Catalytic Conjugate Addition of Allyl Groups to Styryl-Activated Enones

Ligand-Metal Cooperation Enables Net Ring-Opening C-C Activation / Difunctionalization of Cyclopropyl Ketones

Reactions that cleave C-C bonds and enable functionalization at both carbon sites are powerful strategic tools in synthetic chemistry. Stereodefined cyclopropyl ketones have become readily available and would be an ideal source of 3-carbon fragments, but general approaches to net C-C activation / difunctionalization are unknown. Herein we demonstrate the cross-coupling of cyclopropyl ketones with organozinc reagents and chlorotrimethylsilane to form 1,3-difunctionalized, ring-opened products. A combination of experimental and theoretical studies rule out more established mechanisms and shed light on how cooperation between the redox-active terpyridine (tpy) ligand and the nickel atom enables the C-C bond activation step. The reduced (tpy•-)NiI species activates the C-C bond via a concerted asynchronous ring-opening transition state. The resulting alkylnickel(II) intermediate can then be engaged by aryl-, alkenyl-, and alkylzinc reagents to furnish cross-coupled products. This allows quick access to products that are difficult to make by conjugate addition methods, such as β-allylated and β -benzylated enol ethers. The utility of this approach is demonstrated in the synthesis of a key (±)-taiwaniaquinol B intermediate and the total synthesis of prostaglandin D1.

Zn-Catalyzed enantioselective allylation and allenylation of isatins by virtue of a proline-derived chiral ligand

An asymmetric allylation and allenylation of isatins with facile organoboron reagents was developed under the catalysis of a Lewis acid. A series of optically pure 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles and 3-allenyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles can be obtained in excellent yields (up to 99% yield) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). The possible transition state was supported by DFT calculation and the corresponding mechanism was proposed. A gram scale experiment and further functionalization of these chiral 3-hydroxyoxindoles are established.

Asymmetric double-conjugate addition of alkenylboronic acids to dienones catalyzed by chiral diols

An efficient asymmetric double-conjugate addition of organic boronic acids to dienones catalyzed by chiral 3,3′-disubstituted-BINOLs or hydroxytetraphenylenes has been developed.

Iron-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Aryl Iodides onto Activated Alkenes under Air in Water

The combination of commercially available FeCl3·6H2O with a water-soluble cationic 2,2′-bipyridyl catalytic system was found to enable the direct conjugate addition of aryl iodides onto activated alkenes, such as an α,β-unsaturated ester and a ketone, in a weakly acidic aqueous solution. This operationally simple protocol was carried out at 80 °C under air atmosphere in a potassium acetate-buffered aqueous solution for 12 h in the presence of Zn dust as a reductant to provide the desired 1,4-adducts in good yields.

Copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-conjugate allylation

Catalytic asymmetric conjugate allylation of unsaturated carbonyl compounds is usually difficult to achieve, as 1,2-addition proceeds dominantly and high asymmetric induction is a challenging task. Herein, we disclose a copper(I)-NHC complex catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-conjugate allylation of 2,2-dimethyl-6-alkenyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-ones. The phenolic hydroxyl group in NHC ligands is found to be pivotal to obtain the desired products. Both aryl group and alkyl group at δ-position are well tolerated with the corresponding products generated in moderate to high yields and high enantioselectivity. Moreover, both 2-substituted and 3-substituted allylboronates serve as acceptable allylation reagents. At last, the synthetic utility of the products is demonstrated in several transformations by means of the versatile terminal olefin and dioxinone groups.

Catalytic asymmetric conjugate allylation of unsaturated carbonyl compounds is usually difficult to achieve due to competing 1,2-addition. Here, the authors report a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-conjugate allylation of 2,2-dimethyl-6-alkenyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-ones with good scope and high enantioselectivity.

Synthesis of Quaternary Carbon Stereogenic Centers by Diastereoselective Conjugate Addition of Boron-Stabilized Allylic Nucleophiles to Enones

A method for the site-selective and diastereoselective conjugate addition of boron-stabilized allylic nucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated ketones is disclosed. Transformations involve easily prepared γ,γ-disubstituted allyldiboron reagents and proceed in the presence of a fluoride activator at 80 °C. Reactions proceed with a wide variety of enones and allyldiboron reagents efficiently to deliver ketone products that contain otherwise difficult-to-access vicinal β-tertiary and γ-quaternary carbon stereogenic centers and an alkenylboron moiety. The utility of the method is highlighted by several transformations, including cross-coupling and carbocyclizations.

