Pd-catalyzed asymmetric aza-Wacker-type cyclization reaction of olefinic tosylamides

Pd/Cu-Cocatalyzed Enantio- and Diastereodivergent Wacker-Type Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Alkenes

The Wacker and Wacker-type reactions are some of the most fundamental and powerful transformations in organic chemistry for their ability to efficiently produce valuable chemicals. Remarkable progress has been achieved in asymmetric oxy/aza-Wacker-type reactions; however, asymmetric Wacker-type dicarbofunctionalization remains underdeveloped, especially for the concurrent construction of two stereocenters. Herein, we report a Pd/Cu-cocatalyzed enantio- and diastereodivergent Wacker-type dicarbofunctionalization of alkene-tethered aryl triflates with imino esters. A series of 2-indanyl motifs bearing adjacent carbon stereocenters could be easily synthesized in moderate to excellent yields and with good to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and >99% ee). Density functional theory calculations revealed that the origin of diastereoselectivity in this Pd/Cu synergistic catalytic system is jointly determined by both the intermolecular anti-carbopalladation of alkenes and the reductive elimination processes, in accordance with the Curtin-Hammett principle.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidant Dependent Switchable Aza-Wacker Cyclization and Oxidative Dimerization of Benzimidates

An oxidant dependent switchable palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-oxazines and benzohydrazonates (azines) from O-homoallyl benzimidates has been developed. The reaction involved aza-Wacker-type intramolecular cyclization of O-homoallyl benzimidates with Cu(OAc)2 as oxidant under Pd-catalysis to deliver 4-methylene-1,3-oxazines, whereas dimerization of O-homoallyl benzimidates with K2S2O8 as oxidant resulted remarkably in benzohydrazonates (azines). The reaction is atom economic with an easily operational procedure for divergent synthesis of important scaffolds.

A Bridge to Alkaloid Synthesis

The construction of a structurally rigid architecture with chiral complexity, necessary to enhance the interaction with binding sites of drug targets, has been adapted as an intriguing approach in drug development. In the past few years, we have been interested in the synthesis of biologically significant and bridged alkaloids via novel synthetic methods and strategies based on recognition of the privileged pattern. Therefore, nitroso-ene and aza-Wacker cyclizations were elevated for the first time to construct bridged alkaloids, such as hosieine A, kopsone, melinonine-E and strychnoxanthine. Mechanistic investigations, including computational calculations for nitroso-ene reaction and deuterated experiments for aza-Wacker reaction, enable us to gain more insights into the chemical reactivity and selectivity of specific functional groups in developing viable synthetic methods.

Salient features of the aza-Wacker cyclization reaction

The intramolecular aza-Wacker reaction has unparalleled potential for the site-selective amination of olefins, but it is perhaps underappreciated relative to other alkene oxidations. The first part of this review makes the distinction between classical and tethered aza-Wacker cyclization reactions and summarizes examples of the latter. The second portion focuses on developments in asymmetric aza-Wacker cyclization technology. The final part of the review summarizes applications of all classes of aza-Wacker cyclization reactions to natural product assembly.

Oxidative Cyclization of Sulfamates onto Pendant Alkenes

This communication discloses the first examples of aza-Wacker cyclizations of sulfamate esters. Within the realm of related cyclization reactions, this protocol is differential in that it forms six-membered rings in good yield and uses catalytic amounts of palladium(0) rather than palladium(II) salts. These reactions scale well, and their products are demonstrated to be valuable synthetic intermediates.

Recent advances in Wacker oxidation: from conventional to modern variants and applications

Recent developments in the well-known Wacker oxidation process from conventional to modern variants and applications to natural products' synthesis are compiled in this review.

Synthesis of Indolines and Derivatives by Aza-Heck Cyclization

For the first time, an aza-Heck cyclization that allows the preparation of indoline scaffolds is described. Using N-hydroxy anilines as electrophiles, which can be easily accessed from the corresponding nitroarenes, this method provides indolines bearing pendant functionality and complex ring topologies. Synthesis of challenging indolines, such as those bearing fully substituted carbon atoms at C2, is also possible using this method.

Cross-Coupling of Heteroatomic Electrophiles

At the advent of cross-coupling chemistry, carbon electrophiles based on halides or pseudohalides were the only suitable electrophilic coupling partners. Almost two decades passed before the first cross-coupling reaction of heteroatom-based electrophiles was reported. Early work by Murai and Tanaka initiated investigations into silicon electrophiles. Narasaka and Johnson pioneered the way in the use of nitrogen electrophiles, while Suginome began the exploration of boron electrophiles. The chemistry reviewed within provides perspective on the use of heteroatomic electrophiles, specifically silicon-, nitrogen-, boron-, oxygen-, and phosphorus-based electrophiles in transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling. For the purposes of this review, a loose definition of cross-coupling is utilized; all reactions minimally proceed via an oxidative addition event. Although not cross-coupling in a traditional sense, we have also included catalyzed reactions that join a heteroatomic electrophile with an in situ generated nucleophile. However, for brevity, those involving hydroamination or C-H activation as a key step are largely excluded. This work includes primary references published up to and including October 2018.

