Ni(II) Tol-BINAP-catalyzed enantioselective Michael reactions of beta-ketoesters and unsaturated N-acylthiazolidinethiones

Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Cycloadditions between Indoles and Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes

This article describes the development of a nickel-catalyzed regio- and diastereoselective formal [3+2] cycloaddition between N-substituted indoles and donor-acceptor cyclopropanes to synthesize cyclopenta[b]indoles. Optimized reaction conditions provide the desired nitrogen-containing cycloadducts in up to 93% yield and dr 8.6:1 with complete regioselectivity. The substrate scope showed high tolerance to various substituted indoles and cyclopropanes, resulting in the synthesis of six new cyclopenta[b]indoles and the isolation of five derivatives previously reported in the literature. In addition, a mechanistic proposal for the reaction was studied through online reaction monitoring by ESI-MS, allowing for the identification of the reactive intermediates in the Ni(II) catalyzed process. X-ray crystallography confirmed the structure and relative endo stereochemistry of the products. This method enables the fast and efficient construction of fused indolines from readily accessible starting materials.

NHC-Catalyzed Reaction of Carboxylic Acids Using Allene Ketones as Substrates and Activating Reagents

We present a new reaction between carboxylic acids and allene ketones mediated by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts, which exhibit, in principle, nearly perfect atom economy. In this new approach, allene ketones act as both an activating reagent and a reactant. All atoms in the substrates end up in the product without the need for coupling reagents. The present study aims to encourage further explorations of NHC catalytic reactions with alternative activation strategies and better atom economy.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyran-2-Ones Organocatalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

In recent years, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) have gained recognition as versatile molecules capable of acting as organocatalysts in various reactions, particularly through the activation of aldehydes via Breslow-type adducts. This organocatalytic activation has enabled the production of numerous 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones and related derivatives. In this review, we provide an overview of the production of 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones and derivatives via organocatalytic processes involving NHCs over the past eight years. These processes involve the use of a diverse range of substrates, catalysts, and reaction conditions, which can be classified into [4+2]-and [3+3]-type cycloadditions, primarily aimed at synthesizing this skeleton due to its biological activity and multiple stereocenters. These processes are scaled up to the gram scale, and the resulting products are often directed towards epimerization and functionalization to produce more complex molecules with potential applications in the biological field. Finally, we provide a perspective and the future directions of this topic in organic synthesis.

Identification of the Active Catalyst for Nickel-Catalyzed Stereospecific Kumada Coupling Reactions of Ethers

A series of nickel complexes in varying oxidation states were evaluated as precatalysts for the stereospecific cross-coupling of benzylic ethers. These results demonstrate rapid redox reactions of precatalysts, such that the oxidative state of the precatalyst does not dictate the oxidation state of the active catalyst in solution. These data provide the first experimental evidence for a Ni⁰ -Ni^II catalytic cycle for a stereospecific alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reaction, including spectroscopic analysis of the catalyst resting state.

Dibenzofuran-4,6-bis(oxazoline) (DBFOX). A novel trans-chelating bis(oxazoline) ligand for asymmetric reactions

The trans-chelating bis(oxazoline) ligand (R,R)-4,6-dibenzofurandiyl-2,2'-bis(4-phenyloxazoline) [(R,R)-DBFOX/Ph] coordinates metal ions to give C2-symmetric complexes which effectively catalyze a variety of asymmetric reactions. (R,R)-DBFOX/Ph·Ni(ClO4)2·3H2O, whose crystal structure is octahedral with three aqua ligands, can be stored under air for several months without loss of catalytic activity and promotes highly enantioselective reactions even in the presence of excess amounts of water, alcohols, amines, and acids. The complex shows remarkable chiral amplification in asymmetric Diels-Alder (DA) reactions. This review focuses on enantioselective reactions catalyzed by (R,R)-DBFOX/Ph·metal complexes.

