Catalyst Control in Sequential Asymmetric Allylic Substitution: Stereodivergent Access to N,N-Diprotected Unnatural Amino Acids

Copper(I) Catalyzed Decarboxylative Synthesis of Diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes

Diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes find widespread applications as building blocks, ligands, and responsive cores in topologically switchable materials. However, current synthetic methods to these structures suffer from low yields or operational disadvantages. Here, we describe a practical three-step approach to diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes using an efficient copper(I) catalyzed double decarboxylation as the key step. The sequence relies on cheap and abundant reagents, is readily performed on scale, and is amenable also to unsymmetrical derivatives that expand the utility of this intriguing class of structures.

Catalyst-controlled doubly enantioconvergent coupling of racemic alkyl nucleophiles and electrophiles

Stereochemical control in the construction of carbon-carbon bonds between an alkyl electrophile and an alkyl nucleophile is a persistent challenge in organic synthesis. Classical substitution reactions via S_N1 and S_N2 pathways are limited in their ability to generate carbon-carbon bonds (inadequate scope, due to side reactions such as rearrangements and eliminations) and to control stereochemistry when beginning with readily available racemic starting materials (racemic products). Here, we report a chiral nickel catalyst that couples racemic electrophiles (propargylic halides) with racemic nucleophiles (β-zincated amides) to form carbon-carbon bonds in doubly stereoconvergent processes, affording a single stereoisomer of the product from two stereochemical mixtures of reactants.

A Regio- and Stereodivergent Synthesis of Homoallylic Amines by a One-Pot Cooperative-Catalysis-Based Allylic Alkylation/Hofmann Rearrangement Strategy

Herein, we report a modular synthetic route to linear and branched homoallylic amines that operates through a sequential one-pot Lewis base/transition-metal catalyzed allylic alkylation/Hofmann rearrangement strategy. This protocol is operationally trivial, proceeds from simple and easily prepared substrates and catalysts, and enables all aspects of regio- and stereoselectivity to be controlled through a conserved experimental protocol. Overall, the high levels of enantio-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity obtained, in concert with the ability to access orthogonally protected or free amines, render this a straightforward and effective approach for the preparation of useful enantioenriched homoallylic amines. We have also demonstrated the utility of the products in the context of pharmaceutical synthesis.

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Reactions

In this review, we summarize the origin and advancements of iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions during the past two decades. Since the first report in 1997, Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions have attracted intense attention due to their exceptionally high regio- and enantioselectivities. Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions have been significantly developed in recent years in many respects, including ligand development, mechanistic understanding, substrate scope, and application in the synthesis of complex functional molecules. In this review, an explicit outline of ligands, mechanism, scope of nucleophiles, and applications is presented.

CapturePhos – A phosphorus-rich polymer as a homogeneous catalyst scavenger

Homogeneous catalysts are efficiently removed from solution by an insoluble phosphorus-rich polymer network.

Iterative catalyst controlled diastereodivergent synthesis of polypropionates

Polypropionates are synthesized using a combination of a copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation, ruthenium-catalyzed cross-metathesis and iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic etherification.

A convergent rhodium-catalysed asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines

Rh-catalysed conjugate additions of 2-aminophenyl boronic acid derivatives were exploited in diastereoselective and asymmetric syntheses of tetrahydroquinolines. In both cases, combinatorial variation of the substitution of the tetrahydroquinoline ring system was possible.

Enantioselective functionalization of indoles and pyrroles via an in situ-formed spiro intermediate

Herein we report a highly enantioselective synthesis of polycyclic indoles and pyrroles with up to 99% ee by an iridium catalyst system consisting of a commercially available iridium precursor and a readily accessible ligand. Investigation of the reaction mechanism led to the discovery of an unprecedented dearomatized spiro intermediate and its in situ migration phenomenon. The new reaction mode features switching of the substituent from the indole C-3 position to the C-2 position (from the C-2 position to the C-3 position in the case of pyrrole) without loss of the enantiomeric purity, providing a novel concept in designing the asymmetric construction of enantiopure polycyclic indoles and pyrroles.

Recent advances and applications of iridium-catalysed asymmetric allylic substitution

Since their discovery in 1997, iridium-catalysed asymmetric allylic substitutions have been developed into a broadly applicable tool for the synthesis of chiral building blocks via C-C and C-heteroatom bond formation. The remarkable generality of these reactions and the high levels of regio- and enantioselectivity that are usually obtained in favour of the branched products have been made possible by a thorough investigation of the catalyst system and its mode of action. Therefore, today the Ir-catalysed asymmetric allylic substitution is a powerful reaction in the organic chemist's repertoire and has been used extensively for several applications. This article aims to provide an overview of the development of iridium catalysts derived from an Ir salt and a chiral phosphoramidite and their application to the enantioselective synthesis of natural products and biologically relevant compounds.