An easy access to bioactive 13-hydroxylated and 11,13-dihydroxylated sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) through Michael addition of a nucleophilic hydroxyl group

The addition of a hydroxyl group to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl systems provides a new and easy access to bioactive difunctionalized sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) through a Michael addition to the α-methylene-γ-lactone system. The use of HMPA to enhance the nucleophilic properties of the hydroxyl groups and to stabilize the enolate is discussed. Also, we present a proposal for the mechanism based on the experimental data obtained. The scope and usefulness of the reaction are explored with other substrates and is limited by the need for a certain level of steric hindrance to avoid chain polycondensations. Nevertheless, the reaction works with esters, ketones and aldehydes. The absolute stereochemistry of some products has been elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The synthesis of a natural SL using this methodology and the correction of the structure of another illustrate the usefulness of this reaction.     

Development of Asymmetric Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Organotin‐Alkoxide Reagents

Asymmetric catalysis under almost‐neutral reaction conditions is key for the efficient synthesis of optically active polar molecules. We have developed catalytic enantioselective reactions of acyclic or cyclic alkenyl esters by using an (S)‐BINOL‐derived chiral tin‐dibromide reagent that possesses a bulky aryl group at the 3 or 3′ position as the chiral pre‐catalyst in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and an alcohol, in which a chiral tin alkoxide bromide is generated in situ and recycled with the assistance of an alcohol. In this Personal Account, we describe three types of asymmetric transformation that proceed through a chiral tin enolate: 1) The asymmetric aldol reaction of alkenyl esters or unsaturated lactones with aldehydes or isatins; 2) the asymmetric three‐component Mannich‐type reaction of alkenyl esters and related cycloaddition reactions; and 3) the asymmetric N‐nitroso aldol reaction of unsaturated lactones with nitrosoarenes.     

Highly stereoselective aldol reaction for the synthesis of gamma-lactones starting from tartaric acid

A simple stereoselective process for the synthesis of highly substituted gamma-lactones was developed based on aldol reactions between the enolate of dioxanes derived from tartaric acid and aldehydes. A range of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes were reacted, in most cases achieving good yields and stereoselectivity. The limitations of this reaction were identified and a transition state is proposed.     

Cascade Synthesis of Five‐Membered Lactones using Biomass‐Derived Sugars as Carbon Nucleophiles

We report the cascade synthesis of five‐membered lactones from a biomass‐derived triose sugar, 1,3‐dihydroxyacetone, and various aldehydes. This achievement provides a new synthetic strategy to generate a wide range of valuable compounds from a single biomass‐derived sugar. Among several examined Lewis acid catalysts, homogeneous tin chloride catalysts exhibited the best performance to form carbon–carbon bonds. The scope and limitations of the synthesis of five‐membered lactones using aldehyde compounds are investigated. The cascade reaction led to high product selectivity as well as diastereoselectivity, and the mechanism leading to the diastereoselectivity was discussed based on isomerization experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The present results are expected to support new approaches for the efficient utilization of biomass‐derived sugars.     

Enantioselective Syntheses of Substituted γ‐Butyrolactones

The previously described chiral 2‐acyloxathianes 5 (Scheme I) are used in two different enantioselective syntheses of γ‐butyrolactones. In one synthesis, Grignard addition, cleavage and reduction to carbinols RR'C(OH)CH₂OH is followed by tosylation, malonate homologation, lactonization, and removal of the carbomethoxy group to give optically active γ‐lactones. A modification of this synthesis (Scheme I) leads to optically active α‐methylene‐γ‐lactones. In the second synthesis, reaction of a bromomagnesium enolate with ketones 5 leads to β‐hydroxyesters, which, by appropriate sequences of reduction and cleavage (Scheme II) are converted to optically active α‐ or β‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactones.     

Cyclic enolates of Ni and Pd: equilibrium between C- and O-bound tautomers and reactivity studies

2-acylaryl complexes of Ni and Pd containing chelating diphosphines react with KtBuO to give metallacyclic enolate complexes. While coordination through the carbon atom is preferred in the case of Pd, the nickel O-enolate compounds are formed as the corresponding O-tautomers. Slow equilibration between O- and C-enolate tautomers is observed for the nickel complex with an unsubstituted enolate function (M-O-C=CH(2)). Theoretical DFT calculations suggest that the barrier for the tautomer exchange has its origin in the rigidity of the metallacycle. Whilst the C-enolate tautomer is unreactive towards aldehydes, the corresponding O-enolate adds to MeCHO and PhCHO, giving rise to products that retain the enolate functionality. The carbonylation of these products cleanly leads to the formation of enol lactones in a highly selective manner.     

