Synthesis of functionalized allenamides from ynamides by enolate Claisen rearrangement

Mechanistic Analysis Reveals Key Role of Interchalcogen Multicatalysis in Photo-Aerobic 3-Pyrroline Syntheses by Aza-Wacker Cyclizations

A light-driven dual and ternary catalytic aza-Wacker protocol for the construction of 3-pyrrolines by partially disulfide-assisted selenium-π-acid multicatalysis is reported. A structurally diverse array of sulfonamides possessing homopolar mono-, di- and trisubstituted olefinic double bonds is selectively converted to the corresponding 3-pyrrolines in up to 95 % isolated yield and with good functional group tolerance. Advanced electrochemical mechanistic investigations of the protocol suggest a dual role of the disulfide co-catalyst. On the one hand, the disulfide serves as an electron hole shuttle between the excited photoredox catalyst and the selenium co-catalyst. On the other hand, the sulfur species engages in the final, product releasing step of the catalytic cycle by accelerating the β-elimination of the selenium moiety, which was found in many cases to lead to considerably improved product yields.

Asymmetric synthesis with ynamides: unique reaction control, chemical diversity and applications

Ynamides are among the most powerful building blocks in organic synthesis and have become invaluable starting materials for the construction of multifunctional compounds and challenging architectures that would be difficult to prepare otherwise. The rapidly growing popularity originates from the unique reactivity and ease of manipulation of the polarized ynamide triple bond, the advance of practical methods for making them, and the simplicity of storage and handling. These attractive features and the demonstration of numerous synthetic applications have spurred the development of intriguing asymmetric reaction strategies during the last decade. An impressive variety of chemo-, regio- and stereoselective carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions with ynamides have been developed and now significantly enrich the toolbox of synthetic chemists. This review provides a comprehensive overview of asymmetric ynamide chemistry since 2010 with a focus on the general scope, current limitations, stereochemical reaction control and mechanistic aspects.

Reactions of Allylmagnesium Reagents with Carbonyl Compounds and Compounds with C═N Double Bonds: Their Diastereoselectivities Generally Cannot Be Analyzed Using the Felkin-Anh and Chelation-Control Models

This review describes the additions of allylmagnesium reagents to carbonyl compounds and to imines, focusing on the differences in reactivity between allylmagnesium halides and other Grignard reagents. In many cases, allylmagnesium reagents either react with low stereoselectivity when other Grignard reagents react with high selectivity, or allylmagnesium reagents react with the opposite stereoselectivity. This review collects hundreds of examples, discusses the origins of stereoselectivities or the lack of stereoselectivity, and evaluates why selectivity may not occur and when it will likely occur.

Metal-mediated synthesis of pyrrolines

The five-membered, nitrogen-containing pyrroline ring is a privileged structure. This ring is present in many bioactive compounds from natural sources. Pyrrolines-the dihydro derivatives of pyrroles-have three structural isomer classes, depending on the location of the double bond: 1-pyrrolines (3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrroles), 2-pyrrolines (2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles) and 3-pyrrolines (2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles). This review aims to describe the latest advances for the synthesis of pyrrolines by transition metal-catalyzed cyclizations. Only reactions in which the pyrroline ring is formed by metal promotion are described. Transformations of the pyrroline ring in other heterocycles, and the structural manipulations of the pyrroline itself are not discussed. The review is organized into three parts, each covering the metal-mediated synthesis of the three pyrroline isomers. Each part is subdivided according to the metal involved, and concludes with a brief description of notable biological activities within the class.

Divergent Synthesis of Allenylsulfonamide and Enaminonesulfonamide via In(III)-Catalyzed Couplings of Propargylamine and N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide

An In(III)-catalyzed facile and controllable method for the synthesis of allenylsulfonamide and enaminonesulfonamide has been achieved by the reaction between propargylamine and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) under mild conditions. The present protocol is also applicable to the synthesis of tetrasubstituted allenylsulfonamide from triphenyl propargylalcohol. Experimental results suggest that the reaction probably proceeds through the ionic pathway.

Synthesis of 3-Amino-1-benzothiophene-1,1-diones by Alkyne Directed Hydroarylation and 1/N→3/C-Sulfonyl Migration

A completely regioselective and highly stereoselective palladium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of arenesulfonyl ynamines to benzothiazoles was developed. The presence of an electron-withdrawing group on the triple bond of the sulfonyl ynamine was crucial for the success of the reaction and our mechanistic studies suggest an alkyne-directed 5-exo-dig cyclization pathway. The products easily underwent photoinduced rearrangement to 3-amino-1-benzothiophene-1,1-diones (up to 35 % yields after two steps).

