Asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of γ-nitrocarbonyl compounds through Michael and Domino reactions

One-pot chemo- and photo-enzymatic linear cascade processes

The combination of chemo- and photocatalyses with biocatalysis, which couples the flexible reactivity of the photo- and chemocatalysts with the highly selective and environmentally friendly nature of enzymes in one-pot linear cascades, represents a powerful tool in organic synthesis. However, the combination of photo-, chemo- and biocatalysts in one-pot is challenging because the optimal operating conditions of the involved catalyst types may be rather different, and the different stabilities of catalysts and their mutual deactivation are additional problems often encountered in one-pot cascade processes. This review explores a large number of transformations and approaches adopted for combining enzymes and chemo- and photocatalytic processes in a successful way to achieve valuable chemicals and valorisation of biomass. Moreover, the strategies for solving incompatibility issues in chemo-enzymatic reactions are analysed, introducing recent examples of the application of non-conventional solvents, enzyme-metal hybrid catalysts, and spatial compartmentalization strategies to implement chemo-enzymatic cascade processes.

Squaramide-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of nitromethane to 2-enoylazaarenes: synthesis of chiral azaarene-containing γ-nitroketones

Bifunctional chiral squaramide-catalyzed highly enantioselective Michael addition of nitromethane to diverse 2-enoylazaarenes was successfully performed. This protocol provided a set of chiral azaarene-containing γ-nitroketones with up to 98% yield and 98% ee in a solvent-free catalytic system under mild conditions. Furthermore, gram-scale synthetic utility was also showcased.

Enantioselective Michael Addition of Malononitrile to Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Rare-Earth Metal Amides RE[N(SiMe3)2]3 with Phenoxy-Functionalized TsDPEN Ligands

The catalytic enantioselective Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated ketones with malononitrile was well established using rare-earth metal amides RE[N(SiMe3)2]3 (RE = Y, Eu, Sm, Nd, La) with chiral phenoxy-functionalized TsDPEN ligands. The combination of lanthanum amide La[N(SiMe3)2]3 and chiral TsDPEN ligand H3L1 [H3L1 = N-((1R,2R)-2-((3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)amino)-1,2-diphenylethyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide] in a 1:1.5 molar ratio was proved to be the optimal partner in THF, which provided the desired β-carbonyl dinitriles in excellent yields and good to high enantioselectivities after 12 h at -15 °C.

The chemistry of 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes: versatile intermediates in synthetic organic chemistry

The applications of 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes as efficient bifunctional intermediates in organic synthesis are investigated in this review. For this purpose, reactions of 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes with diverse molecules, including carbonyl compounds, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, hemiacetals, nitroalkenes, γ-butenolides, tetronic acid, azalactones, pyrazolones, enamines, malononitrile, methyleneindolinones, ylides, etc., were investigated to construct interesting biologically active scaffolds such as chromans, chromenes, coumarins, benzofurans and their fused and spiro rings, natural products, and other useful cyclic and acyclic compounds. The main focus is on the asymmetric synthesis of these compounds via cascade/domino/tandem reactions catalyzed by chiral organocatalysts. In this review, around 60 papers reported between the years 2000 and 2022 are presented.

Asymmetric Synthesis of a Quaternary Carbon Stereogenic Center by Organocatalysis Using a Primary Amino Acid and Its Salt

In this personal account, our recent developments on the asymmetric synthesis of a quaternary carbon stereogenic center by organocatalysis using a primary amino acid and its salt as a catalyst are described in three chapters: (1) conjugate addition to nitroalkenes and vinyl ketones, (2) nucleophilic addition to π-allyl palladium complexes, and (3) nucleophilic substitution reactions with allyl and propargyl halides. By these methods, asymmetric α-allylation of α-branched aldehydes and ketones smoothly proceeded to give γ-nitroaldehydes, ketoaldehydes, α-allylated aldehydes, and α-allylated β-ketoesters possessing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center in good yields with high enantioselectivities.

Stereoselective Three-Step One-Pot Cascade Combining Amino- and Biocatalysis to Access Chiral γ-Nitro Alcohols

The combination of small-molecule catalysis and enzyme catalysis represents an underexploited area of research with huge potential in asymmetric synthetic chemistry due to both compatibility of reaction conditions and complementary reactivity. Herein, we describe the telescopic synthesis of chiral nitro alcohols starting from commercially available benzaldehyde derivatives through the one-pot three-step chemoenzymatic cascade combination of a Wittig reaction, chiral-thiourea-catalysed asymmetric conjugate addition, and ketoreductase-mediated reduction to access the corresponding target compounds in moderate to excellent overall isolated yields (36-80 %) and high diastereomeric and enantiomeric ratios (up to >97 : 3). This represents the first example of the combination of an organocatalysed asymmetric conjugate addition via iminium ion activation and a bioreduction step catalysed by ketoreductases.

