Origins of Stereoselectivity in Strain-Release Allylations

Mechanism, reactivity, and selectivity in a palladium-catalyzed organosilicon-based cross coupling reaction

A thermodynamic control mechanism unravels the unusual chemical selectivity in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of silacycles.

Total synthesis of nahuoic acid A via a putative biogenetic intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction

Inspired by the biogenetic proposal of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition, the total synthesis of natural product nahuoic acid A, a cofactor-competitive inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme lysine methyl transferase SETD8, has been carried out. A non-conjugated pentaenal precursor was synthesized with high levels of stereoselectivity at seven stereogenic centers and with the appropriate control of double bond geometries. Although the IMDA reaction of the non-conjugated pentaenal using Me2AlCl for catalysis at -40 °C selectively afforded the trans-fused diastereomer corresponding to the Re-endo mode of cycloaddition, under thermal reaction conditions it gave rise to a mixture of diastereomers, that preferentially formed through the exo mode, including the cis-fused angularly-methylated octahydronaphthalene diastereomer precursor of nahuoic acid A. The natural product could be obtained upon oxidation and overall deprotection of the hydroxyl groups present in the Si-exo IMDA diastereomer.

Lewis Superacidic Catecholato Phosphonium Ions: Phosphorus-Ligand Cooperative C-H Bond Activation

A series of catecholato phosphonium ions, including the first stable bis(catecholato)-substituted derivatives, are isolated and fully characterized. The cations rank among the most potent literature-known Lewis acids on the Gutmann-Beckett and ion affinity scales. In contrast to halogenated or multiply charged phosphorus cations, Lewis superacidity is imparted by structural constraints, as disclosed by energy decomposition analysis. The modular access provides a tunable scaffold while maintaining extreme affinity, demonstrated by the synthesis of a chiral Lewis superacid. The combination of electrophilic phosphorus and basic oxygen substituents leverages new reactivity modes by phosphorus-ligand cooperativity. With this, a phosphorus-mediated C-H bond activation is accomplished.

Enantioselective formal synthesis of the marine macrolide (-)-callyspongiolide

A short enantioselective synthesis of the macrocyclic core 19 of callyspongiolide, involving a homocrotylboration of aldehyde 4, a Still-Genari olefination, an esterification with alcohol 17, and a ring-closing metathesis, is reported.

Bis(catecholato)silanes: assessing, rationalizing and increasing silicon's Lewis superacidity

Although bis(catecholato)silanes have been known for several decades, their substantial Lewis acidity is not yet well described in the literature. Herewith, the synthesis and characterization of multiple substituted bis(catecholato)silanes and their triethylphosphine oxide, fluoride and chloride ion adducts are reported. The Lewis acidity of bis(catecholato)silanes is assessed by effective (Gutmann-Beckett, catalytic efficiency), global (theoretical and relative experimental fluoride (FIA) and chloride (CIA) ion affinities) and intrinsic (electrophilicity index) scaling methods. This comprehensive set of experimental and theoretical results reveals their general Lewis acidic nature and provides a consistent Lewis acidity trend for bis(catecholato)silanes for the first time. All experimental findings are supported by high-level DLPNO-CCSD(T) based thermochemical data and the Lewis acidity is rationalized by complementary chemical bonding analysis tools. Against the common belief that inductive electron withdrawal is the most important criterion for strong Lewis acidity, the present work highlights the decisive role of π-back bonding effects in aromatic ring systems to enhance electron deficiency. Thus, bis(perbromocatecholato)silane is identified and synthesized as the new record holder for silicon Lewis superacids.

Design and 22-step synthesis of highly potent D-ring modified and linker-equipped analogs of spongistatin 1

Spongistatin 1 is among the most potent anti-proliferative agents ever discovered rendering it an attractive candidate for development as a payload for antibody-drug conjugates and other targeted delivery approaches. Unfortunately, it is unavailable from natural sources and its size and complex stereostructure render chemical synthesis highly time- and resource-intensive. As a result, the design and synthesis of more acid-stable and linker functional group-equipped analogs that retain the low picomolar potency of the parent natural product requires more efficient and step-economical synthetic access. Using uniquely enabling direct complex fragment coupling crotyl- and alkallylsilylation reactions, we report a 22-step synthesis of a rationally designed D-ring modified analog of spongistatin 1 that is characterized by GI50 values in the low picomolar range, and a proof-of-concept result that the C(15) acetate may be replaced with linker functional group-bearing esters with only minimal reductions in potency.

