Catalytic asymmetric chloroamination reaction of α,β-unsaturated γ-keto esters and chalcones

Enantioselective anti-Dihalogenation of Electron-Deficient Olefin: A Triplet Halo-Radical Pylon Intermediate

The textbook alkene halogenation reaction establishes straightforward access to vicinal dihaloalkanes. However, a robust catalytic method for dihalogenizing electron-deficient olefins in an enantioselective manner is still under development, and its mechanism remains controversial. Herein, we disclose efficient regio-, anti-diastereo-, and enantioselective dibromination, bromochlorination, and dichlorination reactions of enones catalyzed by a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Yb(OTf)₃ complex. With the combination of electrophilic halogen and halide salts as halogenating agents, an array of homo- and heterodihalogenated derivatives is achieved in moderate to good enantioselectivities. Moreover, DFT calculations reveal that a novel triplet halo-radical pylon intermediate is probable in accounting for the exclusive regio- and anti-diastereoselectivity.

CuCl2 -Catalyzed α-Chloroketonation of Aromatic Alkenes via Visible-Light-Induced LMCT

Here we report a copper-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of α-chloroketones from aromatic alkenes including electron-deficient olefins under visible-light irradiation. Preliminary mechanistic studies show that the peroxo Cu(II) species is the key intermediate and hydroperoxyl (HOO⋅) and chlorine (Cl⋅) radicals can be generated by ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT).

Conformationally Biased Ketones React Diastereoselectively with Allylmagnesium Halides

The addition of the highly reactive reagent allylmagnesium halide to α-substituted acyclic chiral ketones proceeded with high stereoselectivity. The stereoselectivity cannot be analyzed by conventional stereochemical models because these reactions do not conform to the requirements of those models. Instead, the stereoselectivity arises from the approach of the nucleophile to the most accessible diastereofaces of the lowest-energy conformations of the ketones. High stereoselectivity is expected, and the stereochemical outcome can be predicted, with conformationally biased ketones that have sterically distinguishable diastereofaces wherein only one face is accessible for nucleophilic addition. The conformations of the ketones can be determined by a combination of computational modeling and, in some cases, structure determination by X-ray crystallography.

Electrophilic Thiocyanato Reagent Assisted Oxa-Michael/Thiocyanation of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

A route for thiocyanation-functionalization of the electron-deficient C═C double bond was developed. Regioselective thiocyanation-etherification of α,β-unsaturated ketones was achieved. The desired products were obtained in moderate to high yields under mild conditions. It was suggested that the nucleophile was activated by the electrophilic thiocyanato reagent, and difunctionalization was achieved through a 1,4-addition/thiocyanation pathway.

Anionic Chiral Co(III) Complexes Mediated Asymmetric Halocyclization─Synthesis of 5-Halomethyl Pyrazolines and Isoxazolines

An asymmetric synthesis of 5-halomethyl pyrazolines and isoxazolines which bear a tertiary stereocenter by catalytic halocyclization of β,γ-unsaturated hydrazones and ketoximes is described. By using Brønsted acids of anionic chiral Co(III) complexes as catalysts, a variety of chiral 5-halomethyl pyrazolines and isoxazolines were obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 97:3 er). Preliminary bioassay results indicated that several isoxazoline derivatives exhibited significant antifungal activities.

Recent Development of Bis-Cyclometalated Chiral-at-Iridium and Rhodium Complexes for Asymmetric Catalysis

The field of asymmetric catalysis has been developing to access synthetically efficacious chiral molecules from the last century. Although there are many sustainable ways to produce nonracemic molecules, simplified and unique methodologies are always appreciated. In the recent developments of asymmetric catalysis, chiral-at-metal Lewis acid catalysis has been recognized as an attractive strategy. The catalysts coordinatively activate a substrate while serving the sole source of chirality by virtue of its helical environment. These configurationally stable complexes were utilized in a large number of asymmetric transformations, ranging from asymmetric Lewis acid catalysis to photoredox and electrocatalysis. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the current advancements in asymmetric catalysis utilizing iridium and rhodium-based chiral-at-metal complexes as catalysts. First, the asymmetric transformations via LUMO and HOMO activation assisted by a chiral Lewis acid catalyst are reviewed. In the second part, visible-light-induced asymmetric catalysis is summarized. The asymmetric transformation via the electricity-driven method is discussed in the final section.

