Enantioselective Intermolecular Addition of Aliphatic Amines to Acyclic Dienes with a Pd-PHOX Catalyst

Nickel Catalyzed Enantioselective 1,4-Hydroamination of 1,3-Dienes

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination of 1,3-dienes provides a direct methodology for the construction of chiral allylamines. So far, all of the reported examples used nucleophilic amines and proceeded with 3,4-regioselectivity. Herein, we describe the first example of nickel-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-hydroamination of 1,3-dienes using trimethoxysilane and hydroxylamines with a structurally adaptable aromatic spiroketal based chiral diphosphine (SKP) as the ligand, affording a wide array of α-substituted chiral allylamines in high yields with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. This operationally simple protocol demonstrated a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group compatibility, significantly expanding the chemical space for chiral allylamines. Experimental and DFT studies were performed to elucidate the mechanism and to rationalize the regio- and enantioselectivities of the reaction.

Understanding mechanism driven regioselectivity in zirconium-catalysed hydroaminoalkylation: homoallylic amines from conjugated dienes

The unexpected 4,1-hydroaminoalkylation of dienes provides selective access to linear homoallylic amines by zirconium catalysis. This switch from the traditional branched preferred regioselectivity to selective linear product formation using this early transition metal can be attributed to π-allyl intermediates. The reactivity of these isolated intermediates on a sterically accessible and coordinatively flexible chelating bis(ureate) Zr(iv) complex confirmed reversible C-C bond formation in hydroaminoalkylation catalysis.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Dihydropyrroles via 1,5-Addition and N-1,4-Addition Cascade

An unprecedented 1,5-addition/N-1,4-addition cascade reaction is established via palladium hydride catalysis. A variety of polysubstituted dihydropyrrole skeletons are constructed in high yield and with exclusively >20 : 1 diastereoselectivity. An enantioselective protocol of this design is also developed to provide a novel access to enantioenriched dihydropyrroles.

Photoinduced Pd-Catalyzed Enantioselective Carboamination of Dienes via Aliphatic C-H Bond Elaboration

Three-component diene carboaminations offer a potent means to access synthetically valuable allylic amines with rapid molecular complexity escalation. The existing literature primarily discloses racemic examples, necessitating the use of halides/pseudohalides as substrates. This paper introduces a photoinduced Pd-catalyzed enantioselective three-component carboamination of aryl-substituted 1,3-dienes, leveraging aliphatic C-H bonds for rapid synthesis. The reaction employs 10 mol % of chiral palladium catalyst and an excess aryl bromide as the HAT reagent. This approach yields diverse chiral allylamines with moderate to excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, it stands as the first instance of an asymmetric three-component diene carboamination reaction, directly utilizing abundant C(sp3)-H bearing partners, such as toluene-type substrates, ethers, amines, esters, and ketones. The protocol exhibits versatility across amines, encompassing aliphatic, aromatic, primary, and secondary derivatives. This method could serve as a versatile platform for stereoselective incorporation of various nucleophiles, dienes, and C(sp3)-H bearing partners.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric O-1,5-Addition with Oximes via Hydroximation of Unsaturated Esters

Different from electronically matched 1,4- and 1,6-additions, herein, we disclose an electronically mismatched 1,5-conjugate addition process with oximes as the nucleophiles. By this design, the oxime moieties are readily introduced to the γ-position of the electron-deficient substrates in good yields, excellent regioselectivities, and high enantioselectivities. The corresponding allyl oximes are also conveniently transformed into a series of valuable enantioenriched skeletons.

Palladium-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Three-Component Alkenylamination of 1,3-Dienes with Alkyl and Aryl Amines

We report a palladium-catalyzed method for 4,3- or 4,1-selective alkenylamination of terminal dienes. Three-component couplings proceed with alkenyl triflates and several amines, giving vicinal carboamination with a Xantphos-supported catalyst and distal difunctionalization with a phosphoramidite ligand. A number of constitutionally different disubstituted dienes also participate in regiodivergent carboaminations. Experimental evidence indicates that selectivity in the Xantphos reactions is largely influenced by the substrate, whereas the phosphoramidite-promoted process is catalyst controlled, orchestrated by a key π-stacking interaction among the ligand, solvent, and substrate.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrohydrazonation of 1,3-Dienes

We presented a method for synthesizing allylic chiral hydrazones from 1,4-disubstituted 1,3-dienes and hydrazones through a (R)-DTBM-Segphos-Pd(0)-catalyzed hydrohydrazonation reaction. This transformation has a wide range of substrates and good functional group tolerance. The desired products were obtained in medium to high yield and good regio- and enantioselectivity. Synthetic transformation of the products into various nitrogen-containing chiral compounds was demonstrated.

