers in moderate to good yield with excellent enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Construction of fluorinated pyrazole derivatives via a one-pot tandem C–H insertion/electrophilic fluorination reaction

A series of 4-fluoro-pyrazole derivatives were synthesized in moderate to good yields via a one-pot tandem procedure involving an Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed C–H insertion and an electrophilic fluorination with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI).     

Divergent reactivity of α-oximino carbenoids: facile access to 2-isoxazolines and 2H-azirines

Mild catalytic reaction conditions for the synthesis of 2-isoxazolines and 2H-azirines have been developed via carbenoids derived from α-oximino diazo compounds. This has been utilized in the one-pot synthesis of pyrroles in the presence of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.