Catalytic Asymmetric [3 + 2] Annulation via Indolyl Copper-Allenylidene Intermediates: Diastereo- and Enantioselective Assembly of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

Palladium-catalyzed (Z)-selective allylation of phosphine oxides with vinylethylene carbonates to construct phosphorus allyl alcohols

Allylphosphine oxide compounds are important building blocks with broad applications in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical science. Herein, we report an unprecedented palladium-catalyzed allylation of phosphine oxides with vinylethylene carbonates, producing various phosphorus allyl alcohols in excellent yields with high Z-selectivity. In addition, gram-scale synthesis and further functional group transformations demonstrate the practical utility of this synthetic method.

Catalytic asymmetric de novo construction of 4-pyrrolin-2-ones via intermolecular formal [3+2] cycloaddition of azoalkenes with azlactones

The chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular formal [3+2] cycloaddition of azoalkenes with azlactones has been established. This convergent protocol leads to a facile and enantioselective de novo construction of a wide range of fully substituted 4-pyrrolin-2-ones bearing a fully substituted carbon atom in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (26 examples, 72-95% yields and 87-99% ee).

Copper-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Decarboxylative [3 + 2] Cyclization of Alkyne-Substituted Cyclic Carbamates with Azlactones: Access to γ-Butyrolactams Bearing Two Vicinal Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters

A copper-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective decarboxylative [3 + 2] cyclization reaction of alkyne-substituted cyclic carbamates with azlactones has been established. A range of optically pure γ-butyrolactams bearing two vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in high yields with good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99% yield, 99:1 dr, and 99% ee). This is the first example of asymmetric synthesis γ-butyrolactams containing sterically congested vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters via a decarboxylative cyclization pathway.

Chiral aldehyde-nickel dual catalysis enables asymmetric α-propargylation of amino acids and stereodivergent synthesis of NP25302

The combined catalytic systems derived from organocatalysts and transition metals exhibit powerful activation and stereoselective-control abilities in asymmetric catalysis. This work describes a highly efficient chiral aldehyde-nickel dual catalytic system and its application for the direct asymmetric α-propargylation reaction of amino acid esters with propargylic alcohol derivatives. Various structural diversity α,α-disubstituted non-proteinogenic α-amino acid esters are produced in good-to-excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, a stereodivergent synthesis of natural product NP25302 is achieved, and a reasonable reaction mechanism is proposed to illustrate the observed stereoselectivity based on the results of control experiments, nonlinear effect investigation, and HRMS detection.

Enantioselective Construction of Vicinal Quaternary-Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters by Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Propargylic Substitution

Enantioselective construction of vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters is a formidable challenge in organic synthesis. A copper-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative propargylic substitution with 3-amino oxindoles as trisubstituted carbon nucleophiles and propargylic cyclic carbonates as tertiary carbon electrophiles was developed. A range of 3-amino-3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles bearing vicinal quaternary-tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in high yields and good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 98% yield, >20:1 dr, and 98.5:1.5 er).

Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cascade Cyclization of Propargylic Cyclic Carbonates/Carbamates with Pyridinium 1,4-Zwitterionic Thiolates to Fused Polyheterocyclic Structures

A copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cascade cyclization of propargylic cyclic carbonates/carbamates with pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates is developed. A range of fused polyheterocyclic compounds are obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. Of particular note is that four new bonds (two C-C, one C-O/N, one C-S) and four new stereocenters could be efficiently embedded into the tetracyclic fused scaffolds in a single step.

Synthesis of Polydiynes via an Unexpected Dimerization/Polymerization Sequence of C3 Propargylic Electrophiles

Here, we describe the unexpected discovery of a Cu-catalyzed condensation polymerization reaction of propargylic electrophiles (CPPE) that transforms simple C3 building blocks into polydiynes of C6 repeating units. This reaction was achieved by a simple system composed of a copper acetylide initiator and an electron-rich phosphine ligand. Alkyne polymers (up to 33.8 kg/mol) were produced in good yields and exclusive regioselectivity with high functional group compatibility. Hydrogenation of the product afforded a new polyolefin-type backbone, while base-mediated isomerization led to a new type of dienyne-based electron-deficient conjugated polymer. Mechanistic studies revealed a new α-α selective Cu-catalyzed dimerization pathway of the C3 unit, followed by in situ organocopper-mediated chain-growth propagation. These insights not only provide an important understanding of the Cu-catalyzed CPPE of C3, C4, and C6 monomers in general but also lead to a significantly improved synthesis of polydiynes from simpler starting materials with handles for the incorporation of an α-end functional group.

Synthesis of pyranopyrazoles with a chiral quaternary carbon stereocenter via copper-catalyzed enantioselective [3 + 3] cycloaddition

A copper-catalyzed enantioselective [3 + 3] cycloaddition of propargyl carbonates and pyrazolones has been disclosed. This reaction provided an efficient route to synthesize pyranopyrazoles containing a chiral quaternary carbon stereocenter in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, the hydroxyl group in the products could be conveniently transformed into a variety of functional groups, such as aldehyde, nitrile, alkene, ester and amide groups, which further increased the synthetic value of this reaction.

Recent advances in the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles and their derivatives

The pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole unit is a privileged heterocycle found in numerous natural products and has been shown to exhibit diverse pharmacological properties. Thus, recent years have witnessed immense interest from the synthesis community on the synthesis of this scaffold. In light of the ever-increasing demand for pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles in drug discovery, this review provides an overview of recent synthesis methods for the preparation of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles and their derivatives. The mechanistic pathway and stereo-electronic factors affecting the yield and selectivity of the product are briefly explained. Furthermore, we have attempted to demonstrate the utility of the developed methods in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and natural products, wherever offered.

Allenylidene Induced 1,2-Metalate Rearrangement of Indole-Boronates: Diastereoselective Access to Highly Substituted Indolines

A process to achieve 1,2-metalate rearrangements of indole boronate as a way to access substituted indolines in high diastereoselectivities is presented. The reaction involves the generation of a Cu-allenylidene, which is sufficiently electrophilic to induce the 1,2-metalate rearrangement. The scope of the reaction is evaluated as well as further transformations of the product.

Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative [3 + 2] Annulation of Ethynylethylene Carbonates with Azlactones: Access to γ-Butyrolactones Bearing Two Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers

An efficient decarboxylative [3 + 2] annulation reaction of ethynylethylene carbonates and azlactones has been developed with a copper salt as catalyst. This practical methodology gives access to a diverse library of γ-butyrolactones bearing α,β-two vicinal quaternary carbon centers in good to high yields with good levels of diastereoselectivities (up to 98% yield, >95:5 dr). Preliminary trials on enantioselective variant with a chiral PyBox ligand provided chiral products in up to 71% ee. This synthetic method features mild reaction conditions, broad functional group tolerance, large-scale synthesis, and versatile products transformation. A plausible catalytic cycle for the protocol is proposed based on previous related studies and our experimental observations.

Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles via (3+2)-Annulations of (Aza)-para-Quinone Methides with Indoles

An efficient and straightforward Brønsted acid mediated (3+2)-annulation of (aza)-para-quinone methides, generated in situ from propargylic alcohols and indoles, has been developed involving 1,8-conjugate addition/5-endo annulation cascade. This protocol affords a mild and effective method for the construction of synthetically important and structurally interesting functionalized pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles.