Organocatalytic Cascade β-Functionalization/Aromatization of Pyrrolidines via Double Hydride Transfer

Synthesis of chiral systems featuring the pyrrole unit: a review

Synthetic strategies towards pyrroles within chiral frameworks are summarised, focussing on reports published 2010-2023. The synthesis of pyrroles featuring substituents bearing chiral centres are summarised, as are those whereby pyrroles are located within axially chiral systems courtesy of restricted bond rotation.

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H alkylation of tertiary amines with 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones

The β-C-H functionalization of amines is one of the most powerful tools for the synthesis of saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles in organic synthesis. However, the β-C-H functionalization of amines via redox-neutral addition with cyclic-ketimines is still unprecedented. Herein, the β-C-H functionalization of tertiary amines is described, providing the corresponding 1,3-diamines containing the indolin-3-one moiety in high yields via the B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed borrowing hydrogen strategy. According to the experimental results, a possible catalytic cycle has been proposed to rationalize the process of this reaction. Notably, the β-C-H alkylation of amines is external oxidant- and transition-metal-free, which makes a significant contribution to promoting economical chemical synthesis.

Oxoammonium Salt-Promoted Multifunctionalization of Saturated Cyclic Amines Based On β-Oxo Cyclic Iminium Ion Intermediates

Herein we describe a convenient method for multiple C(sp³)-H bond functionalization of saturated cyclic amines through oxoammonium salt-promoted oxidation to afford a β-oxo cyclic iminium ion as a key intermediate, followed by cascade addition with thiocyanate and diverse N-, O-, and S-containing nucleophiles in the green solvent and EtOH. Notably, chiral spiro azapolyheterocycles were prepared enantioselectively (>20:1 dr, up to 99% ee) when cysteine or serine esters were used as substrates. Moreover, the concise late-stage modification of several natural product derivatives was accomplished using this method.

Visible-Light-Induced Dual C(sp3)-H Bond Functionalization of Tertiary Amine via Hydrogen Transfer to Carbene and Subsequent Cycloaddition

Herein, we describe the dual C(sp³)-H bond functionalization of a tertiary amine through hydride-transfer-induced dehydrogenation, followed by cycloaddition, using an easily preparable diazoester as a new type hydride-acceptor precursor under mild, redox-neutral conditions. With carbene as a hydrogen acceptor, this method was demonstrated by the preparation of a broad range of functionalized isoxazoldines in moderate to good yields.

Catalyst-free direct regiospecific multicomponent synthesis of C3-functionalized pyrroles

An operationally simple catalyst-free protocol for the direct regiospecific synthesis of β-(C3)-substituted pyrroles has been developed. The enamine intermediate, in situ generated from succinaldehyde and a primary amine, was trapped with activated carbonyls before the Paal-Knorr reaction in a direct multicomponent "just-mix" fashion to furnish pyrroles with overall good yields. Several C3-substituted N-alkyl/aryl/H pyrroles have been produced under open-flask conditions with high atom economy and avoiding protection-deprotection chemistry.

Development of a synthetic equivalent of α,α-dicationic acetic acid leading to unnatural amino acid derivatives via tetrafunctionalized methanes

Diethyl mesoxalate (DEMO) exhibits high electrophilicity and accepts the nucleophilic addition of a less nucleophilic acid amide to afford N,O-hemiacetal. However, our research showed that elimination of the amide moiety proceeded more easily than dehydration upon treatment with a base. This problem was overcome by reacting DEMO with an acid amide in the presence of acetic anhydride to efficiently obtain N,O-acetal. Acetic acid was eliminated leading to the formation of N-acylimine in situ upon treatment with the base. N-Acylimine is also electrophilic, accepting the second nucleophilic addition by pyrrole or indole to form α,α-disubstituted malonates. Subsequent hydrolysis followed by decarboxylation resulted in (α-indolyl-α-acylamino)acetic acid formation; homologs of tryptophan. Through this process, DEMO serves as a synthetic equivalent of α,α-dicationic acetic acid to facilitate nucleophilic introduction of the two substituents.

Access to Polycyclic Indole-3,4-Fused Nine-Membered Ring via Cascade 1,6-Hydride Transfer/Cyclization

A cascade aldimine condensation/1,6-hydride transfer/Mannich-type cyclization of indole-derived phenylenediamine with aldehydes was developed for one-step construction of a polycyclic indole-3,4-fused skeleton. Aldehyde serves as a key to start the whole process, including 1,6-hydride transfer enabled δ-C(sp³)-H activation of the secondary amine. The challenges of construction of medium-sized rings are addressed via hydride transfer chemistry.

Non-Directed β- or γ-C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Saturated Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles

Reactions that take place via C–H functionalization are valuable tools in organic synthesis because they can be used for the synthesis of target compounds and for the late-stage functionalization of bioactive compounds. Among these, non-directed C(sp3)–H functionalization reactions of saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles have been developed in recent years. However, most of these lead to functionalization at the α-position relative to the heteroatom, and reactions at the β- or γ-positions are limited since these bonds are stronger and less electron-rich. Hence, in this review, we will discuss non-directed β- or γ-C(sp3)–H functionalization reactions of saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles, which are of recent interest to medicinal chemists. These methods are attractive in order to avoid the pre-functionalization of substrates, and to reduce the number of synthetic steps and the formation of byproducts. Such non-directed β- and γ-C(sp3)–H functionalization reactions can be divided into enamine-intermediate-mediated processes and other reaction types described in this review.