Switchable Oxidative Reactions of N-allyl-2-Aminophenols: Palladium-Catalyzed Alkoxyacyloxylation vs an Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction

The Pd(II)-catalyzed reaction of N-allyl-2-aminophenols in the presence of PhI(OCOR)₂ as the oxidant resulted in an alkoxyacyloxylation process, with the formation of functionalized dihydro-1,4-benzoxazines. The reaction performed in the absence of palladium catalyst switched to an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction (IMDA) pathway, which was the result of an oxidative dearomatization of the 2-aminophenol, nucleophilic addition, and Diels–Alder reaction cascade, highlighting the role of the oxidant as both a nucleophilic donor and an oxidizing agent.

Asymmetric Halocyclizations of 2-Vinylbenzyl Alcohols with Chiral FLPs

By the use of a chiral frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) consisting of a chiral-diene-derived borane and ^tBu₃P as the catalyst, an asymmetric halocyclization of 2-vinylbenzyl alcohols with NBS or NIS was successfully realized. A variety of optically active 1,3-dihydroisobenofuran derivatives were obtained in high yields with up to 87% ee and could be conveniently converted to other useful chiral compounds.

Regio- and Diastereoselective Vicinal Aminobromination of Electron Deficient Olefins via Phosphorus-Based GAP Protocol

Chemical synthesis based on Group-Assisted Purification chemistry (GAP) has been prolifically used as a powerful, greener and ecofriendly tool so far. Herein, we report hypervalent iodine (III) mediated regio- and diastereoselective aminobromination of electron-deficient olefins using group-assisted purification (GAP) method. By simply mixing the GAP auxiliary-anchored substrates with TsNH2-NBS as nitrogen/bromine sources and PhI(OAc)2 as a catalyst, a series of vicinal bromoamines with multifunctionalities were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (53-94%). The vicinal bromoamines were obtained without column chromatography and/or recrystallization simply by washing the crude mixtures with cosolvents and thus avoiding wastage of silica, solvents, time, and labor. The GAP auxiliary is recyclable and reusable.

Bi(OTf)3 -catalyed One-pot Synthesis of α-Halo-β-amino Ketones and Acyl Aziridines from 3-Aryl Propargyl Alcohols

A Bi(OTf)₃ -catalyed reaction of 3-aryl propargyl alcohols with sulfonamide and halogen source was firstly investigated, which provided a facile route for the synthesis of a large variety of α-halo-β-amino ketones. The key intermediates, β-amino ketones, were obtained through tandem Meyer-Schuster rearrangement reaction of propargyl alcohols and intermolecular Michael addition of α, β-unsaturated ketones and sulfonamide. Then the in situ generated α-halo-β-amino ketones underwent the base-promoted intramolecular cyclization to give diverse acyl aziridines in a one-pot fashion. These transformations are reliable on a large scale. The high yields and convenient experimental operations make it a valuable method for the construction of α-halo-β-amino ketones and acyl aziridine derivatives.

Recent advances in aminative difunctionalization of alkenes

Alkenes are versatile building blocks in modern organic synthesis. In the difunctionalization reactions of alkenes, two functional groups can be simultaneously introduced into the π system. This is an efficient strategy for the synthesis of multifunctional compounds with complex structures and has the advantages of atom and step economy. Nitrogen-containing organic compounds are widely found in natural products and synthetic compounds, such as dyes, pesticides, medicines, artificial resins, and so on. Many natural products with high biological activity and a broad range of drugs have nitrogen-containing functional groups. The research on the construction methods of C-N bonds has always been one of the most important tasks in organic synthesis, especially in drug synthesis, and the synthetic methods starting from simple and easily available raw materials have been a topic of interest to chemists. The aminative difunctionalization of alkenes can efficiently construct C-N bonds, and at the same time, prepare some compounds that usually require multiple steps of reaction. It is one of the most effective strategies for the simple and efficient synthesis of functionalized nitrogen-containing compounds. This review outlines the major developments focusing on the transition metal-catalyzed or metal-free diamination, aminohalogenation, aminocarbonation, amino-oxidation and aminoboronation reactions of alkenes from 2015-2020.

