Enamine N-oxides: Design, Synthesis, and Function in Bioorthogonal Reactions

Enamine N-oxides act as a chemical linchpin bridging two bioorthogonal associative and dissociative reactions. This article describes the design of enamine N-oxides; their synthesis through the retro-Cope elimination reaction; the use of solvent, hyperconjugation, strain, and rehybridization effects to achieve bioorthogonal reactivity; and their rapid reductive cleavage with diboron reagents. The coordinated assembly and disassembly of the enamine N-oxide motif constitutes a powerful chemical operation that enables the attachment and detachment of small molecules from biomacromolecules in a biological setting.

Cope-Type Hydroamination of Vinylboronates

Aminoboronic acid derivatives can serve as versatile synthetic intermediates and pharmacophores but remain difficult to synthesize. Herein we report a synthesis of the β-aminoboronic acid motif via anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of vinylboronates. This reaction benefits from the activating effect of the boronate substituent and forms novel BON-containing heterocycles, oxazaborolidine zwitterions. A computational study is included to help determine the effects of alkene boron substitution. Derivatization reactions also support the synthetic utility of the oxazaborolidine adducts.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Di- and Trisubstituted Hydroxylamines

As an underrepresented functional group in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, the hydroxylamine unit has historically received little attention from the synthetic community. Recent developments, however, suggest that hydroxylamines may have broader applications such that a review covering recent developments in the synthesis of this functional group is timely. With this in mind, this review primarily covers developments in the past 15 years in the preparation of di- and trisubstituted hydroxylamines. The mechanism of the reactions and key features and shortcomings are discussed throughout the review.

A redox-enabled strategy for intramolecular hydroamination

Metal- or acid-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination and Cope-type intramolecular hydroamination, a distinct concerted approach using hydroxylamines, typically suffer from significant synthetic limitations. Herein we report a process for intramolecular hydroamination that uses a redox-enabled strategy relying on efficient in situ generation of hydroxylamines by oxidation, followed by Cope-type hydroamination, then reduction of the resulting pyrrolidine N-oxide. The steps are performed sequentially in a single pot, no catalyst is required, the conditions are mild, the process is highly functional group tolerant, and no chromatography is generally required for isolation. A robustness screen and a gram-scale example further support the practicality of this approach.

Hydrogen Bonding-directed Sequential 1,6/1,4-Addition of Heteroatom Nucleophiles onto Electron-deficient 1,3-Diynes

The hydrogen bonding-directed sequential 1,6/1,4-additions developed herein allow for creating unique heterocycles with structural diversity under mild conditions without using metal catalysts or organometallic reagents.

Electrophilic Aminating Agents in Total Synthesis

Classical amination methods involve the reaction of a nitrogen nucleophile with an electrophilic carbon center; however, in recent years, umpoled strategies have gained traction where the nitrogen source acts as an electrophile. A wide range of electrophilic aminating agents are now available, and these underpin a range of powerful C-N bond-forming processes. In this Review, we highlight the strategic use of electrophilic aminating agents in total synthesis.

Carbonyl-Directed Addition of N-Alkylhydroxylamines to Unactivated Alkynes: Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Ketonitrones

A variety of ketonitrones were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity by using carbonyl-directed addition of N-alkylhydroxylamines to unactivated alkynes under mild conditions. The product diverisity could be controlled by the use of different bases, and EtN( n-Pr)₂ could promote the formation of ketonitrones while using EtONa as base led to indanone-derived nitrones. Control experiments indicated that the carbonyl group of the substrate acted as an H-bond acceptor except for an electron-withdrawing group, and conjugated enone skeleton accounted for the high selectivity.

Computational and experimental investigation on the BCl3 promoted intramolecular amination of alkenes and alkynes

The BCl₃ promoted aminoboration of alkenes and alkynes was investigated both computationally and experimentally, leading to the discovery of a metal-free hydroamination of alkynes.

Synthesis of N-Oxyureas by Substitution and Cope-Type Hydroamination Reactions Using O-Isocyanate Precursors

Oxy-carbamate O-isocyanate precursors facilitate access to synthetically valuable N-oxyureas via substitution with amines. This work exploits the reactivity of suitable O-isocyanate precursors, identified by a thorough study highlighting the different reactivity of isocyanate masking groups. This led to bench-stable O-isocyanate precursors, offering improved versatility in the synthesis of N-oxyureas, and demonstrates the controlled reactivity of masked O-isocyanates. Suitable precursors also enabled the first example of Cope-type hydroamination of unsaturated hydroxyureas.

