Asymmetric Triple Relay Catalysis: Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirocyclic Indolines through a One‐Pot Process Featuring an Asymmetric 6π Electrocyclization

A rare example of a one‐pot process that involves asymmetric triple relay catalysis is reported. The key step is an asymmetric [1,5] electrocyclic reaction of functionalized ketimines. The substrates for this process were obtained in situ in a two‐step process that involved the hydrogenation of nitroarenes with a Pd/C catalyst to yield aryl amines and their subsequent coupling with isatin derivatives in a Brønsted acid catalyzed ketimine formation reaction. The electrocyclization was catalyzed by a bifunctional chiral Brønsted base/hydrogen bond donor catalyst. The one‐pot process gave the desired products in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivity.     

Access to Aryl‐Naphthaquinone Atropisomers by Phosphine‐Catalyzed Atroposelective (4+2) Annulations of δ‐Acetoxy Allenoates with 2‐Hydroxyquinone Derivatives

Although asymmetric phosphine catalysis is a powerful tool for the construction of various chiral carbon centers, its synthetic potential toward an enantioenriched atropisomer has not been explored yet. Reported herein is a phosphine‐catalyzed atroposelective (4+2) annulation of δ‐acetoxy allenoates and 2‐hydroxyquinone derivatives. The reaction provides expedient access to aryl‐naphthaquinone atropisomers by the de novo construction of a benzene ring. The two functionalities of the catalyst, a tertiary phosphine (Lewis base) and a tertiary amine (Brønsted base), cooperatively enable this process with high regio‐ and enantioselectivities.     

Ring Expansion of Epoxides under Brønsted Base Catalysis: Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition of β,γ‐Epoxy Esters with Imines Providing 2,4,5‐Trisubstituted 1,3‐Oxazolidines

A novel ring‐expansion reaction of epoxides under Brønsted base catalysis was developed. The formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of β,γ‐epoxy esters with imines proceeds in the presence of triazabicyclodecene (TBD) as a superior Brønsted base catalyst to afford 2,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,3‐oxazolidines in a highly diastereoselective manner. This reaction involves the ring opening of the epoxides with the aid of the Brønsted base catalyst to generate α,β‐unsaturated esters having an alkoxide at the allylic position, which would formally serve as a synthetic equivalent of the 1,3‐dipole, followed by a cycloaddition reaction with imines in a stepwise fashion. This methodology enables the facile synthesis of enantioenriched 1,3‐oxazolidines from easily accessible enantioenriched epoxides.     

A Metal–Ligand Cooperative Pathway for Intermolecular Oxa‐Michael Additions to Unsaturated Nitriles

An unprecedented catalytic pathway for oxa‐Michael addition reactions of alcohols to unsaturated nitriles has been revealed using a PNN pincer ruthenium catalyst with a dearomatized pyridine backbone. The isolation of a catalytically competent Ru–dieneamido complex from the reaction between the Ru catalyst and pentenenitrile in combination with DFT calculations supports a mechanism in which activation of the nitrile through metal–ligand cooperativity is a key step. The nitrile‐derived Ru‐N moiety is sufficiently Brønsted basic to activate the alcohol and initiate conjugate addition of the alkoxide to the α,β‐unsaturated fragment. This reaction proceeds in a concerted manner and involves a six‐membered transition state. These features allow the reaction to proceed at ambient temperature in the absence of external base.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Direct Aldol Addition of Aryl Ketones to α‐Fluorinated Ketones

The catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α‐fluorinated chiral tertiary alcohols from (hetero)aryl methyl ketones is described. The use of a bifunctional iminophosphorane (BIMP) superbase was found to facilitate direct aldol addition by providing the strong Brønsted basicity required for rapid aryl enolate formation. The new synthetic protocol is easy to perform and tolerates a broad range of functionalities and heterocycles with high enantioselectivity (up to >99:1 e.r.). Multi‐gram scalability has been demonstrated along with catalyst recovery and recycling. ¹H NMR studies identified a 1400‐fold rate enhancement under BIMP catalysis, compared to the prior state‐of‐the‐art catalytic system. The utility of the aldol products has been highlighted with the synthesis of various enantioenriched building blocks and heterocycles, including 1,3‐aminoalcohol, 1,3‐diol, oxetane, and isoxazoline derivatives.     

Solvent‐free synthesis of new 2,4,6‐triarylpyridines catalyzed by a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid as a green and reusable catalyst

Some new 4‐(aryl)‐2,6‐di‐2‐naphthylpyridines and 4‐(aryl)‐2,6‐di‐2‐thienylpyridines have been prepared through three‐component condensation of 2‐acetylnaphthalene or 2‐acetylthiophene, aromatic aldehydes, and ammonium acetate in presence of 1‐(4‐sulfonylbutyl) pyridinium hydrogensulfate [(CH₂)₄SO₃HPy][HSO₄], a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid as a green and reusable catalyst in solvent‐free conditions. Also some new 4,4'‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐bis‐(2,6‐di‐aryl pyridine) was prepared. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Chiral Brønsted Acid Directed Iron‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with β‐Aryl α′‐Hydroxy Enones

A cooperative catalytic system established by the combination of an iron salt and a chiral Brønsted acid has proven to be effective in the asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with β‐aryl α′‐hydroxy enones. Good to excellent yields and enatioselectivities were observed for a variety of α′‐hydroxy enones and indoles, particularly for the β‐aryl α′‐hydroxy enones bearing an electron‐withdrawing group at the para position of the phenyl ring (up to 90 % yield and 91 % ee). The proton of the chiral Brønsted acid, the Lewis acid activation site, as well as the inherent basic site for the hydrogen‐bonding interaction of the Brønsted acid are responsible for the high catalytic activities and enantioselectivities of the title reaction. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed. The key catalytic species in the catalytic system, the phosphate salt of Fe^III, which was thought to be responsible for the high activity and good enantioselectivity, was then confirmed by ESIMS studies.     

One‐pot synthesis of 2,3‐disubstituted‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones using [Hmim][NO3]: An eco‐friendly protocol

An efficient method for the synthesis of a series of 2,3‐disubstituted‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones is described via one‐pot condensation reaction of isatoic anhydride, aryl aldehydes, and primary amines using a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid, [Hmim][NO₃], as a catalyst and medium. The present protocol enjoys convenient reaction and simple work‐up, greenness, short reaction times, and reusable catalyst as well as mild reaction conditions. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Bifunctional Brønsted Base Catalyst Enables Regio‐, Diastereo‐, and Enantioselective Cα‐Alkylation of β‐Tetralones and Related Aromatic‐Ring‐Fused Cycloalkanones

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of both α‐substituted and α,α‐disubstituted (quaternary) β‐tetralones through direct α‐functionalization of the corresponding β‐tetralone precursor remains elusive. A designed Brønsted base‐squaramide bifunctional catalyst promotes the conjugate addition of either unsubstituted or α‐monosubstituted β‐tetralones to nitroalkenes. Under these reaction conditions, not only enolization, and thus functionalization, occurs at the α‐carbon atom of the β‐tetralone exclusively, but adducts including all‐carbon quaternary centers are also formed in highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective manner.     

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich‐type Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated γ‐Butyrolactam with Ketimines

We report a direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich‐type addition of α,β‐unsaturated γ‐butyrolactam to α‐ethoxycarbonyl ketimines promoted by a soft Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalyst. A thiophosphinoyl group on the nitrogen of ketimines was crucial for both electrophilic activation and α‐addition of γ‐butyrolactams. The obtained aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman‐type products bear an α‐amino acid architecture with a tetra‐substituted stereogenic center.     

