Ynamides: a modern functional group for the new millennium

Cu(I)- and Cu(II)-catalyzed cyclo- and Michael addition reactions of unsaturated β-ketoesters

The α-alkylidene β-ketoesters 2-carbethoxycyclopentenone (1a) and ethyl 2-benzoylacrylate (1b) react with 1,2-dimethylbutadiene (2) (Diels-Alder), N-benzyl-N-(cyclohexylethynyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (3) (Ficini reaction), ethynyl(phenyl)sulfane (4) ([2 + 2] cycloaddition), and 1,2,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrrole (5) (Michael addition) in the presence of copper(I) (6) or copper(II) triflate (7) (1-2 mol %) in dichloromethane. This convenient protocol converts 1a and 1b to the corresponding cycloaddition (8-10) or Michael addition (11) products in good yields after reaction times of 0.5-3 h without requiring purified solvents or inert gas atmosphere.

Catalyst-controlled torquoselectivity switch in the 4π ring-opening reaction of 2-amino-2-azetines giving β-substituted α,β-unsaturated amidines

The torquoselectivity of the 4π electrocyclic ring-opening reaction of 2-azetines can be controlled by the Brønsted acidity of the catalyst and the polarity of the solvent. DFT calculations provided insight into the mechanism of this remarkable switch. Anti and syn stereoisomers of α,β-unsaturated amidines were selectively synthesized from ynamides and aldimines in the presence of Tf(2)NH and CSA, respectively.

Silver-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,n-allenynamides

A variety of allenynamides can undergo cycloisomerization reactions in the presence of silver triflate thus leading to the formation of N-containing heterocycles incorporating cross-conjugated trienes. Access to new dienic 4-piperidinone and azepane motifs was achieved. An extension to one-pot tandem sequences involving silver-catalyzed cycloisomerization/Diels-Alder reaction was also examined.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 2-amino-1,3-diene derivatives by ruthenium-catalyzed coupling of ynamides and ethylene

A ruthenium-catalyzed hydrovinylation-type cross-coupling of ynamides and ethylene proceeds via ruthenacyclopentene to give 2-aminobuta-1,3-diene derivatives in a highly regioselective manner. It was also demonstrated that 2-aminobuta-1,3-diene derivatives reacted with various dienophiles or singlet oxygen to give a cyclic enamide derivative.

Synthesis of 2-iodoynamides and regioselective [2+2] cycloadditions with ketene

The first synthesis of 2-iodoynamides is described as well as the first [2+2] cycloadditions of ketene with iodo alkynes.

Gold-catalyzed nitrene transfer to activated alkynes: formation of α,β-unsaturated amidines

A gold-catalyzed intermolecular nitrene transfer to alkynes was developed for the first time, revealing a new mode of nitrene transfer and providing a novel access to versatile α-imino metal carbenes. Various mild nitrene-transfer reagents were examined, and iminopyridium ylides especially those based on 3,5-dichloropyridine proved be highly effective. With activated alkynes such as N-alkynyloxazolidinones as substrates, α,β-unsaturated amidines were formed in mostly good yields.

Metal-free halonium mediated acetate shifts of ynamides to access α-halo acrylamides/acrylimides

A metal-free acetate shift of 3-acetoxy ynamides to access α-iodo, bromo, and chloro acrylamides/acrylimides under very mild conditions is demonstrated. The inherent alkyne activation of ynamides is sufficient to ensure the α-halo acrylamides/acrylimides in high yields without the addition of a catalyst. In all cases high Z-stereoselectivity is observed.

A practical synthesis of 3-acyl cyclobutanones by [2 + 2] annulation. Mechanism and utility of the Zn(II)-catalyzed condensation of α-chloroenamines with electron-deficient alkenes

New conditions for the conversion of simple tertiary amides to α-chloroenamines and their use in Zn(II)-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions with commercial α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds allows rapid, regiocontrolled access to 3-acyl cyclobutanones. Reactions take place at ambient temperature without solvent, giving strained [2 + 2] adducts with all-carbon-substituted quaternary carbon atoms. Ab initio calculations of the putative keteniminium intermediate and studies with styrenyl olefins suggest a dual role for Zn(OTf)(2) during catalysis.