Catalytic [1,3] O-to-C Rearrangement: Rapid Access to Bridged Bicyclic Systems

A catalytic [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement from enyne-ethers was developed for the rapid synthesis of diverse bridged bicyclic systems. In this reaction, a vinyl oxonium intermediate, generated in situ from enyne-ether, was the precursor for the [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement. This versatile protocol represents the first example of catalytic [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement based on ring-expansion strategy, enabling efficient access to bridged bicyclic scaffolds.

A Simple Procedure for the Synthesis of β-Hydroxyallenamides via Homoallenylation of Aldehydes

A simple one-pot synthesis of β-hydroxyallenamides is reported. This procedure entails chemo- and regioselective hydroboration of 3-en-1-ynyl-sulfonylamides with Cy₂BH followed by homoallenylation of aldehydes to yield β-hydroxyallenamides (up to 94% yield and >20:1 dr). Controlled synthesis of up to three continuous stereochemical elements was realized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest a concerted Zimmerman-Traxler chair-like transition state. Initial results suggest that enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of β-hydroxyallenamides with optically active hydroboration reagents is viable.

Rapid Asymmetric Synthesis of Disubstituted Allenes by Coupling of Flow-Generated Diazo Compounds and Propargylated Amines

We report herein the asymmetric coupling of flow‐generated unstabilized diazo compounds and propargylated amine derivatives, using a new pyridinebis(imidazoline) ligand, a copper catalyst and base. The reaction proceeds rapidly, generating chiral allenes in 10–20 minutes with high enantioselectivity (89–98 % de/ee), moderate yields and a wide functional group tolerance.

Silver-catalysed tandem hydroamination and cyclization of 2-trifluoromethyl-1,3-enynes with primary amines: modular entry to 4-trifluoromethyl-3-pyrrolines

A highly efficient AgNO₃-catalyzed tandem intermolecular hydroamination and cyclization reaction of 2-trifluoromethyl-1,3-enynes with primary amines leading to 4-trifluoromethyl-3-pyrrolines under mild conditions was developed.

TfOH-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of ynamides with two discrete nitriles: synthesis of 4-aminopyrimidine derivatives

In this study, a concise and atom-economical TfOH-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with two discrete nitriles is developed to synthesize multi-substituted 4-aminopyrimidine.

Regioselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Imidazoles via the Sequential Reaction of Allenyl Sulfonamides and Amines

A novel synthesis of imidazoles from electron-withdrawing group-substituted allenyl sulfonamides with amines was developed. The 4- and 5-functionalized imidazoles were constructed regioselectively, which depended on the substituents on the nitrogen atoms.

Preparation of (Z)-α,β-disubstituted enamides via palladium-catalyzed addition of boronic acids to ynamides

A Pd-catalyzed, highly regio- and stereoselective addition of boronic acids to ynamides has been realized. This protocol generates (Z)-α,β-disubstituted enamides in high yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity under the mild reaction conditions, thereby providing a good complementary method for the diverse synthesis of multifunctional enamides. A wide collection of functional groups are found to be tolerated. It represents a straightforward and useful means to assemble stereodefined enamides from readily available starting materials.

Ynamides in ring forming transformations

The ynamide functional group activates carbon-carbontriple bonds through an attached nitrogen atom that bears an electron-withdrawing group. As a result, the alkyne has both electrophilic and nucleophilic properties. Through the selection of the electron-withdrawing group attached to nitrogen, chemists can modulate the electronic properties and reactivity of ynamides, making these groups versatile synthetic building blocks. The reactions of ynamides also lead directly to nitrogen-containing products, which provides access to important structural motifs found in natural products and molecules of medicinal interest. Therefore, researchers have invested increasing time and research in the chemistry of ynamides in recent years. This Account surveys and assesses new organic transforma-tions involving ynamides developed in our laboratory and in others around the world. We showcase the synthetic power of ynamides for rapid assembly of complex molecular structures. Among the recent reports of ynamide transformations, ring-forming reactions provide a powerful tool for generating molecular complexity quickly. In addition to their synthetic utility, such reactions are mechanistically interesting. Therefore, we focus primarily on the cyclization chemistry of ynamides. This Account highlights ynamide reactions that are useful in the rapid synthesis of cyclic and polycyclic structural manifolds. We discuss the mechanisms active in the ring formations and describe representative examples that demonstrate the scope of these reactions and provide mechanistic insights. In this discussion, we feature examples of ynamide reactions involving radical cyclizations, ring-closing metathesis, transition metal and non-transition metal mediated cyclizations, cycloaddition reactions, and rearrangements. The transformations presented rapidly introduce structural complexity and include nitrogen within or in close proximity to a newly formed ring (or rings). Thus, ynamides have emerged as powerful synthons for nitrogen-containing heterocycles and nitrogen-substituted rings, and we hope this Account will promote continued interest in the chemistry of ynamides.