Asymmetric Aza-Wacker-Type Cyclization of N-Ts Hydrazine-Tethered Tetrasubstituted Olefins: Synthesis of Pyrazolines Bearing One Quaternary or Two Vicinal Stereocenters

We have developed an asymmetric aza-Wacker-type cyclization of N-Ts hydrazine-tethered tetrasubstituted olefins, affording optically active pyrazolines bearing chiral tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters. This reaction is tolerant to a broad range of substrates under mild reaction conditions, giving the desired chiral products with high enantioselectivities. Generation of two vicinal stereocenters on the C═C double bonds was also achieved with high selectivities, a process which has been rarely studied for Wacker-type reactions. A mechanistic study revealed that this aza-Wacker-type cyclization undergoes a syn-aminopalladation process. It was also found that for substrates bearing two linear alkyl substituents on the outer carbon atom of the olefin, both of which are larger than a methyl group, the alkyl substituent that is cis to the intranucleophilic group participates more readily in β-hydride elimination. When one of the two alkyl substituents on the outer carbon atom of the olefin is a methyl group, β-hydride elimination proceeds selectively at the methylene side, thus both diastereomers can be prepared via switching the configuration of the olefin. Furthermore, the product can be converted to a pharmaceutical compound in high yields over three steps.

PdII -Catalyzed Oxidative Tandem aza-Wacker/Heck Cyclization for the Construction of Fused 5,6-Bicyclic N,O-Heterocycles

A PdII -catalyzed oxidative tandem cyclization was developed for the construction of fused 5,6-bicyclic N, O-heterocycles. This reaction was enabled by the combined use of a 3-methylpyridine ligand and pentafluorobenzoic acid additive. A range of heterocyclic products with different substituents could be prepared in moderate to good yields via this methodology. Several transformations, including a scaled-up preparation of product 2 a, were also carried out showing the good applicability of our methodology.

Renaissance of pyridine-oxazolines as chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Oxazoline-containing ligands have been widely employed in numerous asymmetric catalytic reactions. Pyridine-oxazoline-type ligands, a class of hybrid ligands, were designed earlier than bisoxazoline and phosphine-oxazoline ligands; however, their unique properties have only been discovered recently. Pyridine-oxazoline-type chiral ligands are rapidly becoming popular for use in asymmetric catalysis, especially for several new and efficient asymmetric methodologies. Several types of challenging asymmetric reactions have been discovered recently using pyridine-oxazoline-type ligands showing their special properties and potential for future application in a wide range of new catalytic methodologies. This review provides an overview of this field, with the aim of highlighting both ligand design and synthetic methodology development.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrizing Aza-Wacker Reaction: Development and Application to the Total Synthesis of (-)-Mesembrane and (+)-Crinane

Reported is an unprecedented catalytic enantioselective desymmetrizing aza-Wacker reaction. In the presence of a catalytic amount of a newly developed Pd(CPA)₂ (MeCN)₂ catalyst (CPA=chiral phosphoric acid), a pyrox ligand, and molecular oxygen, cyclization of properly functionalized prochiral 3,3-disubstituted cyclohexa-1,4-dienes afforded enantioenriched cis-3a-substituted tetrahydroindoles in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. A cooperative effect between the phosphoric acid and the pyrox ligand ensured efficient transformation. This reaction was tailor-made for Amaryllidaceae and Sceletium alkaloids as illustrated by its application in the development of the concise and divergent total synthesis of (-)-mesembrane and (+)-crinane.

Ligand-Promoted Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation Reactions

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions have been the focus of industrial application and extensive research efforts for nearly 60 years. A significant transition occurred in this field approximately 20 years ago, with the introduction of catalysts supported by ancillary ligands. The ligands play crucial roles in the reactions, including promotion of direct oxidation of palladium(0) by O₂, bypassing the typical requirement for Cu salts or related redox cocatalysts to facilitate oxidation of the reduced Pd catalyst; facilitation of key bond-breaking and bond-forming steps during substrate oxidation; and modulation of chemo-, regio-, or stereoselectivity of a reaction. The use of ligands has contributed to significant expansion of the scope of accessible aerobic oxidation reactions. Increased understanding of the role of ancillary ligands should promote the development of new synthetic transformations, enable improved control over the reaction selectivity, and improve catalyst activity and stability. This review surveys the different ligands that have been used to support palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions and, where possible, describes mechanistic insights into the role played by the ancillary ligand.

Synthesis of Secondary Unsaturated Lactams via an Aza-Heck Reaction

The preparation of unsaturated secondary lactams via the palladium-catalyzed cyclization of O-phenyl hydroxamates onto a pendent alkene is reported. This method provides rapid access to a broad range of lactams that are widely useful building blocks in alkaloid synthesis. Mechanistic studies support an aza-Heck-type pathway.