Base-Mediated Hydroamination of Alkynes

Inter- or intramolecular hydroamination reactions are a paradigmatic example of modern sustainable organic chemistry, as they are a catalytic, 100% atom-economical, and waste-free process of fundamental simplicity in which an amine is added to an alkyne substrate. Many enamines are found in many natural and synthetic compounds possessing interesting physiological and biological activities. The development of synthetic protocols for such molecules and their transformation is a persistent research topic in pharmaceutical and organic chemistry. Hydroamination is conspicuously superior to the other accessible methods, such as the imination of ketones or the aminomercuration/demercuration of alkynes, that involve the stoichiometric use of toxic reagents. Additionally, the hydroamination of alkyne substrates has been successfully employed as a key step in synthesizing target molecules through total syntheses containing substituted indoles, pyrroles, imidazoles, and other heterocycles as core moieties. Many research groups have explored inter- or intramolecular hydroamination of alkynes for the synthesis of diversely substituted nitrogen heterocycles using expensive metal catalysts. However, in contrast to metal-catalyzed hydroamination, the base-mediated hydroamination of alkynes has not been extensively studied. Various inorganic (such as hydroxides, phosphates, and carbonates) and organic bases have been proven to be valuable reagents for achieving the hydroamination process. This method represents an attractive strategy for the construction of a broad range of nitrogen-containing compounds that prevents the formation of byproducts in the creation of a C-N linkage. The presence of a base is thought to facilitate the attack of nitrogen nucleophiles, such as indoles, pyrroles, and imidazoles, on unsaturated carbon substrates through the activation of the triple bond and thus transforming the electron-rich alkyne into an electrophile. In the past few years, we have been involved in the development of methods for the nucleophilic addition of N-heterocycles onto terminal and internal alkynes using alkali base catalysts to achieve new carbon-nitrogen bond-forming reactions. During our study, we discovered the regioselective preferential nucleophilic addition of N-heterocycles onto the haloarylalkyne over N-arylation of the aryl halide. In this Account, we summarize our latest achievements in regio-, stereo-, and chemoselective hydroamination chemistry of N-nucleophiles with alkynes using a superbasic medium to produce a broad range of highly functionalized vinyl and styryl enamines, which are valuable and versatile synthetic intermediates for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. Interestingly, the stereoselectivity of the addition products (kinetically stable Z and thermodynamically stable E isomers) was found to be dependent upon time. It is worthwhile to note that hydroaminated products formed by the addition reaction can further be utilized for the synthesis of indolo-/pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines, naphthyridines, and bisindolo/pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolinesvia tandem cyclization. This chemistry is expected to find application in organic synthesis for constructing a diverse variety of fused π-conjugated compounds, enaminones, and C-C coupled products.

Organocatalysis using aldehydes: the development and improvement of catalytic hydroaminations, hydrations and hydrolyses

Aldehydes as organocatalysts? Simple aldehydes achieve difficult intermolecular reactions by exploiting temporary intramolecularity and inducing electrophilic activation.

Copper Hydride Catalyzed Hydroamination of Alkenes and Alkynes

Over the past few years, CuH-catalyzed hydroamination has been discovered and developed as a robust and conceptually novel approach for the synthesis of enantioenriched secondary and tertiary amines. The success in this area of research was made possible through the large body of precedent in copper(I) hydride catalysis and the well-explored use of hydroxylamine esters as electrophilic amine sources in related copper-catalyzed processes. This Minireview details the background, advances, and mechanistic investigations in CuH-catalyzed hydroamination.

Mechanistic Studies Lead to Dramatically Improved Reaction Conditions for the Cu-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroamination of Olefins

Enantioselective copper(I) hydride (CuH)-catalyzed hydroamination has undergone significant development over the past several years. To gain a general understanding of the factors governing these reactions, kinetic and spectroscopic studies were performed on the CuH-catalyzed hydroamination of styrene. Reaction profile analysis, rate order assessment, and Hammett studies indicate that the turnover-limiting step is regeneration of the CuH catalyst by reaction with a silane, with a phosphine-ligated copper(I) benzoate as the catalyst resting state. Spectroscopic, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and nonlinear effect studies are consistent with a monomeric active catalyst. With this insight, targeted reagent optimization led to the development of an optimized protocol with an operationally simple setup (ligated copper(II) precatalyst, open to air) and short reaction times (<30 min). This improved protocol is amenable to a diverse range of alkene and alkyne substrate classes.

Recent advances in metal free- and late transition metal-catalysed hydroamination of unactivated alkenes

This Perspective article outlines some of the recent advancements in the development of (chiral) metal-free and late transition metal catalysts for hydroamination of unactivated alkenes.

