Facile Net Cycloaddition Approach to Optically Active 1,5-Benzothiazepines

Ionic Hydrogen Bond-Assisted Catalytic Construction of Nitrogen Stereogenic Center via Formal Desymmetrization of Remote Diols

The control of noncarbon stereogenic centers is of profound importance owing to their enormous interest in bioactive compounds and chiral catalyst or ligand design for enantioselective synthesis. Despite various elegant approaches have been achieved for construction of S-, P-, Si- and B-stereocenters over the past decades, the catalyst-controlled strategies to govern the formation of N-stereogenic compounds have garnered less attention. Here, we disclose the first organocatalytic approach for efficient access to a wide range of nitrogen-stereogenic compounds through a desymmetrization approach. Intriguingly, the pro-chiral remote diols, which are previously not well addressed with enantiocontrol, are well differentiated by potent chiral carbene-bound acyl azolium intermediates. Preliminary studies shed insights on the critical importance of the ionic hydrogen bond (IHB) formed between the dimer aggregate of diols to afford the chiral N-oxide products that feature a tetrahedral nitrogen as the sole stereogenic element with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, the chiral N-oxide products could offer an attractive strategy for chiral ligand design and discovery of potential antibacterial agrochemicals.

NBS-Promoted Synthesis of Thiocyanated Aminomaleimides and Site-Selective Intramolecular Cyclization Access to 1,4-Benzothiazepines via S-CN Bond Cleavage

A transition metal-free concise and efficient protocol for the synthesis of thiocyanated aminomaleimides and benzo[e][1,4]thiazepine derivatives has been developed. The method involves an initial α-C-H thiocyanation of aminomaleimides with KSCN and TEMPO-mediated tandem S-CN bond cleavage/intramolecular cyclization substitution processes, which enables the formation of seven-membered S/N-heterocycles. This synthetic strategy provides a reliable method for the synthesis of biologically interesting benzo[e][1,4]thiazepine derivatives by using KSCN as sulfur sources as well as expands the application of enaminones thiocyanation reactions in heterocycles synthesis.

Understanding divergent substrate stereoselectivity in the isothiourea-catalysed conjugate addition of cyclic α-substituted β-ketoesters to α,β-unsaturated aryl esters

The development of enantioselective synthetic methods capable of generating vicinal stereogenic centres, where one is tetrasubstituted (such as either an all-carbon quaternary centre or where one or more substituents are heteroatoms), is a recognised synthetic challenge. Herein, the enantioselective conjugate addition of a range of carbo- and heterocyclic α-substituted β-ketoesters to α,β-unsaturated aryl esters using the isothiourea HyperBTM as a Lewis base catalyst is demonstrated. Notably, divergent diastereoselectivity is observed through the use of either cyclopentanone-derived or indanone-derived substituted β-ketoesters with both generating the desired stereodefined products with high selectivity (>95 : 5 dr, up to 99 : 1 er). The scope and limitations of these processes are demonstrated, alongside application on gram scale. The origin of the divergent substrate selectivity has been probed through the use of DFT-analysis, with preferential orientation driven by dual stabilising CH⋯O interactions. The importance of solvation with strongly polar transition-states is highlighted and the SMD solvation model is demonstrated to capture solvation effects reliably.

Progress on the Cu-Catalyzed 1,4-Conjugate Addition to Thiochromones

Carbon-carbon bond formation is one of the most important tools in synthetic organic chemists' toolbox. It is a fundamental transformation that allows synthetic chemists to synthesize the carbon framework of complex molecules from inexpensive simple starting materials. Among the many synthetic methodologies developed for the construction of carbon-carbon bonds, organocopper reagents are one of the most reliable organometallic reagents for this purpose. The versatility of organocuprate reagents or the reactions catalyzed by organocopper reagents were demonstrated by their applications in a variety of synthetic transformations including the 1,4-conjugate addition reactions. Sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds are a much less studied area compared to oxygen-containing heterocycles but have gained more and more attention in recent years due to their rich biological activities and widespread applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and material science. This paper will provide a brief review on recent progress on the synthesis of an important class of sulfur-heterocycles-2-alkylthiochroman-4-ones and thioflavanones via the conjugate additions of Grignard reagents to thiochromones catalyzed by copper catalysts. Recent progress on the synthesis of 2-substituted thiochroman-4-ones via alkynylation and alkenylation of thiochromones will also be covered in this review.

