Readily Accessible, Modular, and Tuneable BINOL 3,3‘-Perfluoroalkylsulfones: Highly Efficient Catalysts for Enantioselective In-Mediated Imine Allylation

Regioselective Substitution of BINOL

1,1'-Bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) has been extensively used as the chirality source in the fields of molecular recognition, asymmetric synthesis, and materials science. The direct electrophilic substitution at the aromatic rings of the optically active BINOL has been developed as one of the most convenient strategies to structurally modify BINOL for diverse applications. High regioselectivity has been achieved for the reaction of BINOL with electrophiles. Depending upon the reaction conditions and substitution patterns, various functional groups can be introduced to the specific positions, such as the 6-, 5-, 4-, and 3-positions, of BINOL. Ortho-lithiation at the 3-position directed by the functional groups at the 2-position of BINOL have been extensively used to prepare the 3- and 3,3'-substituted BINOLs. The use of transition metal-catalyzed C-H activation has also been explored to functionalize BINOL at the 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-positions. These regioselective substitutions of BINOL have allowed the construction of tremendous amount of BINOL derivatives with fascinating structures and properties as reviewed in this article. Examples for the applications of the optically active BINOLs with varying substitutions in asymmetric catalysis, molecular recognition, chiral sensing and materials are also provided.

Organocatalytic Synthesis of Triflones Bearing Two Non-Adjacent Stereogenic Centers

Trifluoromethylsulfones (triflones) are useful compounds for synthesis and beyond. Yet, methods to access chiral triflones are scarce. Here, we present a mild and efficient organocatalytic method for the stereoselective synthesis of chiral triflones using α-aryl vinyl triflones, building blocks previously unexplored in asymmetric synthesis. The peptide-catalyzed reaction gives rise to a broad range of γ-triflylaldehydes with two non-adjacent stereogenic centers in high yields and stereoselectivities. A catalyst-controlled stereoselective protonation following a C-C bond formation is key to control over the absolute and relative configuration. Straightforward derivatization of the products into, e.g., disubstituted δ-sultones, γ-lactones, and pyrrolidine heterocycles highlights the synthetic versatility of the products.

Expeditious and Efficient ortho-Selective Trifluoromethane-sulfonylation of Arylhydroxylamines

A metal- and oxidant-free, practical and efficient method for the synthesis of highly versatile and synthetically useful ortho-trifluoromethanesulfonylated anilines from arylhydroxylamines and trifluoromethanesulfinic chloride was developed. This rapid transformation proceeded smoothly with good yields and excellent ortho-selectivity in the absence of any metals or ligands. Mechanistically, the reaction comprised a noncanonical O-trifluoromethanesulfinylation of the arylhydroxylamine, and the subsequent [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to afford ortho-trifluoromethanesulfonylated aniline derivatives. The practical application of this reaction was demonstrated by further conversion into a series of functional molecules under different reaction conditions.

Synthetic and mechanistic aspects of sulfonyl migrations

Sulfonyl migrations, frequently described as ‘unusual’ or ‘unexpected’, from the last 20 years, including 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5-, 1,6- and 1,7-sulfonyl shifts, through either radical or polar processes, either inter- or intramolecularly are reviewed.

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Radical Addition to Aldimines with Hantzsch Ester as a Two-Hydrogen Atom Donor

The first Fe(OTf)₂-catalyzed radical addition to aldimines with Hantzsch ester as a two-hydrogen atom donor is reported. The tin-free reaction works well for electron-deficient substrates and provides a potentially useful approach to α-branched amines and α-amino acids.

The anionic Fries rearrangement: a convenient route to ortho-functionalized aromatics

The scope and mechanism of anionic (hetero-) Fries rearrangements are summarized for various migrating groups and arenes, including applications and computational studies.

