Enantioselective synthesis of cyclic allylboronates by Mo-catalyzed asymmetric ring-closing metathesis (ARCM). A one-pot protocol for net catalytic enantioselective cross metathesis

Enantioselective olefin metathesis with cyclometalated ruthenium complexes

The success of enantioselective olefin metathesis relies on the design of enantioenriched alkylidene complexes capable of transferring stereochemical information from the catalyst structure to the reactants. Cyclometalation of the NHC ligand has proven to be a successful strategy to incorporate stereogenic atoms into the catalyst structure. Enantioenriched complexes incorporating this design element catalyze highly Z- and enantioselective asymmetric ring opening/cross metathesis (AROCM) of norbornenes and cyclobutenes, and the difference in ring strain between these two substrates leads to different propagating species in the catalytic cycle. Asymmetric ring closing metathesis (ARCM) of a challenging class of prochiral trienes has also been achieved. The extent of reversibility and effect of reaction setup was also explored. Finally, promising levels of enantioselectivity in an unprecedented Z-selective asymmetric cross metathesis (ACM) of a prochiral 1,4-diene was demonstrated.

Endo-selective enyne ring-closing metathesis promoted by stereogenic-at-Mo monoalkoxide and monoaryloxide complexes. Efficient synthesis of cyclic dienes not accessible through reactions with Ru carbenes

Stereogenic-at-Mo monoalkoxide and monoaryloxide complexes promote enyne ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions, affording the corresponding endo products with high selectivity (typically >98:<2 endo:exo). All catalysts can be prepared and used in situ. Five-, six-, and seven-membered rings are obtained through reactions with enyne substrates that bear all-carbon tethers as well as those that contain heteroatom substituents. The newly developed catalytic protocols complement the related exo-selective Ru-catalyzed processes. In cases where Ru-based complexes deliver exo and endo products nondiscriminately, such as when tetrasubstituted cyclic alkenes are generated, Mo-catalyzed reactions afford the endo product exclusively. The efficiency of synthesis of N- and O-containing endo diene heterocycles can be improved significantly through structural modification of Mo catalysts. The modularity of Mo-based monopyrrolides is thus exploited in the identification of the most effective catalyst variants. Through alteration of O-based monodentate ligands, catalysts have been identified that promote enyne RCM with improved efficiency. The structural attributes of three Mo complexes are elucidated through X-ray crystallography. The first examples of catalytic enantioselective enyne RCM reactions are reported (up to 98:2 enantiomer ratio and >98% endo).

Design and stereoselective preparation of a new class of chiral olefin metathesis catalysts and application to enantioselective synthesis of quebrachamine: catalyst development inspired by natural product synthesis

A total synthesis of the Aspidosperma alkaloid quebrachamine in racemic form is first described. A key catalytic ring-closing metathesis of an achiral triene is used to establish the all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center and the tetracyclic structure of the natural product; the catalytic transformation proceeds with reasonable efficiency through the use of existing achiral Ru or Mo catalysts. Ru- or Mo-based chiral olefin metathesis catalysts have proven to be inefficient and entirely nonselective in cases where the desired product is observed. In the present study, the synthesis route thus serves as a platform for the discovery of new olefin metathesis catalysts that allow for efficient completion of an enantioselective synthesis of quebrachamine. Accordingly, on the basis of mechanistic principles, stereogenic-at-Mo complexes bearing only monodentate ligands have been designed. The new catalysts provide significantly higher levels of activity than observed with the previously reported Ru- or Mo-based complexes. Enantiomerically enriched chiral alkylidenes are generated through diastereoselective reactions involving achiral Mo-based bispyrrolides and enantiomerically pure silyl-protected binaphthols. Such chiral catalysts initiate the key enantioselective ring-closing metathesis step in the total synthesis of quebrachamine efficiently (1 mol % loading, 22 degrees C, 1 h, >98% conversion, 84% yield) and with high selectivity (98:2 er, 96% ee).

Single-pot triple catalytic transformations based on coupling of in situ generated allyl boronates with in situ hydrolyzed acetals

In situ hydrolyzed acetals were coupled with in situ generated allyl boronates in a one-pot procedure, affording regio- and stereodefined homoallyl alcohols, epoxides and amino alcohols.

Highly active chiral ruthenium catalysts for asymmetric ring-closing olefin metathesis

The synthesis of olefin metathesis catalysts containing chiral, monodentate N-heterocyclic carbenes and their application to asymmetric ring-closing metathesis (ARCM) are reported. These catalysts retain the high levels of reactivity found in the related achiral variants (1a and 1b). Using the parent chiral catalysts 2a and 2b and derivatives that contain steric bulk in the meta positions of the N-bound aryl rings (catalysts 3-5), five- through seven-membered rings were formed in up to 92% ee. The addition of sodium iodide to catalysts 2a-4a (to form 2b-4b in situ) caused a dramatic increase in enantioselectivity for many substrates. Catalyst 5a, which gave high enantiomeric excesses for certain substrates without the addition of NaI, could be used in loadings of < or =1 mol %. Mechanistic explanations for the large sodium iodide effect as well as possible mechanistic pathways leading to the observed products are discussed.