Telescoped Synthesis of Stereodefined Pyrrolidines

Isothiourea-Catalyzed Enantioselective Functionalisation of Glycine Schiff Base Aryl Esters via 1,6- and 1,4-Additions

The enantioselective α-functionalisation of glycine Schiff base aryl esters through isothiourea catalysis is successfully demonstrated for 1,6-additions to para-quinone methides (21 examples, up to 95:5 dr and 96:4 er) and 1,4-additions to methylene substituted dicarbonyl or disulfonyl Michael acceptors (17 examples, up to 98:2 er). This nucleophilic organocatalysis approach gives access to a range of α-functionalised α-amino acid derivatives and further transformations of the activated aryl ester group provide a straightforward entry to advanced amino acid-based esters, amides or thioesters.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines via the addition of C(1)-ammonium enolates to pyridinium salts

The regio- and stereoselective addition of C(1)-ammonium enolates - generated in situ from aryl esters and the isothiourea catalyst (R)-BTM - to pyridinium salts bearing an electron withdrawing substituent in the 3-position allows the synthesis of a range of enantioenriched 1,4-dihydropyridines. This represents the first organocatalytic approach to pyridine dearomatisation using pronucleophiles at the carboxylic acid oxidation level. Optimisation studies revealed a significant solvent dependency upon product enantioselectivity, with only toluene providing significant asymmetric induction. Using DABCO as a base also proved beneficial for product enantioselectivity, while investigations into the nature of the counterion showed that co-ordinating bromide or chloride substrates led to higher product er than the corresponding tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate. The scope and limitations of this process are developed, with enantioselective addition to 3-cyano- or 3-sulfonylpyridinium salts giving the corresponding 1,4-dihydropyridines (15 examples, up to 95 : 5 dr and 98 : 2 er).

Generation and Reactivity of C(1)-Ammonium Enolates by Using Isothiourea Catalysis

C(1)-Ammonium enolates are powerful, catalytically generated synthetic intermediates applied in the enantioselective α-functionalisation of carboxylic acid derivatives. This minireview describes the recent developments in the generation and application of C(1)-ammonium enolates from various precursors (carboxylic acids, anhydrides, acyl imidazoles, aryl esters, α-diazoketones, alkyl halides) using isothiourea Lewis base organocatalysts. Their synthetic utility in intra- and intermolecular enantioselective C-C and C-X bond forming processes on reaction with various electrophiles will be showcased utilising two distinct catalyst turnover approaches.

Tandem sequential catalytic enantioselective synthesis of highly-functionalised tetrahydroindolizine derivatives

An isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective synthesis of novel tetrahydroindolizine derivatives is reported through a one-pot tandem sequential process. The application of 2-(pyrrol-1-yl)acetic acid in combination with either a trifluoromethyl enone or an α-keto-β,γ-unsaturated ester in an enantioselective Michael addition–lactonisation process, followed by in situ ring-opening and cyclisation, led to a range of 24 tetrahydroindolizine derivatives containing three stereocentres in up to >95 : 5 dr and >99 : 1 er.

The isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydroindolizine derivatives containing three stereocentres is reported through a one-pot tandem sequential process.

Base-free Enantioselective C(1)-Ammonium Enolate Catalysis Exploiting Aryloxides: A Synthetic and Mechanistic Study

An isothiourea-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of aryl ester pronucleophiles to vinyl bis-sulfones via C(1)-ammonium enolate intermediates has been developed. This operationally simple method allows the base-free functionalization of aryl esters to form α-functionalized products containing two contiguous tertiary stereogenic centres in excellent yield and stereoselectivity (all ≥99:1 er). Key to the success of this methodology is the multifunctional role of the aryloxide, which operates as a leaving group, Brønsted base, Brønsted acid and Lewis base within the catalytic cycle. Comprehensive mechanistic studies, including variable time normalization analysis (VTNA) and isotopologue competition experiments, have been carried out. These studies have identified (i) orders of all reactants; (ii) a turnover-limiting Michael addition step, (iii) product inhibition, (iv) the catalyst resting state and (v) catalyst deactivation through protonation.

Evaluating aryl esters as bench-stable C(1)-ammonium enolate precursors in catalytic, enantioselective Michael addition–lactonisations

An evaluation of a range of aryl, alkyl and vinyl esters as prospective C(1)-ammonium enolate precursors in enantioselective Michael addition–lactonisation processes with (E)-trifluoromethylenones using isothiourea catalysis is reported.

