Diastereoselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Spirocyclopenta[c]furans by Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reaction

Stereoselective Double Spirocyclization of 2-Benzyl-3-alkynyl Chromone with Nitrone via Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions

A novel, highly stereoselective gold-catalyzed spirocyclization of 2-benzyl-3-alkynyl chromone with nitrone is described. This cascade reaction involves gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization, nitrone-olefin [3 + 2]-annulation, alkene oxidation, and rearrangement for the formation of spirocyclic products. Interestingly, the isoxazolidine ring generated from [3 + 2]-annulation donates oxygen to alkene to generate a new pyran-3(4H)-one and azetidine ring for dispiro-benzofuran formation upon heating. This work demonstrates the one-pot, gold-catalyzed, multiple-step reaction, and the reaction temperature directly affects the formation of spirocyclic products.

Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reaction of Yne-Enones with Iminooxindoles, Access to 3,2'-Pyrrolidinyl-Spirooxindole Derivatives

Herein, a gold-catalyzed cascade reaction of yne-enones with iminooxindoles has been developed through a cascade cycloisomerization/(3 + 2) annulation process. This approach provides a straightforward and efficient route for the synthesis of functionalized 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl-spirooxindoles in high reactivity and broad substrate scope with excellent cis-selectivity. Moreover, the subsequent functionalization of furan units allows for the diverse synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives, which have demonstrated good antitumoral activity.

ortho-Alkynyl Benzyl Alcohols as C6 Synthons in Regioselective Construction of Polysubstituted Naphthalenes

A straightforward methodology for the assembly of polysubstituted naphthalenes from ortho-alkynyl benzyl alcohols, enabled by using catalytic amounts of Tf2O, has been developed. This transformation not only features transition-metal free and without using other bases and additives but also provides a new synthetic application for ortho-alkynyl benzyl alcohols, i.e., as C6 synthons for the construction of PAHs.

Advancements in Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions to Access Carbocycles and Heterocycles: An Overview

This review summarizes recent developments (from 2006 to 2022) in numerous important and efficient carbo- and heterocycle generations using gold-catalyzed cascade protocols. Herein, methodologies involve selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of product formation being controlled by the ligand as well as the counter anion, catalyst, substrate, and reaction conditions. Gold-catalyzed cascade reactions covered different strategies through the compilation of various approaches such as cyclization, hydroarylation, intermolecular and intramolecular cascade reactions, etc. This entitled reaction is also useful for the synthesis of spiro, fused, bridged carbo- and heterocycles.

Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivates via a Gold-Catalyzed Claisen Rearrangement Cascade

A novel method toward a facile synthesis of diverse benzofuran derivates from easily obtained quinols and alkynyl esters has been reported. A gold-catalyzed intermolecular alkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement/condensation cascade was involved. The introduction of difluorodiphenylsilane as a water-trapping reagent in the reaction leads to a higher yield.

Gold catalyzed efficient preparation of dihydrobenzofuran from 1,3-enyne and phenol

A gold catalyzed formal intermolecular [2+3] cyclo-coupling of 1,3-enynes with phenols was developed to prepare dihydrobenzofuran derivatives with the addition of 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide, in which, a highly ortho-selective phenol S_EAr functionalization was achieved by using 1,3-enynes as α-oxo vinyl gold carbenoid surrogates.

Indium-Catalysed Transfer Hydrogenation for the Reductive Cyclisation of 2-Alkynyl Enones towards Trisubstituted Furans

Indium tribromide catalysed the transfer hydrogenation from dihydroaromatic compounds, such as the commercially available γ-terpinene, to enones, which resulted in the cyclisation to trisubstituted furan derivatives. The reaction was initiated by a Michael addition of a hydride nucleophile to the enone subunit followed by a Lewis-acid-assisted cyclisation and the formation of a furan-indium intermediate and a Wheland intermediate derived from the dihydroaromatic starting material. The product was formed by protonation from the Wheland complex and replaced the indium tribromide substituent. In addition, a site-specific deuterium labelling of the dihydroaromatic HD surrogates resulted in site specific labelling of the products and gave useful insights into the reaction mechanism by H-D scrambling.

Diastereoselectivity-Switchable Gold-Catalyzed Formal [3+2]-Cycloadditions of N-2,2,2-Trifluoroethylisatin Ketimines with Yne-Enones

The unexpected gold-catalyzed formal [3+2]-cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines with 2-(1-Alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones is reported. Both diastereomers of the corresponding cycloadducts were formed in moderate to excellent yields with excellent diastereoselectivities by switching the catalytic system from mono-gold to gold/silver bimetallic catalytic system. The practicality of this protocol is demonstrated by scale-up reaction and the transformations of the cycloadduct.

