Asymmetric Synthesis of Merck's Potent hNK1 Antagonist and Its Stereoisomers via Tandem Acylation/[3,3]-Rearrangement of 1,2-Oxazine N-Oxides

Pd/Cu Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylation for Stereodivergent Synthesis of Glutamic Acid Derivatives

A synergistic Pd/Cu catalyst system has been developed for stereodivergent transformation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates and Schiff bases derived from simple amino acids to afford a series of optically active β-branched γ-methyleneglutamic acid derivatives with adjacent tertiary/tertiary and quaternary/tertiary stereocenters in high yields (up to 96 %) with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (>20/1 dr and >99 % ee in most cases) under mild conditions. The use of SKP ligand is disclosed to be crucial for the success of the transformation, and in particular allowing the reaction to proceed at low catalyst loading (0.02 mol % for Pd and 0.08 mol % for Cu). The high efficiency of the catalysis was attributed to the formation of intimate ion pair complex A1, composed of Pd-phosphonium cation and a t-butoxide anion, which would facilitate the subsequent deprotonation and C-C coupling events. All four stereoisomers of the β-branched glutamic acid derivatives were readily prepared by permutation of the catalyst enantiomers. Synthetic utility of the methodology was exemplified by efficient synthesis of a fused pyrrolooxazolidinone with three contiguous chiral centers, highlighting the power of synergistic Pd/Cu catalysis for asymmetric allylic alkylation with MBH carbonates.

Cycloadditions of 4-Alkenyl-2-aminothiazoles with Nitroalkenes in the Formal Synthesis of Pramipexole: An Experimental and Computational Study

4-Alkenyl-2-dialkylaminothiazoles act as in-out dienes in [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with nitroalkenes, furnishing 2-amino-6-nitro-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazoles in moderate to good yields, accompanied by a subsequent 1,3-H migration. These transformations proceed with exquisite site-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity. This strategy is further enriched by revealing a novel route for pramipexole synthesis. The examination of the potential energy surfaces associated with the four possible reaction pathways for the Diels-Alder cycloaddition (relative approach of the diene-dienophile and endo/exo approach of the nitro group) not only aligns with experimental observations but also unveils key mechanistic insights. Specifically, computational analyses uncover the favored pathway yielding 6-nitro-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazoles, with some instances proceeding through a two-step mechanism involving a tandem sequence of chemical processes, and the influence of various factors such as dienophile structure and the approach mode of the nitro group. Additionally, the stabilization of the exo-transition states, particularly facilitated by phenyl substitution in the dienophile, is highlighted. Asynchronicity, dipole moment, and other parameters indicative of polar character further characterize these Diels-Alder reactions. Conceptual DFT calculations underscore the pivotal role of the 1,3-thiazole ring in enhancing dienic activation and dictating regioselectivity, emphasizing interactions between the C5 of the thiazole nucleus and the Cβ atom of the nitroalkenes.

Nitronate-aryne cycloaddition as a concise route to stereochemically complex fused benzisoxazolines and amino alcohols

The reaction of cyclic nitronates (isoxazoline N-oxides and 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,2-oxazine N-oxides) with Kobayashi's aryne precursors affords tricyclic benzene-fused nitroso acetals as a result of [3 + 2]-cycloaddition. The process is regio- and stereoselective in most cases and produces the target cycloadducts possessing up to four contiguous stereogenic centers. These nitroso acetals were shown to be convenient precursors of valuable polysubstituted aminodiols through catalytic hydrogenolysis of the N-O bonds. Also, the action of protic acids resulted in an unusual fragmentation of the cyclic nitroso acetal moiety through heterolytic N-O bond cleavage and Beckmann-type reaction. Using this acid-mediated reaction, the synthesis of a hitherto unknown hexahydrobenzo[4,5]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine scaffold was accomplished.

Iridium-Catalyzed and pH-Dependent Reductions of Nitroalkenes to Ketones

A highly chemoselective conversion of α,β-disubstituted nitroalkenes to ketones is developed. An acid-compatible iridium catalyst serves as the key to the conversion. At a 2500 S/C ratio, nitroalkenes were readily converted to ketones in up to 72% isolated yields. A new mechanistic mode involving the reduction of nitroalkene to nitrosoalkene and N-alkenyl hydroxylamine is proposed. This conversion is ready to amplify to a gram-scale synthesis. The pH value plays an indispensable role in controlling the chemoselectivity.

Deoxygenative Arylation of 5,6-Dihydro-4H-1,2-oxazine-N-oxides with Arynes

Six-membered cyclic nitronates (5,6-dihydro-4H-1,2-oxazine-N-oxides) react with Kobayashi's aryne precursors producing 3-(2-hydroxyaryl)-substituted 1,2-oxazines via deoxygenative C-H arylation. The process involves a hitherto unknown 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitronate to the aryne to give an unusual tricyclic nitroso acetal, in which the N-O bond of the isoxazoline ring is selectively cleaved upon the action of a base (CsF) or an acid (TFA). The transient cycloadducts were isolated and characterized in some cases. The synthetic potential of the obtained 3-(2-hydroxyaryl)-substituted 1,2-oxazines was demonstrated by their stereoselective reduction to 1,4-amino alcohols and reductive 1,2-oxazine ring contraction to tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

A combination of polarity reversal, Diels-Alder cycloaddition and skeletal remodeling to access pyridine-fused nitrones

An unprecedented cascade strategy consisting of polarity reversal, normal electron-demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition and skeletal remodeling was developed to construct novel pyridine-fused nitrones in up to 82% yield. The key to the success was the umpolung process, which transformed the electron-deficient 3-nitropyridinium ring into a reactive, π-extended cyclic nitroalkene, serving as a rarely reported hetero-diene to participate in normal Diels-Alder cycloadditions.