Asymmetric synthesis of novel spirocycles via a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed desymmetrization

A straightforward method for the asymmetric preparation of novel lactone and lactam spirocycles is described. An initial desymmetrization via a chiral Brønsted acid yields enantioenriched lactones which readily undergo a second cyclization to give the desired spirocycle.     

[4+2] Annulation of 3-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with indoles catalyzed by Brønsted acid ionic liquid for the synthesis of carbazoles

Various carbazoles were synthesized via [4+2] annulation of 3-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with indoles. A Brønsted acid ionic liquid, [BPy]HSO₄, was proven to be effective catalyst for this reaction. The ionic liquid catalyst can be recycled three times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Heterocyclic Chloroamines and Aziridines by Enantioselective Protonation of Catalytically Generated Enamines**

We report a method for the synthesis of chiral vicinal chloroamines via asymmetric protonation of catalytically generated prochiral chloroenamines using chiral Brønsted acids. The process is highly enantioselective, with the origin of asymmetry and catalyst substituent effects elucidated by DFT calculations. We show the utility of the method as an approach to the synthesis of a broad range of heterocycle-substituted aziridines by treatment of the chloroamines with base in a one-pot process, as well as the utility of the process to allow access to vicinal diamines.     

Direct Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Dithioacetals

Dithioacetals are a frequently used motif in synthetic organic chemistry and have recently seen increasing attention as structural motif in promising antiviral agents against plant pathogens. Most existing reports, however, only discuss symmetrical dithioacetals. Examples of mixed dithioacetals are scarce and no general method for the selective synthesis of these compounds exists. Herein, a synthetically simple general one-step protocol was developed for the synthesis of a broad range of unsymmetrical dithioacetals consisting of one aromatic and one aliphatic thiol moiety from the corresponding aldehyde/thiol mixture. The mixed S,S-acetals were obtained in high yields, and a great variety of functional groups was tolerated. Kinetic control enabled an excellent selectivity in regard to the unsymmetrical dithioacetal.     

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective Cycloisomerization of Arylalkynes

The first example of an enantioselective carbocyclization of an alkyne-containing substrate catalyzed by chiral Brønsted acids was achieved. The use of the 2-hydroxynaphthyl substituent on the alkyne as a directing group constituted the key parameter enabling both efficient regioselective protonation of the carbon–carbon triple bond and chiral induction. The key cationic intermediate could be depicted either as a cationic vinylidene ortho-quinone methide or a stabilized vinyl cation. Atropoisomeric phenanthrenes derivatives were produced in high yields and good enantioselectivities under mild, metal-free reaction conditions in the presence of chiral N-triflylphosphoramide catalysts. The carbenic nature of the cationic intermediate was also exploited to describe an example of alkyne/alkane cycloisomerization.     

Benzo[7,8]indolizinoquinoline scaffolds based on Mg(ClO4)2-promoted regiospecific imide reduction and π-cyclization of N-acyliminium species. Analogues of the topo-1 poison rosettacin and 22-hydroxyacuminatine alkaloids

A general five-step synthesis of a short library of benzo[7,8]indolizinoquinolinine analogues of the topoisomerase-1 (topo-1) poison rosettacin and 22-hydroxyacuminatine alkaloids from DMAD and ortho-ketoanilines is reported. This consists on successively, the tandem aza-Michael addition/cyclodehydration, the hydrolysis of the resulting diesters into corresponding o-dicarboxylic acids, and the tandem intermolecular amidation/cyclodehydration into N-substituted imides. The regioselective reduction of one imide carbonyl into corresponding α-hydroxy lactams promoted by a Lewis acid Mg(ClO₄)₂ was followed ultimately with TFA-promoted π-cationic cyclization via stable N-acyliminiums species as an important key step.     

Synthesis of 2-substituted benzothiazoles via the Brønsted acid catalyzed cyclization of 2-amino thiophenols with nitriles

A convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzothiazoles from simple and readily available 2-amino thiophenols and nitriles is described. The Brønsted acid-catalyzed cyclization reaction was performed under metal and solvent-free conditions.     

