A Facile Enantioselective Alkynylation of Chromones

Enantioselective Synthesis of Allylic Sulfones via Rhodium-Catalyzed Direct Hydrosulfonylation of Allenes and Alkynes

A highly regio- and enantioselective hydrosulfonylation using commercially available sodium sulfinates is reported, providing the first direct asymmetric rhodium-catalyzed hydrosulfonylation of allenes/alkynes to synthesize chiral allylic sulfones. Ligand screening studies demonstrated the indispensable role of the C1-symmetric P,N-ligand (Rax,S,S)-StackPhim for achieving both high regioselecitivity (>20:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee). Notably, the operationally simple method and mild conditions allow for the rapid preparation of chiral allylic sulfones with a wide scope of functional groups. Moreover, the use of sodium tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethanesulfinate enables the collective synthesis of various chiral sulfone derivatives after simple transformations of the protected hydroxymethyl product.

Catalytic Enantioselective Alkyne Addition to Nitrones Enabled by Tunable Axially Chiral Imidazole-Based P,N-Ligands

Although catalytic enantioselective alkyne addition is an established method for the synthesis of chiral propargylic alcohols and amines, addition to nitrones presents unique challenges, and no general chiral catalyst system has been developed. In this manuscript, we report the first Cu-catalyzed enantioselective alkyne addition to nitrones utilizing tunable axially chiral imidazole-based P,N-ligands. Our approach effectively overcomes difficulties in both reactivity and selectivity, resulting in a simple Cu-catalyzed protocol. The reaction accommodates a wide range of nitrones and alkynes, enabling the streamlined synthesis of chiral propargyl N-hydroxylamines via the enantioselective C-C bond formation. A diverse array of optically active nitrogen-containing compounds, including chiral hydroxylamines, can be accessed directly through facile transformations of the reaction products.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Alkynylation of Quinolones Using Chiral P,N Ligands

Herein we report a catalytic enantioselective alkynylation of quinolones. In this reaction, quinolones are silylated to form a quinolinium ion which then undergoes an enantioselective attack by a copper acetylide, templated by (S,S,Ra)-UCD-Phim. This gives alkynylated products (24 examples) in yields of up to 92% and enantioselectivities of up to 97%. This methodology has been applied to the synthesis of two natural products, (+)-cuspareine and (+)-galipinine.

Copper-catalyzed C2-selective alkynylation of chromones via 1,4-conjugate addition

Copper-catalyzed selective alkynylation with N-propargyl carboxamides as nucleophiles has been successfully developed for the synthesis of C2-functionalized chromanones. Under optimized reaction conditions, 21 examples were obtained in one-pot procedure through 1,4-conjugate addition. This protocol features readily available feedstocks, easy operations, and moderate to good yields, which provides viable access to pharmacologically active C2-functionalized chromanones.

Catalytic Enantioselective [4+2] Cycloadditions of Salicylaldehyde Acetals with Enol Ethers

A readily accessible conjugate-base-stabilized carboxylic acid (CBSCA) catalyst facilitates highly enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of salicylaldehyde-derived acetals and cyclic enol ethers, resulting in the formation of polycyclic chromanes with oxygenation in the 2- and 4-positions. Stereochemically more complex products can be obtained from racemic enol ethers. Spirocyclic products are also accessible.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Imidazoles by Cation-Directed Desymmetrization

Axially chiral five-membered heterobiaryls synthesized by enantioselective catalysis typically feature large ortho-substituents or a heteroatom in the chiral axis to maintain a stable configuration. Herein we report a cation-directed catalytic enantioselective desymmetrization method that enables rapid access to axially chiral imidazoles with the basic nitrogen at the ortho position and efficiently integrates π-stacking moieties to ensure a stable axial configuration for further applications. The process is operationally simple, is highly enantioselective, and can be performed on the gram scale. The majority of the products are obtained in >90% ee, but interestingly even those with only moderate ee can readily be enriched to near optical purity by selective racemate crystallization. Together with a mild phosphine oxide reduction method, axially chiral imidazoles such as StackPhos and its derivatives are readily prepared in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity on the gram scale. The method also enables the preparation of new chiral non-phosphine-bearing imidazoles.

Enantio- and Regioselective Copper-Catalyzed 1,2-Dearomatization of Pyridines

A copper-catalyzed dearomative alkynylation of pyridines is reported with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. The synthetically valuable enantioenriched 2-alkynyl-1,2-dihydropyridine products afforded are generated from the readily available feedstock, pyridine, and commercially available terminal alkynes. The three-component reaction between a pyridine, a terminal alkyne, and methyl chloroformate employs copper chloride and StackPhos, a chiral biaryl P,N- ligand, as the catalytic system. Under mild reaction conditions, the desired 1,2-addition products are delivered in up to 99 % yield with regioselectivity ratios up to 25 : 1 and enantioselectivities values of up to 99 % ee. Activated and non-activated terminal alkynes containing a wide range of functional groups are well tolerated. Even acetylene gas delivered mono-alkynylated products in high yield and ee. Application of the methodology in an efficient enantioselective synthesis of the chiral piperidine indolizidine, coniceine, is reported.

