2,5-Oxyarylation of Furans: Synthesis of Spiroacetals via Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Coupling of Boronic Acids with α-Hydroxyalkylfurans

Multicomponent Modular Synthesis of Chiral Bicyclic Bridged Compounds via an Alkenylfuran-Based Acylation/Rearrangement/Cyclization Sequence

The catalytic asymmetric multicomponent acylation/rearrangement/cyclization of alkenylfurans with acyl oxime esters/arylamines or acyl oxime esters/arylamines/hydroxylamine has been developed. This method employs synergistic photoredox/Brønsted acid catalysis, enabling the efficient and versatile synthesis of multifunctionalized [3.2.1] and [4.2.1] bicyclic bridged compounds in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Controllable Synthesis of Benzo[b]furo[2,3-d]azepines or Furo[3,2-b]indoles via Intermolecular Oxidative Annulation of 2-(Furan-2-yl)anilines and Propargyl Carbonates versus Intramolecular C-H Amination Reactions

Two novel Pd-catalyzed protocols for the controllable synthesis of benzo[b]furo[2,3-d]azepines and furo[3,2-b]indoles have been developed by intermolecular oxidative annulation of 2-(furan-2-yl)anilines and propargyl carbonates versus intramolecular C-H amination reactions. These two protocols feature great scalability, functional group tolerance, and relatively mild reaction conditions. Notably, the robust methodologies could also provide valuable opportunities for assembling azepine-fused benzothiophene, indole-fused benzothiophene, and indole-fused benzimidazole, which may have potential applications in the synthesis of related pharmaceuticals or polymeric materials.

Intermolecular Asymmetric Arylative Dearomatization of 1-Naphthols

Arylative dearomatization forms quaternary stereocenters in cyclic systems with the concomitant introduction of an aromatic ring. Pd-catalyzed arylative dearomatization, which uses conditions analogous to cross-coupling, has emerged as a powerful method in an intramolecular context. But translating this from intramolecular cyclizations to an intermolecular process has proven extremely challenging: examples are scarce, and those that exist have not been rendered enantioselective, despite the potential for broad application in medicinal chemistry and natural product synthesis. We describe a strategy that utilizes attractive interactions between the ligand and substrate to overcome this challenge and promote intermolecular, highly enantioselective arylative dearomatization of naphthols using a broad range of aryl bromide electrophiles. Crucial to success is the use of the readily accessed sulfonated chiral phosphine sSPhos, which we believe engages in attractive electrostatic interactions with the substrate. Not only does sSPhos control enantioselectivity but it also drastically accelerates the reaction, most likely by facilitating the challenging palladation step that initiates dearomatization.

Stereoselective Access to Spiro-isoindolinone Scaffolds via Catalytic Asymmetric aza-Piancatelli Rearrangement

A chiral Brønsted acid catalyzed asymmetric aza-Piancatelli rearrangement of 3-furyl-3-hydroxyisoindolinones with anilines has been developed, enabling the divergent construction of chiral spiro-cyclopentenone-isoindolinones in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities even under a low catalyst loading of 0.5 mol%.

Asymmetric Construction of Functionalized Cyclopenta[b]pyrrolines via Cascade Aza-Piancatelli/Hydroamination Reactions

A chiral Brønsted acid/Pd that cooperatively catalyzed the asymmetric cascade aza-Piancatelli rearrangement/hydroamination of readily accessible alkynyl-functionalized tertiary furylcarbinols with anilines has been developed. This protocol provides expedient access to a variety of densely functionalized cyclopenta[b]pyrroline derivatives in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities.

Photoinduced Pd-Catalyzed Dearomative 2,5-Difunctionalizition of Furans via Cascade C-C/C-O Bond Formation

We report an efficient and mild approach for radical dearomatization via photoinduced palladium-catalyzed reaction of three components (i.e., furans, alcohols, and bromoalkanes). In this strategy, various functionalized spiro-heterocycles were prepared from furans in one step via cascade C-C/C-O bond formation under redox neutral conditions.

Total Synthesis of Aleutianamine

Aleutianamine is a recently isolated pyrroloiminoquinone natural product that displays potent and selective biological activity toward human pancreatic cancer cells with an IC50 of 25 nM against PANC-1, making it a potential candidate for therapeutic development. We report a synthetic approach to aleutianamine wherein the unique [3.3.1] ring system and tertiary sulfide of this alkaloid were constructed via a novel palladium-catalyzed dearomative thiophene functionalization. Other highlights of the synthesis include a palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative pinacol-type rearrangement of an allylic carbonate to install a ketone and a late-stage oxidative amination. This concise and convergent strategy will enable access to analogues of aleutianamine and further investigation of the biological activity of this unique natural product.

Synthesis of (E)-2-(1-(methoxyimino)ethyl)-2-phenylbenzofuran-3(2H)-ones from (E)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethan-1-one O-methyl oximes and iodobenzenes via a palladium-catalyzed dearomative arylation/oxidation reaction

A new method has been successfully developed that offers a facile and reliable approach for synthesizing (E)-2-(1-(methoxyimino)ethyl)-2-phenylbenzofuran-3(2H)-one, providing 28 compounds. This optimized process enables efficient preparation of a wide range of compounds using readily available (E)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethan-1-one O-methyl oxime and iodobenzene, and provides alternative ideas for the structural modification of benzofuran ketones.

