Synthesis of Chiral Pyrazoles: A 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition/[1,5] Sigmatropic Rearrangement with Stereoretentive Migration of a Stereogenic Group

The reactions between terminal alkynes and α‐chiral tosylhydrazones lead to the obtention of chiral pyrazoles with a stereogenic group directly attached at a nitrogen atom. The cascade reaction includes decomposition of the hydrazone into a diazocompound, 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of the diazo compound with the alkyne, and [1,5] sigmatropic rearrangement with migration of the stereogenic group. This strategy has been successfully applied to the synthesis of structurally diverse chiral pyrazoles through α‐chiral tosylhydrazones, obtained from α‐phenylpropionic acid, α‐amino acids, and 2‐methoxycyclohexanone. Notably, the stereoretention of the [1,5] sigmatropic rearrangements represent very rare examples of this stereospecific transformation.     

Metal Free Bi(hetero)aryl Synthesis: A Benzyne Truce–Smiles Rearrangement

A new benzyne transformation is described that affords versatile biaryl structures without recourse to transition‐metal catalysis or stoichiometric amounts of organometallic building blocks. Aryl sulfonamides add to benzyne upon fluoride activation, and then undergo an aryl Truce–Smiles rearrangement to afford biaryls with sulfur dioxide extrusion. The reaction proceeds under simple reaction conditions and has excellent scope for the synthesis of sterically hindered atropisomeric biaryl amines.     

Transfer of Electrophilic NH Using Convenient Sources of Ammonia: Direct Synthesis of NH Sulfoximines from Sulfoxides

A new system for NH transfer is developed for the preparation of sulfoximines, which are emerging as valuable motifs for drug discovery. The protocol employs readily available sources of nitrogen without the requirement for either preactivation or for metal catalysts. Mixing ammonium salts with diacetoxyiodobenzene directly converts sulfoxides into sulfoximines. This report describes the first example of using of ammonia sources with diacetoxyiodobenzene to generate an electrophilic nitrogen center. Control and mechanistic studies suggest a short‐lived electrophilic intermediate, which is likely to be PhINH or PhIN⁺.     

Ring Opening of Pymisyl‐Protected Aziridines with Organocuprates

The pyrimidine‐2‐sulfonyl (pymisyl) group is introduced as a new protecting group that can be used to activate aziridines towards ring opening. It is readily introduced and removed under mild conditions. Regioselective ring opening of pymisyl‐protected 2‐methyl‐aziridine with organocuprates gives the corresponding sulfonamides in high yields, and the pymisyl group can subsequently be removed upon treatment with a thiolate. The versatility of this new nitrogen protecting group is illustrated with a new synthesis of Selegiline, a monoamine oxidase‐B inhibitor marketed for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.     

Copper‐Catalyzed (2+1) Annulation of Acetophenones with Maleimides: Direct Synthesis of Cyclopropanes

A practical copper‐catalyzed direct oxidative cyclopropanation of electron‐deficient alkenes with acetophenone derivatives is reported. The dehydrogenative annulation involves a double C? H bond functionalization at the α‐position of the ketone using di‐tert‐butyl peroxide as oxidant. The broad scope of the reaction and excellent functional‐group tolerance is demonstrated for the stereoselective synthesis of fused cyclopropanes. The developed transformation revealed an unprecedented reactivity for copper‐catalyzed processes.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylazidation of Alkynes: Efficient Access to CF3‐Substituted Azirines and Aziridines

A novel method for convenient access to CF₃‐containing azirines has been developed, and involves a copper‐catalyzed trifluoromethylazidation of alkynes and a photocatalyzed rearrangement. Both terminal and internal alkynes are compatible with the mild reaction conditions, thus delivering the CF₃‐containing azirines in moderate to good yields. The azirines can be converted into various CF₃‐substituted aziridines.     

