Domino‐Hydroformylation/Aldol Condensation Catalysis: Highly Selective Synthesis of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from Olefins

A general and highly chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselective synthesis of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes by a domino hydroformylation/aldol condensation reaction has been developed. A variety of olefins and aromatic aldehydes were efficiently converted into various substituted α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in good to excellent yields in the presence of a rhodium phosphine/acid–base catalyst system. In view of the easy availability of the substrates, the high atom‐efficiency, the excellent selectivity, and the mild conditions, this method is expected to complement current methodologies for the preparation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Heterogeneous Aerobic Dehydrogenative Amination of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes to Enaminals

Although enaminals (β‐enaminals) are very important compounds and have been utilized as useful synthons for various important compounds, they have been synthesized through non‐green and/or limited procedures until now. Herein, we have successfully developed a green synthetic procedure using a heterogeneous catalyst. In the presence of gold nanoparticles supported on manganese‐oxide‐based octahedral molecular sieves OMS‐2 (Au/OMS‐2), dehydrogenative amination of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with amines proceeded efficiently, with the corresponding enaminals isolated in moderate to high yields (50–97 %). The catalysis was truly heterogeneous, and Au/OMS‐2 could be reused. Furthermore, the formal Wacker‐type oxidation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes to enaminones has been realized.     

Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective Synthesis of anti‐1,2‐Hydroxyboronates

A catalytic protocol for the diastereoselective synthesis of anti‐1,2‐hydroxyboronates is described. The process provides access to secondary alkyl organoborons. The deborylative 1,2‐addition reactions of alkyl 1,1‐diborons proceed in the presence of a silver(I) salt with either KOtBu or nBuLi as an activator. The catalytic diastereoselective protocol can be extended to aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl aldehydes with up to 99:1 d.r.     

Metal‐Free and Efficient Epoxidation of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones with 1,1,2,2‐Tetrahydroperoxy‐1,2‐Diphenylethane as a Powerful Solid Oxidant

1,1,2,2‐Tetrahydroperoxy‐1,2‐diphenylethane was used for the efficient and metal‐free epoxidation of various α,β‐unsaturated ketones, carried out under mild alkaline conditions at room temperature.     

Tandem Three‐Component Synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐Diol Derivatives

The development of efficient methods for stereocontrolled synthesis of polyol derivatives has been of continuing interest for the synthetic community. We describe herein tandem olefin cross‐metathesis/hemiacetalization/intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition of allylic/homoallylic alcohols, α,β‐unsaturated ketones, and aldehydes, which enabled the synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐diol derivatives in a step‐economical manner. A series of differentially protected polyol derivatives could be obtained in subsequent transformations via chemoselective/regioselective cleavage of the acetal moiety of the tandem reaction products.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Formation of δ‐Lactones from Unsaturated Acyl Halides

Previously unexplored enantiopure zwitterionic ammonium dienolates have been utilized in this work as reactive intermediates that act as diene components in hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions (HDAs) with aldehydes to produce optically active δ‐lactones, subunits of numerous bioactive products. The dienolates were generated in situ from E/Z mixtures of α,β‐unsaturated acid chlorides by use of a nucleophilic quinidine derivative and Sn(OTf)₂ as co‐catalyst. The latter component was not directly involved in the cycloaddition step with aldehydes and simply facilitated the formation of the reactive dienolate species. The scope of the cycloaddition was considerably improved by use of a complex formed from Er(OTf)₃ and a simple commercially available norephedrine‐derived ligand that tolerated a broad range of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes for a cooperative bifunctional Lewis‐acid‐/Lewis‐base‐catalyzed reaction, providing α,β‐unsaturated δ‐lactones with excellent enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies confirmed the formation of the dienolate intermediates for both catalytic systems. The active Er^III complex is most likely a monomeric species. Interestingly, all lanthanides can catalyze the title reaction, but the efficiency in terms of yield and enantioselectivity depends directly on the radius of the Ln^III ion. Similarly, use of the pseudolanthanides Sc^III and Y^III also resulted in product formation, whereas the larger La^III and other transition metal salts, as well as main group metal salts, proved to be inefficient. In addition, various synthetic transformations of 6‐CCl₃‐ or 4‐silyl‐substituted α,β‐unsaturated δ‐lactones, giving access to a number of valuable δ‐lactone building blocks, were investigated.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirocyclohexadienones by NHC‐Catalyzed Formal [3+3] Annulation Reaction of Enals

The enantioselective synthesis of pyrazolone‐fused spirocyclohexadienones was demonstrated by the reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with α‐arylidene pyrazolinones under oxidative N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)catalysis. This atom‐economic and formal [3+3] annulation reaction proceeds through a vinylogous Michael addition/spiroannulation/dehydrogenation cascade to afford spirocyclic compounds with an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter in moderate to good yields and excellent ee values. Key to the success of the reaction is the cooperative NHC‐catalyzed generation of chiral α,β‐unsaturated acyl azoliums from enals, and base‐mediated tandem generation of dienolate/enolate intermediates from pyrazolinones.     

