Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of 2,3-Butadienoates with Electron-Deficient Olefins Catalyzed by Novel Chiral 2,5-Dialkyl-7-phenyl-7- phosphabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes

Spirophosphine-Catalyzed Enantioselective [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Allenoates and Unsaturated α-Ketimine Esters

A novel chiral spiro-monophosphine, OUC-Phos, was synthesized and utilized for the first time in the asymmetric Lu's [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketimine ester with allenoate. OUC-Phos, featuring a 3,3'-diphenyl-modified spirobiindane skeleton, demonstrated exceptional catalytic efficiency in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition to achieve high yields, enantioselectivities, and diastereoselectivities for the targeted products. The broad substrate scope encompassing diverse functional groups demonstrated the versatility of this methodology. Furthermore, the reaction was successfully scaled up, and the products were easily converted into their corresponding functionalized derivatives.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Annulation of Allenoates Bearing Acidic Hydrogen with 1,1-Dicyanoalkenes

α-succinimide-substituted allenoates were employed as phosphine acceptors in phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 2) annulation with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes. They served as C4 synthons in the annulation reaction under mild reaction conditions and produced hexahydroisoindole derivatives in moderate to high yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities.

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Synthesis of the Cyclopentene Core

Five-membered carbocycles are ubiquitously found in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and other classes of organic compounds. Within this category, cyclopentenes deserve special attention due to their prevalence as targets and as well as key intermediates for synthesizing more complex molecules. Herein, we offer an overview summarizing some significant recent advances in the catalytic assembly of this structural motif. A great variety of synthetic methodologies and strategies are covered, including transition metal-catalyzed or organocatalyzed processes. Both inter- and intramolecular transformations are documented. On this ground, our expertise in the application of C-H functionalization reactions oriented towards the formation of this ring and its subsequent selective functionalization is embedded.

Synthesis and application of novel P-chiral monophosphorus ligands

A series of novel P-stereogenic monophosphorus ligands (Xie-phos) were synthesized via the hydrophosphinylation of alkynes with secondary phosphine oxides by palladium catalysis and the following base mediated cyclization.

[3+2] regioselective annulation reaction of 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones towards synthesis of spirocyclopentenes: understanding the mechanism of γ-attack vs. α-attack using DFT studies

A regioselective [3+2] cyclisation reaction between 2-arylidene-1,3-indanedione and ethyl 2,3-butadienoate catalysed by triphenylphosphine has been demonstrated to synthesize functionalised spirocyclic cyclopentenes. The reaction tolerated various electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl substituted 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones with high to excellent chemical yields (up to 99%) and moderate to good regioselectivity (up to 5 : 1). DFT studies have also been carried out to understand the regioselective nature of this reaction. The results of Frontier molecular orbital calculations and the activation energy (E a) favour the formation of compound 3avia γ-attack compared to that of 4avia α-attack.

Design of 1-Phosphanorbornene Derivatives as Chiral Organocatalysts for Enantioselective (4 + 2) Annulation Reactions of γ-Benzyl Allenoates

Two novel diastereoisomeric P-chirogenic phosphine catalysts, i.e., JiaPhos, which can be easily derived from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials in five chemical operations (totally 4.16g scale), are introduced. To our delight, the JiaPhos catalysts display good performance in enantioselective (4 + 2) annulations involving 3-methylene-2-oxindoles and γ-benzyl allenoates, providing a wide range of 3,3'-spirocyclic oxindoles with good efficiency and enantioselectivity.

Discovery of Annulating Reagents Enabling the One-Step and Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclopentyl and Cyclohexyl Cores

The use of the unprecedented annulating reagents methyl N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)-4-chlorobutanimidate and methyl N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)-5-bromopentanimidate enables the diastereoselective preparation of 5- and 6-membered carbocycles bearing three contiguous stereocenters. These synthons undergo cycloaddition with a variety of Michael acceptors to form cyclopentane/cyclohexane rings with excellent stereochemical control, generating only one of the eight possible diastereomers. This novel methodology has enabled the highly enantioselective and high yielding synthesis of novel chemotypes of pharmacological relevance.

New frontiers in the transition-metal-free synthesis of heterocycles from alkynoates: an overview and current status

This review highlights the successful utilization of transition-metal-free approaches for the modular assembly of various heterocycles from alkynoates.

Recent advances in phosphine catalysis involving γ-substituted allenoates

This feature article will describe the selected examples of organophosphine catalysis of γ-substituent allenoates with a wide range of electrophiles to give diverse annulations.

Asymmetric synthesis of benzothiazolopyrimidines with high catalytic efficiency and stereoselectivity under bifunctional phosphonium salt systems

Bifunctional phosphonium salt-mediated formal [4+2] annulation towards chiral benzothiazolopyrimidine compounds with excellent yields and stereoselectivities.

Oxidation of Enones for Regioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition through γ-Enone Radical Intermediates

Herein, an oxidization reaction of enones with a Cu^II complex that leads to a new type of regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition is reported. Highly functionalized cyclopentenes and spirocyclic compounds are obtained in moderate-to-good yields. This cycloaddition reaction occurred through the formation of γ-enone radicals, providing a rarely explored reactivity pattern for enones.

