Diastereoselective [3 + 2] vs [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of Nitroprolinates with α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes and Electrophilic Alkenes: An Example of Total Periselectivity

Highly diastereoselective cascade [5 + 1] double Michael reaction, a route for the synthesis of spiro(thio)oxindoles

The first diastereoselective synthesis of spirothiooxindoles is reported via the Michael reaction between thiooxindoles and dibenzalacetones. The reaction was conducted without any catalyst or additive under green conditions, i.e., ethanol as the solvent and at room temperature. In addition, the described robust method benefits from scalability, simple work-up, and column chromatography-free purification. This work demonstrates the art of governing regio- and stereoselectivity, which has been discussed in the light of Density Functional Theory calculations. Our method represents the first synthesis of spiro[cyclohexanone-thiooxindoles] with the relative configuration of the aryl moieties at the cyclohexanone ring as cis. The obtained cis-spirothiooxindoles, can be used to afford cis-spirooxindoles, which their synthesis had not been explored before. According to our molecular docking studies, cis-spirooxindoles demonstrate higher binding affinities than corresponding trans-spirooxindoles for the OPRT domain of the Leishmania donovani uridine 5′-monophosphate synthase (LdUMPS). Thus, the reported method may eventually be utilized to develop new hit compounds for leishmaniasis treatment.

General Asymmetric Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Pyrrolidines via Endo-Selective [3+2] Cycloaddition of β-Quaternary-Substituted Nitroalkenes and Azomethine Ylides

A scalable endo-selective synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrrolidines via cycloaddition of nitroalkenes and azomethine ylides is reported using a P,N-type ferrocenyl ligand and [Cu(OTf)]₂·C₆H₆. The robust method is tolerant of a wide range of functionalities, including rarely reported quaternary nitroalkene substitution and heteroaromatic and hindered ortho-substituted arenes on the azomethine ylide. Subsequent transformations highlight the utility of the method in the synthesis of densely functionalized small molecules suitable for fragment-based drug discovery and the cystic fibrosis C2-corrector clinical candidate ABBV-3221.

Dienaminodioate based multicomponent reactions with post-benzylic oxidative transformations mediated by DDQ

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) using dienaminodioate with post-benzylic oxidative transformation mediated by DDQ that afforded a diverse array of products are described. An unprecedented rearrangement of 1,2-dihydropyridines (1,2-DHPs), 3CR products, to 2-pyridones in good yields with a broad substrate scope by DDQ-mediated benzylic oxidation via a pyridinium intermediate is reported. Treatment of the pyridinium intermediate with tert-butyl isocyanide afforded isomerized 1,2-DHPs, analogous to Ritter amides. Further diversification using 3CR products bearing a benzylic group, predictably, promoted the synthesis of 2-pyridone with a benzylideneamine group and a benzo[d]oxazole appended biaryl group by DDQ. A formal 1,6-reduction product from 2-pyridone in the presence of NaBH4 is also observed.

Synthesis of pyrrolizidines and indolizidines by multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

Different multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions (1,3-DC) of cyclic α-amino acid derivatives with aldehydes and dipolarophiles have been described as efficient and simple methodologies for the synthesis of the pyrrolidine unit of pyrrolizidines and indolizidines. When free cyclic α-amino acids are used, a thermal promoted decarboxylative process generates in situ the corresponding non-stabilized azomethine ylides, which afforded the corresponding pyrrolizidines and indolizidines with a hydrogen in the bicyclic units. This methodology has been employed to the synthesis of complex systems including spiro derivatives when ketones are used as carbonyl component. In addition, working with cyclic α-amino acid derived esters, the three-component 1,3-DC takes place under milder reaction conditions giving the corresponding pyrrolizidines and indolizidines with an alkoxycarbonyl group in the bridge adjacent carbon to the nitrogen. This methodology can be carried out by a double consecutive or stepwise 1,3-DC to provide pyrrolizidines via the precursor prolinates. The conformation of the azomethine ylide controls the endo/exo diastereoselectivity of the 1,3-DC.

(R)-DM-SEGPHOS-Ag(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyrrolidines and Pyrrolizidines via (1,3)- and Double (1,3)-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions

An efficient diastereo- and enantioselective route to access a wide range of highly substituted pyrrolidine and pyrrolizidine derivatives has been described via (1,3)- and double (1,3)-dipolar cycloaddition reactions catalyzed by the (R)-DM-SEGPHOS-Ag(I) complex. The reactions proceed smoothly at ambient temperature, affording a variety of pyrrolidines and pyrrolizidines in high yields (up to 93%) with up to 99:1 dr and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) without any additives. The newly synthesized pyrrolidine and pyrrolizidine derivatives contain four and seven contiguous stereogenic centers, respectively. Moreover, the synthetic utility of enantioenriched products has been demonstrated by transforming them into various synthetically useful advanced intermediates.

Identification and composition of conformational isomers and their cations in crotonaldehyde by VUV-MATI spectroscopy

Composition of the crotonaldehyde sample at ambient temperature was determined as 93.0%, 3.4%, 3.4%, and 0.2% for the tt-/tc-/ct-/cc-conformers, respectively, for the first time.