Diastereo- and Enantioselective Iridium-Catalyzed Carbonyl Propargylation from the Alcohol or Aldehyde Oxidation Level: 1,3-Enynes as Allenylmetal Equivalents

Alcohols as Substrates in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Arylation, Alkylation, and Related Reactions

Alcohols are abundant and attractive feedstock molecules for organic synthesis. Many methods for their functionalization require them to first be converted into a more activated derivative, while recent years have seen a vast increase in the number of complexity-building transformations that directly harness unprotected alcohols. This Review discusses how transition metal catalysis can be used toward this goal. These transformations are broadly classified into three categories. Deoxygenative functionalizations, representing derivatization of the C-O bond, enable the alcohol to act as a leaving group toward the formation of new C-C bonds. Etherifications, characterized by derivatization of the O-H bond, represent classical reactivity that has been modernized to include mild reaction conditions, diverse reaction partners, and high selectivities. Lastly, chain functionalization reactions are described, wherein the alcohol group acts as a mediator in formal C-H functionalization reactions of the alkyl backbone. Each of these three classes of transformation will be discussed in context of intermolecular arylation, alkylation, and related reactions, illustrating how catalysis can enable alcohols to be directly harnessed for organic synthesis.

Catalyst-Free Propargylboration of Ketones with Allenyl-Bpins: Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of tert-Homopropargyl Alcohols Bearing Vicinal Stereocenters

A practical and efficient propargylboration of ketones is presented using general allenylboronic acid pinacol esters (allenyl-Bpins) without a catalyst. This reaction is triggered by in-situ activation of stable allenyl-Bpins through the sequential addition of 1.25 equiv. of n BuLi and the prerequisite 2.0 equiv. of TFAA. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the versatile trisubstituted allenyl-Bpins react with various ketones smoothly to afford a wide range of tert-homopropargyl alcohols bearing vicinal stereocenters in high yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities. Furthermore, propargylboration of ketones with chiral trisubstituted allenyl-Bpins allows for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral tert-homopropargyl alcohols with a full chirality transfer.

Development of regiodivergent asymmetric reductive coupling reactions of allenamides to access heteroatom-rich organic compounds

Organic compounds of biological importance often contain multiple stereogenic C-heteroatom functional groups (e.g. amines, alcohols, and ethers). As a result, synthetic methods to access such compounds in a reliable and stereoselective fashion are important. In this feature article, we present a strategy to enable the introduction of multiple C-heteroatom functional groups in a regiodivergent cross-coupling approach through the use of reductive coupling chemistry employing allenamides. Such processes allow for opportunities to access different heteroatom substitution patterns from the same starting materials.

Photoredox cobalt-catalyzed regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective propargylation of aldehydes via propargyl radicals

Catalytic enantioselective introduction of a propargyl group constitutes one of the most important carbon-carbon forming reactions, as it is versatile to be transformed into diverse functional groups and frequently used in the synthesis of natural products and biologically active molecules. Stereoconvergent transformations of racemic propargyl precursors to a single enantiomer of products via propargyl radicals represent a powerful strategy and provide new reactivity. However, only few Cu- or Ni-catalyzed protocols have been developed with limited reaction modes. Herein, a photoredox/cobalt-catalyzed regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective propargyl addition to aldehydes via propargyl radicals is presented, enabling construction of a broad scope of homopropargyl alcohols that are otherwise difficult to access in high efficiency and stereoselectivity from racemic propargyl carbonates. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations provided evidence for the involvement of propargyl radicals, the origin of the stereoconvergent process and the stereochemical models.

Copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1,3-enynes and azomethine ylides

Herein, we report a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and 1,3-enynes, which provides a series of chiral poly-substituted pyrrolidines in high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities. Both 4-aryl-1,3-enynes and 4-silyl-1,3-enynes serve as suitable dipolarophiles while 4-alkyl-1,3-enynes are inert. Moreover, the method is successfully applied in the construction of both tetrasubstituted stereogenic carbon centers and chiral spiro pyrrolidines. The DFT calculations are also conducted, which imply a concerted mechanism rather than a stepwise mechanism. Finally, various transformations started from the pyrrolidine bearing a triethylsilylethynyl group and centered on the alkyne group are achieved, which compensates for the inertness of 4-alkyl-1,3-enynes in the present reaction.

Historical perspective on ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer and survey of enantioselective hydrogen auto-transfer processes for the conversion of lower alcohols to higher alcohols

Ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen auto-transfer reactions for the direct enantioselective conversion of lower alcohols to higher alcohols are surveyed. These processes enable completely atom-efficient carbonyl addition from alcohol proelectrophiles in the absence of premetalated reagents or metallic reductants. Applications in target-oriented synthesis are highlighted, and a brief historical perspective on ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer processes is given.

