Recent Developments in Enantioselective Metal‐Catalyzed Domino Reactions

Three-Component Domino Reaction of Thioamide, Isonitriles, and Water: Selective Synthesis of 1,2,4-Thiadiazolidin-3-ones and (E)-N-(1,2-Diamino-2-thioxoethylidene)benzamides

The three-component domino reaction of thioamides, benzyl isocyanide, and water in the presence of a catalytic amount of both Pd(dppf)Cl2 and Cu(OAc)2 afforded novel 1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-3-one cyclic compounds, whereas the same reaction with tertiary alkylisonitriles in the presence of rare earth metal salt [La(OTf)3] resulted in (E)-N-(1,2-diamino-2-thioxoethylidene)benzamide open-chain products. This divergent reaction enabled the one-pot construction of five (N-S, C-S, C-O, and two C-N) or four (C-S, C-N, C-O, and C-C) new chemical bonds. Mechanism studies indicate that the oxygen atom of the product was derived from H2O.

Recent Advances in the Domino Annulation Reaction of Quinone Imines

Quinone imines are important derivatives of quinones with a wide range of applications in organic synthesis and the pharmaceutical industry. The attack of nucleophilic reagents on quinone imines tends to lead to aromatization of the quinone skeleton, resulting in both the high reactivity and the unique reactivity of quinone imines. The extreme value of quinone imines in the construction of nitrogen- or oxygen-containing heterocycles has attracted widespread attention, and remarkable advances have been reported recently. This review provides an overview of the application of quinone imines in the synthesis of cyclic compounds via the domino annulation reaction.

Synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole-fused N-heterocycles from N-alkynyl hydroxyisoindolinones and sodium azide via the Huisgen reaction

An efficient methodology for the synthesis of dihydro[1,2,3]triazolo-pyrimidoisoindolones and dihydro[1,2,3]triazolo-diazepinoisoindolones has been developed using the Huisgen reaction from sodium azide and alkyne substituted amido alcohols in moderate to good yields. The reaction involves the in situ generation of the N-acyliminium ion intermediate, which undergoes a nucleophilic attack by the azide ion, followed by a [3 + 2]-intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. Importantly, the reaction proceeds without the involvement of any transition metal catalyst. This methodology can be further utilized for the synthesis of dihydro[1,2,3]triazolo-pyrimidoisoindolthiones via thionation of amides.

Stereoselective Domino Reactions in the Synthesis of Spiro Compounds

This review summarizes the latest developments in asymmetric domino reactions, with the emphasis on the preparation of spiro compounds. Discussions on the stereoselectivity of the transformations, the reaction mechanisms, the rationalization of the stereochemical outcome, and the applications of domino reactions to the synthesis of biologically active molecules and natural products are included when appropriate.

1 Introduction

2 Asymmetric Domino Reactions

2.1 Domino Reactions Initiated by Michael Reactions

2.2 Domino Reactions Initiated by Mannich Reactions

2.3 Domino Reactions Initiated by Knoevenagel Reactions

2.4 Domino Reactions Initiated by Cycloaddition Reactions

2.5 Domino Reactions Initiated by Metal Insertion

2.6 Other Mechanisms

3 Conclusion

Chiral aldehyde induced tandem conjugated addition-lactamization reaction for constructing full-substituted pyroglutamic acids

A catalytic asymmetric tandem reaction including a chiral aldehyde catalyzed conjugated addition and an intramolecular lactamization is reported in this work. Under the optimal reaction conditions, various full-substituted pyroglutamic acids...

Recent developments in enantioselective nickel(ii)-catalyzed conjugate additions

This review updates the field of enantioselective nickel-catalyzed conjugate additions since 2016.

Organocatalytic total synthesis of bioactive compounds based on one-pot methodologies

The combination of one-pot methodologies to asymmetric organocatalysis allow a green and direct access to many types of complex highly functionalized chiral products, including important key intermediates in total syntheses of important bioactive compounds. A series of chiral organocatalysts have already been successfully applied to such syntheses. This report collects major developments in the total synthesis of biologically active products based on the use of enantioselective organocatalytic domino/tandem reactions as key steps. It is divided into two parts dealing successively with reactions based on the use of proline-derived catalysts and other organocatalysts.

