Organocatalysis by Networks of Cooperative Hydrogen Bonds: Enantioselective Direct Mannich Addition to Preformed Arylideneureas

Efficient biocatalytic strategy for one-pot Biginelli reaction via enhanced specific effects of microwave in a circulating reactor

A one-pot efficient biocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones was developed in a circulating microwave reactor selecting α-chymotrypsin as the promiscuous biocatalyst. In the circulating reaction system, the combination of microwave heating and external cooling could avoid the denaturation and inactivation of enzyme, and greatly improved the radiation power of microwave, thus improving the specific effects of microwave. During the reaction process, the microwave radiation power was automatically adjusted by adjusting the speed of the reaction mixture circulation. When the microwave power was maintained at 110 W, the best results could be obtained with the highest yield of 96% at 55 °C in 50 min, and the reaction had a wide range of substrates. But no obvious product was detected in a tank microwave reactor at 55 °C for 100 min, under this condition, the microwave power was maintained at about 3 W. As a contrast, the reaction only obtained 63% yield in 55 °C oil bath for 96 h.

Synergistic promotion by intramolecular hydrogen bonding: a bi-functionally catalyzed cascade reaction for the synthesis of enantiopure chromenopyrrolidines

An effective organocatalytic asymmetric cascade reaction of o-hydroxy aromatic aldimines and β,γ-unsaturated-α-ketoesters was developed.

Towards Enzyme-like, Sustainable Catalysis: Switchable, Highly Efficient Asymmetric Synthesis of Enantiopure Biginelli Dihydropyrimidinones or Hexahydropyrimidinones

Organocatalysts displaying a network of cooperative hydrogen bonds (NCHB) have been employed in an enzyme-like manner for a direct, switchable synthesis of enantiopure hexahydropyrimidinones (HHPMs) or dihydropyrimidinones (DHPMs), which starts at a common, easily accessible α-ureidosulfone stage. The NCHB organocatalyst exploits all its potential as a pure hydrogen-bond biomimetic catalyst even in the presence of organic bases. This one-pot, diastereo- and enantioselective synthetic procedure has been proven to be robust, scalable, highly efficient, and environmentally benign. A straightforward and truly practical entry to enantiopure HHPMs is reported for the first time.