Copper-Catalyzed Intramolecular Desymmetric Aryl C-O Coupling for the Enantioselective Construction of Chiral Dihydrobenzofurans and Dihydrobenzopyrans

Brønsted-Acid-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,3-Diols: Access to Chiral β-Amino Alcohol Derivatives

Herein, we describe a Brønsted-acid-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of 1,3-diols with alkynes through a hydroalkoxylation/hydrolysis process. The reaction leads to the atom-economical synthesis of valuable chiral β-amino alcohols under mild reaction conditions. Further synthetic transformations based on the β-amino alcohol moiety provide divergent approaches toward chiral N-containing heterocycles.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation of α-Substituted Cyanoacetates Enabled by Chiral Amide Ligands

The (S)-nobin-embodied picolinamide and L-hydroxyproline-derived amide are effective ligands for Cu-catalyzed enantioselective coupling reaction of (hetero)aryl iodides with α-alkyl substituted cyanoacetates. This arylation reaction gave α-(heteroaryl)-α-alkyl cyanoacetates in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95 % ee). A variety of functionalized (hetero)aryl and alkyl groups could be introduced to the quaternary center and therefore provided a valuable tool for preparing enantioenriched compounds with an all-carbon quaternary center tethered with convertible functional groups. The size of both α-alkyl and ester groups was proven as the key factor for asymmetric induction.

Diastereoselective Formal 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Trifluoroethyl Amine-Derived Ketimines Enables the Desymmetrization of Cyclopentenediones

In this research, a metal-free diastereoselective formal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines and cyclopentene-1,3-diones which can efficiently lead to the desymmetrization of cyclopentene-1,3-diones is developed. With the developed protocol, a series of tetracyclic spirooxindoles containing pyrrolidine and cyclopentane subunits can be smoothly obtained with good results (up to 99% yield and 91:9 dr). Furthermore, the methodology can be extended to trifluoromethyl-substituted iminomalonate, and the corresponding formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction affords bicyclic heterocycles containing fused pyrrolidine and cyclopentane moieties in moderate yields with >20:1 dr. The synthetic potential of the methodology is demonstrated by the scale-up experiment and by versatile transformations of the products.

Flexible Approach for the Synthesis of Annulated 4H-Pyrans Based on a Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-Allylation/O-Vinylation Reaction of Cyclic 1-Bromoallyl Tosylates with Cyclic and Acyclic 1,3-Dicarbonyls

The Cu(I)-catalyzed reaction between five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered cyclic 1-bromoallyl tosylates and five- and six-membered cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls in DMF at 80 °C using Cs₂CO₃ as a base and 2-picolinic acid as an additive selectively delivers a wide array of bisannulated 4H-pyrans in a single step with yields up to 92%. The transformations are considered to proceed as intermolecular C-allylations/intramolecular O-vinylations. With six-membered cyclic 1-bromoallyl tosylates and acyclic β-ketoesters as substrates, the corresponding 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carboxylates are obtained with yields up to 59%.

Atroposelective Desymmetrization of Resorcinol-Bearing Quinazolinones via Cu-Catalyzed C-O Bond Formation

Enantioselective Cu-catalyzed C-O cross coupling reactions yielding atropisomeric resorcinol-bearing quinazolinones have been developed. Utilizing a new guanidinylated dimeric peptidic ligand, a set of products were generated in good yields with excellent stereocontrol. The transformation was readily scalable, and a range of product derivatizations were performed.

Dual C(sp3)-H Functionalization of Cyclic Ethers via Singlet Oxygen-Mediated Ring Opening and Ring Closing

A metal-free dual C(sp³)-H bond functionalization of saturated cyclic ethers via photooxidative singlet oxygen-mediated ring opening and ring closing has been developed, providing a method for generating hydrobenzofurans/pyrans/dioxins. Mechanistic studies have confirmed that ring-opening intermediates were effectively generated by singlet oxygen-mediated C(sp³)-H activation and efficiently reacted with aldehydes and activated methylene compounds to form a wide array of products with high diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5 dr). This study is a rare example of α,β-dual C(sp³)-H bond functionalization of ethers.