Enantioselective and Diastereodivergent Allylation of Propargylic C-H Bonds

An iridium-catalyzed stereoselective coupling of allylic ethers and alkynes to generate 3,4-substituted 1,5-enynes is reported. Under optimized conditions, the coupling products are formed with excellent regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities, and the protocol is functional group tolerant. Moreover, we report conditions that allow the reaction to proceed with complete reversal of diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies are consistent with an unprecedented dual role for the iridium catalyst, enabling the propargylic deprotonation of the alkyne through π-coordination, as well as the generation of a π-allyl species from the allylic ether starting material.

Organic Chemistry and Synthesis Rely More and More upon Catalysts

A few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, Pierre Vogel and Kendall N. Houk published with a new textbook Wiley-VCH, “Organic Chemistry: Theory, Reactivity, and Mechanisms in Modern Synthesis”, with a foreword from the late Roberts H. Grubbs. The book demonstrates how catalytic processes dominate all fields of modern organic chemistry and synthesis, and how invention combines thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, and thermochemical data libraries. Here, the authors present a few case studies that should be of interest to teachers, practitioners of organic and organometallic chemistry, and the engineers of molecules. The Vogel–Houk book is both textbook and reference manual; it provides a modern way to think about chemical reactivity and a powerful toolbox to inventors of new reactions and new procedures.

Total Synthesis of Leiodermatolide A via Transfer Hydrogenative Allylation, Crotylation, and Propargylation: Polyketide Construction beyond Discrete Allyl- or Allenylmetal Reagents

The total synthesis of leiodermatolide A was accomplished in 13 steps (LLS). Transfer hydrogenative variants of three carbonyl additions that traditionally rely on premetalated reagents (allylation, crotylation, and propargylation) are deployed together in one total synthesis.

Synthesis of α-Alkynylnitrones via Hydromagnesiation of 1,3-Enynes with Magnesium Hydride

A protocol for the synthesis of α-alkynylnitrones from 1,3-enynes has been developed. The process is triggered by hydromagnesiation of 1,3-enynes with magnesium hydride (MgH₂), which is prepared in situ through solvothermal treatment of magnesium iodide (MgI₂) with sodium hydride (NaH) in tetrahydrofuran. Downstream functionalization of the resulting propargylmagnesium intermediates with organo nitro compounds affords α-alkynylnitrones, which could be used as versatile precursors for the construction of various nitrogen-containing compounds.

From Hydrogenation to Transfer Hydrogenation to Hydrogen Auto-Transfer in Enantioselective Metal-Catalyzed Carbonyl Reductive Coupling: Past, Present, and Future

Atom-efficient processes that occur via addition, redistribution or removal of hydrogen underlie many large volume industrial processes and pervade all segments of chemical industry. Although carbonyl addition is one of the oldest and most broadly utilized methods for C-C bond formation, the delivery of non-stabilized carbanions to carbonyl compounds has relied on premetalated reagents or metallic/organometallic reductants, which pose issues of safety and challenges vis-à-vis large volume implementation. Catalytic carbonyl reductive couplings promoted via hydrogenation, transfer hydrogenation and hydrogen auto-transfer allow abundant unsaturated hydrocarbons to serve as substitutes to organometallic reagents, enabling C-C bond formation in the absence of stoichiometric metals. This perspective (a) highlights past milestones in catalytic hydrogenation, hydrogen transfer and hydrogen auto-transfer, (b) summarizes current methods for catalytic enantioselective carbonyl reductive couplings, and (c) describes future opportunities based on the patterns of reactivity that animate transformations of this type.

The Formosalides: Structure Determination by Total Synthesis

Total synthesis allowed the constitution of the cytotoxic marine macrolides of the formosalide family to be confirmed and their previously unknown stereostructure to be assigned with confidence. The underlying blueprint was inherently modular to ensure that each conceivable isomer could be reached. This flexibility derived from the use of strictly catalyst controlled transformations to set the stereocenters, except for the anomeric position, which is under thermodynamic control; as an extra safety measure, all stereogenic centers were set prior to ring closure to preclude any interference of the conformation adopted by the macrolactone rings of the different diastereomers. Late-stage macrocyclization by ring-closing alkyne metathesis was followed by a platinum-catalyzed transannular 6-exo-dig hydroalkoxylation/ketalization to craft the polycyclic frame. The side chain featuring a very labile unsaturation pattern was finally attached to the core by Stille coupling.

