Total synthesis of 6-epiprelactone-V via a syn-selective oxygen tethered intramolecular Michael reaction

The intramolecular protective group (benzylidene acetal) assisted syn-1,3-diol synthesis has been efficiently utilized in a short synthesis of 6-epiprelactone-V starting from (S)-malic acid.     

Novel synthesis of oxocine derivatives by Wittig olefination and intramolecular Heck reaction via 8-endo trig cyclization

A concise and efficient method for the preparation of oxocine derivatives is described via sequential Wittig and intramolecular Heck reactions. The method is highly regioselective and affords high yields of the products.     

A two-step, one-pot enzymatic synthesis of 2-substituted 1,3-diols

A biocatalytic cascade reaction was designed for the stereoselective synthesis of optically pure 2-alkyl-1,3-diols employing two enzymes. The cascade process consists of two consecutive steps: a stereoselective diketone reduction and a hydroxy ketone reduction. Chiral diols were formed by the addition of ketoreductases in the same vessel, in high stereoselectivity and chemical yield, without the isolation of the intermediate β-hydroxy ketones.     

Tandem intramolecular oxa-Michael addition/decarboxylation reaction catalyzed by bifunctional cinchona alkaloids: facile synthesis of chiral flavanone derivatives

Bifunctional cinchona alkaloids were used to catalyze a tandem intramolecular oxa-Michael addition/decarboxylation reaction of alkylidene β-ketoesters 1, providing a series of flavanone derivatives with up to 97% yield and 93% ee.     

Synthesis of alpha-substituted allylic amines via a modified bruylants reaction

Silver tetrafluoroborate, used as an iminium ion promoter from alpha-amino nitriles, is an efficient additive in the Bruylants reaction involving vinylic Grignards. Improved yields of allylic amines were obtained when the starting alpha-amino nitrile was treated with this silver salt prior to its reaction with the vinylic Grignard. This improvement was not observed in the case of acetylenic Grignards. The reactivity of other vinyl organometallics (M = Zn, Li, Al, Cu, Si) was briefly examined.     

A rapid and efficient synthesis of a new pyrrolobenzodiazocines via an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction

New pyrrolobenzodiazocines 3 have been prepared by an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts process from pyrrolobenzoacrylamides 2. The cyclisation process involving a 1,4-intramolecular addition of a pyrrole onto acrylamide led to the formation of an eight-membered ring.     

A stereoselective total synthesis of Δ9-progesterone via an intramolecular cycloaddition reaction

A stereoselective total synthesis of 19-nor-Δ⁹⁽¹⁰⁾-progesterone (14) was achieved through des-A B-aromatic steroid (3) which was obtained by an intramolecular cycloaddition of the $\text{o}$-quinodimethane generated $\text{in situ}$ from the thermolysis of 3-isopropenyl-5-(4-metho-xybenzocyclobutenyl)pentan-2-one-2-ethylene ketal (2), and the compound (14) thus obtained was further converted into Δ⁹-progesterone (18).     

An efficient carbapenem synthesis via an intramolecular Wittig reaction of new trialkoxyphosphorane-thiolesters

New trialkoxyphosphorane-thiolesters 10, obtained by reaction of oxalimides 9 with trialkyl phosphite, were efficiently cyclized by an intramolecular Wittig reaction to give carbapenems 11.     

Efficient synthesis of multicyclic spirooxindoles via a cascade Michael/Michael/oxa-Michael reaction of curcumins and isatylidene malononitriles

A cascade Michael/Michael/oxa-Michael reaction between curcumins and isatylidene malononitriles has been developed. Multicyclic spirooxindoles were prepared in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities. DMAP was found to catalyze this transformation efficiently under mild reaction conditions.     

Toward the synthesis of (+)-peloruside A via an intramolecular vinylogous aldol reaction

The use of the intramolecular vinylogous aldol reaction for the preparation of an advanced intermediate for the synthesis of peloruside A is described. The reaction was applied to compound 19 and proceeds in high yield and good levels of diastereoselectivity. Application of the Achmatowicz reaction to this intermediate provided the corresponding pyranone, a late stage intermediate well positioned for conversion to the natural product.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of acyclic 1,3-diols via condensation of tungsten-syn-pi-pentadienyl complexes with aldehydes. A new Prins reaction via s-trans-diene cationic intermediates

In the presence of BF(3).Et(2)O, condensation of CpW(CO)(2)(syn-pi-2-methoxycarbonylpentadienyl) with aldehydes generated tungsten-eta(4)-trans-diene cation in cold toluene, and hydrolysis of this salt afforded tungsten-pi-allyl-anti-1,3-diols in good yields. This new synthesis of anti-1,3-diols represents an atypical Prins reaction that is applicable to normal aldehydes. The anti/syn ratios of 1,3-diols increased with an increase in the size of the aldehydes. These anti-1,3-diols were transformed into various complex oxygen heterocycles based on two demetalations: (1) conversion to an allyl cation followed by nucleophilic attack and (2) condensation with aldehydes via its CpW(NO)Cl derivative, to give functionalized alpha-methylene butyrolactones. A semi-emperical calculation was performed to deduce the transition-state structure to rationalize the anti-stereoselectivity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 1,2,3-trisubstituted indanes via an enantioselective copper(II)-catalyzed asymmetric nitroaldol reaction followed by an intramolecular Michael cyclization