Quadruple Role of Pd Catalyst in Domino Reaction Involving Aryl to Alkyl 1,5-Pd Migration to Access 1,9-Bridged Triptycenes

A Pd-catalyzed domino reaction of 1,8,13-tribromo-9-methoxytriptycenes is reported. Under conventional Suzuki coupling conditions, the triptycenes underwent multiple transformations to give 1,9-bridged triptycenes. Based on mechanistic investigations, a single Pd catalyst functions as Pd⁰ , Pd^II and Pd^IV species to catalyze four distinct processes: (1) aryl to alkyl 1,5-Pd migration, (2) intramolecular arylation, (3) homocoupling of phenylboronic acid and (4) Suzuki coupling. DFT calculations revealed that 1,5-Pd migration likely proceeds via both concerted Pd^II and stepwise Pd^IV routes. Asymmetric synthesis of the chiral triptycenes, as well as optical resolution, and further transformation are also reported.

20 Years of Forging N-Heterocycles from Acrylamides through Domino/Cascade Reactions

Acrylamides are versatile building blocks that are easily obtained from readily available starting materials. During the last 20 years, these valuable substrates bearing a nucleophilic nitrogen atom and an electrophilic double bond have proven to be efficient domino partners, leading to a wide variety of complex aza-heterocycles of synthetic relevance. In this non-exhaustive review, metal-free and metal-triggered reactions followed by an annulation will be presented; these two approaches allow good modulation of the reactivity of the polyvalent acrylamides.

1 Introduction

2 Metal-Free Annulations

2.1 Domino Reactions Triggered by a Michael Addition

2.2 Domino Reactions Triggered by an Aza-Michael Addition

2.3 Domino Processes Triggered by an Acylation Reaction

2.4 Domino Reactions Triggered by a Baylis–Hillman Reaction

2.5 Cycloadditions and Domino Reactions

2.6 Miscellaneous Domino Reactions

3 Metal-Triggered/Mediated Annulations

3.1 Zinc-Promoted Transformations

3.2 Rhodium-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades

3.3 Cobalt-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades

3.4 Ruthenium-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades

3.5 Iron-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades

3.6 Palladium-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades

3.7 Copper-Catalyzed Transformations

3.8 Transition Metals Acting in Tandem in Domino Processes

4 Radical Cascade Reactions

5 Conclusion

A silver-catalyzed domino inverse electron-demand oxo-Diels-Alder reaction of 3-cyclopropylideneprop-2-en-1-ones with 2,3-dioxopyrrolidines via cyclobutane-fused furan

A silver-catalyzed diastereoselective one-pot domino cyclization-migration/inverse electron-demand oxo-Diels-Alder reaction has been disclosed in this communication through the in situ generated cyclobutane-fused furan intermediate with 4-vinyl-2,3-dioxopyrrolidine for the construction of 2-oxopyrrolidine-fused tricyclic compounds in moderate to good yields with a broad substrate scope under mild conditions. This new synthetic protocol features good efficiency and atom- and step-economy. A plausible reaction mechanism has also been proposed on the basis of previous reports, NMR tracing and control experiments.

Transition metal-catalyzed alkene isomerization as an enabling technology in tandem, sequential and domino processes

One-pot reactions based on catalytic isomerization of alkenes not only offer the inherent advantages of atom-, step- and redox-economy but also enable the preparation of value-added products that would be difficult to access by conventional methods.

Polycyclizations of Ketoesters: Synthesis of Complex Tricycles with up to Five Stereogenic Centers from Available Starting Materials

Here we present a polycyclization of oxotriphenylhexanoates. The polycyclization is governed by electronic effects, and three major synthetic paths have been established leading to stereochemically complex tricyclic frameworks with up to five stereogenic centers. The method is compatible with an array of functional groups, allowing pharmacophoric elements to be introduced post cyclization.

Copper-Catalyzed Sequential Cyclization/Migration of Alkynyl Hydrazides for Construction of Ring-Expanded N-N Fused Pyrazolones

A copper-catalyzed sequential cyclization/migration reaction of alkynyl hydrazides for the synthesis of ring-expanded N-N fused pyrazolones was developed. Control experiments indicate that the copper-ligand complex plays an essential role in the reaction. This approach features a broad scope including some functional group tolerance as well as a nucleophilic addition/1,3-migration/formal 1,2-migration sequence. This protocol provides simple manipulation and less waste due to high yield and atom economy. The synthetic utility of N-N fused pyrazolones was also demonstrated by further transformations.

Enantioselective Catalytic Synthesis of N-alkylated Indoles

During the past two decades, the interest in new methodologies for the synthesis of chiral N-functionalized indoles has grown rapidly. The review illustrates efficient applications of organocatalytic and organometallic strategies for the construction of chiral α-N-branched indoles. Both the direct functionalization of the indole core and indirect methods based on asymmetric N-alkylation of indolines, isatins and 4,7-dihydroindoles are discussed.