Dearomative Allylation of Naphthyl Cyanohydrins by Palladium Catalysis: Catalyst-Enhanced Site Selectivity

A dearomative allylation of naphthyl cyanohydrins with allyl borates and allyl stannanes under palladium catalysis was developed. At the initial stage of this study, the dearomative reaction (C4 substitution of the aromatics) was competing with benzyl substitution. To circumvent this issue, the use of palladium and meta-disubstituted triarylphosphine as the catalyst in a 1:1 ratio was found to enhance the site selectivity, furnishing the desired dearomatized products. Further derivatizations of products were also successful.

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed arylative and alkenylative intramolecular 1,2-allylations of tethered allene-ketones

The enantioselective nickel-catalyzed reaction of tethered allene-ketones with (hetero)arylboronic acids or potassium vinyltrifluoroborate is described. Carbonickelation of the allene gives allylnickel species, which undergo cyclization by 1,2-allylation to produce chiral tertiary-alcohol-containing aza- and carbocycles in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Access to Chiral HWE Reagents by Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation of γ,δ-Unsaturated β-Ketophosphonates

Asymmetric arylation of γ,δ-unsaturated β-ketophosphonates with arylboronic acids is reported. By using the ( R)-diene* ligated rhodium(I) chloride complex as a catalyst under none basic conditions, the corresponding β-ketophosphonates bearing a δ-chiral center were obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). The enantioenriched products can be readily converted to diverse chiral β'-aryl enones by the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction.

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed arylative intramolecular 1,4-allylations

The enantioselective desymmetrization of allenyl cyclohexa-2,5-dienones by nickel-catalyzed arylative intramolecular 1,4-allylations is described.

Enantioselective Three-Component Assembly of β'-Aryl Enones Using a Rhodium-Catalyzed Alkyne Hydroacylation/Aryl Boronic Acid Conjugate Addition Sequence

Rhodium-catalyzed alkyne hydroacylation using alkyl β-S-aldehydes, enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed aryl boronic acid conjugate addition, and sulfide elimination are combined in sequence to provide β'-aryl enones. The reaction sequence is efficient and delivers highly functionalized products with excellent levels of enantiocontrol. Good variation of the three reaction components is demonstrated. The sequence corresponds to the formal regio- and enantioselective monoconjugate addition of aryl boronic acids to dienones.

Ca(OH)2-Catalyzed Condensation of Aldehydes with Methyl ketones in Dilute Aqueous Ethanol: A Comprehensive Access to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

Cheap, abundant but seldom-employed Ca(OH)2 was found to be an excellent low-loading (5-10 mol%) catalyst for Claisen-Schmidt condensation of aldehydes with methyl ketones under mild conditions. It was interesting that dilute aqueous ethanol (20 v/v%) was unexpectedly discovered to be the optimal solvent. The reaction was scalable at least to 100 mmol and calcium could be precipitated by CO2 and removed by filtration. Evaporation of solvent directly afforded the product in the excellent 96% yield with high purity, as confirmed by its (1)H NMR spectrum.

Synthesis, evaluation, and metabolism of novel [6]-shogaol derivatives as potent Nrf2 activators

Oxidative stress is a central component of many chronic diseases. The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) system is a major regulatory pathway of cytoprotective genes against oxidative and electrophilic stress. Activation of the Nrf2 pathway plays crucial roles in the chemopreventive effects of various inducers. In this study, we developed a novel class of potent Nrf2 activators derived from ginger compound, [6]-shogaol (6S), using the Tg[glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (gstp1):green fluorescent protein (GFP)] transgenic zebrafish model. Investigation of structure-activity relationships of 6S derivatives indicates that the combination of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl entity and a catechol moiety in one compound enhances the Tg(gstp1:GFP) fluorescence signal in zebrafish embryos. Chemical reaction and in vivo metabolism studies of the four most potent 6S derivatives showed that both α,β-unsaturated carbonyl entity and catechol moiety act as major active groups for conjugation with the sulfhydryl groups of the cysteine residues. In addition, we further demonstrated that 6S derivatives increased the expression of Nrf2 downstream target, heme oxygenase-1, in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. These results suggest that α,β-unsaturated carbonyl entity and catechol moiety of 6S derivatives may react with the cysteine residues of Keap1, disrupting the Keap1-Nrf2 complex, thereby liberating and activating Nrf2. Our findings of natural product-derived Nrf2 activators lead to design options of potent Nrf2 activators for further optimization.

