Aromatic l-prolinamide-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to nitroalkenes

Two chiral aromatic l-prolinamides were synthesized in high overall yield (95%) from N-Boc-l-proline and served as organocatalysts in asymmetric Michael reactions of aldehydes to nitroalkenes. Under the optimized reaction conditions, (S)-N-tritylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide 4 was found to be a highly efficient organocatalyst for the Michael addition, and the corresponding Michael adducts were obtained in good yields (up to 94%), with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr).     

Enantioselective synthesis and absolute stereochemistry of both the enantiomers of trans-magnolione, a fragrance structurally related to trans-methyl jasmonate

Both enantiomers of the trans stereoisomer of magnolione 4 have been prepared by asymmetric Michael addition of ethyl acetoacetate to 2-pentylcyclopentenone, followed by hydrolysis/decarboxylation. The Michael reaction occurs under solid/liquid phase transfer catalysis in the presence of N-methylanthracenylquininium (or quinidinium) chloride. Enantiomeric excesses up to 76% are obtained. The trans structure of the compounds has been fully established by a careful NMR analysis, while the absolute configuration has been assigned as (2S,3S) for (+)-4 by the analysis of the CD spectrum.     

Development of N,N-bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)squaramides as new strong Brønsted acids and their application to organic reactions

New strong Brønsted acids derived from a squaric acid scaffold bearing different perfluoroalkanesulfonyl groups have been developed and applied to several organic reactions. These squaramides are bench-stable and exhibit much higher reactivities in several organic reactions than squaric acid itself. N,N-Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)squaramide 2a was applied to the Mukaiyama aldol reaction and Mukaiyama Michael reaction. Mechanistic studies revealed that the Brønsted acid might be the predominant catalyst through direct protonation of carbonyl compound by the acid itself rather than the silylated Brønsted acid. The utility of this acid 2a was further extended to Hosomi-Sakurai allylation of aldehydes and a carbonyl-ene reaction. Furthermore, other squaramides 2b and c bearing longer perfluoroalkyl chains have been developed, which are also bench-stable and displayed similar reactivities with squaramide 2a in several organic reactions.     

(N-Arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides: Synthesis and characterization of potential ligand systems and the formation of their N,O-chelate aluminum complexes

Pyridine-N-oxide-2-carbaldehyde (4a) was converted to the corresponding imine (5a) by treatment with 2,6-diisopropylaniline. Subsequent reduction with a sodium borohydride gave the corresponding (N-arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxide derivative (6a). A series of analogous compounds was prepared starting from the respective (aldimino)quinoline-N-oxide (4b) or (ketimino)pyridine-N-oxide (10) systems. Deprotonation of the (aminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides resulted in a series of unexpected reactions, such as coupling, internal redox reactions or fragmentation. Eventually, the N,O-chelate aluminum complexes (22, 23) derived from the (aminoethyl)pyridine-N-oxide ligand systems could be obtained by treatment of the respective iminopyridine-N-oxides with trimethylaluminum. Many products were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective addition of alcohols to isatin-derived ketimines

The first copper-catalyzed enantioselective addition of alcohols to imines was described. In the presence of 1?mol% Cu(OAc)₂ complexed with chiral cyclohexane-based N,P-ligand L4, chiral isatin-derived N,O-aminals were obtained in excellent yields (93–99%) and good-to-excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) under mild conditions.     

General methodology for solid-phase synthesis of N-alkyl hydroxamic acids

Polymer-supported N-benzyloxy-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides 1 were N-alkylated using three different routes: via Fukuyama reaction with alcohols, by N-alkylation with alkylbromides, and by Michael addition reaction with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The N-alkylated products prepared on the linker 1b were obtained in excellent purity and yield. The 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (Nos) group was cleaved under mild conditions to yield polymer-supported N-alkylated benzyloxyamines. Acylation by carboxylic acids and cleavage with TFA yielded N-alkyl hydroxamic acids.     

