Carbene‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Aromatic N‐Nucleophilic Addition of Heteroarenes to Ketones

Oxidative N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis is a by now consolidated organocatalytic platform for a number of synthetic (asymmetric) transformations via diverse reaction modes/intermediates. In addition to the typical umpolung processes involving acyl anion/homoenolate equivalent species, implementation of protocols under oxidative conditions greatly expands the possibilities of this methodology. Oxidative NHC-catalysis allows for oxidative and oxygenative transformations through specific manipulations of Breslow-type species depending upon the oxidant used (external oxidant or O₂ /air), the derived NHC-bound intermediates paving the way to non-umpolung processes through activation of carbon atoms and heteroatoms. This review is intended to update the state of the art in oxidative NHC-catalyzed reactions that appeared in the literature from 2014 to present, with a strong focus to crucial intermediates and their mechanistic implications.

Dynamic kinetic resolution of γ,γ-disubstituted indole 2-carboxaldehydes via NHC-Lewis acid cooperative catalysis for the synthesis of tetracyclic ε-lactones

The ubiquity of ε-lactones in various biologically active compounds inspired the development of efficient and enantioselective routes to these target compounds. Described herein is the enantioselective synthesis of indole-fused ε-lactones...

Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective Aldol Reaction: Post-Aldol Stereochemistry Control and Formation of Quaternary Stereogenic Centers

The dominated approaches for asymmetric aldol reactions have primarily focused on the aldol carbon-carbon bond-forming events. Here we postulate and develop a new catalytic strategy that seeks to modulate the reaction thermodynamics and control the product enantioselectivities via post-aldol processes. Specifically, an NHC catalyst is used to activate a masked enolate substrate (vinyl carbonate) to promote the aldol reaction in a non-enantioselective manner. This reversible aldol event is subsequently followed by an enantioselective acylative kinetic resolution that is mediated by the same (chiral) NHC catalyst without introducing any additional substance. This post-aldol process takes care of the enantioselectivity issues and drives the otherwise reversible aldol reaction toward a complete conversion. The acylated aldol products bearing quaternary/tetrasubstituted carbon stereogenic centers are formed in good yields and high optical purities.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective 1,3-Dipolar [6+4] Cycloadditions of Tropone

A highly stereoselective 1,3-dipolar [6+4] cycloaddition towards bridged azabicyclo[4.3.1]decane scaffolds has been developed, reacting aldehydes, 2-aminomalonates and tropone under mild conditions in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst. The scope is demonstrated for a series of aldehydes and 2-aminomalonates, and the reaction proceeds in high yields, >95:5 d.r. and up to 99 % ee. A series of transformations, as well as a mechanistic proposal, are presented.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [6+2] Annulation Reaction via Cross-Conjugated Aza-Trienolate Intermediates

The diverse reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) in organocatalysis is due to the possibility of different modes of action. Although NHC-bound enolates and dienolates are known, the related NHC-bound cross-conjugated aza-trienolates remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate the NHC-catalyzed formal [6+2] annulation of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aldehydes with α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenones leading to the formation of versatile pyrrolooxazolones (29 examples). The catalytically generated cross-conjugated aza-trienolates (aza-fulvene type) underwent smooth [6+2] annulation with electrophilic ketones to afford the product in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. Preliminary DFT studies on the mechanism are also provided.