A mechanistic dichotomy in ruthenium-catalyzed propargyl alcohol reactivity: a novel hydrative diyne cyclization

The cycloisomerization of diyne-ols catalyzed by [CpRu(CH3CN)3]PF6 to 2-vinyl-1-acylcycloalkenes proceeds via a ruthenacyclopentadiene involving initial ionization of the tertiary or secondary alcohol, followed by readdition. In the case of primary alcohols, a competing pathway wherein water first adds would appear to occur. The feasibility of this proposed minor pathway was tested in the reaction of diynes in the presence of water. Quite excitingly, cyclization comcommittant with addition of water to form 1-acylcycloalkenes occurs. This proves to be general process to form five- and six-membered rings. Interestingly, hydrative cyclization of Z-5-decen-2,8-diyne to 1-acetyl-2-ethyl-cyclohexa-1,4-diene occurs without isomerization of the double bonds. Furthermore, the epoxide of the same substrate cyclizes without opening of the strained epoxide. Unsymmetrically substituted diynes cyclize with remarkable chemoselectivity wherein water attacks the less hindered alkynes. beta-branching of any kind gives only a single product. Remarkably, even competing methyl versus ethyl still effects a 2.5:1 selectivity in favoring water addition to the methyl-bearing alkyne. Alcohols can replace water and provide enol ethers. Strong mechanistic evidence suggests two reaction manifolds indeed operate, depending upon the presence of propargyl alcohols and the degree of substitution on the hydroxyl-bearing carbon.     

Chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation of indolocarbazole pro-aglycons

[reaction: see text] Monosubstituted isomerically pure indolopyrrolocarbazole precursors have been prepared via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation methodology, employing both achiral cyclopentenyl electrophiles and chiral glycal derivatives. Chemoselective allylation of (bis)indole lactam pro-aglycon 3 allows access to N-distally substituted indolopyrrolocarbazole derivatives; glyoxamide precursor 14 provides entry into N-proximally substituted derivatives.     

A synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes by a Ru-catalyzed addition

Catalyzed by ruthenium trisacetonitrile hexafluorophosphate 4, the Alder-ene type reaction of alkenes and internal alkynes provides an effective way to synthesize trisubstituted alkenes. Unlike most typical olefination protocols, this reaction is atom economical, and affords trisubstituted alkenes with defined olefin geometry. The regioselectivity can be explained invoking a steric argument based on the proposed mechanism. The first C-C bond formation generally involves sterically less hindered carbons of the alkenes and alkynes. Modest to very high regioselectivity can be achieved depending on the steric difference of the two substituents of alkynes.     

Development of Zn–ProPhenol‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Alkyne Addition: Synthesis of Chiral Propargylic Alcohols

The development of a general and practical zinc‐catalyzed enantioselective alkyne addition methodology is reported. The commercially available ProPhenol ligand ( 1 ) has facilitated the addition of a wide range of zinc alkynylides to aryl, aliphatic, and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in high yield and enantioselectivity. New insights into the mechanism of this reaction have resulted in a significant reduction in reagent stoichiometry, enabling the use of precious alkynes and avoiding the use of excess dimethylzinc. The enantioenriched propargylic alcohols from this reaction serve as versatile synthetic intermediates and have enabled efficient syntheses of several complex natural products.     

Asymmetric synthesis of alpha-substituted aldehydes by Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation-alkene isomerization-Claisen rearrangement

[Structure: see text] Enantiospecific aliphatic Claisen rearrangement was realized with generally high chirality transfer. The requisite substrates were synthesized via Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) from easily obtained starting materials. After protection, the resultant bisallyl ethers underwent olefin isomerization and in situ Claisen rearrangement (ICR) to generate alpha-chiral aldehydes. Remarkable chemoselectivity in the olefin isomerization step was observed. An asymmetric synthesis of communiol A was accomplished applying this methodology.     

Development of an asymmetric trimethylenemethane cycloaddition reaction: application in the enantioselective synthesis of highly substituted carbocycles

A protocol for the enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition of trimethylenemethane (TMM) with electron-deficient olefins has been developed. The synthesis of novel phosphoramidite ligands was critical in this effort, and the preparation and reactivity of these ligands is detailed. The evolution of the ligand design, commencing with acyclic amine-derived phosphoramidites and leading to cyclic pyrrolidine and azetidine structures, is discussed. The conditions developed to effect an asymmetric TMM reaction using 2-trimethylsilylmethyl allyl acetate were shown to be tolerant of a wide variety of alkene acceptors, providing the desired methylenecyclopentanes with high levels of enantioselectivity. The donor scope was also explored, and substituted systems were tolerated, including one bearing a nitrile moiety. These donors were reactive with unsaturated acylpyrroles, giving the product cyclopentane rings bearing three stereocenters in high enantioselectivity and complete diastereoselectivity.