1 Introduction

2 Non-Directed β-C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Saturated Nitrogen­-Containing Heterocycles via an Enamine Intermediate

2.1 Non-Directed β-C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Saturated Nitrogen­-Containing Heterocycles under Acidic, Basic or Thermal Conditions

2.2 Non-Directed β-C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Saturated Nitrogen­-Containing Heterocycles under Oxidative Conditions

2.3 Non-Directed β-C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Saturated Nitrogen­-Containing Heterocycles under Redox-Neutral Conditions

3 Strategies for Non-Directed β- or γ-C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Saturated Heterocycles Excluding Examples Proceeding via an Enamine Intermediate

4 Summary

Catalytic and non-catalytic hydroboration of carbonyls: quantum-chemical studies

The addition of hydroboranes across several unsaturated moieties is a universal synthetic tool for the reduction or functionalization of unsaturated moieties. Given the sustainable nature of this process, the development of more environmentally-benign approaches (main-group catalysis or uncatalysed approaches) for hydroboration has gained considerable recent momentum. The present paper examines both catalyst-free and KF-mediated hydroboration of carbonyl compounds with the use of quantum-chemical methods. The results of computations for several potential reaction pathways are juxtaposed with experiment-based calculations, which leads to stepwise mechanisms and energy profiles for the reactions of pinacolborane with benzaldehyde and acetophenone (in the presence of KF). For each step of these reactions, we provide an accurate description of the geometric and electronic structures of corresponding stationary points. Five different levels of theory are employed to select the most applicable theoretical approach and develop a computational protocol for further research. Upon selection of the best-performing methods, larger molecular systems are studied to explore possible more complex pathways at the M06-2X/6-311++G(2d,p) and ωB97XD/6-311++G(2d,p) levels of theory, which brings up multi-pathway, overlapping catalytic cycles. The mechanism of solvent-free, catalyst-free hydroboration of aldehydes is also revisited through the prism of the elaborated methodology, which leads to a whole new perspective on the pathways of this and similar reactions, with a multimolecular cascade of hydride transfers being more energetically favoured than a four-membered transition state.

Recent approaches in the organocatalytic synthesis of pyrroles

Organocatalysis has emerged as one of the most important tools for the synthesis of diverse structural scaffolds, and has become one of the most important hot topics of current research. Construction of the pyrrole ring has gained much attention from the last few decades due to its remarkable biological activities, pharmaceutical application, intermediate in the synthesis of many natural products, and material science application. With access to these 5-membered aza heterocycles, organocatalytic approaches have provided a new alternative from the perspective of synthetic efficiency, as well as from the green chemistry point of view, and a vast array of synthetic procedures has been developed. Enlightened by the significance of this growing research area, we aim to describe the recent organocatalytic approaches developed for the construction of pyrroles, and organized them based on substrates employed.

Recent advances in the functionalization of saturated cyclic amines

Functionalized cyclic amines are the essential structural moieties of numerous biologically active compounds. This review summarized the most recent advances in the C–H, C–N and C–C bond functionalization of saturated cyclic amines.

Recent advances in hydride transfer-involved C(sp3)–H activation reactions

This review summarizes the recent progresses (2016–2020) in the hydride transfer-enabled C(sp³)–H activation according to the reaction types, categorized into the intramolecular/intermolecular C(sp³)–H functionalization, and hydride reduction.

Rapid access to 3-indolyl-1-trifluoromethyl-isobenzofurans by hybrid use of Lewis/Brønsted acid catalysts

We report herein a rapid access to 3-indolyl-1-trifluoromethyl-isobenzofurans via a [1,4]-hydride shift/cyclizatin/intermolecular nucleophilic addition reaction sequence. In this process, a Lewis acid promoted internal redox reaction ([1,4]-hydride shift/cyclization) followed by a Brønsted acid promoted intermolecular reaction (generation of cyclic oxonium cation/intermolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction) occurred to give various 3-indolyl-1-trifluoromethyl-isobenzofurans in good chemical yields.

Photoredox-Enabled Synthesis of β-Substituted Pyrroles from Pyrrolidines

The merger of photoredox-initiated enamine-imine tautomerization and nucleophilic addition processes to access β-substituted pyrroles from pyrrolidines has been achieved. The significant advantage of this method is suppressing the Friedel-Crafts reaction, which usually occurs between N-aryl pyrrolidines and the highly electrophilic ketoesters. The good functional group tolerance, high atom economy, and high regioselectivity as well as easy handling conditions make it an appealing alternative to synthesize β-substituted pyrroles.

Ynamide-Mediated Intermolecular Esterification

An ynamide-mediated one-pot, two-step intermolecular esterification via the condensation of carboxylic acids with nucleophilic hydroxyl species was reported. A broad substrate scope with respect to carboxylic acids, alcohols, and phenols was observed. The α-acyloxyenamide intermediates formed by the addition of carboxylic acids to ynamides proved to be effective acylating reagents for the esterification of alcohol and phenol derivatives with the assistance of base catalysis. Notably, the racemization of the α-chiral center of carboxylic acids can be avoided.

Hydride Transfer Initiated Redox-Neutral Cascade Cyclizations of Aurones: Facile Access to [6,5] Spirocycles

Reported herein is the hydride transfer initiated redox-neutral cascade cyclizations of aurones, providing a variety of [6,5] spiro-heterocycles in satisfactory yields and good diastereoselectivities.

Hydride transfer enabled switchable dearomatization of indoles in the carbocyclic ring and the pyrrole ring

Hydride transfer enabled the first success of the regioselective dearomatization of indoles in the carbocyclic ring and the pyrrole ring, which was induced by ortho-quinone methides and vinylogous iminium intermediates, respectively.