Electron-rich benzofulvenes as effective dipolarophiles in copper(i)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

A series of benzofulvenes without any electron-withdrawing substituents were employed as 2π-type dipolarophiles for the first time to participate in Cu(i)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reactions of azomethine ylides. An intrinsic non-benzenoid aromatic characteristic from benzofulvenes serves as a key driving force for activation of the electron-rich benzofulvenes. Utilizing the current methodology, a wide range of multi-substituted chiral spiro-pyrrolidine derivatives containing two contiguous all-carbon quaternary centers were formed in good yield with exclusive chemo-/regioselectivity and high to excellent stereoselectivity. Computational mechanistic studies elucidate the origin of the stereochemical outcome and the chemoselectivity, in which the thermostability of these cycloaddition products is the major factor.

Stereodivergent synthesis of enantioenriched azepino[3,4,5-cd]-indoles via cooperative Cu/Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation and intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction

The development of enantioselective annulation reactions using readily available substrates for the construction of structurally and stereochemically diverse heterocycles is a compelling topic in diversity-oriented synthesis. Herein, we report efficient catalytic asymmetric formal 1,3-dipolar (3 + 4) cycloadditions of azomethine ylides with 4-indolyl allylic carbonates for the construction of azepino[3,4,5-cd]-indoles fused with a challenging seven-membered N-heterocycle, a frequently occurring tricyclic indole scaffold in bioactive compounds and pharmaceuticals. Through cooperative Cu/Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation followed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction, an array of azepino[3,4,5-cd]-indoles were obtained in good yields with excellent diastereo-/enantioselective control. More importantly, the full stereodivergence of this transformation was established via synergistic catalysis followed by acid-promoted epimerization, and up to eight stereoisomers of the cycloadducts bearing three stereogenic centers could be predictably achieved from the same set of starting materials for the first time. Quantum mechanical computations established a plausible mechanism for the synergistic Cu/Ir catalysis to stereodivergently introduce two vicinal stereocenters whose stereochemical information is remotely delivered across the fused azepine ring to control the third chiral center. Epimerization of the last center involves protonation-enabled reversal of the thermodynamically controlled relative configuration.

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions with aza-o-QMs of fulvenes: Construction of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

An efficient [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of fulvenes with the in situ generated aza-o-quinone methides from N-(o-chloromethyl)aryl sulfonamides with the assistance base has been developed to afford a series of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. The reaction tolerates a wide range of aza-o-quinone methides and fulvenes bearing four to seven-membered rings to afford the corresponding tetrahydroquinolines in moderate to good yields. Based on the literature analysis, a plausible mechanism for this [4+2] cycloaddition was proposed.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed asymmetric exo-selective synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

An (R)-DM-BINAP/Cu(CH3CN)4BF4 complex catalyzed exo-selective asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DCA) reaction of imino esters with α,β-unsaturated pyrazoleamides has been developed. A series of highly functionalized pyrrolidines with multiple stereogenic centers were obtained with good yields and diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

FeCl2 Catalyzed Three-Component Reactions of Phospholes, Pyrrolidine, and Ketones (Aldehydes): Chemoselective Synthesis of 1-Phosphafulvenes

We have developed an unprecedented approach for the synthesis of transient 1-phosphafulvenes through three component reactions of phospholes. The generation of 1-phosphafulvenes was demonstrated by in situ [6 + 4] cycloaddition with 2H-phospholes and [6 + 6] self-dimerization. The [6 + 4] and [6 + 6] reaction pathway could be modulated by the starting ketones and aldehydes. The construction of 1-phosphafulvenes is illustrated by a proposed mechanism combining nucleophilic addition of phospholide to the iminium or isomerized azomethine ylide and a [1,5]-shift of phosphole.

Iridium-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective [4 + 3] Cycloaddition of 4-Indolyl Allylic Alcohols with Azomethine Ylides

An unprecedented iridium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of racemic 4-indolyl allylic alcohols with azomethine ylides is reported. The ability of acid promoter zinc triflate to perform multiple roles is the key factor for the success of this strategy. This method provides scalable and efficient access to biologically important azepino[3,4,5-cd] indoles in good yields with generally excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and >99% ee). Mild reaction conditions, easily accessible substrates and chiral catalyst, and broad substrate scope highlight the practicality of this methodology.

