Recent Advances in Organocatalytic Methods for Asymmetric CC Bond Formation

Manganese/Enzyme Sequential Catalytic Pathway for the Production of Optically Active γ-Functionalized Alcohols

A brief, practical catalytic process for the production of optically active γ-functionalized alcohols from relevant alkenes has been developed by using a robust Mn(III)/air/(Me2SiH)2O catalytic system combined with lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution. This approach demonstrates exceptional tolerance toward proximal functional groups present on alkenes, enabling the achievement of high yields and exclusive enantioselectivity. Under this sequential catalytic system, the chiral alkene precursors can also be converted into γ-functionalized alcohols and related acetates as separable single enantiomers.

Recent advances in synthesizing and utilizing nitrogen-containing heterocycles

The use of organocatalysts and a pot economy has strengthened recent organic syntheses. Synthetic methodologies may be applicable in laboratory preparation or in the industrial production of valuable organic compounds. In most cases, synthetic challenges are overcome by highly efficient and environmentally benign organocatalysts in a pot-economical manner. This is exemplified by the recent synthesis of tetrahydropyridine-containing (-)-quinine.

Enantioselective Desymmetrization Triggered by Iminium-Enamine Activation: Access to Complex Cyclohepta[b]indoles

The expeditious construction of complex molecules having multiple stereocentres is highly desirable in organic chemistry. In the present communication, we report the development of an organocatalytic asymmetric desymmetrization of prochiral enal-tethered cyclohexadienones via the C3-selective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles triggered by LUMO-lowering iminium activation/HOMO-raising enamine activation. The reaction provides access to bicyclic enones, which further undergo acid-mediated intramolecular annulation from C2-position to afford highly strained cyclohepta[b]indoles with five contiguous stereocentres and three new C-C bonds in excellent enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.

Catalytic Efficiency of Primary α-Amino Amides as Multifunctional Organocatalysts in Recent Asymmetric Organic Transformations

Chiral primary α-amino amides, consisting of an adjacent enamine bonding site (Bronsted base site), a hydrogen bonding site (Bronsted acid site), and flexible bulky substituent groups to modify the steric factor, are proving to be extremely valuable bifunctional organocatalysts for a wide range of asymmetric organic transformations. Primary α-amino amides are less expensive alternatives to other primary amino organocatalysts, such as chiral diamines and cinchona-alkaloid-derived primary amines, as they are easy to synthesize, air-stable, and allow for the incorporation of a variety of functional groups. In recent years, we have demonstrated the catalytic use of simple primary α-amino amides and their derivatives as organocatalysts for the aldol reaction, Strecker reaction, Michael tandem reaction, allylation of aldehydes, reduction of N-Aryl mines, opening of epoxides, hydrosilylation, asymmetric hydrogen transfer, and N-specific nitrosobenzene reaction with aldehydes.

Isothiourea-Catalyzed Enantioselective Michael Addition of Malonates to α,β-Unsaturated Aryl Esters

An enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to α,β-unsaturated para-nitrophenyl esters was achieved using the Lewis basic isothiourea HyperBTM, giving excellent levels of product enantioselectivity (up to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio) in good yields and with complete regioselectivity (>20:1 regioselectivity ratio) in the presence of alternative (phenyl ketone and ethyl ester) Michael acceptors. Density functional theory calculations indicate that N-acylation is rate-limiting. This constitutes a rare example of a highly enantioselective addition of simple, readily available malonates to α,β-unsaturated esters.

Recent Advances in Enantioselective Organocatalytic Reactions Enabled by NHCs Containing Triazolium Motifs

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) containing triazolium motifs have emerged as a powerful tool in organocatalysis. Recently, various NHC pre-catalyst mediated organic transformations have been developed successfully. This article aims to compile the current state of knowledge on NHC-triazolium catalysed enantioselective name reactions and introduce newly developed catalytic methods. Furthermore, this review article framework provides an excellent opportunity to highlight some of the unique applications of these catalytic procedures in the natural product synthesis of biologically active compounds, notably the wide range of preparation of substituted chiral alcohols, and their derivatives. This article provides an overview of chiral NHC triazolium-catalyst libraries synthesis and their catalytic application in enantioselective reactions.