Desymmetrization of Diols by Phosphorylation with a Titanium-BINOLate Catalyst

The desymmetrization of ten prochiral diols by phosphoryl transfer with a titanium-BINOLate complex is discussed. The phosphorylation of nine 1,3-propane diols is achieved in yields of 50-98%. Enantiomeric ratios as high as 92:8 are achieved with diols containing a quaternary C-2 center incorporating a protected amine. The chiral ligand, base, solvent, and stoichiometry are evaluated along with a nonlinear effect study to support an active catalyst species that is oligomeric in chiral ligand. The use of pyrophosphates as the phosphorylating agent in the desymmetrization facilitates a user-friendly method for enantioselective phosphorylation with desirable protecting groups (benzyl, o-nitrobenzyl) on the phosphate product.

Light-Promoted Nickel Catalysis: Etherification of Aryl Electrophiles with Alcohols Catalyzed by a NiII -Aryl Complex

A highly effective C-O coupling reaction of (hetero)aryl electrophiles with primary and secondary alcohols is reported. Catalyzed by a Ni^II -aryl complex under long-wave UV (390-395 nm) irradiation in the presence of a soluble amine base without any additional photosensitizer, the reaction enables the etherification of aryl bromides and aryl chlorides as well as sulfonates with a wide range of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols, affording synthetically important ethers. Intramolecular C-O coupling is also possible. The reaction appears to proceed via a Ni^I -Ni^III catalytic cycle.

Desymmetrization of unactivated bis-alkenes via chiral Brønsted acid-catalysed hydroamination

Although great success has been achieved in catalytic asymmetric hydroamination of unactivated alkenes using transition metal catalysis and organocatalysis, the development of catalytic desymmetrising hydroamination of such alkenes remains a tough challenge in terms of attaining a high level of stereocontrol over both remote sites and reaction centers at the same time. To address this problem, here we report a highly efficient and practical desymmetrising hydroamination of unactivated alkenes catalysed by chiral Brønsted acids with both high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. This method features a remarkably broad alkene scope, ranging from mono-substituted and gem-/1,2-disubstituted to the challenging tri- and tetra-substituted alkenes, to provide access to a variety of diversely functionalized chiral pyrrolidines bearing two congested tertiary or quaternary stereocenters with excellent efficiency under mild and user-friendly synthetic conditions. The key to success is indirect activation of unactivated alkenes by chiral Brønsted acids via a concerted hydroamination mechanism.

Enantioselective Synthesis of β-Quaternary Carbon-Containing Chromanes and 3,4-Dihydropyrans via Cu-Catalyzed Intramolecular C-O Bond Formation

A copper-catalyzed efficient enantioselective construction of chiral quaternary carbon-containing chromanes and 3,4-dihydropyrans is reported. The desymmetric C-O coupling is enabled by a chiral dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine ligand and provides the desired products in good yields with high enantioselectivities. This method presents a broad substrate scope and is applicable to diversely substituted aryl bromides and alkenyl bromides. The application is demonstrated by a gram-scale synthesis and derivatization of the products toward valuable building blocks.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Enantioenriched 2-Aryl-2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans by a Lewis Acid Catalyzed Cyclopropanation/Intramolecular Rearrangement Sequence

A cyclopropanation/intramolecular rearrangement initiated by the Michael addition of in situ generated ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans containing two consecutive stereogenic centers, including a quaternary carbon atom. In the presence of a chiral oxazaborolidinium ion catalyst, the reaction proceeded in excellent yields (up to 95 %) with excellent stereoselectivity (up to >99 ee, up to >20:1 d.r.).

Cu-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of tertiary benzylic copper complexes and their in situ addition to carbonyl compounds

Catalytic chemo- and enantioselective generation of tertiary benzylic copper complexes from Cu-B(pin) (pin = pinacolato) additions to 1,1-disubstituted alkenes followed by in situ reactions with ketones and carboxylic acid phenol esters to construct multifunctional alkylboron compounds that contain quaternary stereogenic centers is presented. The method is distinguished by the unprecedented reaction mode of tertiary benzylic Cu complexes, allowing reaction with a wide range of carbonyl electrophiles in good yields and with high chemo-, site-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The catalytic protocol was performed with easily accessible chiral ligands and copper salts at ambient temperature. Functionalization of multifunctional alkylboron products provides useful building blocks that are otherwise difficult to access.