Serendipitous synthesis of cross-conjugated dienes by cascade deconstructive esterification of thiomorpholinone-tethered alkenoic acids

Functionalized 1,3-dienes are ubiquitous structural motifs in biologically pertinent molecules. They are frequently employed as precursors for a broad range of chemical transformations, including Diels-Alder reactions. The stereoselective construction of highly decorated 1,3-dienes therefore represents an important research objective. Medicinal chemists are becoming increasingly interested in synthetic methodologies that not only achieve expedient construction and peripheral editing of heterocycles, but also seek to modify their core framework in order to achieve skeletal remodeling. In a succinct manifestation of this 'scaffold hopping' concept, we herein describe a cascade reaction, which converts thiomorpholinone-tethered alkenoic acids to 1,1-disubstituted amino-1,3-dienes. This domino process involves esterification of the acid, base-assisted ring-opening, and concomitant 1,2-migration of the α-amino alkenyl group. Several control experiments have revealed that the alkenyl substituent is necessary for deconstruction to occur. Inherently more activated N-aryl-substituted thiomorpholinone acids react significantly faster than their less activated N-alkyl congeners.

Recent Advances in Organocatalyzed Asymmetric sulfa-Michael Addition Triggered Cascade Reactions

The sulfa-Michael addition reaction is a crucial subset of the Michael addition reaction, and aroused the interest of numerous synthetic biologists and chemists. In particular, sulfa-Michael addition triggered cascade reaction has developed quickly in recent years because it offers an efficient method to construct C-S bonds and other bonds in one approach, which is widely applicable for building chiral pharmaceuticals, their intermediates, and natural compounds. This review emphasizes the recent advancements in sulfa-Michael addition-triggered cascade reactions for the stereoselective synthesis of sulfur-containing compounds, including sulfa-Michael/aldol, sulfa-Michael/Henry, sulfa-Michael/Michael, sulfa-Michael/Mannich and some sulfa-Michael triggered multi-step processes. Moreover, some reaction mechanisms and derivatization experiments are introduced appropriately.

Chalcogen bond-guided conformational isomerization enables catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution of sulfoxides

Conformational isomerization can be guided by weak interactions such as chalcogen bonding (ChB) interactions. Here we report a catalytic strategy for asymmetric access to chiral sulfoxides by employing conformational isomerization and chalcogen bonding interactions. The reaction involves a sulfoxide bearing two aldehyde moieties as the substrate that, according to structural analysis and DFT calculations, exists as a racemic mixture due to the presence of an intramolecular chalcogen bond. This chalcogen bond formed between aldehyde (oxygen atom) and sulfoxide (sulfur atom), induces a conformational locking effect, thus making the symmetric sulfoxide as a racemate. In the presence of N–heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as catalyst, the aldehyde moiety activated by the chalcogen bond selectively reacts with an alcohol to afford the corresponding chiral sulfoxide products with excellent optical purities. This reaction involves a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) process enabled by conformational locking and facile isomerization by chalcogen bonding interactions.

Conformational isomerization of organic molecules can be guided by noncovalent interactions. Here, the authors report the synthesis of chiral sulfoxides catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes; intramolecular chalcogen bonding interactions are key for conformational locking.

Total Synthesis of Mutanobactins A, B from the Human Microbiome: Macrocyclization and Thiazepanone Assembly in a Single Step

We report the first total syntheses of tricyclic mutanobactins A and B, lipopeptides incorporating a thiazepanone, isolated from Streptococcus mutans, a member of the human oral microbiome. A rapid, solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) based route delivers these natural products from a cascade of cyclization reactions. This versatile process was also employed in a streamlined synthesis of mutanobactin D. Additionally, we provide an independent synthesis of a truncated mutanobactin A analog, utilizing a novel thiazepanone amino acid building block.

Serendipitous synthesis of 2-alkenyl- and 2-aryl-4-thiazolidinones using dithiodiglycolic anhydride

Dithiodiglycolic anhydride undergoes an efficient formal cycloaddition with imines to afford functionalized 4-thiazolidinones, without complications arising from the anhydride-imine reaction or the sulfa-Michael reaction (in the case of 1,3-azadienes).

Synthesis of Benzo[e][1,4]thiazepines by Base-Induced Formal [4+3] Annulation Reaction of Aza-o-quinone Methides and Pyridinium 1,4-Zwitterionic Thiolates

The base-induced formal [4+3] annulation reaction of in situ-formed aza-o-quinone methides and pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates is reported. This protocol provides a novel and reliable method for the synthesis of biologically interesting benzo[e][1,4]thiazepine derivatives in synthetically useful yields. In addition, postsynthetic modification results in the formation of its sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives.

