Synthesis of Cyclic Alkenyl Triflates by a Cationic Cyclization Reaction and its Application in Biomimetic Polycyclizations and Synthesis of Terpenes

Synthesis of Seven- and Eight-Membered Rings by a Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Cationic Carbocyclization of Biphenyl Embedded Enynes

A Brønsted acid catalyzed cyclization of o-alkenyl-o'-alkynylbiaryls for the synthesis of biologically relevant dibenzo-fused medium-sized rings has been developed. The outcome of the cyclization is determined by the nature of the substituent at the alkyne, with arenes favoring seven-membered rings and alkyl substituents producing eight-membered rings. These reactions proceed via a vinyl cation, which is captured by water and, notably, by C-nucleophiles, such as electron-rich (hetero)arenes.

Cationic cyclization reactions with alkyne terminating groups: a useful tool in biomimetic synthesis

Cyclization reactions through cationic intermediates have become a highly valuable tool in organic synthesis. The use of alkynes as the terminating group in this type of cationic process offers wide synthetic possibilities because this group can serve as a precursor of different functionalities. This article shows relevant examples of cationic cyclization reactions with alkynes as terminating groups with the intention of demonstrating the potential of this type of process, particularly in the context of biomimetic synthesis of natural products.

Carbonyl 1,2-transposition through triflate-mediated α-amination

[Figure: see text].

Computational study on N-triflylphosphoramide-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination of alkenyl thiourea

The mechanism of the enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination of alkenyl thiourea catalyzed by chiral binaphthol N-triflylphosphoramide (NPTA) was investigated using density functional theory calculations. This study reveals the details of the hydrogen bonding mode between NPTA and the substrate and indicates the importance of the dual hydrogen binding properties of the thiourea moiety for the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the hydroamination.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Spirochensilide A, Part 1: Diastereoselective Synthesis of the ABCD Ring and Stereoselective Total Synthesis of 13(R)-Demethyl Spirochensilide A

A concise and diastereoselective construction of the ABCD ring system of spirochensilide A is described. The key steps of this synthesis are a semipinacol rearrangement reaction to stereoselectively construct the AB ring system bearing two vicinal quaternary chiral centers and a Co-mediated Pauson-Khand reaction to form the spiro-based bicyclic CD ring system. This chemistry leads to the stereoselective synthesis of 13(R)-demethyl spirochensilide A, paving the way for the first asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-spirochensilide A.

Synthesis of Spirocyclic Compounds by a Ring-Expansion/Cationic Cyclization Cascade Reaction of Chlorosulfate Derivatives

A novel cascade reaction to prepare spirocarbocyclic compounds from chlorosulfate derivatives has been developed. The process involves an unusual thermal elimination of the chlorosulfate moiety, a ring-expansion reaction, and a subsequent cationic cyclization reaction. Despite the relatively complex skeletal rearrangement, the reaction described here is featured by its operational simplicity, being just a thermal process that does not require additional reagents, catalysts, or additives.

Mimicking Halimane Synthases: Monitoring a Cascade of Cyclizations and Rearrangements from Epoxypolyprenes

We have developed and rationalized a biomimetic transformation mimicking halimane synthases based on a Lewis acid-catalyzed cascade of cyclizations and rearrangements of epoxypolyprenes. Two rings, three stereogenic centers, and a new double bond were generated in a single chemical operation. Based on this cascade transformation, we achieved a unified strategy toward the stereoselective total syntheses of halimene-type terpenoids and analogues as a proof-of-concept study. This method has been applied to the rapid synthesis of diterpene isotuberculosinol, a virulence factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a representative example.

Teaching an old carbocation new tricks: Intermolecular C-H insertion reactions of vinyl cations

Vinyl carbocations have been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical studies over the past five decades. Despite this long history in chemistry, the utility of vinyl cations in chemical synthesis has been limited, with most reactivity studies focusing on solvolysis reactions or intramolecular processes. Here we report synthetic and mechanistic studies of vinyl cations generated through silylium-weakly coordinating anion catalysis. We find that these reactive intermediates undergo mild intermolecular carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, including carbon-hydrogen (C-H) insertion into unactivated sp³ C-H bonds and reductive Friedel-Crafts reactions with arenes. Moreover, we conducted computational studies of these alkane C-H functionalization reactions and discovered that they proceed through nonclassical, ambimodal transition structures. This reaction manifold provides a framework for the catalytic functionalization of hydrocarbons using simple ketone derivatives.

Synthesis of Cyclic β-Silylalkenyl Triflates via an Alkenyl Cation Intermediate

Trimethylsilylalkyne derivatives are transformed into cyclic β-silylalkenyl triflates through cationic cyclization and subsequent trapping of the alkenyl cation by a triflate anion. β-Silylcyclohexenyl triflates and 3-trimethylsilyl-1,4-dihydronaphth-2-yl triflates are generated efficiently using this methodology. These products provide ready access to substituted cyclohexynes, exemplified by a concise total synthesis of β-apopicropodophyllin.

Metal-Free Direct C-H Cyanation of Alkenes

A metal‐free and direct alkene C−H cyanation is described. Directing groups are not required and the mechanism involves electrophilic activation of the alkene by a cyano iodine(III) species generated in situ from a [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]arene and trimethylsilyl cyanide as the cyanide source. This C−H functionalization can be conducted on gram scale, and for noncyclic 1,1‐ and 1,2‐disubstuted alkenes high stereoselectivity is achieved, thus rendering the method highly valuable.

Construction of a diverse set of terpenoid decalin subunits from a common enantiomerically pure scaffold obtained by a biomimetic cationic cyclization

An unprecedented biomimetic cationic cyclization reaction is used for the synthesis of an enantiomerically pure scaffold that is easily transformed into a set of structurally diverse decalin derivatives with potential application in the synthesis of targeted natural products and/or natural-product-inspired new molecules.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Nahuoic Acid Ci (Bii)

A convergent total synthesis of (-)-nahuoic acid Ci(Bii) (3), a novel cis-decalin polyketide, has been achieved. Key synthetic transformations include Type II Anion Relay Chemistry (ARC) to construct the polyol chain, a Ti-catalyzed asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction to generate the cis-decalin skeleton, and a late-stage large fragment union exploiting a Micalizio alkoxide-directed alkyne-alkene coupling tactic.

Regioselective 1,2-Diol Rearrangement by Controlling the Loading of BF3·Et2O and Its Application to the Synthesis of Related Nor-Sesquiterene- and Sesquiterene-Type Marine Natural Products

The regiocontrolled rearrangement of 1,2-diols has been achieved by controlling the loading of BF₃·Et₂O. Its applicability is showcased by the divergent synthesis of austrodoral, austrodoric acid, and 8-epi-11-nordriman-9-one, as well as a formal synthesis of siphonodictyal B and liphagal. A new light is shed on piancol-type rearrangements that will be useful in diversity-oriented synthesis of related natural products.

Regio- and Stereoselective Radical Perfluoroalkyltriflation of Alkynes Using Phenyl(perfluoroalkyl)iodonium Triflates

A method for regio- and stereoselective anti-addition of the perfluoroalkyl and the triflate group of phenyl(perfluoroalkyl)iodonium triflates to alkynes is presented. The radical reaction uses cheap CuCl as a smart initiator and can be conducted in gram scale. The perfluoroalkyltriflated products are readily further functionalized, rendering this transformation valuable.

Scalable Synthesis of the Amber Odorant 9-epi-Ambrox through a Biomimetic Cationic Cyclization/Nucleophilic Bromination Reaction

A novel biomimetic nucleophilic bromocyclization reaction is used in the key step of a new and straightforward synthesis of 9-epi-Ambrox, an organic compound of high interest and value in the context of fragrances. This strategic reaction allows access to 9-epi-Ambrox on a gram scale from a dienyne derivative, easily available from geraniol, following a sequence of seven steps (35% global yield) with just one purification process. Both enantiomers of the molecule were obtained by a challenging enzymatic resolution.