Efficient Total Synthesis of (S)‐14‐Azacamptothecin

An efficient total synthesis of (S)‐14‐azacamptothecin has been accomplished in 10 steps and 56 % overall yield from 5H‐pyrano[4,3‐d]pyrimidine 8 . A mild Hendrickson reagent‐triggered intramolecular cascade cyclization, a highly enantioselective dihydroxylation, and an efficient palladium‐catalyzed transformation of an O‐allyl into N‐allyl group are the key steps in the synthesis. This work provides a much higher overall yield than the previous achievement and shows sound flexibility for the further applications that will lead to new bioactive analogues.     

Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral Anilides

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral o‐iodoanilides and o‐tert‐butylanilides as useful chiral building blocks was achieved by means of binaphthyl‐modified chiral quaternary ammonium‐salt‐catalyzed N‐alkylations under phase‐transfer conditions. The synthetic utility of axially chiral products was demonstrated in various transformations. For example, axially chiral N‐allyl‐o‐iodoanilide was transformed to 3‐methylindoline by means of radical cyclization with high chirality transfer from axial chirality to C‐centered chirality. Furthermore, stereochemical information on axial chirality in o‐tert‐butylanilides could be used as a template to control the stereochemistry of subsequent transformations. The transition‐state structure of the present phase‐transfer reaction was discussed on the basis of the X‐ray crystal structure of ammonium anilide, which was prepared from binaphthyl‐modified chiral ammonium bromide and o‐iodoanilide. The chiral tetraalkylammonium bromide as a phase‐transfer catalyst recognized the steric difference between the ortho substituents on anilide to obtain high enantioselectivity. The size and structural effects of the ortho substituents on anilide were investigated, and a wide variety of axially chiral anilides that possess various functional groups could be synthesized with high enantioselectivities. This method is the only general way to access a variety of axially chiral anilides in a highly enantioselective fashion reported to date.     

Regio‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of N‐Allylindoles by Iridium‐Catalyzed Allylic Amination/Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions

Regio‐ and enantioselective synthesis of N‐allylindoles was realized through an iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination reaction with 2‐alkynylanilines and subsequent transition‐metal‐catalyzed cyclization reactions. The highly enantioenriched allylic amines prepared from Ir‐catalysis were treated with catalytic amount of NaAuCl₄ ? 2 H₂O or PdCl₂ providing various substituted N‐allylindoles in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+3] Cyclization of Trimethylenemethane: Regio‐, Diastereo‐, and Enantioselective Construction of Benzofuro[3,2‐b]azepine Skeletons

The palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] cyclization of trimethylenemethane donors with benzofuran‐derived azadienes furnishes chiral benzofuro[3,2‐b]azepine frameworks in high yields (up to 98 %) with exclusive regioselectivities and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 d.r., >99 % ee). This catalytic asymmetric [4+3] cyclization of Pd‐trimethylenemethane can enrich the arsenal of Pd‐TMM reactions in organic synthesis. In addition, this strategy provides an alternative approach to chiral azepines by a transition‐metal‐catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] cyclization.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed sp2‐C−H Activation: Intermolecular Heterocyclization with Allenes at Room Temperature

The reactivity of allenes in transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?H activation chemistry is governed by the formation of either alkenyl–metal (M–alkenyl) or metal–π‐allyl intermediates. Although either protonation or a β‐hydride elimination is feasible with a M–alkenyl intermediate, cyclization has remained unexplored to date. Furthermore, due to the increased steric hindrance, the regioselectivity for the intramolecular cyclization of the metal–π‐allyl intermediate was hampered towards the more substituted side. To address these issues, a unified approach to synthesize a diverse array of biologically and pharmaceutically relevant heterocyclic moieties by cobalt‐catalyzed directed C?H functionalization was envisioned. Upon successful implementation, the present strategy led to the regioselective formation of dihydroisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐ones, isoquinolin‐1(2H)‐ones, dihydropyridones, and pyridones.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Polycyclic Indolic Architectures through Pd0‐Catalyzed Tandem Deprotection/Cyclization of Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines on Allenes

Enantioenriched N‐allyl tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines were prepared by chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reactions. The compounds undergo Pd⁰‐catalyzed cyclizations through a tandem deprotection/cyclization process. The regioselectivity of the attack is controlled by the chain length and by the substitution pattern of the allene function. Products resulting from 5‐exo‐ or 6‐exo‐attack were obtained with diastereoisomeric ratio up to 95:5. Azepinopyrrido[3,4‐b]indoles were obtained by 7‐endo‐cyclizations.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations and Alkoxycyclizations of ortho‐(Alkynyl)styrenes

