From ynamides to highly substituted benzo[b]furans: gold(I)-catalyzed 5-endo-dig-cyclization/rearrangement of alkylic oxonium intermediates

Palladium-Catalyzed Sequential Heck Reactions of Olefin-Tethered Aryl Iodides with Alkenes

An efficient approach to functionalized (E)-3-cinnamyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and (E)-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl)but-2-enones has been developed through a Pd-catalyzed one-pot cascade process involving two sequential Heck reactions, that is, an intramolecular Heck reaction of olefin-tethered aryl iodides and an intermolecular Heck reaction with substituted styrenes and α,β-unsaturated ketones. As a result, a series of desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields and with exclusive E-form selectivities.

Intramolecular activation of strong Si-O bonds by gold(I): regioselective synthesis of 3-bromo-2-silylbenzofurans

The high reactivity of gold-vinylidene complexes, generated in situ by [1,2]-bromine shift from the corresponding 1-bromoalkynes, allows the activation of one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry (Si-O), strategically placed at the ortho-position. In this way, the synthesis of 3-bromo-2-silylbenzofuranes is achieved in good yields. Several substituents with different electronic properties and substitution patterns are well tolerated on the tethering aromatic ring as well as a number of silyl groups on the O-atom. A preliminary mechanistic study is compatible with the participation of gold vinylidene intermediate species. The synthetic applicability of the obtained scaffolds was preliminarily showcased by orthogonal C-C bond forming transformations.

Lewis acid-promoted cyclizations of o-alkyloxyphenyl-substituted ynamides to construct 2-amidobenzofurans

Lewis acid-promoted cyclizations of o-alkyloxyphenyl-substituted ynamides are described for the general construction of medicinally relevant 2-amidobenzofurans. A diverse array of 3-acyl-2-amidobenzofurans could be effectively constructed via a SnCl4-promoted intermolecular cyclization....

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Diyne Cyclization via [1,2]-Stevens-Type Rearrangement for the Synthesis of Chiral Chromeno[3,4-c]pyrroles

Here, we report a copper-catalyzed asymmetric cascade cyclization/[1,2]-Stevens-type rearrangement via a non-diazo approach, leading to the practical and atom-economic assembly of various valuable chiral chromeno[3,4-c]pyrroles bearing a quaternary carbon stereocenter in generally moderate to good yields with wide substrate scope and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). Importantly, this protocol not only represents the first example of catalytic asymmetric [1,2]-Stevens-type rearrangement based on alkynes but also constitutes the first asymmetric formal carbene insertion into the Si-O bond.

Gold-Catalyzed Transformation of Ynamides

Ynamide, a unique species with inherited polarization of nitrogen lone pair electron to triple bond, has been largely used for the developement of novel synthetic methods and the construction of unusual N-bearing heterocycles. The reaction versatility of ynamide on umpolung reactivity, radical reactions and asymmetric synthesis have been recently reviewed. This review provides an overall scenic view into the gold catalyzed transformation of ynamides. The ynamides reactivity towards nitrogen-transfer reagents, such as azides, nitrogen ylides, isoxazoles, and anthranils; oxygen atom-transfer reagents, like nitrones, sulfoxides, and pyridine N-oxides; and carbon nucleophiles under gold catalysis are herein uncovered. The scope as well the mechanistic insights of each reaction is also briefed.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 3-Alkoxyl-1,6-diynes: A Facile Access to Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-ones

A novel gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6‐diynes was achieved, providing an atom‐economic approach to a diverse set of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐ones in moderate to good yields. With unsymmetrical starting materials with two different internal alkynyl substituents, to some extent, the regioselectivity could be controlled by both electronic and steric factors. This unprecedented reactivity pattern may inspire new and unconventional strategies for the preparation of bridged ring systems.

Oxyacylation of Iodoalkynes: Gold(I)-Catalyzed Expeditious Access to Benzofurans

(Acetonitrile)[1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazole-2-ylidene] gold(I) catalyzes the cycloisomerization of 2-(iodoethynyl)aryl esters to give 3-iodo-2-acyl benzofurans. This catalytic transformation is the result of an unprecedented selective synthetic event, which comprises a [1,2]-iodine shift, a C-O ring-closure step, and a C-C bond-formation that installs the ketone functionality into the new ring. Experimental evidence supports the involvement of a β-iodo-substituted gold vinylidene as the intermediate species. The reaction tolerates different substitution patterns at the phenol moiety and a wide diversity of groups at the carboxylic fragment, including not only alkyl but also alkenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups.

Stereoselective synthesis of medium lactams enabled by metal-free hydroalkoxylation/stereospecific [1,3]-rearrangement

Rearrangement reactions have attracted considerable interest over the past decades due to their high bond-forming efficiency and atom economy in the construction of complex organic architectures. In contrast to the well-established [3,3]-rearrangement, [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement has been far less vigorously investigated, and stereospecific [1,3]-rearrangement is extremely rare. Here, we report a metal-free intramolecular hydroalkoxylation/[1,3]-rearrangement, leading to the practical and atom-economical assembly of various valuable medium-sized lactams with wide substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivity. Moreover, such an asymmetric cascade cyclization has also been realized by chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed kinetic resolution. In addition, biological tests reveal that some of these medium-sized lactams displayed their bioactivity as antitumor agents against melanoma cells, esophageal cancer cells and breast cancer cells. A mechanistic rationale for the reaction is further supported by control experiments and theoretical calculations.