Chlorocyclization/cycloreversion of allylic alcohols to vinyl chlorides

Unprecedented chlorination of allylic alcohols: a simple mix-and-go procedure for the cyclization/cycloreversion of secondary and tertiary allylic alcohols with chloronium ions under mild conditions and practical access to remote carbonyl vinyl chlorides.

Catalytic enantioselective bromohydroxylation of cinnamyl alcohols

This work describes an effective enantioselective bromohydroxylation of cinnamyl alcohols with (DHQD)₂PHAL as the catalyst and H₂O as the nucleophile, providing a variety of corresponding optically active bromohydrins with up to 95% ee.

Optically active bromohydrins are obtained with up to 95% ee via asymmetric bromohydroxylation of cinnamyl alcohols with H₂O as nucleophile.

Ritter-enabled catalytic asymmetric chloroamidation of olefins

Intermolecular asymmetric haloamination reactions are challenging due to the inherently high halenium affinity (HalA) of the nitrogen atom, which often leads to N-halogenated products as a kinetic trap. To circumvent this issue, acetonitrile, possessing a low HalA, was used as the nucleophile in the catalytic asymmetric Ritter-type chloroamidation of allyl-amides. This method is compatible with Z and E alkenes with both alkyl and aromatic substitution. Mild acidic workup reveals the 1,2-chloroamide products with enantiomeric excess greater than 95% for many examples. We also report the successful use of the sulfonamide chlorenium reagent dichloramine-T in this chlorenium-initiated catalytic asymmetric Ritter-type reaction. Facile modifications lead to chiral imidazoline, guanidine, and orthogonally protected 1,2,3 chiral tri-amines.

Intermolecular haloamination reactions are challenging due to the high halenium affinity of the nitrogen atom. This is circumvented by using acetonitrile as an attenuated nucleophile, resulting in an enantioselective halo-Ritter reaction.

Trifluoromethanesulfonamide vs. Non-Fluorinated Sulfonamides in Oxidative Sulfamidation of the C=C Bond: An In Silico Study

A theoretical analysis of the reaction of oxidative sulfamidation of several alkenes was performed in order to explain the various experimental observations and different reactivity of triflamide and non-fluorinated sulfonamides. Transformations occurring in the system alkene–sulfonamide in the presence of oxidative system (Bu^tOCl + NaI) were analyzed at the MP2/DGDZVP//B3LYP/DGDZVP level of theory using the IEF-PCM method for taking into account the solvent acetonitrile (MeCN) effect. As the model substrates, styrene, trimethyl(vinyl)silane, dimethyl(divinyl)silane and diphenyl(divinyl)silane were chosen and mesylamide, triflamide, tosylamide and p-nosylamide were taken as the reagents. Bu^tOI generated from Bu^tOCl and NaI reacts with sulfonamides to give N-iodinated sulfonamides RSO₂NHI and RSO₂NI₂ as active intermediates, the iodinating activity of the latter being notably higher. The analysis allowed to answer such challenging questions as different reactivity of nonfluorinated sulfonamides leading to aziridination and of triflamide resulting in the formation the main products of bis-triflamidation, or different regioselectivity of halogenation of styrene and trimethyl(vinyl)silane caused by a linear intermediate iodonium cation in the former case and a cyclic one in the latter.

Metal-Free, N-Iodosuccinimide-Induced Regioselective Iodophosphoryloxylation of Alkenes with P(O)-OH Bonds

A simple and efficient method for the regioselective iodophosphoryloxylation of alkenes with P(O)-OH bonds has been established by using NIS (N-iodosuccinimide) as the iodination reagent under transition-metal-free conditions. The present protocol is compatible with different functional groups, and suitable for various alkenes and P(O)-OH compounds. A variety of functionalized β-iodo-1-ethyl phosphinic/phosphoric acid esters are obtained in good to excellent yields, which could be further transformed to diversified building blocks for the synthesis of bioactive compounds, pharmaceuticals and functional materials.