Nonbenzenoid aromaticity of 1-phosphafulvenes: synthesis of phosphacymantrenes

The coordination chemistry of 1-phosphafulvenes was investigated by employing their [6 + 4] adducts or α-C₂-bridged biphospholes as a precursor. Unbridged phosphacymantrenes arise from 1-phosphafulvenes via proton abstraction. α-C₂-bridged biphosphacymantrenes are probably yielded by the reductive coupling of 1-phosphafulvene with Mn₂(CO)₁₀. The coordination behavior of 1-phosphafulvenes is comparable to that of pentafulvenes, which again demonstrates the phosphorus-carbon analogy in low-coordinate organophosphorus chemistry.

Recent quinone diazide based transformations via metal–carbene formation

Recent advancements in versatile synthetic transformations using quinone diazide based metal carbenes have been summarized.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective 1,3-Dipolar [6+4] Cycloadditions of Tropone

A highly stereoselective 1,3-dipolar [6+4] cycloaddition towards bridged azabicyclo[4.3.1]decane scaffolds has been developed, reacting aldehydes, 2-aminomalonates and tropone under mild conditions in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst. The scope is demonstrated for a series of aldehydes and 2-aminomalonates, and the reaction proceeds in high yields, >95:5 d.r. and up to 99 % ee. A series of transformations, as well as a mechanistic proposal, are presented.

A new entry to highly functionalized pyrroles via a cascade reaction of α-amino esters and alkynals

Here, we developed an expedient access route to highly functionalized pyrroles from readily available α-amino acid ester hydrochlorides and alkynals via a cascade condensation/intramolecular cyclization followed by a unique C-N ester migration process. A variety of 1,2,3-trisubstituted pyrroles, which were difficult to acquire with the common methodologies, were successfully prepared in good yields under mild conditions.

Catalytic Asymmetric Reactions with N-Metallated Azomethine Ylides

Optically active nitrogen-containing compounds have attracted substantial attention due to their ubiquity in the cores of natural products and bioactive molecules. Among the various synthetic approaches to nitrogenous frameworks, catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions are one of the most attractive methods because of their powerful ability to rapidly construct various chiral N-heterocycles. In particular, N-metallated azomethine ylides, common and readily available 1,3-dipoles, have been extensively applied in dipolar cycloaddition reactions. Despite the fact that asymmetric transformations of azomethine ylides have been investigated for decades, most of the efforts have been directed toward the preparation of pyrrolidines using glycinate-derived α-unsubstituted aldimine esters as the precursors of the azomethine ylides. While α-substituted azomethine ylides derived from amino esters other than glycinate have seldom been harnessed, the construction of non-five-membered chiral N-heterocycles via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions remains underexplored. In addition, the asymmetric α-functionalization of aldimine esters to prepare acyclic nitrogenous compounds such as α-amino acids, in which an in situ-generated N-metallated azomethine ylide serves as the nucleophile, has not been sufficiently described.In this Account, we mainly discuss the achievements we have made in the past decade toward broadening the applications of N-metallated azomethine ylides for the preparation of nitrogen-containing compounds. We began our investigation with the design and synthesis of a new type of chiral ligand, TF-BiphamPhos, which not only coordinates with Lewis acids to activate dipolar species but also serves as an H-bond donor to increase the reactivity of dipolarophiles with significantly enhanced stereochemical control. Using the Cu(I) or Ag(I)/TF-BiphamPhos complex as the catalyst, we achieved highly stereoselective (3+2) cycloadditions of glycinate and non-glycinate-derived azomethine ylides with diverse dipolarophiles, producing a variety of enantioenriched pyrrolidines with multiple stereocenters in a single step. To further expand the synthetic utility of N-metallated azomethine ylides, we successfully developed higher order cycloadditions with fulvenes, tropone, 2-acyl cycloheptatrienes, and pyrazolidinium ylides serving as the reaction partner, and this reaction provides straightforward access to enantioenriched fused piperidines, bridged azabicyclic frameworks, and triazines via (3+6)- and (3+3)-type cycloadditions. Using N-metallated azomethine ylides as the nucleophile, we realized Cu(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-Michael additions with α,β-unsaturated bisphosphates/Morita-Baylis-Hillman products, furnishing an array of structurally diverse unnatural α-amino acids. Based on the strategy of synergistic activation, we achieved highly efficient dual Cu/Pd and Cu/Ir catalysis for the α-functionalization of aldimine esters via the asymmetric allylic/allenylic alkylation of N-metallated azomethine ylides. Notably, Cu/Ir catalysis allowed the stereodivergent synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids via a branched allylic alkylation reaction, in which the two distinct chiral metal catalysts independently have full stereochemical control over the corresponding nucleophile and electrophile. Furthermore, an expedient and stereodivergent preparation of biologically important tetrahydro-γ-carbolines was realized through a Cu/Ir-catalyzed cascade allylation/iso-Pictet-Spengler cyclization. In addition, when the steric congestion in the allylation intermediates was increased, the combined Cu/Ir catalysts provided an asymmetric cascade allylation/2-aza-Cope rearrangement, producing various optically active homoallylic amines with impressive results.

Diverse Approaches for Enantioselective C-H Functionalization Reactions Using Group 9 Cpx MIII Catalysts

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions with Cp*M^III catalysts (M=Co, Rh, Ir) have found a wide variety of applications in organic synthesis. Albeit the intrinsic difficulties in achieving catalytic stereocontrol using these catalysts due to their lack of additional coordination sites for external chiral ligands and the conformational flexibility of the Cp ligand, catalytic enantioselective C-H functionalization reactions using the Group 9 metal triad with Cp-type ligands have been intensively studied since 2012. In this minireview, the progress in these reactions according to the type of the chiral catalyst used are summarized and discussed. The development of chiral Cp^x ligands the metal complexes thereof, artificial metalloenzymes, chiral carboxylate-assisted enantioselective C-H activations, enantioselective alkylations assisted by chiral carboxylic acids or chiral sulfonates, and chiral transient directing groups are discussed.

Stereochemical diversity in pyrrolidine synthesis by catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

The pyrrolidine ring is a privileged structural motif in synthetic and medicinal chemisty. This review aims to highlight the high versatility of the catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides for access to different types of stereochemical patterns in enantioselective pyrrolidine synthesis. Special attention will be paid to stereodivergent procedures giving rise to different stereoisomers from the same starting materials.

An overview of the cycloaddition chemistry of fulvenes and emerging applications

The unusual electronic properties and unique reactivity of fulvenes have interested researchers for over a century. The propensity to form dipolar structures at relatively low temperatures and to participate as various components in cycloaddition reactions, often highly selectively, makes them ideal for the synthesis of complex polycyclic carbon scaffolds. As a result, fulvene cycloaddition chemistry has been employed extensively for the synthesis of natural products. More recently, fulvene cycloaddition chemistry has also found application to other areas including materials chemistry and dynamic combinatorial chemistry. This highlight article discusses the unusual properties of fulvenes and their varied cycloaddition chemistry, focussing on applications in organic and natural synthesis, dynamic combinatorial chemistry and materials chemistry, including dynamers, hydrogels and charge transfer complexes. Tables providing comprehensive directories of fulvene cycloaddition chemistry are provided, including fulvene intramolecular and intermolecular cycloadditions complete with reactant partners and their resulting cyclic adducts, which provide a useful reference source for synthetic chemists working with fulvenes and complex polycyclic scaffolds.

Strategies for the synthesis of spiropiperidines - a review of the last 10 years

Spiropiperidines have gained in popularity in drug discovery programmes as medicinal chemists explore new areas of three-dimensional chemical space. This review focuses on the methodology used for the construction of 2-, 3- and 4-spiropiperidines, covering the literature from the last 10 years. It classifies the synthesis of each of the types of spiropiperidine by synthetic strategy: the formation of the spiro-ring on a preformed piperidine ring, and the formation of the piperidine ring on a preformed carbo- or heterocyclic ring. While 3- and 4-spiropiperidines are predominantly synthesised for drug discovery projects, 2-spiropiperidines are synthesised en route to natural products. The lack of 2-spiropiperidines in drug discovery is presumably due to limited general procedures for their synthesis.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of exo-3-Oxodicyclopentadienes and endo-3-Oxodicyclopentadiene

The first example of highly efficient kinetic resolution of exo-3-oxodicyclopentadienes and endo-3-oxodicyclopentadiene has been developed by means of Cu(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide. Compared with the existing methodologies for those synthetically important optically active convex molecules, the current protocol provides an alternative but more practical approach from the readily available racemic starting materials, which is free from the repetitive reduction/oxidation steps in the enzymatic resolution or the indispensable stoichiometric amount of chirality-induction reagents.

