Au(III)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective tandem synthesis of oxazolo fused naphthyridines and isoquinolines from o-alkynylaldehydes

An efficient tandem approach for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of oxazolo-fused naphthyridines 3a–g, 3i–l and isoquinolines 3h, 3m via the reaction of o-alkynylaldehydes 1a–i with chiral amino alcohols 2a–c under mild reaction conditions is described. The stereochemistry and structures of the products were assigned via NOESY and X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Diastereospecific synthesis of novel [3.6.6.4.7]-fused pentacyclic β-lactams by 6-exo-trig, 7-endo-dig tandem radical cyclization

An efficient synthesis of pentacyclic β-lactams has been achieved in high yield via a novel 6-exo-trig, 7-endo-dig tandem radical cyclization.     

Stereoselective reductions of N-Boc-hexahydro-1H-indolin-5(6H)-ones

We report the divergent effects of a 3a-methyl and 3a-phenyl substituent on the chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity of reduction of the enamide moiety of N-Boc-hexahydro-1H-indolin-5(6H)-ones. Under ionic reduction conditions (triethylsilane/trifluoroacetic acid) the enamide group of 3a-methyl-N-Boc-hexahydro-1H-indolin-5(6H)-one was reduced to afford exclusively a cis ring-fused product. For the 3a-phenyl substituted analogue more forcing conditions (sodium cyanoborohydride at pH 2-2.5) were required and resulted in the selective reduction of the enamide group to give a trans ring-fused product as well as reduction of the ketone group.     

Synthesis of 1,2,5- and 1,2,3,5-substituted pyrroles from substituted aziridines via Ag(I)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization

An efficient synthesis of 1,2,5- and 1,2,3,5-substituted pyrroles has been achieved from the sequential reactions including a ring-opening of 1-(aziridin-2-yl)propargylic alcohols by various nucleophiles under mild condition followed by an intramolecular cyclization using Ag(I) catalyst.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed cyclization of 3-en-1-ynyl imines with nucleophiles via tandem 5-exo-dig cyclization and nucleophilic addition

Treatment of 3-en-1-ynyl imines with TpRuPPh₃(CH₃CN)₂PF₆ catalyst (1 mol %) in DCE (50 °C, 6 h) effected catalytic cyclization with suitable nucleophiles and gave functionalized pyrroles in good yields. The reaction mechanism is proposed to proceed via (2-pyrrolyl)carbenoid intermediates derived from 5-exo-dig cyclization. This catalytic reaction works well with various nucleophiles, including water, alcohols and anilines.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkenes via (Z)-2-fluoroalkenyliodonium salts

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkenes is described. (Z)-2-Fluoro-1-alkenyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates (1) were synthesized stereoselectively in good yields by Michael-type addition of HF to 1-alkynyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates (2) with a commercially available HF reagent, hydrofluoric acid or Et₃N-3HF. Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using 1 gave (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkene derivatives in moderate yields. The treatment of 1 with KI in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuI gave (Z)-2-fluoro-1-iodo-1-alkenes (3). Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 3 gave better results than that of 1, and a variety of (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkene derivatives were synthesized in good yields.     

One-pot synthesis of [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines from azines and benzylidenemalononitriles via copper-catalyzed tandem cyclization

A simple and efficient copper-catalyzed tandem radical cyclization reaction has been discovered for the synthesis of triaryl [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines from easily accessible azines and benzylidenmalononitriles. The new transformation involves multiple CH/CC bonds cleavage and CC/CN bonds formation, with extrusion of gaseous hydrogen and methane. A wide variety of substrates with different functional groups could be converted into the corresponding products in good yields. The fused heterocycles have strong blue fluorescence with large Strokes shifts and high quantum yields.     

Regioselective synthesis of phthalans via Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed 5-exo-dig intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of 2-(ethynyl)benzyl alcohols

An efficient, regioselective Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed 5-exo-dig intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of 2-(ethynyl)benzyl alcohol, which provides a concise access to functionalized phthalan in high yields has been developed. A wide range of substrates possessing terminal, internal, and heteroaromatic alkynes can be efficiently transformed into the targeted phthalans. Substrates with primary, secondary, and tertiary benzyl alcohols also proceed well to produce the corresponding phthalans in good yields. Irrespective of the nature of the substrates, the cyclization follows highly selective 5-exo-dig regiochemistry when regioselectivity is an issue.     

Alkynes to (E)-enolates using tandem catalysis: stereoselective anti-aldol and syn-[3,3]-rearrangement reactions

A new tandem catalysis strategy that transforms alkyne derivatives to (E)-enol-equivalents followed by stereoselective anti-selective aldol coupling or syn-selective [3,3]-rearrangement transformations is reported. The mechanism is thought to proceed through an interchanging series of Lewis acid and Brønsted acid catalyzed reactions via the intermediacy of a ketiminum ion species.     

Ag(I)-catalyzed cyclization reaction of ethyl o-hydroxyphenylethynylphosphinates to phosphachromones

An Ag(I)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of ethyl o-hydroxyphenylethynylphosphinate to phosphachromones has been developed with high regioselectivity and good yields. The present reaction represents the first example of intramolecular addition of phenol to 1-alkynylphosphonates, which provides an approach to synthesize new phosphorus heterocycles. The resulting phosphachromones could have potential bioactivities.     