Biomimetic approach to the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of tetracyclic isochroman

Polyketide oligomers containing the structure of tetracyclic isochroman comprise a large class of natural products with diverse activity. However, a general and stereoselective method towards the rapid construction of this structure remains challenging due to the inherent instability and complex stereochemistry of polyketide. By mimicking the biosynthetic pathway of this structurally diverse set of natural products, we herein develop an asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of in-situ generated isochromene and ortho-quinonemethide. A broad range of tetracyclic isochroman frameworks are prepared in good yields and excellent stereoinduction (up to 95% ee) from readily available α-propargyl benzyl alcohols and 2-(hydroxylmethyl) phenols under mild conditions. This direct enantioselective cascade reaction is achieved by a Au(I)/chiral Sc(III) bimetallic catalytic system. Experimental studies indicate that the key hetero-Diels-Alder reaction involves a stepwise pathway, and the steric hindrance between in-situ generated isochromene and t-Bu group of Sc(III)/N,N’-dioxide complex is responsible for the enantioselectivity in the hetero-Diels–Alder reaction step.

General and stereoselective synthesis of tetracyclic isochroman-containing polyketide oligomers is challenging. Here, the authors report on an Au(I)/chiral Sc(III) bimetallic catalyst for a biomimetic asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction for in-situ generation of isochromene and ortho-quinonemethide.

Highly enantioselective tandem cycloisomerization/Diels-Alder reaction of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones and enals: dual catalysis with platinum and amines

Herein, we disclosed a highly efficient strategy of enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-furan-fused carbocycles bearing three-contiguous stereocenters. This transformation is catalyzed by dual catalysis of PtCl4/chiral amines via tandem dehydrogenative annulation/Diels-Alder reaction of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones and enals. The in situ generation of the furan-based ortho-quinodimethane intermediates and the iminium activation of enals are crucial to this transformation.

Au(I)/(R)-BINOL-Ti(IV) Concerted Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Cycloaddition Reaction of Arylalkynols

An efficient catalytic asymmetric cascade cycloaddition reaction of arylalkynols with dioxopyrrolidines was developed. This reaction was achieved using Au(I) and (R)-BINOL-Ti(IV) bimetallic catalysts and exclusively delivered a series of chiral oxo-bridged bicyclic benzooxacine compounds in up to 86% yield with 96% ee as well as >33:1 dr. Meanwhile, three new σ bonds and three new stereogenic centers were formed in a one-pot process.

Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization and 1,3-Difunctionalization To Access Polysubstituted Furans

Gold-catalyzed cascade cyclization and 1,3-difunctionalization of 2-(1-alkyny)-2-alken-1-ones with N,O-acetals are described, leading to the discovery of novel 1,3-oxyaminomethylation and 1,3-aminomethylamination. Typically, by varying the reaction conditions especially the gold catalysts, these two distinct reaction pathways can be controlled in a selective manner. Moreover, tandem cyclization and 1,4-oxyaminomethylation have also been achieved.

Asymmetric cycloisomerization/[3 + 2] cycloaddition for the synthesis of chiral spiroisobenzofuran-1,3′-pyrrolidine derivatives

An asymmetric tandem cycloisomerization/[3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2,2′-diester aziridine and 2-ethynyl benzyl alcohol with Au(i)/chiral N,N′-dioxide−Dy(iii) as a relay catalyst system was developed.

Tetra-substituted furans by a gold-catalysed tandem C(sp3)–H alkynylation/oxy-alkynylation reaction

A gold-catalysed cascade C(sp3)–H alkynylation/oxy-alkynylation of acceptor-substituted carbonyl compounds with hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents for the synthesis of tetra-substituted furans, offering distinct advantages over previous methods.

Silver(i)-catalyzed tandem reaction of enynones and 4-alkynyl isoxazoles: regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized 4H-furan[3,4-c]pyrroles

This work reports a silver(i)-catalyzed tandem reaction of enynones with 4-alkynyl isoxazoles.

Gold Catalysis and Furans: A Powerful Match for Synthetic Connections

This review summarizes the advances made on the synthesis and functionalization of furans via gold catalysis during the period between 2016 and 2020. A separate section is dedicated to the tandem gold-catalyzed synthesis and functionalization of furans.

1 Introduction

2 Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Furans

2.1 Cycloisomerizations of Alkynyl and Cumulenyl Alcohols

2.2 Cycloisomerizations of Alkynyl and Allenyl Ketones

2.3 Reactions with External Oxidants

2.4 Miscellaneous

3 Gold-Catalyzed Functionalization of Furans

3.1 Cycloadditions

3.2 Furan Ring Decorations

3.3 Reactions Involving Furan Ring Opening

4 Gold-Catalyzed Tandem Synthesis and Functionalization of Furans­

4.1 Cycloisomerizations Followed by Gold-Catalyzed Cycloaddition

4.2 Cycloisomerizations to a Gold 1,3- or 1,4-Dipole and Intermolecular Annulation

4.3 Cycloisomerizations to a Gold Carbene and Intermolecular Trapping

5 Conclusion

Yne-Enones Enable Diversity-Oriented Catalytic Cascade Reactions: A Rapid Assembly of Complexity

