Rh(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,2-Addition to α-Diketones with Chiral Sulfur–Alkene Hybrid Ligands

Transition-metal-catalyzed atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral styrenes

Axially chiral styrenes, a type of atropisomer analogous to biaryls, have attracted great interest because of their unique presence in natural products and asymmetric catalysis. Since 2016, a number of methodologies have been developed for the atroposelective construction of these chiral skeletons, involving both transition metal catalysis and organocatalysis. In this feature article, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of recent advances in the asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral styrenes catalyzed by transition metals, integrating scattered work with different catalytic systems together. This feature article is cataloged into five sections according to the strategies, including asymmetric coupling, enantioselective C-H activation, central-to-axial chirality transfer, asymmetric alkyne functionalization, and atroposelective [2+2+2] cycloaddition.

Dirhodium(II)/Phosphine Catalyst with Chiral Environment at Bridging Site and Its Application in Enantioselective Atropisomer Synthesis

A dirhodium(II)/phosphine catalyst with a chiral environment at the bridging site was developed for the asymmetric arylation of phenanthrene-9,10-diones with arylboronic acids. In contrast to the classic chiral bridging carboxylic acid (or derivatives) ligand strategy of bimetallic dirhodium(II) catalysis, in this reaction, tuning both axial and bridging ligands realized the first Rh₂(OAc)₄/phosphine-catalyzed highly enantioselective carbonyl addition reaction. The kinetic analysis reveals that dirhodium(II) and arylboronic acid follow the first-order kinetics, while phenanthrene-9,10-dione is zeroth-order. These data supported the proposed catalytic cycle, where the key intermediate in the rate-determining step involved the dirhodium(II) complex and arylboronic acid. Finally, axially chiral biaryls were prepared based on a newly developed oxidative ring-opening reaction of α-hydroxyl ketones with a base and molecular oxygen, which featured a central-to-axial chirality transfer radical β-scission step.

Recent Advances in Alkenyl sp2 C-H and C-F Bond Functionalizations: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Alkenes and their derivatives are featured widely in a variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Significant efforts have been made toward the development of new and practical methods to access this important class of compounds by selectively activating the alkenyl C(sp²)-H bonds in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we describe the state-of-the-art strategies for the direct functionalization of alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bonds until June 2022. Moreover, metal-free, photoredox, and electrochemical strategies are also covered. For clarity, this review has been divided into two parts; the first part focuses on currently available alkenyl sp² C-H functionalization methods using different alkene derivatives as the starting materials, and the second part describes the alkenyl sp² C-F bond functionalization using easily accessible gem-difluoroalkenes as the starting material. This review includes the scope, limitations, mechanistic studies, stereoselective control (using directing groups as well as metal-migration strategies), and their applications to complex molecule synthesis where appropriate. Overall, this comprehensive review aims to document the considerable advancements, current status, and emerging work by critically summarizing the contributions of researchers working in this fascinating area and is expected to stimulate novel, innovative, and broadly applicable strategies for alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bond functionalizations in the coming years.

Ru-Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Aliphatic Aldehydes via P-Chiral Monophosphorous Ligands

Chiral alcohols are among the most widely applied in fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Herein, the Ru-monophosphine catalyst formed in situ was found to promote an enantioselective addition of aliphatic aldehydes with arylboronic acids, delivering the chiral alcohols in excellent yields and enantioselectivities and exhibiting a broad scope of aliphatic aldehydes and arylboronic acids. The enantioselectivities are highly dependent on the monophosphorous ligands. The utility of this asymmetric synthetic method was showcased by a large-scale transformation.

Atroposelective Synthesis of Conjugated Diene-Based Axially Chiral Styrenes via Pd(II)-Catalyzed Thioether-Directed Alkenyl C-H Olefination

The efficient stereoselective synthesis of conjugated dienes, especially those with axial chirality, remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the highly atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral styrenes with a conjugated 1,3-diene scaffold via a Pd(II)-catalyzed thioether-directed alkenyl C-H olefination strategy. This strategy features easy operation, mild reaction conditions, high functional group tolerance (69 examples), complete Z-selectivity, and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). Notably, the highly enantioselective synthesis of atropisomers with two stereogenic axes were also achieved using this strategy (up to 99% ee and 97:3 dr). Moreover, the reaction could be scaled up, and the resulting axially chiral styrenes could be easily oxidized into chiral sulfoxide derivatives with high diastereoselectivities, which showed great promise as a new type of sulfur-olefin ligand.

