Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Substituted γ-Lactams from Acylsilanes

Wavelength-dependent rearrangements of an α-dione chromophore: a chemical pearl in a bis(hypersilyl) oyster

The symmetric bissilyl-dione 3 reveals two well-separated n → π* absorption bands at λmax = 637 nm (ε = 140 mol-1 dm3 cm-1) and 317 nm (ε = 2460 mol-1 dm3 cm-1). Whereas excitation of 3 at λ = 360/365 nm affords an isolable siloxyketene 4 in excellent yields, irradiation at λ = 590/630 nm leads to the stereo-selective and quantitative formation of the siloxyrane 5. These remarkable wavelength-dependent rearrangements are based on the electronic and steric properties provided by the hypersilyl groups. While the siloxyketene 4 is formed via a hitherto unknown 1,3-hypersilyl migration via the population of a second excited singlet state (S2, λmax = 317 nm, a rare case of anti-Kasha reactivity), the siloxyrane 5 emerges from the first excited triplet state (T1via S1λmax = 637 nm). These distinct reaction pathways can be traced back to specific energy differences between the S2, S1 and T1, an electronic consequence of the bissilyl substited α-dione (the "pearl"). The hypersilyl groups act as protective ''oyster shell", which are responsible for the clean formation of 4 and 5 basically omitting side products. We describe novel synthetic pathways to achieve hypersilyl substitution (3) and report an in-depth investigation of the photorearrangements of 3 using UV/vis, in situ IR, NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

Direct synthesis and applications of solid silylzinc reagents

The increased synthetic utility of organosilanes has motivated researchers to develop milder and more practical synthetic methods. Silylzinc reagents, which are typically the most functional group tolerant, are notoriously difficult to synthesize because they are obtained by a pyrophoric reaction of silyllithium, particularly Me3SiLi which is itself prepared by the reaction of MeLi and disilane. Furthermore, the dissolved LiCl in silylzinc may have a detrimental effect. A synthetic method that can avoid silyllithium and involves a direct synthesis of silylzinc reagents from silyl halides is arguably the simplest and most economical strategy. We describe, for the first time, the direct synthesis of PhMe2SiZnI and Me3SiZnI reagents by employing a coordinating TMEDA ligand, as well as single crystal XRD structures. Importantly, they can be obtained as solids and stored for longer periods at 4 °C. We also demonstrate their significance in cross-coupling of various free alkyl/aryl/alkenyl carboxylic acids with broader functional group tolerance and API derivatives. The general applicability and efficiency of solid Me3SiZnI are shown in a wide variety of reactions including alkylation, arylation, allylation, 1,4-addition, acylation and more.

Radical coupling of β-ketoesters and amides promoted by Brønsted/Lewis acids

Recent advances in photocatalysis have enabled radical methods with complementary chemoselectivity to established two electron bond forming approaches. While this radical strategy has previously been limited to substrates with favorable redox potentials, Brønsted/Lewis acid activation has emerged as a means of facilitating otherwise difficult reductions. We report herein our investigations into the Lewis acid-promoted redox activation of β-ketocarbonyls in a model photocatalytic radical alkylation reaction. Rapid evaluation of substrates and reactions conditions was achieved by high throughput experimentation using 96-well plate photoreactors.

A Sequential Umpolung/Enzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Strategy for the Synthesis of γ-Lactones

Combining biological and small-molecule catalysts under a chemoenzymatic manifold presents a series of significant advantages to the synthetic community. We report herein the successful development of a two-step/single flask synthesis of γ-lactones through the merger of Umpolung catalysis with a ketoreductase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution, reduction, and cyclization. This combined approach delivers highly enantio- and diastereoenriched heterocycles and demonstrates the feasibility of integrating NHC catalysis with enzymatic processes.

Direct Transformation of N-Protected α,β-Unsaturated γ-Amino Amides into γ-Lactams through a Base-Mediated Molecular Rearrangement

Here, we are reporting a single-step transformation of N-protected α,β-unsaturated γ-amino amides into 5,5-disubstituted γ-lactams through a base-mediated new molecular rearrangement. In contrast to the known N- to C(O) cyclization of saturated γ-amino acids into corresponding γ-lactams, the new rearrangement involves the cyclization between N-terminal C^γ- to C-terminal amide N. The cyclization process was initiated by the migration of double bond from α,β → β,γ position. The enamine-imine tautomerization of the new β,γ-double bond and subsequent 5-exo-trig cyclization of terminal amide leads to the formation of N-protected 5,5-disubstituted γ-lactam. The structures of various γ-lactams obtained from the rearrangement were studied in single crystals. Overall, the results reported here demonstrate the facile and single-step transformation of N-protected α,β-unsaturated γ-amino amides into γ-lactams and provided an excellent opportunity to construct small-molecule peptidomimetics.

