Intercepting the Gold-Catalysed Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement by Controlled Protodemetallation: A Regioselective Hydration of Propargylic Alcohols

Gold-Catalyzed Asymmetric Transformation of Hydroxylated Propargylic Esters

By combining tandem asymmetric gold catalysis and subsequent stereoconvergent hydrolysis of enol ester in a one-pot process, hydroxylated propargylic esters are converted into chiral β-oxygenated ketones with mostly good enantiomeric ratios and in largely good to excellent yields. The product chiral center is formed via stereoselective cyclization of a hydroxylated allenyl ester intermediate, which is enabled by asymmetric gold-ligand cooperation.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Heterocycles via Allene Oxide from Propargylic Alcohols

A new mechanistic pathway of propargylic alcohol activation by gold(I) catalysis has been proposed toward the efficient synthesis of N-protected pyrroles, 5,6-dihydropyridin-3(4H)-ones from N-protected 5-aminopent-2-yn-1-ol, and 5-aminopent-2-yn-1-ol. Control experiments support that the reaction proceeded via the neighboring group participation of the oxygen atom of propargylic alcohol to form an allene oxide intermediate where the nucleophilic heteroatom attacks intramolecularly. Further, this methodology is successfully extrapolated toward the atom-economic synthesis of hydroxyalkyl indoles and benzofurans. The short reaction time of 30 s, low catalyst loading of 0.5 mol %, high yield, variation in the substrate scope, and procedurally simple open-flask reaction conditions make this methodology highly applied.

Cationic gold-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of substituted 1,5-diynes to access indenone derivatives

An efficient intramolecular cyclization reaction was developed to achive indenone derivatives. The substituted 1,5-diyenes were converted to the cooresponding indenones via gold-catalyzed organic transformation and moderate to excellent yields of the title molecules were obatined via formation of two C=O and one C-C bonds under mild reaction condtions in one-pot.

Gold (I)-Promoted Intermolecular Cascade Annulation to Access 2-Hydroxybenzocarbazoles via a Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement

An efficient cascade annulation protocol was established to access substituted 2-hydroxybenzocarbazoles from alkynylcyclohexadienones and substituted 2-aminophenols under gold catalysis. In this transformation a new C-C, two C-N bonds were formed sequentially and moderate to excellent yields of 2-hydroxybenzocarbazole derivatives were obtained selectively via Meyer-Schuster rearrangement in one-pot.

Experimental and computational evidence on gold-catalyzed regioselective hydration of phthalimido-protected propargylamines: an entry to β-amino ketones

The results of our investigations on the Au-catalyzed regioselective hydration reaction of both alkyl- and aryl-substituted N-propargyl phthalimides directed to the selective formation of the corresponding β-phthalimido ketones are described. Experimental data, in particular the observed regioselectivity, have been qualitatively supported by quantum-chemical calculations carried out on model systems in the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT) followed by quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIMS). Our results suggest that the electronic features of the initial adduct between the propargyl triple bond and the Au(i) catalyst, in particular the character of the gold-triple bond interaction, are essential for the observed regioselectivity. Other effects, such as the presence of the solvent and the formation of a H-bond between the water molecule and the phthalimido moiety, although apparently irrelevant for the regioselectivity, have proven to be kinetically and catalytically rather important.

Gold-Catalyzed Hydroamination of Propargylic Alcohols: Controlling Divergent Catalytic Reaction Pathways To Access 1,3-Amino Alcohols, 3-Hydroxyketones, or 3-Aminoketones

A versatile approach to the valorization of propargylic alcohols is reported, enabling controlled access to three different products from the same starting materials. First, a general method for the hydroamination of propargylic alcohols with anilines is described using gold catalysis to give 3-hydroxyimines with complete regioselectivity. These 3-hydroxyimines can be reduced to give 1,3-amino alcohols with high syn selectivity. Alternatively, by using a catalytic quantity of aniline, 3-hydroxyketones can be obtained in high yield directly from propargylic alcohols. Further manipulation of the reaction conditions enables the selective formation of 3-aminoketones via a rearrangement/hydroamination pathway. The utility of the new chemistry was exemplified by the one-pot synthesis of a selection of N-arylpyrrolidines and N-arylpiperidines. A mechanism for the hydroamination has been proposed on the basis of experimental studies and density functional theory calculations.

Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of 6-Hydroxyindoles from Alkynylcyclohexadienones and Substituted Amines

An efficient gold-catalyzed formation of 6-hydroxyindoles from substituted alkynylcyclohexadienones and amines have been developed. In this reaction two new C-N bonds were formed, and moderate to very good yields of the 6-hydroxyindole derivatives were obtained in one pot. This organic transformation tolerates a range of substituted alkynylcyclohexadienones and amines, which resulted in 6-hydroxyindole derivatives selectively.

Gold-Catalyzed Hydrophenoxylation of Propargylic Alcohols and Amines: Synthesis of Phenyl Enol Ethers

A practical method for the synthesis of phenyl enol ethers is reported. The combination of a gold(I) catalyst and potassium carbonate selectively mediates the addition of phenols to propargylic alcohols/amines in a chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective fashion in high yield. The resulting enol ethers are formed exclusively with a Z-configuration and can be obtained from a wide array of phenols and propargylic alcohols or amines with the reaction showing excellent functional group tolerance.

Facile access to 1,3-diketones by gold(i)-catalyzed regioselective hydration of ynones

A regioselective hydration of ynones was developed via gold catalysis, providing a simple, mild, and efficient method for the synthesis of a variety of 1,3-diketone derivatives.

Dihalohydration of Alkynols: A Versatile Approach to Diverse Halogenated Molecules

In this paper we outline how dihalohydration reactions of propargylic alcohols can be used to access a wide variety of useful halogenated building blocks. A novel procedure for dibromohydration of alkynes has been developed, and a selection of dichloro and dibromo diols and cyclic ethers were synthesized. The dihalohydration of homo-propargylic alcohols provides a useful route to 3-halofurans, which were shown to readily undergo cycloaddition reactions under mild conditions. Finally, a novel ring expansion of propargylic alcohols containing a cyclopropylalkyne provides access to halogenated alkenylcyclobutanes.

Highly Regioselective Synthesis of Oxindolyl-Pyrroles and Quinolines via a One-Pot, Sequential Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement, Anti-Michael Addition/C(sp3)-H Functionalization, and Azacyclization

A one-pot, sequential Meyer-Schuster (MS) rearrangement of oxindole-derived propargyl alcohols to the corresponding α,β-unsaturated enones and their anti-Michael addition, followed by intramolecular azacyclization is described in a highly regioselective manner using Ca(OTf)₂ as the promoter. Further, we described the one-pot MS rearrangement, followed by C_(sp³)-H functionalization of 2-methyl azaarenes at α-carbon of these doubly activated alkenes. Control experiments and computational calculations were performed to propose the reaction mechanism.

Highly regioselective gold-catalyzed formal hydration of propargylic gem-difluorides

A highly regioselective gold-catalyzed formal hydration of propargylic gem-difluorides is presented.

Synthesis of substituted benzooxaborinin-1-ols via palladium-catalysed cyclisation of alkenyl- and alkynyl-boronic acids

Two new palladium-catalysed reactions have been developed for the synthesis of stable 4-substituted benzooxaborinin-1-ols. A palladium-catalysed cyclisation of ortho-alkenylbenzene boronic acids can be used to access 4-chlorobenzooxaborinin-1-ols via a Wacker-type oxidation and chlorination. Alternatively, ortho-alkynylbenzene boronic acids undergo a palladium-catalysed oxyallylation reaction to provide 4-allylbenzooxaborinin-1-ols.

Intercepting the Gold-Catalysed Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement by Controlled Protodemetallation: A Regioselective Hydration of Propargylic Alcohols

The regioselective gold‐catalysed hydration of propargylic alcohols to β‐hydroxy ketones can be achieved by diverting the gold‐catalysed Meyer–Schuster rearrangement through the addition of a protic additive with a pK_a of 7–9 such as p‐nitrophenol, boric acid or a boronic acid. This provides an interesting alternative to an aldol reaction when combined with the straightforward addition of an alkyne to an aldehyde or ketone. The gold‐catalysed reaction of an electron‐deficient, sterically hindered propargylic alcohol with a boronic acid led to the formation of an unusually stable cyclic boron enolate.