Yttrium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement Sequence: Efficient Synthesis of Medium-Sized Lactams

Palladium-Catalyzed [6+2] Double Allene Annulation for Benzazocines Synthesis

An efficient double allene protocol for the formation of benzazocines has been developed. The reaction constitutes a highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed formal [6+2] annulation of allenyl benzoxazinanones with terminal allenes forming the challenging 8-membered cycles. Decent yields and excellent regioselectivity have been observed under mild conditions with a remarkable Z-stereoselectivity for the exo-cyclic C=C bonds. The synthetic potentials of benzazocine products have been demonstrated.

Direct Synthesis of α-Amino Acid Derivatives by Hydrative Amination of Alkynes

α-Amino acid derivatives are key components of the molecules of life. The synthesis of α-amino carbonyl/carboxyl compounds is a contemporary challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we report a practical method for the preparation of α-amino acid derivatives via direct hydrative amination of activated alkynes under mild conditions, relying on sulfinamides as the nitrogen source. Computational studies suggest that the reaction is enabled by a new type of sulfonium [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.

Synthese von α-Aminosäurederivaten durch hydrative Aminierung von Alkinen

α‐Aminosäurederivate sind Kernbestandteile jeglichen Lebens. Die Synthese von α‐Aminocarbonyl/carboxyl Verbindungen ist jedoch weiterhin eine Herausforderung für die organische Synthese. In dieser Arbeit berichten wir von einer praktischen Herstellungsmethode für α‐Aminosäurederivate durch direkte hydrative Aminierung von aktivierten Alkinen mit Sulfinamiden unter milden Bedingungen. Computergestützte Untersuchungen legen nahe, dass eine [2,3]‐sigmatrope Sulfoniumumlagerung der zentrale Schritt der Reaktion ist.

Synthesis of Azocanes from Piperidines via an Azetidinium Intermediate

α-Trifluoromethyl azocanes are accessible from 2-(trifluoropropan-2-ol) piperidines by metal-free ring-expansion involving a bicyclic azetidinium intermediate. The opening of the azetidinium intermediate was achieved by various nucleophiles (amines, alcoholates, carboxylates, phosphonates, halides and pseudo-halides) with an excellent regio- diastereo- and enantioselectivity and in good yields. The relative configuration of the piperidines and azocanes were assigned and the deprotected azocanes offer opportunities for further derivatization.

Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Dearomatization by Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement: Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirolactams

Described herein is a novel Brønsted acid catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement, allowing the practical and atom-economic synthesis of a range of valuable spirolactams from readily available ynamides in generally good to excellent yields with excellent diastereoselectivities and broad substrate scope. Importantly, an unexpected dearomatization of nonactivated arenes and heteroaromatic compounds is involved in this tandem sequence. Moreover, an asymmetric version of this tandem cyclization was also achieved by efficient kinetic resolution by chiral phosphoric acid catalysis. In addition, the [3,3]-rearrangement is shown to be kinetically preferred over the related [1,3]-rearrangement by theoretical calculations.

Diastereoselective Access to Tetracyclic Eight-Membered Lactams through a Dearomative Heck Reaction and an Alkylative Ring-Opening Driven by Photoexcited Spiroindolines

An external-photocatalyst-free, light-driven alkylative ring-opening of stable spiroindolines was developed to construct indolo- and benzoannulated eight-membered lactams. The spiroindolines were prepared from tetrahydro-β-carbolines by a dearomative Heck reaction. Mechanistic experimental studies on the alkylative ring opening suggested that a photoredox pathway was involved, in which the spiroindoline performed as both reagent and photosensitizer. DFT calculations showed that the radical addition toward a cyclic alkene was the key to the diastereoselective formation of tetracyclic medium-sized lactams.

Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Ynamide Cyclization to Generate α-Imino Copper Carbenes: Divergent and Enantioselective Access to Polycyclic N-Heterocycles

Here an efficient copper-catalyzed cascade cyclization of azide-ynamides via α-imino copper carbene intermediates is reported, representing the first generation of α-imino copper carbenes from alkynes. This protocol enables the practical and divergent synthesis of an array of polycyclic N-heterocycles in generally good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivities. Moreover, an asymmetric azide-ynamide cyclization has been achieved with high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 e.r.) by employing BOX-Cu complexes as chiral catalysts. Thus, this protocol constitutes the first example of an asymmetric azide-alkyne cyclization. The proposed mechanistic rationale for this cascade cyclization is further supported by theoretical calculations.

