Titanium carbenoid reagents for converting carbonyl groups into alkenes

Electroreductive alkylations of (hetero)arenes with carboxylic acids

Carboxylic acids are widely available and generally inexpensive from abundant biomass feedstocks, and they are suitable and generic coupling partners in synthetic chemistry. Reported herein is an electroreductive coupling of stable and versatile carboxylic acids with (hetero)arenes using protons as the hydrogen source. The application of an earth-abundant titanium catalyst has significantly improved the deoxygenative reduction process. Preliminary mechanistic studies provide insights into the deoxygenative reduction of in-situ generated ketone pathway, and the intermediacy generation of ketyl radical and alkylidene titanocene. Without the necessity of pressurized hydrogen or stoichiometric hydride as reductants, this protocol enables highly selective and straightforward synthesis of various functionalized and structurally diverse alkylbenzenes under mild conditions. The utility of this reaction is further demonstrated through practical and valuable isotope incorporation from readily available deuterium source.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Fluorinated Indolizidinone Derivatives

The enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated indolizidinone derivatives has been developed. The process involved an enantioselective intramolecular aza-Michael reaction of conjugated amides bearing a pendant α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety, catalyzed by the (S)-TRIP-derived phosphoric acid, followed by dimethyltitanocene methylenation and ring closing metathesis (RCM). Final indolizidine-derived products comprise a fluorine-containing tetrasubstituted double bond generated by the RCM reaction, which is a challenging task. The whole synthetic sequence took place in acceptable overall yields with excellent enantioselectivities.

Taming PH3: State of the Art and Future Directions in Synthesis

Appetite for reactions involving PH₃ has grown in the past few years. This in part is due to the ability to generate PH₃ cleanly and safely via digestion of cheap metal phosphides with acids, thus avoiding pressurized cylinders and specialized equipment. In this perspective we highlight current trends in forming new P–C/P–OC bonds with PH₃ and discuss the challenges involved with selectivity and product separation encumbering these reactions. We highlight the reactivity of PH₃ with main group reagents, building on the early pioneering work with transition metal complexes and PH₃. Additionally, we highlight the recent renewal of interest in alkali metal sources of H₂P^– which are proving to be useful synthons for chemistry across the periodic table. Such MPH₂ sources are being used to generate the desired products in a more controlled fashion and are allowing access to unexplored phosphorus-containing species.

Erythrina Alkaloid Analogues as nAChR Antagonists-A Flexible Platform for Leads in Drug Discovery

Erythrina alkaloids and their central nervous system effects have been studied for over a century, mainly due to their potent antagonistic actions at β2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In the present work, we report a synthetic approach giving access to a diverse set of Erythrina natural product analogues and present the enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-Cocculine and (+)-Cocculidine, both found to be potent antagonists of the β2-containing nAChRs.

Structural elucidation of a methylenation reagent of esters: synthesis and reactivity of a dinuclear titanium(iii) methylene complex

Transmetallation of a zinc methylene complex [ZnI(tmeda)]₂(μ-CH₂) with a titanium(iii) chloride [TiCl₃(tmeda)(thf)] produced a titanium methylene complex. The X-ray diffraction study displayed a dinuclear methylene structure [TiCl(tmeda)]₂(μ-CH₂)(μ-Cl)₂. Treatment of an ester with the titanium methylene complex resulted in methylenation of the ester carbonyl to form a vinyl ether. The titanium methylene complex also reacted with a terminal olefin, resulting in olefin-metathesis and olefin-homologation. Cyclopropanation by methylene transfer from the titanium methylene proceeded by use of a 1,3-diene. The mechanistic study of the cyclopropanation reaction by the density functional theory calculations was also reported.

Transmetallation of a zinc methylene complex [ZnI(tmeda)]₂(μ-CH₂) with a titanium(iii) chloride [TiCl₃(tmeda)(thf)] produced a titanium methylene complex.

