3-Boronoacrolein as an exceptional heterodiene in the highly enantio- and diastereoselective Cr(III)-catalyzed three-component [4+2]/allylboration

This Communication reports the optimization of the first catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective hetero[4+2]/allylboration reaction to provide efficient access to alpha-hydroxyalkyl pyran derivatives. The key substrate 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate appears to be an exceptionally favorable heterodiene for use in Jacobsen's enantioselective reverse electron demand hetero[4+2] reaction with enol ethers, catalyzed by the tridentate (Schiff base)chromium complex 1. This one-pot three-component reaction was successfully applied to a concise total synthesis of (5R,6S)-6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide (2), the oviposition attractant pheromone of the female Culex mosquito capable of transmitting the West Nile virus.     

Synthetic studies toward the pyran core and the amide side chain of psymberin

A synthetic approach to the polysubstituted pyran core and amide side chain of psymberin (irciniastatin A) using stereoselective organoboron methodology is described. An advanced oxyranyl pyran intermediate was prepared using a catalytic enantioselective and diastereoselective three-component reaction involving first an inverse electron-demand hetero [4+2] cycloaddition between 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate and 1-ethoxy-2-methylpropene, followed by an allylboration of ethyl glyoxylate. The amide side chain was prepared highly efficiently using the first example of a doubly diastereoselective allylboration of a chiral α-alkoxy aldehyde under the Lewis acid-catalyzed reaction manifold.     

A DFT study of the domino inter

The molecular mechanism of the domino inter [4 + 2]/intra [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitroalkenes with enol ethers to give nitroso acetal adducts has been characterized using density functional theory methods with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G basis set. The presence of Lewis acid catalyst and solvent effects has been taken into account to model the experimental environment. These domino processes comprise two consecutive cycloaddition reactions: the first one is an intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of the enol ether to the nitroalkene to give a nitronate intermediate, which then affords the final nitroso acetal adduct through an intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. The intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition can be considered as a nucleophilic attack of the enol ether to the conjugated position of the nitroalkene, with concomitant ring closure and without intervention of an intermediate. For this cycloaddition process, the presence of the Lewis acid favors the delocalization of the negative charge that is being transferred from the enol ether to the nitroalkene and decreases the activation energy of the first cycloaddition. The [4 + 2] cycloaddition presents a total regioselectivity, while the endo/exo stereoselectivity depends on the bulk of the Lewis acid used as catalyst. Thus, for small Lewis acid catalyst, modeled by BH(3), the addition presents an endo selectivity. The [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions present an total exo selectivity, due to the constraints imposed by the tether. Inclusion of Lewis acid catalyst and solvent effects decrease clearly the barrier for the first [4 + 2] cycloaddition relative to the second [3 + 2] one. Calculations for the activation parameters along this domino reaction allow to validate the results obtained using the potential energy barriers.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a potent thiomarinol antibiotic

Thiomarinols, isolated from the bacterium Alteromonas rava sp. nov. SANK 73390, are potent marine antibiotics that possess both Gram-positive and Gram-negative activity. The first total synthesis of a member of the thiomarinol class of marine antibiotics was achieved in a remarkable global yield of 22% (from 3-boronoacrolein pinacolate). The highlight of this synthesis is the efficient catalytic enantio-, regio-, E/Z-, and diastereoselective three-component inverse electron demand Diels-Alder/allylboration sequence. This key operation provides a rare example of an enantioselective HDA reaction involving acyclic 2-substituted enol ethers, and it featured an unusual but fortuitous kinetic selection that favored the requisite Z-dienophile.     

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of O-Aryl Ynol Ethers and Enol Ethers: Synthesis of Chromene Derivatives

Gold(I)-catalyzed formal [4+2] cycloaddition of O-aryl ynol ethers 1 and enol ethers 2 is described. This intermolecular reaction between two electron-rich unsaturated systems takes place, under mild conditions, in the presence of 5 mol% [IPrAu(CH₃CN)]SbF₆ as catalyst giving chromene derivatives with good yields. The cycloaddition is completely regio- and stereoselective, as well as versatile for both reactives. Silyl enol ethers can also react in the same way and under the same reaction conditions with quantitative yields. A plausible mechanism through a selective addition of the enol ether to the alkyne gold activated complex followed by an intramolecular aromatic electrophilic substitution is proposed. Several experimental results support the presence of a cationic oxonium intermediate prior to the aromatic substitution. The reaction represents a new entry to the chromene core.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cycloheptanone derivatives via an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction

[reaction: see text] A [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of a new five-carbon unit was developed on the basis of a dicobalt hexacarbonyl propargyl cation species. Under the influence of EtAlCl(2), [5-benzoyloxy-2-(triisopropylsiloxy)-1-penten-3-yne)]dicobalt hexacarbonyl reacted with enol triisopropylsilyl ethers to yield seven-membered dicobalt acetylene complexes in good yield. The reactions with cyclic enol silyl ethers as well as acyclic enol silyl ethers exhibited remarkably high diastereoselectivity. The cycloadducts can be easily converted into various kinds of cycloheptanone derivatives.     

A Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide–ZnII Complex Catalyzes the Enantioselective [2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynones with Cyclic Enol Silyl Ethers

A highly efficient enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition between alkynones and cyclic enol silyl ethers was developed by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide‐zinc(II) complex as a catalyst. This method functions well for a variety of terminal alkynes as well as cyclic enol silyl ethers, with good to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). This is also the first successful example for the catalytic enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition of internal alkynes with cyclic enol silyl ethers to give fully substituted cyclobutenes. Meanwhile, the desired cyclobutene product can easily be transformed into fused cyclobutane derivatives.     

Photochemical,thermal, and base-induced access to hydroazulene derivatives via two-carbon ring-enlargement reactions of condensed electrophilic cyclobutenes

Enamines, silyl enol ethers, and beta-keto ester anions derived from bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2-one efficiently underwent a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with DMAD and ethyl propynoate leading to a large variety of electrophilic cyclobutenes. The latter were transformed into polyfunctionalized bicyclo[5.3.0]decane (or hydroazulene) ring systems in high yields by fragmentation of the cyclobutene moiety. These two-carbon ring-enlargement reactions were utilized as a synthetic tool for the construction of a polyfunctionalized hydroazulene derivative that represents a potential precursor of the tricyclic framework of ingenol.     

Transition metal-catalyzed hetero-[5 + 2] cycloadditions of cyclopropyl imines and alkynes: dihydroazepines from simple,readily available starting materials

The first example of a transition metal-catalyzed hetero-[5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction is described. Use of cyclopropyl imines as five-atom components, an alkyne as a two-carbon component, and a Rh(I) catalyst enables a new route to dihydroazepines. This new hetero-[5 + 2] cycloaddition works well with aldimines, ketimines, and with substituted cyclopropanes and affords the desired dihydroazepines in excellent yields as single regioisomers. Use of serial imine formation/aza-[5 + 2] cycloaddition generates the desired dihydroazepines in one operation from three commercially available starting materials. The reaction has been scaled to give gram quantities of dihydroazepine.     

Cyclooctanone synthesis via a formal [6+2] cycloaddition reaction of a dicobalt acetylene complex

An efficient formal [6+2] cycloaddition reaction of a new six-carbon unit with enol silyl ether was developed on the basis of a dicobalt hexacarbonyl propargyl cation species. Under the influence of EtAlCl₂, 6-benzoyloxy-2-(triisopropylsilyloxy)-1-hexen-4-yne-dicobalthexacarbonyl reacted with enol triisopropylsilyl ethers to yield 7-(triisopropylsilyloxy)-3-cyclooctyn-1-one-dicobalthexacarbonyl derivatives in good yield. The reactions with cyclic enol silyl ethers as well as acyclic enol silyl ethers exhibited remarkably high diastereoselectivity.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric robinson annulation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes: applications to the total synthesis of (+)-palitantin

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic Robinson annulation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes was achieved, catalyzed by l-proline and trialkylamines and providing the formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition adducts. Additionally, in some examples in the catalysis with diarylpyrrolinol silyl ethers, the reactions afforded the [4 + 2] adducts with high enantioselectivity (>99.5% ee). The structure of the adduct, obtained from the reaction of 3-methylbut-2-enal and (E)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)acrylaldehyde, was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The absolute configurations of some [4 + 2] cycloadducts were investigated, and the methodology was applied in the synthesis of (+)-palitantin.     

Mechanism, regioselectivity, and the kinetics of phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes

With the aid of computations and experiments, the detailed mechanism of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes has been investigated. It was found that this reaction includes four consecutive processes: 1) In situ generation of a 1,3-dipole from allenoate and phosphine, 2) stepwise [3+2] cycloaddition, 3) a water-catalyzed [1,2]-hydrogen shift, and 4) elimination of the phosphine catalyst. In situ generation of the 1,3-dipole is key to all nucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed reactions. Through a kinetic study we have shown that the generation of the 1,3-dipole is the rate-determining step of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes. DFT calculations and FMO analysis revealed that an electron-withdrawing group is required in the allene to ensure the generation of the 1,3-dipole kinetically and thermodynamically. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM) theory was used to analyze the stability of the 1,3-dipole. The regioselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition can be rationalized very well by FMO and AIM theories. Isotopic labeling experiments combined with DFT calculations showed that the commonly accepted intramolecular [1,2]-proton shift should be corrected to a water-catalyzed [1,2]-proton shift. Additional isotopic labeling experiments of the hetero-[3+2] cycloaddition of allenoates and electron-deficient imines further support this finding. This investigation has also been extended to the study of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkynoates as the three-carbon synthon, which showed that the generation of the 1,3-dipole in this reaction also occurs by a water-catalyzed process.     