Catalytic Enantioselective 1,3‐Alkyl Shift in Alkyl Aryl Ethers: Efficient Synthesis of Optically Active 3,3′‐Diaryloxindoles

Reported is the first organocatalytic asymmetric 1,3‐alkyl shift in alkyl aryl ethers for the synthesis of chiral 3,3′‐diaryloxindoles using a chiral Brønsted acid catalyst. Preliminary results showed that each enantiomer of the 3,3′‐diaryloxindole, and a racemic mixture, showed different antiproliferative activities against HeLa cell lines by using an MTT assay.     

Amine‐Urea‐Mediated Asymmetric Cycloadditions between Nitrile Oxides and o‐Hydroxystyrenes by Dual Activation

The first example of asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions between nitrile oxides and o ‐hydroxystyrenes, mediated by cinchona‐alkaloid‐based amine‐ureas is reported. The method is based on a dual activation involving both LUMO and HOMO activations. In addition to the stoichiometric asymmetric induction, a catalytic amount of amine‐urea enables the cycloadditions to proceed in an enantioselective manner. Computational studies strongly support the HOMO activation of o ‐hydroxystyrenes and LUMO activation of nitrile oxides by hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the Brønsted acid/base bifunctional catalyst.     

The synthesis of metal–organic framework Al‐MIL‐53‐derived Brønsted acid catalyst and its application in the Mannich reaction

A metal–organic framework Al‐MIL‐53‐NH₂‐derived Brønsted acid catalyst (Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H) has been synthesized employing a post‐synthetic modification strategy under mild conditions. The Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H catalyst was successfully utilized in the nitro‐Mannich reaction taking advantage of its strong Brønsted acidity. Good to excellent yields of Mannich adducts were achieved for a variety of acylimine substrates in the presence of 0.1 mol% Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H. Furthermore, the Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H catalyst can be recycled five times without decreasing the yield and selectivity of Mannich adducts.     

Phosphonate‐Modified UiO‐66 Brønsted Acid Catalyst and Its Use in Dehydra‐Decyclization of 2‐Methyltetrahydrofuran to Pentadienes

Phosphorus‐modified all‐silica zeolites exhibit activity and selectivity in certain Brønsted acid catalyzed reactions for biomass conversion. In an effort to achieve similar performance with catalysts having well‐defined sites, we report the incorporation of Brønsted acidity to metal–organic frameworks with the UiO‐66 topology, achieved by attaching phosphonic acid to the 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate ligand and using it to form UiO‐66‐PO₃H₂ by post‐synthesis modification. Characterization reveals that UiO‐66‐PO₃H₂ retains stability similar to UiO‐66, and exhibits weak Brønsted acidity, as demonstrated by titrations, alcohol dehydration, and dehydra‐decyclization of 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MTHF). For the later reaction, the reported catalyst exhibits site‐time yields and selectivity approaching that of phosphoric acid on all‐silica zeolites. Using solid‐state NMR and deprotonation energy calculations, the chemical environments of P and the corresponding acidities are determined.     

High‐Resolution Single‐Molecule Fluorescence Imaging of Zeolite Aggregates within Real‐Life Fluid Catalytic Cracking Particles

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is a major process in oil refineries to produce gasoline and base chemicals from crude oil fractions. The spatial distribution and acidity of zeolite aggregates embedded within the 50–150 μm‐sized FCC spheres heavily influence their catalytic performance. Single‐molecule fluorescence‐based imaging methods, namely nanometer accuracy by stochastic chemical reactions (NASCA) and super‐resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI) were used to study the catalytic activity of sub‐micrometer zeolite ZSM‐5 domains within real‐life FCC catalyst particles. The formation of fluorescent product molecules taking place at Brønsted acid sites was monitored with single turnover sensitivity and high spatiotemporal resolution, providing detailed insight in dispersion and catalytic activity of zeolite ZSM‐5 aggregates. The results point towards substantial differences in turnover frequencies between the zeolite aggregates, revealing significant intraparticle heterogeneities in Brønsted reactivity.     