Escape from Hydrofunctionalization: Palladium Hydride-Enabled Difunctionalization of Conjugated Dienes and Enynes

Palladium hydrides are traditionally employed in hydrofunctionalization (i.e. monofunctionalization) of conjugated dienes and enynes, owning to its facile protic hydropalladation of electron-rich (or neutral) unsaturated bonds. Herein, we report a mild PdH-catalyzed difunctionalization of conjugated dienes and enynes. This protocol is enabled by the chemoselectivity switch of the initial hydropalladation step achieved by visible light enhancement of hydricity of PdH species. This method allows for cascade annulation of dienes and enynes with various easily available and abundant substrates, such as acrylic acids, acrylic amides, and Baylis-Hillman adducts, toward a wide range of alkenyl or alkynyl lactones, lactams, and tetrahydrofurans. This protocol also provides an easy access to complex spiro-fused tricyclic frameworks.

Asymmetric formal sp2-hydrocarbonations of dienes and alkynes via palladium hydride catalysis

Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrofunctionalizations of unsaturated bonds via π-ƞ3 substitution have emerged as a reliable method to construct stereogenic centers, and mainly rely on the use of heteroatom-based or carbon nucleophiles bearing acidic C-H bonds. In comparison, sp2 carbon nucleophiles are generally not under consideration because of enormous challenges in cleaving corresponding inert sp2 C-H bonds. Here, we report a protocol to achieve asymmetric formal sp2 hydrocarbonations, including hydroalkenylation, hydroallenylation and hydroketenimination of both 1,3-dienes and alkynes via hydroalkylation and Wittig reaction cascade. A series of unachievable motifs via hydrofunctionalizations, such as di-, tri- and tetra-substituted alkenes, di-, tri- and tetra-substituted allenes, and tri-substituted ketenimines in allyl skeletons are all facilely constructed in high regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivities with this cascade design. Stereodivergent synthesis of all four stereoisomers of 1,4-diene bearing a stereocenter and Z/E-controllable olefin unit highlights the power of present protocol. An interesting mechanistic feature is revealed that alkyne actually undergoes hydrocarbonation via the formation of conjugated diene intermediate, different from conventional viewpoint that the hydrofunctionalization of alkynes only involves allene species.

Scope and Mechanistic Probe into Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Trisubstituted-α-Tertiary Amines by Rhodium Catalysis

Asymmetric reactions that convert racemic mixtures into enantioenriched amines are of significant importance due to the prevalence of amines in pharmaceuticals, with about 60% of drug candidates containing tertiary amines. Although transition-metal catalyzed allylic substitution processes have been developed to provide access to enantioenriched α-disubstituted allylic amines, enantioselective synthesis of sterically demanding α-tertiary amines with a tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter remains a major challenge. Herein, we report a chiral diene-ligated rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric substitution of racemic tertiary allylic trichloroacetimidates with aliphatic secondary amines to afford α-trisubstituted-α-tertiary amines. Mechanistic investigation is conducted using synergistic experimental and computational studies. Density functional theory calculations show that the chiral diene-ligated rhodium promotes the ionization of tertiary allylic substrates to form both anti and syn π-allyl intermediates. The anti π-allyl pathway proceeds through a higher energy than the syn π-allyl pathway. The rate of conversion of the less reactive π-allyl intermediate to the more reactive isomer via π-σ-π interconversion was faster than the rate of nucleophilic attack onto the more reactive intermediate. These data imply that the Curtin-Hammett conditions are met in the amination reaction, leading to dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation. Computational studies also show that hydrogen bonding interactions between β-oxygen of allylic substrate and amine-NH greatly assist the delivery of amine nucleophile onto more hindered internal carbon of the π-allyl intermediate. The synthetic utility of the current methodology is showcased by efficient preparation of α-trisubstituted-α-tertiary amines featuring pharmaceutically relevant secondary amine cores with good yields and excellent selectivities (branched-linear >99:1, up to 99% enantiomeric excess).

Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective 1,4-Oxyamination of Conjugated gem-Difluorodienes via Coupling with Carboxylic Acids and Dioxazolones

The incorporation of fluorine atoms in organics improves their bioactivity and lipophilicity. Catalytic functionalization of gem-difluorodienes represents one of the most straightforward approaches to access fluorinated alkenes. In contrast to the regular 1,3-dienes that undergo diverse asymmetric di/hydrofunctionalizations, the regio- and enantioselective oxyamination of gem-difluorodienes remains untouched. Herein, we report asymmetric 1,4-oxyamination of gem-difluorodiene by chiral rhodium-catalyzed three-component coupling with readily available carboxylic acid and dioxazolone, affording gem-difluorinated 1,4-amino alcohol derivatives. Our asymmetric protocol exhibits high 1,4-regio- and enantioselectivity with utility in the late-stage modification of pharmaceuticals and natural products. Stoichiometric experiments provide evidences for the π-allylrhodium pathway. Related oxyamination was also realized when trifluoroethanol was used as an oxygen nucleophile.

Merging of Light/Dark Palladium Catalytic Cycles Enables Multicomponent Tandem Alkyl Heck/Tsuji-Trost Homologative Amination Reaction toward Allylic Amines

A visible light-induced palladium-catalyzed homologative three-component synthesis of allylic amines has been developed. This protocol proceeds via a unique mechanism involving two distinct cycles enabled by the same Pd(0) catalyst: a visible light-induced hybrid radical alkyl Heck reaction between 1,1-dielectrophile and styrene, followed by the "in dark" classical Tsuji-Trost-type allylic substitution reaction. This method works well with a broad range of primary and secondary amines, aryl alkenes, dielectrophiles, and in complex settings. The regiochemistry of the obtained products is primarily governed by the structure of 1,1-dielectrophile. Involvement of π-allyl palladium intermediates allowed for the control of stereoselectivity, which has been demonstrated with up to 95:5 er.

Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Directed Migratory Allylation of Remote Dienes

Chain walking has been an efficient route to realize the functionalization of inert C(sp3 )-H bonds, but this strategy is limited to mono-olefin migration and functionalization. Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of tandem directed simultaneous migrations of remote olefins and stereoselective allylation for the first time. The adoption of palladium hydride catalysis and secondary amine morpholine as solvent is critical for achieving high substrate compatibility and stereochemical control with this method. The protocol is also applicable to the functionalization of three vicinal C(sp3 )-H bonds and thus construct three continuous stereocenters along a propylidene moiety via a short synthetic process. Preliminary mechanistic experiments corroborated the design of simultaneous walking of remote dienes.

Progression of Hydroamination Catalyzed by Late Transition-Metal Complexes from Activated to Unactivated Alkenes

ConspectusCatalytic intermolecular hydroamination of alkenes is an atom- and step-economical method for the synthesis of amines, which have important applications as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, catalysts, and materials. However, hydroaminations of alkenes in high yield with high selectivity are challenging to achieve because these reactions often lack a thermodynamic driving force and often are accompanied by side reactions, such as alkene isomerization, telomerization, and oxidative amination. Consequently, early examples of hydroamination were generally limited to the additions of N-H bonds to conjugated alkenes or strained alkenes, and the catalytic hydroamination of unactivated alkenes with late transition metals has only been disclosed recently. Many classes of catalysts, including early transition metals, late transition metals, rare-earth metals, acids, and photocatalysts, have been reported for catalytic hydroamination. Among them, late transition-metal complexes possess several advantages, including their relative ease of handling and their high compatibility of substrates containing polar or sensitive functional groups.This Account describes the progression in our laboratory of hydroaminations catalyzed by late transition-metal complexes from the initial additions of N-H bonds to activated alkenes to the more recent additions to unactivated alkenes. Our developments include the Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of vinylarenes with palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium, the hydroamination of dienes and trienes with nickel and palladium, the hydroanimation of bicyclic strained alkenes with neutral iridium, and the hydroamination of unactivated terminal and internal alkenes with cationic iridium and ruthenium. Enantioselective hydroaminations of these classes of alkenes to form enantioenriched, chiral amines also have been developed.Mechanistic studies have elucidated the elementary steps and the turnover-limiting steps of these catalytic reactions. The hydroamination of conjugated alkenes catalyzed by palladium, rhodium, nickel, and ruthenium occurs by turnover-limiting nucleophilic attack of the amine on a coordinated benzyl, allyl, alkene, or arene ligand. On the other hand, the hydroamination of unconjugated alkenes catalyzed by ruthenium and iridium occurs by turnover-limiting migratory insertion of the alkene into a metal-nitrogen bond. In addition, pathways for the formation of side products, including isomeric alkenes and enamines, have been identified during our studies. During studies on enantioselective hydroamination, the reversibility of the hydroamination has been shown to erode the enantiopurity of the products. Based on our mechanistic understandings, new generations of catalysts that promote catalytic hydroaminations with higher rates, chemoselectivity, and enantioselectivity have been developed. We hope that our discoveries and mechanistic insights will facilitate the further development of catalysts that promote selective, practical, and efficient hydroamination of alkenes.