Palladium catalysed [3 + 2]-annulation reaction of vinylcyclopropanes with pentafulvenes: synthesis of polysubstituted spiro[4,4]nona-6,8-dienes

A novel palladium catalysed [3 + 2]-annulation reaction of vinylcyclopropanes with pentafulvenes has been developed for the synthesis of spiro[4,4]nona-6,8-dienes.

Kinetic Resolution of Alkylidene Norcamphors via a Ligand-Controlled Umpolung-Type 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

Development of a general catalytic and highly efficient method utilizing readily available precursors for the regio- and stereoselective construction of bioactive natural-product-inspired spiro architectures remains a formidable challenge in chemical research. Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides produces numerous N-heterocycles, but reaction control with the regioselectivity opposite to the conventional fashion has rarely been demonstrated. Herein, we report a unique ligand-controlled Cu(I)-catalyzed umpolung-type 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide to realize efficient kinetic resolution of racemic alkylidene norcamphors with the concomitant construction of previously inaccessible spiro N-heterocycles with high levels of regio- and stereoselectivity. The success of this methodology relies on the strategy of kinetic resolution, and the serendipitous discovery of a unique ligand-enabled regiospecific cycloaddition, which not only provides evidence for the existence of the minor zwitterionic resonance form in metallated azomethine ylide but also diversifies the existing chemistry of azomethine ylide-involved 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with rare polarity inversion.

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Kinetic resolution of racemic alkylidene norcamphors

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Spiro architectures incorporating norbornane and pyrrolidine scaffolds

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Unique ligand-enabled umpolung-type 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

Catalytic asymmetric inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of fulvenes with azoalkenes

An unprecedented copper(i)-catalyzed asymmetric inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of azoalkenes with fulvenes is reported. This methodology offers a directed entry to synthesize bicyclic tetrapyridazine derivatives in good yield with exclusive regioselectivity and excellent stereoselectivity.

A chiral scandium-complex-catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand oxa-Diels–Alder reaction of o-quinone methides with fulvenes

A highly efficient asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of o-quinone methides with fulvenes has been realized using a chiral N,N′-dioxide/Sc(iii) complex as the catalyst. The corresponding optically active chromane derivatives were obtained in high yields with excellent dr and ee values.

Catalytic synthesis of 3-aminooxindoles via addition to isatin imine: an update

3-Substituted-3-aminooxindoles have attracted the attention of organic chemist to develop different synthetic methodologies for their synthesis using catalysts. This review covers the recent developments.

Chiral ligands designed in China

Asymmetric catalysis has become an indispensable and productive field within the Chinese organic chemistry society. The design of chiral ligands is one of the most prominent research areas in this field. Since the late 1990s, Chinese organic chemists have developed numerous chiral ligands possessing novel chiral skeletons and design concepts. Some of these ligands have been widely adopted and can be regarded as ‘privileged ligand’, which have shown excellent performance in many asymmetric catalytic reactions. In this review, we provide an overview of the chiral ligands designed by Chinese scientists with the aim of promoting the development of this area in China and with the hope of encouraging more scientists across the world to use these ligands when designing asymmetric reactions.

Catalytic asymmetric [2+2] cycloaddition between quinones and fulvenes and a subsequent stereoselective isomerization to 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans

A chiral Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition between quinones and fulvenes was reported for the first time. The method afforded a series of [6,4,5]-tricyclic cyclobutane derivatives in good yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivities. Furthermore, the [2+2] adducts could be easily converted into formal [3+2] adducts efficiently and stereoselectively.

Copper(i)/TF-BiphamPhos catalyzed asymmetric nitroso Diels–Alder reaction

A highly efficient enantioselective nitroso Diels–Alder reaction of 6-methyl-2-nitroso pyridine with various 1,3-dienes was successfully developed using a copper(i)/(S)–TF-BiphamPhos complex as the catalyst. For most of the cyclic dienes, the cycloadducts were obtained in high yields with excellent regio-, and stereoselectivities. Acyclic 2-silyloxy-1,3-diene also worked well in the reaction.