Asymmetric Allylic C–H Alkylation of Allyl Ethers with 2-Acylimidazoles

Photoinduced 1,5-HAT-enabled 1,7-hydrosulfonylation of allylic ethers and amides

Herein, we report a photoinduced 1,7-hydrosulfonylation of allylic ethers and amides via a sequential Pd-mediated 1,5-HAT process and Pd-catalyzed allylic nucleophilic attack of arylsulfonates. This rationally designed synthetic protocol allows for facile construction of a series of structurally novel allylic sulfonated scaffolds, and features mild conditions, cheap and readily available raw materials and functional group compatibility.

Palladium-Catalyzed Branch-Selective Allylic C-H Amination Enabled by Nucleophile Coordination

Regiochemical control is a central subject in the field of synthetic chemistry. Here we unveil an innovative approach for the branch-selective allylic C-H amination of α-alkenes with amine nucleophiles facilitated by phosphoramidite-palladium catalysis. A diverse array of α-alkenes has been effectively utilized to produce a variety of structurally distinct allylamines with moderate to excellent regioselectivity. Furthermore, the asymmetric version of this reaction is feasible through the use of chiral phosphoramidite ligands, albeit with currently modest enantioselectivity.

Visible-Light-Mediated Activation of Remote C(sp3)-H Bonds by Carbon-Centered Biradical via Intramolecular 1,5- or 1,6-Hydrogen Atom Transfer

In this study, we introduce a novel intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction that efficiently yields azetidine, oxetane, and indoline derivatives through a mechanism resembling the carbon analogue of the Norrish-Yang reaction. This process is facilitated by excited triplet-state carbon-centered biradicals, enabling the 1,5-HAT reaction by suppressing the critical 1,4-biradical intermediates from undergoing the Norrish Type II cleavage reaction, and pioneering unprecedented 1,6-HAT reactions initiated by excited triplet-state alkenes. We demonstrate the synthetic utility and compatibility of this method across various functional groups, validated through scope evaluation, large-scale synthesis, and derivatization. Our findings are supported by control experiments, deuterium labeling, kinetic studies, cyclic voltammetry, Stern-Volmer experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Tandem catalytic allylic C-H amination and asymmetric [2,3]-rearrangement via bimetallic relay catalysis

A bimetallic relay catalysis protocol for tandem allylic C-H amination and asymmetric [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement has been developed with the use of an achiral Pd0 catalyst and a chiral N,N'-dioxide-MgII complex in a one-pot operation. A series of anti-α-amino derivatives containing two stereogenic centers were prepared from readily available allylbenzenes and glycine pyrazolamide with good yields and high stereoselectivities. Moreover, the synthetic potential of this protocol was further demonstrated by the product transformations, and a catalytic cycle was proposed to illustrate the reaction process.

Aerobic Asymmetric Allylic C-H Alkylation by Synergistic Chiral Primary Amine-Palladium-Hydroquinone Catalysis

A synergistic chiral primary amine/palladium /p-hydroquinone catalysis was developed to facilitate oxidative asymmetric allylic C-H alkylation under aerobic conditions. The ternary synergistic catalysis enables a facile allylic C-H activation and alkylation with oxygen so that stoichiometric utilization of benzoquinone can be avoided. The identified optimal catalytic system allows for terminal addition to allyl arenes with α-branched β-ketocarbonyls to afford allylic adducts bearing all-carbon quaternary centers with high regio- and enantioselectivity. This work provides new insights for further studies on the aerobically oxidative C-H alkylation reaction.

