Catalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Isocyanatomalonate Esters and Unsaturated Imines: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Chiral γ-Lactams

An Efficient Synthesis of Functionalized 2H-1,3,5-Oxadiazines via Metal-Carbenoid-Induced 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Ring Cleavage

A high-yielding method for the synthesis of 2H-1,3,5-oxadiazines by rhodium(II)- or copper(II)-catalyzed reaction of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles with α-diazo esters has been developed. The reaction proceeds via attack of the metallocarbenoid on the oxadiazole N2 atom followed by ring opening/1,6-electrocyclization and enables the introduction of alkyl, aryl, oxy, and amino substituents into the 6-position and electron-withdrawing groups into the 2-position of 1,3,5-oxadiazine. The N2-attack and the N4-attack of the carbenoid cause different oxadiazole ring openings, which are controlled by the substitution at C5. The presence of a substituent at this position is a prerequisite for the N2-attack to occur, leading to the formation of 1,3,5-oxadiazines.

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.

Organic Synthesis Using Environmentally Benign Acid Catalysis

Recent advances in the application of environmentally benign acid catalysts in organic synthesis are reviewed. The work includes three main parts; (i) description of environmentally benign acid catalysts, (ii) synthesis with heterogeneous and (iii) homogeneous catalysts. The first part provides a brief overview of acid catalysts, both solid acids (metal oxides, zeolites, clays, ion-exchange resins, metal-organic framework based catalysts) and those that are soluble in green solvents (water, alcohols) and at the same time could be regenerated after reactions (metal triflates, heteropoly acids, acidic organocatalysts etc.). The synthesis sections review a broad array of the most common and practical reactions such as Friedel-Crafts and related reactions (acylation, alkylations, hydroxyalkylations, halogenations, nitrations etc.), multicomponent reactions, rearrangements and ring transformations (cyclizations, ring opening). Both the heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic synthesis parts include an overview of asymmetric acid catalysis with chiral Lewis and Brønsted acids. Although a broad array of catalytic processes are discussed, emphasis is placed on applications with commercially available catalysts as well as those of sustainable nature; thus individual examples are critically reviewed regarding their contribution to sustainable synthesis.