Phosphine-Catalyzed Domino Reaction: Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of trans-2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans from Salicyl N-Thiophosphinyl Imines and Allylic Carbonates

Catalyst-Free Domino Cross-Olefinations and Intramolecular Cyclizations of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates with Sulfur Ylides

A novel strategy for the catalyst-free domino cross-olefination and intramolecular cyclization of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with sulfur ylides has been established, resulting in the synthesis of 1,2-dihydroquinolines with a broad scope, excellent chemoselectivity, and high efficiency. Mechanistic experiments revealed the process of 1,1-dipole cross-olefination and highlighted the assistance of the amino group in achieving successful transformations.

Organocatalytic (1+4)-Annulations of MBH Adducts with Electron-Deficient Systems

Benefited from the rapid development of MBH reaction, the reaction of MBH adducts have been established as the most synthetically useful transformations. However, compared with the well-established allylic alkylations and (3+2)-annulations, the (1+4)-annulations of MBH adducts have not developed rapidly until recently. As a helpful complement to the (3+2)-annulations of MBH adducts, the (1+4)-annulations of MBH adducts opens a robust access to structurally diverse five-membered carbo- and heterocycles. This paper summarizes recent advances in organocatalytic (1+4)-annulations using MBH adducts as 1 C-synthons for the construction of functionalized five-membered carbo- and heterocycles.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Annulation of γ-Substituted Cinnamic Aldehyde-Derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates through Remote Activation

A series of γ-substituted Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates were synthesized and subjected to phosphine-catalyzed annulations with electrophilic exocyclic alkenes, giving various valuable spirocyclopentenes in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities. A large scope of MBH carbonates bearing γ-hydrogen, alkenyl, and alkynyl substituents was well tolerated. The annulation unprecedentedly involves β-, γ-, and δ-carbons of MBH carbonates.

Chemoselective tandem SN2'/SN2''/inter- or intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of γ-vinyl MBH carbonates with phenols and o-hydroxychalcones

An unprecedented consecutive S_N2'/S_N2'' addition of phenol to γ-vinyl MBH carbonate forms a reactive diene intermediate, followed by a dimerization/elimination process to give functionalized exocyclohexenes with excellent chemoselectivity. When using o-hydroxychalcones as pronucleophiles, an S_N2'/S_N2''/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction sequence occurs, selectively producing a series of pharmaceutically intriguing tricyclic chromane derivatives with good diastereoselectivity. The good nucleophilicity and fair nucleofugicity exhibited by phenoxy anion play a pivotal role in the S_N2'' addition step.

Asymmetric synthesis of functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans using salicyl N-phosphonyl imines facilitated by group-assisted purification (GAP) chemistry

In this work, we present a strategy for the preparation of functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives via the Cs₂CO₃-catalyzed domino annulation of enantiopure chiral salicyl N-phosphonyl imines with bromo malonates, which offers an avenue for the construction of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans. Nineteen examples were synthesized in impressive chemical yields and diastereoselectivity. The products were purified simply by washing the crude mixtures with hexanes following group-assisted purification chemistry/technology to bypass traditional separation methods which often result in a loss of product. The absolute configuration was unambiguously assigned by X-ray structural analysis.

DABCO catalyzed [4+2] annulations of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with isocyanates

A highly concise method for 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) catalyzed [4+2] annulations of o-amino-acylation of aryl MBH carbonates with isocyanates has been developed. For the first time, MBH carbonates served as 1,4-dipoles, providing functionalized 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones in mild conditions with good to excellent yields. The density functional theory calculations of the mechanism supports our hypothesis.

Catalyst-Controlled Divergent Intramolecular Cyclizations of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates

Unprecedented catalyst-controlled divergent cyclizations of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates have been established using either Cs₂CO₃ or quinuclidine as the catalyst. 1,2-Dihydroquinolines and 4H-3,1-benzoxazines were efficiently synthesized via S_N2' and S_N2'-S_N2' processes, respectively. DFT calculations have led to a deeper understanding of these reaction modes and chemoselectivity.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Cascade Annulation of MBH Carbonates and Diazenes: Synthesis of Hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazole Derivatives

A phosphine-catalyzed cascade annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates and diazenes was achieved, giving tetrahydropyrazole-fused heterocycles bearing two five-membered rings in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction underwent an unprecedented reaction mode of MBH carbonates, in which two molecules of MBH carbonates were fully merged into the ring system.

Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds through nucleophilic phosphine catalysis

Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is a practical and powerful tool for the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds with the advantages of environmentally friendly, metal-free, and mild reaction conditions. The present report summarizes the construction of four to eight-membered heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms through phosphine-catalyzed intramolecular annulations and intermolecular [2+2], [3+2], [4+1], [3+1+1], [5+1], [4+2], [2+2+2], [3+3], [4+3] and [3+2+3] annulations of electron-deficient alkenes, allenes, alkynes and Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates.

Mild and efficient synthesis of trans-3-aryl-2-nitro-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans on water

A protocol to prepare trans-3-aryl-2-nitro-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans has been developed on water. The protocol avoids the use of toxic solvents, tedious work-up procedures, and chromatographic separation.

