A Neutral PCNHCP Co(I)-Me Pincer Complex as a Catalyst for N-Allylic Isomerization with a Broad Substrate Scope

Earth-abundant-metal catalyzed double bond transposition offers a sustainable and atom-economical route toward the synthesis of internal alkenes. With an emphasis specifically on internal olefins and ethers, the isomerization of allylic amines has been particularly under represented in the literature. Herein, we report an efficient methodology for the selective isomerization of N-allylic organic compounds, including amines, amides, and imines. The reaction is catalyzed by a neutral PCNHCP cobalt(I) pincer complex and proceeds via a π-allyl mechanism. The isomerization occurs readily at 80-90 °C, and it is compatible with a wide variety of functional groups. The in situ formed enamines could additionally be used for a one-pot inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction to furnish a series of diversely substituted heterobiaryls, which is further discussed in this report.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spiroisoindolinones from Enamides

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of spiroisoindolinones from enamides and 3-hydroxy-isoindolinones is reported. The reaction proceeds rapidly in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as a Brønsted acid catalyst and affords a variety of densely substituted spiroisoindolinones with three contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields (≤98%) and diastereoselectivities (up to dr >98:<2:0:0).

Remote Stereocenter through Amide-Directed, Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroboration of Unactivated Internal Alkenes

Despite the frequent occurrence of γ-branched amines in bioactive molecules, the direct catalytic asymmetric synthesis of this structural motif containing a remote stereocenter remains an important synthetic challenge. Here, we report an amide-directed, rhodium-catalyzed highly diastereo- and enantioselective hydroboration of unactivated internal alkenes. This method provided facile access to enantioenriched amines containing β,γ-vicinal stereocenters. The application of this strategy to the synthesis of bioactive molecules was demonstrated. Computational studies indicated that migratory insertion of the alkene into rhodium hydride controls the enantioselectivity.

Manganese(iii) acetate-mediated direct C(sp2)–H-sulfonylation of enamides with sodium and lithium sulfinates

A Mn(OAc)₃ mediated oxidative C(sp²)–H sulfonylation of enamides and encarbamates with sodium and lithium sulfinates is reported.

Bi(OTf)3-Catalyzed Diastereoselective One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3-Diamines with Three Continuous Stereogenic Centers

A highly modular, diastereoselective one-pot-synthesis of 1,3-diamines with three contiguous stereogenic centers is reported. Our method provides a fast and efficient access to 1,2- anti-2,3- anti-1,3-diamines from three readily available building blocks. This Bi(OTf)₃-catalyzed reaction is insensitive to air and moisture and can be performed on a multigram scale.

Stereoselective One-Pot Synthesis of Dihydropyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole-6(2H)-ones

A diastereoselective one-pot synthesis of highly substituted dihydropyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole-6(2H)-ones containing three continuous stereocenters is reported. The reaction sequence is based on a hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between an enimide and a N-acylimine followed by an unprecedented Brønsted acid mediated rearrangement of an intermediate 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine to a pyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole.

Synthesis and crystal structures of two structurally related kryptoracemates

Kryptoracemates are racemic compounds (pairs of enantiomers) that crystallize in Sohnke space groups (space groups that contain neither inversion centres nor mirror or glide planes nor rotoinversion axes). Thus, the two symmetry-independent molecules cannot be transformed into one another by any symmetry element present in the crystal structure. Usually, the conformation of the two enantiomers is rather similar if not identical. Sometimes, the two enantiomers are related by a pseudosymmetry element, which is often a pseudocentre of inversion, because inversion symmetry is thought to be favourable for crystal packing. We obtained crystals of two kryptoracemates of two very similar compounds differing in just one residue, namely rac-N-[(1S,2R,3S)-2-methyl-3-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)-1-phenyl-3-(pivalamido)propyl]benzamide, C₂₇H₃₂N₂O₃, (I), and rac-N-[(1S,2S,3R)-2-methyl-3-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)-1-phenyl-3-(propionamido)propyl]benzamide dichloromethane hemisolvate, C₂₅H₂₈N₂O₃·0.5CH₂Cl₂, (II). The crystals of both compounds contain both enantiomers of these chiral molecules. However, since the space groups [P2₁2₁2₁ for (I) and P1 for (II)] contain neither inversion centres nor mirror or glide planes nor rotoinversion axes, there are both enantiomers in the asymmetric unit, which is a rather uncommon phenomenon. In addition, it is remarkable that (II) contains two pairs of enantiomers in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, molecules are connected by intermolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds to form chains or layered structures.