N-Arylations of trifluoromethylated N-acylhydrazones with diaryliodonium salts as arylation reagents

A novel and efficient N-arylation of trifluoromethylated N-acylhydrazones is described by using diaryliodonium salts as arylation reagents in the presence of copper salts. A wide variety of N-aryl acylhydrazones are obtained with good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis of Aryl Triflones through the Trifluoromethanesulfonylation of Benzynes

The direct synthesis of aryl triflones, that is, trifluoromethanesulfonyl arenes, was achieved through the trifluoromethanesulfonylation of benzynes. The trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, one of the fluorinated functional groups, is a highly electron-negative and mild lipophilic substituent. Aryl triflones have high potential in the synthesis of bioactive compounds and specialty materials. The treatment of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl trifluoromethanesulfonates with cesium fluoride in the presence of 15-crown-5 generated benzynes, which reacted with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate followed by protonation with tBuOH under heating conditions, provided aryl triflones in moderated to good yields. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical triflones were nicely accessed under the same reaction conditions. Interestingly, the trifluoromethanesulfonylation of unsymmetrical benzyne precursors proceeded smoothly to furnish corresponding aryl triflones in good yields with good to high regioselectivities. The balance of polarization of electric charge as well as steric hindrance of the benzyne intermediates are central factors to control the outcome of regioselectivity.

Electrophilic Triflyl-arylation and Triflyl-pyridylation by Unsymmetrical Aryl/Pyridyl-λ3-iodonium Salts: Synthesis of Aryl and Pyridyl Triflones

Unsymmetrical diaryl-λ³-iodonium salts containing aryl triflone (Ar-SO₂CF₃) were designed and synthesized. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the salt indicated a T-shaped geometry at the iodine atom. The salts were found to be powerful electrophilic reagents for triflyl-arylation of C-, N-, and O-centered nucleophiles under mild conditions. Electrophilic transfer of pyridine triflone (Py-SO₂CF₃) to nucleophiles was also realized by the use of corresponding triflylpyridyl-aryl-λ³-iodonium salts. Selection of auxiliaries (dummy ligands) of unsymmetrical diaryl-λ³-iodonium salts is crucial for this transformation.

Asymmetric Petasis Borono-Mannich Allylation Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Biphenols

Chiral biphenols catalyze the asymmetric Petasis borono-Mannich allylation of aldehydes and amines through the use of a bench-stable allyldioxaborolane. The reaction proceeds via a two-step, one-pot process and requires 2-8 mole % of 3,3'-Ph2 -BINOL as the optimal catalyst. Under microwave heating the reaction affords chiral homoallylic amines in excellent yields (up to 99 %) and high enantioselectivies (er up to 99:1). The catalytic reaction is a true multicomponent condensation reaction whereas both the aldehyde and the amine can possess a wide range of structural and electronic properties. Use of crotyldioxaborolane in the reaction results in stereodivergent products with anti- and syn-diastereomers both in good diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities from the corresponding E- and Z-borolane stereoisomers.

Enantioselective Barbier-type allylation of ketones using allyl halide and indium in water

We disclose herein an efficient enantioselective Barbier-type allylation of ketones using allyl halide and indium metal in water.

Synthesis of aryl triflones by insertion of arynes into C–SO2CF3 bonds

A new approach toward the synthesis of aryl triflones was achieved by the formal insertion of arynes into C–SO₂CF₃ bonds.