Indenes and related polycyclic structures have been efficiently synthesized by gold(I)‐catalyzed cycloisomerizations of appropriate ortho‐(alkynyl)styrenes. Disubstitution at the terminal position of the olefin was demonstrated to be essential to obtain products originating from a formal 5‐endo‐dig cyclization. Interestingly, a complete switch in the selectivity of the cyclization of o‐(alkynyl)‐α‐methylstyrenes from 6‐endo to 5‐endo was observed by adding an alcohol to the reaction media. This allowed the synthesis of interesting indenes bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center at C1. Moreover, dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes can be obtained from substrates bearing a secondary alkyl group at the β‐position of the styrene moiety by a tandem cycloisomerization/1,2‐hydride migration process. In addition, diverse polycyclic compounds were obtained by an intramolecular gold‐catalyzed alkoxycyclization of o‐(alkynyl)styrenes bearing a nucleophile in their structure. Finally, the use of a chiral gold complex allowed access to elusive chiral 1H‐indenes in good enantioselectivities.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Allyl–Allyl Coupling between Allylic Boronates and Phosphates with a Phenol/N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Chiral Ligand

Copper‐catalyzed enantioselective allyl–allyl coupling between allylboronates and either Z‐acyclic or cyclic allylic phosphates using a new chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, bearing a phenolic hydroxy, is reported. This reaction occurs with exceptional S_N2′‐type regioselectivities and high enantioselectivities to deliver chiral 1,5‐diene derivatives with a tertiary stereogenic center at the allylic/homoallylic position.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Selective Bifunctionalization of 3‐Iodo‐o‐Carborane by Pd Migration

A palladium‐catalyzed highly selective 3,4‐bifunctionalization of 3‐I‐o‐carborane has been developed, leading to the preparation of 3‐alkenyl‐4‐R‐o‐carboranes (R=alkyl, alkynyl, aryl, allyl, CN, and amido) in high to excellent yields. This protocol combines the sequential activation of cage B(3)?I and B(4)?H bonds by Pd migration from exo‐alkenyl sp² C to cage B(4), which is driven by thermodynamic force. This represents a brand‐new strategy for selective bifunctionalization of carboranes with two different substituents.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Asymmetric Dearomatization of β‐Naphthols with Allyl Alcohols or Allyl Ethers

An Ir‐catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric dearomatization reaction of β‐naphthols with allyl alcohols or allyl ethers was developed. When an iridium catalyst generated from [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (COD=cyclooctadiene) and a chiral P/olefin ligand is employed, highly functionalized β‐naphthalenone compounds bearing an all‐carbon‐substituted quaternary chiral center were obtained in up to 92 % yield and 98 % ee . The direct utilization of allyl alcohols as electrophiles represents an improvement from the viewpoint of atom economy. Allyl ethers were found to undergo asymmetric allylic substitution reaction under Ir catalysis for the first time. The diverse transformations of the dearomatized product to various motifs render this method attractive.     

A Versatile Synthesis of β‐Lactam‐Fused Oxacycles through the Palladium‐Catalyzed Chemo‐, Regio‐, and Diastereoselective Cyclization of Allenic Diols

Chemo‐, regio‐ and stereocontrolled palladium‐catalyzed preparations of enantiopure morpholines, oxocines, and dioxonines have been developed starting from 2‐azetidinone‐tethered γ,δ‐, δ,ε‐, and ε,ζ‐allendiols. The palladium‐catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of γ,δ‐allendiols 2 with allyl bromide or lithium bromide was effective as 8‐endo cyclization by attack of the primary hydroxy group to the terminal allene carbon to afford enantiopure functionalized oxocines; whereas the palladium‐catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of 2‐azetidinone‐tethered ε,ζ‐allendiols 4 furnished dioxonines 16 through a totally chemo‐ and regioselective 9‐endo oxycyclization. By contrast, the palladium‐catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of 2‐azetidinone‐tethered δ,ε‐allendiols 3 with aryl and alkenyl halides exclusively generated six‐membered‐ring compounds 14 a and 15 a . These results could be explained through a 6‐exo cyclization by chemo‐ and regiospecific attack of the secondary hydroxy group to the internal allene carbon. Chemo‐ and regiocontrol issues are mainly influenced by the length of the tether rather than by the nature of the metal catalysts and substituents. This reactivity can be rationalized by means of density functional theory calculations.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Furan‐yne Cyclizations Involving 1,2‐Rearrangement: Efficient Synthesis of Functionalized 1‐Naphthols and Its Application to the Synthesis of Wailupemycin G

Gold‐catalyzed cascade cyclization/1,2‐rearrangement of 1‐(2‐furanyl)phenyl propargyl alcohols has been developed, which provides a rapid and efficient access to multisubstituted 1‐naphthols bearing an enal or enone moiety with high stereoselectivity. The (Z)‐ or (E)‐stereochemistry can be easily controlled by choosing protected‐ or non‐protected substrates. The utility of the methodology has been illustrated in the first total synthesis of wailupemycin G.     

A Concise Synthesis of rac‐Ambrox® via the Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Carboalkoxylation of an Allylic Ammonium Salt,as Compared to a Formaldehyde Hetero Diels–Alder Approach

Acidic cyclization of either the diethylallylamines 29b or 30 , followed by a 1.5 mol‐% Pd‐catalyzed carbomethoxylation of quaternized 31b , leads to the methyl ester 36a . This latter could also be obtained in optically pure form by carbomethoxylation of the corresponding (+)‐acetate. Final reduction‐cyclization may be conducted as earlier described, towards the desired odoriferous rac‐Ambrox® 38a , or its pure (?)‐enantiomer. Generation of a π‐allyl Pd complex from an allylic ammonium salt, followed by carboalkoxylation is novel. In only five chemical steps starting from farnesene 2 , the present work constitutes the most concise total synthesis of rac‐Ambrox® 38a to date.     