Nickel-catalyzed cyclization of alkyne-nitriles with organoboronic acids involving anti-carbometalation of alkynes

Nickel-catalyzed regioselective addition/cyclization of o-(cyano)phenyl propargyl ethers with arylboronic acids provides an efficient protocol for the synthesis of functionalized 1-naphthylamines.

A nickel-catalyzed regioselective addition/cyclization of o-(cyano)phenyl propargyl ethers with arylboronic acids has been developed, which provides an efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly functionalized 1-naphthylamines with wide structural diversity. The reaction is characterized by a regioselective and anti-addition of the arylboronic acids to the alkyne and subsequent facile nucleophilic addition of the resulting alkenylmetal to the tethered cyano group. Mechanistic studies reveal that a Ni(i) species might be involved in the catalytic process.

Synthesis and stability study of isocyano aryl boronate esters and their synthetic applications

A facile synthesis of isocyano arylboronate esters is reported.

O-Monoacyltartaric acid catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of a boronic acid to dienones: application to the synthesis of optically active cyclopentenones

Enantioselective conjugate addition of styrylboronic acid to dienones was effectively catalyzed by an O-monoacyltartaric acid to afford monostyrylated products with good enantioselectivity. The RCM of the monostyrylated products using the Hoveyda-Grubbs II catalyst afforded optically active cyclopentenones, including a synthetic intermediate of the antitumor agent TEI-9826. The study shows that a diene additive such as 1,6-heptadiene or diallyl ether was essential for the RCM.

Enantioselective carbocycle formation through intramolecular Pd-catalyzed allyl-aryl cross-coupling

Aryl electrophiles containing tethered allylboronate units undergo efficient intramolecular coupling in the presence of a chiral palladium catalyst to give enantioenriched carbocyclic products. The reaction is found to be quite general, affording 5, 6, and 7-membered carbocyclic products as single regioisomers and with moderate enantioselectivities. Examination of differential coupling partners points to rapid allyl-equilibration as a key stereodefining feature.

Catalytic stereospecific allyl-allyl cross-coupling of internal allyl electrophiles with AllylB(pin)

Application of internal electrophiles in catalytic stereospecific allyl–allyl cross-coupling enable the rapid construction of multisubstituted 1,5-dienes, including those with all carbon quaternary centers. Compounds with minimal steric differentiation can be synthesized with high enantiomeric excess.

Zinc-mediated highly α-regioselective 1,4-addition of chalcones with prenyl bromide in THF

α-Regioselective addition to chalcones was realized by use of in situ generated prenylzinc reagents from zinc and prenyl bromide in the presence of SnCl4 in a 1,4-addition fashion. The approach uses the reagent combination of prenyl bromide, zinc, and SnCl4 in THF, all of which are inexpensive, readily available, and easily removable after the reaction.

Mechanism and enantioselectivity in palladium-catalyzed conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to β-substituted cyclic enones: insights from computation and experiment

Enantioselective conjugate additions of arylboronic acids to β-substituted cyclic enones have been previously reported from our laboratories. Air- and moisture-tolerant conditions were achieved with a catalyst derived in situ from palladium(II) trifluoroacetate and the chiral ligand (S)-t-BuPyOx. We now report a combined experimental and computational investigation on the mechanism, the nature of the active catalyst, the origins of the enantioselectivity, and the stereoelectronic effects of the ligand and the substrates of this transformation. Enantioselectivity is controlled primarily by steric repulsions between the t-Bu group of the chiral ligand and the α-methylene hydrogens of the enone substrate in the enantiodetermining carbopalladation step. Computations indicate that the reaction occurs via formation of a cationic arylpalladium(II) species, and subsequent carbopalladation of the enone olefin forms the key carbon-carbon bond. Studies of nonlinear effects and stoichiometric and catalytic reactions of isolated (PyOx)Pd(Ph)I complexes show that a monomeric arylpalladium-ligand complex is the active species in the selectivity-determining step. The addition of water and ammonium hexafluorophosphate synergistically increases the rate of the reaction, corroborating the hypothesis that a cationic palladium species is involved in the reaction pathway. These additives also allow the reaction to be performed at 40 °C and facilitate an expanded substrate scope.