Evaluation of 1,1-cyclopropylidene as a thioether isostere in the 4-thio-thienopyrimidine (TTP) series of antimalarials

The 4-(heteroarylthio)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine (TTP) series of antimalarials, represented by 1 and 17, potently inhibit proliferation of the 3D7 strain of P. falciparum (EC₅₀ 70-100 nM), but suffer from oxidative metabolism. The 1,1-cyclopropylidene isosteres 6 and 16 were designed to obviate this drawback. They were prepared by a short route that features a combined Peterson methylenation / cyclopropanation transformation of, e. g., ketone 7. Isosteres 6 and 16 possess significantly attenuated antimalarial potency relative to parents 1 and 17. This outcome can be rationalized based on the increased out-of-plane steric demands of the latter two. In support of this hypothesis, the relatively flat ketone 7 retains some of the potency of 1, even though it appears to be a comparatively inferior mimic with respect to electronics and bond lengths and angles. We also demonstrate crystallographically and computationally an apparent increase in the strength of the intramolecular sulfur hole interaction of 1 upon protonation.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Dihydro-β-erythroidine

Erythrina alkaloids represent a rich source of complex polycyclic, bioactive natural products. In addition to their sedative and hypotensive effect, their curare-like activity and structural framework have made them attractive targets for synthetic and medicinal chemists. (+)-Dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE), the most potent nicotine acetylcholine receptor antagonist (nAChR) of the Erythrina family, is synthesized for the first time in 13 steps from commercially available material.

Experimental and Computational Study of the ( Z)-Selective Formation of Trisubstituted Olefins and Benzo-Fused Oxacycles from the Ruthenium-Catalyzed Dehydrative C-H Coupling of Phenols with Ketones

The cationic Ru-H complex was found to be an effective catalyst for the dehydrative C-H coupling of phenols with ketones to form the trisubstituted olefin products. The coupling of phenol with linear ketones led to highly stereoselective formation of the ( Z)-olefin products. The dehydrative coupling of phenol with enones and diones efficiently formed the benzopyrene and related oxacyclic derivatives. The reaction of 3,5-dimethoxyphenol with cyclohexanone-2,2,6,6- d₄ showed a significant H/D exchange to both vinyl and α-CH₂ positions on the olefin product (72-75% D). A significant carbon isotope effect was observed on the ortho-arene carbon of the olefin product. The free energies of intermediate species for the entire catalytic cycle were successfully computed by using the DFT method. The DFT study revealed that the E/ Z stereoselectivity is a result of the energy difference in the insertion step of ortho-metalated phenol to an enol form of the ketone substrate (ΔΔ E = 9.6 kcal/mol). The coupling method provides a direct catalytic C-H olefination method for ketones to form trisubstituted olefins without employing any reactive reagents or forming any wasteful byproducts.

Reactions of (Ph)tBuP-P(SiMe3)Li·3THF with [(PNP)TiCl2] and [MeNacNacTiCl2·THF]: synthesis of first PNP titanium(iv) complex with the phosphanylphosphinidene ligand [(PNP)Ti(Cl){η2-P-P(Ph)tBu}]

Herein, the lithium derivative of diphosphane, (Ph)tBuP-P(SiMe3)Li (1), is isolated for the first time and investigated in reactions with β-diketiminate (MeNacnac- = [Ar]NC(Me)CHC(Me)N[Ar]; Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) and PNP-pincer (PNP = N[2-PiPr2-4-methylphenyl]2) Ti(iii) complexes. The β-diketiminate titanium(iii) complex containing the phosphanylphosphido ligand [MeNacNacTi(Cl){η2-P(SiMe3)-P(Ph)tBu}] (2) is prepared via the reaction of [MeNacNacTiCl2·THF] with (Ph)tBuP-P(SiMe3)Li in toluene solution with good yield and purity. The corresponding titanium(iv) complex involving the phosphanylphosphinidene ligand [MeNacNacTi(Cl){η2-P-P(Ph)tBu}] (3) is synthesized via the oxidation of complex (2) with [iBu3PAgCl]4. Interestingly, an analogous PNP titanium(iv) complex, [(PNP)Ti(Cl){η2-P-P(Ph)tBu}] (4), is obtained in the reaction of [(PNP)TiCl2] with (Ph)tBuP-P(SiMe3)Li in toluene solution and a 1 : 1 molar ratio instead of the expected titanium(iii) complex with the phosphanylphosphido ligand. The solid-state structures of (Ph)tBuP-P(SiMe3)Li·3THF (1), [MeNacNacTi(Cl){η2-P(SiMe3)-P(Ph)tBu}] (2), [MeNacNacTi(Cl){η2-P-P(Ph)tBu}] (3) and [(PNP)Ti(Cl){η2-P-P(Ph)tBu}] (4) are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which reveals that in all obtained complexes, both the phosphanylphosphinidene (Ph)tBuP-P and phosphanylphosphido (Ph)tBuP-P(SiMe3) ligands are bidentate-coordinated to the metal center.

Bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane mediated synthesis of olefins via a halogen elimination and double bond migration

An effective dehydrochlorination of bis(phenylsulfonyl)alkane to prepare alkene building blocks is developed. The elimination together with double bond migration results in a variety of β,γ-unsaturated bis(phenylsulfonyl)olefins in good yields with only E geometry. The following chemical diversification represents an easy and straightforward access to a series of alkene building blocks.

Methods Utilizing First-Row Transition Metals in Natural Product Total Synthesis

First-row transition-metal-mediated reactions constitute an important and growing area of research due to the low cost, low toxicity, and exceptional synthetic versatility of these metals. Currently, there is considerable effort to replace existing precious-metal-catalyzed reactions with first-row analogs. More importantly, there are a plethora of unique transformations mediated by first-row metals, which have no classical second- or third-row counterpart. Herein, the application of first-row metal-mediated methods to the total synthesis of natural products is discussed. This Review is intended to highlight strategic uses of these metals to realize efficient syntheses and highlight the future potential of these reagents and catalysts in organic synthesis.

Titanium carbenoid-mediated cyclopropanation of allylic alcohols: selectivity and mechanism

A new method for the chemo- and stereoselective conversion of allylic alcohols into the corresponding cyclopropane derivatives has been developed. The cyclopropanation reaction was carried out with an unprecedented titanium carbenoid generated in situ from Nugent's reagent, manganese and methylene diiodide. The reaction involving the participation of an allylic hydroxyl group, proceeded with conservation of the alkene geometry and in a high diastereomeric excess. The scope, limitations and mechanism of this metal-catalysed reaction are discussed.

Reduction of titanocene dichloride with dysprosium: access to a stable titanocene(ii) equivalent for phosphite-free Takeda carbonyl olefination

The reduction of titanocene dichloride with dysprosium yields a new titanocene(ii) equivalent without the need for further stabilising ligands. This reagent can be employed in combination with dithioacetals for the olefination of different carbonyl groups and allows for a simplified all-in-one procedure.

Rare-earth metal methylidene complexes with Ln3(μ3-CH2)(μ3-Me)(μ2-Me)3 core structure

Although protected from intermolecular deactivation by a picket-fence-type arrangement of bulky amido ligands the CH₂²⁻ moiety is readily converted into oxo species.

Synthesis of alkaloid (-)-205B via stereoselective reductive cross-coupling and intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition

An asymmetric synthesis of alkaloid (-)-205B, a tricyclic member of the architecturally diverse family of natural products isolated from the skin of neotropical poison frogs, is described that proceeds through two recently developed stereoselective synthetic methods: (1) Ti-mediated allylic alcohol-imine reductive cross-coupling and (2) intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of a glyoxylate-based homoallylic nitrone. The utility of this latter cycloaddition process for the assembly of the stereochemically dense piperidine core of 205B is noteworthy, as this method enables direct [3+2] cycloaddition of an intermediate homoallylic (E)-nitrone via a pathway that is stereochemically unscathed by competitive [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement processes. Overall, the synthesis is asymmetric, concise, and highly stereoselective-features which point to the potential future utility of these chemical methods in natural product synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

Structure-activity relationships of C-17-substituted estratriene-3-O-sulfamates as anticancer agents

The synthesis and antiproliferative activities of analogues of 2-substituted estradiol-3,17-O,O-bis-sulfamates (E2bisMATEs) are discussed. Modifications of the C-17 substituent confirm that an H-bond acceptor is essential for high activity; its optimal linkage to C-17 and the local environment in which it resides are defined. In the non-sulfamoylated series 17β-acyl substitution delivers 48b, the most potent compound identified to date. In the sulfamate series a number of permutations of linker and H-bond acceptor deliver excellent activity, with 55, 61, 65, 49a, and 49b proving especially promising. The in vivo potential of these compounds was explored in the NCI hollow fiber assay and also in a mouse Matrigel model of antiangiogenesis in which 49 and 55 show significant inhibitory activity.

A new entry to 1,5-keto esters and their 4,4-dideuterio derivatives via methylene chloride as "methylene dianion" equivalents

This TiCl 4-Mg promoted multicomponent coupling of various amides with CH(2)Cl(2) and methyl acrylate represents an extremely simple and practical synthesis of 1,5-keto esters. The efficiency of this chemistry is illustrated by the very simple preparation of unusual 4,4-dideuterio-1,5-keto esters.