Herein we describe a novel approach for the synthesis of a chiral 1,2,3-trisubstituted indane, a privileged substructure in medicinal chemistry, via an enantioselective nitroaldol reaction and subsequent intramolecular Michael addition. The asymmetric copper(II)-catalyzed reactions of ortho-formyl cinnamates, ortho-formyl cinnamonitrile, or ortho-formyl α-benzalketones with nitromethane were carried out using the C1-symmetric chiral secondary diamine L1 as a ligand, which afforded the nitroaldol products in high yields (up to 92%) and with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97%) under mild conditions. The notable effect of the base and the dosage of nitromethane on the reaction are also discussed.     

Synthesis of a 1,8-naphthyridin-5-one derivative via an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

Synthesis of a 1,8-naphthyridin-5-one derivative [(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-(3-chloro-6-hydroxymethyl-8-methyl)-1,8-naphthyridin-5-one (9) ] is described starting from 2-chloronicotinic acid using an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction as the key step.     

De novo synthesis of 2-substituted syn-1,3-diols via an iterative asymmetric hydration strategy

The enantioselective syntheses of several protected 4-substituted syn-3,5-dihydroxy carboxylic esters have been achieved from the corresponding achiral (E,E)- or (E,Z)-1,3-dienoates. The route relies upon an enantio- and regioselective Sharpless dihydroxylation and a palladium-catalyzed reduction to form gamma-substituted delta-hydroxy-1-enoates. The resulting delta-hydroxy-1-enoates are subsequently converted into benzylidene-protected 4-substituted syn-3,5-dihydroxy carboxylic esters in one step. The benzylidene-protected 3,5-dihydroxy carboxylic esters are produced in good overall yields (20-54%) and high enantiomeric excess (73-97% ee).     

Microwave-assisted facile synthesis of [a]-annelated pyrazolopyrroloindoles via intramolecular azomethine imine 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

The synthesis of [a]-annelated pyrazolopyrroloindoles via intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of in situ generated azomethine imine from N-allylated indole-2-carboxaldehyde, in regio- and stereoselective manner by using microwave irradiation is described. A one-pot strategy for the expedient synthesis of pyrazolopyrroloindoles has been developed.     

Total synthesis of aculeatins A and B via a tethered oxa-Michael approach

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of aculeatins A and B has been achieved in eight steps and in 15% overall yield. The key feature of this synthetic approach is the application of a Marouka allylation and tethered intramolecular oxa-Michael reaction to install the required stereocentres on the tetrahydropyran ring.     

Silylcupration of 1,3-dienes followed by an electrophilic trapping reaction

[see reaction]. Silylcupration reaction of 1,3-dienes with a cyanocuprate reagent, PhMe2SiCuCNLi, followed by an electrophilic trapping has been reported for the first time. The use of allylic phosphates as electrophiles resulted in a highly regioselective reaction with overall 1,4-addition of the silyl and allyl moieties across the diene.     

Palladium-catalyzed stereospecific synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans: 1,3-chirality transfer by an intramolecular oxypalladation reaction

PdCl2(CH3CN)2 (10 mol %) catalyzed reactions of non-3-ene-2,8-diols 1 and 2 gave 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans 3 and 4 in excellent yields with high diastereoselectivities (>20:1). Intramolecular cyclizations of the hydroxy nucleophile to the chiral allylic alcohol take place efficiently under mild conditions. A new stereogenic center is generated on the tetrahydropyran ring by 1,3-chirality transfer from the chiral allylic alcohol via a syn-SN2' type process. Cis tetrahydropyran 3E was formed from syn-2,8-diols 1a and 2a, and trans tetrahydropyran 4E was formed from anti-2,8-diol 1b, stereospecifically. Cis tetrahydropyran bearing a cis alkene 3Z was obtained from 2b at -40 degrees C, while 4E was formed from 2b in the presence of catalytic amount of water at -40 degrees C. The face selectivity of these cyclizations can be rationalized by taking a favorable conformation of the intermediary Pd pi-complex with allylic alcohols, escaping the allylic strain and 1,3-diaxial interactions. A stereocontrolled synthesis of optically pure 2-alkenyl-6-methyltetrahydropyran 17 was achieved efficiently in four steps from 6-silyloxy-1-heptyne 13 with an aldehyde and included asymmetric alkynylation, partial reduction of alkyne, deprotection of the silyl group, and the stereospecific cyclization.     

Enantioselective synthesis of N-heterocycles via intramolecular Pd(0)-catalysed allylic amination

An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of pyrrolidine-, piperidine-, and azepane-type N-heterocycles is described by the intramolecular Pd(0)-catalysed cyclisation of amino allylic carbonates. The use of chiral ligands gave the corresponding heterocyclic derivatives having er values that were from moderate to good.