Hypervalent Iodine (III) Catalyzed Regio- and Diastereoselective Aminochlorination of Tailored Electron Deficient Olefins via GAP Chemistry

Herein, we report a protocol for highly efficient hypervalent iodine (III) mediated, group-assisted purification (GAP) method for the regioselectivities and stereoselective aminochlorination of electron-deficient olefins. A series of vicinal chloramines with multifunctionalities were acquired in moderate to excellent yields (45-94%), by merely mixing the GAP auxiliary-anchored substrates with dichloramine T and tosylamide as chlorine/nitrogen sources and iodobenzene diacetate as a catalyst. The vicinal chloramines were obtained without any column chromatographic purification and recrystallization simply by washing the reaction mixture with a minimum amount of common inexpensive solvents and thus avoiding wastage of silica, solvents, time, and labor. The GAP auxiliary is recyclable and reusable. This strategy is easy to handle, cost-effective, greener, sustainable, environmentally benign, and mostly suitable for the syntheses of vicinal haloamines from various electron-deficient alkenes.

Oxidative sulfamidation as a route to N-heterocycles and unsaturated sulfonamides

Oxidative sulfamidation is a promising approach to the synthesis of numerous organic compounds, including N-heterocycles or unsaturated species having the sulfonamide group, which is a key structural motif of synthetic antimicrobial drugs. The formed products can undergo further reactions leading to a wide variety of functionalized sulfonamides. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the oxidative reactions of sulfonamides and their derivatives with unsaturated and CH-active compounds with an emphasis on dienes as substrates. This produces a diverse range of compounds possessing sulfonamide function and capable of further functionalization.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidation Reactions of Alkenes with Green Oxidants

Transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative functionalization of alkenes has emerged as a powerful and valuable tool in modern organic synthesis. Recently, many methods have been established for the assembly of C-C and C-heteroatom bonds, which provides tremendous possibility for application in biology, medicine, and materials science. However, the use of stoichiometric amounts of strong oxidants leads to poor selectivity, low atom economy, and a series of undesired waste products. By contrast, green oxidants, such as O₂ , H₂ O₂ , or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), have bright prospects due to their attributes of mild, low cost, and great sustainability in transition-metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions. Based on the great and unique potential for the development of aerobic reactions, this review mainly highlights homogenous palladium-catalyzed green oxidations of alkenes that have been reported in recent years. These methods provide new strategies for the transformation and functionalization of alkenes; some of them have also been successfully applied to the synthesis of the core structures of drugs and natural products. Additionally, through in-depth studies of the reaction mechanisms in this field, it is believed that palladium-catalyzed green oxidation reactions of alkenes with O₂ , H₂ O₂ , or TBHP will create added value for organic synthetic chemistry.

Electrophilic chloro(ω-alkoxy)lation of alkenes employing 1-chloro-1,2-benziodoxol-3-one: facile synthesis of β-chloroethers

A four-component reaction for electrophilic chloro(ω-alkoxy)lation of alkenes has been described. The stable chloro-iodine(iii) reagent and SOCl2 were used as electrophilic and nucleophilic chlorine sources, respectively. This approach provides a straightforward way to synthesize various useful β-chloro ω-chloroalkyl ethers from a wide range of alkenes, including electron-deficient, aromatic and unactivated alkenes. The synthetic applications of this approach were also explored in some useful transformations.

Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of β-Azido Amides and Esters via Haloazidation

A catalytic regio- and enantioselective haloazidation reaction with a chiral iron(II) complex catalyst under mild reaction conditions was reported. By this approach, the stereoselective α-halo-β-azido difunctionalization of both α,β-unsaturated amides and α,β-unsaturated esters was achieved. This method enabled the construction of a broad spectrum of valuable functionalized amides and esters, including enantiomerically enriched β-azido amides, aziridine amides, α-amino amide derivatives, β-triazole amides, functionalized peptide derivatives, and α-halo-β-azido-substituted esters.

