Catalytic Asymmetric Inverse‐Electron‐Demand 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of C,N‐Cyclic Azomethine Imines with Azlactones: Access to Chiral Tricyclic Tetrahydroisoquinolines

Reported herein is a bifunctional‐organocatalyst‐mediated enantioselective inverse‐electron‐demand 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of C,N‐cyclic azomethine imines with azlactones. The strategy provides concise access to enantioenriched C1‐substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines featuring a pyrazolidinone scaffold. Moreover, the scalability and practical utility of this protocol was well demonstrated by employing a gram‐scale reaction and some representative transformations.     

Synthesis of Structurally Varied 1,3‐Disiloxanediols and Their Activity as Anion‐Binding Catalysts

A series of new 1,3‐disiloxanediols has been synthesized, including naphthyl‐substituted and unsymmetrical siloxanes, and demonstrated as a new class of anion‐binding catalysts. In the absence of anions, diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) displays self‐association of 1,3‐disiloxanediols through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Binding constants determined for 1,3‐disiloxanediol catalysts indicate strong hydrogen‐bonding and anion‐binding abilities with unsymmetrical siloxanes displaying different hydrogen‐bonding abilities for each silanol group.     

Anion‐Binding Catalysis by Electron‐Deficient Pyridinium Cations

A new activation principle in organocatalysis is presented: halide binding through Coulombic interactions. This mode of catalysis was realized by using 3,5‐di(carbomethoxy)pyridinium ions that carry an additional electron‐withdrawing substituent on the nitrogen atom, for example, pentafluorobenzyl or cyanomethyl. For the N‐pentafluorobenzyl derivative, Coulombic interaction with the pyridinium moiety is complemented in the solid state by anion–π interactions with the perfluorophenyl ring. Bromide and chloride are bound by these cations in a 1:1 stoichiometry. Catalysis of the C? C coupling between 1‐chloroisochroman (and related electrophiles) with silyl ketene acetals occurs at ?78 °C and at low catalyst loading (2 mol %).     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Catalysis of Alkyl‐Onium Salts

The synthetic utility of alkyl‐onium salt compounds is widely recognized in the field of organic chemistry. Among the wide variety of onium salts, quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and tertiary sulfonium salts have been the most useful compounds in organic syntheses. These compounds have been very useful reagents in the construction of organic building blocks. In addition, onium salts are known as reliable catalysts, which are used to promote important organic transformations by serving as phase‐transfer and ion‐pair catalysts through the activation of nucleophiles. Although phase‐transfer catalysis is a major direction for onium salt catalysis, hydrogen‐bonding catalysis of alkyl‐onium salts, which is promoted via the activation of electrophiles, has recently become a relevant topic in the field of onium salt chemistry. This Minireview introduces new possibilities and future directions for alkyl‐onium salt chemistry based on its use in hydrogen‐bonding catalysis and on its overall utility.     

Highly E‐Selective and Enantioselective Michael Addition to Electron‐Deficient Internal Alkynes Under Chiral Iminophosphorane Catalysis

A highly E‐selective and enantioselective conjugate addition of 2‐benzyloxythiazol‐5(4H)‐ones to β‐substituted alkynyl N‐acyl pyrazoles is achieved under the catalysis of a P‐spiro chiral iminophosphorane. Simultaneous control of the newly generated central chirality and olefin geometry is possible with a wide array of the alkynyl Michael acceptors possessing different aromatic and aliphatic β‐substituents, as well as the various α‐amino acid‐derived thiazolone nucleophiles. This protocol provides access to structurally diverse, optically active α‐amino acids bearing a geometrically defined trisubstituted olefinic component at the α‐position.     

Asymmetric Counteranion‐Directed Catalysis: Concept,Definition, and Applications

Recently, the use of enantiomerically pure counteranions for the induction of asymmetry in reactions proceeding through cationic intermediates has emerged as an exciting new concept, which has been termed asymmetric counteranion‐directed catalysis (ACDC). Despite its success, the concept has not been fully defined and systematically discussed to date. This Review closes this gap by providing a clear definition of ACDC and by examining both clear cases as well as more ambiguous examples to illustrate the differences and overlaps with other catalysis concepts.     

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.     

Enantioselective Formal [4+2] Cycloadditions to 3‐Nitroindoles by Trienamine Catalysis: Synthesis of Chiral Dihydrocarbazoles

The first enantioselective formal [4+2] cycloadditions of 3‐nitroindoles are presented. By using 3‐nitroindoles in combination with an organocatalyst, chiral dihydrocarbazole scaffolds are formed in moderate to good yields (up to 87 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). The reaction was extended to include enantioselective [4+2] cycloadditions of 3‐nitrobenzothiophene. The reaction proceeds through a [4+2] cycloaddition/elimination cascade under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, a diastereoselective reduction of an enantioenriched cycloadduct is presented. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed based on experimental and computational studies.     

Cooperative Catalysis and Activation with N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has emerged as a powerful stratagem in organic synthesis to construct complex molecules primarily by polarity reversal (umpolung) approaches. These unique Lewis bases have been used to generate acyl anions, enolates, and homoenolates in catalytic fashion. Recently, a new strategy has emerged that dramatically expands the synthetic utility of carbene catalysis by leveraging additional activation modes: cooperative catalysis. The careful selection and balance of cocatalysts have led to enhanced reactivity, increased yields, and improved stereoselectivity. In certain cases, these catalytic additives have changed the regioselectivity or diastereoselectivity. This Minireview highlights new advances in NHC cooperative catalysis and surveys the evolution of this field.     