Unusual Skeletal Reorganization of Oxetanes for the Synthesis of 1,2-Dihydroquinolines

Skeletal reorganization is a type of fascinating transformations owing to their intriguing mechanisms and utility in complex molecule synthesis. However, only a limited amount of examples are known for most functional groups. Herein, we describe such an unusual process of oxetanes. In the presence of In(OTf)₃ as catalyst, oxetane-tethered anilines reacted unexpectedly to form 1,2-dihydroquinolines. This process not only provides expedient access to dihydroquinolines, but also represents a new reaction of oxetane. Mechanistically, it is believed that the reaction proceeds through initial nitrogen attack rather than arene attack followed by a series of bond cleavage and formation events. Control experiments provided important insights into the mechanism.

Zinc-Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal [4+3] Annulation of Isoxazoles with Enynol Ethers by 6π Electrocyclization: Stereoselective Access to 2H-Azepines

6π electrocyclization has attracted interest in organic synthesis because of its high stereospecificity and atom economy in the construction of versatile 5-7-membered cycles. However, examples of asymmetric 6π electrocyclization are quite scarce, and have to rely on the use of chiral organocatalysts, and been limited to pentadienyl-anion- and triene-type 6π electrocyclizations. Described herein is a zinc-catalyzed formal [4+3] annulation of isoxazoles with 3-en-1-ynol ethers via 6π electrocyclization, leading to the site-selective synthesis of functionalized 2H-azepines and 4H-azepines in good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope. Moreover, this strategy has also been used to produce chiral 2H-azepines with high enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 e.r.). This protocol not only is the first asymmetric heptatrienyl-cation-type 6π electrocyclization, but also is the first asymmetric reaction of isoxazoles with alkynes and the first asymmetric catalysis based on ynol ethers.

Synthesis of Benzo[b]azocin-2-ones by Aryl Amination and Ring-Expansion of α-(Iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters

Transformation of β-oxoesters with PhI(OCOCF3 )2 leads to α-(ortho-iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters. These materials are the starting point for the synthesis of 6-carboxybenzo[b]azocin-2-ones by a sequence of aryl amination and ring transformation. This reaction sequence starts with copper-catalyzed formation of N-alkyl anilines from the iodoarenes and primary amines in the presence of K3 PO4 as stoichiometric base. The intermediate products underwent ring transformation by addition of the nitrogen into the carbonyl group of the cycloalkanone, furnishing benzo-annulated eight-membered ring lactams. Under the same reaction conditions, the cyclohexanone and cycloheptanone derivatives gave no aminated products, but ring-transformed to benzofuran derivatives. The title compounds of this investigation contain two points for further diversification (the lactam nitrogen and the carboxylate function), thus, the suitability of this compound class as a scaffold was proven by appropriate functionalizations. The first series of derivatizations of the scaffold was initiated by hydrogenolytic debenzylation of N-benzyl derivative to provide the NH-congener, which could be deprotonated with LDA and alkylated at nitrogen to give further examples of this compound class. Secondly, the ester function was submitted to saponification and the resulting carboxylic acid could be amidated using HATU as coupling reagent to furnish different amides.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Conia-Ene-Type Carbocyclization of Ynamide Cyclohexanones: Regiodivergent Synthesis of Morphans and Normorphans

Described herein is an organocatalytic enantioselective desymmetrizing cycloisomerization of arylsulfonyl-protected ynamide cyclohexanones, representing the first metal-free asymmetric Conia-ene-type carbocyclization. This method allows the highly efficient and atom-economical construction of a range of valuable morphans with wide substrate scope and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). In addition, such a cycloisomerization of alkylsulfonyl-protected ynamide cyclohexanones can lead to the divergent synthesis of normorphans as the main products with high enantioselectivity (up to 90 % ee). Moreover, theoretical calculations are employed to elucidate the origins of regioselectivity and enantioselectivity.

