Diastereoselective aziridination of chiral alpha-carbonyl enoates

A practical method for the aziridination of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with a simple carbamate utilizing sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate

The efficient formation of tert-butyl N-chloro-N-sodio-carbamate by the reaction of simple tert-butyl carbamate with sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate (NaOCl·5H₂O) would be a practical and green method for the aziridination of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The process described herein is transition-metal free, all of the materials are commercially available, the byproducts (NaCl and H₂O) are environmentally benign and the reaction is stereoselective. The resulting aziridines are potential precursors of amino acids.

Development of a concise synthesis of (-)-oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

We report a full account of our work towards the development of an eight-step synthesis of anti-influenza drug (-)-oseltamivir (Tamiflu) from commercially available starting materials. The final synthetic route proceeds with an overall yield of 30 %. Key transformations include a novel palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction (Pd-AAA) as well as a rhodium-catalyzed chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective aziridination reaction.

Aziridines versus Vinyl Carbamates from the Direct Amination of Electron-Withdrawing Group-Substituted Trifluoromethyl Enoates

Aza-MIRC (Michael-initiated ring closure) and C-H insertion products were obtained in the reactions of trifluoromethylated olefins with different nosyloxycarbamates by changing base and solvent. Aza-Michael addition products were not isolated. The presence and the position of the trifluoromethyl group allow control of the outcome of the reactions.

Aza-Michael addition of nosyloxycarbamates to 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylates

[reaction: see text] The amination of 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylates, performed by nosyloxycarbamates, gives two different aminated products, the derivatives of alpha-trifluoromethyl beta-amino esters or the aziridines, in high yields by changing the reaction conditions. The aza-Michael addition product was isolated for the first time in this kind of reaction. This finding confirms the aza-MIRC mechanism we previously proposed. Asymmetric induction was also pursued.

Improved Heteroatom Nucleophilic Addition to Electron-Poor Alkenes Promoted by CeCl3·7H2O/NaI System Supported on Alumina in Solvent-Free Conditions

Conjugate addition of heteroatom nucleophiles to carbon-carbon double bonds conjugated with a strong electron-withdrawing group is one of the most important new bond-forming strategies in synthetic organic chemistry. Among the methods for these Michael additions, Lewis acids have shown the best promoter activity, and in particular, the use of reagents impregnated over inorganic supports is rapidly increased. With the increase of environmental consciousness in chemical research, the solvent-free Michael addition has attracted our attention. In continuation of our ongoing program to develop synthetic protocols utilizing cerium trichloride, we report an extension of the CeCl(3).7H(2)O/NaI combination supported under solvent-free conditions to promote heteroatom Michael addition. Using neutral alumina (Al(2)O(3)) as solid support permits us to circumvent some of the problems associated with the procedure where the inorganic support is silica gel. The CeCl(3).7H(2)O/NaI/Al(2)O(3) system works well for hetero-Michael additions utilizing weakly nucleophiles such as imidazoles and carbamates, and also the reaction proceeds with good yields in the case of Michael acceptors different from alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. An important synthetic application of this our methodology is the intramolecular aza-Michael reaction in producing 4-piperidinone derivatives, which are of interest as synthetic intermediates toward important classes of heterocycles.