Highly efficient Brønsted acid and Lewis acid catalysis systems for the Friedländer Quinoline synthesis

The efficient and green Brønsted acid or Lewis acid catalysis systems for the Friedländer synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted quinolines from the condensation of 2-aminoarylketones and β-ketoesters/ketones had been developed. The results confirmed that 4-toluenesulfonic acid, magnesium chloride, and cupric nitrate were the desired catalyst independently. This protocol had the advantages of mild conditions, operational simplicity, and excellent yields.     

Brønsted acid catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions of 2-vinylindoles and 3-nitrocoumarins: an expedient synthesis of coumarin-fused tetrahydrocarbazoles

A Brønsted acid catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of 2-vinylindoles and 3-nitrocoumarins has been described. The methodology allows a rapid and expedient synthesis of a variety of coumarin-fused polycyclic indoles in good yields (up to 82%) with high diastereoselectivities (up to >19:1).     

Brønsted Acid-Catalysed Dehydrative Substitution Reactions of Alcohols

The direct, catalytic dehydrative substitution of alcohols is a challenging, yet highly desirable process in the development of more sustainable approaches to organic chemistry. This review outlines recent advances in Brønsted acid-catalysed dehydrative substitution reactions for C−C, C−O, C−N and C−S bond formation. The wide range of processes that are now accessible using simple alcohols as the formal electrophile are highlighted, while current limitations and therefore possible future directions for research are also discussed.     

Matched/Mismatched Interactions in Chiral Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Glycosylation Reactions with 2-Deoxy-Sugar Trichloroacetimidate Donors

The stereochemical outcome of glycosylation reactions of 2-deoxy-sugar trichloroacetimidates promoted by chiral Brønsted acids is shown to be dependent on both the chirality of the catalyst and the configuration of the leaving group. High levels of selectivity (1:16 α:β) can be obtained with (S)-catalysts and an α-trichloroacetimidate donor. Conversely, (R)-catalysts require longer reaction times and provide the product in much lower selectivity (6.6:1 α:β). These observations demonstrate that stereochemical “match” and “mismatch” between donor and acceptor are important factors in chiral Brønsted acid-promoted glycosylations.     

Brønsted Base-Catalyzed Formal Reductive [3+2] Annulation of 4,4,4-Trifluorocrotonate and α-Iminoketones

A formal reductive [3+2] annulation of 4,4,4-trifluorocrotonate and α-iminoketones was developed under Brønsted base catalysis. A single phosphazene base efficiently catalyzes the one-pot tandem reaction involving two mechanistically different elementary processes, namely the chemoselective reduction of an imine moiety of α-iminoketones with thiols as the reductant and the subsequent intermolecular Michael addition of an enolate of α-aminoketones concomitant with lactam formation. This operationally simple method provides β-trifluoromethyl-substituted γ-lactams with a tetrasubstituted carbon as a single diastereomer.     

O-Benzenedisulfonimide as a Reusable Brønsted Acid Catalyst for Hetero-Michael Reactions

The hetero-Michael reactions among various oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen nucleophiles and α,β-unsaturated compounds were carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of o-benzenedisulfonimide as Brønsted acid organocatalyst. The reaction conditions were very mild, and the yields of target products were good. The catalyst was easily recovered and purified, ready to be used in further reactions. This ability grants economic and ecological advantages.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

Brønsted acid−catalyzed synthesis of tetrasubstituted allenes and polysubstituted 2H-chromenes from tertiary propargylic alcohols

A practical and environmentally benign Brønsted acid?catalyzed protocol for the preparation of all-carbon tetrasubstituted allenes, consisting in the direct S_N? addition of tri- or dimethoxy arenes or allyltrimethylsilane to tertiary propargylic alcohols, has been developed. In addition, a straightforward synthesis of densely substituted 2H-chromenes by metal-free tandem allenylation/heterocyclization reaction of methoxyphenols and tertiary alkynols is presented.     