Recent Advances in Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Couplings in the Synthesis/Functionalization of Cyclic Scaffolds Using Molecular Oxygen as the Sole Oxidant

Over the past years, Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative couplings have enabled the construction of molecular scaffolds with high structural diversity via C–C, C–N and C–O bond-forming reactions. In contrast to the use of stoichiometric amounts of more common oxidants, such as metal salts (Cu and Ag) and benzoquinone derivatives, the use of molecular oxygen for the direct or indirect regeneration of Pd(II) species presents itself as a more viable alternative in terms of economy and sustainability. In this review, we describe recent advances on the development of Pd-catalyzed oxidative cyclizations/functionalizations, where molecular oxygen plays a pivotal role as the sole stoichiometric oxidant.

1 Introduction

2 Oxidative C–C and C–Nu Coupling

2.1 Intramolecular Oxidative C–Nu Heterocyclization Reactions

2.1.1 C–H Activation

2.1.2 Wacker/Aza-Wacker-Type Cyclization

2.1.3 Tandem Wacker/Aza-Wacker and Cyclization/Cross-Coupling Reactions

2.2 Intermolecular Oxidative C–Nu Heterocoupling Reactions

2.3 Intramolecular Oxidative (C–C) Carbocyclization Reactions

2.4 Intermolecular Oxidative C–C Coupling Reactions

2.4.1 Cyclization Reactions

2.4.2 Cross-Coupling Reactions

2.4.3 Homo-Coupling Reactions

3 Aerobic Dehydrogenative Coupling/Functionalization

4 Oxidative C–H Functionalization

5 Summary

Palladium-catalyzed dearomative 1,4-difunctionalization of naphthalenes

A highly diastereoselective dearomatization of naphthalenes via a Pd-catalyzed 1,4-difunctionalization reaction is described. In the presence of a commercially available palladium precursor and ligand, intramolecular dearomative Heck-type insertion provides π-allylpalladium intermediates which are readily captured by a series of nucleophiles in excellent yields (up to 99%). This reaction features mild conditions, broad substrate scope, and useful transformations of the products.

Iron-Catalyzed Oxidative Decarbonylative α-Alkylation of Acyl-Substituted Furans with Aliphatic Aldehydes as the Alkylating Agents

A protocol for FeCl₂-catalyzed oxidative decarbonylative α-alkylation of acyl furans using alkyl aldehydes as the alkylating agents has been developed. This protocol affords α-alkyl-α-acylfurans in moderate to good yields in a practical and sustainable fashion. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via generation of an alkyl radical from the alkyl aldehyde, addition of the radical to the furan ring, and subsequent rearomatization.

Tandem Achmatowicz Rearrangement and Acetalization of 1-[5-(Hydroxyalkyl)-furan-2-yl]-cyclobutanols Leading to Dispiroacetals and Subsequent Ring-Expansion to Form 6,7-Dihydrobenzofuran-4(5 H)-ones

Herein, we report a one-pot protocol for the synthesis of dispiroacetals 4 bearing a cyclobutane motif via tandem Achmatowicz rearrangement and acetalization of 1-[5-(hydroxyalkyl)-furan-2-yl]-cyclobutanols 3 with m-CPBA as the oxidant and AgSbF₆ as an additive to promote the cyclization step in an aqueous medium. Dispiroacetals 4 could subsequently undergo Lewis acid-catalyzed ring expansion and skeletal rearrangement to afford 6,7-dihydro-5 H-benzofuran-4-ones 5.

Pd(0)-Catalyzed intramolecular arylative dearomatization of β-naphthols

An efficient Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular arylative dearomatization of β-naphthols was developed to afford a series of structurally diverse spirocarbocycles.

Pd-catalyzed regioselective intramolecular direct arylation of 3-indolecarboxamides: access to spiro-indoline-3,3′-oxindoles and 5,11-dihydro-6H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones

We report regioselective intramolecular direct C-3 and C-2 arylations of the indole rings of 3-indolecarboxamides for diastereospecific production of spiro-indoline-3,3′-oxindoles and 5,11-dihydro-6H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones, respectively, under different reaction conditions.

Aerobic oxidative α-arylation of furans with boronic acids via Pd(ii)-catalyzed C–C bond cleavage of primary furfuryl alcohols: sustainable access to arylfurans

Aerobic oxidative α-arylation of furans with boronic acids via Pd(ii)-catalyzed C–C bond cleavage of primary furfuryl alcohol provides sustainable access to arylfurans.

Selective Pd-catalyzed α- and β-arylations of the furan rings of (ortho-bromophenyl)furan-2-yl-methanones: C(CO)–C bond cleavage with a furan ring as a leaving group and synthesis of furan-derived fluorenones

Selective palladium diacetate-catalyzed α- and β-arylations of the furan rings of (ortho-bromophenyl)furan-2-yl-methanones 1 under two different conditions are reported.