An unprecedented Pd-catalyzed trans-addition of boronic acids to ynamides

An unusual Pd-catalyzed trans-addition of boronic acids to ynamides has been realized in this paper, providing α,β-disubstituted enamides in good yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity.

Selective synthesis of 4-(sulfonyl)-methyl-1H-pyrazoles and (E)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles from N-allenic sulfonylhydrazones

Selective synthesis of 4-(sulfonyl)-methyl-1H-pyrazoles and (E)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles from N-allenic sulfonylhydrazones with sulfonyl group migrations has been developed.

SYNTHESIS OF DE NOVO CHIRAL γ-AMINO-YNAMIDES USING LITHIATED YNAMIDES. OBSERVATION OF A UNIQUE 5-ENDO-DIG CYCLIZATION WITH AN INVERSION OF S-CENTER

We describe herein details of our efforts in developing a highly stereoselective synthesis of de novo chiral γ-amino-ynamides through additions of lithiated ynamides to Ellman-Davis chiral N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines. While additions of ynamides could be highly stereoselective even without Lewis acids, the use of BF3-OEt2 completely reversed the stereoselectivity. On the other hand, additions of oxazolidinone-substituted, oxazinanone-substituted and tetrahydropyrimidinone-substituted ynamides behaved quite differently and functioned better with BF3-OEt2. The chirality of the oxazolidinone ring exerts no impact on the selectivity. This work also features a unique 5-endo-dig cyclization of oxazolidinone-substituted γ-amino-ynamides that could be promoted with acid, leading to isothiazoles and 2,3-dihydro-isothiazole S-oxides.

A Convenient Synthesis of γ-Amino-Ynamides via Additions of Lithiated Ynamides to Aryl Imines. Observation of an Aza-Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement

Efforts in developing an expeditious and convenient method for synthesizing γ-amino-ynamides via nucleophilic addition of lithiated ynamides to aryl imines are described. This work also features an aza-variant of a Meyer-Schuster rearrangement of γ-amino-ynamides and the synthetic utility of γ-amino-ynamides in an intramolecular ketenimine-[2 + 2] cycloaddition.

Synthesis of cyclopentenimines from N-allyl ynamides via a tandem aza-Claisen rearrangement-carbocyclization sequence

We describe here details of our investigations into Pd-catalyzed and thermal aza-Claisen-carbocyclizations of N-allyl ynamides to prepare a variety of α,β-unsaturated cyclopentenimines. The nature of the ynamide electron-withdrawing group and β-substituent plays critical roles in the success of this tandem cascade. With N-sulfonyl ynamides, the use of palladium catalysis is required, as facile 1,3-sulfonyl shifts dominate under thermal conditions. However, since no analogous 1,3-phosphoryl shift is operational, N-phosphoryl ynamides could be used to prepare similar cyclopentenimines under thermal conditions through zwitter ionic intermediates that undergo N-promoted H-shifts. Alternatively, by employing ynamides bearing tethered carbon nucleophiles, the zwitter ionic intermediates could be intercepted, giving rise rapidly to more complex fused bi- and tricyclic scaffolds.

A highly stereoselective addition of lithiated ynamides to Ellman-Davis chiral N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines

A highly diastereoselective addition of lithiated ynamides to Ellman-Davis chiral imines is described. While additions of N-sulfonyl ynamides are highly stereoselective even without Lewis acids, the use of BF3-OEt2 completely reversed the stereoselectivity. In addition, oxazolidinone-substituted ynamides behaved differently and functioned better with BF3-OEt2, and the chirality of the oxazolidinone ring exerts no impact on the selectivity.