Chiral C2 -symmetric bis-thioureas as enzyme mimics in enantioselective Michael addition

We report herein the synthesis and application of enantiopure C₂ -symmetric primary amine-1,3-bis-thiourea organocatalysts in enantioselective conjugate 1,4-Michael addition of carbonyl containing nucleophiles, to nitroalkenes and N-phenylmaleimide, leading to final products in good enantioselectivities (up to 99%) and yields (up to 99%). We propose supramolecular noncovalent interactions within the organocatalyst's cleft between the substrate and the catalyst, via hydrogen bonding. Supramolecular interaction thus lowers the transition state energy mimicking an enzyme. Mechanism underlying our experimental results is supported by theorical calculations.

Recent development in asymmetric organocatalytic domino reactions involving 1,6-addition as a key step

This article highlights the significant development in stereoselective domino reactions involving 1,6-addition as a crucial step.

Asymmetric Henry reaction of trifluoromethyl enones with nitromethane using a N,N-dibenzyl diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst

A novel N,N -dibenzyl diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst efficiently promoted asymmetric Henry reactions of trifluoromethyl enones with nitromethane, affording corresponding highly functionalized products in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee). This study is the first to report the successful example of the asymmetric 1,2-additions of nitromethane to trifluoromethyl enones.

Recent applications of asymmetric organocatalytic annulation reactions in natural product synthesis

The past two decades have witnessed remarkable growth of asymmetric organocatalysis, which is now a firmly established synthetic tool, serving as a powerful platform for the production of chiral molecules. Ring structures are ubiquitous in organic compounds, and, in the context of natural product synthesis, strategic construction of ring motifs is often crucial, fundamentally impacting the eventual fate of the whole synthetic plan. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and updated summary of asymmetric organocatalytic annulation reactions; in particular, the application of these annulation strategies in natural product synthesis will be highlighted.

Diaminomethylenemalononitrile as a Chiral Single Hydrogen Bond Catalyst: Application to Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of α-Branched Aldehydes

An improved diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst, bearing a N,N-disubstituted structure, promoted enantioselective conjugate addition reaction of α-branched aldehydes with vinyl sulfone, affording adducts with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee). Mechanistic studies revealed that the diaminomethylenemalononitrile motif holds the vinyl sulfone substrate using a single hydrogen bond accompanied by multiple weak interactions, including electrostatic C-H⋅⋅⋅O interactions.

Organocatalyzed Heterocyclic Transformations In Green Media: A Review

Background:

Since the discovery of metal-free catalysts or organocatalysts about twenty years ago, a number of small molecules with different structures have been used to accelerate organic transformations. With the development of environmental awareness, to obtain highly efficient scaffolds, scientists have directed their studies towards synthetic methodologies that minimize or preferably eliminate the formation of waste, avoid toxic solvents and reagents and use renewable starting materials as far as possible.

Methods:

In this connection, the organocatalytic reactions providing efficiency and selectivity for most of the transformations have become an endless topic in organic chemistry since several advantages from both practical and environmental standpoints. Organocatalysts contributing to the transformation of reactants into products with the least possible waste production, have been serving the concept of green chemistry.

Results and Conclusion:

Organocatalysts have been classified based on their binding capacity to the substrate with covalent or noncovalent interactions involving hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Diverse types of small organic compounds including proline and its derivatives, phase-transfer catalysts, (thio)urease, phosphoric acids, sulfones, N-oxides, guanidines, cinchona derivatives, aminoindanol, and amino acids have been utilized as hydrogen bonding organocatalysts in different chemical transformations.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition to Unsaturated Indolyl Ketones

An efficient enantioselective organocatalytic method for the synthesis of N-alkylated indoles with α-branched alkyl substituents from the corresponding unsaturated indolyl ketones via a Michael addition has been developed. The resulting products were obtained in high enantioselectivities and in good yields. Various nucleophiles (nitroalkanes, malononitrile, malonic esters) can be used. The substitution pattern of the indole ring had no significant impact on the reaction outcome. Both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents in any position of the heteroaromatic ring were well-tolerated.

Synthesis of N-alkylated lipopeptides and their application as organocatalysts in asymmetric Michael addition in aqueous environments

A library of N-alkylated lipopeptide organocatalysts were synthesized through an isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction.

Stereodivergent Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation between Iminium and Enolate Intermediates by Synergistic Organocatalysis

We report here a stereodivergent method for the Michael addition of aryl acetic acid esters to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by a combination of a chiral pyrrolidine and a chiral Lewis base. This reaction proceeds through a synergistic catalytic cycle which consists of one cycle leading to a chiral iminium electrophile and a second cycle generating a nucleophilic chiral enolate for the construction of a carbon-carbon bond. By varying the combinations of catalyst enantiomers, all four stereoisomers of the products with two vicinal stereocenters are accessible with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity. The products of the Michael addition, 1,5-aldehyde esters, can be readily transformed into a variety of other valuable enantioenriched structures, including those bearing three contiguous stereocenters in an acyclic system, thus providing an efficient route to an array of structural and stereochemical diversity.

Self-Assembled Bio-Organometallic Nanocatalysts for Highly Enantioselective Direct Aldol Reactions

Supramolecular nanocatalysts were designed for asymmetric reactions through the self-assembly process of a bio-organometallic molecule, ferrocene-l-prolinamide (Fc-CO-NH-P). Fc-CO-NH-P could self-assemble into versatile nanostructures in water, including nanospheres, nanosheets, nanoflowers, and pieces. In particular, the self-assembled nanoflowers exhibited a superior specific surface area, high stability, and delicate three-dimensional (3D) chiral catalytic active sites. The nanoflowers could serve as heterogeneous catalysts with an excellent catalytic performance toward direct aldol reactions in aqueous solution, achieving both high yield (>99%) and stereoselectivity (anti/syn = 97:3, ee% >99%). This study proposed a significant strategy to fabricate supramolecular chiral catalysts, serving as a favorable template for designing new asymmetric catalysts.

A Bispidine-Based Chiral Amine Catalyst for Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of Ketones with Isatin Ketimines

A unique chiral amine organocatalyst with a bispidine structure was found to be efficient for the diastereo- and enantioselective Mannich reaction of isatin ketimines with ketones. A series of 3-substituted 3-amino-2-oxindoles bearing vicinal tertiary and quaternary chiral stereogenic centers were obtained in excellent yields with excellent dr and ee values. The gram-scale synthesis and transformation of the product showed the practicability of this methodology. In addition, a possible transition state model was proposed to explain the origin of the stereoselectivity.

Copper(II)-hydroxide facilitated C-C bond formation: the carboxamido pyridine system versus the methylimino pyridine system

A copper(ii)-hydroxide-induced carbon-carbon bond formation reaction is explored with the synthesis of an asymmetric carboxamido-methylimino pyridine Cu(i) complex of [CuI(py(N-C[double bond, length as m-dash]O)(N[double bond, length as m-dash]C-C)ph2Me2)2]- (12). Two imine-methyl groups are coupled to form a bridged C-C bond (N[double bond, length as m-dash]C-C-C-C[double bond, length as m-dash]N) at the methyl positions with the reduction of two Cu2+ center ions to Cu+. The reaction is checked with three dicarboxamido pyridine [CuII-OH] complexes, with which dinuclear Cu(i) complexes of [Cu2(py(N-C[double bond, length as m-dash]O)2ph2R2)2]2- (R = methyl (3), methyl and allyl (6)) and trinuclear [CuII-CuI-CuII] complex of [Cu3(⊂20-py(N-C[double bond, length as m-dash]O)2ph2dienMe3)2]+ (9) are obtained. The reactivities of the [CuII-L] (L = DMF, OH-) complexes in dicarboxamido pyridine, carboxamido-methylimino pyridine and dimethylimino pyridine systems are discussed in terms of the electron delocalization properties of ligands. A cooperative metal-ligand (Cu2+ and enamide ligand) interaction is proposed based on the characterization of ligated Cu(ii) intermediates with the techniques of X-ray crystallography, UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammogram, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.

Asymmetric Ring-Opening of Epoxides Catalyzed by Metal–Salen Complexes

The asymmetric ring-opening of epoxides is an important reaction in organic synthesis, since it allows for the enantioselective installation of two vicinal functional groups with specific stereochemistry within one step from a highly available starting material. An effective class of catalysts for the asymmetric ring-opening of epoxides is metal–salen complexes. This review summarizes the development of metal–salen catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-epoxides and kinetic resolution of epoxides with various nucleophiles, including the design and application of both homogeneous- and heterogeneous epoxide-opening catalysts as well as multi-metallic covalent and supramolecular catalytic systems.