A thiocyanopalladation/carbocyclization transformation identified through enzymatic screening: stereocontrolled tandem C-SCN and C-C bond formation

Herein we describe a formal thiocyanopalladation/carbocyclization transformation and its parametrization and optimization using a new elevated temperature plate-based version of our visual colorimetric enzymatic screening method for reaction discovery. The carbocyclization step leads to C-SCN bond formation in tandem with C-C bond construction and is highly stereoselective, showing nearly absolute 1,2-anti-stereoinduction (5 examples) for substrates bearing allylic substitution, and nearly absolute 1,3-syn-stereoinduction (16 examples) for substrates bearing propargylic substitution. Based upon these high levels of stereoinduction, the dependence of the 1,2-stereoinduction upon cyclization substrate geometry, and the generally high preference for the transoid vinyl thiocyanate alkene geometry, a mechanistic model is proposed, involving (i) Pd(ii)-enyne coordination, (ii) thiocyanopalladation, (iii) migratory insertion and (iv) β-elimination. Examples of transition metal-mediated C-SCN bond formation that proceed smoothly on unactivated substrates and allow for preservation of the SCN moiety are lacking. Yet, the thiocyanate functionality is of great value for biophysical chemistry (vibrational Stark effect) and medicinal chemistry (S,N-heterocycle construction). The title transformation accommodates C-, O-, N- and S-bridged substrates (6 examples), thereby providing the corresponding carbocyclic or heterocyclic scaffolds. The reaction is also shown to be compatible with a significant range of substituents, varying in steric and electronic demand, including a wide range of substituted aromatics, fused bicyclic and heterocyclic systems, and even biaryl systems. Combination of this new transformation with asymmetric allylation and Grubbs ring-closing metathesis provides for a streamlined enantio- and diastereoselective entry into the oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl core of the natural products massarilactone and annuionone A, as also evidenced by low temperature X-ray crystal structure determination. Utilizing this bicyclic scaffold, we demonstrate the versatility of the thiocyanate moiety for structural diversification post-cyclization. Thus, the bridging vinyl thiocyanate moiety is smoothly elaborated into a range of derivative functionalities utilizing transformations that cleave the S-CN bond, add the elements of RS-CN across a π-system and exploit the SCN moiety as a cycloaddition partner (7 diverse examples). Among the new functionalities thereby generated are thiotetrazole and sulfonyl tetrazole heterocycles that serve as carboxylate and phosphate surrogates, respectively, highlighting the potential of this approach for future applications in medicinal chemistry or chemical biology.

Strategies and Methods for the Synthesis of Anticancer Natural Product Neopeltolide and its Analogs

Neopeltolide, isolated in 2007, with its novel structural features and potent anti cancer cell proliferation activity, has attracted a tremendous amount of synthetic efforts. This review briefly and chronologically summarizes each of the synthesis with the main focus on the strategies and methodologies for the construction of its cis-tetrahydropyran-containing macrolactone core.

Diastereoselective synthesis of seven-membered-ring trans-alkenes from dienes and aldehydes by silylene transfer

Silver-catalyzed silylene transfer to alkenes forms vinylsilacyclopropanes regioselectively. These allylic silanes undergo additions to aldehydes to form seven-membered-ring trans-alkenes with high diastereoselectivity. The high reactivity of the trans-alkenes is evidenced by their formal [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reactions and the rapid additions of oxygen-hydrogen bonds across the carbon-carbon double bonds.

Lewis acid organocatalysts

Abstract The term Lewis acid catalysts generally refers to metal salts like aluminium chloride, titanium chloride and zinc chloride. Their application in asymmetric catalysis can be achieved by the addition of enantiopure ligands to these salts. However, not only metal centers can function as Lewis acids. Compounds containing carbenium, silyl or phosphonium cations display Lewis acid catalytic activity. In addition, hypervalent compounds based on phosphorus and silicon, inherit Lewis acidity. Furthermore, ionic liquids, organic salts with a melting point below 100 degrees C, have revealed the ability to catalyze a range of reactions either in substoichiometric amount or, if used as the reaction medium, in stoichiometric or even larger quantities. The ionic liquids can often be efficiently recovered. The catalytic activity of the ionic liquid is explained by the Lewis acidic nature of their cations. This review covers the survey of known classes of metal-free Lewis acids and their application in catalysis.

