Bifunctional Amine-Squaramides: Powerful Hydrogen-Bonding Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Domino/Cascade Reactions

Harvesting the fragment-based nature of bifunctional organocatalysts to enhance their activity

Enhancing the activity of bifunctional organocatalysts: a fragment-based approach coupled with activity maps helps identifying better-performing catalytic motifs.

Recent development in asymmetric organocatalytic domino reactions involving 1,6-addition as a key step

This article highlights the significant development in stereoselective domino reactions involving 1,6-addition as a crucial step.

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydrofurans via Squaramide Catalyzed Michael-Alkylation Reaction

Abstract:

Asymmetric Catalysis, Dihydrofuran, Michael-Alkylation Reaction, Tertiary Amine-Squaramide, Organocatalysis, α-Bromonitroalkene

Asymmetric Henry reaction of trifluoromethyl enones with nitromethane using a N,N-dibenzyl diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst

A novel N,N -dibenzyl diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst efficiently promoted asymmetric Henry reactions of trifluoromethyl enones with nitromethane, affording corresponding highly functionalized products in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee). This study is the first to report the successful example of the asymmetric 1,2-additions of nitromethane to trifluoromethyl enones.

Enantioselective synthesis of coumarins catalyzed by an isosteviol-derived tertiary amine-squaramide catalyst

A newly tertiary amine-squaramide organocatalyst has been successfully developed and applied into the asymmetric Michael addition of 4-hydroxycoumarin to β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters. The catalyst system performed well with a low catalyst loading of 1 mol% under mild reaction conditions. A series of coumarin derivatives were obtained in good to high yields (up to 97%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee).

N-Sulfinylpyrrolidine-containing ureas and thioureas as bifunctional organocatalysts

The synthesis of bifunctional N-sulfinylureas and thioureas with an appended pyrrolidine unit is presented. These organocatalysts were evaluated in Michael additions of aldehydes to nitroalkenes both under solvent-free conditions and in solution. The N-sulfinylurea catalyst was more efficient than the corresponding thiourea. For some substrates, enantioselectivities reached 98% ee. The stereogenic center on the sulfur did not have a considerable influence on the catalytic reactions. Under ball-milling conditions, the Michael adducts were obtained in good yields but with slightly lower enantiomeric purities than in solution. DFT calculations elucidated its mode of action and confirmed a dual activation mode, which combines enamine activation of aldehydes and hydrogen-bond activation of nitroalkenes.

Chiral Aminoalcohols and Squaric Acid Amides as Ligands for Asymmetric Borane Reduction of Ketones: Insight to In Situ Formed Catalytic System by DOSY and Multinuclear NMR Experiments

A series of squaric acid amides (synthesized in 66-99% isolated yields) and a set of chiral aminoalcohols were comparatively studied as ligands in a model reaction of reduction of α-chloroacetophenone with BH3•SMe2. In all cases, the aminoalcohols demonstrated better efficiency (up to 94% ee), while only poor asymmetric induction was achieved with the corresponding squaramides. A mechanistic insight on the in situ formation and stability at room temperature of intermediates generated from ligands and borane as possible precursors of the oxazaborolidine-based catalytic system has been obtained by 1H DOSY and multinuclear 1D and 2D (1H, 10/11B, 13C, 15N) NMR spectroscopy of equimolar mixtures of borane and selected ligands. These results contribute to better understanding the complexity of the processes occurring in the reaction mixture prior to the possible oxazaborolidine formation, which play a crucial role on the degree of enantioselectivity achieved in the borane reduction of α-chloroacetophenone.

A novel isosteviol-based bifunctional squaramide organocatalyst for enantioselective Michael addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins

Chiral amine-squaramide is a kind of effective hydrogen bond donor bifunctional catalyst to promote many asymmetric transformations. In this paper, novel chiral tertiary amine-squaramide derived from the natural product of the stevioside was developed and applied into the asymmetric Michael addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins. This asymmetric reaction performed well, and a series of enantiomerically enriched compounds were obtained in high yields (up to 96%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

Asymmetric Sequential Michael Addition and Cyclization Reactions of 2-(2-Nitrovinyl)phenols Catalyzed by Bifunctional Amino-Squaramides

In this work, we describe the Michael addition–cyclization reaction of 2-(2-nitrovinyl)phenol with two different reactive Michael donors, which lead to chiral benzopyran derivatives. Specifically, bifunctional amino-squaramides with one or two chiral units in the side chains were evaluated as catalysts in these transformations. Furthermore, the utility of selected green solvents as reaction media for these processes was also tested. The best result was achieved with methyl-cyclopentanone-2-carboxylate as the Michael donor in ethyl (–)-l-lactate with quinine-based amino-squaramide as catalyst (yield 72%, dr >99:1, ee 99%).