Synthesis and reactivity of furoquinolines bearing an external methylene-bond: access to reduced and spirocyclic structures

A family of furoquinolines were efficiently obtained through a tandem acetalization/cycloisomerization process catalyzed by (5 mol%) silver imidazolate polymer and triphenylphosphine, and diversity was brought by the use of 7 different alcohol groups. From these furoquinolines, 3 examples of reduced derivatives could be obtained (d.r. up to 94 : 6), 10 different spiroketal derivatives by hetero-Diels-Alder reaction (d.r. up to 20 : 1), 8 hetero-[5,5]-spirocycles by cycloaddition with dibromoformaldoxime (d.r. up to 86 : 14) and finally 6 hetero-[5,6]-spirocycles by [4 + 2] cycloaddition with ethyl 3-bromo-2-(hydroxyimino)propanoate (d.r. up to 90 : 10).     

Catalytic enantioselective [2 + 4] and [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with propiolamides

We report here the catalytic and highly enantioselective [2 + 4] and [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of electron-rich dienes or silyl enol ethers with electron-deficient propiolamide derivatives induced by copper(II).3-(2-naphthyl)-L-alanine amide complex.     

Stereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes with 2,3-dihydrofuran and ethyl vinyl ether under solvent-free conditions

3-Nitro-2-trifluoro(trichloro)methyl-2H-chromenes undergo heterodiene cycloaddition to 2,3-dihydrofuran and ethyl vinyl ether under solvent-free conditions producing novel cyclic nitronates with high stereoselectivity and in good yields. 3,6-Dinitro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene reacts with two molecules of ethyl vinyl ether to give the tandem [4+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition adduct in 48% yield. The stereochemistry of the products was established based on 2D COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments and an X-ray diffraction study.     

Lewis base activation of Lewis acids. Catalytic enantioselective addition of silyl enol ethers of achiral methyl ketones to aldehydes

A highly enantioselective addition of silyl enol ethers derived from simple methyl ketones is described. The catalyst system of silicon tetrachloride activated by a chiral bisphosphoramide (R,R)-7 effectively promotes the addition of a variety of unsubstituted silyl enol ethers to aromatic, olefinic, and heteroaromatic aldehydes in excellent yield. [reaction: see text]     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Divergence in the Preparation of Bicyclic Enol Esters: From Exclusively [3C+2C]‐Cycloaddition Reactions to Exclusive Formation of Vinylcyclopropanes

With the use of benzonitrile‐stabilized Au^I catalyst [Au(IPr)(NCPh)]SbF₆ ( Ic ; IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene), a spectrum of reactivity is observed for propargyl ester 4 a with cyclic vinyl ethers, ranging from exclusively [3C+2C] cycloaddition reactions to exclusively cyclopropanation depending only on the structure of the substrate. Some initially formed cyclopropanation products rearrange into the corresponding formally [3C+2C] cycloaddition products after treatment with fresh Au^I complex at 80 °C. Vinylcyclopropanes formed from dihydrofuran and dihydropyran resisted such rearrangement, even in the presence of fresh Au^I catalyst at elevated temperature. This study addresses an important mechanistic question concerning whether the five‐membered‐ring products were produced by a direct [3C+2C] cycloaddition reaction or by a sequential cyclopropanation/ring‐expansion reaction. A dual pathway is proposed for the Au^I‐catalyzed reactions between propargyl esters and cyclic vinyl ethers. The different behavior among vinyl cyclic ethers is attributed to the difference in the polarization of the π bond. Highly polarized bonds appear to undergo the cycloaddition reaction whereas less polar π‐bonds produce cyclopropanes.     

Synthesis of bicyclo[4.n.1]alkanones

Cyclic beta-keto ester monoanions react with 1,4-dihalobutenes to give C-alkylated products which subsequently undergo a stereoselective SN2' O-alkylation reaction to yield functionalized enol ethers. When the starting material was ethyl cyclopentanone carboxylate, the C-alkylated product, treated with a base, directly afforded the functionalized bicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone. The enol ethers were submitted to a flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) reaction to readily afford functionalized bicyclo[4.n.1]alkanones (n = 3, 4). This reaction sequence was applied to the synthesis of a functionalized tricyclo[7.4.1.0(1,5)]tetradecanone, which represents an analogue to the tricyclic core of ingenol.     

Synthesis of enantioenriched propargylic alcohols related to polyketide natural products. A comparison of methodologies

[reaction: see text] Applications of methodology for the synthesis of propargylic alcohols related to polyketide natural products were examined. Noyori's asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of alpha-chiral alkynones was found to be highly selective and catalyst controlled. Additions of TMS acetylene to alpha-chiral aldehydes, catalyzed by a Ti(O-i-Pr)(4)-BINOL complex, were diastereoselective but substrate dependent.     

The syntheses of ethoxycarbonyl-1,3-dioxoles and oxazoles from the copper catalyzed thermolysis of ethyl diazopyruvate in the presence of ketones,aldehydes and nitriles

The copper salt-catalyzed interaction of ethyl diazopyruvate with ketones, aldehydes and nitriles was examined. A variety of 1,3-dioxoles and oxazoles was obtained in moderate yield. The formation of enol ethers, epoxides, carbon-carbon insertion products, aziridines, and azetidines, typical products of carbene reactions with carbon-heteroatom multiple bonds, was not observed. Evidence for the operation of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is presented.