Diastereocontrolled Monoprotodeboronation of β‐Sulfinimido gem‐Bis(boronates): A General and Stereoselective Route to α,β‐Disubstituted β‐Aminoalkylboronates

β‐Aminoalkylboronic acids are bioisosteres of the pharmaceutically important class of β‐amino acids but few stereoselective methods exist for their preparation. The 1,2‐addition of lithiated 1,1‐diborylalkanes onto chiral N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl aldimines produces β‐sulfinimido gem‐bis(boronates) in good to excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity. The optimized conditions involve the use of rubidium fluoride and water, and are compatible with functionalized alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl substituents. Under these conditions, the geminal quaternary alkyl bis(pinacolatoboryl) intermediates undergo a highly diastereoselective monoprotodeboronation to afford a wide range of syn‐α,β‐disubstituted β‐aminoalkylboronates. This novel application of protodeboronation chemistry was shown to result from a kinetically controlled, diastereotopic‐group‐selective B?C bond protolysis dictated by the configuration of the adjacent stereogenic C?N center. Facile acidic cleavage of the sulfinimide auxiliary produces the free aminoboronates with high enantiomeric purity.     

Methanesulfonic Acid‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of 12‐Aryl or 12‐Alkyl‐8,9,10,12‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen‐11‐one Derivatives

An efficient synthesis of 12‐aryl or 12‐alkyl‐8,9,10,12‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen‐11‐one derivatives has been developed under solvent‐free conditions by one‐pot condensation of aldehydes, 2‐naphthol, and cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of a catalytic amount of methanesulfonic acid. The protocol has advantages of mild condition, short reaction time, high yield, and operational simplicity.     

Isocyanide‐Based Three‐Component Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,6‐Dihydro‐6,6‐dimethylpyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile, 3,4‐Dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin‐2‐amine,and 3,4‐Dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐quinoxalin‐2‐amine Derivatives

A novel and efficient isocyanide‐based multicomponent reaction between alkyl or aryl isocyanides 1 , 2,3‐diaminomaleonitrile ( 2 ), naphthalene‐2,3‐diamines ( 6 ) or benzene‐1,2‐diamine ( 9 ), and 3‐oxopentanedioic acid ( 3 ) or Meldrum's acid ( 4 ) or ketones 7 was developed for the ecologic synthesis, at room temperature under mild conditions, of 1,6‐dihydropyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitriles 5a – 5f in H₂O without using any catalyst, and of 3,4‐dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin‐2‐amine and 3,4‐dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐quinoxalin‐2‐amine derivatives 8a – 8g and 10a – 10e , respectively, in the presence of a catalytic amount of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) in EtOH, in good to excellent yields (Scheme 1).     

Regio‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Homoallylic α‐Tertiary NH2‐Amines by Reactions Facilitated by a Threonine‐Based Boron‐Containing Catalyst

A method for catalytic regio‐ and enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl‐substituted and aryl‐, heteroaryl‐, alkenyl‐, and alkynyl‐substituted homoallylic α‐tertiary NH₂‐amines is introduced. Easy‐to‐synthesize and robust N‐silyl ketimines are converted to NH‐ketimines in situ, which then react with a Z‐allyl boronate. Transformations are promoted by a readily accessible l ‐threonine‐derived aminophenol‐based boryl catalyst, affording the desired products in up to 91 % yield, >98:2 α:γ selectivity, >98:2 Z:E selectivity, and >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. A commercially available aminophenol may be used, and allyl boronates, which may contain an alkyl‐, a chloro‐, or a bromo‐substituted Z‐alkene, can either be purchased or prepared by catalytic stereoretentive cross‐metathesis. What is more, Z‐trisubstituted allyl boronates may be used. Various chemo‐, regio‐, and diastereoselective transformations of the α‐tertiary homoallylic NH₂‐amine products highlight the utility of the approach; this includes diastereo‐ and regioselective epoxide formation/trichloroacetic acid cleavage to generate differentiated diol derivatives.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cyclization of 1‐(Indol‐3‐yl)‐3‐alkyn‐1‐ols: Facile Synthesis of Diversified Carbazoles

Efficient cyclization of 1‐(indol‐3‐yl)‐3‐alkyn‐1‐ols in the presence of a cationic gold(I) complex, leading to annulated or specific substituted carbazoles, was observed. Depending on the reaction conditions and substitution pattern, divergent reaction pathways were discovered, furnishing diversified carbazole structures. Cycloalkyl‐annulated [b]carbazoles are obtained through 1,2‐alkyl migration of the metal‐carbene intermediates; cycloalkyl‐annulated [a]carbazoles are formed through a Wagner–Meerwein‐type 1,2‐alkyl shift; carbazole ethers are constructed through ring‐opening of the cyclopropyl group by nucleophilic attack of water or an alcohol.     