Generation of Sulfonyl Radicals from Aryldiazonium Tetrafluoroborates and Sulfur Dioxide: The Synthesis of 3‐Sulfonated Coumarins

A catalyst‐free approach for the generation of sulfonyl radicals from aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates in the presence of DABCO?(SO₂)₂ is realized. The combination of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, DABCO?(SO₂)₂, and aryl propiolates affords 3‐sulfonated coumarins in good to excellent yields. This tandem reaction process involves radical addition, spirocyclization, and 1,2‐migration of esters. Additionally, the in situ diazotization of a number of anilines allows the directional synthesis of desired 3‐sulfonated coumarins in a one‐pot, two‐step process.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Tri‐ and Tetrasubstituted Pyridines by Sequential Ring‐Opening/Cyclization/Oxidation of N‐Arylmethyl 3‐Aziridinylpropiolate Esters

A novel strategy for the one‐pot synthesis of substituted pyridines from N‐arylmethyl 3‐aziridinylpropiolate esters is described. The method employs a three‐step procedure including the formation of allenyl imines, phosphine‐catalyzed cyclization, and subsequent oxidation of the dihydropyridines. Depending on the reaction conditions of the final oxidation step, tri‐ and tetrasubstituted pyridines can be selectively produced.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Cyclization/aza‐Claisen Rearrangement Cascade Initiated by Ketenimine Formation: An Efficient Stereocontrolled Synthesis of α‐Allyl Cyclic Amidines

An efficient and convenient synthesis of α‐allyl cyclic amidines has been achieved by applying a novel cascade reaction. Copper(I)‐mediated in situ N‐sulfonyl ketenimine formation from the reaction of a terminal alkyne with sulfonyl azide is followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic attack on the central carbon atom by an allylic tertiary amine, and then an aza‐Claisen rearrangement takes place through a chair transition state to furnish the titled amidines with complete stereocontrol.     

Skeletal Rearrangement of O‐Propargylic Formaldoximes by a Gold‐Catalyzed Cyclization/Intermolecular Methylene Transfer Sequence

Skeletal rearrangement of O‐propargylic formaldoximes, in the presence of gold catalysts, afforded 4‐methylene‐2‐isoxazolines in good to excellent yields by an intermolecular methylene transfer. In addition, the cascade reaction with maleimide in the presence of a gold catalyst afforded isoxazole derivatives by cyclization/methylene transfer and a subsequent ene reaction, whereas that using a copper catalyst gave oxazepines through a 2,3‐rearrangement.     

[3,3]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangement/Allylboration/Cyclization Sequence: Enantioenriched Seven‐Membered‐Ring Carbamates and Ring Contraction to Pyrrolidines

The combination of in situ generated α‐isocyanato allylboronic esters and aldehydes afforded seven‐membered‐ring enecarbamates with high levels of diastereo‐ and enantiocontrol. They were easily converted into diversely substituted 1,3‐oxazepan‐2‐ones. An unprecedented rearrangement of 5‐acetoxy‐7‐aryl or styryl derivatives led to tetrasubstituted pyrrolidines. A computational study provides evidence on the feasibility of the proposed mechanism of this unusual ring contraction.     

Regiodivergent Intermolecular [3+2] Cycloadditions of Vinyl Aziridines and Allenes: Stereospecific Synthesis of Chiral Pyrrolidines

The first rhodium‐catalyzed intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of vinyl aziridines and allenes for the synthesis of enantioenriched functionalized pyrrolidines was realized. [3+2] cycloaddition with the proximal C=C bond of N‐allenamides gave 3‐methylene‐pyrrolidines in high regio‐ and diastereoselectivity, whereas, 2‐methylene‐pyrrolidines were obtained as the major products by the cycloadditions of vinyl aziridines with the distal C=C bond of allenes. Use of readily available starting materials, a broad substrate scope, high selectivity, mild reaction conditions, as well as versatile functionalization of the cycloadducts make this approach very practical and attractive.     

Direct Synthesis of Benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyrroles through a Radical Addition/[3,3]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangement/Cyclization/Lactamization Cascade

A straightforward synthetic method for the construction of benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyrrol‐2‐ones by a novel domino reaction through a radical addition/[3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement/cyclization/lactamization cascade has been developed. The domino reaction of O‐phenyl‐conjugated oxime ether with an alkyl radical allows the construction of two heterocycles with three stereogenic centers as a result of the formation of two C?C bonds, a C?O bond, and a C?N bond in a single operation, leading to pyrrolidine‐fused dihydrobenzofurans, which are not easily accessible by existing synthetic methods. Furthermore, asymmetric synthesis of benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyrrol‐2‐one derivatives through a diastereoselective radical addition reaction to a chiral oxime ether was also developed.