An Expedient and Stereoselective Synthesis of Alkenyl Nonaflates from Silyl Enol Ethers: Optimization, Scope and Limitations

Synthesis of Chiral Tertiary Allylic- and Propargylic Fluorides from Nonaflates of Chiral α-Fluorinated β-Keto Dicarbonyl Compounds

The acetyl group of chiral α-fluorinated dicarbonyl compounds was transformed to nonaflates through a reaction with perfluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride in the presence of DBU in 82-95% yield. These nonaflates were used in Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions to afford chiral tertiary allylic fluorides bearing gem-disubstituted terminal alkenes with excellent optical purities (45-91%, ≥94% ee). In addition, chiral tertiary propargylic fluorides were obtained from the reaction of nonaflates with DBU (73-86%, ≥94% ee).

[Catalytic Synthesis of Optically Active Polycyclic Heterocyclic Compounds]

In basic pharmaceutical sciences to achieve drug development, research on the efficient chemical synthesis of small molecules having cyclic skeletons is important. We have been engaged in the development of artificial catalysts for asymmetric ring formation reactions that exclusively synthesize right-handed or left-handed cyclic compounds and have achieved the construction of optically active cyclic skeletons using our original catalysts. The synthesis of biologically active compounds was facilitated through six-membered ring construction by Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky diene; however, no asymmetric variant of the reaction has been achieved. We approached this unresolved issue using multi-coordinated lanthanide metals. A new chiral lanthanide catalyst was developed, and the catalytic asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky diene was realized for the first time. By modifying the chemical structure of Danishefsky diene, we applied the lanthanide catalyst to the syntheses of polycyclic compounds and biologically active compounds. We achieved the asymmetric synthesis of natural products, antibacterial and antimalarial compounds, and an anti-obesity drug lead compound. Moreover, the novel catalyst exhibited higher performance than the previously reported ones. The latest generation of the catalyst can be handled stably in air at room temperature. Furthermore, we succeeded in the development of new catalysts by focusing on the properties of its metal precursors, such as nickel and indium, and achieved the construction of polycyclic skeletons by using these catalysts.

Palladium-catalyzed 1,4-difunctionalization of butadiene to form skipped polyenes

A palladium-catalyzed 1,4-addition across the commodity chemical 1,3-butadiene to afford skipped polyene products is reported. Through a palladium σ → π → σ allyl isomerization, two new carbon-carbon bonds are formed with high regioselectivity and trans stereoselectivity of the newly formed alkene. The utility of this method is highlighted by the successful synthesis of the ripostatin A skipped triene core.

Catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-platyphyllide and its structural revision

The catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of platyphyllide has been accomplished. A key highly substituted cyclohexene derivative has been obtained by the catalytic asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky diene with an electron-deficient alkene. The Diels-Alder adduct was converted to a protected cyclohexane-1,3-dione in chiral form by catalytic Ito-Saegusa oxidation. Although the reported structure of platyphyllide was successfully synthesized, the optical rotation was opposite that of the natural compound. The absolute configuration of natural (-)-platyphyllide is revised to be a (6S,7S)-enantiomer.

First Comprehensive Investigation of Suzuki Couplings of Alkenyl Nonaflates with Aryl and Alkenyl Boronic Acid Derivatives by Using Classical Conditions and Microwave Heating

Alkenyl nonaflates (nonafluorobutanesulfonates) are excellent substrates in a variety of palladium-catalysed coupling reactions. We herein demonstrate that bicyclic nonaflates generated from 8-heterobicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one derivatives can be coupled with aryl or alkenyl boronic acids in a very efficient manner. The resulting densely functionalised bicyclic skeletons are highly suitable for further synthetic elaboration. The thermal Suzuki couplings provided the expected products in moderate to good yields. Microwave (MW) irradiation dramatically shortened reaction times and gave superior results. Bisboronic ester 19 was also coupled with bicyclic nonaflates, for example, with 14, and double Suzuki-coupling products, such as 22, were isolated in good yields. We demonstrated the great synthetic potential of aryl-substituted 8-heterobicyclo[3.2.1]octene derivatives, such as 15, by the stereoselective conversion of this compound into highly substituted furanose 31 or substituted pyran derivative 33, which were obtained in short and efficient reaction sequences.

Palladium-catalyzed amination of aryl nonaflates

The first detailed study of the palladium-catalyzed amination of aryl nonaflates is reported. Use of ligands 2-4 and 6 allows for the catalytic amination of electron-rich and -neutral aryl nonaflates with both primary and secondary amines. With use of Xantphos 5, the catalytic amination of a variety of functionalized aryl nonaflates resulted in excellent yields of anilines; even 2-carboxymethyl aryl nonaflate is effectively coupled with a primary alkylamine. Moderate yields were obtained when coupling halo-aryl nonaflates with a variety of amines, where in most cases the aryl nonaflate reacted in preference to the aryl halide. Overall, aryl nonaflates are an effective alternative to triflates in palladium-catalyzed C-N bond-forming processes due to their increased stability under the reaction conditions.