Catalytic asymmetric 1,2‐Addition/Lactonization tandem reactions for the syntheses of chiral 3‐Substituted phthalides using organozinc reagents

Using chiral phosphoramide ligand 2d‐ Zn (II) complex derived from (1R,2R)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine as the catalyst, we have developed efficient catalytic asymmetric 1,2‐addition/lactonization tandem reactions of diverse organozinc reagents with varied methyl 2‐formylbenzoates for the construction of optically enriched 3‐aryl or alkyl substituted phthalides, which are significant building blocks of many important chiral pharmaceuticals and natural products. The corresponding products could be afforded with good to excellent yields (up to 95%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 89%).     

Diastereo‐ and Regioselective Addition of Thioamide Dianions to Imines and Aziridines: Synthesis of N‐Thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines and N‐Thioacyl‐1,3‐diamines

Addition reactions of thioamide dianions that were derived from N‐arylmethyl thioamides to imines and aziridines were carried out. The reactions of imines gave the addition products of N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines in a highly diastereoselective manner in good‐to‐excellent yields. The diastereomeric purity of these N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines could be enriched by simple recrystallization. The reduction of N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines with LiAlH₄ gave their corresponding 1,2‐diamines in moderate‐to‐good yields with retention of their stereochemistry. The oxidative‐desulfurization/cyclization of an N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamine in CuCl₂/O₂ and I₂/pyridine systems gave the cyclized product in moderate yield and the trans isomer was obtained as the sole product. On the other hand, a similar cyclization reaction with antiformin (aq. NaClO) as an oxidant gave the cis isomer as the major product. The reactions of N‐tosylaziridines gave the addition products of N‐thioacyl‐1,3‐diamines with low diastereoselectivity but high regioselectivity and in good‐to‐excellent yields. The use of AlMe₃ as an additive improved the efficiency and regioselectivity of the reaction. The stereochemistry of the obtained products was determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐6‐(2‐Oxo‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐indol‐3‐ylidene)‐3,3a,9,9a‐tetrahydroimidazo[4,5‐e]thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐2,7(1H,6H)‐diones

Two efficient and diastereoselective procedures for the synthesis of (Z)‐6‐(2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐indol‐3‐ylidene)‐3,3a,9,9a‐tetrahydroimidazo[4,5‐e]thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐2,7(1H,6H)‐diones by aldol‐crotonic condensation of 1,3‐dimethyl‐3a,9a‐diphenyl‐3,3a,9,9a‐tetrahydroimidazo[4,5‐e]thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐2,7(1H,6H)‐dione with isatins under acidic or basic catalysis are reported. Isomerization in (Z)‐7‐(1‐allyl‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐indol‐3‐ylidene)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐3a,9a‐diphenyl‐1,3a,4,9a‐tetrahydroimidazo[4,5‐e]thiazolo[2,3‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐2,8(3H,7H)‐dione was observed under basic conditions.     

A Convenient Synthesis of 1‐Alkoxy‐2‐alkyl‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline‐3,4‐diones Utilizing the Reaction of 2‐(Dialkoxymethyl)phenyllithiums with Dimethyl Oxalate

A new and convenient method for the preparation of 1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline‐3,4‐diones with alkoxy and alkyl groups at the 4‐ and 3‐positions, respectively, using an easily operated three‐step sequence starting from 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyl bromides has been developed. Thus, the starting materials are treated with BuLi to generate 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyllithiums, which are allowed to react with (COOMe)₂ to give methyl 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyl‐2‐oxoacetates. These are then transformed into the corresponding secondary amides by the reaction with primary amines. Treatment of these keto amides with a catalytic amount of TsOH?H₂O affords the desired products. In order to demonstrate the synthetic utility of these products, transformation of one of them into the corresponding isoquinoline‐1,3,4(2H)‐trione derivative by the oxidation with PCC was achieved.     