Solvent‐Enhanced Diastereo‐ and Regioselectivity in the PdII‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Six‐ and Eight‐Membered Heterocycles via cis‐Aminopalladation

The Pd^II‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative cyclization of tosyl‐protected cis‐ and trans‐N‐allyl‐2‐aminocyclohexanecarboxamides was examined, and efficient syntheses of cyclohexane‐fused pyrimidin‐4‐ones and 1,5‐diazocin‐6‐ones were developed. In the course of the research, a marked solvent effect was observed on both the regio‐ and diastereoselectivity. Additionally, a novel Pd^II‐mediated domino oxidation, oxidative amination reaction was discovered. Our experimental and theoretical findings suggest that the reactions proceed via a cis‐aminopalladation mechanism.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed 1,4‐ and/or 1,5‐Heteroaryl Migration Reactions through Regiocontrolled Cyclizations

Gold(I)‐catalyzed regioselective cycloisomerizations of furan‐ynes have been described. The reaction provides a concise access to stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes by endo cyclization with concomitant 1,5‐migration of the furanyl group in the presence of unactivated 3 Å molecular sieves. In the absence of molecular sieves, indene products are generated by exo cyclization, followed by 1,4‐furanyl migration/cyclization. The scope for 1,5‐migrations can be extended to other heterocycles, such as benzofurans, thiophenes, and pyrroles.     

Insertion Homo‐ and Copolymerization of Diallyl Ether

The previously unresolved issue of polymerization of allyl monomers CH₂?CHCH₂X is overcome by a palladium‐catalyzed insertion polymerization of diallyl ether as a monomer. An enhanced 2,1‐insertion of diallyl ether as compared to mono‐allyl ether retards the formation of an unreactive five‐membered cyclic O‐chelate (after 1,2‐insertion) that otherwise hinders further polymerization, and also enhances incorporation in ethylene polymers (20.4 mol %). Cyclic ether repeat units are formed selectively (96 %–99 %) by an intramolecular insertion of the second allyl moiety of the monomer. These features even enable a homopolymerization to yield polymers (poly‐diallyl ether) with degrees of polymerization of DP_n≈44.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereogenic Centers via Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of (Z)‐Allyl Bromides with Organolithium Reagents

A copper/phosphoramidite catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of Z trisubstituted allyl bromides with organolithium reagents is reported. The reaction affords all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic centers in high yields and very good regio‐ and enantioselectivity. This systematic study illustrates the crucial role of the olefin geometry of the allyl substrate on the outcome of the reaction and provides a viable alternative to access these important structural motifs.     

Molecular Iodine Promoted Synthesis of New Pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ols

A highly ef?cient synthesis of novel pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ols was developed via an iodine‐catalyzed tandem oxidative cyclization under focused microwave irradiation. Pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ols were obtained from easily available 2‐amino‐4‐aryl‐6‐arylnicotinamides and benzylic amines with good to excellent yields.     

Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Atom‐Economical Macrolactonization

A highly attractive route toward macrolactones, which form the cyclic scaffold of a multitude of diverse natural compounds, is described. Although many chemical approaches to this structural motif have been explored, an asymmetric variant of the cyclization is unprecedented. Herein we present an enantioselective macrolactonization through an intramolecular atom‐economical rhodium‐catalyzed coupling of ω‐allenyl‐substituted carboxylic acids. The use of a modified diop ligand, chiral DTBM‐diop, led to high enantioselectivity (up to 93 % ee). The reaction tolerated a large variety of functionalities, including α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and depsipeptides, and provided the desired macrocycles with very high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Isotopomers of 1‐Alkanols by a ZACA–Cu‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Protocol

Chiral compounds arising from the replacement of hydrogen atoms by deuterium are very important in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Some of these chiral compounds have a non‐measurable specific rotation, owing to very small differences between the isotopomeric groups, and exhibit cryptochirality. This particular class of compounds is difficult to synthesize and characterize. Herein, we present a catalytic and highly enantioselective conversion of terminal alkenes to various β and more remote chiral isotopomers of 1‐alkanols, with ≥99 % enantiomeric excess (ee), by the Zr‐catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA) and Cu‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. ZACA‐in situ iodinolysis of allyl alcohol and ZACA‐in situ oxidation of TBS‐protected ω‐alkene‐1‐ols protocols were applied to the synthesis of both (R)‐ and (S)‐difunctional intermediates with 80–90 % ee. These intermediates were readily purified to provide enantiomerically pure (≥99 % ee) compounds by lipase‐catalyzed acetylation. These functionally rich intermediates serve as very useful synthons for the construction of various chiral isotopomers of 1‐alkanols in excellent enantiomeric purity (≥99 % ee) by introducing deuterium‐labeled groups by Cu‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions without epimerization.