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Spirooxindole Embedded Oxazolidines

The first organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of spirooxindole embedded oxazolidines has been developed via a domino reaction involving hemiaminal formation, followed by an unprecedented aza-Michael reaction between isatin derived N-Boc ketimines and γ-hydroxy enones. A quinine derived bifunctional squaramide catalyst was found to be efficient for this reaction, and the products were obtained in good diastereoselectivity and with high enantioselectivity.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Addition of Aromatic α-Cyanoketones to o-Quinone Methides: Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydrocoumarins and Tetrasubstituted Chromans

The first organocatalytic asymmetric addition of aromatic α-cyanoketones to in situ-generated o-quinone methides has been developed. The products 3,4-dihydrocoumarin and tetrasubstituted chroman were obtained via addition of aromatic α-cyanoketones to in situ-generated o-quinone methides followed by treatment with 0.7 N HCl. With 10 mol % catalyst, the desired products were obtained in high enantio- and diastereoselectivities.

Exploring the Role of Aminocatalysis in the Dearomatization and Regioselectivity of Heteroaromatic Aldehydes

Heteroaromatic aldehydes have recently received a lot of attention as a scaffold for aminocatalytic functionalization as they allow for the construction of remote stereocenters and highly complex heterocyclic compounds. In this paper, we employ computational methods (M06-2X/cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/6-31 + G(d,p) and MP2/cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/6-31 + G(d,p)) to examine the abilities of secondary amines to activate several model heteroaromatic aldehydes by promoting loss of aromaticity and formation of the reactive trienamine intermediate. The hyperhomodesmotic equations used to assess the energy penalty for dearomatization show that the formation of the iminium ion decreases the energy cost for dearomatization, especially when X = O and S. Furthermore, we also investigated the role that the catalyst and heteroatom may have on the orbital coefficients of the various positions of the trienamine intermediary in order to better understand and/or predict the regioselectivity these systems may showcase. Synergistic effects between the catalyst and the heteroatom of the aromatic ring were observed to increase electron density at the most remote positions of several of the model systems studied.

Organocatalytic total synthesis of bioactive compounds based on one-pot methodologies

The combination of one-pot methodologies to asymmetric organocatalysis allow a green and direct access to many types of complex highly functionalized chiral products, including important key intermediates in total syntheses of important bioactive compounds. A series of chiral organocatalysts have already been successfully applied to such syntheses. This report collects major developments in the total synthesis of biologically active products based on the use of enantioselective organocatalytic domino/tandem reactions as key steps. It is divided into two parts dealing successively with reactions based on the use of proline-derived catalysts and other organocatalysts.

Diaminomethylenemalononitrile as a Chiral Single Hydrogen Bond Catalyst: Application to Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of α-Branched Aldehydes

An improved diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst, bearing a N,N-disubstituted structure, promoted enantioselective conjugate addition reaction of α-branched aldehydes with vinyl sulfone, affording adducts with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee). Mechanistic studies revealed that the diaminomethylenemalononitrile motif holds the vinyl sulfone substrate using a single hydrogen bond accompanied by multiple weak interactions, including electrostatic C-H⋅⋅⋅O interactions.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Construction of Chiral Azepine Skeleton Bearing Multiple-Stereogenic Elements

Enantioselective construction of molecules bearing multiple stereogenic elements is increasingly related to the synthesis of enantiopure natural products, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials. However, atom-economical and enantioselective approaches to install multiple stereogenic elements in a small molecular template by limited chemical transformation remain challenging. We describe an organocatalytic enantioselective method for the preparation of polychiral molecules bearing four types of stereogenic elements in fused azepines via vinylidene ortho-quinone methide (VQM)-mediated intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution. This method was proved robust with a wide range of substrate scope (46-92 % yield), with excellent diastereoselectivity (>20:1 dr) and enantioselectivity achieved (up to 97 % ee). Optical properties and Ru³⁺ -induced fluorescence responses of these compounds suggest their potential applications in optoelectronic materials and heavy metal ion detection.