Aza-Wacker-type reaction between electron-deficient olefins and N-alkylsulfonamides

A palladium-catalyzed oxidative amination protocol of electron-deficient olefins by aza-Wacker-type reaction with N-alkylsulfonamides was developed. The presence of the stoichiometric amount of methanesulfonic acid was crucial for the success of this transformation. The reactions were conducted in green solvent under mild conditions and scalable with excellent E-type stereoselectivity. In addition, a Pd(II)/Pd(0) catalytic cycle with the existence of a very strong oxidant (Selectfluor) was proposed.

Mechanism and enantioselectivity in palladium-catalyzed conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to β-substituted cyclic enones: insights from computation and experiment

Enantioselective conjugate additions of arylboronic acids to β-substituted cyclic enones have been previously reported from our laboratories. Air- and moisture-tolerant conditions were achieved with a catalyst derived in situ from palladium(II) trifluoroacetate and the chiral ligand (S)-t-BuPyOx. We now report a combined experimental and computational investigation on the mechanism, the nature of the active catalyst, the origins of the enantioselectivity, and the stereoelectronic effects of the ligand and the substrates of this transformation. Enantioselectivity is controlled primarily by steric repulsions between the t-Bu group of the chiral ligand and the α-methylene hydrogens of the enone substrate in the enantiodetermining carbopalladation step. Computations indicate that the reaction occurs via formation of a cationic arylpalladium(II) species, and subsequent carbopalladation of the enone olefin forms the key carbon-carbon bond. Studies of nonlinear effects and stoichiometric and catalytic reactions of isolated (PyOx)Pd(Ph)I complexes show that a monomeric arylpalladium-ligand complex is the active species in the selectivity-determining step. The addition of water and ammonium hexafluorophosphate synergistically increases the rate of the reaction, corroborating the hypothesis that a cationic palladium species is involved in the reaction pathway. These additives also allow the reaction to be performed at 40 °C and facilitate an expanded substrate scope.

Developing ligands for palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H functionalization: intimate dialogue between ligand and substrate

Homogeneous transition-metal-catalyzed reactions are indispensable to all facets of modern chemical synthesis. It is thus difficult to imagine that for much of the early 20th century, the reactivity and selectivity of all known homogeneous metal catalysts paled in comparison to their heterogeneous and biological counterparts. In the intervening decades, advances in ligand design bridged this divide, such that today some of the most demanding bond-forming events are mediated by ligand-supported homogeneous metal species. While ligand design has propelled many areas of homogeneous catalysis, in the field of Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H functionalization, suitable ligand scaffolds are lacking, which has hampered the development of broadly practical transformations based on C-H functionalization logic. In this Perspective, we offer an account of our research employing three ligand scaffolds, mono-N-protected amino acids, 2,6-disubstituted pyridines, and 2,2'-bipyridines, to address challenges posed by several synthetically versatile substrate classes. Drawing on this work, we discuss principles of ligand design, such as the need to match a ligand to a particular substrate class, and how ligand traits such as tunability and modularity can be advantageous in reaction discovery.

A scalable synthesis of the (S)-4-(tert-butyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole ((S)-t-BuPyOx) ligand

An efficient method for the synthesis of the (S)-4-(tert-butyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole ((S)-t-BuPyOx) ligand has been developed. Inconsistent yields and tedious purification in known routes to (S)-t-BuPyOx suggested the need for an efficient, dependable, and scalable synthetic route. Furthermore, a route suitable for the synthesis of PyOx derivatives is desirable. Herein, we describe the development of a three-step route from inexpensive and commercially available picolinic acid. This short procedure is amenable to multi-gram scale synthesis and provides the target ligand in 64% overall yield.

Asymmetric palladium-catalysed intramolecular Wacker-type cyclisations of unsaturated alcohols and amino alcohols

The palladium (II)-catalysed reactions of alkenols and aminoalkenols such as oxycarbonylations or bicyclisations are powerful methods for the construction of oxygen and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds. This review highlights recent progress in the development of the asymmetric palladium(II)-catalysed Wacker-type cyclisations of unsaturated polyols and aminoalcohols. The scope, limitations, and applications of these reactions are presented.

Mechanistic studies of Wacker-type amidocyclization of alkenes catalyzed by (IMes)Pd(TFA)2(H2O): kinetic and stereochemical implications of proton transfer

The stereochemical course of the amidopalladation of alkenes has important implications for the development of enantioselective Pd-catalyzed "Wacker-type" oxidative amidation of alkenes. We have recently shown that the addition of base (Na2CO3) can alter the stereochemical course of amidopalladation in the (IMes)Pd(TFA)2(H2O)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidation of alkene. In this study, the mechanism of (IMes)Pd(TFA)2(H2O)-catalyzed oxidative heterocyclization of (Z)-4-hexenyltosylamide was investigated in the presence and absence of exogenous base Na2CO3. The results reveal two parallel pathways in the absence of base: a cis-amidopalladation pathway with turnover-limiting deprotonation of the sulfonamide nucleophile and a trans-amidopalladation pathway with turnover-limiting nucleophilic attack of sulfonamide on the coordinated alkene. The addition of base (Na2CO3) lowers the energy barrier associated with the proton transfer, leading to an overall faster turnover rate and exclusive cis-amidopalladation of alkene.