Arabinose-Derived Ketones as Catalysts for Asymmetric Epoxidation of Alkenes

Asymmetric Synthesis of Triazole Antifungal Agents Enabled by an Upgraded Strategy for the Key Epoxide Intermediate

A streamlined and efficient approach to the key epoxide intermediate for the asymmetric synthesis of triazole antifungal agents is presented. This synthesis highlights a P(NMe2)3-mediated nonylidic olefination of α-keto ester, ensuring the exclusive formation of the requisite (Z)-alkene, followed by a highly enantioselective Jacobsen epoxidation to establish the two vicinal stereocenters in a single step. The versatility of this strategy is exemplified through the efficient synthesis of efinaconazole and ravuconazole.

Synthesis and Applications of Carbohydrate-Based Organocatalysts

Organocatalysis is a very useful tool for the asymmetric synthesis of biologically or pharmacologically active compounds because it avoids the use of noxious metals, which are difficult to eliminate from the target products. Moreover, in many cases, the organocatalysed reactions can be performed in benign solvents and do not require anhydrous conditions. It is well-known that most of the above-mentioned reactions are promoted by a simple aminoacid, l-proline, or, to a lesser extent, by the more complex cinchona alkaloids. However, during the past three decades, other enantiopure natural compounds, the carbohydrates, have been employed as organocatalysts. In the present exhaustive review, the detailed preparation of all the sugar-based organocatalysts as well as their catalytic properties are described.

NHC ligand-powered palladium-catalyzed carbonylative C–S bond cleavage of vinyl sulfides: efficient access to tert-butyl arylacrylates

A palladium-catalyzed carbonylative C–S bond activation of divinyl sulfides to synthesize various tert-(E)-butyl arylacrylates under 1 bar of CO has been developed. A series of tert-(E)-butyl acrylates were obtained in moderate to good yields.

Carbocyclization of carbohydrates: diastereoselective synthesis of (+)-gabosine F, (-)-gabosine O, and (+)-4-epi-gabosine O

Exploitation of silica gel/chloramine T mediated intramolecular nitrile oxide-alkene cycloaddition (INOC) of sugar-derived oximes to carbocycles furnished the first synthesis of gabosine F from l-arabinose in 12 steps with 23% overall yield, thereby confirming its absolute configuration. Similarly, efficient syntheses of gabosine O and 4-epi-gabosine O were accomplished from D-mannose in 9 and 11 steps with 41% and 38% overall yields, respectively, involving INOC, regioselective dehydration, and diastereoselective hydrogenation as the key steps.

Chiral ketone and iminium catalysts for olefin epoxidation

Organo-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation has received much attention in the past 30 years and significant progress has been made for various types of olefins. This review will cover the advancement made in the field of chiral ketone and chiral iminium salt-catalyzed epoxidations.

Carbohydrates as Synthetic Tools in Organic Chemistry

While amino acids, terpenes and alkaloids have found broad application as tools in stereoselective organic synthesis, carbohydrates have only lately been recognised as versatile starting materials for chiral auxiliaries, reagents, ligands and organocatalysts. The structural diversity of carbohydrates and the high density of functional groups offer a wide variety of opportunities for derivatization and tailoring of synthetic tools to a specific problem.

A Fascination with 1,2-Diacetals

1,2-Diacetals are readily prepared, rigid structural motifs that provide a wide range of opportunities for applications in natural product assembly. These uses encompass selective 1,2-diol or alpha-hydroxy acid protection, enantiotopic recognition and desymmetrization methods, chiral memory applications, and reactivity control in oligosaccharide synthesis, as well as functioning as templating components, chiral auxiliaries, and building blocks. 1,2-Diacetals are often more stable and lead to products with enhanced crystallinity compared to their five-ring acetonide counterparts. Many 1,2-diacetals have favorable NMR parameters, which facilitate structural assignment, particularly during asymmetric reaction processes.