Synthesis of a Leucomitosane via a Diastereoselective Radical Cascade

Chan-Lam Reaction and Lewis Acid Promoted 1,3-Rearrangement of N-O Bonds to Prepare N-(2-Hydroxyaryl)pyridin-2-ones

We describe the difunctionalization of arylboronic acids to prepare various N-(2-hydroxyaryl)pyridin-2-ones in good yields using N-hydroxypyridin-2-ones as the oxygen and nitrogen sources through a copper(II)-catalyzed Chan-Lam reaction and subsequent BF₃-promoted selective 1,3-rearrangement of N-O bond in a one-pot procedure. Mechanistic studies reveal that the 1,3-rearrangement selectivity is controlled by the formation of the key aryloxypyridinium salt. The obtained products are easily converted to various useful pyridin-2-one scaffolds.

Structural derivatization strategies of natural phenols by semi-synthesis and total-synthesis

Structural derivatization of natural products has been a continuing and irreplaceable source of novel drug leads. Natural phenols are a broad category of natural products with wide pharmacological activity and have offered plenty of clinical drugs. However, the structural complexity and wide variety of natural phenols leads to the difficulty of structural derivatization. Skeleton analysis indicated most types of natural phenols can be structured by the combination and extension of three common fragments containing phenol, phenylpropanoid and benzoyl. Based on these fragments, the derivatization strategies of natural phenols were unified and comprehensively analyzed in this review. In addition to classical methods, advanced strategies with high selectivity, efficiency and practicality were emphasized. Total synthesis strategies of typical fragments such as stilbenes, chalcones and flavonoids were also covered and analyzed as the supplementary for supporting the diversity-oriented derivatization of natural phenols.

Two-Step Azidoalkenylation of Terminal Alkenes Using Iodomethyl Sulfones

The radical azidoalkylation of alkenes that was initially developed with α-iodoesters and α-iodoketones was extended to other activated iodomethyl derivatives. By using iodomethyl aryl sulfones, the preparation of γ-azidosulfones was easily achieved. Facile conversion of these azidosulfones to homoallylic azides using a Julia–Kocienski olefination reaction is reported, making the whole process equivalent to the azidoalkenylation of terminal alkenes.

Iron-Catalyzed Oxyalkylation of Terminal Alkynes with Alkyl Iodides

A general oxyalkylation of terminal alkynes enabled by iron catalysis has been developed. Primary and secondary alkyl iodides acted as the alkylating reagents and afforded a range of α-alkylated ketones under mild reaction conditions. Acetyl tert-butyl peroxide (TBPA) was used as the radical relay precursor, providing the initiated methyl radical to start the radical relay process. Preliminary mechanistic studies were conducted, and late-stage functionalizations of natural product derivatives were performed.

Enantioselective Synthesis of (+)-Mitomycin K by a Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Tandem Cyclization

The mitomycins, a family of bioactive natural products, feature a compact 6/5/5-fused polycyclic ring structure densely decorated with highly reactive and/or fragile quinone, amino ketal, and aziridine as well as carbamate moieties. It is this striking feature that has defeated numerous synthetic attempts towards these apparently small molecules, rendering them one of the most formidable targets for total synthesis. We herein report the first enantioselective synthesis of (+)-mitomycin K, a representative of G series mitomycins. The key step of this synthesis is an enantioselective oxidative cyclization catalyzed by a palladium/(+)-sparteine system that had previously been developed by our group. The robustness of this method bodes well for further applications in the asymmetric total synthesis of natural products, particularly those with characteristic 6/5/5-fused pyrroloindole skeletons.

A sustainable synthesis of 2-aryl-3-carboxylate indolines from N-aryl enamines under visible light irradiation

With visible light irradiation of a catalytic amount of Ir(ppy)₃ at room temperature, a number of N-aryl enamines were transformed into their corresponding indoline products in good to excellent yields without requiring any extra additives.

Rhodium catalyzed diastereoselective synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetrasubstituted indolines from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and ortho-vinylanilines

An efficient diastereoselective rhodium catalyzed synthesis of indolines possessing two contiguous tetrasubstituted carbon centers has been achieved with good to excellent yields using ortho-vinylanilines and iminocarbenes derived from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

An efficient diastereoselective rhodium catalyzed synthesis of indolines possessing two contiguous tetrasubstituted carbon centers has been achieved with good to excellent yields using ortho-vinylanilines and iminocarbenes derived from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles. The reaction affords excellent cis-diastereoselectivity through the initial formation of a N-ylide followed by intramolecular trapping with unactivated alkenes via an ene-type reaction with a well-organized transition state, namely intramolecular carbenylative amination of alkenes. The developed transformation was further extended to the successful synthesis of tricyclic compounds, imidazoindolines, through reduction and hypervalent iodine mediated oxidative cyclization.

Aza-Wittig Rearrangements of N-Benzyl and N-Allyl Glycine Methyl Esters. Discovery of a Surprising Cascade Aza-Wittig Rearrangement/Hydroboration Reaction

Treatment of N-(arylmethyl)-N-aryl or N-allyl-N-aryl glycine methyl ester derivatives with (n)Bu2BOTf and (i)Pr2NEt effects an aza-Wittig rearrangement that provides N-aryl phenylalanine methyl ester derivatives and N-aryl allylglycine methyl ester derivatives, respectively, in good yield with moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Under similar conditions, analogous substrates bearing N-carbonyl groups are converted to 1,4,2-oxazaborole derivatives. Additionally, N-allyl-N-aryl glycine methyl ester derivatives subjected to similar conditions at elevated temperatures undergo an aza-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement, followed by a subsequent hydroboration oxidation reaction, to afford substituted amino alcohol products.