Stereospecific α‐Sialylation by Site‐Selective Fluorination

Sialic acids are ubiquitous components of mammalian cell membranes and key regulators of cellular recognition events. Located at the non‐reducing termini of bioactive gangliosides, these essential building blocks are fused to the polysaccharide core via a characteristic α‐linkage, and rarely occur in the monomeric form. Effective chemical strategies to enable α‐sialylation are urgently required to construct well‐defined tools for glycomics. To complement existing chemoenzymatic strategies, an α‐selective process has been devised based on the site‐selective introduction of fluorine at C3 (more than 20 examples, up to 90 % yield). Predicated on localized particle charge inversion (C?H^δ+→C?F^δ?), fluorine insertion simultaneously augments the anomeric effect, enhances electrophilicity at C2 and mitigates elimination. A stereochemical induction model is postulated that spans the S_N continuum and validates the role of the C?F bond in orchestrating α‐selectivity.     

Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Aminoboronate Esters by Copper(I)‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Addition of 1,1‐Bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes to Imines

Reported herein is an efficient copper(I)‐catalytic system for the diastereo‐ and enantioselective 1,2‐addition of 1,1‐bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes to protected imines to afford synthetically valuable enantioenriched β‐aminoboron compounds bearing contiguous stereogenic centers. The reaction exhibits a broad scope with respect to protected imines and 1,1‐bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes, thus providing β‐aminoboronate esters with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. The synthetic utility of the obtained β‐aminoboronate ester was also demonstrated.     

S‐((Phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl)thiophenium Salts: Carbon‐Selective Electrophilic Difluoromethylation of β‐Ketoesters, β‐Diketones,and Dicyanoalkylidenes

S‐((Phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl)thiophenium salts were designed and prepared by a triflic acid catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of ortho‐ethynyl aryldifluoromethyl sulfanes. The thiophenium salts were found to be efficient as electrophilic difluoromehtylating reagents for introduction of a CF₂H group to sp³‐hybridized carbon nucleophiles such as of β‐ketoesters and dicyanoalkylidenes. The (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl group can be readily transformed into CF₂H under mild reaction conditions. Enantioselective electrophilic difluoromethylation was also achieved in the presence of bis(cinchona) alkaloids.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of α,α‐Disubstituted Allylic Amines through Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution

The first asymmetric synthesis of important α,α‐disubstituted N‐alkyl allyl amine scaffolds through allylic substitution is reported. This approach is based on palladium catalysis and features ample scope with respect to both the allylic precursor and amine reagent, and high asymmetric induction with enantiomeric ratios (e.r.) up to 98.5:1.5. The use of less‐reactive anilines is also feasible, providing enantioenriched α,α‐disubstituted N‐aryl allylic amines.     

Design and Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of Axially Chiral 3,3′‐Bisindole Skeletons

The first catalytic asymmetric construction of 3,3′‐bisindole skeletons bearing both axial and central chirality has been established by organocatalytic asymmetric addition reactions of 2‐substituted 3,3′‐bisindoles with 3‐indolylmethanols (up to 98 % yield, all >95:5 d.r., >99 % ee). This reaction also represents the first highly enantioselective construction of axially chiral 3,3′‐bisindole skeletons, and utilizes the strategy of introducing a bulky group to the ortho‐position of prochiral 3,3′‐bisindoles. This reaction not only provides a good example for simultaneously controlling axial and central chirality in one operation, but also serves as a new strategy for catalytic enantioselective construction of axially chiral 3,3′‐bisindole backbones from prochiral substrates.