Efficient access to unprotected primary amines by iron-catalyzed aminochlorination of alkenes

Primary amines are essential constituents of biologically active molecules and versatile intermediates in the synthesis of drugs and agrochemicals. However, their preparation from easily accessible alkenes remains challenging. Here, we report a general strategy to access primary amines from alkenes through an operationally simple iron-catalyzed aminochlorination reaction. A stable hydroxylamine derivative and benign sodium chloride act as the respective nitrogen and chlorine sources. The reaction proceeds at room temperature under air; tolerates a large scope of aliphatic and conjugated alkenes, including densely functionalized substrates; and provides excellent anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity with respect to the amino group. The reactivity of the 2-chloroalkylamine products, an understudied class of amphoteric molecules, enables facile access to linear or branched aliphatic amines, aziridines, aminonitriles, azido amines, and homoallylic amines.

Asymmetric Catalytic Halofunctionalization of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Halofunctionalization methods enable the vicinal difunctionalization of alkenes with heteroatom nucleophiles and halogen moieties. As a fundamental transformation in organic synthesis, the catalytic asymmetric variants have only recently been reported. In sharp contrast to the asymmetric halocyclization of simple alkenes which involves a nucleophile-assisted alkene activation process, the asymmetric halofunctionalization of enones developed by our laboratory features an electrophile-assisted 1,4-addition pathway. Our work in this area has resulted in the development of several different types of regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective processes, including inter- and intramolecular haloaminations, haloetherifications, and haloazidations. The scope, updated mechanism, limitations, and future perspective of these reactions are discussed.

Synthesis of Enantioenriched Bromohydrins via Divergent Reactions of Racemic Intermediates from Anchimeric Oxygen Borrowing

We report a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed bromocyclization/regiodivergent reaction of racemic intermediates sequence, which is enabled by anchimeric oxygen borrowing. Different types of alkenes are applicable, and both enantiomers of the bromohydrin products were obtained in generally excellent yields and enantioselectivities. In addition, an example of enantioconvergent synthesis from the two isomeric products is presented.

Copper Promoted Regio- and Stereoselective Aminochlorination of Alkynes and Alkenes with NFSI

A simple and rapid copper-promoted aminochlorination of unactivated alkynes and alkenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) was developed. Two series of chloroenamines and chloroamines were obtained in good to high yields. The chlorinated enamines could be obtained in a single E configuration. This reaction involved a radical process and the CuCl₂ acted as the Cl source and NFSI as the N source.

Metal-free intermolecular aminochlorination of unactivated alkenes

We report a metal-free method for the synthesis of vicinal chloroamines by intermolecular aminochlorination of unactivated alkenes.

Iron-Catalyzed Asymmetric Haloazidation of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones: Construction of Organic Azides with Two Vicinal Stereocenters

Organic azides play important roles in synthetic chemistry, chemical biology, drug discovery, and material science. Azido-functionalization of alkenes is one of the most efficient procedures for rapid introduction of azide group into organic compounds. But only a few examples have been documented in the catalytic asymmetric version of the azidation of alkenes. Herein, we report an unprecedented highly diastereo- and enantioselective bromoazidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by chiral N,N'-dioxide/Fe(OTf)₂ complexes. An array of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl substituted α,β-unsaturated ketones were transformed to the corresponding α-bromo-β-azido ketones in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The catalytic system was also applicable for chloroazidation and iodoazidation of chalcone. Kinetic studies and some control experiments suggested that the reaction might proceed via a 1,4-addition/halogenation pathway.

Enantioselective conjugate addition of hydroxylamines to α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal Rh(iii) complex

A highly efficient chiral-at-metal Rh(iii) complex catalyzed asymmetric aza-Michael addition was developed, affordingN-protected β-amino acid derivatives with excellent enantioselectivity.

Catalytic enantioselective bromohydroxylation of aryl olefins with flexible functionalities

A highly enantioselective bromohydroxylation of aryl olefins with flexible functionalities has been achieved with (DHQD)₂PHAL as a catalyst and H₂O as a nucleophile, giving a variety of optically active bromohydrins with up to 98% ee.

Chiral N,N′-dioxide-Sc(NTf2)3 complex-catalyzed asymmetric bromoamination of chalones with N-bromosuccinimide as both bromine and amide source

A chiral N,N′-dioxide-Sc(NTf₂)₃ complex catalytic system has been developed to catalyze the asymmetric bromoamination reaction of chalones with N-bromosuccinimide.