On the understanding of BF3·Et2O-promoted intra- and intermolecular amination and oxygenation of unfunctionalized olefins

BF₃·Et₂O was found to be effective for the amination and oxygenation of unfunctionalized olefins. In the presence of 3 equiv. of BF₃·Et₂O, intra- and intermolecular amination and oxygenation reactions could be realized in up to 99% isolated yields.

Metal-free synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted 1H- and 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles from 1,3-diyne-indole derivatives employing two successive hydroaminations

The uncatalyzed synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted 1H- and 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles derived from 1,3-diyne indoles was successfully carried out in PEG 400. The scope and limitations of the reaction were studied.

Direct catalytic N-alkylation of amines with carboxylic acids

A straightforward process for the N-alkylation of amines has been developed applying readily available carboxylic acids and silanes as the hydride source. Complementary to known reductive aminations, effective C-N bond construction proceeds under mild conditions and allows obtaining a broad range of alkylated secondary and tertiary amines, including fluoroalkyl-substituted anilines as well as the bioactive compound Cinacalcet HCl.

Recent developments in Cope-type hydroamination reactions of hydroxylamine and hydrazine derivatives

Cope-type hydroaminations are versatile for the direct amination of alkenes, alkynes and allenes using hydroxylamines and hydrazine derivatives. These reactions occur via a concerted, 5-membered cyclic transition state that is the microscopic reverse of the Cope elimination. This article focuses on recent developments, including intermolecular variants, directed reactions, and asymmetric variants using aldehydes as tethering catalysts, and their applications in target-oriented synthesis.

An eco-friendly synthesis of novel 3,5-disubstituted-1,2-isoxazoles in PEG-400, employing the Et3N-promoted hydroamination of symmetric and unsymmetric 1,3-diyne-indole derivatives

PEG-400 proved to be a useful solvent for the mild and efficient synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted 1,2-isoxazoles derived from 1,3-diyne indoles. The scope and limitations of the reaction were also studied.

Transition metal free synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines via Cope-type hydroamination of 1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-diynes

We have developed an efficient and transition metal free methodology for the synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines by the Cope-type hydroamination reaction of 1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-diynes with amidines in DMSO solvent.

Enantioselective thiourea-catalyzed intramolecular cope-type hydroamination

Catalysis of Cope-type rearrangements of bis-homoallylic hydroxylamines is demonstrated using chiral thiourea derivatives. This formal intramolecular hydroamination reaction provides access to highly enantioenriched α-substituted pyrrolidine products and represents a complementary approach to metal-catalyzed methods.

Synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles via Cope-type hydroamination of 1,3-dialkynes

An efficient method for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles is described. The reactions of 1,3-dialkynes with hydrazine proceeded smoothly in dimethyl sulfoxide under mild reaction conditions to produce 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles in satisfactory to excellent yields. A one-pot procedure of the transformation has been developed.

Catalysis through temporary intramolecularity: mechanistic investigations on aldehyde-catalyzed Cope-type hydroamination lead to the discovery of a more efficient tethering catalyst

Mechanistic investigations on the aldehyde-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of allylic amines using N-alkylhydroxylamines are presented. Under the reaction conditions, the presence of a specific aldehyde catalyst allows formation of a mixed aminal intermediate, which permits intramolecular Cope-type hydroamination. The reaction was determined to be first-order in both the aldehyde catalyst (α-benzyloxyacetaldehyde) and the allylic amine. However, the reaction displays an inverse order behavior in benzylhydroxylamine, which reveals a significant off-cycle pathway and highlights the importance of an aldehyde catalyst that promotes a reversible aminal formation. Kinetic isotope effect experiments suggest that hydroamination is the rate-limiting step of this catalytic cycle. Overall, these results enabled the elaboration of a more accurate catalytic cycle and led to the development of a more efficient catalytic system for alkene hydroamination. The use of 5-10 mol % of paraformaldehyde proved more effective than the use of 20 mol % of α-benzyloxyacetaldehyde, leading to high yields of intermolecular hydroamination products within 24 h at 30 °C.

Hydrogen bonding directed intermolecular Cope-type hydroamination of alkenes

Intermolecular hydroamination of unactivated alkenes represents a significant synthetic challenge. An efficient Cope-type hydroamination is achieved under mild conditions for reactions of N-alkylhydroxylamines with allylic amines, using hydrogen bonding to achieve increased reactivity and high regioselectivity. This approach provides a number of highly functionalized vicinal diamine motifs as Markovnikov addition products.