Radical Carbonyl Propargylation by Dual Catalysis

Carbonyl propargylation has been established as a valuable tool in the realm of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. The 1,3-enyne moiety has been recognized as an alternative pronucleophile in the above transformation through an ionic mechanism. Herein, we report for the first time, the radical carbonyl propargylation through dual chromium/photoredox catalysis. A library of valuable homopropargylic alcohols bearing all-carbon quaternary centers could be obtained by a catalytic radical three-component coupling of 1,3-enynes, aldehydes and suitable radical precursors (41 examples). This redox-neutral multi-component reaction occurs under very mild conditions and shows high functional group tolerance. Remarkably, bench-stable, non-toxic, and inexpensive CrCl₃ could be employed as a chromium source. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest a radical-polar crossover mechanism, which offers a complementary and novel approach towards the preparation of valuable synthetic architectures from simple chemicals.

Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,6'-Bisboryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes: An Entry to Enantioenriched Homoallylic Alcohols with A Stereodefined Trisubstituted Alkene

A Cu-catalyzed regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective carboboration of 1,1-bisboryl-1,3-butadiene is developed to generate enantioenriched 3,6'-bisboryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes. DFT calculations indicate that the initial diene 1,2-borocupration forms a ³ η-allylic copper as the most stable intermediate. Subsequent aldehyde addition, however, operates under Curtin-Hammett control via a more reactive α,α-bisboryl tertiary allylcopper species to furnish products with high enantioselectivities. The three boryl groups in the products are properly differentiated and can undergo a variety of chemoselective transformations to produce enantioenriched homoallylic alcohols with a stereodefined trisubstituted alkene.

Bi(cyclopentyl)diol-Derived Boronates in Highly Enantioselective Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Allylation, Propargylation, and Crotylation of Aldehydes

In this study, we disclose the catalytic addition of bi(cyclopentyl)diol-derived boronates to aldehydes promoted by chiral phosphoric acids, allowing for the formation of enantioenriched homoallylic, propargylic, and crotylic alcohols (up to >99% enantiomeric excess (ee), diastereomeric ratio (dr) >20:1). These boronate substrates provided superior enantioselectivities, allowing for the reactions to proceed with low catalyst loading (0.5-5 mol %) and reduced reaction time (15 min at room temperature for aldehyde allylboration). A wide substrate scope was exhibited, and the novel boronates provided high enantiocontrol. Reactions with substituted allylboronates and aldehydes yielded vicinal stereogenic alcohols bearing β-tertiary or quaternary carbon centers. High enantio- and diastereoselectivities were found due to the closed six-membered chair-like transition state, with backbone modifications of the boronate and its interactions with the chiral phosphoric acid being the most likely contributing factor.

Enantioselective Syntheses of (Z)-6'-Boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes via a Dienylboronate Protoboration and Asymmetric Allylation Reaction Sequence

The enantioselective synthesis of 6'-boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes is reported. A Cu-catalyzed highly stereoselective 1,4-protoboration of 1,1-bisboryl-1,3-butadiene is developed to generate (E)-α,δ-bisboryl-crotylboronate. The chiral phosphoric-acid-catalyzed asymmetric allylboration of aldehydes with the boron reagent produces 6'-boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes with excellent Z-selectivities and enantioselectivities. The product contains a vinyl and alkyl boronate unit that can directly participate in a variety of subsequent transformations.

Recent Developments in C–C Bond Formation Using Catalytic Reductive Coupling Strategies

Metal-catalyzed reductive coupling processes have emerged as a powerful methodology for the introduction of molecular complexity from simple starting materials. These methods allow for an orthogonal approach to that of redox-neutral strategies for the formation of C–C bonds by enabling cross-coupling of starting materials not applicable to redox-neutral chemistry. This short review summarizes the most recent developments in the area of metal-catalyzed reductive coupling utilizing catalyst turnover by a stoichiometric reductant that becomes incorporated in the final product.

1 Introduction

2 Ni Catalysis

3 Cu Catalysis

4 Ru, Rh, and Ir Catalysis

4.1 Alkenes

4.2 1,3-Dienes

4.3 Allenes

4.4 Alkynes

4.5 Enynes

5 Fe, Co, and Mn Catalysis

6 Conclusion and Outlook

Crystal structures and biological activity of 1,1,4-triphenyl-substituted 1,3-enyne compounds

1,3-Enyne structural motifs are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis and occur widely in various natural products with many of them being highly active as cytotoxic macrolides and antitumour antibiotics. This article presents the crystal structure of three 1,1,4-triphenyl-substituted 1,3-enynes, viz. 4-(2-methylphenyl)-1,1-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yne, C₂₃H₁₈ (1), 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yne, C₂₃H₁₈O (2), and 4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,1-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yne, C₂₂H₁₅NO₂ (3). The benzene ring at position 4 of the but-1-en-3-yne group bears a weakly activating methyl group in compound 1, a moderately activating methoxy group in 2 and a strongly deactivating nitro group in 3. The crystal structures of 1 and 3 both have monoclinic symmetry, while that of 2 is orthorhombic, and all of them have one molecule in the asymmetric unit. All three compounds were investigated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Interestingly, enyne 2 is the only compound tested that inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger.