α,β-Unsaturated acyl ammonium species as reactive intermediates in organocatalysis: an update

α,β-Unsaturated acyl ammonium species are versatile intermediates that have been applied in a variety of transformations including Michael additions, domino reactions and cycloadditions. Many of these transformations are promoted by chiral Lewis base catalysts, enabling the rapid generation of molecular complexity with high stereochemical control. This review highlights recent developments in the generation and application of α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium intermediates reported since a previous review of this area in 2016. Particular emphasis will be placed on reports providing mechanistic insight into catalytic transformations and observed selectivities. A perspective on current challenges and potential future developments in the field of α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium catalysis is also provided.

Recent Advances in Transition-Metal-Free (4+3)-Annulations

(4+3)-Annulations are incredibly versatile reactions which combine a 4-atom synthon and a 3-atom synthon to form both 7-membered carbocycles as well as heterocycles. We have previously reviewed transition-metal-catalyzed (4+3)-annulations. In this review, we will cover examples involving bases, NHCs, phosphines, Lewis and Brønsted acids as well as some rare examples of boronic acid catalysis and photocatalysis. In analogy to our previous review, we exclude annulations involving cyclic dienes like furan, pyrrole, cyclohexadiene or cyclopentadiene, as Chiu, Harmata, Fernándes and others have recently published reviews encompassing such substrates. We will however discuss the recent additions (2010–2020) to the literature on (4+3)-annulations involving other types of 4-atom-synthons.

1 Introduction

2 Bases

3 Annulations Using N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

3.1 N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs)

3.2 N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Base Dual-Activation

4 Phosphines

5 Acids

5.1 Lewis Acids

5.2 Brønsted Acids

6 Boronic Acid Catalysis and Photocatalysis

7 Conclusion

Resonance Assisted Chalcogen Bonding as a New Synthon in the Design of Dyes

Intramolecular chalcogen bonding in arylhydrazones of sulfamethizole is strengthened by conjugation in the π-system of a noncovalent five-membered ring. The S⋅⋅⋅O distance in the sulfamethizole moiety of these compounds ranges from 2.698(3) to 2.806(15) Å, which indicates its strong dependence on the attached arylhydrazone fragments. Information on the nature of the intramolecular chalcogen bond was afforded by DFT calculations.

Efficient Synthesis of 1,4-Thiazepanones and 1,4-Thiazepanes as 3D Fragments for Screening Libraries

1,4-Thiazepanes and 1,4-thiazepanones represent seven-membered ring systems with highly 3D character and are currently underrepresented in fragment screening libraries. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fragment screen identified 1,4-acylthiazepanes as new BET (bromodomain and extraterminal domain) bromodomain ligands; however, an efficient and readily diversified synthesis for library development has not been reported. Here we report a one-pot synthesis using α,β-unsaturated esters and 1,2-amino thiols to form 1,4-thiazepanones as precursors to 1,4-thiazepanes with high 3D character. This reaction proceeds in reasonable time (0.5-3 h) and in good yield and tolerates a broad scope of α,β-unsaturated esters. Several 1,4-thiazepanes were synthesized by a two-step transformation and were characterized as new BET bromodomain ligands using protein-observed 19F NMR. This synthesis should provide ready access to diverse 3D fragments for screening libraries.

A solvent-dependent chirality-switchable thia-Michael addition to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids using a chiral multifunctional thiourea catalyst

An asymmetric thia-Michael addition of arylthiols to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids using a thiourea catalyst that bears arylboronic acid and tertiary amine moieties is reported.

An asymmetric thia-Michael addition of arylthiols to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids using a thiourea catalyst that bears arylboronic acid and tertiary amine moieties is reported. Both enantiomers of the Michael adducts can be obtained in high enantioselectivity and good yield merely by changing the solvent. The origin of the chirality switch in the products was examined in each solvent via spectroscopic analyses.

Conjugate Addition of Grignard Reagents to Thiochromones Catalyzed by Copper Salts: A Unified Approach to Both 2-Alkylthiochroman-4-One and Thioflavanone

Grignard reagents undergo conjugate addition to thiochromones catalyzed by copper salts to afford 2-substituted-thiochroman-4-ones, both 2-alkylthiochroman-4-ones and thioflavanones (2-arylthiochroman-4-ones), in good yields with trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl) as an additive. The best yields of 1,4-adducts can be attained with CuCN∙2LiCl as the copper source. Excellent yields of 2-alkyl-substituted thiochroman-4-ones and thioflavanones (2-aryl substituted) are attained with a broad range of Grignard reagents. This approach works well with both alkyl and aromatic Grignard reagents, thus providing a unified synthetic approach to privileged 2-substituted thiochroman-4-ones and a potential valuable precursor for further synthetic applications towards many pharmaceutically active molecules. The use of commercially available and/or readily prepared Grignard reagents will expedite the synthesis of a large library of both 2-alkyl substituted thiochroman-4-ones and thioflavanones for additional synthetic applications.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkynylation of Thiochromones

A highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of chiral thiochromanones is developed via Cu(I)/phosphoramidite catalyzed asymmetric alkynylation of thiochromones under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst system is tolerant of various thiochromone precursors and terminal alkynes. The established asymmetric transformation provides different enatiomeric-enriched thiochromanones with more molecular complexity and enables access to chiral thioflavanones, a subgroup of flavonoid by further functionalization.