Development of new synthetic methods with aryl 1-chlorovinyl sulfoxides

Aryl 1-chlorovinyl sulfoxides were easily synthesized from ketones and aldehydes with aryl chloromethyl sulfoxide in three-steps with high overall yields. Low-temperature treatment of the aryl 1-chlorovinyl sulfoxides with alkyllithium or a Grignard reagent gave alkylidene carbenoids via a sulfoxide-metal exchange reaction. From the alkylidene carbenoids, acetylenic compounds, tetra-substituted olefins, and allenes were synthesized. Enolization of alpha-chloro alpha-sulfinyl ketones, which were synthesized from methyl esters and chloromethyl phenyl sulfoxide, is another method for the generation of aryl 1-chloroalkyl sulfoxides. Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl phenyl sulfoxides so generated with t-BuLi followed by some nucleophiles having an acidic hydrogen gave one-carbon elongated carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Conjugate addition of some carbanions with 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides was found to have taken place. For example, reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyanomethyllithium gave high yields of cyclic enaminonitriles. Acidic treatment of the enaminonitriles afforded good yields of 4,4-disubstituted 2-cyclopentenones. By using unsymmetrical ketones and optically pure chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, this procedure suggests a good method for an asymmetric synthesis of optically pure 4,4-disubstituted 2-cyclopentenones. This method achieved an asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-alpha-cuparenone starting from methyl 4-methylphenyl ketone and (R)-(-)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide. A novel synthesis of 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones is also successful using cyanomethyllithium and its homologues. Conjugate addition of the lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate and its homologues gave high yields of the adduct, 3,3-disubstituted esters. Synthesis of various kinds of carboxylic acids and their derivatives and lactones was realized from the adducts.     

The Claisen rearrangement approach to fused bicyclic medium-ring oxacycles

The synthesis of five fused-bicyclic medium-ring lactones carrying identical ring-fusion to that in the polyether toxins is described using an enolate hydroxylation, intramolecular hydrosilation, Claisen rearrangement sequence.     

Indium(I) bromide-promoted stereoselective preparation of cyclopropanes via sequential aldol-type coupling/elimination/Michael-induced ring closure reaction from α,α-dichloroacetophenone and aldehydes

The indium enolate generated from indium(I) bromide and α,α-dichloroacetophenone reacts with aldehydes to produce (syn + anti)-2-chloro-3-hydroxy-propan-1-ones which can be converted to their trans-prop-2-en-1-ones derivatives upon reaction with an extra equivalent of InBr. The enones undergo Michael-induced ring closure reactions with an extra equivalent of the initial enolate to afford the corresponding cyclopropane derivatives, according to a sequenced reaction mechanism.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective aldol reaction of granatanone (pseudopelletierine)

Granatanone (granatan-3-one, 9-methyl-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one, pseudopelletierine or pseudopelletrierin) undergoes deprotonation with lithium amides giving a lithium enolate, which reacts with aldehydes diastereoselectively giving exclusively exo isomers and anti/syn selectivity up to 98:2. Granatanone can be enantioselectively lithiated by chiral lithium amides and the resulting non-racemic enolate can be reacted with aldehydes giving aldols with enantiomeric excess up to 93% (99% ee after recrystallization). The absolute and relative configuration of the aldol products was determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis.Granatanone; aldol reaction; asymmetric synthesis; enantioselective deprotonation; chiral lithium amide.     

One-pot enol silane formation-Mukaiyama aldol reactions: Crossed aldehyde-aldehyde coupling,thioester substrates,and reactions in ester solvents

Trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) and a trialkylamine base promote both in situ enol silane/silyl ketene acetal formation and Mukaiyama aldol addition reactions between a variety of reaction partners in a single reaction flask. Isolation of the required enol silane or silyl ketene acetal is not necessary. For example, crossed aldol reactions between α-disubstituted aldehydes and non-enolizable aldehydes yield β-hydroxy aldehydes in good yield. In a related reaction, the common laboratory solvent ethyl acetate functions as both an enolate precursor and a green reaction solvent. When thioesters are employed as enolate precursors, high yields for additions to non-enolizable aldehydes are routinely observed.     

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.     