Stereospecific [1,3]-rearrangements are rarely reported method to efficiently build complex organic architectures. Here, the authors describe a metal-free intramolecular hydroalkoxylation/[1,3]-rearrangement sequence affording medium-sized lactams with wide scope, also in an asymmetric fashion.

Metal-free alkene carbooxygenation following tandem intramolecular alkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement: stereocontrolled access to bridged [4.2.1] lactones

Alkene carbooxygenation has attracted considerable attention over the past few decades as this approach provides an efficient access to various oxygen-containing molecules, especially the valuable O-heterocycles. However, examples of catalytic alkene carbooxygenation via a direct C-O cleavage are quite scarce, and the C-O cleavage in these cases is invariably initiated by transition metal-catalyzed oxidative addition. We report here a novel Brønsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular alkoxylation-initiated tandem sequence, which represents the first metal-free intramolecular alkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement. Significantly, an unprecedented Brønsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular alkene insertion into the C-O bond via a carbocation pathway was discovered. This method allows the stereocontrolled synthesis of valuable indole-fused bridged [4.2.1] lactones, providing ready access to biologically relevant scaffolds in a single synthetic step from an acyclic precursor. Moreover, such an asymmetric cascade cyclization has also been realized by employing a traceless chiral directing group. Control experiments favor the feasibility of a carbocation pathway for the process. In addition, biological tests showed that some of these newly synthesized indole-fused lactones exhibited their bioactivity as antitumor agents against different breast cancer cells, melanoma cells, and esophageal cancer cells.

5-Endo-dig cyclizations in organic syntheses

The favorability of ring closure reactions as per Baldwin rules has gained immense importance recently. This is evident from the current literature such as research articles, reviews, and books that have been published in this area. This review covers the recent applications of 5-endo-dig cyclization in organic synthesis focusing in the last two decades. A variety of 5-membered heterocycles as well as carbocycles could be synthesized via 5-endo-dig cyclization reactions. The important applications of 5-endo-dig cyclization in organic synthesis covering different aspects have been summarized in this review.

Domino reaction of a gold catalyzed 5-endo-dig cyclization and a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement towards polysubstituted pyrazoles

Pyrazoles are important heterocyclic compounds with a broad range of biological activities. A new procedure toward tri- or tetrasubstituted pyrazoles has been developed, via a one-pot gold catalyzed synthesis from hydrazines with alkynyl aldehydes or ketones. The reaction proceeds through consecutive hydrazone formation, 5-endo-dig cyclization and an aza-Claisen rearrangement resulting in the desired polysubstitued pyrazoles.

Silver & gold-catalyzed routes to furans and benzofurans

Silver and gold have become incredibly versatile and mild catalysts for numerous transformations, especially in heterocycle synthesis. For the most prominent of them, i.e. furans, silver and gold, with their unique reactivity and mildness, allow numerous possible routes to highly substituted and/or functionalized furans from a large variety of starting materials. Silver and gold catalysis provide thus the most flexible way to this important family of compounds. The present review describes these silver and gold-catalyzed routes, with some emphasis on mechanistic aspects, and proposes a comparison of both the silver and the gold-catalyzed syntheses of furans.

Dissecting the Gold(I)-Catalyzed Carboaminations of N-Allyl Tetrahydro-β-carbolines to Allenes

N-Allyl tetrahydro-β-carbolines undergo gold-catalyzed cyclizations that lead to tetracyclic compounds, resulting from both ring closure and the transfer of the allylic group from the nitrogen to the carbon backbone. The final skeleton obtained depends on the nature of both the R² group of the allene and the R³ group of the allylic residue. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations allowed the determination of all the mechanistic pathways involved in these processes, stemming from a common intermediate that evolves differently according to the substituents nature.

Direct Spirocyclization from Keto-sulfonamides: An Approach to Azaspiro Compounds

Spontaneous spirocyclization of keto-sulfonamides via ynamides through a one-pot process is presented. Push-pull ynamides were obtained through Michael addition/elimination without Cu. The obtained azaspiro compounds are building blocks for indole alkaloids. Theoretical studies provide insights into the mechanism of the formal Conia-ene reaction.

Yttrium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroalkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement Sequence: Efficient Synthesis of Medium-Sized Lactams

An efficient yttrium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement sequence has been achieved, thus enabling facile access to a diverse array of valuable medium-sized lactams. Furthermore, a mechanistic rationale for this novel cascade reaction is well supported by a variety of control experiments.

Highly regioselective gold-catalyzed formal hydration of propargylic gem-difluorides

A highly regioselective gold-catalyzed formal hydration of propargylic gem-difluorides is presented.

Gold-catalyzed intermolecular cyclocarboamination of ynamides with 1,3,5-triazinanes: en route to tetrahydropyrimidines

1,3,5-Triazinanes serve as surrogates for 1,4-dipoles in gold-catalyzed formal 4+2 cycloadditions.