Palladium-Catalyzed Chemo- and Regioselective C-H Bond Functionalization of Phenols with 1,3-Dienes

Chemo- and site-selective functionalization of phenols offers a rapid strategy for the synthesis of phenol derivatives with diverse structures. Herein, we report a Pd-catalyzed regioselective C-H bond allylic alkylation of phenols with 1,3-dienes, which has precision reactivity at the ortho C-H bond of 2-naphthols, 1-naphthols, and electron-rich phenols. The reaction is accelerated by a diphosphine ligand, does not need any other additive, and features broad substrate scope and good chemo- and regioselectivity. In addition, we have also investigated the asymmetric variant, and the product could be achieved in up to 55% ee.

Catalytic Asymmetric Hydroalkoxylation and Formal Hydration and Hydroaminoxylation of Conjugated Dienes

The straightforward construction of stereogenic centers bearing unprotected functional groups, as in nature, has been a persistent pursuit in synthetic chemistry. Abundant applications of free enantioenriched allyl alcohol and allyl hydroxylamine motifs have made the asymmetric hydration and hydroaminoxylation of conjugated dienes from water and hydroxylamine, respectively, intriguing and efficient routes that have, however, been unachievable thus far. A fundamental challenge is the failure to realize transition-metal-catalyzed enantioselective C-O bond constructions via hydrofunctionalization of conjugated dienes. Here, we perform a comprehensive study toward the stereoselective formal hydration and hydroaminoxylation of conjugated dienes by synthesizing a set of new P,N-ligands and identifying an aryl-derived oxime as a surrogate for both water and hydroxylamine. Asymmetric hydroalkoxylation with new P,N-ligands is also elucidated. Furthermore, versatile derivatizations following hydration provide indirect but concise routes to formal hydrophenoxylation, hydrofluoroalkoxylation, and hydrocarboxylation of conjugated dienes that have been unreported thus far. Finally, a ligand-to-ligand hydrogen transfer process is proposed based on the results of preliminary mechanistic experiments.

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.

Skeleton-Reorganizing Coupling Reactions of Cycloheptatriene and Cycloalkenones with Amines

Skeletal reorganization reactions have emerged as an intriguing tool for converting readily available compounds into complicated molecules inaccessible by traditional methods. Herein, we report a unique skeleton-reorganizing coupling reaction of cycloheptatriene and cycloalkenones with amines. In the presence of Rh/acid catalysis, cycloheptatriene can selectively couple with anilines to deliver fused 1,2-dihydroquinoline products. Mechanistic studies indicate that the retro-Mannich type ring-opening and subsequent intramolecular Povarov reaction account for the ring reorganization. Our mechanistic studies also revealed that skeleton-reorganizing amination between anilines and cycloalkenones can be achieved with acid. The synthetic utilization of this skeleton-reorganizing coupling reaction was showcased with a gram-scale reaction, synthetic derivatizations, and the late-stage modification of commercial drugs.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroamination of Arylalkenes with Secondary Amines

Catalytic asymmetric hydroamination of alkenes with Lewis basic amines is of great interest but remains a challenge in synthetic chemistry. Here, we developed a Co-catalyzed asymmetric hydroamination of arylalkenes directly using commercially accessible secondary amines. This process enables the efficient access to valuable α-chiral tertiary amines in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction includes a CoH-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) with arylalkenes, followed by a pivotal catalyst controlled S_N 2-like pathway between in situ generated electrophilic cationic alkylcobalt(IV) species and free amines. This radical-polar crossover strategy not only provides a straightforward and alternative approach for the synthesis of enantioenriched α-tertiary amines, but also underpins the substantial opportunities in developing asymmetric radical functionalization of alkenes with various free nucleophiles in oxidative MHAT catalysis.

Stereodivergent Construction of Csp3 -Csp3 Bonds Bearing Vicinal Stereocenters by Synergistic Palladium and Phase-Transfer Catalysis

Synergistic catalysis has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for stereodivergent formation of Csp³ -Csp³ bonds bearing vicinal stereocenters. Despite the many successes that have been achieved in this field, stereodivergent Csp³ -Csp³ coupling reactions involving stabilized nucleophiles remain challenging because of the competing single-catalysis pathway. Herein, we report a synergistic palladium/phase-transfer catalyst system that enables diastereodivergent Csp³ -Csp³ coupling reactions of 1,3-dienes with stabilized nucleophile oxindoles. Both the syn and anti coupling products, bearing quaternary and tertiary vicinal stereocenters, could be selectively produced in good yields with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Non-covalent activation of the stabilized nucleophile via chiral ion pair in a biphasic system is a crucial success factor in achieving diastereodivergence.