Asymmetric organocatalysis: an enabling technology for medicinal chemistry

The efficacy and synthetic versatility of asymmetric organocatalysis have contributed enormously to the field of organic synthesis since the early 2000s. As asymmetric organocatalytic methods mature, they have extended beyond the academia and undergone scale-up for the production of chiral drugs, natural products, and enantiomerically enriched bioactive molecules. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of asymmetric organocatalysis in medicinal chemistry. A general picture of asymmetric organocatalytic strategies in medicinal chemistry is firstly presented, and the specific applications of these strategies in pharmaceutical synthesis are systematically described, with a focus on the preparation of antiviral, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular, antibacterial, and antiparasitic agents, as well as several miscellaneous bioactive agents. The review concludes with a discussion of the challenges, limitations and future prospects for organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of medicinally valuable compounds.

Revealing the Similarities of α,β-Unsaturated Iminiums and Acylazoliums in Organocatalysis

The secondary amine-catalyzed reactions proceeding via α,β-unsaturated iminiums and the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed transformations taking place via α,β-unsaturated acylazoliums are the two widely used electrophilic intermediates in organocatalysis. Over the last two decades, these two intermediates are extensively utilized for the enantioselective construction of valuable molecules. Both intermediates are generated by the covalent binding of catalysts to the substrates leading to LUMO activation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls. A variety of soft nucleophiles are known to add to the α,β-unsaturated iminiums and acylazoliums in a conjugate fashion, and in many cases, striking similarity in reactivity has been observed. Having said this, there are few cases where these intermediates exhibit difference in reactivity. This Minireview is aimed at highlighting the resemblances in reactivity between α,β-unsaturated iminiums and acylazoliums thereby shedding light on the unnoticed parallels of the two intermediates in organocatalysis.

Catalytic Enantioselective Strecker Reaction of Isatin-Derived N-Unsubstituted Ketimines

A catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction of isatin-derived N-unsubstituted ketimines directly afforded the N-unprotected α-aminonitriles with a tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter in up to 99% ee without requiring protection/deprotection steps. One-pot Strecker reactions from the parent carbonyl compounds were also realized with comparable yields and enantioselectivities. Direct transformations of the N-unprotected α-aminonitrile products streamlined the synthesis of unnatural amino acid derivatives and achieved the shortest one-pot stereoselective routes to a biologically active compound reported to date.

Squaramide-Catalyzed Asymmetric Intramolecular Oxa-Michael Reaction of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyls Containing Benzyl Alcohol: Construction of Chiral 1-Substituted Phthalans

Organocatalytic enantioselective intramolecular oxa-Michael reactions of benzyl alcohol bearing α,β-unsaturated carbonyls as Michael acceptors are presented herein. Using cinchona squaramide-based organocatalyst, enones as well as α,β-unsaturated esters containing benzyl alcohol provided their corresponding 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuranyl-1-methylene ketones and 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuranyl-1-methylene esters in excellent yields with high enantioselectivities. In addition, enantioenriched 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuranyl-1-methylene ketone could be obtained from the Wittig/oxa-Michael reaction cascade of 1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-ol.

Organocatalyzed Heterocyclic Transformations In Green Media: A Review

Background:

Since the discovery of metal-free catalysts or organocatalysts about twenty years ago, a number of small molecules with different structures have been used to accelerate organic transformations. With the development of environmental awareness, to obtain highly efficient scaffolds, scientists have directed their studies towards synthetic methodologies that minimize or preferably eliminate the formation of waste, avoid toxic solvents and reagents and use renewable starting materials as far as possible.

Methods:

In this connection, the organocatalytic reactions providing efficiency and selectivity for most of the transformations have become an endless topic in organic chemistry since several advantages from both practical and environmental standpoints. Organocatalysts contributing to the transformation of reactants into products with the least possible waste production, have been serving the concept of green chemistry.

