P(RNCH2CH2)3N: an efficient promoter for the direct synthesis of E-α,β-unsaturated esters

Base-Controlled Reactions through an Aldol Intermediate Formed between 2-Oxoaldehydes and Malonate Half Esters

A practical, atom-economical, base-directed, and highly efficient method for the generation of different selective products through a common aldol intermediate of 2-oxoaldehydes and malonate half esters is successfully developed. The addition of a strong basic environment (potassium tert-butoxide) catalyzed the synthesis of stable decarboxylative aldol products (α-hydroxy ketones), while the Doebner modification procedure resulted in decarboxylative elimination to (E)-α,β-unsaturated esters in good yields. The application of this method in one pot and one pot/two steps with azoles helped to develop regioselective α- and β-azolated products in appreciable yields.

P[N(i-Bu)CH(2)CH(2)](3)N: nonionic Lewis base for promoting the room-temperature synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters, fluorides, ketones, and nitriles using Wadsworth-Emmons phosphonates

The bicyclic triaminophosphine P(RNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N (R = i-Bu, 1c) serves as an effective promoter for the room-temperature stereoselective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters, fluorides, and nitriles from a wide array of aromatic, aliphatic, heterocyclic, and cyclic aldehydes and ketones, using a range of Wadsworth-Emmons (WE) phosphonates. Among the analogues of 1c [R = Me (1a), i-Pr (1b), Bn (1d)], 1a and 1b performed well, although longer reaction times were involved, and 1d led to poorer yields than 1c. Functionalities such as cyano, chloro, bromo, methoxy, amino, ester, and nitro were well tolerated. We were able to isolate and characterize (by X-ray means; see above) the reactive WE intermediate species formed from 2b and 1c.

Catalytic synthesis of (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters from aldehydes and 1,1-diethoxyethylene

A practical and high yielding synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters from aldehydes and 1,1-diethoxyethylene was developed.

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-trisubstituted α,β-unsaturated amides and acids

Potassium alkoxides of N-acyl-oxazolidin-2-one-syn-aldols undergo stereoselective elimination reactions to afford a range of trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amides in >95% de, that may be subsequently converted into their corresponding (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated acids or (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated oxazolines in good yield. syn-Aldols derived from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes gave their corresponding trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated-amides with poorer levels of diastereocontrol, whilst there was a similar loss in (E)-selectivity during elimination of syn-aldols derived from chiral aldehydes. These elimination reactions proceed via rearrangement of the potassium alkoxide of the syn-aldol to a 1,3-oxazinane-2,4-dione enolate intermediate that subsequently eliminates carbon dioxide to afford a trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amide. The (E)-selectivity observed during the E1cB-type elimination step has been rationalised using a simple conformational model that employs a chair-like transition state to explain the observed stereocontrol.

Unexpected catalyst for Wittig-type and dehalogenation reactions

A novel catalyst 2 for Wittig-type and dehalogenation reactions was developed. In the presence of triphenyl phosphite, a wide variety of aldehydes could react with alpha-bromoacetates to afford alpha,beta-unsaturated esters or ketones in high yields with excellent E-stereoselectivity when 1-2 mol % of compound 2 was used. Compound 2 was also an effective catalyst for reductive dehalogenation of alpha-bromocarbonyl compounds. The mechanisms for the above reactions were also proposed.

P(RNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N: efficient 1,4-addition catalysts

The 1,4-addition of primary alcohols, higher nitroalkanes, and a Schiff's base of an alpha-amino ester to alpha,beta-unsaturated substrates produces the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields when carried out at -63 to 70 degrees C in the presence of catalytic amounts of the nonionic strong bases P(RNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N (R = Me, i-Pr, i-Bu) in isobutyronitrile. Diastereoselectivity for the anti form of the product is high in the case of the Schiff's base in the absence of lithium ion. These catalysts are easily removed from the product by either column filtration through silica gel or via aqueous workup.