Polymer-supported N-benzyl- and N-benzhydryl-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides as alternative to aldehyde linkers

Polymer-supported N-benzyl- and N-benzhydryl-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides 1 were N-alkylated using three different routes: via Fukuyama reaction with alcohols, by N-alkylation with electrophiles, and by Michael addition reaction with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The N-alkylated products were obtained in excellent purity and high yield. The 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (Nos) group was then cleaved to yield polymer-supported N-alkylated benzylamines and benzhydrylamines. N-alkylation of polymer-supported 2-nitrobenzenesulfonamide linkers 1 described herein represents an alternative route to reductive amination of aldehyde linkers.     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of acetone to nitroolefins catalyzed by chiral bifunctional primary amine-thiourea catalysts with acetic acid

Highly enantioselective Michael reaction of acetone with a variety of nitroolefins catalyzed by N-[(1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexyl]-N′-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-thiourea (1b) together with acetic acid is described. The Michael addition products were obtained in high yields (76-94%) and up to 96% ee.     

The asymmetric addition of malononitrile to α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by RuCl2[(R,R)-DPEN](PPh3)2 as the precatalyst

Non-borohydride ruthenium complex, RuCl₂[(R,R)-DPEN](PPh₃)₂ (1f), was demonstrated to catalyze asymmetric Michael addition of malononitrile to acyclic enones with weak bases. Michael addition of malononitrile to chalcone and analogues was promoted by combining CsOAc with CsOH in the presence of 1f and gave good yields and up to 82% ee.     

Solid supported Hayashi–Jørgensen catalyst as an efficient and recyclable organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael addition reactions

A comparison of three different catalytic systems for the efficient, asymmetric synthesis of N-({(3R,4R)-4-[(benzyloxy)methyl]pyrrolidin-3-yl}methyl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)benzenesulfonamide 1 (BZN) is described. The presented strategy is based on the organocatalytic Michael addition of aldehyde 2 to trans-nitroalkene 3, and subsequent reductive cyclization. High yields, enantio-, and diastereoselectivities were achieved in the Michael addition by application of a POSS- or Wang resin-supported Hayashi–Jørgensen catalyst.     

Highly Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Michael Addition of Nitroalkanes to 2‐Enoyl‐Pyridine N‐Oxides Catalyzed by Scandium(III)/Copper(II) Complexes

A C₂‐symmetric Schiff‐base ligand, derived from tridentate‐Schiff‐base, was developed and successfully applied to the asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkanes to 2‐enoyl‐pyridine N‐oxides. With this newly catalytic system, an unprecedented diastereoselectivity was obtained in the asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkanes to 2‐enoyl‐pyridine N‐oxides. In addition, a switch in enantioselectivity was achieved by using this newly catalytic system and our previous catalyst. After a facile reduction, the optically active adduct was converted to a biologically active dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol 4 a . Furthermore, a connection of two tridentate‐Schiff‐base subunits proved to be an effective strategy in ligand design.     

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reactions of dibenzyl malonate to α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles using a La(O-iPr)3/Ph-linked-BINOL complex

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reactions of a malonate to acyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles as ester equivalent acceptors are described. A La(O-iPr)₃/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex, which is suitable for Michael addition to cyclic enones, is not suitable for acyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles. A new (S,S)-Ph-linked-BINOL chiral ligand was developed to improve enantioselectivity, and a La(O-iPr)₃/(S,S)-Ph-linked-BINOL complex with the addition of HFIP afforded Michael adducts in good yield and enantioselectivity (up to 96% ee).     

Highly enantioselective Michael/cyclization tandem reaction between dimedone and isatylidene malononitriles

A highly enantioselective Michael/cyclization tandem reaction between dimedone and isatylidene malononitriles has been developed. With 5?mol% of bifunctional organocatalyst C15, chiral spiro[2-amino-4H-pyran-oxindole] derivatives were obtained in excellent yields (97–99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to?>?99% ee).     