Results and Conclusion:

Organocatalysts have been classified based on their binding capacity to the substrate with covalent or noncovalent interactions involving hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Diverse types of small organic compounds including proline and its derivatives, phase-transfer catalysts, (thio)urease, phosphoric acids, sulfones, N-oxides, guanidines, cinchona derivatives, aminoindanol, and amino acids have been utilized as hydrogen bonding organocatalysts in different chemical transformations.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition to Unsaturated Indolyl Ketones

An efficient enantioselective organocatalytic method for the synthesis of N-alkylated indoles with α-branched alkyl substituents from the corresponding unsaturated indolyl ketones via a Michael addition has been developed. The resulting products were obtained in high enantioselectivities and in good yields. Various nucleophiles (nitroalkanes, malononitrile, malonic esters) can be used. The substitution pattern of the indole ring had no significant impact on the reaction outcome. Both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents in any position of the heteroaromatic ring were well-tolerated.

Highly enantioselective one-pot sequential synthesis of valerolactones and pyrazolones bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocentres

Highly enantiopure and bioactive δ-valerolactones and pyrazolones, bearing α-all-carbon quaternary stereocentres, were successfully and sequentially prepared via a one-pot procedure starting from readily available, inexpensive materials, catalysed by a new chiral squaramide under mild reaction conditions. An organocatalytic Michael reaction afforded the valerolactones, while a one-pot Michael-hydrazinolysis-imidization cascade yielded the pyrazolones. This procedure is economically efficient and environmentally benign.

Probing α-Amino Aldehydes as Weakly Acidic Pronucleophiles: Direct Access to Quaternary α-Amino Aldehydes by an Enantioselective Michael Addition Catalyzed by Brønsted Bases

The high tendency of α-amino aldehydes to undergo 1,2-additions and their relatively low stability under basic conditions have largely prevented their use as pronucleophiles in the realm of asymmetric catalysis, particularly for the production of quaternary α-amino aldehydes. Herein, it is demonstrated that the chemistry of α-amino aldehydes may be expanded beyond these limits by documenting the first direct α-alkylation of α-branched α-amino aldehydes with nitroolefins. The reaction produces densely functionalized products bearing up to two, quaternary and tertiary, vicinal stereocenters with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. DFT modeling leads to the proposal that intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the NH group and the carbonyl oxygen atom in the starting α-amino aldehyde is key for reaction stereocontrol.

Enantioselective Protonation: Hydrophosphinylation of 1,1-Vinyl Azaheterocycle N-Oxides Catalyzed by Chiral Bis(guanidino)iminophosphorane Organosuperbase

Enantioselective protonation by hydrophosphinylation of diarylphosphine oxides with 2-vinyl azaheterocycle N-oxide derivatives was demonstrated using chiral bis(guanidino)iminophosphorane as the higher-order organosuperbase catalyst. It was confirmed by several control experiments that a chiral weak conjugate acid of the chiral bis(guanidino)iminophosphorane, instead of achiral diarylphosphine oxides, directly functioned as the proton source to afford the corresponding product in a highly enantioselective manner in most cases. Enantioselective protonation by a weak conjugate acid generated from the higher-order organosuperbase would broaden the scope of enantioselective reaction systems because of utilization of a range of less acidic pronucleophiles. This method is highlighted by the valuable synthesis of a series of chiral P,N-ligands for chiral metal complexes through the reduction of phosphine oxide and N-oxide units of the corresponding product without loss of enantiomeric purity.

Pd-Catalyzed Rearrangement of N-Alloc-N-allyl Ynamides via Auto-Tandem Catalysis: Evidence for Reversible C-N Activation and Pd(0)-Accelerated Ketenimine Aza-Claisen Rearrangement

An auto-tandem catalytic double allylic rearrangement of N-alloc-N-allyl ynamides was developed. This reaction proceeds through two separate and distinct catalytic cycles with both decarboxylative Pd-π-allyl and Pd(0)-promoted aza-Claisen rearrangements occurring. A detailed mechanistic study supported by computations highlights these two separate mechanisms. Previously unreported reversible C-N ionization and a Pd(0)-catalyzed [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement were discovered. This study provides new reaction pathways for both π-allyl and sigmatropic rearrangements.