Organo-catalysis as emerging tools in organic synthesis: aldol and Michael reactions

Organocatalysis has occupied sustainable position in organic synthesis as a powerful tool for the synthesis of enantiomeric-rich compounds with multiple stereogenic centers. Among the various organic molecules for organocatalysis, the formation of carbon–carbon is viewed as a challenging issue in organic synthesis. The asymmetric aldol and Michael addition reactions are the most significant methods for C–C bond forming reactions. These protocols deliver a valuable path to access chiral molecules, which are useful synthetic hybrids in biologically potent candidates and desirable versatile pharmaceutical intermediates. This work highlighted the impact of organocatalytic aldol and Michael addition reactions in abundant solvent media. It focused on the crucial methods to construct valuable molecules with high enantio- and diastereo-selectivity.

Hydrogen Bonding-directed Sequential 1,6/1,4-Addition of Heteroatom Nucleophiles onto Electron-deficient 1,3-Diynes

The hydrogen bonding-directed sequential 1,6/1,4-additions developed herein allow for creating unique heterocycles with structural diversity under mild conditions without using metal catalysts or organometallic reagents.

Enantioselective Construction of Single and Vicinal All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters through Ion-Pair-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition

An asymmetric 1,6-conjugate addition to presynthesized δ-aryl-δ-cyano-disubstituted para-quinone methides through bifunctional phosphonium-amide-promoted ion-pair catalysis for acyclic all-carbon quaternary stereocenter construction has been described. Both acyclic and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls participate in the asymmetric alkylation reaction, furnishing a wide array of diarylmethanes bearing a single acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenter or vicinal cyclic and acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenters with high efficiency and excellent stereoselectivity. Computational studies elucidate the origin of the enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition to Unsaturated Indolyl Ketones

An efficient enantioselective organocatalytic method for the synthesis of N-alkylated indoles with α-branched alkyl substituents from the corresponding unsaturated indolyl ketones via a Michael addition has been developed. The resulting products were obtained in high enantioselectivities and in good yields. Various nucleophiles (nitroalkanes, malononitrile, malonic esters) can be used. The substitution pattern of the indole ring had no significant impact on the reaction outcome. Both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents in any position of the heteroaromatic ring were well-tolerated.

Probing α-Amino Aldehydes as Weakly Acidic Pronucleophiles: Direct Access to Quaternary α-Amino Aldehydes by an Enantioselective Michael Addition Catalyzed by Brønsted Bases

The high tendency of α-amino aldehydes to undergo 1,2-additions and their relatively low stability under basic conditions have largely prevented their use as pronucleophiles in the realm of asymmetric catalysis, particularly for the production of quaternary α-amino aldehydes. Herein, it is demonstrated that the chemistry of α-amino aldehydes may be expanded beyond these limits by documenting the first direct α-alkylation of α-branched α-amino aldehydes with nitroolefins. The reaction produces densely functionalized products bearing up to two, quaternary and tertiary, vicinal stereocenters with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. DFT modeling leads to the proposal that intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the NH group and the carbonyl oxygen atom in the starting α-amino aldehyde is key for reaction stereocontrol.

Enantioselective organocatalytic sequential Michael-cyclization of functionalized nitroalkanes to 2-hydroxycinnamaldehydes: synthesis of benzofused dioxa[3.3.1] and oxa[4.3.1] methylene-bridged compounds

An organocatalytic enantioselective conjugate addition-initiated reaction sequence of 2-hydroxycinnamaldehydes with various functionalized nitroalkanes has been described to synthesize structurally diverse chromane-containing compounds.

A Walk through Recent Nitro Chemistry Advances

Chemistry of nitro groups and nitro compounds has long been intensively studied. Despite their long history, new reactions and methodologies are still being found today. This is due to the diverse reactivity of the nitro group. The importance of nitro chemistry will continue to increase in the future in terms of elaborate synthesis. In this article, we will take a walk through the recent advances in nitro chemistry that have been made in past decades.

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Malononitrile with Chalcones via Rosin-Derived Bifunctional Squaramide

A rosin-derived bifunctional squaramide catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of malononitrile with chalcones was discovered. This protocol provides a methodology for the facile synthesis of chiral γ-cyano carbonyl compounds in high yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and 90% ee) with a lower catalyst loading (0.3 mol%). The predominant R-configured adducts were obtained by this organocatalystic reaction, according to the experimental findings.

New Hydrogen-Bond-Enriched 1,3,5-Tris(2-hydroxyethyl) Isocyanurate Covalently Functionalized MCM-41: An Efficient and Recoverable Hybrid Catalyst for Convenient Synthesis of Acridinedione Derivatives

A new nano-ordered 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate-1,3-propylene covalently functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41-Pr-THEIC) was designed and prepared at room temperature through a simple procedure. According to various microscopic, spectroscopic, or thermal methods and techniques, the correlation of the catalytic performance of the hybrid mesoporous MCM-41-Pr-THEIC to its structural characteristics was fully confirmed. The new MCM-41-Pr-THEIC organosilica nanomaterials were successfully investigated as a solid mild nanocatalyst through hydrogen-bonding activation provided by its organic moiety, for the pseudo-four-component condensation of dimedone, aldehydes, and ammonium acetate or p-toluidine to afford the corresponding acridinedione derivatives under green conditions. Furthermore, the introduced nanocatalyst could be reused at least four times with negligible loss of its activity, indicating the good stability and high activity of the new hybrid organosilica.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric C-Alkylation of Nitroalkanes: Synthesis of Enantioenriched β-Nitroamides

A general catalytic method for asymmetric C-alkylation of nitroalkanes using nickel catalysis is described. This method enables the formation of highly enantioenriched β-nitroamides from readily available α-bromoamides using mild reaction conditions that are compatible with a wide range of functional groups. When combined with subsequent reactions, this method allows access to highly enantioenriched products with nitrogen-bearing fully substituted carbon centers.