Umpolung Asymmetric 1,5-Conjugate Addition via Palladium Hydride Catalysis

Electronically matched nucleophilic 1,6-conjugate addition has been well studied and widely applied in synthetic areas. In contrast, nucleophilic 1,5-conjugate addition represents an electronically forbidden process and is considered unfeasible. Here, we describe modular protocols for 1,5-conjugate addition reactions via palladium hydride catalysis. Both palladium and synergistic Pd/organocatalyst systems are developed to catalyze 1,5-conjugate reaction, followed by inter- or intramolecular [3+2] cyclization. A migratory 1,5-addition protocol is established to corroborate the feasibility of this umpolung concept. The 1,5-addition products are conveniently transformed into a series of privileged enantioenriched motifs, including polysubstituted tetrahydrofuran, dihydrofuran, cyclopropane, cyclobutane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, spirocycle and bridged rings. Preliminary mechanistic studies corroborate the involvement of palladium hydride catalysis.

Asymmetric intermolecular allylic C-H amination of alkenes with aliphatic amines

Aliphatic allylic amines are found in a great variety of complex and biorelevant molecules. The direct allylic C-H amination of alkenes serves as the most straightforward method toward these motifs. However, use of widely available internal alkenes with aliphatic amines in this transformation remains a synthetic challenge. In particular, palladium catalysis faces the twin challenges of inefficient coordination of Pd(II) to internal alkenes but excessively tight and therefore inhibitory coordination of Pd(II) by basic aliphatic amines. We report a general solution to these problems. The developed protocol, in contrast to a classical Pd(II/0) scenario, operates through a blue light-induced Pd(0/I/II) manifold with mild aryl bromide oxidant. This open-shell approach also enables enantio- and diastereoselective allylic C-H amination.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Sequential Hydroamination of 1,3-Enynes: Enantioselective Syntheses of Chiral Imidazolidinones

Pd-catalyzed sequential hydroamination of readily available 1,3-enynes is reported. The redox-neutral process provides an efficient route to synthesize a broad scope of imidazolidinones, thiadiazolidines, and imidazolidines. Asymmetric sequential hydroamination generates a series of synthetically valuable, enantioenriched imidazolidinones. Mechanistic studies revealed that the transformation occurred via an intermolecular enyne hydroamination pathway to give an allene intermediate. Subsequent intramolecular hydroamination of the allene intermediate proceeded under the Curtin-Hammett principle to provide enantioenriched imidazolidinone products.

Hydroaminoalkylation for the Catalytic Addition of Amines to Alkenes or Alkynes: Diverse Mechanisms Enable Diverse Substrate Scope

Hydroaminoalkylation is a powerful, atom-economic catalytic reaction for the reaction of amines with alkenes and alkynes. This C-H functionalization reaction allows for the atom-economic alkylation of amines using simple alkenes or alkynes as the alkylating agents. This transformation has significant potential for transformative approaches in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine chemical industries in the preparation of selectively substituted amines and N-heterocycles and shows promise in materials science for the synthesis of functional and responsive aminated materials. Different early transition-metal, late transition-metal, and photoredox catalysts mediate hydroaminoalkylation by distinct mechanistic pathways. These mechanistic insights have resulted in the development of new catalysts and reaction conditions to realize hydroaminoalkylation with a broad range of substrates: activated and unactivated, terminal and internal, C-C double and triple bonds with aryl or alkyl primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, including N-heterocyclic amines. By deploying select catalysts with specific substrate combinations, control over regioselectivity, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity has been realized. Key barriers to widespread adoption of this reaction include air and moisture sensitivity for early transition-metal catalysts as well as a heavy dependence on amine protecting or directing groups for late transition-metal or photocatalytic routes. Advances in improved catalyst robustness, substrate scope, and regio-/stereoselective reactions with early- and late transition-metal catalysts, as well as photoredox catalysis, are highlighted, and opportunities for further catalyst and reaction development are included. This perspective shows that hydroaminoalkylation has the potential to be a disruptive and transformative strategy for the synthesis of selectively substituted amines and N-heterocycles from simple amines and alkenes.

