Copper-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones

An enantioselective Cu(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- or α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones with chiral cyclohexane-based amidophosphine ligands was developed. With 2 mol% of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O/L5, the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to α,β-unsaturated ketones was achieved in good-to-excellent yields (up to 98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). This catalytic system was shown to be efficient for the 1,4-conjugate addition of Et₂Zn to (2E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one with 85% yield and 90% ee. Moreover, with 1 mol% of Cu(OTf)₂/L11, the conjugate addition of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones was accomplished with 1,4-regioselectivity, good yields (79–86%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Synthesis of 2-naphthols via carbonylative Stille coupling reaction of 2-bromobenzyl bromides with tributylallylstannane followed by the Heck reaction

A method for the synthesis of 2-naphthols 4 is described. The carbonylative Stille coupling reactions of 2-bromobenzyl bromides with tributylallylstannane to produce 2-bromobenzyl β,γ-unsaturated ketones 2 in satisfactory to excellent yields has been achieved. The isomerization of 2-bromobenzyl β,γ-unsaturated ketones 2 can readily occur under basic conditions to generate 2-bromobenzyl α,β-unsaturated ketones 3. The 2-bromobenzyl α,β-unsaturated ketones 3 can be transformed into 2-naphthols 4 via intramolecular Heck reaction in satisfactory to good yields.     

[(NHC)AuCl]-catalyzed Meyer-Schuster rearrangement: scope and limitations

An efficient catalytic system allowing for the synthesis of a variety of α,β-unsaturated ketones has been developed. [(NHC)AuCl] (NHCN-heterocyclic carbene) in the presence of a silver(I) salt was found to catalyze the Meyer-Schuster rearrangement, leading to α,β-unsaturated ketones from easily accessible propargylic alcohols in high yields. Catalysis was performed in a 2:1 mixture of methanol and water at 60 °C and afforded good yields even for tertiary alcohols and sterically demanding substrates. Thorough evaluation of the present catalytic system uncovered that it was unsuitable for terminal alkynes and primary alcohols. In these cases low yields of the target molecules were obtained due to the formation of unexpected by-products.     

Indium(III)-catalyzed asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of Brassard-type diene with aliphatic aldehydes

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction of a Brassard-type diene with aliphatic aldehydes has been developed. The chiral N,N'-dioxide L2/In(OTf)(3) complex was efficient toward the obtention of the corresponding β-methoxy-γ-methyl α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones in good yields (up to 86%) as well as dr and ee values (up to 97:3 cis/trans and 94% ee). In addition, the product 4a could be easily transformed into the methyl-protected epi-prelactone B by hydrogenation.     

α-Bromo-β,γ-unsaturated ketenes for the synthesis of α-benzylamino-β,γ-unsaturated acids

The synthesis of α-benzylamino-β,γ-unsaturated acids has been developed starting from α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated chlorides. Via treatment of the acyl chlorides with (R)-pantolactone in the presence of TEA, the in situ formation of the deconjugated ketenes and their direct transformation into chiral esters was performed. The substitution of bromine with benzylamine, followed by acid hydrolysis, allowed to us obtain enantiomerically enriched α-benzylamino-β,γ-unsaturated acids.     

Asymmetric oxyselenenylation–deselenenylation reactions of alkenes induced by camphor diselenide and ammonium persulfate. A convenient one-pot synthesis of enantiomerically enriched allylic alcohols and ethers

The reaction of β,γ-unsaturated esters and nitriles with camphor diselenide and ammonium persulfate in methanol, ethylene glycol or water affords enantiomerically enriched γ-alkoxy or γ-hydroxy α,β-unsaturated derivatives, respectively, in good chemical yields and with moderate to good enantioselectivity.     

Stereoselective synthesis of δ-heteroaryl substituted β-hydroxy-γ,δ-unsaturated α-amino acids

Enantiomerically pure δ-heteroaryl substituted β-hydroxy-γ,δ-unsaturated α-amino acids were stereoselectively synthesized starting from (2R)-(+)-2,5-dihydro-3,6-dimethoxy-2-isopropylpyrazine (Schöllkopf’s reagent) and suitable β-heteroaryl-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The stereocontrolled addition gave a mixture of two diastereoisomers whose configurations were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data and the accepted model for aldol condensation of the Schöllkopf’s reagent. Upon controlled hydrolysis the adducts were transformed into the corresponding methyl esters of δ-heteroaryl substituted β-hydroxy-γ,δ-unsaturated α-amino acids.     

