Gold(I)-catalyzed double migration cascades toward (1E,3E)-dienes and naphthalenes

Divergent Gold Catalysis: Unlocking Molecular Diversity through Catalyst Control

The catalyst-directed divergent synthesis, commonly termed as "divergent catalysis", has emerged as a promising technique as it allows chartering of structurally distinct products from common substrates simply by modulating the catalyst system. In this regard, gold complexes emerged as powerful catalysts as they offer unique reactivity profiles as compared to various other transition metal catalysts, primarily due to their salient electronic and geometrical features. Owing to the tunable soft π-acidic nature, gold catalysts not only evolved as superior contenders for catalyzing the reactions of alkynes, alkenes, and allenes but also, more intriguingly, have been found to provide divergent reaction pathways over other π-acid catalysts such as Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Cu, In, Sc, Hg, Zn, etc. The recent past has witnessed a renaissance in such examples wherein, by choosing gold catalysts over other transition metal catalysts or by fine-tuning the ligands, counteranions or oxidation states of the gold catalyst itself, a complete reactivity switch was observed. However, reviews documenting such examples are sporadic; as a result, most of the reports of this kind remained scattered in the literature, thereby hampering further development of this burgeoning field. By conceptualizing the idea of "Divergent Gold Catalysis (DGC)", this review aims to consolidate all such reports and provide a unified approach necessary to pave the way for further advancement of this exciting area. Based on the factors governing the divergence in product formation, an explicit classification of DGC has been provided. To gain a fundamental understanding of the divergence in observed reactivities and selectivities, the review is accompanied by mechanistic insights at appropriate places.

Aza-Henry Reaction: Synthesis of Nitronaphthylamines from 2-(Alkynyl)benzonitriles

A transition-metal-free approach for construction of nitronaphthylamines has been developed for the first time through aza-henry, chemoselective, and regioselective annulation of 2-alkynylbenzonitriles with nitromethane. In addition, the strategy provides an elegant, operationally simple and atom-economical route for the synthesis of nitroamino substituted heterocyclic scaffolds, featuring a range of sensitive functional groups. The reaction could also devise acetonitrile and acetophenone as nucleophile. The protocol has been successfully implemented for late-stage modification of bioactive molecules.

Gold(i)-catalyzed stereoselective cyclization of 1,3-enyne aldehydes by a 1,3-acyloxy migration/Nazarov cyclization/aldol addition cascade

Stereoselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.3.0]octenones from chiral 1,3-enyne aldehydes bearing propargylic acetates is described. The method is based on a Au(i)-catalyzed domino sequence with concomitant transfer of chirality involving 1,3-acyloxy migration followed by Nazarov cyclization and an unprecedented aldol addition. The method furnishes densely functionalized bicyclic structures in high yields, with up to 97% ee and good diastereoselectivity.

Transition metal-free cross-coupling of furan ring with haloacetylenes

On the example of menthofuran, a naturally abundant compound, it has been shown for the first time that the furan ring can be readily cross-coupled with acylhaloacetylenes in the solid Al2O3 powder at room temperature to afford the corresponding 2-ethynyl derivatives in up to 88% yield. The reaction represents a ring closing/ring opening process that includes reversible formation of the intermediate cycloadducts further producing acetylene derivatives with elimination of HHal.

A photocatalytic iminyl radical-mediated C–C bond cleavage/addition/cyclization cascade for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrenes

A visible light photocatalytic radical addition/cyclization cascade is developed to provide an efficient access to cyanoalkylated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrenes.

Transition-metal-catalyzed divergent functionalization of [60]fullerene with propargylic esters

Transition-metal-catalyzed divergent reactions between C₆₀ and propargylic esters allow easy access to formal [2 + 2] and [4 + 2] cycloadducts.

Fused Catechol Ethers from Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Reaction of Propargyl Ethers with Acetals

Selective gold(I)-catalyzed rearrangement of aromatic methoxypropynyl acetals leads to fused catechol ethers (1,2-dialkoxynapthalenes) in excellent yields. Furthermore, this process extends to the analogous heterocyclic and aliphatic substrates. Alkyne activation triggers nucleophilic addition of the acetal oxygen that leads to an equilibrating mixture of oxonium ions of similar stability. This mixture is "kinetically self-sorted" via a highly exothermic cyclization. Selective formation of 1,2-dialkoxy naphthalenes originates from chemoselective aromatization of the cyclic intermediate via 1,4-elimination of methanol.

Rationalization of the selectivity between 1,3- and 1,2-migration: a DFT study on gold(i)-catalyzed propargylic ester rearrangement

A general theoretical mode, based on the resonance structure of gold activated propargylic ester complexes, is presented to rationalize the regioselectivity of the gold catalyzed rearrangement of propargylic esters.

Metal-catalyzed double migratory cascade reactions of propargylic esters and phosphates

Propargylic esters and phosphates are easily accessible substrates, which exhibit rich and tunable reactivities in the presence of transition metal catalysts. π-Acidic metals, mostly gold and platinum salts, activate these substrates for an initial 1,2- or 1,3-acyloxy and phosphatyloxy migration process to form reactive intermediates. These intermediates are able to undergo further cascade reactions leading to a variety of diverse structures. This tutorial review systematically introduces the double migratory reactions of propargylic esters and phosphates as a novel synthetic method, in which further cascade reaction of the reactive intermediate is accompanied by a second migration of a different group, thus offering a rapid route to a wide range of functionalized products. The serendipitous observations, as well as designed approaches involving the double migratory cascade reactions, will be discussed with emphasis placed on the mechanistic aspects and the synthetic utilities of the obtained products.

General metal-free Baeyer-Villiger-type synthesis of vinyl acetates

Oxone, a cheap, stable, and nonhazardous oxidizing reagent, transforms α,β-unsaturated ketones of defined stereochemistry into their corresponding vinyl acetates through a Baeyer-Villiger reaction. This process is general and straightforward, tolerating a wide range of functional groups.

Stereocontrolled 1,3-phosphatyloxy and 1,3-halogen migration relay toward highly functionalized 1,3-dienes

A double migratory cascade reaction of α-halogen-substituted propargylic phosphates to produce highly functionalized 1,3-dienes has been developed. This transformation features 1,3-phosphatyloxy group migration followed by 1,3-shifts of bromine and chlorine as well as the unprecedented 1,3-migration of iodine. The reaction is stereodivergent: (Z)-1,3-dienes are formed in the presence of a copper catalyst, whereas gold-catalyzed reactions exhibit inverted stereoselectivity, producing the corresponding E products.

Recent advances in stereoselective synthesis of 1,3-dienes

The aim of this review is to present the latest developments in the stereoselective synthesis of conjugated dienes, covering the period 2005-2010. Since the use of this class of compounds is linked to the nature of their appendages (aryls, alkyls, electron-withdrawing, and heterosubstituted groups), the review has been categorized accordingly and illustrates the most representative strategies and mechanisms to access these targets.

The use of Br/Cl to promote regioselective gold-catalyzed rearrangement of propargylic carboxylates: an efficient synthesis of (1Z, 3E)-1-bromo/chloro-2-carboxy-1,3-dienes

A gold-catalyzed synthesis of 1-bromo/chloro-2-carboxy-1,3-dienes is developed using propargylic carboxylates containing halogenated alkynes as substrates. The reaction is highly diastereoselective, and the halogen atom at the alkyne terminus selectively promotes a 1,2-acyloxy migration. The diene products participate in the Diels-Alder and cross-coupling reactions.