Stereoselective alcohol silylation by dehydrogenative Si-O coupling: scope, limitations, and mechanism of the cu-h-catalyzed non-enzymatic kinetic resolution with silicon-stereogenic silanes

Ligand-stabilized copper(I)-hydride catalyzes the dehydrogenative Si-O coupling of alcohols and silanes-a process that was found to proceed without racemization at the silicon atom if asymmetrically substituted. The present investigation starts from this pivotal observation since silicon-stereogenic silanes are thereby suitable for the reagent-controlled kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols, in which asymmetry at the silicon atom enables discrimination of enantiomeric alcohols. In this full account, we summarize our efforts to systematically examine this unusual strategy of diastereoselective alcohol silylation. Ligand (sufficient reactivity with moderately electron-rich monophosphines), silane (reasonable diastereocontrol with cyclic silanes having a distinct substitution pattern) as well as substrate identification (chelating donor as a requirement) are introductorily described. With these basic data at hand, the substrate scope was defined employing enantiomerically enriched tert-butyl-substituted 1-silatetraline and highly reactive 1-silaindane. The synthetic part is complemented by the determination of the stereochemical course at the silicon atom in the Si-O coupling step followed by its quantum-chemical analysis thus providing a solid mechanistic picture of this remarkable transformation.

Total synthesis and biological activity of neopeltolide and analogues

Combining the core structure of neopeltolide, lactone 16 a, with the oxazole-containing side chain 23 via a Mitsunobu reaction provided the cytotoxic natural product neopeltolide (2). The side chain 23 was prepared from oxazolone 24 via the corresponding triflate. Key steps in the preparation of 23 were a Sonogashira coupling, an enamine alkylation, and a Still-Gennari Horner-Emmons reaction. By changing the Leighton reagent in the allylation step, the 11-epimer of lactone 16 a, compound 50 was prepared. This led to 11-epi-neopeltolide 51. The 5-epimer of neopeltolide, compound 52, could be obtained from the minor isomer of the Prins cyclization. Furthermore, a range of analogues with modifications in the side chain were prepared. All derivatives were checked for toxicity effects on mammalian cell cultures and inhibitory effects on NADH oxidation in submitochondrial particles of bovine heart. Modifications in the lactone part are tolerated to some degree. On the other hand, shortening the distance between the oxazole and the lactone causes a significant drop in activity. Analogue 65 with an additional double bond is equally or even more active than neopeltolide itself.

Temporary silicon connection strategies in intramolecular allylation of aldehydes with allylsilanes

Three gamma-(amino)silyl-substituted allylsilanes 14a-c have been prepared in three steps from the corresponding dialkyldichlorosilane. The aminosilyl group has been used to link this allylsilane nucleophile to a series of beta-hydroxy aldehydes through a silyl ether temporary connection. The size of the alkyl substituents at the silyl ether tether governs the outcome of the reaction on exposure to acid. Thus, treatment of aldehyde (E)-9aa, which contains a dimethylsilyl ether connection between the aldehyde and allylsilane, with a range of Lewis and Brønsted acid activators provides an (E)-diene product. The mechanism of formation of this undesired product is discussed. Systems containing a sterically more bulky diethylsilyl ether connection react differently: thus in the presence of TMSOTf and a Brønsted acid scavenger, intramolecular allylation proceeds smoothly to provide two out of the possible four diastereoisomeric oxasilacycles, 23 (major) and 21 (minor). A diene product again accounts for the remaining mass balance in the reaction. This side product can be completely suppressed by using a sterically even more bulky diisopropylsilyl ether connection in the cyclization precursor, although this is now at the expense of a slight erosion in the 1,3-stereoinduction in the allylation products. The sense of 1,3-stereoinduction observed in these intramolecular allylations has been rationalized by using an electrostatic argument, which can also explain the stereochemical outcome of a number of related reactions. Levels of 1,4-stereoinduction in the intramolecular allylation are more modest but can be significantly improved in some cases by using a tethered (Z)-allylsilane in place of its (E)-stereoisomer. Oxidation of the major diastereoisomeric allylation product 23 under Tamao-Kumada conditions provides an entry into stereodefined 1,2-anti-2,4-syn triols 28.

Formal total synthesis of RK-397 via an asymmetric hydration and iterative allylation strategy

A formal total synthesis of the oxopentaene macrolide antibiotic RK-397 has been achieved. Nine stereocenters were established by a combination of allylation and our asymmetric hydration reactions and a 1,5 anti-selective aldol reaction. The synthesis proceeded in 19 steps from simple achiral conjugated dienoates.

Chirality Transfer from Silicon to Carbon

The exploitation of the asymmetry at silicon in stereoselective synthesis is an exceptionally challenging task. Initially, silicon-stereogenic silanes have been utilized to elucidate the stereochemical course of substitution reactions at silicon. Apart from these mechanistic investigations, only a handful of synthetic applications with an asymmetrically substituted silicon as the stereochemical controller have been reported to date. In these transformations the chiral silicon functions as a chiral auxiliary. Conversely, a direct transfer of chirality from silicon to carbon during bond formation and cleavage at silicon has remained open until its recent realization in both inter- and intramolecular reactions. In this Concept, the pivotal considerations in relation to the nature of suitable silanes as well as mechanistic prerequisites for an efficient chirality transfer will be discussed.