One-pot synthesis of phosphorylnaphth[2,1-d]oxazoles and products as P,N-ligands in C-N and C-C formation

Phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazoles were synthesized successfully through one-pot phosphonation of naphthoquinone with diaryl(alkyl)phosphine oxides and Cu-catalyzed oxidative condensation with imines, followed by methylation and reduction. Upon applying 4-phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazole as a P,N-chelating ligand, Pd-catalyzed C-N formation of amines or nitrobenzene as well as Ni-catalyzed C-C formation and the synthesis of quinoline proceeded successfully. The reaction was facilely scaled up to give N-benzylaniline 15a in a gram scale synthesis. This research provided a facile and convenient protocol to synthesize phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazoles, which could be applied as an efficient P,N-ligand in transition-metal-catalyzed C-N and C-C formation to produce the desired products in high yields with wide functional group tolerance under small catalyst loading, solvent-free conditions in many reactions.

Synergistic Pd/Cu-catalyzed enantioselective Csp2-F bond alkylation of fluoro-1,3-dienes with aldimine esters

Due to high bond dissociation energies of Csp2-F bonds, using fluorinated compounds in Csp2-Csp3 cross-coupling is difficult. Here the authors report a protocol for enantioselective Csp2-Csp3 coupling of dienyl fluorides with aldimine esters, enabled by synergistic copper and palladium catalysis. This reaction represents the first example of asymmetric Csp2-Csp3 cross-coupling involving an inert Csp2-F bond and provides expeditious access to chiral α-alkenyl α-amino acids with high enantioselectivity. Control experiments suggest that the Csp2-F bond activation occurs through a pathway involving PdH migratory insertion and subsequent allylic defluorination, rather than by direct oxidative addition of the Csp2-F bond to Pd(0). The detailed mechanism is further investigated by DFT calculation and the enantioselectivity is rationalized.

Enantioselective 1,3-Dipolar (5+3) Cycloadditions of Oxidopyrylium Ylides and Vinylcyclopropanes toward 9-Oxabicyclononanes

We have developed an efficient and mild enantioselective palladium-catalyzed (5+3) cycloaddition of vinylcyclopropanes and oxidopyrylium ylides generated in situ from benzopyranones, in the presence of a chiral PHOX ligand. These reactions afford various highly functionalized bridged oxa-[3.3.1]carbocycles with three stereogenic centers that are challenging to synthesize, in moderate to good yields and enantioselectivities.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Z to E Geometrical Isomerization of 1,3-Dienes

An efficient cobalt-catalyzed geometrical isomerization of 1,3-dienes is described. In the combination of a CoCl₂ precatalyst with an amido-diphosphine-oxazoline ligand, the geometrical isomerization of E/Z mixtures of 1,3-dienes proceed in a stereoconvergent manner, affording (E) isomers in high stereoselectivity. This facile transformation features a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance and could be scaled up to the gram scale smoothly with a catalyst loading of 1 mol %.

Nickel/Brønsted acid dual-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective hydrophosphinylation of 1,3-dienes: access to chiral allylic phosphine oxides

While chiral allylic organophosphorus compounds are widely utilized in asymmetric catalysis and for accessing bioactive molecules, their synthetic methods are still very limited. We report the development of asymmetric nickel/Brønsted acid dual-catalyzed hydrophosphinylation of 1,3-dienes with phosphine oxides. This reaction is characterized by an inexpensive chiral catalyst, broad substrate scope, and high regio- and enantioselectivity. This study allows the construction of chiral allylic phosphine oxides in a highly economic and efficient manner. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the 1,3-diene insertion into the chiral Ni-H species is a highly regioselective process and the formation of the chiral C-P bond is an irreversible step.

Nickel-catalyzed regio- and enantio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoroalkylation of 1,3-dienes

A highly enantio- and regio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoro(methyl)alkylation of 1,3-dienes was developed using redox-neutral nickel catalysis. It provided a facile strategy to construct diverse monofluoromethyl- or monofluoroalkyl-containing chiral allylic molecules. Notably, this represents the first catalytic asymmetric Markovnikov hydrofluoroalkylation of olefins. The practicability of this methodology is further highlighted by its broad substrate scope, mild base-free conditions, excellent enantio- and regio-selectivity, and diversified product elaborations to access useful fluorinated building blocks.

We report a highly enantio- and regio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoro(methyl)alkylation of 1,3-dienes using chiral Ni catalysis, allowing access to chiral allylic compounds bearing a CH₂F, CD₂F or monofluoroalkyl group at the stereocenter.

