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.     

Highly Stereoselective [4+2] and [3+2] Spiroannulations of 2‐(2‐Oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)acetic Esters Catalyzed by Bifunctional Thioureas

A new Michael–Michael cascade reaction between 2‐(2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)acetic esters 1 and nitroenoates 2 , catalyzed by bifunctional thioureas, is investigated. The combination of the two Michael reactions results in a novel and facile [4+2] or [3+2] spiroannulation process, which is characterized by the following features: 1) two carbon–carbon bonds and four stereocenters, including a quaternary spiro carbon, are formed under mild conditions; 2) an unprecedented and stereochemically defined substitution pattern on the spirocarbocyclic unit is obtained; 3) the double‐bond configuration of the donor–acceptor nitroenoate 2 determines the absolute configuration of the spiro center, whereas the remaining stereocenters are formed under control of the catalyst. The effect on the final stereochemical outcome of structural variations of each starting material, catalyst, and experimental conditions is analyzed in detail. In particular, the use of specifically designed chiral nitroenoates enables diverse polyfunctional spirocyclohexane derivatives containing six consecutive stereogenic centers to be constructed. To our knowledge, this is the first asymmetric organocatalytic strategy enabling both five‐ and six‐membered β‐nitro spirocarbocyclic oxindoles.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Cycloaddition of 2‐Methylidenetrimethylene Carbonate with Alkenes: Access to Chiral Tetrahydropyran‐Fused Spirocyclic Scaffolds

A palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 2‐methylidenetrimethylene carbonate with alkenes derived from pyrazolones, indandione, or barbiturate has been successfully developed, affording pharmacologically interesting chiral tetrahydropyran‐fused spirocyclic scaffolds. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled up, and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of other useful chiral spiropyrazolone and spiroindandione derivatives.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones through Phosphine‐Catalyzed [4+1] Annulation

An enantioselective synthesis of spiropyrazolones from allenoate‐derived MBH acetates and pyrazolones through a phosphine‐mediated [4+1] annulation process has been developed. Spiropyrazolones were readily prepared in good chemical yields and good to high enantioselectivities. This is the first asymmetric example in which α‐substituted allenoates were utilized as a C₄ synthon for phosphine‐catalyzed [4+1] annulation.     

Zinc‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal [4+3] Annulation of Isoxazoles with Enynol Ethers by 6π Electrocyclization: Stereoselective Access to 2H‐Azepines

6π electrocyclization has attracted interest in organic synthesis because of its high stereospecificity and atom economy in the construction of versatile 5–7‐membered cycles. However, examples of asymmetric 6π electrocyclization are quite scarce, and have to rely on the use of chiral organocatalysts, and been limited to pentadienyl‐anion‐ and triene‐type 6π electrocyclizations. Described herein is a zinc‐catalyzed formal [4+3] annulation of isoxazoles with 3‐en‐1‐ynol ethers via 6π electrocyclization, leading to the site‐selective synthesis of functionalized 2H‐azepines and 4H‐azepines in good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope. Moreover, this strategy has also been used to produce chiral 2H‐azepines with high enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 e.r.). This protocol not only is the first asymmetric heptatrienyl‐cation‐type 6π electrocyclization, but also is the first asymmetric reaction of isoxazoles with alkynes and the first asymmetric catalysis based on ynol ethers.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Methylidenetrimethylene Carbonate with Alkenes: Access to Chiral Tetrahydropyran-Fused Spirocyclic Scaffolds

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-methylidenetrimethylene carbonate with alkenes derived from pyrazolones, indandione, or barbiturate has been successfully developed, affording pharmacologically interesting chiral tetrahydropyran-fused spirocyclic scaffolds. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled up, and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of other useful chiral spiropyrazolone and spiroindandione derivatives.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Annulation of 5‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrroles with Internal Alkynes through C(sp2)H/Alkene Functionalization

This study describes a new rhodium(III)‐catalyzed [3+2] annulation of 5‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrroles with internal alkynes using a Cu(OAc)₂ oxidant for building a spirocyclic ring system, which includes the functionalization of an aryl C(sp²)? H bond and addition/protonolysis of an alkene C?C bond. This method is applicable to a wide range of 5‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrroles and internal alkynes, and results in the assembly of the spiro[indene‐1,2′‐pyrrolidine] architectures in good yields with excellent regioselectivities.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Annulation Reaction of Enals: An Efficient Enantioselective Access to Spiro‐Heterocycles

A highly enantioselective N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed formal [3+2] annulation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with azaaurones or aurone generating spiro‐heterocycles has been developed. The protocol represents a unique NHC‐activation‐based approach to access spiro‐heterocyclic derivatives bearing a quaternary stereogenic center with high optical purity (up to 95 % ee).     

Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of 3,3′‐Spirooxindoles Fused with Seven‐Membered Rings by Enantioselective Tandem Reactions

The first catalytic asymmetric construction of a spirooxindole scaffold incorporated with a seven‐membered benzodiazepine moiety has been established by a three‐component (isatin, 1,2‐phenylenediamine, cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione) tandem reaction catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid. Structurally complex spirobenzodiazepine oxindoles with one quaternary stereogenic center are obtained in high yield with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % yield, enantiomeric ratio>99.5:0.5). This approach takes advantage of organocatalytic asymmetric tandem reactions to efficiently construct the structurally rigid spirobenzodiazepine oxindole architecture with high enantiopurity in a single transformation, which involves a cascade enamine–imine formation/intramolecular Mannich reaction sequence.     

Formal [4+2]‐Annulation of Vinyl Azides with N‐Unsaturated Aldimines

Highly functionalized quinolines and pyridines could be synthesized by BF₃?OEt₂‐mediated reactions of vinyl azides with N‐aryl and N‐alkenyl aldimines, respectively. The reaction mechanism could be characterized as formal [4+2]‐annulation, including unprecedented enamine‐type nucleophilic attack of vinyl azides to aldimines and subsequent nucleophilic cyclization onto the resulting iminodiazonium ion moieties.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+3] Cycloaddition of an Azomethine Ylide with 3‐Indolylmethanol: Enantioselective Construction of a Six‐Membered Piperidine Framework

A catalytic asymmetric formal [3+3] cycloaddition of 3‐indolylmethanol and an in situ‐generated azomethine ylide has been established to construct a chiral six‐membered piperidine framework with two stereogenic centers. This approach not only represents the first enantioselective cycloaddition of isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanol, but also has realized an unusual enantioselective formal [3+3] cycloaddition of azomethine ylide rather than its common [3+2] cycloadditions. Besides, this protocol combines the merits of a multicomponent reaction and organocatalysis, which efficiently assembles a variety of isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanols, aldehydes, and amino esters into structurally diverse spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridoindoles] with one all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93 % yield, >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)). Although the diastereoselectivity of the reaction is generally moderate, most of the diastereomers can be separated by using column chromatography followed by preparative TLC.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Formal (4+2) Cycloaddition by Aldol–Aldol Annulation of Pyruvate Derivatives with Cyclohexane‐1,3‐Diones to Afford Functionalized Decalins

The decalin structure is found in bioactive molecules. We have developed catalytic enantioselective formal (4+2) cycloaddition reactions via aldol–aldol cascade reactions between pyruvate‐derived diketoester derivatives and cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione derivatives that afford highly functionalized decalin derivatives. The reactions were performed using a quinidine‐derived catalyst under mild conditions. Decalin derivatives bearing up to six chiral carbon centers including tetrasubstituted carbon centers were synthesized with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Five to six stereogenic centers were generated from achiral molecules with the formation of two C?C bonds in a single transformation resulting in the formation of the decalin system.     

Asymmetric Catalytic [4+5] Annulation of ortho-Quinone Methides with Vinylethylene Carbonates and its Extension to Stereoselective Tandem Rearrangement

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+5] annulation of ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) with substituted vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) is described for the first time, giving a novel enantioselective approach to chiral nine-membered benzoheterocycles. Based on this designed [4+5] annulation, an unprecedented silica gel-promoted tandem rearrangement reaction featuring a unique asymmetric aromatic Claisen rearrangement is explored at room temperature, offering a new method for asymmetric construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters embedded in chiral functionalized homoallylic alcohols.     

Highly Regio‐, Diastereo‐, and Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroazepines and Benzo[b]oxepines through Palladium‐Catalyzed [4+3] Cycloaddition Reactions

A novel Pd⁰‐catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] annulation reaction of two readily accessible starting materials has been developed for building seven‐membered heterocyclic architectures. The potential [3+2] side pathway could be suppressed though fine tuning of the conditions. A broad scope of cycloaddition donors and acceptors participated in the transformation with excellent chemo‐, regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivtities, leading to valuable tetrahydroazepines and benzo[b]oxepines.