Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to Alkylidenemalonates Promoted by Thiourea-Based Bifunctional Organocatalysts

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Nitromethane to Benzylidene-2-Benzoyl Acetate: Asymmetric Synthesis of ABT - 627, an Endothelin Receptor Antagonist

First catalytic and enantioselective conjugate addition of nitromethane to benzylidene-2-benzoyl acetate has been developed using dihydroquinine derived squaramide catalyst with moderate to high selectivities. Asymmetric total synthesis of ABT-627, a potent ETA receptor antagonist is accomplished utilizing the developed method in overall 15.7% yield.

Chiral Thioureas-Preparation and Significance in Asymmetric Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry

For almost 20 years, thioureas have been experiencing a renaissance of interest with the emerged development of asymmetric organocatalysts. Due to their relatively high acidity and strong hydrogen bond donor capability, they differ significantly from ureas and offer, appropriately modified, great potential as organocatalysts, chelators, drug candidates, etc. The review focuses on the family of chiral thioureas, presenting an overview of the current state of knowledge on their synthesis and selected applications in stereoselective synthesis and drug development.

Highly stereoselective [4+2] and [3+2] spiroannulations of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)acetic esters catalyzed by bifunctional thioureas

A new Michael-Michael cascade reaction between 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)acetic esters 1 and nitroenoates 2, catalyzed by bifunctional thioureas, is investigated. The combination of the two Michael reactions results in a novel and facile [4+2] or [3+2] spiroannulation process, which is characterized by the following features: 1) two carbon-carbon bonds and four stereocenters, including a quaternary spiro carbon, are formed under mild conditions; 2) an unprecedented and stereochemically defined substitution pattern on the spirocarbocyclic unit is obtained; 3) the double-bond configuration of the donor-acceptor nitroenoate 2 determines the absolute configuration of the spiro center, whereas the remaining stereocenters are formed under control of the catalyst. The effect on the final stereochemical outcome of structural variations of each starting material, catalyst, and experimental conditions is analyzed in detail. In particular, the use of specifically designed chiral nitroenoates enables diverse polyfunctional spirocyclohexane derivatives containing six consecutive stereogenic centers to be constructed. To our knowledge, this is the first asymmetric organocatalytic strategy enabling both five- and six-membered β-nitro spirocarbocyclic oxindoles.

Organocatalysed Michael addition on arylmethylidenemalonates involving 4-(2-nitrophenyl)acetoacetate: diversity-oriented access to 8,9-dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indol-6(7H)-one and salicylate scaffolds

A diversity-oriented synthesis of 8,9-dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indol-6(7H)-one and salicylate scaffolds was achieved in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities (≤96 : 4 dr) via an organocatalytic reaction of alkylidene malonates with 4-(2-nitrophenyl) acetoacetate.

Asymmetric Michael addition reactions of nitroalkanes to 2-furanones catalyzed by bifunctional thiourea catalysts

The first bifunctional thiourea catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition reactions of nitroalkanes to 2-furanones are described.