Palladium-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective migratory allylic C(sp3)-H functionalization

Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution with a suitably pre-stored leaving group in the substrate is widely used in organic synthesis. In contrast, the enantioselective allylic C(sp³)-H functionalization is more straightforward but far less explored. Here we report a catalytic protocol for the long-standing challenging enantioselective allylic C(sp³)-H functionalization. Through palladium hydride-catalyzed chain-walking and allylic substitution, allylic C-H functionalization of a wide range of acyclic nonconjugated dienes is achieved in high yields (up to 93% yield), high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 er), and with 100% atom efficiency. Exploring the reactivity of substrates with varying pK_a values uncovers a reasonable scope of nucleophiles and potential factors controlling the reaction. A set of efficient downstream transformations to enantiopure skeletons showcase the practical value of the methodology. Mechanistic experiments corroborate the PdH-catalyzed asymmetric migratory allylic substitution process.

Alkene isomerizations and asymmetric C–H functionalizations have been independently studied, but their combination in one protocol is uncommon. Here the authors show a palladium-catalyzed method to iteratively “walk” a terminal alkene along a carbon chain to a position next to styrenes where a soft nucleophile is added asymmetrically.

Mechanism and Selectivities in Ru-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Formal Hydroalkylation of 1,3-Dienes and Enynes: A Computational Study

The mechanism of the Ru(II)-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov formal hydroalkylation of 1,3-dienes and enynes by hydrazones has been elucidated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results indicate that the C-C bond formation proceeds through a highly polar outer-sphere transition state (TS) stabilized by the THF solvent, not the ordered inner-sphere TS as originally proposed. The regioselectivity for 1,2-anti-Markovnikov addition is primarily due to the formation of an extensively π-conjugated intermediate after the nucleophilic attack on the 1-position of the diene. The stability of this intermediate means that nucleophilic attack at the 1-position is able to utilize the outer-sphere pathway, while attacks on all other positions of the diene must proceed through more crowded and less-favorable inner-sphere TSs. We show that the electronics of substituents on the hydrazone and the diene have a significant impact on the C-C formation barrier, which rationalizes the limitations on the substrate scope. The preferred coordination sphere around Ru(II) and the rigidity of the reacting substrates lead to a sterically demanding TS geometry, which explains the sensitivity of the reaction to the ligand size.

Enantioselective Addition of Pyrazoles to Dienes*

We report the first enantioselective addition of pyrazoles to 1,3-dienes. Secondary and tertiary allylic pyrazoles can be generated with excellent regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies support a pathway distinct from previous hydroaminations: a Pd⁰ -catalyzed ligand-to-ligand hydrogen transfer (LLHT). This hydroamination tolerates a range of functional groups and advances the field of diene hydrofunctionalization.

Synergistic Pd/Amine-Catalyzed Stereodivergent Hydroalkylation of 1,3-Dienes with Aldehydes: Reaction Development, Mechanism, and Stereochemical Origins

Metal-hydride-catalyzed hydroalkylation of 1,3-dienes with enolizable carbonyl compounds is an atom- and step-economical method for preparing chiral molecules with allylic stereocenters. Although high diastereo- and enantioselectivities have been achieved for many coupling partners, aldehydes have not yet been used for this purpose because they are less stable than other carbonyl compounds under basic conditions and they have the potential to rapidly epimerize at the α-position. Moreover, stereodivergent hydroalkylation reactions of 1,3-dienes to access complementary diastereomers with vicinal stereocenters is challenging. Herein, we describe a synergistic palladium/amine catalyst system that allowed us to achieve the first stereodivergent hydroalkylation reactions of 1,3-dienes with aldehydes. By choosing an appropriate combination of chiral palladium and amine catalysts, we could obtain either syn or anti coupling products, and this method therefore provides highly diastereo- and enantioselective access to complementary diastereomers of chiral aldehydes with α,β-vicinal stereocenters. Density functional theory calculations revealed a mechanism involving PdH formation and migratory insertion into the alkene, followed by C-C bond formation. The origin of the stereoselectivities was investigated by means of distortion/interaction analysis.

Further Developments and Applications of Oxazoline-Containing Ligands in Asymmetric Catalysis

The chiral oxazoline motif is present in many ligands that have been extensively applied in a series of important metal-catalyzed enantioselective reactions. This Review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the most significant applications of oxazoline-containing ligands reported in the literature starting from 2009 until the end of 2018. The ligands are classified not by the reaction to which their metal complexes have been applied but by the nature of the denticity, chirality, and donor atoms involved. As a result, the continued development of ligand architectural design from mono(oxazolines), to bis(oxazolines), to tris(oxazolines) and tetra(oxazolines) and variations thereof can be more easily monitored by the reader. In addition, the key transition states of selected asymmetric transformations will be given to illustrate the features that give rise to high levels of asymmetric induction. As a further aid to the reader, we summarize the majority of schemes with representative examples that highlight the variation in % yields and % ees for carefully selected substrates. This Review should be of particular interest to the experts in the field but also serve as a useful starting point to new researchers in this area. It is hoped that this Review will stimulate both the development/design of new ligands and their applications in novel metal-catalyzed asymmetric transformations.