A Sequential Umpolung/Enzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Strategy for the Synthesis of γ-Lactones

Combining biological and small-molecule catalysts under a chemoenzymatic manifold presents a series of significant advantages to the synthetic community. We report herein the successful development of a two-step/single flask synthesis of γ-lactones through the merger of Umpolung catalysis with a ketoreductase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution, reduction, and cyclization. This combined approach delivers highly enantio- and diastereoenriched heterocycles and demonstrates the feasibility of integrating NHC catalysis with enzymatic processes.

Cascade polymerizations: recent developments in the formation of polymer repeat units by cascade reactions

Traditionally, most polymerizations rely on simple reactions such as alkene addition, ring-opening, and condensation because they are robust, highly efficient, and selective. These reactions, however, generally only yield a single new C-C or C-O bond during each propagation step. In recent years, novel macromolecules have been prepared with propagation steps that involve cascade reactions, enabling various combinations of bond making and breaking steps to form more complex repeat units. These polymerizations are often challenging, given the requirements for high conversion and selectivity in controlled polymerizations, yet they provide polymers with unique chemical structures and significantly broaden the scope of how polymers can be made. In this perspective, we summarize the recent developments in cascade polymerizations, primarily focusing on single-component cascades (rather than multi-component polymerizations). Polymerization performance, monomer scope, and mechanisms are discussed for polymerizations utilizing radical, ionic, and metathesis-based mechanisms.

Organocatalytic Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Heterocycles by Enantioselective aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman-Type Domino Reactions

Organocatalytic enantioselective domino reactions are an extremely attractive methodology, as their use enables the construction of complex chiral skeletons from readily available starting materials in two or more steps by a single operation under mild reaction conditions. Thus, these reactions can save both the quantity of chemicals and length of time typically required for the isolation and/or purification of synthetic intermediates. Additionally, no metal contamination of the products occurs, given that organocatalysts include no expensive or toxic metals. The aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman (aza-MBH) reaction is an atom-economical carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction between α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and imines mediated by Lewis base (LB) catalysts, such as nucleophilic phosphines and amines. aza-MBH products are functionalized chiral β-amino acid derivatives that are highly valuable as pharmaceutical raw materials. Although various enantioselective aza-MBH processes have been investigated, very few studies of aza-MBH-type domino reactions have been reported due to the complexity of the aza-MBH process, which involves a Michael/Mannich/H-transfer/β-elimination sequence. Accordingly, in this review article, our recent efforts in the development of enantioselective domino reactions initiated by MBH processes are described. In the domino reactions, chiral organocatalysts bearing Brønsted acid (BA) and/or LB units impart synergistic activation to substrates, leading to the easy synthesis of highly functionalized heterocycles (some of which have tetrasubstituted and/or quaternary carbon stereocenters) in high yield and enantioselectivity.

In(OTf)3-Catalyzed One-Pot Tandem Mannich and Conia-Ene Cyclization Reaction of N-Propargyl Amido Alcohols with 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds: An Approach To Construct Tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindolone-1,1-dicarboxylate and Its Application

A one-pot tandem reaction has been developed for the synthesis of substituted tetrahydropyrroloisoindolone via Mannich reaction of N-propargyl amido alcohols with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds followed by Conia-ene cyclization reaction in moderate to good yields catalyzed by indium(III)triflate [In(OTf)₃]. The reaction is highly regioselective with an exo-cyclic double bond in the pyrrolidine ring. The substituted tetrahydropyrroloisoindolone can be converted to 5H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-one via decarboxylative aromatization reaction.

Synthesis of chromone-containing polycyclic compounds via palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] annulation

A palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] domino annulation of 3-iodochromones, α-bromo carbonyl compounds, and tetracyclododecene (TCD) is described. This approach provides a facile, efficient and atom-economical route to a variety of chromone-containing polycyclic compounds bearing fused/bridged-ring systems in good yields (up to 81%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (99 : 1 dr in all cases).

Catalytic enantioselective domino Michael/transannular aldol reaction under bifunctional catalysis

Chiral bifunctional tertiary amine/squaramides catalyze the enantioselective Michael/transannular aldol reaction on medium-sized cyclic ketoenones leading to bicycle[5.4.0]undecanes.

Diastereoselective access to 2-aminoindanonesviathe rhodium(ii)-catalyzed tandem reaction involving O–H insertion and Michael addition

A rhodium(ii)-catalyzed tandem reaction involving O–H insertion ofN-sulfonyl 1,2,3-triazoles and Michael addition has been described. A series of 2-amino-1-indanones were afforded in acceptable to good yields with high diastereoselectivities.