Studies on Pd0-Catalyzed Cyclization ofN-3,4-Alkadienyl Toluenesulfonamides with Organic Halides: Selective Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydropyrroles, 1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyrridines, and Azetidines

Divergent Access to Functionalized Pyrrolidines and Pyrrolines via Iridium-Catalyzed Domino-Ring-Opening Cyclization of Vinyl Aziridines with β-Ketocarbonyls

A useful synthesis of five-membered N-heterocycles has been developed through an iridium-catalyzed domino-ring-opening cyclization of vinylaziridines with β-ketocarbonyls. α-Substituted 1,3-dicarbonyls reacted with vinylaziridines to give 2-methylenepyrrolidines bearing two adjacent sp³-carbon centers with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivity, while the reaction of α-unsubstituted 1,3-dicarbonyls afforded 2-pyrrolines in good yield.

Olefin-Directed Palladium-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Oxidative Arylation of Allenes

An olefin-directed palladium-catalyzed oxidative regio- and stereoselective arylation of allenes to afford 1,3,6-trienes has been established. A number of functionalized allenes, including 2,3- and 3,4-dienoates and 3,4-dienol derivatives, have been investigated and found to undergo the olefin-directed allene arylation. The olefin moiety has been proven to be a crucial element for the arylating transformation.

Gorlos-Phos: addressing the stereoselectivity in palladium-catalyzed exo-mode cyclization of allenes with a nucleophilic functionality

A novel catalyst system has been indentified for addressing the long-standing issue of Z/E stereoselectivity in palladium-catalyzed exo-mode cyclization reactions of allenes bearing a nucleophilic functionality with organic halides or their equivalents. The readily accessible, sterically hindered monophosphine ligand Gorlos-Phos·HBF4 imparts a remarkable stereocontrolling ability with broad generality under Pd catalysis.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-lysergic acid, lysergol, and isolysergol by palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of amino allenes bearing a bromoindolyl group

Ergot alkaloids and their synthetic analogs have been reported to exhibit broad biological activity. We investigated direct construction of the C/D ring system of ergot alkaloids based on palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of amino allenes. With this biscyclization as the key step, total synthesis of (+/-)-lysergic acid, (+/-)-lysergol, and (+/-)-isolysergol was achieved.