A Palladium Complex as an Asymmetric π-Lewis Base Catalyst for Activating 1,3-Dienes

Here we report that palladium(0) complexes can coordinate in a η² fashion to 1,3-dienes and significantly raise the energy of their highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) by donating the electrons from the d-orbitals to the empty antibonding molecular orbitals of double bonds (π*) via back-bonding. Thus, the uncoordinated double bond, as a more reactive partner on the basis of the principle of vinylogy, can directly attack imines, furnishing a formal hydrodienylation reaction enantioselectively. A chemoselective cascade vinylogous addition/allylic alkylation difunctionalization process between 1,3-dienes and imines with a nucleophilic group is also compatible, by trapping in situ formed π-allylpalladium species after initial ene addition. This π-Lewis base catalytic mode, featuring simple η²coordination, vinylogous activation, and compatibility with both conjugated neutral polyenes and electron-deficient polyenes, is elucidated by control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Orthogonal Regulation of Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Sites in Pd-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Couplings between Indazoles and Isoprene

Depending on the reactant property and reaction mechanism, one major regioisomer can be favored in a reaction that involves multiple active sites. Herein, an orthogonal regulation of nucleophilic and electrophilic sites in the regiodivergent hydroamination of isoprene with indazoles is demonstrated. Under Pd-hydride catalysis, the 1,2- or 4,3-insertion pathway with respect to the electrophilic sites on isoprene could be controlled by the choice of ligands. In terms of the nucleophilic sites on indazoles, the reaction occurs at either the N¹ - or N² -position of indazoles is governed by the acid co-catalysts. Preliminary experimental studies have been performed to rationalize the mechanism and regioselectivity. This study not only contributes a practical tool for selective functionalization of isoprene, but also provides a guide to manipulate the regioselectivity for the N-functionalization of indazoles.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling Reaction of Activated Olefins with Vinyl Boronates for the Synthesis of (E,E)-1,3-Dienes

An oxidative cross-coupling reaction between activated olefins and vinyl boronate derivatives has been developed for the highly stereoselective construction of synthetically useful (E,E)-1,3-dienes. The highlight of this reaction is that exclusive stereoselectivity (only E,E-isomer) was achieved from a base-free, ligand-free, and mild catalytic condition with a less expensive [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ catalyst.

Asymmetric Aza-Claisen Rearrangement between Enantioenriched α-Chiral Allylamines and Allenones

An unprecedented asymmetric aza-Claisen rearrangement between enantioenriched α-chiral allylamines and allenones was found to proceed in the absence of catalysts and additives at room temperature. The rearrangement, followed by hydrolysis, provides convenient access to structurally diverse δ-chiral β-diketones in good to excellent yields with excellent retention of enantiopurity. This protocol proved powerful for the construction of an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter with high enantiopurity.

Ruthenium-catalyzed formal sp3 C-H activation of allylsilanes/esters with olefins: efficient access to functionalized 1,3-dienes

Ru-catalysed oxidative coupling of allylsilanes and allyl esters with activated olefins has been developed via isomerization followed by C(allyl)-H activation providing efficient access to stereodefined 1,3-dienes in excellent yields. Mild reaction conditions, less expensive catalysts, and excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity ensure universality of the reaction. In addition, the unique power of this reaction was illustrated by performing the Diels-Alder reaction, and enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized cyclohexenone and piperidine and finally synthetic utility was further demonstrated by the efficient synthesis of norpyrenophorin, an antifungal agent.

Design, scope and mechanism of highly active and selective chiral NHC-iridium catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of a variety of unactivated aminoalkenes

Chiral, cationic NHC-iridium complexes are introduced as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination reaction of unactivated aminoalkenes. The catalysts show high activity in the construction of a range of 5- and 6-membered N-heterocycles, which are accessed in excellent optical purity, with various functional groups being tolerated with this system. A major deactivation pathway is presented and eliminated by using alternative reaction conditions. A detailed experimental and computational study on the reaction mechanism is performed providing valuable insights into the mode of action of the catalytic system and pointing to future modifications to be made for this catalytic platform.