Metal-free [3+3] benzannulation of 1-indanylidene-malononitrile with Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates: direct access to functionalized fluorene and fluorenone derivatives

An efficient [3+3] benzannulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with 1-indanylidenemalononitrile was achieved selectively delivering a wide range of functional fluorene or fluorenone compounds in high yields (up to 86% yields).

Organocatalytic diastereoselective [3+2] cyclization of MBH carbonates with dinucleophiles: synthesis of bicyclic imidazoline derivatives that inhibit MDM2–p53 interaction

MBH carbonates were successfully applied to a stereoselective [3+3] annulation with N,C-dinucleophiles for the first time, yielding a collection of pharmacologically interesting bicyclic imidazolines which were found to inhibit MDM2–p53 binding.

Asymmetric synthesis of multifunctional aryl allyl ethers by nucleophilic catalysis

Asymmetric allylic substitution of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates with less-nucleophilic phenols mediated by nucleophilic amine catalysis was successfully developed. A variety of substituted aryl allyl ethers were afforded with moderate to high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The chiral MBH alcohol could be easily accessed from the corresponding aryl allyl ether.

Asymmetric allylic substitution of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates with less-nucleophilic phenols mediated by nucleophilic amine catalysis was successfully developed.

Phosphine Organocatalysis

The hallmark of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is the initial nucleophilic addition of a phosphine to an electrophilic starting material, producing a reactive zwitterionic intermediate, generally under mild conditions. In this Review, we classify nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions in terms of their electrophilic components. In the majority of cases, these electrophiles possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds: alkenes (section 2), allenes (section 3), alkynes (section 4), and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) alcohol derivatives (MBHADs; section 5). Within each of these sections, the reactions are compiled based on the nature of the second starting material-nucleophiles, dinucleophiles, electrophiles, and electrophile-nucleophiles. Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions that occur via the initial addition to starting materials that do not possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds are collated in section 6. Although not catalytic in the phosphine, the formation of ylides through the nucleophilic addition of phosphines to carbon-carbon multiple bond-containing compounds is intimately related to the catalysis and is discussed in section 7. Finally, section 8 compiles miscellaneous topics, including annulations of the Hüisgen zwitterion, phosphine-mediated reductions, iminophosphorane organocatalysis, and catalytic variants of classical phosphine oxide-generating reactions.

Phosphine-mediated enantioselective [1 + 4]-annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with 2-enoylpyridines

This work describes a phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric [1 + 4] annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with 2-enoylpyridines for constructing the enantiomerically enriched 2,3-dihydrofuran motif. In the presence of (−)-1,2-bis[(2R,5R)-2,5-dimethylphospholano]benzene, a series of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates reacted with 2-enoylpyridines smoothly to afford a wide range of optically active 2,3-dihydrofurans featuring pyridine motifs in high yields with excellent asymmetric induction.

This work describes a phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric [1 + 4] annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with 2-enoylpyridines for constructing the enantiomerically enriched 2,3-dihydrofuran motif.

Recent advances in the annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts

In this review, we summarize some of the most recent advances in the construction of cyclic compounds from the annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) adducts, which have demonstrated their importance by possessing diverse functional groups.

A phosphine mediated sequential annulation process of 2-tosylaminochalcones with MBH carbonates to construct functionalized aza-benzobicyclo[4.3.0] derivatives

A novel phosphine mediated sequential annulation process to construct functionalized aza-benzobicyclo[4.3.0] derivatives has been developed involving a one-pot process.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclizations of α-Nitroethylallenoates Forming (Z)-Furanone Oximes

A novel and efficient phosphine-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of α-nitroethylallenic esters is reported. This process appears to be practical for the stereoselective syntheses of (Z)-furan-2(3H)-one oxime derivatives in excellent yields. Mechanistically, the reaction involves a phosphine-catalyzed Michael addition of an alkylideneazinate and rearrangement of the cyclic nitronate to the α-nitrosodihydrofuran.

Construction of pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoindol-8(3aH)-one derivatives via phosphine-catalyzed cyclization of electron-deficient alkynes and N-amino substituted phthalimide

A novel method for the synthesis of diversely functionalized pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoindol-8(3aH)-ones is developed via phosphine-catalyzed reaction of electron-deficient alkynes and N-amino substituted phthalimide.

Phosphine-catalyzed highly enantioselective [3 + 3] cycloaddition of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with C,N-cyclic azomethine imines

The first phosphine-catalyzed highly enantioselective [3 + 3] cycloaddition of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with C,N-cyclic azomethine imines is described. Using a spirocyclic chiral phosphine as the catalyst, a novel class of pharmaceutically interesting 4,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-1H-pyridazino[6,1-a]iso-quinoline derivatives were obtained in high yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities and extremely excellent enantioselectivities (98->99% ee).

Phosphine-catalyzed [4+1] annulation of 2-tosylaminochalcones with allenoates: synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstitued indolines

Phosphine-catalyzed [4+1] annulation of 2-tosylaminochalcones with allenoates has been achieved, giving trans-2,3-disubstitued indolines as major diastereoisomers in moderate to good yields.

Phosphine/palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of functionalized 6H-benzo[c]chromenes

Functionalized alkenyl 6H-benzo[c]chromenes are synthesized through a one-pot, phosphine/palladium sequential catalysis reaction with good stereoselectivity.