Heterogeneous versus Homogeneous Copper(II) Catalysis in Enantioselective Conjugate‐Addition Reactions of Boron in Water

We have developed Cu^II‐catalyzed enantioselective conjugate‐addition reactions of boron to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds and α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds in water. In contrast to the previously reported Cu^I catalysis that required organic solvents, chiral Cu^II catalysis was found to proceed efficiently in water. Three catalyst systems have been exploited: cat. 1: Cu(OH)₂ with chiral ligand L1 ; cat. 2: Cu(OH)₂ and acetic acid with ligand L1 ; and cat. 3: Cu(OAc)₂ with ligand L1 . Whereas cat. 1 is a heterogeneous system, cat. 2 and cat. 3 are homogeneous systems. We tested 27 α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds and an α,β‐unsaturated nitrile compound, including acyclic and cyclic α,β‐unsaturated ketones, acyclic and cyclic β,β‐disubstituted enones, acyclic and cyclic α,β‐unsaturated esters (including their β,β‐disubstituted forms), and acyclic α,β‐unsaturated amides (including their β,β‐disubstituted forms). We found that cat. 2 and cat. 3 showed high yields and enantioselectivities for almost all substrates. Notably, no catalysts that can tolerate all of these substrates with high yields and high enantioselectivities have been reported for the conjugate addition of boron. Heterogeneous cat. 1 also gave high yields and enantioselectivities with some substrates and also gave the highest TOF (43 200 h^?1) for an asymmetric conjugate‐addition reaction of boron. In addition, the catalyst systems were also applicable to the conjugate addition of boron to α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds, although such reactions have previously been very limited in the literature, even in organic solvents. 1,4‐Addition products were obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities in the reactions of acyclic α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with diboron 2 by using cat. 1, cat. 2, or cat. 3. On the other hand, in the reactions of cyclic α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with compound 2 , whereas 1,4‐addition products were exclusively obtained by using cat. 2 or cat. 3, 1,6‐addition products were exclusively produced by using cat. 1. Similar unique reactivities and selectivities were also shown in the reactions of cyclic trienones. Finally, the reaction mechanisms of these unique conjugate‐addition reactions in water were investigated and we propose stereochemical models that are supported by X‐ray crystallography and MS (ESI) analysis. Although the role of water has not been completely revealed, water is expected to be effective in the activation of a borylcopper(II) intermediate and a protonation event subsequent to the nucleophilic addition step, thereby leading to overwhelmingly high catalytic turnover.     

Stereoretentive Addition of N‐tert‐Butylsulfonyl‐α‐Amido Silanes to Aldehydes,Ketones, α,β‐Unsaturated Esters,and Imines

Enantioenriched N‐tert‐butylsulfonyl‐α‐amido silanes were successfully reacted with aldehydes, ketones, imines, and α,β‐unsaturated esters in the presence of a sub‐stoichiometric amount of CsF (0.5 equiv) in 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) at ?20 °C to afford the corresponding coupling products with up to 89 % enantiospecificity in a retentive manner.     

The Phosphinoboration Reaction

The synthesis of phosphinoboronate esters containing a single P? B bond is reported, together with preliminary reactivity studies towards a range of organic substrates. These compounds add readily to aldehydes, ketones, aldimines, and α,β‐unsaturated enones to give primarily the corresponding 1,2‐addition products containing a new P? C bond. The first examples of transition‐metal‐catalyzed phosphinoborations of C‐C multiple bonds in which P? C and B? C bonds are formed in a single step are also disclosed; allenes react by a highly regioselective 1,2‐addition whereas terminal alkynes undergo a formal 1,1‐addition.     

Facile Preparation of Homoallyl β′，γ′—Unsaturated Amines via 1,2—Addition of α，β—Unsaturated Imines with Allylsamarium Bromide

A series of homoallyl β′，γ′-unsaturated amines were synthe sized via 1,2-addition of α，β-unsaturated imines with allylsamarium bromide in excellent yields under mild and neutral conditions.     

Diarylprolinol‐Mediated Asymmetric Direct Cross‐Aldol Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehyde as an Electrophilic Aldehyde

The diarylprolinol‐mediated asymmetric direct cross‐aldol reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde as an electrophilic aldehyde was developed. The reaction becomes accelerated by an acid when a carbonyl group is introduced at the γ‐position of the α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde. Synthetically useful γ,δ‐unsaturated β‐hydroxy aldehydes were obtained with high anti‐selectivity and excellent enantioselectivity.     

Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation (DYKAT) by Combined Amine‐ and Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Cycloisomerization

The first examples of one‐pot highly chemo‐ and enantioselective dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKATs) involving α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes and propargylated carbon acids are presented. These DYKATs, which proceed by a combination of catalytic iminium activation, enamine activation, and Pd⁰‐catalyzed enyne cycloisomerization, give access to functionalized cyclopentenes with up to 99 % ee and can be used for the generation of all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters.     