Pyrrolidine-based chiral porous polymers for heterogeneous organocatalysis in water

The “bottom-up” reticulation of chiral pyrrolidine into POPs for heterogeneous organocatalysis in pure water.

Stereoselective conjugate addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates using thiourea-sulfonamide organocatalyst

In this study, stereoselective conjugate addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates using organocatalyst has been developed. The reaction in the presence of 20 mol% of a novel thiourea-sulfonamide organocatalyst afforded conjugate adducts in moderate to high yields (up to 81%) under mild reaction conditions. Excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 98:2 dr) and enantioselectivity (up to 88% ee) were achieved.

Michael addition of carbonyl compounds to nitroolefins under the catalysis of new pyrrolidine-based bifunctional organocatalysts

Novel bifunctional pyrrolidine-based organocatalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition of carbonyl compounds to nitroolefins have been synthesised from homoallylamines, which are easily obtained from (R)-glyceraldehyde as a chiral precursor. Under optimal reaction conditions, these bifunctional organocatalysts showed a high catalytic efficiency (almost quantitative yield in most cases) and stereoselectivity in the Michael addition reactions of a variety of aldehydes (up to 98 : 2 dr and 97% ee) and ketones (up to 98 : 2 dr and 99% ee) to nitroolefins.

Mechanistic Studies on the Michael Addition of Amines and Hydrazines To Nitrostyrenes: Nitroalkane Elimination via a Retro-aza-Henry-Type Process

In this article we report on the mechanistic studies of the Michael addition of amines and hydrazines to nitrostyrenes. Under the present conditions, the corresponding N-alkyl/aryl substituted benzyl imines and N-methyl/phenyl substituted benzyl hydrazones were observed via a retro-aza-Henry-type process. By combining organic synthesis and characterization experiments with computational chemistry calculations, we reveal that this reaction proceeds via a protic solvent-mediated mechanism. Experiments in deuterated methanol CD₃OD reveal the synthesis and isolation of the corresponding deuterated intermediated Michael adduct, results that support the proposed slovent-mediated pathway. From the synthetic point of view, the reaction occurs under mild, noncatalytic conditions and can be used as a useful platform to yield the biologically important N-methyl pyrazoles in a one-pot manner, simple starting with the corresponding nitrostyrenes and the methylhydrazine.

Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of α,α-Disubstituted Aldehydes to Nitroalkenes Organocatalyzed by Chiral Monosalicylamides from trans-Cyclohexane-1,2-Diamines

Primary amine-salicylamides derived from chiral trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamines are used as organocatalysts for the enantioselective conjugate addition of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to arylated and heteroarylated nitroalkenes. The reaction is performed in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine as an additive in dichloromethane as a solvent at room temperature. The corresponding enantioenriched γ-nitroaldehydes are obtained with enantioselectivities up to 95%. Theoretical calculations are used to justify the reasons of the stereoinduction.

High pressure-assisted low-loading asymmetric organocatalytic conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones

A highly enantioselective and relatively fast (1–5 h) Michael reaction with substantial reduction of organocatalyst loading (0.2–1 mol%) was developed under high-pressure conditions (up to 9 kbar) and at room temperature.

Recent Advances in Asymmetric Organocatalyzed Conjugate Additions to Nitroalkenes

The asymmetric conjugate addition of carbon and heteroatom nucleophiles to nitroalkenes is a very interesting tool for the construction of highly functionalized synthetic building blocks. Thanks to the rapid development of asymmetric organocatalysis, significant progress has been made during the last years in achieving efficiently this process, concerning chiral organocatalysts, substrates and reaction conditions. This review surveys the advances in asymmetric organocatalytic conjugate addition reactions to α,β-unsaturated nitroalkenes developed between 2013 and early 2017.

A highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction of 3,5-dimethoxylphenol with nitroolefins mediated by a bifunctional quinine derived thiourea catalyst

A useful and highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction of 3,5-dimethoxylphenol with nitroolefins catalyzed by a bifunctional quinine derived thiourea catalyst was developed.

Continuous-flow synthesis of primary amines: Metal-free reduction of aliphatic and aromatic nitro derivatives with trichlorosilane

The metal-free reduction of nitro compounds to amines mediated by trichlorosilane was successfully performed for the first time under continuous-flow conditions. Aromatic as well as aliphatic nitro derivatives were converted to the corresponding primary amines in high yields and very short reaction times with no need for purification. The methodology was also extended to the synthesis of two synthetically relevant intermediates (precursors of baclofen and boscalid).