Recent Advances in Organocatalytic Methods for Asymmetric CC Bond Formation

An Asymmetric Organocatalytic Quadruple Cascade to Tetraaryl-Substituted 2-Azabicyclo[3.3.0]octadienones

A new asymmetric organocatalytic three-component quadruple cascade of α-ketoamides with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is described. The reaction is catalyzed by the (S)-diphenylprolinol TMS ether catalyst and proceeds via an aza-Michael/aldol condensation/vinylogous Michael/aldol condensation sequence to yield tetraaryl-substituted 2-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octadienone derivatives. The cascade products are obtained with good to very good yields (34-71%), virtually complete diastereoselectivities (>20:1), and very good enantioselectivities (84-97%).

Organocatalytic access to enantioenriched dihydropyran phosphonates via an inverse-electron-demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction

The enantioselective inverse-electron-demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of the remote olefin functionality in dienamines has been developed by the simultaneous activation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and acyl phosphonates. The dual activation is based on an organocatalyst that activates both the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, through dienamine formation, and the acyl phosphonate by hydrogen-bonding. The enantioselective reaction results in the formation of dihydropyran frameworks with three contiguous stereogenic centers. Different substitution patterns are possible for both the heterodiene and the dienophile, and the target products are obtained in good yields and up to 92% ee. The potential of the reaction is demonstrated by transformation of the products into valuable and complex synthons.

Organocatalysis: Key Trends in Green Synthetic Chemistry, Challenges, Scope towards Heterogenization, and Importance from Research and Industrial Point of View

This paper purports to review catalysis, particularly the organocatalysis and its origin, key trends, challenges, examples, scope, and importance. The definition of organocatalyst corresponds to a low molecular weight organic molecule which in stoichiometric amounts catalyzes a chemical reaction. In this review, the use of the term heterogenized organocatalyst will be exclusively confined to a catalytic system containing an organic molecule immobilized onto some sort of support material and is responsible for accelerating a chemical reaction. Firstly, a brief description of the field is provided putting it in a green and sustainable perspective of chemistry. Next, research findings on the use of organocatalysts on various inorganic supports including nano(porous)materials, nanoparticles, silica, and zeolite/zeolitic materials are scrutinized in brief. Then future scope, research directions, and academic and industrial applications will be outlined. A succinct account will summarize some of the research and developments in the field. This review tries to bring many outstanding researches together and shows the vitality of the organocatalysis through several aspects.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized 1,3,5-Triarylpyrrolidin-2-ones via an Aza-Michael/Aldol Domino Reaction

The organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of functionalized 1,3,5-triarylpyrrolidin-2-ones bearing three contiguous stereocenters through an aza-Michael/aldol domino reaction of α-ketoamides with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is described. The domino products were further derivatized by aldehyde olefination under one-pot conditions. The reaction proceeds with excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (60-96% ee).

Organocatalytic asymmetric formation of steroids

A novel and simple one-step approach for the construction of optically active steroids in a highly stereoselective manner by using organocatalysis is presented. The reaction of (di)enals with cyclic dienophiles in the presence of a TMS-protected prolinol catalyst leads to the construction of important 14 β-steroids. This new reaction allows an easy access to optically active steroids with a variety of substituents in the A ring in high yields and up to greater than 99 % ee. The reaction has been extended to include the construction of B- and D-homosteroids as well as steroids containing heteroatoms in the B ring. The angular substituent at C13 can be varied and alkyl, ester, and sulfone functionalities are introduced with excellent stereoselectivities. Simple synthetic procedures provide access to a range of naturally occurring steroids such as estrone and related analogues.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Dihydro- and Tetrahydropyrans via an Organocatalytic Domino Michael-Hemiacetalization Reaction

Starting from α-hydroxymethyl nitroalkenes and various 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, a one-pot organocatalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of polyfunctionalized dihydro- and tetrahydropyran derivatives via a domino Michael-hemiacetalization sequence is reported. The title compounds bearing a variety of functional groups can be synthesized in this way in good yields (59-91%) and with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities (26-98% de) and enantioselectivities (71-99% ee).

Synthesis of γ-nitroaldehydes containing quaternary carbon in the α-position using a 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase whole-cell biocatalyst

Synthetically valuable quaternary carbon containing γ-nitroaldehydes were obtained from branched chain aldehydes and a range of α,β-unsaturated nitroalkenes by a whole-cell biocatalytic reaction using 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase as catalyst.

The smallest organocatalyst in highly enantioselective direct aldol reaction in wet solvent-free conditions

The catalytic efficacy of the smallest organocatalyst, l-proline hydrazide, prepared from a cheaply available natural amino acid, such as l-proline, was studied for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction of various ketones with aromatic aldehydes at room temperature in the presence of several acid additives.

Peptidomimetic organocatalysts: efficient Michael addition of ketones onto nitroolefins with very low catalyst loading

The syntheses and applications of peptidomimetic triazole-based catalysts are described as efficient organocatalysts in Michael reaction with low loading.

Stereoselectivity through a network of non-classical CH weak interactions: a prospective study of a bicyclic organocatalytic scaffold

The preferred stereoisomeric product of this catalytic Diels–Alder reaction is in part determined by noncovalent CH⋯π interactions.