One‐Pot Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Nitro‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines by a Dual‐Activation Protocol

Generally, amine‐catalyzed enantioselective transformations rely on chiral enamine or unsaturated iminium intermediates. Herein, we report a protocol involving dual activation by an aromatic iminium and hydrogen‐bonding. An enantioselective aza‐Michael–Henry domino reaction of 2‐aminobenzaldehydes with nitroolefins has been developed through this protocol using primary amine thiourea catalysts to provide a variety of 3‐nitro‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines in moderate yields and with up to 90 % ee. The mechanism for the catalytic enantioselective reaction was confirmed by ESI mass spectrometric detection of the reaction intermediates. The products formed are substructures found in skeletons of important biological and pharmaceutical molecules.     

A Flexible Approach to the γ－Amino－β－hydroxy Acid Moiety of Hapalosin

A flexible approach to ethyl (3R,4S)-N-Boc-4-amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoate (N-Boc-AHPPA-OEt), the γ-amino-β-hydroxy acid moiety of hapalosin is described. The synthetic method features a ring-opening ethanolysis of an activated N-Boc-lactam, which is obtained via a diastereoselective reductive-alkylation of (R)-malimide derivative. The flexibility of the method resides in the introduction of the alkyl side chain by Grignard reagent addition.     

Acid Catalyzed tert‐Butylation and Tritylation of 4‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole: Selective Synthesis of 1‐Methyl‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole via 1‐tert‐Butyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole

4‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole was found to react with tert‐butanol in concentrated sulfuric acid to yield 1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole as the only reaction product, whereas tert‐butylation and tritylation of 4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole in presence of catalytic amount of sulfuric acid in benzene was found to provide mixtures of isomeric 1‐ and 2‐alkyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazoles with predominance of N2‐alkylated products. A new methodology for preparation of 1‐alkyl‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazoles from 1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole via exhaustive alkylation followed by removal of tert‐butyl group from intermediate triazolium salts was demonstrated by the example of preparation of 1‐methyl‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Rearrangements: 1,2‐ and 1,2′‐Alkyl Migration in Skipped Alkynyl Ketones

A series of 2‐alkynyl carbonyl compounds that contain a cyclopentene ring or a heterocycle can be transformed into various fused dihydrobenzofurans and tetrahydrofuro[2,3‐c]pyridines by means of a 1,2‐alkyl migration process. Both of these reactions proceed with excellent regioselectivity and stereospecificity when using a cationic gold(I) catalyst. Treatment of 4‐styrylcyclopent‐1‐enecarboxylates under different conditions affords a range of highly functionalized dihydrobenzofurans and dihydroisobenzofurans. A divergence in product selectivity, which depends on the anion of the silver salts used, was observed. Interestingly, ring‐fused tetrahydroquinolines undergo only 1,2′‐alkyl migration reaction by means of a C? C cleavage/cyclization sequence to provide tetrahydroazepine derivatives. Mechanistic studies suggest that the gold complexes catalyze 1,2‐alkyl migration reactions through a concerted reaction pathway and 1,2′‐alkyl migration reactions through a stepwise reaction pathway.     

One‐Pot,Four‐Component Synthesis of Novel Spiro[indeno[2,1‐b]quinoxaline‐11,4′‐pyran]‐2′‐amines

A one‐pot, four‐component reaction for the efficient synthesis of novel spiro[indeno[2,1‐b]quinoxaline‐11,4′‐pyran]‐2′‐amines by using InCl₃ is described. The syntheses are achieved by reacting ninhydrin with 1,2‐diaminobenzenes to give indenoquinoxalines, which are trapped in situ by alkyl malonates and various α‐methylencarbonyl compounds through cyclization, providing multifunctionalized spiro‐substituted indeno[2,1‐b]quinoxaline‐11,4′‐pyran‐2′‐amines.     

1‐(2′‐Anilinyl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ol Rearrangement for Oxindole Synthesis

A synthetic method that relies on NIS (N‐iodosuccinimide)‐mediated cycloisomerization reactions of 1‐(2′‐anilinyl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ols to gem‐3‐(diiodomethyl)indolin‐2‐ones and 2‐(iodomethylene)indolin‐3‐ones has been developed. The reactions were shown to be chemoselective, with secondary and tertiary alcoholic substrates exclusively giving the 3‐ and 2‐oxindole products, respectively. In the case of the latter, the transformation features an unprecedented double 1,2‐OH and 1,2‐alkyl migration relay. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on proposed iodoaminocyclization species provide insight into this unique divergence in product selectivity.     