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated pyrazolamide catalyzed by a bifunctional squaramide

A highly enantioselective (91- > 99% ee) Michael addition of α-nitroacetate to α,β-unsaturated pyrazolamide was developed in the presence of a bifunctional squaramide. Satisfactory isolated yields (42%-99%) have been achieved with a wide range of α,β-unsaturated pyrazolamides, albeit acceptor of this type displayed poor reactivity in the precedent reports. The adducts resulting from this protocol are useful synthetic intermediates for further synthetic modification.

Expeditious assembly of fused dihydropyranones via N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed tandem Michael addition/lactonization

A convergent and efficient NHC-catalyzed enantioselective tandem Michael addition/lactonization sequence of ynals with 1,2-dione is disclosed. This strategy expeditiously assembles the valuable optically active fused dihydropyranones in good to high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.

Asymmetric aerobic oxidative NHC-catalysed synthesis of dihydropyranones utilising a system of electron transfer mediators

In the context of green chemistry, the replacement of high molecular weight stoichiometric oxidants with O2 is most desirable but difficult. Here, we report the asymmetric aerobic oxidative synthesis of dihydropyranones. The oxidation is aided by a system of electron transfer mediators and is selective toward the homoenolate. The dihydropyranones can be isolated in high to excellent yields, with high ee (up to 95%).

Diastereoselective addition of monoorganocuprates to a chiral fumarate: reaction development and synthesis of (-)-dihydroprotolichesterinic acid

Recent studies of diastereoselective conjugate additions of monoorganocuprates, Li[RCuI], to chiral γ-alkoxycrotonates and fumarates are disclosed. This methodology was applied to the shortest total synthesis of (-)-dihydroprotolichesterinic acid to date, but several attempts to prepare other succinate-derived natural products, such as pilocarpine and antrodin E, were unsuccessful.

Octahedral Chiral-at-Metal Iridium Catalysts: Versatile Chiral Lewis Acids for Asymmetric Conjugate Additions

Octahedral iridium(III) complexes containing two bidentate cyclometalating 5-tert-butyl-2-phenylbenzoxazole (IrO) or 5-tert-butyl-2-phenylbenzothiazole (IrS) ligands in addition to two labile acetonitrile ligands are demonstrated to constitute a highly versatile class of asymmetric Lewis acid catalysts. These complexes feature the metal center as the exclusive source of chirality and serve as effective asymmetric catalysts (0.5-5.0 mol % catalyst loading) for a variety of reactions with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, namely Friedel-Crafts alkylations (94-99% ee), Michael additions with CH-acidic compounds (81-97% ee), and a variety of cycloadditions (92-99% ee with high d.r.). Mechanistic investigations and crystal structures of an iridium-coordinated substrates and iridium-coordinated products are consistent with a mechanistic picture in which the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are activated by two-point binding (bidentate coordination) to the chiral Lewis acid.

A 2,2',6,6'-tetraphosphinobiphenyl

The first example of a 2,2',6,6'-tetraphosphinobiphenyl was prepared and used as a ligand in a dinuclear palladium(II) complex. The close proximity of the two complex fragments induces a coupling pathway allowing the allosteric communication between the two palladium complex fragments.

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed annulation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with 1,3-dicarbonyls

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed annulations of ynals and enals with 1,3-dicarbonyls have been described. The two reactions provided direct and efficient methods for enantioselective synthesis of functionalized dihydropyranones. Comparatively, the reactions starting from ynals were atom-economical; furthermore the reactions of enals demonstrated broader substrate compatibility.

tert-Butyl 4-isopropyl-2-oxo-6-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate

In the title compound, C₁₉H₂₄O₄, the six-membered lactone ring adopts an envelope conformation with the tert-butoxy­carbonyl and isopropyl substituents in axial positions, and the phenyl group in an equatorial position. In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into centrosymmetric dimers.

