Asymmetric Intramolecular Rauhut-Currier Reaction and Its Desymmetric Version via Double Thiol/Phase-Transfer Catalysis

An asymmetric intramolecular Rauhut-Currier reaction of linear bis(enones) has been achieved via double activation catalysis of thiols and phase transfer substances, furnishing both enantioenriched cyclohexene and cyclopentene derivatives (up to 95% ee). Furthermore, the desymmetric version of prochiral substrates was developed under similar catalysis, producing the frameworks bearing an additional tertiary or even quaternary stereogenic center with moderate to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee, >19:1 dr).

Phosphine Organocatalysis

The hallmark of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is the initial nucleophilic addition of a phosphine to an electrophilic starting material, producing a reactive zwitterionic intermediate, generally under mild conditions. In this Review, we classify nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions in terms of their electrophilic components. In the majority of cases, these electrophiles possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds: alkenes (section 2), allenes (section 3), alkynes (section 4), and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) alcohol derivatives (MBHADs; section 5). Within each of these sections, the reactions are compiled based on the nature of the second starting material-nucleophiles, dinucleophiles, electrophiles, and electrophile-nucleophiles. Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions that occur via the initial addition to starting materials that do not possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds are collated in section 6. Although not catalytic in the phosphine, the formation of ylides through the nucleophilic addition of phosphines to carbon-carbon multiple bond-containing compounds is intimately related to the catalysis and is discussed in section 7. Finally, section 8 compiles miscellaneous topics, including annulations of the Hüisgen zwitterion, phosphine-mediated reductions, iminophosphorane organocatalysis, and catalytic variants of classical phosphine oxide-generating reactions.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Aryl Hydrocoumarins and 4-Aryl Hydroquinolin-2-ones via Intramolecular Vinylogous Rauhut-Currier Reaction of para-Quinone Methides

A novel strategy for the asymmetric construction of functionalized 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins and 4-aryl-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones via an intramolecular vinylogous Rauhut-Currier reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) under the bifunctional catalysis of chiral amine-phosphine is described. This intramolecular mode for the catalytic enantioselective 1,6-conjugate addition of p-QMs has been explored for the first time, delivering two types of synthetically important heterocycles in high yields and enantioselectivites.

Phosphine-catalyzed intramolecular Rauhut–Currier reaction: enantioselective synthesis of hydro-2H-indole derivatives

A highly enantioselective intramolecular Rauhut–Currier reaction catalyzed by a multifunctional chiral aminophosphine catalyst was reported.

Enantioselective intermolecular cross Rauhut-Currier reactions of activated alkenes with acrolein

The enantioselective intermolecular cross Rauhut-Currier reaction of acrolein with active olefins has been a long-standing challenge because of the competitive MBH reaction and polymerization. Herein a highly enantioselective intermolecular cross Rauhut-Currier reaction of acrolein with 3-acyl acrylates and 2-ene-1,4-diones, which is enabled by newly designed Peng-Phos catalysts. This method is scalable and highly enantioselective (up to 96% ee). Several transformations of the R-C products are carried out to showcase the synthetic utility.

Asymmetric α-amination of 3-substituted oxindoles using chiral bifunctional phosphine catalysts

A highly enantioselective α-amination of 3-substituted oxindoles with azodicarboxylates catalyzed by amino acids-derived chiral phosphine catalysts is reported. The corresponding products containing a tetrasubstituted carbon center attached to a nitrogen atom at the C-3 position of the oxindole were obtained in high yields and with up to 98% ee.

Intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillman and Rauhut–Currier reactions. A catalytic and atom economic route for carbocycles and heterocycles

Intramolecular MBH and RC reactions: glorious past and future opportunities.