Enantioselective Organocatalytic Conjugate Addition of Fluorocarbon Nucleophiles to α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes

Nickel-catalyzed regio- and enantio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoroalkylation of 1,3-dienes

A highly enantio- and regio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoro(methyl)alkylation of 1,3-dienes was developed using redox-neutral nickel catalysis. It provided a facile strategy to construct diverse monofluoromethyl- or monofluoroalkyl-containing chiral allylic molecules. Notably, this represents the first catalytic asymmetric Markovnikov hydrofluoroalkylation of olefins. The practicability of this methodology is further highlighted by its broad substrate scope, mild base-free conditions, excellent enantio- and regio-selectivity, and diversified product elaborations to access useful fluorinated building blocks.

We report a highly enantio- and regio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoro(methyl)alkylation of 1,3-dienes using chiral Ni catalysis, allowing access to chiral allylic compounds bearing a CH₂F, CD₂F or monofluoroalkyl group at the stereocenter.

Hydrogen Bonding Phase-Transfer Catalysis with Ionic Reactants: Enantioselective Synthesis of γ-Fluoroamines

Ammonium salts are used as phase-transfer catalysts for fluorination with alkali metal fluorides. We now demonstrate that these organic salts, specifically azetidinium triflates, are suitable substrates for enantioselective ring opening with CsF and a chiral bis-urea catalyst. This process, which highlights the ability of hydrogen bonding phase-transfer catalysts to couple two ionic reactants, affords enantioenriched γ-fluoroamines in high yields. Mechanistic studies underline the role of the catalyst for phase-transfer, and computed transition state structures account for the enantioconvergence observed for mixtures of achiral azetidinium diastereomers. The N-substituents in the electrophile influence the reactivity, but the configuration at nitrogen is unimportant for the enantioselectivity.

One-pot Fluorination and Organocatalytic Robinson Annulation for Asymmetric Synthesis of Mono- and Difluorinated Cyclohexenones

A one-pot fluorination and organocatalytic Robinson annulation sequence has been developed for asymmetric synthesis of 6-fluoroyclohex-2-en-1-ones and 4,6-difluorocyclohex-2-en-1-ones. The reactions promoted by cinchona alkaloid amine afforded products bearing two or three stereocenters in good to excellent yields with up to 99% ee and 20:1 dr.

The enantioselective addition of 1-fluoro-1-nitro(phenylsulfonyl)methane to isatin-derived ketimines

An asymmetric organocatalytic addition of fluorinated phenylsulfonylnitromethane to isatin-derived ketimines was developed. The reaction was efficiently catalyzed by a chiral tertiary amine, cinchonine. This methodology provides a new type of optically active compound with two adjacent quaternary carbon stereocenters in good yield (up to 96%), with moderate diastereoselectivity (up to 5.7 : 1 dr) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98/96% ee).

Distribution of Catalytic Species as an Indicator To Overcome Reproducibility Problems

Irreproducibility is a common issue in catalysis. The ordinary way to minimize it is by ensuring enhanced control over the factors that affect the reaction. When control is insufficient, some parameters can be used as indicators of the reaction performance. Herein we describe the use of the distribution of catalytic species as an indicator to map, track, and fine-tune the performance of catalytic reactions. This indicator is very sensitive and presents a quick response to variations in the reaction conditions. We have applied this new strategy to the conjugate addition of C-nucleophiles to enals via iminium intermediates, consistently achieving maximum turnover frequencies (TOF) regardless of the quality of the starting materials used. In addition, the present method has allowed us to efficiently reduce the catalyst loading to as little as 0.1 mol %, the lowest one described for this kind of reaction.

Asymmetric Michael addition of α-fluoro-α-nitro esters to nitroolefins: towards synthesis of α-fluoro-α-substituted amino acids

α-Fluoro-α-nitro esters were used as reaction partners in Michael addition to nitroalkenes, and the products were obtained in excellent chemical yields and with high enantioselectivities. Moreover, α-fluoro-α-amino ester with a quaternary α-carbon was prepared for the first time.

Asymmetric decarboxylative 1,4-addition of malonic acid half thioesters to vinyl sulfones: highly enantioselective synthesis of 3-monofluoromethyl-3-arylpropanoic esters

An asymmetric decarboxylative 1,4-addition of malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs) to 2-aryl-substituted vinyl sulfones has been developed, yielding adducts with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee). In view of tuning pKa values, a quinine-based benzyl-substituted thiourea was designed and demonstrated as the most efficient catalyst. The enantioselective synthesis of 3-monofluorinated analogues of 3-methyl indanone and (+)-turmerone has been accomplished from decarboxylative 1,4-addition adducts with satisfactory results.

Asymmetric Michael addition of α-fluoro-α-nitroalkanes to nitroolefins: facile preparation of fluorinated amines and tetrahydropyrimidines

An asymmetric Michael addition of α-fluoro-α-nitroalkanes to nitroolefins was developed, and the products were obtained in good chemical yields and with high stereoselectivities.

Enantioselective synthesis of γ-tetrasubstituted nitrosulfonyl carboxylates and amides vial-tert-leucine-derived-squaramide catalyzed conjugate addition of nitrosulfones to acrylates and acrylamides

A t-leucine-derived squaramide catalyzed reaction of α-nitrosulfones with acrylates/acrylamides provides γ-tetrasubstituted γ-nitro-γ-sulfonyl carboxylates/amides in excellent yield and enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-stereogenic γ-keto esters via formal umpolung

A feasible method has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of α-stereogenic γ-keto esters. By employing nitro(phenylsulfonyl)methane as an acyl anion equivalent, the integrated Michael addition reaction-oxidative methanolysis protocol allows the preparation of various γ-keto esters with high optical purities.

Enantioselective organocatalytic asymmetric allylic alkylation. Bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane addition to MBH carbonates

The highly enantioselective asymmetric allylic alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane is presented. The reaction is simply catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid derivatives affording the final alkylated products in good yields and enantioselectivities.