A small-molecule collection with structural diversity and complexity is a prerequisite to using either drug candidates or chemical probes for drug discovery and chemical-biology investigations, respectively. Over the past 12 years, we have engaged in developing efficient diversity-oriented cascade strategies for the synthesis of topologically diverse skeletons incorporating biologically relevant structural motifs such as O- and N-heterocycles, fused polycycles, and multifunctionalized allenes. In particular, we have highlighted the use of simple, linear, and densely functionalized molecular platforms in these reactions.This account details our efforts in the design of novel molecular platforms for use in metal- and organo-catalyzed cascade reactions, which include 2-(1-alknyl)-2-alken-1-ones (yne-enones) for heterocyclization/cross-coupling cascades, heterocyclization/cycloaddition cascades, nucleophilic addition/cross-coupling cascades, nucleophilic addition/heterocyclization cascades, and so on. Moreover, this Account outlines corresponding mechanistic insights, computational information, and applications of these cascades in the construction of various highly substituted carbo- and heterocycles as well as highly functionalized acyclic compounds, e.g., allenes and dienes. In addition to yne-enones, we evolved the functional groups of our original yne-enones to provide a series of yne-enone variants, which resulted in products with complementary reactivities.The reactivity profile of the yne-enones is defined by the presence of an alkyne moiety and a conjugated enone unit and their mutual through-bond connectivity. Owing to the conceptually rapid development of carbophilic activation, we have identified a series of efficient catalytic systems consisting of metal catalysts, including Pd, Au, and Rh complexes, for diversity-oriented cascade catalysis, allowing various unprecedented reactions to be achieved through different-types of reaction intermediates, including all-carbon metal 1,n-dipoles, furan-based o-quinodimethanes (oQDMs), and allenyl-metal species. In addition to commonly known transition-metal catalytic activity, the Lewis acidity of these complexes is crucial to accomplish the corresponding transformation. In addition, highly enantioselective gold(I)-catalyzed heterocyclization/cycloaddition cascades of yne-enones and their variants were achieved by the application of bisphosphines (e.g., Cn-TunePhos), monophosphines, and our developed "Ming-Phos" as chiral ligands. Importantly, Ming-Phos ligands exhibited excellent performance in gold-catalyzed mechanistically distinct [3 + n]-cycloaddition reactions, in which the chiral sulfinamide moiety is possibly responsible for the interaction with the substrate to control enantioselectivity. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the easily prepared polymer-supported Ming-Phos ligand could be applied for heterogeneously gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric cycloaddition with good stereocontrol. With metal-free catalysis, the divergent functionalization of yne-enones provides numerous synthetic outlets for structure diversification. For example, yne-enones are particularly attractive for use as precursors of various chiral and achiral heterocycles, such as pyrazoles, isoxazoles, pyrroles, and pyrans, etc.

Bifunctional phosphine ligand-enabled gold-catalyzed direct cycloisomerization of alkynyl ketones to 2,5-disubstituted furans

An efficient synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted furans directly from alkynyl ketones has been developed via tandem gold(i)-catalyzed isomerization of alkynyl ketones to allenyl ketones and cycloisomerization. The key to the success of this chemistry is the use of a biphenyl-2-ylphosphine ligand featuring a critical remote tertiary amino group.

Cocatalyst-controlled divergent cascade cycloaddition reaction of arylalkynols and dioxopyrrolidienes: access to spiroketals and oxa-bridged eight-membered cyclic ethers

A cocatalyst-controlled divergent cascade cycloaddition reaction was developed for the synthesis of two different complex oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds from arylalkynols and dioxopyrrolidienes in the presence of Au(i) catalyst.

Nickel-Catalyzed Amidoalkylation Reaction of γ-Hydroxy Lactams: An Access to 3-Substituted Isoindolinones

An efficient Ni(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O-promoted amidoalkylation reaction for the synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolinones involving various γ-hydroxy lactams and nucleophiles has been successfully developed. The transformation proceeds with both carbon (ketones and arenes) and heteroatom (alcohols, thiols, and amines) nucleophiles and in both intermolecular and intramolecular manners. The prominent features of the present strategy are wide substrate scope, excellent group tolerability, and moderate to good yields (up to 96% yield). The present strategy is also characterized by remarkable superiority over the current synthetic methods. Furthermore, the reaction could be scaled up to the multigram scale.

Insights into the mechanisms of Cu(i)-catalyzed heterocyclization of α-acyl-α-alkynyl ketene dithioacetals to form 3-cyanofurans: the roles of NH4OAc

NH₄OAc is decomposed into NH₃ and HOAc, and both NH₃ and HOAc as the proton shuttle can prompt catalytic reactions.

The mechanism of the gold-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes: a DFT study

The mechanism and selectivity of the gold-catalyzed intramolecular cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes were unveiled by DFT calculations.