Mechanism of a Dually Catalyzed Enantioselective Oxa-Pictet-Spengler Reaction and the Development of a Stereodivergent Variant

Enantioselective oxa-Pictet-Spengler reactions of tryptophol with aldehydes proceed under weakly acidic conditions utilizing a combination of two catalysts, an indoline HCl salt and a bisthiourea compound. Mechanistic investigations revealed the roles of both catalysts and confirmed the involvement of oxocarbenium ion intermediates, ruling out alternative scenarios. A stereochemical model was derived from density functional theory calculations, which provided the basis for the development of a highly enantioselective stereodivergent variant with racemic tryptophol derivatives.

Dearomatization of benzopyrylium triflates with sulfoxonium ylides

Benzopyrylium triflates react with sulfoxonium ylides to give rise to cyclopropanated products in up to 90% yield as a single diastereomer. The cyclopropanated products can easily undergo acid-mediated ring-expansion to afford benzo[b]oxepines. Control over the absolute stereochemistry of the process is possible when the reaction is executed under the influence of a suitable anion-binding catalyst.

Cp*Ir(III) and Cp*Rh(III)-catalyzed annulation of salicylaldehydes with fluorinated vinyl tosylates

A mild, selective and redox-neutral Cp*Ir(III)- and Cp*Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation of salicylaldehydes with fluorovinyl tosylates is reported. The use of monofluorovinyl tosylate favors the synthesis of C2- and C3-substitution-free chromones via C-H activation/β-F elimination/annulation, whereas difluorovinyl tosylate leads to the construction of C2-fluoroalkoxy chromones. Mild reaction conditions and good functional-group tolerance were observed. Further functionalization of the resulting chromones via halogenation, alkynylation, alkylation and hydrocyanation was successfully realized.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Alkynylation of Quinolones

Herein we report the first alkynylation of quinolones with terminal alkynes under mild reaction conditions. The reaction is catalyzed by Cu(I) salts in the presence of a Lewis acid, which is essential for the reactivity of the system. The enantioselective version of this transformation has also been explored, and the methodology has been applied in the synthesis of the enantioenriched tetrahydroquinoline alkaloid cuspareine.

Tuning StackPhim Ligands: Applications in Enantioselective Borylation and Alkynylation

Here we present a new stack ligand with a modified imidazoline backbone prepared from cyclohexanediamine. This new stack ligand­, Cy-StackPhim, has been found to complement the parent StackPhim ligand in an enantioselective borylation reaction. Additionally, a correlation between the nature of substituents on the imidazoline ring and the substituents on the electrophile is also discussed.

Enantioselective Lactonization by π-Acid-Catalyzed Allylic Substitution: A Complement to π-Allylmetal Chemistry

Asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) is a powerful method for the formation of highly useful, non-racemic allylic compounds. Here we present a complementary enantioselective process that generates allylic lactones via π-acid catalysis. More specifically, a catalytic enantioselective dehydrative lactonization of allylic alcohols using a novel Pd^II -catalyst containing the imidazole-based P,N-ligand (S)-StackPhos is reported. The high-yielding reactions are operationally simple to perform with enantioselectivities up to 99 % ee. This strategy facilitates the replacement of a poor leaving group with what would ostensibly be a better leaving group in the product avoiding complications arising from racemization by equilibration.

Configuration Sampling With Five-Membered Atropisomeric P,N-Ligands

Here we report a strategy for the systematic variation of atropisomeric C₁ -symmetric P,N ligands to incrementally change the position of the groups within the chiral pocket without modifying their steric parameters. More specifically, the effects of systematic modification of the nitrogen heterocycle in atropisomeric C₁ -symmetric stack ligands have been investigated in this study. The versatility and applicability of this approach has been demonstrated in mechanistically distinct catalytic enantioselective transformations, resulting in the identification of a P,N-ligand for a highly enantioselective synthesis of organoboranes.

Robust, Enantioselective Construction of Challenging, Biologically Relevant Tertiary Ether Stereocenters

A robust, catalytic enantioselective method to construct challenging, biologically relevant, tertiary ether stereocenters has been developed. The process capitalizes on readily accessible bis(oxazoline) ligands to control the facial selectivity of the addition of copper acetylides to benzopyrylium triflates, reactive species generated in situ. Up to 99% enantiomeric excesses are achieved with a broad substrate scope. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the origin of the experimentally observed enantiocontrol was attributed to additional non-covalent interactions observed in the transition state leading to the major enantiomer, such as π-stacking. The resultant substrates have direct applications in the synthesis of naturally occurring bioactive chromanones and tetrahydroxanthones.