A Structurally Robust Chiral Borate Ion: Molecular Design,Synthesis, and Asymmetric Catalysis

Catalysis by chiral weakly-coordinating anions (WCAs) remains underdeveloped due to the lack of a molecular design strategy for exploiting their characteristics, such as the non-nucleophilic nature. Here, we report the development of a chiral borate ion comprising an O,N,N,O-tetradentate backbone, which ensures hitherto unattainable structural robustness. Upon pairing with a proton, the hydrogen borate acts as an effective catalyst for the asymmetric Prins-type cyclization of vinyl ethers, providing access to structurally and stereochemically defined dihydropyrans. The key to selectivity control is the distinct ability of the borate ion to discriminate the prochiral faces of the acyclic oxonium ion intermediate and dictate the regiochemical outcome. We anticipate that this study paves the way for exploring the untapped potential of WCA catalysis for selective chemical synthesis.     

Enantioselective Redox‐Divergent Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Quinone Diels–Alder Reactions

An efficient enantioselective construction of tetrahydronaphthalene‐1,4‐diones as well as dihydronaphthalene‐1,4‐diols by a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed quinone Diels–Alder reaction with dienecarbamates is reported. The nature of the protecting group on the diene is key to the success of achieving high enantioselectivity. The divergent “redox” selectivity is controlled by using an adequate amount of quinones. Reversible redox switching without erosion of enantioselectivity was possible from individual redox isomers.     

Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Drug‐Like Macrocyclic Scaffolds Using an Orthogonal Organo‐ and Metal Catalysis Strategy

Small‐molecule modulators of biological targets play a crucial role in biology and medicine. In this context, diversity‐oriented synthesis (DOS) provides strategies toward generating small molecules with a broad range of unique scaffolds, and hence three‐dimensionality, to target a broad area of biological space. In this study, an organocatalysis‐derived DOS library of macrocycles was synthesized by exploiting the pluripotency of aldehydes. The orthogonal combination of multiple diversity‐generating organocatalytic steps with alkene metathesis enabled the synthesis of 51 distinct macrocyclic structures bearing 48 unique scaffolds in only two to four steps without the need for protecting groups. Furthermore, merging organocatalysis and alkene metathesis in a one‐pot protocol facilitated the synthesis of drug‐like macrocycles with natural‐product‐like levels of shape diversity in a single step.     

Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Formal Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reactions of Trifluoromethylated Enones Catalyzed by Chiral Primary Amines

Enantioselective formal hetero‐Diels‐Alder reactions of trifluoromethylated enones and 2‐amino‐1,3‐butadienes generated in situ from aliphatic acyclic enones and chiral primary amines are reported. The corresponding tetrahydropyran‐4‐ones are formed in up to 94 % yield and with up to 94 % ee. The reaction was carried out through a stepwise mechanism, including initial aminocatalytic aldol condensation of 2‐amino‐1,3‐butadiene to the trifluoromethylated carbonyl group followed by an intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition. Both NMR investigation and theoretical calculations on the transition state indicate that the protonated tertiary amine could effectively activate the carbonyl group of the trifluoromethyl ketone to promote the addition process through hydrogen‐bonding interaction of N?H???F and N?H???O simultaneously, and thus provide a chiral environment for the approach of amino‐1,3‐butadienes to the activated trifluoromethyl ketone, resulting in high enantioselectivity.     

A Thioxanthone Sensitizer with a Chiral Phosphoric Acid Binding Site: Properties and Applications in Visible Light-Mediated Cycloadditions

A chiral phosphoric acid with a 2,2’-binaphthol core was prepared that displays two thioxanthone moieties at the 3,3’-position as light-harvesting antennas. Despite its relatively low triplet energy, the phosphoric acid was found to be an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of β-carboxyl-substituted cyclic enones (e.r. up to 93:7). Binding of the carboxylic acid to the sensitizer is suggested by NMR studies and by DFT calculations to occur by means of two hydrogen bonds. The binding event not only enables an enantioface differentiation but also modulates the triplet energy of the substrates.     

Arylpyrrolyldiketone Boron Complexes Exhibiting Various Anion‐Binding Modes Based on Dynamic Conformation Changes

Arylpyrrolyldiketone boron complexes as anion‐responsive π‐electronic molecules were synthesized by Claisen condensations of acetylpyrrole and corresponding aryl esters. The synthesized π‐electronic molecules exhibited anion‐binding behavior with various binding modes including pyrrole‐inverted and non‐inverted [1+1]‐type anion complexes as well as [2+1]‐type complexes owing to the presence of only a single pyrrole ring. Furthermore, solid‐state ion‐pairing assemblies, comprising receptor–anion complexes and countercations, were constructed based on fairly planar [2+1]‐type complexes.     

N,N-Diacylaminals as Emerging Tools in Synthesis: From Peptidomimetics to Asymmetric Catalysis

N,N-Diacylaminals are flexible molecular scaffolds that have commonly been utilized as amide surrogates in peptidomimetics. The singularities of this motif as an N-acyl imine equivalent and as hydrogen-bond donor have recently opened new synthetic opportunities, especially in the field of asymmetric catalysis. This concept article highlights this diverse synthetic potential and provides the elements necessary for further developments.     

Applying the Inductive Effect for Synthesizing Low‐Melting and Low‐Viscosity Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

Fluidizing ionic liquids: By applying the inductive effect, a synthesis strategy to introduce strong, directional and localized H‐bonds into imidazolium‐based ionic liquids is proposed. In opposite to H‐bonded molecular liquids these strong H‐bonds could reduce the melting points and decrease the viscosities of the ILs (see figure).