A convenient synthetic route to 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines and their ZnX2 (X=I, OTf) mediated regioselective nucleophilic ring opening reactions: synthesis of γ-iodoamines and tetrahydropyrimidines

Recent strategies used in the synthesis of saturated four-membered heterocycles

The importance and prevalance of O-, N-, and S-atom containing saturated four-membered ring motifs in biologically active molecules and potential therapeutics continues to drive efforts in their efficient synthetic preparation. In this review, general and recent strategies for the synthesis of these heterocycles are presented. Due to the limited potential bond disconnections, retrosynthetic strategies are broadly limited to cyclizations and cycloadditions. Nonetheless, diverse approaches for accessing cyclization precursors have been developed, ranging from nucleophilic substitution to C-H functionalization. Innovative methods for substrate activation have been developed for cycloadditions under photochemical and thermal conditions. Advances in accessing oxetanes, azetidines, and thietanes remain active areas of research with continued breakthroughs anticipated to enable future applications.

Memory of Chirality Concept in Asymmetric Intermolecular Michael Addition of α-Amino Ester Enolates to Enones and Nitroalkenes

A highly stereoselective asymmetric intermolecular conjugate addition of α-amino ester derivatives to cyclic enones via the memory of chirality (MOC) concept in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (dr >99:1, up to 99% ee) is reported. The applicability and the generality of the strategy was demonstrated by its further exploration to acyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone and aromatic nitroalkenes, resulting in the formation of δ-keto-α-amino ester derivative and γ-nitro-α-amino ester derivatives, respectively, with excellent ee and dr.

Stereoselective synthesis of activated 2-arylazetidines via imino-aldol reaction

A highly stereoselective synthesis ofN-sulfinyl andN-sulfonyl azetidines have been developed involving imino-aldol reaction of ester enolates with aldimines.

Synthetic route to chiral indolines via ring-opening/C-N cyclization of activated 2-haloarylaziridines

A practical approach for the synthesis of 3-substituted indolines via regio- and stereoselective SN2-type ring-opening of 2-(2-halophenyl)-N-tosylaziridines with heteroatomic nucleophiles (O, N, and S) followed by palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C-N cyclization is reported in excellent yields (up to >99%) and enantiomeric excess (ee 99%).

Regioselective Addition of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Dianions to Carbonyl Compounds: One Pot Lactonization and Ketalization of δ-Hydroxy-β-keto Esters to Protected Pyrone Derivatives

A simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 6-substituted-2-pyrone derivatives, by BF3·OEt2 mediated one pot cyclization and keto-protection of δ-hydroxy-β-keto esters, obtained via regioselective addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianion of ethyl acetoacetate to aldehydes and ketones is described.

Preparation of highly substituted tetrahydropyrans via a metal assisted dipolar cycloaddition reaction

A range of highly substituted tetrahydropyrans have been prepared by reaction of a donor-acceptor cyclobutane, where the donor is a metal-alkyne complex, with an aldehyde under Lewis acid conditions.

Lewis acid-mediated unprecedented ring-opening rearrangement of 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines to enantiopure (E)-allylamines

A highly efficient strategy for Cu(OTf)2-mediated ring-opening of 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines in polar and coordinating solvents followed by an unprecedented rearrangement to substituted achiral and chiral (E)-allylamines (ee >99%) is reported. The methodology has been applied for the synthesis of gamma-unsaturated-beta-amino acids. A plausible mechanism for the rearrangement is also described.