Enantioconvergent Palladium-Catalyzed Alkylation of Tertiary Allylic C-H Bonds

Enantioconvergent catalysis enables the conversion of racemic molecules into a single enantiomer in perfect yield and is considered an ideal approach for asymmetric synthesis. Despite remarkable advances in this field, enantioconvergent transformations of inert tertiary C-H bonds remain largely unexplored due to the high bond dissociation energy and the surrounding steric repulsion that pose unparalleled constraints on bond cleavage and formation. Here, we report an enantioconvergent Pd-catalyzed alkylation of racemic tertiary allylic C-H bonds of α-alkenes, providing a unique approach to access a broad range of enantioenriched γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds featuring quaternary carbon stereocenters. Mechanistic studies reveal that a stereoablative event occurs through the rate-limiting cleavage of tertiary allylic C-H bonds to generate σ-allyl-Pd species, and the achieved E/Z-selectivity of σ-allyl-Pd species effectively regulates the diastereoselectivity via a nucleophile coordination-enabled SN 2'-allylation pathway.

Palladium-Catalyzed Branch- and Z-Selective Allylic C-H Amination with Aromatic Amines

Allylamines are important building blocks in the synthesis of bioactive compounds. The direct coupling of allylic C-H bonds and commonly available amines is a major synthetic challenge. An allylic C-H amination of 1,4-dienes has been accomplished by palladium catalysis. With aromatic amines, branch-selective allylic aminations are favored to generate thermodynamically unstable Z-allylamines. In addition, more basic aliphatic cyclic amines can also engage in the reaction, but linear dienyl allylic amines are the major products.

A Pd-H/Isothiourea Cooperative Catalysis Approach to anti-Aldol Motifs: Enantioselective α-Alkylation of Esters with Oxyallenes

The biological and therapeutic significance of natural products is a powerful impetus for the development of efficient methods to facilitate their construction. Accordingly, and reflecting the prevalence of β-oxy-carbonyl motifs, a sophisticated arsenal of aldol-based strategies has evolved that is contingent on the generation of single enolate isomers. Since this has the potential to compromise efficiency in reagent-based paradigms, direct catalysis-based solutions would be enabling. To complement the array of substrate-based strategies, and regulate enolate geometry at the catalyst level, a direct catalytic alkylation of esters with oxyallenes has been developed. Synergizing metal hydride reactivity with Lewis base catalysis has resulted in a broad reaction scope with useful levels of stereocontrol (up to >99 % ee). Facile derivatization of these ambiphilic linchpins is demonstrated, providing access to high-value vicinal stereocenter-containing motifs, including 1,2-amino alcohols.

Pd-Catalyzed Regioselective Intramolecular Allylic C-H Amination of 1,1-Disubstituted Alkenyl Amines

Pd-Catalyzed intramolecular allylic C-H amination of 1,1-disubstituted alkenyl amines with various allylic tethers (X = O, NMs, CH₂) was developed. This process allows for the divergent synthesis of 1,3-X,N-heterocycles through a regioselective allylic C-H cleavage and π-allylpalladium formation. Particularly noteworthy is the use of substrates containing a labile allylic moiety and new simple catalytic systems capable of promoting highly chemo- and regioselective allylic C-H amination by overcoming significant challenges.

Bimetallic Palladium/Cobalt Catalysis for Enantioselective Allylic C-H Alkylation via a Transient Chiral Nucleophile Strategy

An asymmetric allylic C-H functionalization has been developed by making use of transient chiral nucleophiles, as well as bimetallic synergistic catalysis with an achiral Pd⁰ catalyst and a chiral N,N'-dioxide-Co^II complex. A variety of β-ketoesters and N-Boc oxindoles coupled with allylbenzenes and aliphatic terminal alkenes were well tolerated, furnishing the desired allylic alkylation products in high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent regioselectivities and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee).