Identification of rapid access to polycyclic systems via a base-catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction and their biological evaluation

A base-mediated cascade reaction between malonate esters and acrolein was developed to access complex polycyclic systems. This novel tandem reaction enables the simultaneous generation of up to seven new bonds and at least three new stereogenic centers. Mechanistic studies indicate a series of nucleophilic 1,4 and 1,6 Michael addition reactions occur, followed by an aldol condensation reaction, culminating in the formation of three fused rings. The compounds were characterized by NMR studies and the stereochemistry was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The ability to generate multigram quantities of such complex molecular scaffolds renders the method promising for medicinal chemistry campaigns. Herein, we also demonstrate that the lead compounds display promising anti-proliferative activities against human cancer cell models.

Bifunctional N-Heterocyclic Carbenes Derived from l-Pyroglutamic Acid and Their Applications in Enantioselective Organocatalysis

In nature, enzymes are a powerful medium for the construction of enantiomerically pure chemicals, which always inspires synthetic chemists to explore new catalysts to imitate the enzyme machinery for asymmetric transformations. Vitamin B1, a bifunctional thiazolium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor, is the coenzyme for transketolase. In the past two decades, a series of chiral NHCs, including monocyclic, bicyclic, tetracyclic, and even bridged ones, have been synthesized and successfully utilized as efficient organocatalysts for a wide variety of asymmetric organic reactions. The utility of bifunctional catalysts can enhance catalytic activity and improve stereochemical control through their synchronous activation of both reaction partners. However, the NHCs possessing multiple activation sites are far less developed.This Account gives an overview of our research on the design, development, and applications of bifunctional NHCs in organocatalysis. We synthesized a series of l-pyroglutamic acid-derived bifunctional NHCs bearing a free hydroxyl group which can interact with carbonyl or imino groups via hydrogen-bonding. Further studies revealed that these bifunctional catalysts worked well for a variety of reactions. We have developed bifunctional NHC-catalyzed aza-benzoin reactions, [2 + 2], [2 + 3], and [2 + 4] cycloadditions of ketenes, [3 + 2] and [3 + 4] annulations of enals, and aza-MBH and Rauhut-Currier reactions of Michael acceptors. In addition to these reactions via nucleophilic Breslow intermediates, enolates, homoenolates, and zwitterionic azolium intermediates, the bifunctional NHC-catalyzed [3 + 3] annulation via 1,3-biselectrophilic α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium intermediates was also developed.In these reactions, bifunctional NHCs showed amazing effects compared to normal nonbifunctional NHCs. In some cases, the bifunctional NHCs facilitated reactions which did not work under normal NHC catalysis, possibly due to additional activation via H-bonding. More interestingly, the bifunctional NHCs could not only improve but also switch the enantioselectivity to get products with opposite stereochemistry through H-bond controlled stereochemical directing. Furthermore, the reaction mode could be totally changed from [3 + 2] to [3 + 4] annulation to give kinetically favored products when bifunctional NHCs were employed. In future, the applications of bifunctional NHCs in other challenging reactions, such as asymmetric reactions with carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds, and the reactions involving alkyl or heteroatom radicals will be the major focus in our group.

Asymmetric redox-neutral radical cyclization catalysed by flavin-dependent 'ene'-reductases

Flavin-dependent 'ene'-reductases (EREDs) are exquisite catalysts for effecting stereoselective reductions. Although these reactions typically proceed through a hydride transfer mechanism, we recently found that EREDs can also catalyse reductive dehalogenations and cyclizations via single electron transfer mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that these enzymes can catalyse redox-neutral radical cyclizations to produce enantioenriched oxindoles from α-haloamides. This transformation is a C-C bond-forming reaction currently unknown in nature and one for which there are no catalytic asymmetric examples. Mechanistic studies indicate the reaction proceeds via the flavin semiquinone/quinone redox couple, where ground-state flavin semiquinone provides the electron for substrate reduction and flavin quinone oxidizes the vinylogous α-amido radical formed after cyclization. This mechanistic manifold was previously unknown for this enzyme family, highlighting the versatility of EREDs in asymmetric synthesis.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones and their Application in Medicinal Chemistry

Chiral spiropyrazolones are unique frameworks widely found in a large family of medicinally relevant compounds with various biological activities. Substantial research efforts have been invested toward stereoselectively by constructing spiro-cyclic structures. Over the past years, remarkable progress has been made in the organo- and metal-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of spiropyrazolones through the utilization of accessible simple pyrazolone derivatives as raw materials. This review is organized according to the size of the spiro-ring fused at the 4-position of the pyrazolone framework. In the last part, the bio-evaluations of chiral spiropyrazolones for drug discovery are summarized.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Adjacent Tri- and Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters: Organocatalytic Aldol Reaction of an Hydantoin Surrogate with Azaarene 2-Carbaldehydes

