Metalated unsaturated amides. Regio- and stereoselective .gamma.-alkylation

Formal γ-C(sp3)-H Activation of Ketones via Microwave-Promoted and Iminyl-Radical-Mediated 1,5-Hydrogen Atom Transfer

Microwave irradiation of O-phenyloximes triggers N-O homolysis and 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), resulting in formal γ-C-H functionalization of ketones after trapping of the radical intermediate and in situ imine hydrolysis. The Lewis acid InCl3·H2O facilitated HAT, enabling functionalization of benzylic and nonbenzylic secondary carbon atoms. Functionalization of primary carbons was feasible but afforded low yields, requiring ClCH2CO2H instead of InCl3·H2O as an additive. C-O and C-C bond formation could both be accomplished by this method.

Carboxylate Catalyzed Isomerization of β,γ‐Unsaturated N ‐Acetylcysteamine Thioesters**

We demonstrate herein the capacity of simple carboxylate salts – tetrametylammonium and tetramethylguanidinium pivalate – to act as catalysts in the isomerization of β,γ‐unsaturated thioesters to α,β‐unsaturated thioesters. The carboxylate catalysts gave reaction rates comparable to those obtained with DBU, but with fewer side reactions. The reaction exhibits a normal secondary kinetic isotope effect (k_1H/k_1D=1.065±0.026) with a β,γ‐deuterated substrate. Computational analysis of the mechanism provides a similar value (k_1H/k_1D=1.05) with a mechanism where γ‐reprotonation of the enolate intermediate is rate determining.

A Straightforward Synthesis of Polyketides via Ester Dienolate Matteson Homologation

Application of ester dienolates as nucleophiles in Matteson homologations allows for the stereoselective synthesis of highly substituted α,β-unsaturated δ-hydroxy carboxyl acids, structural motifs widespread found in polyketide natural products. The protocol is rather flexible and permits the introduction of substituents and functionalities also at those positions which are not accessible by the commonly used aldol reaction. Therefore, this ester dienolate Matteson approach is an interesting alternative to the "classical" polyketide syntheses.

Copper-Catalyzed γ-Sulfonylation of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds by Means of Silyl Dienol Ethers

A regioselective method for the introduction of sulfonyl groups at the γ-carbon of enone systems is reported. Using a copper catalyst and readily available sulfonyl chlorides, a range of silyl dienol ethers are sulfonylated in good yield under mild reaction conditions. The sulfone derivatives formed are poised for further synthetic manipulations as demonstrated by regioselective alkylations.

Zinc(II)-catalyzed intermolecular hydrative aldol reactions of 2-en-1-ynamides with aldehydes and water to form branched aldol products regio- and stereoselectively

This work describes zinc(II)-catalyzed hydrative aldol reactions of 2-en-1-ynamides with aldehydes and water to afford branched aldol products regio- and stereoselectively. The anti and syn selectivity can be modulated by the sizes of sulfonamides to yield E- and Z-configured zinc(II) dienolates selectively. This new reaction leads to enantiopure aldol products by using a cheap chiral sulfonamide. The mechanistic analysis reveals that the sulfonamide amides of the substrates can trap a released proton to generate dual acidic sites to activate a carbonyl allylation reaction.

γ-Silylated α,β-unsaturated amides — Preparation by [1,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement and use as masked dienolate equivalents in carbonyl condensations

The reaction of lithium dienolates derived from N,N-dialkylsenecioamides (1a–1c) with triorganosilyl electrophiles occurs initially at the oxygen atom predominantly, and is followed by an O → C silicon migration to afford the γ-silylated senecioamides (4a–4h). The γ-silylated senecioamide Z-4a undergoes fluoride-ion-mediated condensations with aromatic aldehydes to give kinetic α-(6) and thermodynamic γ-(5) condensation product patterns comparable to lithium dienolates. The TiCl4-mediated reactions with aldehydes gives α-products (6) in a highly syn-selective manner. Possible transition-state models for the syn-selective condensations are discussed and a chair-like transition state featuring bidentate coordination to titanium (11) is proposed.

Diastereoselective Osmylation and Hydroboration of beta,gamma-Unsaturated N,N-Diisopropylamides and Acid-Catalyzed Conversion to delta-Lactones

The title reactions of beta,gamma-unsaturated N,N-diisopropylamides occur with useful diastereofacial selectivity. The major diol isomer from osmylation of alkenes 1, 10, 11, and 12 in the presence of TMEDA at -78 degrees C corresponds to the facial preference shown in transition state model 41 (R(Z) = H), while the opposite preference for 42 is observed with the Z-alkene 13. (Table 1). Hydroboration with 9-BBN does not show this inversion of diastereofacial selectivity for the Z-alkene. All of the results in Table 2 correspond to the usual preference for a transition state such as 45. Acid-catalyzed lactonization of the alcohols obtained in Tables 1 and 2 can be carried out with overall retention of configuration to afford delta-lactones. Butenolide 5 was prepared with 90% ee from alcohol 2a via osmylation followed by acid-catalyzed lactonization to 3 and elimination using SOCl(2)/pyridine.