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3)-H/C(sp3)-H Umpolung Coupling of N-Allylimine and α-Aryl Ketones

Asymmetric functionalization of the C(sp³)-H bond is an attractive yet challenging strategy to achieve versatile bond-forming events, enabling the precise assembly of molecular complexity with minimal manipulation of functional groups. Here, we report an asymmetric C(sp³)-H/C(sp³)-H umpolung coupling of N-allylimine and coordinating α-aryl carbonyls by using chiral phosphoramidite-palladium catalysis. A wide variety of α-heteroaryl ketones and 2-acylimidazoles are nicely tolerated to open a convenient and tunable avenue for efficient synthesis of enantioenriched β-amino-γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives with high levels of regio- and stereoselectivities, capable of providing a key intermediate for asymmetric synthesis of Focalin. This protocol showcases an umpolung reactivity of the N-allylimines through a concerted proton and two-electron transfer process to cleave the allylic C-H bond, effectively complementing established methodology for allylic C-H functionalization. An inner-sphere allylation pathway for both α-heteroaryl carbonyls and 2-acylimidazoles to attack the π-allylpalladium species is suggested by computational studies and experimental facts, wherein the nitrogen coordination to the palladium center enables the preference of branched regioselectivity.

Versatile Reactivity of Metalloid-Substituted π-Allylpalladium Species

π-Allylpalladium complexes can not only serve as electrophilic allylating agents for a broad range of nucleophiles, but also nucleophilic allylating agents for electrophiles depending on their electronic environments. In contrast to these typical reactivities of π-allylpalladium complexes, silylated and borylated π-allylpalladium species show unique reactivities that can allow versatile transformations in addition to simple allylation. Herein, four different types of transformations that are in principle achieved via the inherently reactive silylated and borylated π-allylpalladium species as common intermediates are described. An appropriate selection of ligands of the silylated and borylated π-allylpalladium species can allow control over the reaction pathways.

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.

Access to chiral γ-butenolides via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic C-H alkylation of 1,4-dienes

Asymmetric allylic C-H alkylation of 1,4-pentadienes with α-angelica lactones has been developed by tri-axial phosphoramidite-palladium catalysis. This reaction can tolerate a range of functional groups under mild conditions, furnishing versatile chiral γ,γ-disubstituted butenolides in high yields with good to high levels of stereoselectivity.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective Allylic Amination of Racemic 1,2-Disubstituted Allylic Phosphates

Alkynylphosphines are rarely used as ligands in asymmetric metal catalysis. We synthesized a series of chiral bis(oxazoline)alkynylphosphine ligands and used them in Rh-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective allylic amination reactions of 1,2-disubstituted allylic phosphates. Chiral 1,2-disubstituted allylic amines were synthesized in up to 95% yield with >20:1 branched/linear (b/l) ratio and 99% ee from racemic 1,2-disubstituted allylic precursors. The sterically smaller linear alkynyl group on the P atom in the bis(oxazoline)alkynylphosphine ligands was the key to fit the new requirements of the introduction of bulky 2-R' groups.

Recent Advances in Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Allylic Substitution: From Design to Applications

This Review compiles the evolution, mechanistic understanding, and more recent advances in enantioselective Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution and decarboxylative and oxidative allylic substitutions. For each reaction, the catalytic data, as well as examples of their application to the synthesis of more complex molecules, are collected. Sections in which we discuss key mechanistic aspects for high selectivity and a comparison with other metals (with advantages and disadvantages) are also included. For Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution, the catalytic data are grouped according to the type of nucleophile employed. Because of the prominent position of the use of stabilized carbon nucleophiles and heteronucleophiles, many chiral ligands have been developed. To better compare the results, they are presented grouped by ligand types. Pd-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative reactions are mainly promoted by PHOX or Trost ligands, which justifies organizing this section in chronological order. For asymmetric oxidative allylic substitution the results are grouped according to the type of nucleophile used.

