Transformation of Racemic Azlactones into Enantioenriched Dihydropyrroles and Lactones Enabled by Hydrogen-Bond Organocatalysis

Towards an asymmetric β-selective addition of azlactones to allenoates

We herein report the asymmetric organocatalytic addition of azlactones to allenoates. Upon using chiral quaternary ammonium salt catalysts, i.e., Maruoka's binaphthyl-based spirocyclic ammonium salts, the addition of various azlactones to allenoates proceeds in a β-selective manner with moderate levels of enantioselectivities (up to 83:17 er). Furthermore, the obtained products can be successfully engaged in nucleophilic ring opening reactions, thus giving highly functionalized α-amino acid derivatives.

Enantioselective Construction of Chiral Bispiro[Oxindole-Pyrrolidine-Pyrazolone] Derivatives via Sequential and One-Pot Mannich/Hydroamination Reaction

The atom-economic method for the preparation of novel bispirocyclic compounds containing three fused heterocyclic scaffolds privileged in drug discovery was developed by using a chiral amine-squaramide Mannich reaction and Au(I)-catalyzed hydroamination. The developed synthetic strategy performed either stepwise or as a one-pot process allows the formation of chiral bispirocyclic [oxindole-pyrrolidine-pyrazolones] in high yields (up to 75%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%).

Nonmetal-catalyzed hydroamination of ynamides with amines

A TfOH-catalyzed hydroamination of ynamides with primary and secondary amines under mild reaction conditions is described for the efficient synthesis of N-arylimines and ethene-1,1-diamines.