Asymmetric Organocatalytic Relay Cascades: Catalyst-Controlled Stereoisomer Selection in the Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclohexanes

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Cascade Reactions Based on Gamma-Nitro Carbonyl Compound

The significant advancements in asymmetric organocascade reactions have been accomplished during the past decades, paving the way to the efficient and stereoselective construction of structurally complex scaffolds from simple and readily available starting materials. Nitro-containing cyclic compounds have become a privileged molecular library given their broad and promising activities in various therapeutic areas. In various approaches to build these valuable scaffolds, the utility of γ-nitrocarbonyl intermediates is one of the most efficient approaches due to its high efficiency, reliability and versatility. The strategies and catalyst systems described here highlight recent advances in the enantioselective synthesis of nitro-containing cyclic molecules via organocascade strategies based on γ-nitrocarbonyl intermediates. Various organocatalysts with distinct activation modes have found application in providing these sophisticated compounds. This review is organized according to the types of organocatalyst. These methods are of importance for the construction of complex chiral cyclic frameworks and the design of new pharmaceutical compounds. We believe that compounds based on nitro-containing cyclic skeletons have the potential to provide novel therapeutic agents and useful biological tools.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3,4-Disubstituted Cyclohexadiene Carbaldehydes: Formal Total Synthesis of Cyclobakuchiols A and C

The first catalytic approach for the asymmetric synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted cyclohexadiene carbaldehydes through an inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction is described. A variety of arylacetaldehydes and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes are tested under the mild reaction conditions catalyzed by l-proline to obtain the trans diastereomeric products with good yields and high enantioselectivities. The scope of this methodology is further extended to the asymmetric synthesis 3,4-disubstituted cyclohexane carbaldehydes and their derivatives. The practicality of this method is demonstrated by the gram-scale synthesis. This methodology is successfully applied for the formal total synthesis of cyclobakuchiol A, an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent, and cyclobakuchiol C.

Catalytic Enantioselective α-Fluorination of 2-Acyl Imidazoles via Iridium Complexes

The first highly enantioselective α-fluorination of 2-acyl imidazoles utilizing iridium catalysis has been accomplished. This transformation features mild conditions and a remarkably broad substrate scope, providing an efficient and highly enantioselective approach to obtain a wide range of fluorine-containing 2-acyl imidazoles which are found in a variety of bioactive compounds and prodrugs. A large scale synthesis has also been tested to demonstrate the potential utility of this fluorination method.

Highly diastereodivergent synthesis of tetrasubstituted cyclohexanes catalyzed by modularly designed organocatalysts

A highly diastereodivergent synthesis of tetrasubstituted cyclohexanes has been achieved using modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs) which are self-assembled in situ from amino acids and cinchona alkaloid derivatives. Diastereodivergence is realized through controlling the stereoselectivity of the individual steps of a tandem Michael/Michael reaction. Up to 8 of the 16 possible stereoisomers have been successfully obtained in high stereoselectivities using MDOs for the tandem reaction and an ensuing epimerization. The method was used in the enantioselective synthesis of the natural products (-)-α- and β-lycoranes.