Engaging Aldehydes in CuH-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling Reactions: Stereoselective Allylation with Unactivated 1,3-Diene Pronucleophiles

Recently, CuH-catalyzed reductive coupling processes involving carbonyl compounds and imines have become attractive alternatives to traditional methods for stereoselective addition because of their ability to use readily accessible and stable olefins as surrogates for organometallic nucleophiles. However, the inability to use aldehydes, which usually reduce too rapidly in the presence of copper hydride complexes to be viable substrates, has been a major limitation. Shown here is that by exploiting relative concentration effects through kinetic control, this intrinsic reactivity can be inverted and the reductive coupling of 1,3-dienes with aldehydes achieved. Using this method, both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes can be transformed into synthetically valuable homoallylic alcohols with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivities, and in the presence of many useful functional groups. Furthermore, using a combination of theoretical (DFT) and experimental methods, important mechanistic features of this reaction related to stereo- and chemoselectivities were uncovered.

α-Silicon effect assisted Curtin-Hammett allylation using allylcopper reagents derived from 1,3-dienylsilanes

Cu-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of (E)-δ-silyl-anti-homoallylic alcohols from 1,3-dienylsilane was developed. Mechanistic studies revealed that the borocupration of dienylsilane proceeded through a 1,2-addition pathway to give an allylcopper intermediate with Cu distal to the silyl group. However, the subsequent aldehyde allylation proceeded via Curtin-Hammett control to give (E)-δ-silyl-anti-homoallylic alcohols with high diastereoselectivities. This method was applied to the synthesis of the C1-9 fragment of a polyketide natural product, mycinolide IV.

Preparation of Chiral Allenes through Pd-Catalyzed Intermolecular Hydroamination of Conjugated Enynes: Enantioselective Synthesis Enabled by Catalyst Design

In this study, we establish that conjugated enynes undergo selective 1,4-hydroamination under Pd catalysis to deliver chiral allenes with pendant allylic amines. Several primary and secondary aliphatic and aryl-substituted amines couple with a wide range of mono- and disubstituted enynes in a nonenantioselective reaction where DPEphos serves as the ligand for Pd. Benzophenone imine acts as an ammonia surrogate to afford primary amines in a two-step/one-pot process. Examination of chiral catalysts revealed a high degree of reversibility in the C-N bond formation that negatively impacted enantioselectivity. Consequently, an electron-poor ferrocenyl-PHOX ligand was developed to enable efficient and enantioselective enyne hydroamination.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Aldehyde Arylation via Formate-Mediated Transfer Hydrogenation: Beyond Metallic Reductants in Grignard/Nozaki-Hiyami-Kishi-Type Addition

The first intermolecular carbonyl arylations via transfer hydrogenative reductive coupling are described. Using rhodium catalysts modified by tBu2PMe, sodium formate-mediated reductive coupling of aryl iodides with aldehydes occurs in a chemoselective fashion in the presence of protic functional groups and lower halides. This work expands the emerging paradigm of transfer hydrogenative coupling as an alternative to pre-formed carbanions or metallic reductants in C═X addition.

Catalytic Enantioselective Carbonyl Propargylation Beyond Preformed Carbanions: Reductive Coupling and Hydrogen Auto-Transfer

Chiral metal complexes catalyze enantioselective carbonyl propargylation via reductive coupling or as hydrogen auto-transfer processes, in which reactant alcohols serve dually as reductant and carbonyl proelectrophile. Unlike classical propargylation protocols, which rely on allenylmetal reagents or metallic reductants (e.g. NHK reactions), reductive protocols for carbonyl propargylation can occur in the absence of stoichiometric metals, precluding generation of metallic byproducts. Propargylations of this type exploit both enyne and propargyl halide pronucleophiles.

Catalytic carboboration of dienylboronate for stereoselective synthesis of (E)-γ′,δ-bisboryl-anti-homoallylic alcohols

A Cu-catalyzed stereoselective carboboration of dienylboronate for the synthesis of (E)-γ′,δ-bisboryl-anti-homoallylic alcohols was developed.