Lewis Base/Brønsted Acid Co‐catalyzed Enantioselective Sulfenylation/Semipinacol Rearrangement of Di‐ and Trisubstituted Allylic Alcohols

An enantioselective sulfenylation/semipinacol rearrangement of 1,1‐disubstituted and trisubstituted allylic alcohols was accomplished with a chiral Lewis base and a chiral Brønsted acid as cocatalysts, generating various β‐arylthio ketones bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center in moderate to excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities. These chiral arylthio ketone products are common intermediates with many applications, for example, in the design of new chiral catalysts/ligands and the total synthesis of natural products. Computational studies (DFT calculations) were carried out to explain the enantioselectivity and the role of the chiral Brønsted acid. Additionally, the synthetic utility of this method was exemplified by an enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐herbertene and a one‐pot synthesis of a chiral sulfoxide and sulfone.     

Electrophilic Activation of α,β‐Unsaturated Amides: Catalytic Asymmetric Vinylogous Conjugate Addition of Unsaturated γ‐Butyrolactones

Although catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition reactions have remarkably advanced over the last two decades, the application of less electrophilic α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives in this useful reaction manifold remains challenging. Herein, we report that α,β‐unsaturated 7‐azaindoline amides act as reactive electrophiles to participate in catalytic diastereo‐ and enantioselective vinylogous conjugate addition of γ‐butyrolactones in the presence of a cooperative catalyst comprising of a soft Lewis acid and a Brønsted base. Reactions mostly reached completion with as little as 1 mol % of catalyst loading to give the desired conjugate adducts in a highly stereoselective manner.     

Effect of Lewis and Brønsted acids on the homopolymerization of acrylates and their copolymerization with 1‐alkenes

The first copolymerization of acrylate and methacrylate with nonpolar 1‐alkenes in the presence of Brønsted acids as complexation agents has been reported. The addition of both homogeneous and heterogeneous Brønsted acids resulted in increased monomer conversion and 1‐alkene incorporation. Further, the heterogeneous Brønsted acids can be recycled without loss of activity. A direct correlation exists between the ability of the Lewis or Brønsted acid to bind to the ester group of the acrylate/methacrylate monomer and its ability to promote the copolymerization reaction. For Lewis acids, there is also a direct correlation between the charge/size ratio at the metal center and their ability to promote copolymerizations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5499–5505, 2008     

Development of Chiral Organosuperbase Catalysts Consisting of Two Different Organobase Functionalities

In the field of chiral Brønsted base catalysis, a new generation of chiral catalysts has been highly anticipated to overcome the intrinsic limitation of pronucleophiles that are applicable to the enantioselective reactions. Herein, we reveal conceptually new chiral Brønsted base catalysts consisting of two different organobase functionalities, one of which functions as an organosuperbase and the other as the substrate recognition site. Their prominent activity, which stems from the distinctive cooperative function by the two organobases in a single catalyst molecule, was demonstrated in the unprecedented enantioselective direct Mannich‐type reaction of α‐phenylthioacetate as a less acidic pronucleophile. The present achievement would provide a new guiding principle for the design and development of chiral Brønsted base catalysts and significantly broaden the utility of Brønsted base catalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.     

Brønsted Acid Catalyzed,Conjugate Addition of β‐Dicarbonyls to In Situ Generated ortho‐Quinone Methides—Enantioselective Synthesis of 4‐Aryl‐4H‐Chromenes

We describe herein a catalytic, enantioselective process for the synthesis of 4H‐chromenes which are important structural elements of many natural products and biologically active compounds. A sequence comprising a conjugate addition of β‐diketones to in situ generated ortho‐quinone methides followed by a cyclodehydration reaction furnished 4‐aryl‐4H‐chromenes in generally excellent yields and high optical purity. A BINOL‐based chiral phosphoric acid was employed as a Brønsted acid catalyst which converted ortho‐hydroxy benzhydryl alcohols into hydrogen‐bonded ortho‐quinone methides and effected the carbon–carbon bond‐forming event with high enantioselectivity.