Copper-catalyzed intramolecular alkene carboetherification: synthesis of fused-ring and bridged-ring tetrahydrofurans

6-Azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes Via Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkene Carboamination

Bridged bicyclic rings containing nitrogen heterocycles are important motifs in bioactive small organic molecules. An enantioselective copper-catalyzed alkene carboamination reaction that creates bridged heterocycles is reported herein. Two new rings are formed in this alkene carboamination reaction where N-sulfonyl-2-aryl-4-pentenamines are converted to 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes using [Ph-Box-Cu](OTf)₂ or related catalysts in the presence of MnO₂ as stoichiometric oxidant in moderate to good yields and generally excellent enantioselectivities. Two new stereocenters are formed in the reaction, and the C-C bond-forming arene addition is a net C-H functionalization.

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed carboetherification of unactivated alkenes

Chiral saturated oxygen heterocycles are important components of bioactive compounds. Cyclization of alcohols onto pendant alkenes is a direct route to their synthesis, but few catalytic enantioselective methods enabling cyclization onto unactivated alkenes exist. Herein reported is a highly efficient copper-catalyzed cyclization of γ-unsaturated pentenols which terminates in C-C bond formation, a net alkene carboetherification. Both intra- and intermolecular C-C bond formations are demonstrated, thus yielding functionalized chiral tetrahydrofurans as well as fused-ring and bridged-ring oxabicyclic products. Transition-state calculations support a cis-oxycupration stereochemistry-determining step.

Copper-Catalyzed Alkene Diamination: Synthesis of Chiral 2-Aminomethyl Indolines and Pyrrolidines

Chiral vicinal diamines, including 2-aminomethyl indolines and pyrrolidines, are useful as ligands for catalytic asymmetric reactions and are also found as important components of bioactive compounds. Herein is reported the first copper-catalyzed alkene diamination that occurs with high enantioselectivity. The substrate range is the broadest yet reported for this kind of intra-/intermolecular reaction sequence both with respect to γ-alkenyl sulfonamide substrate and external amine nucleophile. The resulting products expand the availability of substituted 2-aminomethyl indolines and pyrrolidines, privileged compounds in asymmetric catalysis and medicinal chemistry. A unique solution to a challenging oxidation problem related to copper catalyst turnover is also presented.

Copper-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective intermolecular three-component oxyarylation of allenes

A copper(II)-catalyzed intermolecular three-component oxyarylation of allenes using arylboronic acids as a carbon source and TEMPO as an oxygen source is described. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions with high regio- and stereoselectivity and functional group tolerance. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed, involving carbocupration of allenes, homolysis of the intervening allylcopper(II), and a radical TEMPO trap.

Enantioselective functionalization of radical intermediates in redox catalysis: copper-catalyzed asymmetric oxytrifluoromethylation of alkenes

A method for the efficient enantioselective oxytrifluoromethylation of alkenes has been developed using a copper catalyst system. Mechanistic studies are consistent with a metal-catalyzed redox radical addition mechanism, in which a C–O bond is formed via the copper-mediated enantioselective trapping of a prochiral alkyl radical intermediate derived from the initial trifluoromethyl radical addition.

A computational study of the copper(II)-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aminooxygenation of alkenes

The origin of the enantioselectivity in the [Cu(R,R)-Ph-box](OTf)2-catalyzed intramolecular aminooxygenation of N-sulfonyl-2-allylanilines and 4-pentenylsulfonamides to afford chiral indolines and pyrrolidines, respectively, was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The pyrrolidine-forming transition-state model for the major enantiomer involves a chairlike seven-membered cyclization transition state with a distorted square-planar copper center, while the transition-state model for the minor enantiomer was found to have a boatlike cyclization geometry having a distorted tetrahedral geometry about the copper center. Similar copper-geometry trends were observed in the chiral indoline-forming reactions. These models were found to be qualitatively consistent with experimental results and allow for rationalization of how substitution on the substrate backbone and N-sulfonyl substituent affect the level of enantioselectivity in these and related copper(II)-catalyzed enantioselective reactions.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative amination and allylic amination of alkenes

Enamines and enamides are useful synthetic intermediates and common components of bioactive compounds. A new protocol for their direct synthesis by a net alkene C-H amination and allylic amination by using catalytic Cu(II) in the presence of MnO2 is reported. Reactions between N-aryl sulfonamides and vinyl arenes furnish enamides, allylic amines, indoles, benzothiazine dioxides, and dibenzazepines directly and efficiently. Control experiments further showed that MnO2 alone can promote the reaction in the absence of a copper salt, albeit with lower efficiency. Mechanistic probes support the involvement of nitrogen-radical intermediates. This method is ideal for the synthesis of enamides from 1,1-disubstituted vinyl arenes, which are uncommon substrates in existing oxidative amination protocols.

Enantioselective synthesis of hindered cyclic dialkyl ethers via catalytic oxa-Michael/Michael desymmetrization

An asymmetric oxa-Michael/Michael cascade reaction of p-quinols and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes provides access to hindered dialkyl ethers. A highly enantioselective oxa-Michael addition of a tertiary alcohol precedes an intramolecular cyclohexadienone desymmetrization, which allows for the concomitant formation of four contiguous stereocenters in a single step. The highly functionalized bicyclic frameworks are rapidly obtained from simple starting materials with good diastereoselection and serve as valuable precursors for further manipulation.

Chiral Indoline Synthesis Via Enantioselective Intramolecular Copper-Catalyzed Alkene Hydroamination

An enantioselective copper-catalyzed hydroamination / cyclization of N-sulfonyl-2-allylanilines for the synthesis of chiral 2-methylindolines is reported. Chiral 2-methylindolines are important subunits in drugs and bioactive compounds. This method provides chiral N-sulfonyl-2-methyl indolines in up to 90% ee.

Stereoselective synthesis of morpholines via copper-promoted oxyamination of alkenes

A new copper(II) 2-ethylhexanoate-promoted addition of an alcohol and an amine across an alkene (oxyamination) is reported. The alcohol addition is intramolecular, while coupling with the amine occurs intermolecularly. Several 2-aminomethyl morpholines were synthesized in good to excellent yields and diastereoselectivities.

Copper-catalyzed oxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes

A mild, versatile, and convenient method for the efficient oxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes based on a copper-catalyzed oxidative difunctionalization strategy has been developed. This methodology provides access to a variety of classes of synthetically useful CF(3)-containing building blocks from simple starting materials.