Asymmetric Organocatalytic Cascade Reaction of Aldehydes with 2-Amino-β-nitrostyrenes: Synthesis of Chiral Tetrahydroquinolines and Dihydroquinolines

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Polycyclic Benzosultams from 2-Amino-β-nitrostyrenes with Cyclic N-Sulfonyl Ketimines

A highly efficient enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-amino-β-nitrostyrenes with cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines has been developed. This reaction utilizes an organocatalytic approach, employing a multiple-hydrogen-bonding bifunctional squaramide-based catalyst. The process allows for the precise synthesis of chiral polycyclic benzosultams, showcasing intricate structures that incorporate chiral quaternary centers. Noteworthy outcomes of this method include high yields with excellent enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivities (up to 97% yield, 96% ee, and >20:1 dr).

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Finerenone Using Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

(−)‐Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes. It contains an unusual dihydronaphthyridine core. We report a 6‐step synthesis of (−)‐finerenone, which features an enantioselective partial transfer hydrogenation of a naphthyridine using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst with a Hantzsch ester. The process is complicated by the fact that the naphthyridine exists as a mixture of two atropisomers that react at different rates and with different selectivities. The intrinsic kinetic resolution was converted into a kinetic dynamic resolution at elevated temperature, which enabled us to obtain (−)‐finerenone in both high yield and high enantioselectivity. DFT calculations have revealed the origin of selectivity.

Enantioselective Synthesis of 4-Cyanotetrahydroquinolines via Ni-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of 1,2-Dihydroquinolines

A Ni-catalyzed asymmetric hydrocyanation that enables the formation of 4-cyanotetrahydroquinolines in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities is presented herein. A variety of functional groups are well-tolerated, and a gram-scale reaction supports the synthetic potential of the transformation. Additionally, several crucial intermediates for pharmaceutically active agents, including a PGD2 receptor antagonist, are now accessible through asymmetric synthesis using this new protocol.

Enantioselective Synthesis of 4-Allyl Tetrahydroquinolines via Copper(I) Hydride-Catalyzed Hydroallylation of 1,2-Dihydroquinolines

CuCl/(R,R)-Ph-BPE-catalyzed asymmetric hydroallylation of 1,2-dihydroquinolines, prepared from readily available quinolines, was developed. The optically active tetrahydroquinolines (THQs) bearing an allylic functionality at position 4 were obtained in good yields and excellent enantioselectivity. The introduced allylic groups are amenable to diverse transformations, thus offering chances to rapidly expand the THQ libraries.

Progress in the Chemistry of Tetrahydroquinolines

Tetrahydroquinoline is one of the most important simple nitrogen heterocycles, being widespread in nature and present in a broad variety of pharmacologically active compounds. This Review summarizes the progress achieved in the chemistry of tetrahydroquinolines, with emphasis on their synthesis, during the period from mid-2010 to early 2018.

Carrying pieces of information in organocatalytic bytes: Semiopoiesis-A new theory of life and its origins

Living beings have been classically described as autopoietic machines: chemical systems, which maintain a reproducible steady state by producing their components and boundaries. On the other hand, very simple autopoietic micelles have been produced in laboratory. They consist in micelles able to catalyse the production of their own surfactants. However is very clear that these autopoietic systems are unable to evolve. In this way, these autopoietic micelles cannot be associated to living organisms, which are always linked by evolutionary relationships. Here I claim that living beings are a class of autopoietic systems able to conserve molecular information, a feature denoted by the term semiopoiesis. By defining the molecular information of their products, semiopoietic systems control their interaction with the medium and, by being able to convey molecular information beneficial to the maintenance of the organization to their offspring, semiopoietic systems can evolve by natural selection. Information can be described as a specific state or order assumed among a set of other possible states or orders. Thus, molecular information is the specific order by which the molecular components are ordered, such as the sequence of nucleotides in nucleic acids or of amino acids in proteins. However, molecular information is not limited to copolymers. The atoms in small organic compounds may also present diverse orders, giving rise to isomers. Different isomers can present very distinct chemical and physical properties such that the biophysical-chemical properties of an organic compound are determined by its composition and molecular information i.e. the specific positions in which their atoms are posited. This molecular information can be conserved during reactions catalysed by selective organocatalysts. In this way, organocatalysts appear as plausible candidates to primitive hosts for the genetic information, before the emergence of systems based in biopolymers. The bases of a putative organocatalysts-based evolution are discussed. Finally, I argue that organocatalytic micelles can be designed to produce programmable materials, artificial photosynthesis, self-building materials and artificial life with relevant industrial impact.

Brønsted acid-catalyzed, enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylates via in situ generated ortho-quinone methide imines

A straightforward approach toward the synthesis of a broad range of 1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylates is described. Under phosphoric acid catalysis in situ-generated ortho-quinone methide imines reacted with β-keto esters to form the nitrogen heterocycles with good chemical yields and enantioselectivities.

Asymmetric synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indolines via an organocatalytic intramolecular Michael addition

An asymmetric synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indolines has been developed via an organocatalytic intramolecular Michael addition.

Rawal's catalyst as an effective stimulant for the highly asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters to functionally rich nitro-olefins

A general approach to the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted dihydroquinolines was achieved through neighboring ortho-amino group engaged sequential Michael/amination/dehydration reactions.

Enantioselective synthesis of functionalized 3,4-disubstituted dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones via Michael–hemiaminalization/oxidation reaction

A new method is developed for the enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized 3,4-disubstituted dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones bearing two trans contiguous stereogenic centers.