Intermolecular Metal-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Dienes, Allenes, and Enynes with Carbonyl Compounds and Imines

Metal-catalyzed reductive coupling has emerged as an alternative to the use of stoichiometric organometallic reagents in an increasingly diverse range of carbonyl and imine additions. In this review, the use of diene, allene, and enyne pronucleophiles in intermolecular carbonyl and imine reductive couplings are surveyed, along with related hydrogen autotransfer processes.

A Simple Procedure for the Synthesis of β-Hydroxyallenamides via Homoallenylation of Aldehydes

A simple one-pot synthesis of β-hydroxyallenamides is reported. This procedure entails chemo- and regioselective hydroboration of 3-en-1-ynyl-sulfonylamides with Cy₂BH followed by homoallenylation of aldehydes to yield β-hydroxyallenamides (up to 94% yield and >20:1 dr). Controlled synthesis of up to three continuous stereochemical elements was realized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest a concerted Zimmerman-Traxler chair-like transition state. Initial results suggest that enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of β-hydroxyallenamides with optically active hydroboration reagents is viable.

Organocatalytic reductive coupling of aldehydes with 1,1-diarylethylenes using an in situ generated pyridine-boryl radical

A pyridine-boryl radical promoted reductive coupling reaction of aldehydes with 1,1-diarylethylenes has been established.

A pyridine-boryl radical promoted reductive coupling reaction of aldehydes with 1,1-diarylethylenes has been established via a combination of computational and experimental studies. Density functional theory calculations and control experiments suggest that the ketyl radical from the addition of the pyridine-boryl radical to aldehydes is the key intermediate for this C–C bond formation reaction. This metal-free reductive coupling reaction features a broad substrate scope and good functional compatibility.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Trisubstituted Allenyl-B(pin) Compounds by Phosphine-Cu-Catalyzed 1,3-Enyne Hydroboration. Insights Regarding Stereochemical Integrity of Cu-Allenyl Intermediates

Catalytic enantioselective boron-hydride additions to 1,3-enynes, which afford allenyl-B(pin) (pin = pinacolato) products, are disclosed. Transformations are promoted by a readily accessible bis-phosphine-Cu complex and involve commercially available HB(pin). The method is applicable to aryl- and alkyl-substituted 1,3-enynes. Trisubstituted allenyl-B(pin) products were generated in 52-80% yield and, in most cases, in >98:2 allenyl:propargyl and 92:8-99:1 enantiomeric ratio. Utility is highlighted through a highly diastereoselective addition to an aldehyde, and a stereospecific catalytic cross-coupling process that delivers an enantiomerically enriched allene with three carbon-based substituents. The following key mechanistic attributes are elucidated: (1) Spectroscopic and computational investigations indicate that low enantioselectivity can arise from loss of kinetic stereoselectivity, which, as suggested by experimental evidence, may occur by formation of a propargylic anion generated by heterolytic Cu-C cleavage. This is particularly a problem when trapping of the Cu-allenyl intermediate is slow, namely, when an electron deficient 1,3-enyne or a less reactive boron-hydride reagent (e.g., HB(dan) (dan = naphthalene-1,8-diaminato)) is used or under non-optimal conditions (e.g., lower boron-hydride concentration causing slower trapping). (2) With enynes that contain a sterically demanding o-aryl substituent considerable amounts of the propargyl-B(pin) isomer may be generated (25-96%) because a less sterically demanding transition state for Cu/B exchange becomes favorable. (3) The phosphine ligand can promote isomerization of the enantiomerically enriched allenyl-B(pin) product; accordingly, lower ligand loading might at times be optimal. (4) Catalytic cross-coupling with an enantiomerically enriched allenyl-B(pin) compound might proceed with high stereospecificity (e.g., phosphine-Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling) or lead to considerable racemization (e.g., phosphine-Cu-catalyzed allylic substitution).

Catalytic enantioselective OFF ↔ ON activation processes initiated by hydrogen transfer: concepts and challenges

Hydrogen transfer initiated processes are eco-compatible transformations allowing the reversible OFF ↔ ON activation of otherwise unreactive substrates. The minimization of stoichiometric waste as well as the unique activation modes provided by these transformations make them key players for a greener future for organic synthesis. Long limited to catalytic reactions that form racemic products, considerable progress on the development of strategies for controlling diastereo- and enantioselectivity has been made in the last decade. The aim of this review is to present the different strategies that enable enantioselective transformations of this type and to highlight how they can be used to construct key synthetic building blocks in fewer operations with less waste generation.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alcohols: access to hydroxyalkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of hydroxyl-containing quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been developed via the copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alcohols with moderate to good yields.