Indium-Mediated Stereoselective Allylation

Stereoselective indium-mediated organic reactions have enjoyed tremendous growth in the last 25 years. This is in part due to the insensitivity of allylindium to moisture, affording facile and practical reaction conditions coupled with outstanding functional group tolerance and minimal side reactions. Despite the plethora of articles about allylindium, there is much yet to be discovered and exploited for efficient and sustainable synthesis. In this Account, we describe indium-mediated synthetic methods for the preparation of chiral amines with the aim to present a balance of practical method development, novel asymmetric chemistry, and mechanistic understanding that impact multiple chemical and materials science disciplines. In 2005, we demonstrated the indium-mediated allylation of chiral hydrazones with complete diastereoselectivity (>99:1) and quantitative yields. Further, we revealed the first example of enantioselective indium-mediated allylation of hydrazones using catalytic (R)-3,3'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-BINOL ligands to afford homoallylic amines with high enantioselectivity. The use of enantiopure perfluoroalkylsulfonate BINOLs greatly improved the indium-mediated allylation of N-acylhydrazones with exquisite enantiocontrol (99% yield, 99% ee). This laboratory has also investigated indium-mediated asymmetric intramolecular cyclization in the presence of amino acid additives to deliver biologically relevant chromanes with excellent diastereoselectivity (dr >99:1). The effect of amino acid additives (N-Boc-glycine) was further investigated during the indium-mediated allylation of isatins with allyl bromide to yield homoallylic alcohols in excellent yields in a short time with a wide range of functional group tolerance. Critical mechanistic insight was gained, and evidence suggests that the additive plays two roles: (1) to increase the rate of formation of allylindium from allyl bromide and In(0) and (2) to increase the nucleophilicity of the allylindium reagent, probably through disruption of aggregates and coordination to the metal. We recently reported the palladium-catalyzed umpolung allylation of hydrazones with allyl acetates in the presence of indium(I) iodide (InI) with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1). The conversion was found to be inversely proportional to the phosphine concentration, providing insight into the mechanism of the critical redox transmetalation process that has implications for other Pd-catalyzed umpolung-type allylation processes. A detailed overview of the work in our lab is presented with the intention of stimulating further research interest in organoindium chemistry and its application in organic synthesis.

An Enantioselective Synthesis of an 11-β-HSD-1 Inhibitor via an Asymmetric Methallylation Catalyzed by (S)-3,3'-F2-BINOL

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of 11-β-HSD inhibitor 1 has been accomplished in five linear steps and 53% overall yield, starting from the readily available 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-one. The key feature of the synthesis includes an asymmetric methallylation of 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-one catalyzed by the highly effective organocatalyst (S)-3,3'-F2-BINOL under solvent-free and metal-free conditions.

Cyclopent-2-enylaluminium as allylzinc precursor for the diastereoselective allylmetallation of non-racemic imines: applications to the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched heterocycles

The generation of cyclopent-2-enylzinc from cyclopentadiene based on a titanium-catalyzed hydroalumination/transmetallation sequence is described. Applied to the allylmetallation of phenylglycinol-derived imines, this sequence leads to homoallylic amines with moderate to good stereoselectivities. The synthesis of disubstituted azetidines and piperidines illustrates the potential of the method.

Iodine-mediated regioselective synthesis of vinyl triflones from styrenes with CF3SO2Na

The iodine-mediated reaction of styrenes and CF₃SO₂Na proceeded regioselectively to give various potentially useful vinyl triflones.

Organocatalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Ketones and Sulfonyl Fluorides by Fluoroform under a Superbase System

Fluoroform (HCF3, HFC-23) is a side product in the manufacture of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon). Despite its attractive properties, taming HCF3 for trifluoromethylation is quite problematic owing to its low acidity and the lability of the naked trifluoromethyl carbanion generated from HCF3. Herein we report the organic-superbase-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of ketones and arylsulfonyl fluorides by HCF3. The reactions were carried out by using a newly developed "superbase organocatalyst system" consisting of catalytic amounts of P4-tBu and N(SiMe3)3. A series of aryl and alkyl ketones were converted into the corresponding α-trifluoromethyl carbinols in good yields under the organocatalysis conditions in THF. The superbase organocatalytic system can also be applied to the trifluoromethylation of arylsulfonyl fluorides for biologically important aryl triflones in THF or DMF in good yields. Protonated P4-tBu, H[P4-tBu](+), is suggested to be crucial for the catalytic process. This new catalytic methodology using HCF3 is expected to expand the range of synthetic applications of trifluoromethylation.

