Asymmetric Alkoxy‐ and Hydroxy‐Carbonylations of Functionalized Alkenes Assisted by β‐Carbonyl Groups

Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric 5-exo-trig Cyclization/Cyclopropanation/Carbonylation of 1,6-Enynes for the Construction of Chiral 3-Azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes

We herein disclose a mild and efficient access to chiral 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes via a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric 5-exo-trig cyclization/cyclopropanation/carbonylation of 1,6-enynes. Various nucleophiles, such as alcohols, phenols, amines and water, are well compatible with the reaction system. This reaction forms three C-C bonds, two rings, two adjacent quaternary carbon stereocenters as well as one C-O/C-N bond with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. The products could be further functionalized to generate a library of 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane frameworks.

Diastereoselective Alkene Hydroesterification Enabling the Synthesis of Chiral Fused Bicyclic Lactones

Palladium-catalysed diastereoselective hydroesterification of alkenes assisted by the coordinative hydroxyl group in the substrate afforded a variety of chiral γ-butyrolactones bearing two stereocenters. Employing the carbonylation-lactonization products as the key intermediates, the route from the alkenes with single chiral center to chiral THF-fused bicyclic γ-lactones containing three stereocenters was developed.

A Selective and General Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroaminomethylation of Olefins to Amines

A new cobalt catalyst is presented for the domino hydroformylation-reductive amination reaction of olefins. The optimal Co-tert-BuPy-Xantphos catalyst shows good to excellent linear-to-branched (n/iso) regioselectivity for the reactions of aliphatic alkenes with aromatic amines under mild conditions. This system is far more selective than traditional cobalt(I) catalysts and even better than most known rhodium catalysts.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Markovnikov Hydroxycarbonylation and Hydroalkoxycarbonylation of Vinyl Arenes: Synthesis of 2-Arylpropanoic Acids

Asymmetric hydroxycarbonylation is one of the most fundamental yet challenging methods for the synthesis of carboxylic acids. Herein, we reported the development of a palladium-catalyzed highly enantioselective Markovnikov hydroxycarbonylation of vinyl arenes with CO and water. A monodentate phosphoramidite ligand L6 plays vital role in the reaction. The reaction tolerates a range of functional groups, and provides a facile and atom-economical approach to an array of 2-arylpropanoic acids including several commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The catalytic system has also enabled an asymmetric Markovnikov hydroalkoxycarbonylation of vinyl arenes with alcohols to afford 2-arylpropanates. Mechanistic investigations suggested that the reactions proceed through a palladium-hydride pathway, the hydropalladation is irreversible and is the regio- and enantiodetermining step, while hydrolysis/alcoholysis is probably the rate-limiting step.