Selenide-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated tetrahydronaphthalenes by merging desymmetrization and trifluoromethylthiolation

Trifluoromethylthiolated molecules are an important class of biologically active compounds and potential drug candidates. Because of the lack of efficient synthetic methods, catalytic enantioselective construction of these molecules is rare and remains a challenge. To expand this field, we herein disclose a bifunctional selenide-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of various chiral trifluoromethylthiolated tetrahydronaphthalenes bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter with gem-diaryl-tethered alkenes and alkynes by merging desymmetrization and trifluoromethylthiolation strategy. The products are obtained in high yields with excellent enantio- and diastereo-selectivities. This method can be applied to the desymmetrization and sulfenylation of diols as well. Computational studies reveal that selenide can activate the electrophilic reagent better than sulfide, confirming the higher efficiency of selenide catalysis in these reactions. On the basis of the theoretical calculations, an acid-derived anion-binding interaction is suggested to exist in the whole pathway and accounts for the observed high selectivities.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated molecules remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a bifunctional selenide-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of structurally complex chiral trifluoromethylthiolated tetrahydronaphthalenes by merging desymmetrization and trifluoromethylthiolation.

Dual photoredox and nickel-catalyzed desymmetric C–O coupling reactions: visible light-mediated enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-benzodioxanes

Chiral 2,2′-bipyridine ligands are key to success in an enantioselective desymmetric C–O cross coupling reaction via dual visible light photoredox and nickel catalysis, resulting in chiral 1,4-benzodioxanes under mild reaction conditions.

Enantioselective Intermolecular C-O Bond Formation in the Desymmetrization of Diarylmethines Employing a Guanidinylated Peptide-Based Catalyst

We report a series of enantioselective C-O bond cross-coupling reactions based on remote symmetry breaking processes in diarylmethine substrates. The key to the chemistry is multifunctional guanidinylated peptide-based ligands that allow highly selective, intermolecular Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling of phenolic nucleophiles. The scope of the process is explored, demonstrating efficiency for substrates with a range of electronic and steric perturbations to the nucleophile. Scope and limitations are also reported for variation of the diarylmethine. While the presence of an intervening tBu group is found to be optimal for maximum enantioselectivity, several other substituents may also be present such that appreciable selectivity can be achieved, providing an uncommon level of scope for diarylmethine desymmetrizations. In addition, chemoselective reactions are possible when there are phenolic hydroxyl groups within substrates that contain a second reactive site, setting the stage for applications in diverse complex molecular settings.

Copper-Catalyzed Borylacylation of Activated Alkenes with Acid Chlorides

A method for the copper-catalyzed borylacylation of activated alkenes is presented. The reaction involves borylcupration of the alkene, followed by capture of the generated alkyl-copper intermediate with an acid chloride. The reactions operated with low catalyst loading and generally occurre within 15 min at room temperature for a range of activated alkenes. In the case of vinyl arenes, enantioselective borylacylation was possible.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Oxygen-Containing Heterocycles Using Copper-Catalyzed Aryl C-O Coupling Reactions via Asymmetric Desymmetrization

An enantioselective desymmetric aryl C-O coupling reaction was demonstrated under the catalysis of CuI and a chiral cyclic diamine ligand. A series of chiral oxygen-containing heterocyclic units such as 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, chromans, and 1,4-benzodioxanes with tertiary or quaternary stereocarbon centers were synthesized with this method. DFT calculations were also carried out for a better understanding of the model for enantiocontrol.

Carbene-catalyzed desymmetrization of 1,3-diols: access to optically enriched tertiary alkyl chlorides

The introduction of a chlorine atom to a carbon center in an enantioselective manner via conventional C-Cl bond formation is difficult. Here we report a new approach to this class of tertiary alkyl chlorides with high optical purities. Instead of forming a new C-Cl bond, our approach involves carbene-catalyzed desymmetrization of 2-chloro-1,3-diols as the key step to set up the chiral carbon center with excellent enantiomeric excess.

Recent advances in copper-catalyzed asymmetric coupling reactions

Copper-catalyzed (or -mediated) asymmetric coupling reactions have received significant attention over the past few years. Especially the coupling reactions of aryl or alkyl halides with nucleophiles became a very powerful tool for the formation of C–C, C–N, C–O and other carbon–heteroatom bonds as well as for the construction of heteroatom-containing ring systems. This review summarizes the recent progress in copper-catalyzed asymmetric coupling reactions for the formation of C–C and carbon–heteroatom bonds.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,3-Diols through Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation of Allenes

A gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of 1,3-diols was achieved by intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of allenes. The catalyst system 3-F-dppe(AuCl)2/(R)-C8-TRIPAg proved to be specifically efficient to promote the desymmetrizing cyclization of 2-aryl-1,3-diols, which have proven challenging substrates in previous reports. Multisubstituted tetrahydrofurans were prepared in good yield with good enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity by this method.