Unexpected Direct Synthesis of N‐Vinyl Amides through Vinyl Azide–Enolate [3+2] Cycloaddition

The unexpected synthesis of industrially important N ‐vinyl amides directly from aldehydes and α,β‐unsaturated N ‐vinyl amides from esters is reported. This reaction probably proceeds through an initial [3+2] azide–enolate cycloaddition involving a vinyl azide generated in situ. A survey of the reaction scope and preliminary mechanistic findings supported by quantum computational analysis are reported, with implications for the future development of atom‐efficient amide synthesis. Intriguingly, this study suggests that (cautious) reevaluation of azidoethene as a synthetic reagent may be warranted.     

Unexpected Direct Synthesis of N-Vinyl Amides through Vinyl Azide–Enolate [3+2] Cycloaddition

The unexpected synthesis of industrially important N-vinyl amides directly from aldehydes and α,β-unsaturated N-vinyl amides from esters is reported. This reaction probably proceeds through an initial [3+2] azide–enolate cycloaddition involving a vinyl azide generated in situ. A survey of the reaction scope and preliminary mechanistic findings supported by quantum computational analysis are reported, with implications for the future development of atom-efficient amide synthesis. Intriguingly, this study suggests that (cautious) reevaluation of azidoethene as a synthetic reagent may be warranted.     

Unique Michael addition-initiated domino reaction for the stereoselective synthesis of functionalized macrolactones from alpha-nitroketones in water

[reaction: see text]. A unique domino reaction of alpha-nitrocycloalkanones with alpha-alkyl alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous base was discovered, leading to the one-pot synthesis of hitherto unknown functionalized, bridged, bicyclic lactones containing 10-, 11-, 13-, and 15-membered rings. The structures of these heterocyclic compounds, containing also an unusual 6-hydroxy-1,2-oxazine ring, were determined by spectral and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

A new synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from three components, aldehydes, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and tert-butyl acetate, via magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CH and 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from various aldehydes, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate at −78 °C in THF gave adducts in high yields. Magnesium carbenoids were generated by treatment of these adducts with Grignard reagents via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. When the adducts were derived from alkyl aldehydes or electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CH insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to afford β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having a substituent at the β-position. On the contrary, when the adducts were derived from electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to give β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having the aromatic group at the γ-position. Highly stereospecific 1,2-CC insertion reactions were observed in the latter reactions. This procedure provides a good way for a synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from aldehydes with two carbon-carbon bond-formations.     

Highly stereoselective Michael addition reactions of CamTHP*-desymmetrized glycinamide for the synthesis of functionally dense amino acid derivatives

The camphor-derived tetrahydropyran (camTHP*)-desymmetrized glycinamide 1 undergoes efficient and highly diastereoselective lithium enolate Michael additions to nitro olefins, alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, esters, and lactones. Straightforward manipulation of these products affords 3-substituted pyroglutamides and beta-aryl-alpha,gamma-diamino acid derivatives, highlighting the ease of synthesis of enantiomerically enriched, functionally dense molecules using this novel building block. [reaction: see text]     

One-pot, catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of polypropionates

[reaction: see text] The opening of methylketene dimer, followed by aldol reactions of the resulting enolate, provides a convenient access to syn,syn-dipropionate aldol adducts of a variety of aldehydes. These aldol adducts are useful precursors in the synthesis of complex polypropionates.     

An Evans-Tishchenko-ring-closing metathesis approach to medium-ring lactones

A new approach to the synthesis of medium-ring lactones is reported based on sequential Evans-Tishchenko and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions. High diastereoselectivity (>95:5) is demonstrated in the Evans-Tishchenko reaction of unsaturated aldehydes with unsaturated beta-hydroxy ketones, and conditions for the RCM cyclization of the resultant dienes have been optimized to give high yields of medium ring lactones. The synthetic utility of this sequence is demonstrated through generation of the fully functionalized core of octalactin A. [reaction: see text].     

Condensation of β‐Diester Titanium Enolates with Carbonyl Substrates: A Combined DFT and Experimental Investigation

The condensation of dialkyl β‐diesters with various aldehydes promoted by TiCl₄ has been studied by DFT approaches and experimental methods, including NMR, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Various possible reaction pathways have been investigated and their energy profiles evaluated to find out a plausible mechanism of the reaction. Theoretical results and experimental evidence point to a three‐step mechanism: 1) Ti‐induced formation of the enolate ion; 2) aldol reaction between the enolate ion and the aldehyde, both coordinated to titanium; and 3) intramolecular elimination that leads to a titanyl complex. The presented mechanistic hypothesis allows one to better understand the pivotal role of titanium(IV) in the reaction.