Parallel Kinetic Resolution Approach to the Cyathane and Cyanthiwigin Diterpenes Using a Cyclopropanation/Cope Rearrangement

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of racemic/meso substrates

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds is a pivotal subject in the field of chemistry, with enantioselective catalysis currently standing as the primary approach for delivering specific enantiomers. Among these strategies, Cu-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution (AAS) is significant and irreplaceable, especially when it comes to the use of non-stabilized nucleophiles (pK a > 25). Although Cu-catalyzed AAS of prochiral substrates has also been widely developed, methodologies involving racemic/meso substrates are highly desirable, as the substrates undergo dynamic processes to give single enantiomer products. Inspired by the pioneering work of the Alexakis, Feringa and Gennari groups, Cu-catalyzed AAS has been continuously employed in deracemization and desymmetrization processes for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched products. In this review, we mainly focus on the developments of Cu-catalyzed AAS with racemic/meso substrates over the past two decades, providing an explicit outline of the ligands employed, the scope of nucleophiles, the underlying dynamic processes and their practical applications.

Concise Approach to (ent)-14 β-Hydroxysteroids through Highly Diastereo-/Enantioselective Diels-Alder Reactions

14β-Hydroxysteroids, especially 14β-hydroxyandrostane derivatives are closely related to the cardenolide skeletons. The latter were readily available through highly diastero/enantioselective Diels-Alder (DA) reactions requiring high pressure or Lewis acid activation. Moreover, in the presence of (R)- or (S)-carvone as a chiral dienophile, the DA-reaction takes place under chemodivergent parallel kinetic resolution control affording highly enantiomerically enriched 14β-hydroxysteroid derivatives or the corresponding (ent)-14β-hydroxysteroid derivatives.

Toward a symphony of reactivity: cascades involving catalysis and sigmatropic rearrangements

Catalysis and synthesis are intimately linked in modern organic chemistry. The synthesis of complex molecules is an ever evolving area of science. In many regards, the inherent beauty associated with a synthetic sequence can be linked to a certain combination of the creativity with which a sequence is designed and the overall efficiency with which the ultimate process is performed. In synthesis, as in other endeavors, beauty is very much in the eyes of the beholder. It is with this in mind that we will attempt to review an area of synthesis that has fascinated us and that we find extraordinarily beautiful, namely the combination of catalysis and sigmatropic rearrangements in consecutive and cascade sequences.

Total synthesis of cyathin A(3) and cyathin B(2)

A stereoselective synthesis of cyathin A(3) and cyathin B(2) has been achieved by a Prins-type reaction of a cycloalkenyl cyclopropanol. Particularly noteworthy is the use of a spirocyclobutanone moiety as a convenient scaffold for an efficient ring-closing metathesis to stereoselectively construct a suitably functionalized seven-membered ring (see scheme).