Regio- and enantioselective ring-opening reaction of vinylcyclopropanes with indoles under cooperative catalysis

The title reaction has been established under the cooperative bimetallic catalysis of iridium and copper catalysts, which afforded indole C3-allylation products with branched selectivity in moderate yields and good enantioselectivities.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic C-H Functionalization: Mechanism, Stereo- and Regioselectivities, and Synthetic Applications

Asymmetric functionalization of inert C-H bonds is undoubtedly a synthetically significant yet challenging bond-forming process, allowing for the preparation of densely functionalized molecules from abundantly available feedstocks. In the past decade, our group and others have found that trivalent phosphorus ligands are capable of facilitating Pd-catalyzed allylic C-H functionalization of α-alkenes upon using p-quinone as an oxidant. In these reactions, a 16-electron Pd(0) complex bearing a monodentate phosphorus ligand, a p-quinone, and an α-alkene has been identified as a key intermediate. Through a concerted proton and two-electron transfer process, electrophilic π-allylpalladium is subsequently generated and can be leveraged to forge versatile chemical bonds with a wide range of nucleophiles. This Account focuses on describing the origin, evolution, and synthetic applications of Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic C-H functionalization reactions, with an emphasis on the fundamental mechanism of the concerted proton and two-electron transfer process in allylic C-H activation.Enabled by the cooperative catalysis of the palladium complex of triarylphosphine, a primary amine, and a chiral phosphoric acid, an enantioselective α-allylation of aldehydes with α-alkenes is established. The combination of chiral phosphoric acid and a palladium complex of a chiral phosphoramidite ligand allows the allylic C-H alkylation of α-alkenes with pyrazol-5-ones to give excellent enantioselectivities, wherein the chiral ligand and chiral phosphoric acid synergistically control the stereoselectivity. Notably, the palladium-phosphoramidite complexes are also efficient catalysts for allylic C-H alkylation, with a wide scope of nucleophiles. In the case of 1,4-dienes, the geometry and coordination pattern of the nucleophile are able to vary the transition states of bond-forming events and thereby determine the Z/E-, regio-, and stereoselectivities.These enantioselective allylic C-H functionalization reactions are tolerant of a wide range of nucleophiles and α-alkenes, providing a large library of optically active building blocks. Based on enantioselective intramolecular allylic C-H oxidation, the formal synthesis of (+)-diversonol is accomplished, and enantioselective intramolecular allylic C-H amination can enable concise access to letermovir. In particular, the asymmetric allylic C-H alkylation of 1,4-dienes with azlactones offers highly enantioenriched α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives that are capable of serving as key building blocks for the enantioselective synthesis of lepadiformine alkaloids. In addition, a tachykinin receptor antagonist and (-)-tanikolide are also synthesized with chiral molecules generated from the corresponding allylic C-H alkylation reactions.

Overcoming the Deallylation Problem: Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Chemo-, Regio-, and Stereoselective Allylic Oxidation of Aryl Allyl Ether, Amine, and Amino Acids

We report herein a Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide-catalyzed intramolecular allylic C-H acetoxylation of aryl allyl ether, amine, and amino acids with the retention of a labile allyl moiety. Mechanistically, the reaction proceeds through a distinct double-bond isomerization from the allylic to the vinylic position followed by intramolecular carboxypalladation and the β-hydride elimination pathway. For the first time, C-H oxidation of N-allyl-protected amino acids to furnish five-membered heterocycles through 1,3-syn-addition is established with excellent diastereoselectivity.

Selective Synthesis of Z-Cinnamyl Ethers and Cinnamyl Alcohols through Visible Light-Promoted Photocatalytic E to Z Isomerization

A photocatalytic E to Z isomerization of alkenes using an iridium photosensitizer under mild reaction conditions is disclosed. This method provides scalable and efficient access to Z-cinnamyl ether and allylic alcohol derivatives in high yields with excellent stereoselectivity. Importantly, this method also provides a powerful strategy for the selective synthesis of Z-magnolol and honokiol derivatives possessing potential biological activity.

Facile hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl ether by employing a highly re-usable “dip-catalyst” containing Pt nanoparticles on a green support

We report the fabrication of a ‘dip-catalyst’ based on Pt nanoparticles on jute stalks as a green support and its catalytic application in cinnamyl alkyl ether synthesis.