An efficient, practical, and enantioselective method for synthesis of homoallenylamides catalyzed by an aminoalcohol-derived, boron-based catalyst

A practical catalytic method for enantioselective addition of an allene unit to aldimines is disclosed. Transformations are promoted by an in-situ-generated B-based catalyst that is derived from a simple, robust, and readily accessible (in multigram quantities) chiral aminoalcohol. A range of aryl-, heteroaryl-, and alkyl-substituted homoallenylamides can be obtained in 66–91% yield and 84:16 to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio through reactions performed at ambient temperature and in the presence of 0.1–3.0 mol% of the chiral catalyst and a commercially available allenylboron reagent. The catalytic protocol does not require strict anhydrous conditions, can be performed on gram scale, and promotes highly selective addition of an allenyl unit (vs a propargyl group). The utility of the approach is demonstrated through development of succinct approaches to syntheses of anisomycin and epi-cytoxazone.

Diastereoselective additive trifluoromethylation/halogenation of isoxazole triflones: synthesis of all-carbon-functionalized trifluoromethyl isoxazoline triflones

Highly functionalized 5-trifluoromethyl-2-isoxazoline derivatives featuring a triflyl (SO2CF3) group at the 4-position were successfully synthesized via diastereoselective trifluoromethylation and halogenation of isoxazole triflones using the Ruppert- Prakash reagent. The trifluoromethylation is quite general in terms of the substrates including 3,5-diaryl isoxazole triflones and 3-aryl-5-styrylisoxazole triflones to provide products in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. The highly functionalized 5-trifluoromethyl-2-isoxazoline derivatives are expected to be a new class of antiparasiticides. Thus the triflyl group both activates isoxazoles and the 4-postion of CF3 adducts, and has a potential biological function.

Direct catalytic trifluoromethylthiolation of boronic acids and alkynes employing electrophilic shelf-stable N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide

A new and safe method for the synthesis of N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide, a convenient and shelf-stable reagent for the direct trifluoromethylthiolation, has been developed. N-(Trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide can be used as an electrophilic source of F3 CS(+) and reacts readily with boronic acids and alkynes under copper catalysis. The utility of CF3 S-containing molecules as biologically active agents, the mild reaction conditions employed, and the high tolerance of functional groups demonstrate the potential of this new methodology to be widely applied in organic synthesis as well as industrial pharmaceutical and agrochemical research and development.

Asymmetric allylation of sulfonyl imines catalyzed by in situ generated Cu(ii) complexes of chiral amino alcohol based Schiff bases

We have developed a catalytic route for enantioselective synthesis of homoallyl amines through Cu(ii)-Schiff base catalyzed allylation of aryl N-sulfonylimines.

Stereoselective formation of amines by nucleophilic addition to azomethine derivatives

This chapter describes state-of-the-art methods to prepare α-chiral amines by the addition of nonstabilized nucleophiles to imine derivatives. The first part of the chapter illustrates the most effective diastereoselective addition reaction (substrate controlled and chiral auxiliary based methods) whereas the second part focuses on catalytic asymmetric methods.

Simple organic molecules as catalysts for enantioselective synthesis of amines and alcohols

The discovery of catalysts that can be used to synthesize complex organic compounds by enantioselective transformations is central to advances in the life sciences; for this reason, many chemists aim to discover catalysts that allow for preparation of chiral molecules as predominantly one mirror-image isomer. The ideal catalyst should not contain precious elements and should bring reactions to completion in a few hours through operationally simple procedures. Here we introduce a set of small organic molecules that can catalyse reactions of unsaturated organoboron reagents with imines and carbonyls; the products of the reactions are enantiomerically pure amines and alcohols, which might serve as intermediates in the preparation of biologically active molecules. A distinguishing feature of this catalyst class is the presence of a 'key' proton embedded within their structure. Catalysts are derived from the abundant amino acid valine and are prepared in large quantities in four steps with inexpensive reagents. Reactions are scalable, do not demand stringent conditions, and can be performed with as little as 0.25 mole per cent catalyst in less than six hours at room temperature to generate products in more than 85 per cent yield and ≥97:3 enantiomeric ratio. The efficiency, selectivity and operational simplicity of the transformations and the range of boron-based reagents are expected to render this advance important for future progress in syntheses of amines and alcohols, which are useful in chemistry, biology and medicine.