Rh-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Medium-Ring NH Lactams: Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of N-Unprotected 2,3-Dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepinones

A straightforward method to prepare 1,5-benzothiazepines was reported. Catalyzed by a Rh/Zhaophos complex, unsaturated cyclic NH lactams with a medium-size ring were hydrogenated smoothly, giving remarkably high enantioselectivities. The sulfur atom in the substrates did not bring an inhibition which was observed with commercially available bisphosphine ligands. This method was successfully applied in the scale-up synthesis of (R)-(-)-thiazesim.

Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective Addition of Thioamides to Bromoenals for Access to Thiazinone Heterocycles

A carbene-catalyzed reaction between α-bromoenals and thioamides was developed. Key steps include enantioselective 1,4-addition of thioamide sulfur atoms to α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium intermediate. Subsequent intramolecular annulation eventually affords thiazinone heterocycles with high optical purities. The introduction of Lewis acid additives such as Cu(OTf)₂ to this NHC catalytic reaction could provide small but consistent improvements to reaction enantioselectivities.

Frontiers in Halogen and Chalcogen-Bond Donor Organocatalysis

Non-covalent molecular interactions on the basis of halogen and chalcogen bonding represent a promising, powerful catalytic activation mode. However, these "unusual" non-covalent interactions are typically employed in the solid state and scarcely exploited in catalysis. In recent years, an increased interest in halogen and chalcogen bonding has been awaken, as they provide profound characteristics that make them an appealing alternative to the well-explored hydrogen bonding. Being particularly relevant in the binding of "soft" substrates, the similar strength to hydrogen bonding interactions and its higher directionality allows for solution-phase applications with halogen and chalcogen bonding as the key interaction. In this mini-review, the special features, state-of-the-art and key examples of these so-called σ-hole interactions in the field of organocatalysis are presented.

Isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective Michael addition of N-heterocyclic pronucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated aryl esters

The isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective Michael addition of 3-aryloxindole and 4-substituted-dihydropyrazol-3-one pronucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated p-nitrophenyl esters is reported. This process generates products containing two contiguous stereocentres, one quaternary, in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (>30 examples, up to > 95 : 5 dr and 99 : 1 er). This protocol harnesses the multifunctional ability of p-nitrophenoxide to promote effective catalysis. In contrast to previous methodologies using tertiary amine Lewis bases, in which the pronucleophile was used as the solvent, this work allows bespoke pronucleophiles to be used in stoichiometric quantities.

The isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective Michael addition of 3-aryloxindole and 4-substituted-dihydropyrazol-3-one pronucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated p-nitrophenyl esters is reported.

Synthesis of chiral seven-membered β-substituted lactams via Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

Rh/bisphosphine-thiourea ligand (ZhaoPhos)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of seven-membered β-substituted α,β-unsaturated lactams was successfully developed to prepare various chiral seven-membered β-substituted lactams with good to excellent results (up to >99% conversion, 99% yield, and >99% ee).

Development of a new bicyclic imidazole nucleophilic organocatalyst for direct enantioselective C-acylation

A new chiral nucleophilic organocatalyst bearing a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine skeleton has been developed.

Chalcogen Bonding: An Overview

In the last few decades, "unusual" noncovalent interactions like anion-π and halogen bonding have emerged as interesting alternatives to the ubiquitous hydrogen bonding in many research areas. This is also true, to a somewhat lesser extent, for chalcogen bonding, the noncovalent interaction involving Lewis acidic chalcogen centers. Herein, we aim to provide an overview on the use of chalcogen bonding in crystal engineering and in solution, with a focus on the recent developments concerning intermolecular chalcogen bonding in solution-phase applications. In the solid phase, chalcogen bonding has been used for the construction of nano-sized structures and the self-assembly of sophisticated self-complementary arrays. In solution, until very recently applications mostly focused on intramolecular interactions which stabilized the conformation of intermediates or reagents. In the last few years, intermolecular chalcogen bonding has increasingly also been exploited in solution, most notably in anion recognition and transport as well as in organic synthesis and organocatalysis.