First total synthesis of (±)-epocarbazolin A and epocarbazolin B, and asymmetric synthesis of (−)-epocarbazolin A via Shi epoxidation

Epoxidation of the trisilyl-protected carbazomadurins A and B with dimethyldioxirane followed by desilylation provides a simple route to racemic epocarbazolin A and a non-diastereoselective access to epocarbazolin B. The Shi epoxidation has been applied to an asymmetric synthesis of the non-natural (−)-epocarbazolin A.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Heterocyclic Vicinal Fluoroamines by Using Asymmetric Protonation: Method Development and Mechanistic Study

A catalytic enantioselective synthesis of heterocyclic vicinal fluoroamines is reported. A chiral Brønsted acid promotes aza-Michael addition to fluoroalkenyl heterocycles to give a prochiral enamine intermediate that undergoes asymmetric protonation upon rearomatization. The reaction accommodates a range of azaheterocycles and nucleophiles, generating the C−F stereocentre in high enantioselectivity, and is also amenable to stereogenic C−CF₃ bonds. Extensive DFT calculations provided evidence for stereocontrolled proton transfer from catalyst to substrate as the rate-determining step, and showed the importance of steric interactions from the catalyst's alkyl groups in enforcing the high enantioselectivity. Crystal structure data show the dominance of noncovalent interactions in the core structure conformation, enabling modulation of the conformational landscape. Ramachandran-type analysis of conformer distribution and Protein Data Bank mining indicated that benzylic fluorination by this approach has the potential to improve the potency of several marketed drugs.     

Enantioselective α-chlorination of β-keto esters and amides catalyzed by chiral imidodiphosphoric acids

Chiral imidodiphosphoric acids were employed as catalysts for the enantioselective α-chlorination of β-keto esters and amides using NCS as the chlorine source, providing a series of optically active products with good to high enantioselectivities (74–95% ee) and excellent yields (92–99%). This represents the first report of the Brønsted acid catalyzed enantioselective α-chlorination of cyclic β-keto derivatives.     

Brønsted Acid Ionic Liquid [(CH2)4SO3HMIM][HSO4] as Novel Catalyst for One-Pot Synthesis of Hantzsch Polyhydroquinoline Derivatives

1-(4-Sulfonic acid)butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([(CH₂)₄SO₃HMIM][HSO₄]) efficiently catalyzed a four-component Hantzsch reaction of aldehyde, ethylacetoacetate, dimedone, and ammonium acetate to afford the corresponding polyhydroquinoline derivatives.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Adjacent Tri- and Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters: Organocatalytic Aldol Reaction of an Hydantoin Surrogate with Azaarene 2-Carbaldehydes

A bifunctional amine/squaramide catalyst promoted direct aldol addition of an hydantoin surrogate to pyridine 2-carbaldehyde N-oxides to afford adducts bearing two vicinal tertiary/quaternary carbons in high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (d.r. up to >20:1; ee up to 98 %) is reported. Acid hydrolysis of adducts followed by reduction of the N-oxide group yields enantiopure carbinol-tethered quaternary hydantoin-azaarene conjugates with densely functionalized skeletons. DFT studies of the potential energy surface (B3LYP/6–31+G(d)+CPCM (dichloromethane)) of the reaction correlate the activity of different catalysts and support an intramolecular hydrogen-bond-assisted activation of the squaramide moiety in the transition state of the catalytic reaction.     

Biomimetic Peptide Catalytic Bond-Forming Utilizing a Mild Brønsted Acid

Since the global peptide drug market demand has been predicted to increase, highly efficient and inexpensive mass scale peptides are required. However, the production process raises questions about the cost of energy input, scale-up production, raw materials, and solvents treatment. This paper introduces 2 methods for the 2–4 mer oligopeptides bond formation for batch reaction utilizing 50–100 mol% of a mild Brønsted acid under the mild condition. One of the methods has been capably adapted to flow synthesis at room temperature using organic solvents with boiling points below 100 °C. The method applies the tert-butoxycarbonyl amino methoxy group, forming the desired dipeptide without solvent at mild temperatures. Furthermore, the conversion of the carboxylic acid leaving the group to phenyl ester promotes peptide bond formation, and the reaction were applied to di, tri, and tetrapeptide bond formation in excellent yield without notable racemization at ambient temperature (up to >99 % yield and 99 : 1 dr). Finally, this study proposes this new production method to overcome the limited scale-up production by reaction device scale: liquid phase biomimetic catalytic peptide flow synthesis utilizing a mild Brønsted acid.