Synthesis of polycyclic benzofused nitrogen heterocycles via a tandem ynamide benzannulation/ring-closing metathesis strategy. Application in a formal total synthesis of (+)-FR900482

A two-stage "tandem strategy" for the synthesis of benzofused nitrogen heterocycles is described that is particularly useful for the construction of systems with a high level of substitution on the benzenoid ring. The first stage in the strategy involves a benzannulation based on the reaction of cyclobutenones with ynamides. This cascade process proceeds via a sequence of four pericyclic reactions and furnishes a multiply substituted aniline derivative which can bear a variety of functionalized substituents at the position ortho to the nitrogen. In the second stage of the tandem strategy, ring-closing metathesis generates the nitrogen heterocyclic ring. This two-step sequence provides efficient access to highly substituted dihydroquinolines, benzazepines, benzazocines, and related benzofused nitrogen heterocyclic systems. The application of this chemistry in a concise formal total synthesis of the anticancer agents (+)-FR900482 and (+)-FR66979 is described.

Copper-catalyzed Ficini [2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides

The Ficini [2 + 2] cycloaddition using N-sulfonyl-substituted ynamides is described, featuring the utility of CuCl(2) and AgSbF(6) as catalysts. This work represents the first successful example of ynamides participating in a thermal [2 + 2] cycloaddition with enones.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of N-fused heterocycles through regioselective 1,2-aminothiolation of 1,1-dibromoalkenes

The first aminothiolation of 1,1-dibromoalkene is described using an inexpensive copper/N,N-dimethylethylenediamine catalyst. The method provides a powerful means of using easily available 1,1-dihaloalkenes as precursors to fused heterocycles.

Stereoselective synthesis of β-hydroxy enamines, aminocyclopropanes, and 1,3-amino alcohols via asymmetric catalysis

Tandem methods for the catalytic asymmetric preparation of enantioenriched β-hydroxy (E)-enamines and aminocyclopropanes are presented. The diastereoselective hydrogenation of enantioenriched (E)-trisubstituted hydroxy enamines to generate 1,2-disubstituted-1,3-amino alcohols is also outlined. These methods are initiated by highly regioselective hydroboration of N-tosyl-substituted ynamides with diethylborane to generate β-amino alkenyl boranes. In situ boron-to-zinc transmetalation generates β-amino alkenylzinc reagents. These functionalized vinylzinc intermediates are subsequently added to aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst derived from an enantioenriched amino alcohol (morpholino isoborneol, MIB). The catalyst promotes highly enantioselective C-C bond formation to provide β-hydroxy enamines in good isolated yields (68-86%) with 54-98% enantioselectivity. The intermediate zinc β-alkoxy enamines can be subjected to a tandem cyclopropanation to afford aminocyclopropyl carbinols with three continuous stereocenters in a one-pot procedure with good yields (72-82%), enantioselectivities of 76-94%, and >20:1 diastereomeric ratios. Diastereoselective hydrogenation of isolated enantioenriched β-hydroxy enamines over Pd/C furnished syn-1,2-disubstituted-1,3-amino alcohols in high yields (82-90%) with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities. These methods were used in an efficient preparation of the enantioenriched precursor to PRC200-SS derivatives, which are potent serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors.

Copper-catalyzed alkynylation of amides with potassium alkynyltrifluoroborates: a room-temperature, base-free synthesis of ynamides

An efficient copper-mediated method for the coupling of potassium alkynyltrifluoroborates with nitrogen nucleophiles is reported. This reaction provides the first base-free and room-temperature synthesis of ynamides and allows for an easy preparation of these useful building blocks.

An Efficient Synthesis of de novo Imidates via Aza-Claisen Rearrangements of N-Allyl Ynamides

A novel thermal 3-aza-Claisen rearrangement of N-allyl ynamides for the synthesis of α-allyl imidates is described. Also, a sequential aza-Claisen, Pd-catalyzed Overman rearrangement is described for the synthesis of azapine-2-ones.

Site-specific introduction of gold-carbenoids by intermolecular oxidation of ynamides or ynol ethers

Ynamides and ynol ethers undergo intermolecular gold-catalysed reaction with a nucleophilic oxidant to access metal-carbenoid reactivity patterns. A site-specific oxidation/1,2-insertion cascade is used for a general access to functionalised α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives and vinylogous carbimates.

Recent advances in carbocupration of α-heterosubstituted alkynes

Carbocupration of α-heterosubstituted alkynes leads to the formation of stereodefined functionalized vinyl copper species as single isomer. Recent advances in the field show that a simple pre-association of the organometallic derivative with an additional polar functional group in the vicinity of the reaction center may completely change the stereochemical outcome of the reaction. Representative examples are given in this mini-review.