Parallel strategies for the synthesis of annulated pyrido[3,4-b]indoles via Rh(I)- and Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization

Two different pathways for the synthesis of annulated pyrido[3,4-b]indoles are reported using metal-catalyzed cyclotrimerization reactions. A stepwise process using Rh(I)-catalysis in the final step of the synthesis and a multicomponent, tandem catalytic approach using Pd(0)-catalysis both lead to complex nitrogen-containing heterocycles in good yields. Substituent effects are investigated for both pathways, demonstrating that the Pd(0)-catalyzed approach is more sensitive to electron-withdrawing groups.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-α-aryltellurenylvinylsilanes via hydromagnesiation reaction of alkynylsilanes

(E)-α-Aryltellurenylvinylsilanes have been synthesized stereoselectively via the hydromagnesiation of alkynylsilanes, followed by the reaction with aryltellurenyl iodides. (E)-α-Aryltellurenylvinylsilanes can undergo the cross coupling reaction with Grignard reagents in the presence of Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ catalyst to afford (Z)-1,2-disubstituted vinylsilanes in good yields.     

Stereoselective synthesis of vinylic (Z)-vic-bis(arylchalcogenides)

Alkyne-titanium complexes 3, readily prepared in situ by the reaction of alkynes with Ti(O-i-Pr)₄/2 i-PrMgCl, react with electrophilic chalcogen species under mild conditions to provide the corresponding addition products in fair to good yields. The obtained vinylic vic-bis(arylchalcogenides) 4 are useful synthetic intermediates for introducing vinyl functions into organic molecules.     

One-pot synthesis of 2-amino-3,4-dicyanopyridines from ketoximes and tetracyanoethylene via Cu(I)-catalyzed cyclization

A novel approach to 2-amino-3,4-dicyanopyridines has been discovered from Cu(I)-catalyzed cyclizations of simple and easily available ketoximes and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). The complexed radical mechanism involves cleavage of several OH/NO/CH bonds, and new CC/CN bonds formation. A wide variety of substrates with different functional groups could be smoothly converted into the corresponding products in moderate yields.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed tandem cyclization-selective migration reaction of 1,3-dien-5-ynes: regioselective synthesis of highly substituted benzenes

Highly substituted benzene derivatives have been easily prepared in a regioselective way from readily available 1,3-hexadien-5-ynes through a gold(I)-catalyzed tandem reaction. The process involves an initial cyclization followed by a selective Wagner-Meerwein shift in which the migration preference seems to be determined by the ability to stabilize a positive charge.     

Stereoselective synthesis of morphine fragments trans- and cis-octahydro-1H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-e]isoquinolines

A stereoselective synthesis of the ACNO partial structures of morphine has been developed. Palladium-catalyzed cyclization of carbamate 2 provided the tetracyclic (ACNO) 3-ethoxycarbonyl-9-methoxy-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-benzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinoline (14); while treatment of 5-(2-bromo-6-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroisoquinoline (8) under the same reaction condition gave 8a-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,8a-octahydroisoquinoline (11) via an unusual Claisen rearrangement. 9-Methoxy-3-methyl-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-benzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinoline (7) was successfully transformed to trans-octahydroisoquinoline 3 and cis-octahydroisoquinoline 4 via catalytical hydrogenation over PtO₂ and chemical reduction with acidic NaBH₄, respectively.     

Construction of indoloquinolinones via Pd(II)-catalyzed tandem CC/CN bond formation: application to the total synthesis of isocryptolepine

Construction of indoloquinolinone skeleton via Pd-catalyzed tandem CC/CN bond formation has been achieved in moderate to good yields. The method was applied toward the total synthesis of the bioactive natural product isocryptolepine in good overall yields.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-N,N-diethyl-3-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-2-yl)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)propenamide

The title compound, gem-amidovinylsulfone 3, was synthesized stereoselectively by aldolic condensation of N,N-diethylphenylsulfonylacetamide 1 on imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde 2 adding Et₃N at the end. The X-ray crystal structure of 3 [C₂₀H₂₁N₃O₃S: M_r=383.5, monoclinic, P2₁, a=8.191(4) Å, b=21.132(2) Å, c=11.752(1) Å, β=96.40(2)°, V=2022(1) Å³, Z=4 (two molecules per asymmetric unit), D_calc=1.260 g cm⁻³, λ(Mo Kα)=0.71073 Å, μ=0.184 mm⁻¹, F(000)=808, T=293(2)K, R=0.059 for 5105 observed reflections with I≥2σ(I)] was determined, and confirmed the (E) configuration.     

Practical one-pot synthesis of 5-alkynyl-1,2,3-triazoles via heterogeneous copper(I)-catalyzed tandem three-component click/alkynylation reaction

An efficient and practical route to 5-alkynyl-1,2,3-triazoles has been developed via heterogeneous tandem CuAAC/alkynylation reaction of organic azides, alkynes and 1-bromoalkynes by using an L-proline-functionalized MCM-41-anchored copper(I) complex [L-Proline-MCM-41-CuCl] as catalyst under mild conditions. The reaction produces a wide variety of 5-alkynyl-1,2,3-triazoles in mostly good to excellent yields. The new immobilized copper(I) complex can be readily prepared from commercially available and inexpensive reagents and displays the same catalytic activity as CuCl. The L-Proline-MCM-41-CuCl catalyst is also easy to recover via a simple filtration process and can be reused at least seven times without apparent loss of activity.     

Cu(I)-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of polysubstituted furans from propargylic esters via postulated (2-furyl)carbene complexes

Polysubstituted furan derivatives are regioselective obtained from (bis-alkynyl)methyl carboxylates in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper(I) salts. This multistep process is consistent with the intermediacy of a copper(I) (2-furyl)carbene complex which is intercepted by suitable trapping reagents.