Copper-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization of Indolyl Homopropargyl Amides: Stereospecific Construction of Bridged Aza-[n.2.1] Skeletons

Catalytic cycloisomerization-initiated cascade cyclizations of terminal alkynes have received tremendous interest, and been widely used in the facile synthesis of a diverse array of valuable complex heterocycles. However, these tandem reactions have been mostly limited to noble-metal catalysis, and are initiated by an exo-cyclization pathway. Reported herein is an unprecedented copper-catalyzed endo-cyclization-initiated tandem reaction of indolyl homopropargyl amides, where copper catalyzes both the hydroamination and Friedel-Crafts alkylation process. This method allows the practical and atom-economical synthesis of valuable bridged aza-[n.2.1] skeletons (n=3-6) with wide substrate scope, and excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity by a chirality-transfer strategy. Moreover, the mechanistic rationale for this novel cascade cyclization is also strongly supported by control experiments, and is distinctively different from the related gold catalysis.

Synthesis of Eight-Membered Lactams through Formal [6+2] Cyclization of Siloxy Alkynes and Vinylazetidines

A new approach for the efficient synthesis of eight-membered lactams through formal [6+2] cyclization of siloxy alkynes and vinylazetidines has been developed. Evidence from a chirality transfer experiment suggests that the reaction proceeds via a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement from a ketene intermediate. This insight led to the development of alternative conditions and use of acyl chlorides as ketene precursors for the [6+2] reaction with vinylazetidines.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Four-Atom Ring Expansion of Cyclobutanones: Synthesis of Benzazocinones

An enantioselective Michael addition- four-atom ring expansion cascade reaction involving cyclobutanones activated by a N-aryl secondary amide group and ortho-amino nitrostyrenes has been developed for the preparation of functionalized eight-membered benzolactams using bifunctional aminocatalysts. Taking advantage of the secondary amide activating group, the eight-membered cyclic products could be further rearranged into their six-membered isomers having a glutarimide core under base catalysis conditions without erosion of optical purity, featuring an overall ring expansion- ring contraction strategy.

Direct Photocatalytic Synthesis of Medium-Sized Lactams by C-C Bond Cleavage

Reported is a novel two-step ring-expansion strategy for expeditious synthesis of all ring sizes of synthetically challenging (hetero)aryl-fused medium-sized lactams from readily available 5-8-membered cyclic ketones. This step-economic approach features a remote radical (hetero)aryl migration from C to N under visible-light conditions. Broad substrate scope, good functional-group tolerance, high efficiency, and mild reaction conditions make this procedure very attractive. In addition, this method also provides expedient access to 13-15-membered macrolactams upon an additional one-step manipulation. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves an amidyl radical and is promoted by acid.

Synthesis of Benzannulated Medium-ring Lactams via a Tandem Oxidative Dearomatization-Ring Expansion Reaction

Medium-ring natural products exhibit diverse biological activities but such scaffolds are underrepresented in probe and drug discovery efforts due to the limitations of classical macrocyclization reactions. We report herein a tandem oxidative dearomatization-ring-expanding rearomatization (ODRE) reaction that generates benzannulated medium-ring lactams directly from simple bicyclic substrates. The reaction accommodates diverse aryl substrates (haloarenes, aryl ethers, aryl amides, heterocycles) and strategic incorporation of a bridgehead alcohol generates a versatile ketone moiety in the products amenable to downstream modifications. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that these medium rings access regions of chemical space that overlap with related natural products and are distinct from synthetic drugs, setting the stage for their use in discovery screening against novel biological targets.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Medium-Sized Lactams via Chiral α,β-Unsaturated Acylammonium Salts

Medium-sized lactams are important structural motifs found in a variety of bioactive compounds and natural products but are challenging to prepare, especially in optically active form. A Michael addition/proton transfer/lactamization organocascade process is described that delivers medium-sized lactams, including azepanones, benzazepinones, azocanones, and benzazocinones, in high enantiopurity through the intermediacy of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts. An unexpected indoline synthesis was also uncovered, and the benzazocinone skeleton was transformed into other complex heterocyclic derivatives, including spiroglutarimides, isoquinolinones, and δ-lactones.

Catalytic [1,3] O-to-C Rearrangement: Rapid Access to Bridged Bicyclic Systems

A catalytic [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement from enyne-ethers was developed for the rapid synthesis of diverse bridged bicyclic systems. In this reaction, a vinyl oxonium intermediate, generated in situ from enyne-ether, was the precursor for the [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement. This versatile protocol represents the first example of catalytic [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement based on ring-expansion strategy, enabling efficient access to bridged bicyclic scaffolds.