Anti-addition of Dimethylsulfoxonium Methylide to Acyclic α,β-Unsaturated Ketones and Its Application in Formal Synthesis of an Eicosanoid

Cyclopropanation using dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (Corey-Chaykovsky reaction) was examined with a series of linear α,β-unsaturated ketones, and the results showed that the major trajectory for the addition of the sulfur ylide to the enones is anti, related to the γ-substituent. The stereochemical assignment for the generated cyclopropanes was achieved by X-ray crystallography or comparing with the reported spectroscopic data. We found that the diastereoselectivity was influenced by several factors, including the protecting groups, solvents, and temperatures, and good anti/syn ratios (>10:1) were often obtained using the tert-butyldimethylsilyl and tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-protected substrates. The method was applied to a formal synthesis of a natural eicosanoid with good efficiency.

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of β-Vinyl Ketone/Ester Functionalized AzaBODIPYs from FormylazaBODIPYs

Postfunctionalization of azaBODIPY (the BF₂ complex of azadipyrromethene) is highly desirable due to the strong tunable absorption bands at wavelengths above 650 nm and the wide-ranging applications of this class of dyes in biomedicine and materials science. Currently available postfunctionalization methods for this class of dyes have been limited to the Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions on β-halogenated (brominated or iodinated) azaBODIPY platforms. In this work, we report a new strategy for the facile postfunctionalization of the azaBODIPY chromophore with various vinyl ketone and vinyl esters based on a Wittig reaction on our previously developed β-formylazaBODIPYs and our recently developed β-bromo-β'-formylazaBODIPYs. Our strategy uses easily accessible starting materials and mild reaction conditions. It is highly compatible with various common phosphonium ylides (aliphatic, aromatic, and ester substituted ones). These resultant bromo-containing β-vinyl ketone/ester functionalized azaBODIPYs are potential photosensitizers and can be further functionalized via coupling reactions. The ester groups on some of these resultant azaBODIPYs can be further hydrolyzed to achieve the desired water solubility and conjugate with the biomolecule and solid surface.

β-Functionalization of Indolin-2-one-Derived Aliphatic Acids for the Divergent Synthesis of Spirooxindole γ-Butyrolactones

β-Functionalization of indolin-2-one-derived aliphatic acids has been applied in formal [3 + 2] annualtions for catalyst-free and divergent synthesis of two series of structurally interesting 3,3'-spirooxindole γ-butyrolactones that may be attractive for potential drug discovery. These findings also pave the way for further diversity-oriented synthesis of spirooxindoles starting from indolin-2-one-derived aliphatic acids or their derivatives.

6-exo-trig Michael addition-lactonizations for catalytic enantioselective chromenone synthesis

The catalytic enantioselective 6-exo-trig Michael addition-lactonization of enone-acid substrates to form cis-chromenones with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol was developed using the commercially available isothiourea tetramisole. An acidic workup proved necessary to minimize product epimerization and maximize product er, providing cis-chromenones in excellent yield, and with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Phase-Transfer Catalyzed O-Silyl Ether Deprotection Mediated by a Cyclopropenium Cation

The use of a cyclopropenium cation as a phase-transfer catalyst for O-silyl ether deprotection is reported. Mechanistic insight into this deprotection methodology derived by linear free-energy relationships (LFER), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are also provided.

Isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective pyrrolizine synthesis: synthetic and computational studies

The catalytic enantioselective synthesis of a range of cis-pyrrolizine carboxylate derivatives with outstanding stereocontrol (14 examples, >95 : 5 dr, >98 : 2 er) through an isothiourea-catalyzed intramolecular Michael addition-lactonisation and ring-opening approach from the corresponding enone acid is reported. An optimised and straightforward three-step synthetic route to the enone acid starting materials from readily available pyrrole-2-carboxaldehydes is delineated, with benzotetramisole (5 mol%) proving the optimal catalyst for the enantioselective process. Ring-opening of the pyrrolizine dihydropyranone products with either MeOH or a range of amines leads to the desired products in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. Computation has been used to probe the factors leading to high stereocontrol, with the formation of the observed cis-steroisomer predicted to be kinetically and thermodynamically favoured.

Non-bonding 1,5-S···O interactions govern chemo- and enantioselectivity in isothiourea-catalyzed annulations of benzazoles

Isothiourea-catalyzed annulations between 2-acyl benzazoles and α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium intermediates are selectively tuned to form either lactam or lactone heterocycles in good yields (up to 95%) and high ee (up to 99%) using benzothiazole or benzoxazole derivatives, respectively. Computation gives insight into the significant role of two 1,5-S···O interactions in controlling the structural preorganization and chemoselectivity observed within the lactam synthesis with benzothiazoles as nucleophiles. When using benzazoles the absence of a second stabilizing non-bonding 1,5-S···O interaction leads to a dominant C-H···O interaction in determining structural preorganization and lactone formation.

Enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans using a Brønsted base/thiourea bifunctional catalyst

The enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives via intramolecular Michael addition has been developed using a bifunctional tertiary amine–thiourea catalyst.