Asymmetric Radical–Radical Cross‐Coupling through Visible‐Light‐Activated Iridium Catalysis

Combining single electron transfer between a donor substrate and a catalyst‐activated acceptor substrate with a stereocontrolled radical–radical recombination enables the visible‐light‐driven catalytic enantio‐ and diastereoselective synthesis of 1,2‐amino alcohols from trifluoromethyl ketones and tertiary amines. With a chiral iridium complex acting as both a Lewis acid and a photoredox catalyst, enantioselectivities of up to 99 % ee were achieved. A quantum yield of <1 supports the proposed catalytic cycle in which at least one photon is needed for each asymmetric C? C bond formation mediated by single electron transfer.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of substituted 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1‐benzazepine‐5‐carboxylic esters by a tandem reduction‐reductive animation reaction

An efficient, diastereoselective synthesis of substituted and unsubstituted 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1‐benzazepine‐5‐carboxylic esters has been developed based on the tandem reduction‐reductive amination reac tion. Catalytic hydrogenation of a series of 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐oxoalkanoic esters initiates a reaction sequence involving (1) reduction of the aromatic nitro group, (2) condensation of the N‐hydroxylamino (or amino) nitrogen with the side chain carbonyl, and (3) reduction of the seven‐membered cyclic imine. Cyclizations that produce 2‐alkyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1‐benzazepine‐5‐carboxylic esters are diastereose lective for the product having the C2 alkyl and the C5 ester groups cis. In these reactions, the transannular ester group exerts a strong stereodirecting effect on the reduction of the cyclic imine intermediate, though not as strong as that observed in previous closures of 2‐alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline‐4‐carboxylic esters. This decrease in diastereoselectivity is attributed to (1) the greater distance between the ester and the imine double bond and (2) the increased conformational mobility of the larger ring, both of which diminish the stereodirecting effect of the ester. Finally, formation of the seven‐membered ring is sufficiently slow that reaction with the side chain ester group competes with heterocycle formation in several of the reactions.     

Enantioselective Conjugate Addition‐Protonation of 5H‐Oxazol‐4‐ones and 5‐Methylene 1,3‐Oxazolidine‐2,4‐diones: 2,2'‐Biphenol‐Induced Diastereoselectivity Switch

A synthetic strategy for catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition‐protonation and diastereoselective switch between 5H‐oxazol‐4‐ones and 5‐methylene 1,3‐oxazolidine‐2,4‐diones was established. An array of chiral conjugate addition‐protonation products bearing 1,3‐O‐heterotertiary‐O‐heteroquarternary nonadjacent stereocenters were obtained in excellent yields, moderate to good diastereoselectivities, and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% yield, 11: 1 dr, and 98% ee). Induction by 2,2’‐biphenol could effectively promote the production of the corresponding diastereoisomers via cycloaddition intermedia.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Assembly of Octahydroindolones: Divergent Synthesis of Lycorine‐type Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids (+)‐α‐Lycorane and (+)‐Lycorine

We report the first catalytic asymmetric approach to octahydroindolones and a divergent enantioselective synthesis of perhydroindole alkaloids, as exemplified by lycorine‐type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (+)‐α‐lycorane and (+)‐lycorine, from a common intermediate by using a highly concise route. The assembly of octahydroindolones employs a catalytic enantioselective 1,4‐conjugate addition of nitro dienynes, followed by a TsOH‐catalyzed cascade synthesis of highly functionalized enones, and a diastereoselective intramolecular Michael addition.     

(R)‐2,3‐Cyclohexylideneglyceraldehyde,a Chiral Pool Synthon for the Synthesis of 2‐Azido‐1,3‐diols

A new approach was proposed for the synthesis of 2‐azido‐1,3‐diols from easily available and inexpensive chiral pool synthon (R)‐2,3‐O‐cyclohexylidene‐D ‐glyceraldehyde, through Mitsunobu azidation of 1,2‐diols. Both C(2) and C(1) azides in variable ratios were obtained in alkyl substituted diols with C(2) as the major one.