P-Chiral 1,7-diphosphanorbornenes: from asymmetric phospha-Diels-Alder reactions towards applications in asymmetric catalysis

A straightforward synthesis of P-chiral polycyclic phosphines by an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of 1-alkyl-1,2-diphospholes and (5R)-(l-menthyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone (MOxF) is presented. The [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,2-diphospholes 1-3 with MOxF (4) proceeded with high diastereoselectivity (de up to 90%) resulting in the corresponding enantiopure anti-endo-1,7-diphosphanorbornenes 5a-7a. The absolute configuration of 5-7 was proved by a variety of 1D/2D NMR correlation methods. The use of the anti-endo-1,7-diphosphanorbornene 5a in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of cinnamyl acetate 8 with cyclic β-ketoesters 9a,b provided up to 52% ee.

Mechanistic insight into the highly regioselective Ni(0)-catalyzed [2 + 2] self-cycloaddition of electron-deficient allenoates

A DFT study reveals that the Ni(0)-catalyzed [2 + 2] self-cycloaddition of electron-deficient allenoates proceeds via the one-ligand-involved mechanism. In addition, the origin of the high regioselectivity of the product, as well as the lower efficiency of the bidentate ligands, is discussed.

Phosphine Organocatalysis

The hallmark of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is the initial nucleophilic addition of a phosphine to an electrophilic starting material, producing a reactive zwitterionic intermediate, generally under mild conditions. In this Review, we classify nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions in terms of their electrophilic components. In the majority of cases, these electrophiles possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds: alkenes (section 2), allenes (section 3), alkynes (section 4), and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) alcohol derivatives (MBHADs; section 5). Within each of these sections, the reactions are compiled based on the nature of the second starting material-nucleophiles, dinucleophiles, electrophiles, and electrophile-nucleophiles. Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions that occur via the initial addition to starting materials that do not possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds are collated in section 6. Although not catalytic in the phosphine, the formation of ylides through the nucleophilic addition of phosphines to carbon-carbon multiple bond-containing compounds is intimately related to the catalysis and is discussed in section 7. Finally, section 8 compiles miscellaneous topics, including annulations of the Hüisgen zwitterion, phosphine-mediated reductions, iminophosphorane organocatalysis, and catalytic variants of classical phosphine oxide-generating reactions.

Toward a Predictive Understanding of Phosphine-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Annulation of Allenoates with Acrylate or Imine

Both theoretical and experimental studies were performed to explore the mechanism, regioselectivity, and enantioselectivity of phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation between allenoates and acrylate or imine. Using density functional theory computations, we predicted that the enantioselective determining step is the nucleophilic addition of acrylate or imine to the catalyst-activated allenoate. In the key step, we proposed two hydrogen bonding interaction models (intermolecular H-bond model and intramolecular H-bond model). For acrylate substrates, the reaction proceeds via the intramolecular H-bond model and the strong noncovalent interactions between the 2-naphthyl ester moiety lead to the re-face attack pathway being more favorable. For imine substrates, the intermolecular H-bond model operates. In the annulation process, the bulky n-propyl oriented toward a crowded, sterically demanding environment plays a significant role in asymmetric induction. The theoretical calculation results agreed with experimental observations, and these results provide valuable insight into catalyst design and understanding of mechanisms of related reactions.

Syntheses of Highly Functionalized Spirocyclohexenes by Formal [4+2] Annulation of Arylidene Azlactones with Allenoates

A straightforward phosphine-catalyzed formal [4+2] annulation between α-branched allenoates and arylidene azlactones has been developed to access highly functionalized spirocyclohexenes. This cyclization favors the γ-addition of the phosphine-activated allenoates over a β'-addition pathway. Detailed computational studies support the proposed mechanism and provide a reasonable explanation for the observed regioselectivity and the noted effect of the catalyst.

Carvone-Derived P-Stereogenic Phosphines: Design, Synthesis, and Use in Allene-Imine [3 + 2] Annulation

We have prepared a previously unreported family of P-stereogenic [2.2.1] bicyclic chiral phosphines through straightforward syntheses starting from the natural product carvone. This design rationale prompted the development of an unforeseen C-dealkenylation reaction. We have applied these organocatalysts in the asymmetric syntheses of a bevy of pyrrolines, obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities, including a biologically active small molecule, efsevin.

Multifunctional chiral phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with cyclopentenones: asymmetric synthesis of 4-oxo-hexahydropentalenes

A multifunctional chiral phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective [3+2] annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with cyclopentenones provides a direct approach to access functional 4-oxo-1,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydropentalene compounds. Moderate to good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (>90% ee) were obtained for a series of substrates under mild reaction conditions.

Chiral NHC-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine imines with α-chloroaldehydes for the synthesis of bicyclic pyrazolidinones

An NHC-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine imines and α-chloroaldehydes was developed for the synthesis of chiral bicyclic pyrazolidinone derivatives.

Catalytic synthesis of 3-aminooxindoles via addition to isatin imine: an update

3-Substituted-3-aminooxindoles have attracted the attention of organic chemist to develop different synthetic methodologies for their synthesis using catalysts. This review covers the recent developments.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Michael Addition of β-Carbonyl Esters to β-Trifluoromethyl and β-Ester Enones: Enhanced Reactivity by Inorganic Base

A novel chiral biamide-phosphine multifunctional catalyst has been developed that mediates the asymmetric intermolecular Michael addition of β-carbonyl esters to β-trifluoromethyl enones and 3-aroyl acrylates in the presence of competing methyl acrylate and the inorganic base. This method provides a facile access to structurally diverse trifluoromethyl and quaternary stereogenic centers with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) and good diastereoselectivity (up to 13:1 dr). The addition of the inorganic base (K₃PO₄) does not cause the background racemic reaction and enhances the reactivity by serving as a co-catalyst.