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed generation of alpha,beta-unsaturated acyl imidazoliums: synthesis of dihydropyranones by their reaction with enolates

Catalytic generation of alpha,beta-unsaturated acyl imidazolium cations and enolates has been achieved, and their involvement in a Michael addition acylation sequence exploited, to provide a range of dihydropyranones. alpha,beta-Unsaturated enol esters, or alpha,beta-unsaturated acid fluorides in association with TMS enol ethers, serve as appropriate substrates for this reaction. The transformation can also be achieved enantioselectively using catalysts derived from chiral triazolium salts.

Catalytic conjugate additions of nitrogen-, phosphorus-, and carbon-containing nucleophiles by amphoteric vanadyl triflate

A series of carbamates, amides, N-tosyl amides, (hetero)arenes, and hydrogen phosphines/phosphites has been examined as nucleophiles for (hetero)Michael-type additions to enones and enamides catalyzed by amphoteric vanadyl triflate under mild and neutral conditions. The newly developed C-N, C-P, and C-C bond-formation protocols were carried out smoothly in good to high yields without intervention of any 1,2-additions.

Scope and mechanism of enantioselective Michael additions of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes catalyzed by nickel(II)-diamine complexes

Readily prepared Ni(II)-bis[(R,R)-N,N'-dibenzylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine]Br(2) was shown to catalyze the Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes at room temperature in good yields with high enantioselectivities. The two diamine ligands in this system each play a distinct role: one serves as a chiral ligand to provide stereoinduction in the addition step while the other functions as a base for substrate enolization. Ligand modification within the catalyst was also investigated to facilitate the reaction of aliphatic nitroalkenes, 1,3-diketones, and beta-ketoacids. Ni(II)-bis[(R,R)-N,N'-di-p-bromo-benzylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine]Br(2) was found to be an effective catalyst in these instances. Furthermore, monodiamine complex, Ni(II)-[(R,R)-N,N'-dibenzylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine]Br(2), catalyzed the addition reaction in the presence of water. The proposed model for stereochemical induction is shown to be consistent with X-ray structure analysis.

Enantioselective Michael Addition of α-Substituted Cyanoacetates to Vinyl Ketones Catalyzed by Bifunctional Organocatalysts

A highly enantioselective Michael addition of alpha-substituted cyanoacetates to vinyl ketones was accomplished in the presence of simple bifunctional thiourea/tertiary amine organocatalysts. A number of alpha-aryl or alkyl cyanoacetates have been successfully applied to give multifunctional compounds with an all-carbon-substituted quaternary stereocenter in excellent enantioselectivities (82-97 % ee) and yields (61-99 %). The optical pure adducts could be smoothly converted to variously structured beta(2,2)-amino acid esters. Moreover, an interesting reaction model involving multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions amongst the thiourea/tertiary amine catalyst and the reactants has been proposed based on the absolute configuration of the adduct and computational studies.

Thiourea-Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Addition of Activated Methylene Compounds to α,β-Unsaturated Imides: Dual Activation of Imide by Intra- and Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding

A thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of activated methylene compounds to alpha,beta-unsaturated imides derived from 2-pyrrolidinone and 2-methoxybenzamide has been developed. In the case of 2-pyrrolidinone derivatives, the reaction with malononitrile proceeded in toluene with high enantioselectivity, providing the Michael adducts in good yields. However, the nucleophiles that could be used for this reaction were limited to malononitrile due to poor reactivity of the substrate. Further examination revealed that N-alkenoyl-2-methoxybenzamide was the best substrate among the corresponding benzamide derivatives bearing different substituents on the aromatic ring. Indeed, several activated methylene compounds such as malononitrile, methyl alpha-cyanoacetate, and nitromethane could be employed as a nucleophile to give the Michael adducts in good to excellent yields with up to 93% ee. The results of spectroscopic experiments clarified that this enhanced reactivity can be attributed to the intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction between the N-H of the imide and the methoxy group of the benzamide moiety. Thus, the key to the success of the catalytic enantioselective Michael addition is dual activation of the substrate by both intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the imide and intermolecular hydrogen bonding with thiourea 1a, as well as the activation of a nucleophile by the tertiary amine of the bifunctional thiourea.