Conjugate Addition of Indole to α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Lewis Acid Immobilized on a Biorenewable Support

Sulfonated carbonaceous solid acid was prepared straightforwardly from household granulated sucrose through a one‐pot carbonization—sulfonation process. The performance of this solid Brønsted acid was tested by the 1,1‐diacylation of aldehydes. Lewis acid, such as indium chloride, was supported on sucrose‐derived carbonaceous solid acid through anion metathesis and successfully applied to the conjugate addition of indole to α,β‐unsaturated ketones.     

Regioselective and Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Indolyl Cyclopentenamides by Chiral Anion Catalysis

The regioselective and enantioselective synthesis of β‐indolyl cyclopentenamides, a versatile chiral building block, by asymmetric addition of indoles to α,β‐unsaturated iminium intermediates has been achieved through chiral anion catalysis. Key to the success of this methodology is the generation of a chiral anion‐paired ketone‐type α,β‐unsaturated iminium intermediate from α‐hydroxy enamides. Preliminary mechanistic studies and DFT calculations are consistent with a mechanism involving multiple, concurrent pathways for isomerization of the initially formed azaallylcation into the key α,β‐unsaturated iminium intermediate, all mediated by the phosphoric acid catalyst.     

Diphenylprolinol Silyl Ether Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Reaction of Nitroalkanes and β,β‐Disubstituted α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes for the Construction of All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereogenic Centers

The asymmetric Michael reaction of nitroalkanes and β,β‐disubstituted α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes was catalyzed by diphenylprolinol silyl ether to afford 1,4‐addition products with an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center with excellent enantioselectivity. The reaction is general for β‐substituents such as β‐aryl and β‐alkyl groups, and both nitromethane and nitroethane can be employed. The addition of nitroethane is considered a synthetic equivalent of the asymmetric Michael reaction of ethyl and acetyl substituents by means of radical denitration and Nef reaction, respectively. The short asymmetric synthesis of (S)‐ethosuximide with a quaternary carbon center was accomplished by using the present asymmetric Michael reaction as the key step. The reaction mechanism that involves the E/Z isomerization of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, the retro‐Michael reaction, and the different reactivity between nitromethane and nitroethane is discussed.     

Sequential 1,4‐/1,2‐Addition of Lithium(trimethylsilyl)diazomethane onto Cyclic Enones to Induce C−C Fragmentation and N−Li Insertion

α,β‐Unsaturated ketones generally undergo addition reactions with nucleophiles with a preference for either 1,2‐ or 1,4‐addition, but rarely both. However, the right combination of reagents allows for consecutive 1,4‐ and 1,2‐additions to occur: Cyclic α,β‐unsaturated ketones undergo double additions with lithium(trimethylsilyl)diazomethane, effectively generating various molecular frameworks with complexity and diversity. Owing to the sequential generation of several intermediates of multifaceted reactivity, including diazoalkane derivatives and alkylidene carbenes, it is possible to induce novel Grob‐type C?C fragmentations, alkylidene carbene mediated Li?N insertions, and dipolar cycloadditions by controlling the reaction parameters.     

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α,β‐Unsaturated Nitriles with Base‐Activated Iridium N,P Ligand Complexes

Although many chiral catalysts are known that allow highly enantioselective hydrogenation of a wide range of olefins, no suitable catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated nitriles have been reported so far. We have found that Ir N,P ligand complexes, which under normal conditions do not show any reactivity towards α,β‐unsaturated nitriles, become highly active catalysts upon addition of N,N‐diisopropylethylamine. The base‐activated catalysts enable conjugate reduction of α,β‐unsaturated nitriles with H₂ at low catalyst loadings, affording the corresponding saturated nitriles with high conversion and excellent enantioselectivity. In contrast, alkenes lacking a conjugated cyano group do not react under these conditions, making it possible to selectively reduce the conjugated C?C bond of an α,β‐unsaturated nitrile, while leaving other types of C?C bonds in the molecule intact.     

Aryloxide‐Facilitated Catalyst Turnover in Enantioselective α,β‐Unsaturated Acyl Ammonium Catalysis

A new general concept for α,β‐unsaturated acyl ammonium catalysis is reported that uses p‐nitrophenoxide release from an α,β‐unsaturated p‐nitrophenyl ester substrate to facilitate catalyst turnover. This method was used for the enantioselective isothiourea‐catalyzed Michael addition of nitroalkanes to α,β‐unsaturated p‐nitrophenyl esters in generally good yield and with excellent enantioselectivity (27 examples, up to 79 % yield, 99:1 er). Mechanistic studies identified rapid and reversible catalyst acylation by the α,β‐unsaturated p‐nitrophenyl ester, and a recently reported variable‐time normalization kinetic analysis method was used to delineate the complex reaction kinetics.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed α‐Allylation of Aldehydes and Tandem Aldol Condensation/Allylation Reaction with Allylic Alcohols

An additive‐free nickel‐catalyzed α‐allylation of aldehydes with allyl alcohol is reported. The reaction is promoted by 1 mol % of in situ formed nickel complex in methanol, and water is the sole by‐product of the reaction. The experimental conditions allow the conversion of various α‐branched aldehydes and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes as nucleophiles. The same catalyst and reaction conditions enabled a tandem aldol condensation of aldehyde/α‐allylation reaction.