Preparation of chiral bipyridine bis-N-oxides by oxidative dimerization of chiral pyridine N-oxides

The direct preparation of chiral 2,2′-bipyridine bis-N-oxides has been developed. The method involves two stages, first, the deprotonation of substituted chiral pyridine N-oxides and second, the oxidative dimerization of the resulting 2-lithiopyridine N-oxides. Optimization of the reaction conditions led to the selection of LiTMP in THF for the deprotonation and molecular iodine as the oxidant. The corresponding 2-iodopyridine N-oxide is invariably formed as a by-product. A series of 11 chiral pyridine N-oxides was prepared that bear substituents at the C(2) and C(5) positions. Oxidative dimerization of these mono-N-oxides proceeded in 33–77% yield. In all cases, the dimerization was highly diastereoselective for the formation of the P-configuration of the chiral axis.     

Direct arylation of azine N-oxides with aryl triflates

Palladium catalyzed direct arylation of azine N-oxides using aryl triflates to afford the corresponding 2-aryl azine N-oxides is described. The reaction is carried out with a range of both N-oxides and aryl triflates. The arylation can be carried out in sequence to yield differentially diarylated products. The regioselectivity and scope of 3-substituted azine N-oxides are investigated. The method is applied to the synthesis of a compound that exhibits antimalarial and antimicrobial activities.     

Synthesis of 5-alkyl-5-aryl-1-pyrroline N-oxides from 1-aryl-substituted nitroalkanes and acrolein via Michael addition and nitro reductive cyclization

A general method for accessing 5-alkyl-5-aryl-1-pyrroline N-oxides (AAPOs) has been established using readily available aryl bromides, nitroalkanes, and acrolein as the starting materials. The palladium-catalyzed arylation of nitroalkanes gave the 1-aryl-substituted nitroalkanes, which underwent the Et₃N-catalyzed Michael addition with acrolein at room temperature to afford the 4-aryl-4-nitroaldehydes. The latter were then subjected to the nitro reductive cyclization using Zn–HOAc in EtOH at 0 °C followed by warming the reaction mixture to room temperature for 24 h, furnishing the 5-alkyl-5-aryl-1-pyrroline N-oxides in good overall yields. Selected examples of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the cyclic nitrones with methyl methacrylate were also described.     

TiCl4 mediated Michael addition reactions of α-cyanoketene-S,S-acetals with enones

Titanium tetrachloride promoted Michael addition reactions of α-cyanoketene-S,S-acetals 1 with enones 2 have been developed. The polyfunctionalized 2-[1,3]dithiolan-2-ylidene-3-substituted-5-oxo-5-substituted-pentanenitriles 3 were obtained in good to high yields and the corresponding mechanism was also described.     

Synthesis of 3-substituted-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxides from the Baylis-Hillman adducts of o-nitrobenzaldehydes

The reaction of the Baylis-Hillman adducts 1b-f derived from o-nitrobenzaldehydes in trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of triflic acid (0.2 equiv.) afforded 3-substituted-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxides 2b-e and 2a in good to moderate yields. The reaction mechanism was evidenced by the experiment with 1f, the Baylis-Hillman adduct of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde N-tosylimine, as the one involving N-hydroxyisoxazoline as the key intermediate.     

Chiral sulfamide-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of protected 3-hydroxypropanal to β-nitrostyrenes

Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of 3-(OTBS)-propanal to β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by chiral sulfamides was investigated. Good d.r. (up to 80:20) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) were achieved. Both the N-[(1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexyl]-N’-(phenylmethyl)sulfamide 7b and the novel chiral N-[(1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexyl]-N’-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfamide 7a were identified as efficient primary amine organocatalysts.     

Deoxygenation of tertiary amine N-oxides under metal free condition using phenylboronic acid

A simple and efficient method for the deoxygenation of amine N-oxides to corresponding amines is reported using the green and economical reagent phenylboronic acid. Deoxygenation of N,N-dialkylaniline N-oxides, trialkylamine N-oxides and pyridine N-oxides were achieved in good to excellent yields. The reduction susceptible functional groups such as ketone, amide, ester and nitro groups are well tolerated with phenylboronic acid during the deoxygenation process even at high temperature. In addition, an indirect method for identification and quantification of tert-amine N-oxide is demonstrated using UV–Vis spectrometry which may be useful for drug metabolism studies.