Catalytic enantioselective one-pot approach to cis- and trans-2,3-diaryl substituted 1,5-benzothiazepines

The first enantioselective catalytic approach to cis- and trans-2,3-diaryl substituted 1,5-benzothiazepines has been conveniently developed in a one-pot fashion, starting from α,β-unsaturated acyl pyrazoles and 2-aminothiophenol. The organocatalytic two-step sulfa-Michael/lactamization sequence is promoted by a readily available bifunctional thiourea and p-toluenesulfonic acid, respectively. The protocol enables access to both N-unprotected cis- and trans-diastereoisomers in moderate to satisfactory overall yields (up to 84%) and good to excellent ee values (up to 99%). Mechanistic investigations helped to shed light on the regio- and stereoselective outcome of the process.

DBU-Mediated Construction of 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Benzenes via Annulation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids and α-Cyano-β-methylenones

A DBU-mediated synthesis of 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes was developed via the [2 + 4] annulation of in situ activated α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and α-cyano-β-methylenones. The dual role of DBU as Brønsted base and nucleophilic Lewis base is the key for the success of the reaction.

Mechanistic Insight into Asymmetric Hetero-Michael Addition of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids Catalyzed by Multifunctional Thioureas

Carboxylic acids and their corresponding carboxylate anions are generally utilized as Brønsted acids/bases and oxygen nucleophiles in organic synthesis. However, a few asymmetric reactions have used carboxylic acids as electrophiles. Although chiral thioureas bearing both arylboronic acid and tertiary amine were found to promote the aza-Michael addition of BnONH₂ to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with moderate to good enantioselectivities, the reaction mechanism remains to be clarified. Detailed investigation of the reaction using spectroscopic analysis and kinetic studies identified tetrahedral borate complexes, comprising two carboxylate anions, as reaction intermediates. We realized a dramatic improvement in product enantioselectivity with the addition of 1 equiv of benzoic acid. In this aza-Michael reaction, the boronic acid not only activates the carboxylate ligand as a Lewis acid, together with the thiourea NH-protons, but also functions as a Brønsted base through a benzoyloxy anion to activate the nucleophile. Moreover, molecular sieves were found to play an important role in generating the ternary borate complexes, which were crucial for obtaining high enantioselectivity as demonstrated by DFT calculations. We also designed a new thiourea catalyst for the intramolecular oxa-Michael addition to suppress another catalytic pathway via a binary borate complex using steric hindrance between the catalyst and substrate. Finally, to demonstrate the synthetic versatility of both hetero-Michael additions, we used them to accomplish the asymmetric synthesis of key intermediates in pharmaceutically important molecules, including sitagliptin and α-tocopherol.

Development of Conjugate Addition of Lithium Dialkylcuprates to Thiochromones: Synthesis of 2-Alkylthiochroman-4-ones and Additional Synthetic Applications

Lithium dialkylcuprates undergo conjugate addition to thiochromones to afford 2-alkylthiochroman-4-ones in good yields. This approach provide an efficient and general synthetic approach to privileged sulfur-containing structural motifs and valuable precursors for many pharmaceuticals, starting from common substrates-thiochromones. Good yields of 2-alkyl-substituted thiochroman-4-ones are attained with lithium dialkylcuprates, lithium alkylcyanocuprates or substoichiometric amount of copper salts. The use of commercially available inexpensive alkyllithium reagents will expedite the synthesis of a large library of 2-alkyl substituted thiochroman-4-ones for additional synthetic applications.

Multiple roles of aryloxide leaving groups in enantioselective annulations employing α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium catalysis

An isothiourea-catalysed Michael addition-annulation process using β-fluoroalkyl-substituted α,β-unsaturated aryl esters and a range of 2-acylbenzazoles is reported for the enantioselective synthesis of dihydropyranone and dihydropyridinone products bearing polyfluorinated stereocenters (29 examples, up to 98% yield, >99 : 1 er). The choice of aryl group of the aryl ester proved essential in determining reaction enantioselectivity and dihydropyranone : dihydropyridinone product selectivity. The aryloxide leaving group is shown to play a number of essential additional roles, operating (i) as a Brønsted base, circumventing the need for an auxiliary base; and (ii) as a Lewis base to catalyse the isomerisation of dihydropyranone products into thermodynamically-favoured dihydropyridinones. After optimisation, this isomerisation process was exploited for the selective synthesis of dihydropyridinone products using acylbenzothiazoles, and either dihydropyranone or dihydropyridinone products using acylbenzoxazoles. Finally, the phenol derivative, produced following protonation of the aryloxide, is proposed to act as a Brønsted acid, which promotes an isothiourea-catalysed kinetic resolution of benzoxazole-derived dihydropyranones.