Indium-mediated nucleophilic substitution reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-methoxypiperidine derivative in water

Water as a solvent was found to accelerate the indium-mediated Barbier type allylation and benzylation of β,γ-unsaturated piperidinium ion which was generated from β,γ-unsaturated α-methoxy-N-methoxycarbonylpiperidine, while ring-opened allylated product was obtained in a case using β,γ-saturated α-methoxy-N-methoxycarbonylpiperidine. Other solvents than water resulted in low yield of the allylated and benzylated products, suggesting that water is essential to generate the piperidinium ion intermediate from β,γ-unsaturated α-methoxy-N-methoxycarbonylpiperidine.     

Asymmetric syntheses of methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-l-erythroside,methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-d-threoside and methyl N-Boc-2,3-dideoxy-3-amino-l-arabinopyranoside

The asymmetric syntheses of methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-l-erythroside and methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-d-threoside have been achieved from sorbic acid, in six and eight steps, and in 35 and 13% overall yield, respectively. Diastereoselective aminohydroxylation of tert-butyl sorbate gives access to two diastereoisomeric α-hydroxy-β-amino-γ,δ-unsaturated esters. Reduction of the ester functionality and ozonolysis of the double bond gives the corresponding aldehyde, which exists exclusively in the ring-closed (furanose) form. An alternative synthesis of methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-l-erythroside was also developed, reliant on aminohydroxylation of an α,β-unsaturated ester bearing an acetal functionality at the γ-position, and this synthesis proceeded in five steps and 54% overall yield from acrolein diethyl acetal. This approach was extended to permit the synthesis of methyl N-Boc-2,3-dideoxy-3-amino-l-arabinopyranoside in six steps and 58% overall yield from ethyl 3,3-diethoxypropanote.     

Preparation of γ,δ-unsaturated-β-ketoesters: Lewis acid-catalysed CH insertion of ethyl diazoacetate into α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The synthesis of γ,δ-unsaturated-β-keto esters was achieved by the Lewis acid-catalysed direct CH insertion of an α-diazoester into various α,β-substituted-unsaturated aldehydes. CH insertion of ethyl diazoacetate into alkyl- and aryl-substituted α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was performed under mild conditions to afford the corresponding γ,δ-unsaturated-β-keto esters in moderate to high yields as a mixture of keto/enol tautomers.     

HBTU Mediated Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated γ-Lactams from E-α,β-Unsaturated γ-Amino Acids

The α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams have been found in many biologically active peptide natural products. Due to their biological activities, extensive efforts have been made in the literature to synthesize the α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams. Here, we are reporting the spontaneous transformation of E-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids into α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam through in-situ activation of free carboxylic acid using peptide coupling reagent HBTU and base DIPEA at room temperature. The transformation also involves the E→Z isomerization of α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids. The reaction is also compatible with the peptides consisting of E-α,β-unsaturated amino acids at the C-terminus. The α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams were isolated in very good yields. Even though the reaction required very mild conditions, the products were isolated in the form of a racemic mixture. However, the products can be separated under a chiral environment. No α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams were observed if the reaction was performed in the presence of free amines. In addition, no racemization was observed during the peptide synthesis. The analysis of the reactions of various substrates revealed that amide NH and γ-CH are important for lactamization. No α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams or E→Z isomerization products were observed in the case of N-Me-(E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids, whereas in the case of E-α,β-unsaturated γ,γ-dimethyl amino acid α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam was isolated, however, with low yield.     

Reactions of CF3-enones with ethyl nitroacetate and nitromethane: synthesis of CF3-γ-nitroketones

Reactions of α,β-unsaturated CF₃-ketones with nitromethane and ethyl nitroacetate have been investigated. We found that α,β-unsaturated trifluoromethylketones react with ethyl nitroacetate in the presence of calcinated potassium fluoride to form two classes of 1,4-conjugated addition products: CF₃-γ-nitroketones and 6,6,6-trifluoro-2-nitro-5-oxohexanoates in nearly quantitative yields. The products obtained are precursors for CF₃-pyrrolidine synthesis.     

From isonitrile to nitrile via ketenimine intermediate: Palladium-catalyzed 1,1-carbocyanation of allyl carbonate by α-isocyanoacetate

A palladium-catalyzed 1,1-carbocyanation of allyl carbonate by α-quaternary α-isocyanoacetate was developed. Formation of ketenimine followed by homolysis of the CN bond and recombination of the resulting caged radical pair was proposed to account for the formation of the unusual coupling product, the β-cyano-γ,δ-unsaturated ester.     

