Catalytic asymmetric formal [4 + 1] annulation leading to optically active cis-isoxazoline N-oxides

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of densely functionalized cis-isoxazoline N-oxides was realized with novel use of an organocatalyst, (S)-2-(azidodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (4e) (Tan, B.; Zhu, D.; Zhang, L.; Chua, P. J.; Zeng, X.; Zhong, G. Chem.-Eur. J. 2010, 16, 3842; Olivares-Romero, J. L.; Juaristi, E. Tetrahedron 2008, 64, 9992), via an elegant formal [4 + 1] annulation strategy using readily available 2-nitroacrylates and α-iodoaldehydes.     

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of phthalaldehyde and imines

The diastereoselective synthesis of cis-2-amino-3-hydroxyindanones was realized by the N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of phthalaldehyde and imines, which may involve a tandem aza-benzoin reaction and aldol reaction.     

Catalytic enantiospecific [3+2] annulation of aminocyclopropanes with ketones

An almost familiar ring: The first enantiospecific [3+2] annulation of donor-acceptor aminocyclopropanes with ketones is reported (see scheme; Phth=phthaloyl). The reaction is catalysed by tin(IV) chloride (5?mol?%) at -78?°C and gives aminotetrahydrofurans bearing a quaternary C5 atom in high yield, diastereoselectivity and enantiospecificity (see scheme).     

Catalytic asymmetric [4+2] annulation initiated by an aza-rauhut-currier reaction: facile entry to highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines

Under control: The first example of chiral amino phosphine catalysts for the title reaction between vinyl ketones and N-sulfonyl-1-aza-1,3-dienes has been developed. Under ambient conditions, this protocol provides straightforward access to densely functionalized, enantioenriched tetrahydropyridines with high levels of sterecontrol in good to excellent yields.     

Rhodium-catalyzed synthesis of cyclohexenones via a novel [4 + 2] annulation

[reaction: see text] In the presence of a rhodium catalyst, 4-alkynals react with alkynes to furnish cyclohexenones, presumably via metalacycle 1; as far as we are aware, this is the first example of the generation of this class of compounds through such a transformation. In view of the easy accessibility of 4-alkynals (alkynylmetal + alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde) and alkynes, this [4 + 2] cyclization constitutes an interesting new approach to functionalized cyclohexenones.     

Phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric [4+1] annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with dicyano-2-methylenebut-3-enoates

A novel asymmetric [4+1] annulation of MBH carbonates with dicyano-2-methylenebut-3-enoates has been developed for the first time, providing an efficient and enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized cyclopentenes bearing one all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center.     

Efficient synthesis of 2,6,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes through amine-mediated formal [4+4] reaction of unsaturated imines

Formal [4+4] reaction of the unsaturated benzyl- or allylimines, which is efficiently mediated by primary amine, provides the 2,6,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives. Variously substituted homo- and hetero-coupling products are obtained in good to excellent yields by quite a simple procedure under mild conditions: by mixing the unsaturated aldehydes with the amines at room temperature.     

Diastereoselective [4+2] annulation of vinyl carbodiimides with N-alkyl imines. Asymmetric synthetic access to the batzelladine alkaloids

A diastereoselective [4+2] annulation of vinyl carbodiimides with chiral N-alkyl imines has been developed to access the stereochemically rich tricyclic core of the batzelladine alkaloids. Its application to the asymmetric synthesis of batzelladine D permitted the use of long-range, directed hydrogenation and stereoselective intramolecular iodoamination as additional key steps to establish the remaining stereocenters within the natural product with excellent stereocontrol.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of stable oxetenes via Lewis acid-promoted [2+2] cycloaddition

A highly enantioselective and atom-economical [2 + 2] cycloaddition of various alkynes with trifluoropyruvate using a dicationic (S)-BINAP-Pd catalyst has been established. This is the first enantioselective synthesis of stable oxetene derivatives, whose structure has been clarified by X-ray analysis. This catalytic process offers a practical synthetic method for oxetene derivatives (catalyst loading: up to 0.1 mol %), which can serve as novel chiral building blocks for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals and can also be transformed into a variety of enantiomerically enriched CF(3)-substituted compounds with high stereoselectivity.     

Nickel-iminophosphine-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition of enones with allenes: synthesis of highly substituted dihydropyrans

Enones were found to react with allenes intermolecularly in the presence of a catalytic amount of a nickel-iminophosphine complex to provide dihydropyrans via oxidative cyclization of an enone and Ni(0).     

An expedient phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation: synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines

Ethyl 2-methyl-2,3-butadienoate acts as a 1,4-dipole synthon and undergoes [4 + 2] annulation with N-tosylimines in the presence of an organic phosphine catalyst. The resulting adducts, ethyl 6-substituted-1-(4-tosyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridine-3-carboxylates, are formed in excellent yields with complete regioselectivity. Mechanistic reasoning for this new annulation has led to an expansion of the reaction scope by employing ethyl 2-(substituted-methyl)-2,3-butadienoates to give ethyl 2,6-cis-disubstituted-1-(4-tosyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridine-3-carboxylates with high diastereoselectivities.