Multicomponent Approach to a Library of N-Substituted γ-Lactams

The γ-lactam motif is often found in naturally occurring compounds with diverse biological activities. We prepared a 28-member library of N-substituted γ-lactams following a single-pot, three-component Ugi reaction comprising bifunctional building block, l-glutamic acid methyl ester. The reaction tolerates structurally diverse carbonyl and isocyanide components providing a robust access to functionalized γ-lactams. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including agar well diffusion assay, serial microdilution broth assay, and antibiofilm activity testing, identified a potent compound with antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538.

Divergent synthesis of polysubstituted cyclopropanes and β-silyoxy imidates via switchable additions of N-tert-butanesulfinylimidates to acylsilanes

A switchable addition of N-tert-butanesulfinylimidates to acylsilanes leads to divergent synthesis of polysubstituted cyclopropanes and β-silyloxy imidates.

Silyllithium-Initiated Coupling of α-Ketoamides with tert-Butanesulfinylimines for Stereoselective Synthesis of Enantioenriched α-(Silyloxy)-β-amino Amides

A silyllithium-initiated coupling of α-ketoamides with tert-butanesulfinylimines was developed for the efficient, stereoselective synthesis of enantioenriched α-(silyloxy)-β-amino amides. Nucleophilic addition of silyllithium to α-ketoamides, followed by 1,2-Brook rearrangement, generates nucleophilic enolates, which are then intercepted by chiral imines to provide three-component coupling products. Use of α-ketoamides is critical for achieving high yields and diastereoselectivities in the resulting α-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives.

Carbamoyl anion-initiated cascade reaction for stereoselective synthesis of substituted α-hydroxy-β-amino amides

A carbamoyl anion-initiated cascade reaction with acylsilanes and imines allows rapid construction of substituted α-hydroxy-β-amino amides in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.

Hg/Pt-catalyzed conversion of bromo alkynamines/alkynols to saturated and unsaturated γ-butyrolactams/lactones via intramolecular electrophilic cyclization

Convenient and general Hg(ii)/Pt(iv) catalyzed syntheses of γ-butyrolactams and α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones/lactams are described via intramolecular electrophilic cyclizations of bromoalkynes with tosylamino and hydroxyl tethers. The reaction features the use of wet solvents, the exclusion of any base and additive, mild conditions and practical yields. We also synthesised few chiral lactams through this pathway. Additionally, it is shown that the NHTs group distanced further from the homopropargylic position assists regioselective bromoalkyne hydration to yield useful α-bromoketones. Furthermore, Boc protected bromo homo propargyl amines undergo 6-endo-dig cyclization through Boc oxygen to give bromomethylene substituted oxazinones.

Recent progress towards transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of γ-lactams

The scope of transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized γ-lactams has broadened tremendously in the last decade (see the picture). These metal-catalyzed processes are reviewed by highlighting their specificity and applicability, and the mechanistic rationale is presented where possible.

Efficient synthesis of α-quaternary α-hydroxy-β-amino esters via silyl glyoxylate-mediated three-component reactions

An efficient method has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of fully protected α-quaternary α-hydroxy-β-amino esters via the coupling of three components: aryl Grignard reagents (or methyllithium), silyl glyoxylate, and N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines. This protocol enables successive formation of two C-C bonds and two adjacent chiral carbons with high stereocontrol in a one-pot operation.

N-Heterocyclic carbene/Brønsted acid cooperative catalysis as a powerful tool in organic synthesis

The interplay between metals and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has provided a window of opportunities for the development of novel catalytic strategies within the past few years. The recent successful combination of Brønsted acids with NHCs has added a new dimension to the field of cooperative catalysis, enabling the stereoselective synthesis of functionalized pyrrolidin-2-ones as valuable scaffolds in heterocyclic chemistry. This Commentary will briefly highlight the concept of N-heterocyclic carbene/Brønsted acid cooperative catalysis as a new and powerful methodology in organic chemistry.

Diastereoselective synthesis of pentasubstituted gamma-butyrolactones from silyl glyoxylates and ketones through a double Reformatsky reaction

Three contiguous stereocenters can be established with remarkable diastereoselectivity in a double Reformatsky sequence. Densely functionalized gamma-butyrolactones were assembled rapidly by this approach, in which a ketone is used as the terminal electrophile (see scheme). Secondary transformations of the lactone products enhance their synthetic utility. R(1) = Me, H; R(2) = alkyl, aryl, CF(3); Bn = benzyl, TBS = tert-butyldimethylsilyl.