Enantioselective Addition-Alkylation of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyls via Bisguanidinium Silicate Ion Pair Catalysis

Silicon hydrides, alkynylsilanes, and alkoxylsilanes were activated by fluoride in the presence of bisguanidinium catalyst to form hypervalent silicate ion pairs. These activated silicates undergo 1,4-additions with chromones, coumarins, and α-cyanocinnamic esters generating enolsilicate intermediates, for a consequent stereoselective alkylation reaction. The reduction-alkylation reaction proceeded under mild conditions using polymethylhydrosiloxane, a cheap and environmentally friendly hydride source. The addition-alkylation reactions with alkynylsilanes and alkoxylsilanes resulted in the construction of two vicinal chiral carbon centers with excellent enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivities (up to 99% ee, >99:1 dr). Density functional theory calculations and experimental NMR studies revealed that penta-coordinated silicates are crucial intermediates.

Modular Design of Chiral Conjugate-Base-Stabilized Carboxylic Acids: Catalytic Enantioselective [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of Acetals

Readily available 1,2-amino alcohols provide the framework for a new generation of chiral carboxylic acid catalysts that rival the acidity of the widely used chiral phosphoric acid catalyst (S)-TRIP. Covalently linked thiourea sites stabilize the carboxylate conjugate bases of these catalysts via anion-binding, an interaction that is largely responsible for the low pK_a values. The utility of the new catalysts is illustrated in the context of challenging [4 + 2] cycloadditions of salicylaldehyde-derived acetals with homoallylic and bishomoallylic alcohols, providing polycyclic chromanes in a highly enantioselective fashion.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of tetrasubstituted chromanones via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate arylation using chiral pyridine-dihydroisoquinoline ligands

Highly enantioselective conjugate addition reactions of arylboronic acids to 2-substituted chromones catalyzed by palladium complexes with new chiral Pyridine-Dihydroisoquinoline (PyDHIQ) ligands have been developed. These reactions provide highly enantioselective access to chromanones containing tetrasubstituted stereocenters. Various arylboronic acids and 2-substituted chromones can be used in the catalytic reaction to afford the chiral tetrasubstituted chromanones in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (25 examples, up to 98% yields, up to 99% ee).

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkynylation of Thiochromones

A highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of chiral thiochromanones is developed via Cu(I)/phosphoramidite catalyzed asymmetric alkynylation of thiochromones under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst system is tolerant of various thiochromone precursors and terminal alkynes. The established asymmetric transformation provides different enatiomeric-enriched thiochromanones with more molecular complexity and enables access to chiral thioflavanones, a subgroup of flavonoid by further functionalization.

Copper Bis(oxazoline)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkynylation of Benzopyrylium Ions

The stereocontrolled construction of biologically relevant chromanones and tetrahydroxanthones has been achieved through the addition of alkynes to benzopyrylium trilfates under the influence of copper bis(oxazoline) catalysis. Excellent levels of enantiocontrol (63-98 % ee) are achieved in the addition of a variety of alkynes to an array of chromenones with a hydrogen in the 2-position. Promising levels of enantiocontrol (54-67 % ee) are achieved in the alkynylation of chromenones with esters in the 2-position, generating tertiary ether stereocenters resembling those frequently found in naturally occurring metabolites.

Enantioselective zinc-mediated conjugate alkynylation of saccharin-derived 1-aza-butadienes

Diethylzinc and a bis(hydroxyl)malonamide ligand allow the first conjugate alkynylation of α,β-unsaturated imines. Excellent enatioselectivities are obtained with aliphatic alkynes.

Synthesis of 2-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-ones

Simple and efficient synthesis of 2-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-ones is elaborated. The method relies on CDI-mediated cyclocondensation of substituted 4-oxochromane-2-carboxylic acids and amidoximes. The protocol allows the preparation of 2-oxadiazolylchromanones decorated with two pharmacophores (2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one and 1,2,4-oxadiazole) that are in high demand in drug discovery.

Expeditious access of chromone analogues via a Michael addition-driven multicomponent reaction

A Michael addition-driven four-component reaction (4-CR) with four Ugi inputs was developed and utilized for the synthesis of chromone derivatives and tetrazole substituted chromones under mild reaction conditions.

Human health-related properties of chromones: an overview

Natural compounds occurring throughout the world are scientifically and practically valuable because of their unique and beneficial properties to control a wide range of disorders in the human body. Chromones are attracting increasing attention as novel therapeutic agents due to their effective bioactivities for human health. Accordingly, the present overview article was designed to scan the biological and pharmacological performance of chromones, including their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial activities.