Organocatalytic Synthesis of Fused Bicyclic 2,3-Dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazoles through an Intramolecular Cascade Cyclization

Hydrazone-carboxylic acids undergo intramolecular cyclization in the presence of pivaloyl chloride, iPr(2)NEt, and catalytic DABCO to form a range of substituted fused tricyclic 2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazoles in high yields.

Asymmetric Isothiourea-Catalysed Formal [3+2] Cycloadditions of Ammonium Enolates with Oxaziridines

A highly enantioselective Lewis base-catalysed formal [3+2] cycloaddition of ammonium enolates and oxaziridines to give stereodefined oxazolidin-4-ones in high yield is described. Employing an enantioenriched oxaziridine in this process leads to a matched/mis-matched effect with the isothiourea catalyst and allowed the synthesis of either syn- or anti-stereodefined oxazolidin-4-ones in high d.r., yield and ee. Additionally, the oxazolidin-4-one products have been derivatised to afford functionalised enantioenriched building blocks.

Organocatalytic Lewis base functionalisation of carboxylic acids, esters and anhydrides via C1-ammonium or azolium enolates

This tutorial review highlights the organocatalytic Lewis base functionalisation of carboxylic acids, esters and anhydrides via C1-ammonium/azolium enolates. The generation and synthetic utility of these powerful intermediates is highlighted through their application in various methodologies including aldol-lactonisations, Michael-lactonisations/lactamisations and [2,3]-rearrangements.

Regiodivergent Lewis base-promoted O- to C-carboxyl transfer of furanyl carbonates

Triazolinylidenes promote γ-selective C-carboxylation (up to 99 : 1 regioselectivity) in the O- to C-carboxyl transfer of furanyl carbonates in contrast to DMAP that promotes preferential α-C-carboxylation with moderate regiocontrol (typically 60 : 40 regioselectivity).

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 5′-C-piperidinyl-5′-O-aminoribosyluridines as potential antibacterial agents

Caprazamycin analogues, which were designed and synthesized via an aza-Prins–Ritter reaction, exhibit a good MraY and antibacterial activity without cytotoxicity against human cells.

Exploring the scope of the isothiourea-mediated synthesis of dihydropyridinones

The exploration and expansion of the scope of the isothiourea-mediated synthesis of dihydropyridinones is presented.

Stereodivergent organocatalytic intramolecular Michael addition/lactonization for the asymmetric synthesis of substituted dihydrobenzofurans and tetrahydrofurans

A stereodivergent asymmetric Lewis base catalyzed Michael addition/lactonization of enone acids into substituted dihydrobenzofuran and tetrahydrofuran derivatives is reported. Commercially available (S)-(-)-tetramisole hydrochloride gives products with high syn diastereoselectivity in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99:1 d.r.syn/anti , 99 % eesyn ), whereas using a cinchona alkaloid derived catalyst gives the corresponding anti-diastereoisomers as the major product (up to 10:90 d.r.syn/anti , 99 % eeanti ).

α-Ketophosphonates as ester surrogates: isothiourea-catalyzed asymmetric diester and lactone synthesis

Isothiourea HBTM-2.1 catalyzes the asymmetric Michael addition/lactonization of aryl- and alkenylacetic acids using α-keto-β,γ-unsaturated phosphonates as α,β-unsaturated ester surrogates, giving access to a diverse range of stereodefined lactones or enantioenriched functionalized diesters upon ring-opening.

One-Pot Asymmetric Nitro-Mannich/Hydroamination Cascades for the Synthesis of Pyrrolidine Derivatives: Combining Organocatalysis and Gold Catalysis

The highly enantioselective preparation of trisubstituted pyrrolidine derivatives employing a one-pot nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade is reported. This cascade approach utilizes an asymmetric bifunctional organocatalytic nitro-Mannich reaction followed by a gold-catalyzed allene hydroamination reaction. The products are afforded in good yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Isothiourea-mediated asymmetric functionalization of 3-alkenoic acids

Isothiourea HBTM-2.1 promotes the catalytic asymmetric α-functionalization of 3-alkenoic acids through formal [2 + 2] cycloadditions with N-tosyl aldimines and formal [4 + 2] cycloadditions with either 4-aryltrifluoromethyl enones or N-aryl-N-aroyl diazenes, providing useful synthetic building blocks in good yield and with excellent enantiocontrol (up to >99% ee). Stereodefined products are amenable to further synthetic elaboration through manipulation of the olefinic functionality.

Isothiourea-mediated one-pot synthesis of functionalized pyridines

Acids to bases: The synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines from (phenylthio)acetic acid and a range of α,β-unsaturated ketimines is reported. This process proceeds by intermolecular Michael addition/lactamization, thiophenol elimination, and N- to O-sulfonyl migration, giving 2-sulfonate-substituted pyridines which are readily derivatized to generate structural diversity.