A convenient conversion of terminal alkenes into homologous unsaturated and doubly unsaturated esters

Unsaturated and doubly unsaturated esters have been synthesized in two steps by the application of a radical xanthate transfer process of a simple methylsulfoxide starting material to a range of terminal alkenes. syn-Elimination of the sulfoxide gives α,β-unsaturated esters, which coupled with a xanthate elimination yields α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated esters.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-cis-substituted tetrahydropyrans: Brønsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular oxa-conjugate cyclization of α,β-unsaturated ester surrogates

Intramolecular oxa-conjugate cyclization (IOCC) of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, triggered by deprotonation with a base, represents a straightforward method for the synthesis of tetrahydropyrans. However, it has been known that stereochemical outcome of IOCC depends on the local structure of substrates and sometimes requires harsh reaction conditions and/or prolonged reaction times for selective formation of 2,6-cis-substituted tetrahydropyrans. These shortcomings limit the feasibility of IOCC in the context of complex natural product synthesis. In this paper, we describe Br?nsted acid-catalyzed IOCC of α,β-unsaturated ester surrogates (e.g., α,β-unsaturated thioesters, oxazolidinone imides, and pyrrole amides) under mild reaction conditions, which affords a series of synthetically versatile 2,6-cis-substituted tetrahydropyran derivatives with good to excellent stereoselectivity (dr from 7:1 to >20:1). These α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were found to be more reactive than the corresponding oxoesters that are generally unreactive toward Br?nsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular oxa-conjugate additions. The product tetrahydropyrans could be transformed into various derivatives in an efficient manner, highlighting the usefulness of our methodology.     

Nucleophilic carbene-catalyzed redox-esterification reaction of α-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde

A nucleophilic carbene catalyzed redox esterification between α-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and various alcohols has been developed. Interestingly, the reaction provided α,β-unsaturated esters instead of the saturated α-halo substituted esters as the only product in good to high yield with excellent trans-selectivity, presumably via the umpolung-halo-elimination pathway.     

An enantioselective synthesis of phomopsolide D

A short enantioselective route to the highly functionalized α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone natural product phomopsolide D and three of its stereoisomers, has been accomplished. All of the carbon atoms of phomopsolide D come from tiglic acid and 2-furyl-1-penta-1′,3′-dienylketone (furan plus hexadienal). This approach derives its asymmetry from the sequential use of two catalytic asymmetric reactions; these being a Sharpless dihydroxylation reaction and a Noyori furylketone reduction. The resulting furfuryl alcohols were stereoselectively transformed into α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones via a short highly diastereoselective oxidation and reduction sequence.     

Organocatalytic functionalization of carboxylic acids: isothiourea-catalyzed asymmetric intra- and intermolecular Michael addition--lactonizations

Tetramisole promotes the catalytic asymmetric intramolecular Michael addition-lactonization of a variety of enone acids, giving carbo- and heterocyclic products with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol (up to 99:1 dr, up to 99% ee) that are readily derivatized to afford functionalized indene and dihydrobenzofuran carboxylates. Chiral isothioureas also promote the catalytic asymmetric intermolecular Michael addition-lactonization of arylacetic acids and α-keto-β,γ-unsaturated esters, giving anti-dihydropyranones with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol (up to 98:2 dr, up to 99% ee).     

One-Carbon Homologation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes: Access to α-Tertiary β,γ-Unsaturated Aldehydes

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of enolizable α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated aldehydes is reported. The developed strategy involves two steps, epoxidation and Meinwald rearrangement, to result in a one-carbon homologation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes enabling the insertion of a CHR unit.     

Lewis acid-promoted reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α,α-dimethoxy esters with silyl nucleophiles

The Lewis acid-promoted reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α,α-dimethoxy esters, which are easily prepared by the acetalization of β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters, with silyl nucleophiles is presented. By employing trimethylsilyl enolate and allyltrimethylsilane as nucleophiles, the BF₃-promoted reactions of a series of β,γ-unsaturated α,α-dimethoxy esters bearing aromatic and aliphatic substituents proceeded at the γ-position in an SN2′ manner to furnish γ-substituted α,β-unsaturated α-methoxy esters in good yields with high regioselectivity. In contrast, the reaction using trimethylsilyl cyanide predominantly occurred at the α-position, and the reaction of silyl hydride resulted in a mixture of α- and γ-regioisomers in favor of the γ-substitution products.