Catalytic enantioselective allyl-allyl cross-coupling with a borylated allylboronate

Catalytic enantioselective allyl-allyl cross-coupling of a borylated allylboronate reagent gives versatile borylated chiral 1,5-hexadienes. These compounds may be manipulated in a number of useful ways to give functionalized chiral building blocks for asymmetric synthesis.

Nickel-catalyzed reductive conjugate addition to enones via allylnickel intermediates

An alternative method to copper-catalyzed conjugate addition followed by enolate silylation for the synthesis of β-disubstituted silyl enol ether products (R(1)(R(2))HCCH═C(OSiR(4)(3))R(3)) is presented. This method uses haloarenes instead of nucleophilic aryl reagents. Nickel ligated to either neocuproine or bipyridine couples an α,β-unsaturated ketone or aldehyde (R(2)HC═CHC(O)R(3)) with an organic halide (R(1)-X) in the presence of a trialkylchlorosilane reagent (Cl-SiR(4)(3)). Reactions are assembled on the benchtop and tolerate a variety of functional groups (aldehyde, ketone, nitrile, sulfone, pentafluorosulfur, and N-aryltrifluoroacetamide), electron-rich iodoarenes, and electron-poor haloarenes. Mechanistic studies have confirmed the first example of a catalytic reductive conjugate addition of organic halides that proceeds via an allylnickel intermediate. Selectivity is attributed to (1) rapid, selective reaction of LNi(0) with chlorotriethylsilane and enone in the presence of other organic electrophiles, and (2) minimization of enone dimerization by ligand steric effects.

The reaction mechanism of the enantioselective Tsuji allylation: inner-sphere and outer-sphere pathways, internal rearrangements, and asymmetric C-C bond formation

We use first principles quantum mechanics (density functional theory) to report a detailed reaction mechanism of the asymmetric Tsuji allylation involving prochiral nucleophiles and nonprochiral allyl fragments, which is consistent with experimental findings. The observed enantioselectivity is best explained with an inner-sphere mechanism involving the formation of a 5-coordinate Pd species that undergoes a ligand rearrangement, which is selective with regard to the prochiral faces of the intermediate enolate. Subsequent reductive elimination generates the product and a Pd(0) complex. The reductive elimination occurs via an unconventional seven-centered transition state that contrasts dramatically with the standard three-centered C-C reductive elimination mechanism. Although limitations in the present theory prevent the conclusive identification of the enantioselective step, we note that three different computational schemes using different levels of theory all find that inner-sphere pathways are lower in energy than outer-sphere pathways. This result qualitatively contrasts with established allylation reaction mechanisms involving prochiral nucleophiles and prochiral allyl fragments. Energetic profiles of all reaction pathways are presented in detail.

Enantioselective conjugate addition of alkylboranes catalyzed by a copper-N-heterocyclic carbene complex

The first catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of alkylboron compounds has been achieved. Reactions between alkylboranes and imidazol-2-yl α,β-unsaturated ketones proceeded with high enantioselectivity under the influence of a Cu(I) catalyst system, prepared in situ from CuCl, a new chiral imidazolium salt as a precursor for the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, and PhOK. Alkylboranes are widely obtained via alkene hydroboration. A variety of functional groups are tolerated in alkylboranes and α,β-unsaturated ketones.

Three-component glycolate Michael reactions of enolates, silyl glyoxylates, and α,β-enones

Silyl glyoxylates react with enolates and enones to afford either glycolate aldol or Michael adducts. Product identity is controlled by the countercation associated with the enolate. Reformatsky nucleophiles in the presence of additional Zn(OTf)(2) result in aldol coupling (A), while lithium enolates provide the Michael coupling (B). Deprotonation of the aldol product A with LDA induces equilibration to form the minor diastereomer of Michael product B. This observation suggests that formation of the major diastereomer of Michael product B does not occur via an aldol/retro-aldol/Michael sequence.

Diastereocontrol in asymmetric allyl-allyl cross-coupling: stereocontrolled reaction of prochiral allylboronates with prochiral allyl chlorides

Palladium-catalyzed allyl-allyl cross-coupling was investigated with substituted prochiral allylic boronates. These reactions deliver products bearing adjacent stereocenters, and the issue of diastereocontrol is therefore paramount. Under appropriately modified conditions, this allyl-allyl coupling strategy was found to apply to a range of substrates, generally occurring with high enantioselectivity (92:8 to >99:1 er) and good diastereoselection (4:1 to 14:1 dr).