A bifunctional amine/squaramide catalyst promoted direct aldol addition of an hydantoin surrogate to pyridine 2-carbaldehyde N-oxides to afford adducts bearing two vicinal tertiary/quaternary carbons in high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (d.r. up to >20:1; ee up to 98 %) is reported. Acid hydrolysis of adducts followed by reduction of the N-oxide group yields enantiopure carbinol-tethered quaternary hydantoin-azaarene conjugates with densely functionalized skeletons. DFT studies of the potential energy surface (B3LYP/6-31+G(d)+CPCM (dichloromethane)) of the reaction correlate the activity of different catalysts and support an intramolecular hydrogen-bond-assisted activation of the squaramide moiety in the transition state of the catalytic reaction.

Bianthryl-based organocatalysts for the asymmetric Henry reaction of fluoroketones

We have developed a catalytic system based on bianthrylbis(thiourea) for the asymmetric Henry reaction of fluoroketones and nitroalkanes that resulted from the screening of a library containing 31 chiral non-racemic organocatalysts. The corresponding adducts were isolated in up to 6 times shorter reaction time in comparison with the previously published organocatalysts. High levels of stereocontrol have been generally observed, with measured product enantiomeric excesses up to 97% and diastereomeric ratio 3 : 2 (anti/syn). The above-mentioned catalysts have been successfully applied to the total asymmetric synthesis of CF₃-tethered (S)-halostachines, which has proved that this method constitutes an easy entry to similar enantiopure compounds.

Highly regioselective α-alkylation of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes

The first α-alkylation of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes is achieved under mild reaction conditions. Several α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes and diarylcarbinols are successfully tested for the synthesis of MBH-type α-alkylated products with an excellent regioselectivity. Simple pyrrolidine is efficiently used as a catalyst to achieve a perfect E/Z selectivity of the α-alkylated products.

Pyrrolidine-based chiral porous polymers for heterogeneous organocatalysis in water

The “bottom-up” reticulation of chiral pyrrolidine into POPs for heterogeneous organocatalysis in pure water.

Stereoselective conjugate addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates using thiourea-sulfonamide organocatalyst

In this study, stereoselective conjugate addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates using organocatalyst has been developed. The reaction in the presence of 20 mol% of a novel thiourea-sulfonamide organocatalyst afforded conjugate adducts in moderate to high yields (up to 81%) under mild reaction conditions. Excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 98:2 dr) and enantioselectivity (up to 88% ee) were achieved.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Cascade Reactions Based on Gamma-Nitro Carbonyl Compound

The significant advancements in asymmetric organocascade reactions have been accomplished during the past decades, paving the way to the efficient and stereoselective construction of structurally complex scaffolds from simple and readily available starting materials. Nitro-containing cyclic compounds have become a privileged molecular library given their broad and promising activities in various therapeutic areas. In various approaches to build these valuable scaffolds, the utility of γ-nitrocarbonyl intermediates is one of the most efficient approaches due to its high efficiency, reliability and versatility. The strategies and catalyst systems described here highlight recent advances in the enantioselective synthesis of nitro-containing cyclic molecules via organocascade strategies based on γ-nitrocarbonyl intermediates. Various organocatalysts with distinct activation modes have found application in providing these sophisticated compounds. This review is organized according to the types of organocatalyst. These methods are of importance for the construction of complex chiral cyclic frameworks and the design of new pharmaceutical compounds. We believe that compounds based on nitro-containing cyclic skeletons have the potential to provide novel therapeutic agents and useful biological tools.

Solvent-Free Enantioselective Michael Reactions Catalyzed by a Calixarene-Based Primary Amine Thiourea

An upper-rim functionalized calix[4]arene-based thiourea installed onto the ( R, R)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine scaffold was synthesized with a view to investigate its catalytic ability in enantioselective Michael additions. The reactions were found to conveniently proceed under solvent-free conditions, observing good to high enantioselectivities. From this preliminary study, the calix[4]arene unit is likely to play a role in affecting the conversion and to a lesser extent to the stereochemical outcome of the reactions through van der Waals contacts and C-H···π interactions with the substrates.