Cu(i)-Catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular addition of aryl pinacolboronic esters to unactivated ketones: enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-ol derivatives

An (S,S)-QuinoxP*-supported Cu(i) catalyst has been disclosed for highly enantioselective intramolecular addition of aryl pinacolboronic esters to unactivated ketones under mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Binaphthyl Supported Dihydro[1,6]diazecines

A short approach to chiral diaza-olefines from protected 2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl is presented. Cis- and trans-olefines can be selectively obtained by twofold N-allylation followed by RCM or by bridging a 2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl precursor with trans-1,4-dibromo-2-butene. Deprotection afforded cis- and trans-dihydro[1,6]diazecines 1 in 58 and 64% overall yield. The reactivity of the but-2-ene-1,4-diyl fragment was investigated yielding corresponding epoxides, diols, and mono- and dibromo products. In several cases rearrangements and participation of the proximate N-Boc group was observed. In no case could allylic substitution be accomplished. From 13 compounds X-ray structure analyses could be obtained.

Enantioselective synthesis of gem-diarylalkanes by transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric arylations (TMCAAr)

To date, enantiomerically enriched molecules containing gem(1,1)-diaryl containing tertiary or quaternary stereogenic centers have been readily accessed by transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective or stereoconvergent aryl transfer reactions.

Chiral gem(1,1)-diaryl containing tertiary or quaternary stereogenic centers are present in many natural products and important pharmacophores. While numerous catalytic asymmetric methods enable access to 1,1-diaryl motifs, transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric arylations (TMCAAr) are one of the most powerful methods to prepare enantiopure gem-diarylalkane compounds. The main methodology includes enantioselective 1,2- or 1,4-additions across C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> O, C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> N and C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C bonds by arylmetallic reagents; aryl cross-couplings of olefins, benzylic (pseudo)halides and aziridines; asymmetric aryl substitution reactions of allylic substrates; and isotopic benzylic C–H arylation.

Rh-Catalyzed arylation of fluorinated ketones with arylboronic acids

The Rh-catalyzed arylation of fluorinated ketones with boronic acids is reported. This efficient process allows access to fluorinated alcohols in high yields under mild conditions. Competition experiments suggest that difluoromethyl ketones are more reactive than trifluoromethyl ketones in this process, despite their decreased electronic activation, an effect we postulate to be steric in origin.

Enantioselective direct vinylogous aldol-cyclization cascade reaction between β,γ-unsaturated amides and o-quinones

The first enantioselective vinylogous reaction with 1,2-dikeones as aldol donors has been developed to provide chiral spirocyclic dihydropyranones.

The emergence of sulfoxides as efficient ligands in transition metal catalysis

Sulfoxides are capable of forming stable complexes with transition metals and there have been many comprehensive studies into their binding properties. However, the use of sulfoxides, particularly chiral sulfoxides, as ligands in transition metal catalysis is rather less well developed. This review aims to describe these catalytic studies and covers new developments that are showing very promising results and that have led to a renewed interest in this field.

Simple sulfur–olefins as new promising chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Recent progress on exploring sulfur-containing hybrid olefins as new elegant ligands for enantioselective catalytic processes is surveyed.

Cinchonidine thiourea catalyzed asymmetric addition of phenols to oxindole derivatives

A highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction of phenols with isatin derivatives catalyzed by Cinchona-derived thiourea provides biologically important 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles in good to excellent yield with enantioselectivity up to 92% ee.

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations of 3-substituted indoles using chiral P/olefin ligands

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 3-substituted indoles using P/olefin ligands was successfully achieved to afford a variety of indolenines containing a quaternary carbon stereocenter in high yields with up to 87% ee. Significantly, this reaction provides a concise access to a stereoisomer of the natural product Angelicastigmin.

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective 1,2-addition of arylboronic acids to heteroaryl α-ketoesters for synthesis of heteroaromatic α-hydroxy esters

The first example of catalytic asymmetric 1,2-addition of arylboronic acids to heteroaryl α-ketoesters has been developed for the highly efficient and enantioselective synthesis of quaternary carbon-containing heteroaromatic α-hydroxy esters. The reaction works well with a variety of α-ketoesters including 3-indoleglyoxylates, 3-benzofuranglyoxylates and 3-benzothiopheneglyoxylates under very mild conditions, affording the corresponding products in moderate to good yields with high enantiomeric excesses (up to 97%).