Stereoselective synthesis of quaternary carbons via the dianionic Ireland-Claisen rearrangement

Synthesis and Functionalization of Tertiary Propargylic Boronic Esters by Alkynyllithium-Mediated 1,2-Metalate Rearrangement of Borylated Cyclopropanes

Implementing the use of alkynyllithium reagents in a stereospecific 1,2-metalate rearrangement-mediated ring opening of polysubstituted cyclopropyl boronic esters provides a variety of tertiary pinacol boranes bearing adjacent tertiary or quaternary carbon stereocenters with high levels of diastereomeric purity. The potential of this strategy was demonstrated through a selection of α- and γ-functionalization of the propargyl boronic esters.

Stereospecific Construction of Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters from Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters

Organoaluminum species promote a smooth nucleophilic substitution at the quaternary carbon stereocenter of stereodefined polysubstituted cyclopropyl methyl phosphate with a complete inversion of configuration, even when more reactive functional groups are present. The regio- and diastereoselectivity of the substitution is attributed to the existence of a bicyclobutonium intermediate.

Global Diastereoconvergence in the Ireland-Claisen Rearrangement of Isomeric Enolates: Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted α-Amino Acids

A dual experimental/theoretical investigation of the Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of tetrasubstituted α-phthalimido ester enolates to afford α-tetrasubstituted, β-trisubstituted α-amino acids (generally >20:1 dr) is described. For trans allylic olefins, the Z- and E-enol ethers proceed through chair and boat transition states, respectively. For cis allylic olefins, the trend is reversed. As a result, the diastereochemical outcome of the reaction is preserved regardless of the geometry of the enolate or the accompanying allylic olefin. We term this unique convergence of all possible olefin isomers global diastereoconvergence. This reaction manifold circumvents limitations in present-day technologies for the stereoselective enolization of α,α-disubstituted allyl esters. Density functional theory paired with state-of-the-art local coupled-cluster theory (DLPNO-CCSD(T)) was employed for the accurate determination of quantum mechanical energies.

Enantioselective Allenoate-Claisen Rearrangement Using Chiral Phosphate Catalysts

Herein we report the first highly enantioselective allenoate-Claisen rearrangement using doubly axially chiral phosphate sodium salts as catalysts. This synthetic method provides access to β-amino acid derivatives with vicinal stereocenters in up to 95% ee. We also investigated the mechanism of enantioinduction by transition state (TS) computations with DFT as well as statistical modeling of the relationship between selectivity and the molecular features of both the catalyst and substrate. The mutual interactions of charge-separated regions in both the zwitterionic intermediate generated by reaction of an amine to the allenoate and the Na⁺-salt of the chiral phosphate leads to an orientation of the TS in the catalytic pocket that maximizes favorable noncovalent interactions. Crucial arene-arene interactions at the periphery of the catalyst lead to a differentiation of the TS diastereomers. These interactions were interrogated using DFT calculations and validated through statistical modeling of parameters describing noncovalent interactions.

Convergent Total Syntheses of (-)-Rubriflordilactone B and (-)-pseudo-Rubriflordilactone B

A highly convergent strategy for the synthesis of the natural product (-)-rubriflordilactone B, and the proposed structure of (-)-pseudo-rubriflordilactone B, is described. Late stage coupling of diynes containing the respective natural product FG rings with a common AB ring aldehyde precedes rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerization to form the natural product skeleton, with the syntheses completed in just one further operation. This work resolves the uncertainty surrounding the identity of pseudo-rubriflordilactone B and provides a robust platform for further synthetic and biological investigations.

Allenoate Prenucleophiles: A Triply Diastereoselective Approach to β-Hydroxy Esters Containing All-Carbon α-Quaternary Centers

Allenyl esters activated by titanium(IV) underwent additions to a wide range of aldehydes in high regio- and diastereoselectivities leading to products containing an all-carbon quaternary center bearing an α-vinyl group that was installed with high selectivity for the Z-geometry. An aldol product was also converted to an indanone offering a new route to this important compound class. Product triple diastereoselectivity has been rationalized using a concerted transition-state model.

dM-Dim for Carboxylic Acid Protection

The 1,3-dithian-2-yl-methyl (Dim) and its analogous groups including dimethyl-Dim (dM-Dim) can provide a new dimension of orthogonality for carboxylic acid protection. They can be deprotected under nearly neutral oxidative conditions. In this paper, the protection of carboxylic acid with dM-Dim, deprotection of dM-Dim ester with sodium periodate, stability of dM-Dim protected carboxylic acid under acidic and basic conditions, and selective deprotection of dM-Dim protected carboxylic acids in the presence of tertiary butyl and methyl esters are presented.

Synthetic explorations of the briarane jungle: progress in developing a synthetic route to a common family of diterpenoid natural products

The briarane diterpenoids are a large family of marine natural products that have been primarily isolated from gorgonian octocorals around the world. Structurally, the family is characterized by a trans-fused bicyclo[8.4.0]tetradecane ring system containing a central, stereogenic, all-carbon quaternary carbon (C1) flanked by three additional stereocentres (C2, C10, C14). Many family members have demonstrated biological activity in numerous areas, including: cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulatory and insect control. Despite their interesting structural properties and bioactivity, the briaranes have been largely overlooked by the synthetic community. However, in recent years, several research groups have reported progress toward developing a synthetic route to these natural products. Most of these efforts have focused on the stereoselective construction of the central C1-C2-C10-C14 stereotetrad. This review will discuss the various synthetic efforts aimed at the briarane diterpenoids along with the challenges that remain.

Torsional steering as friend and foe: development of a synthetic route to the briarane diterpenoid stereotetrad

Two synthetic routes to the briarane stereotetrad have been investigated. The first route employed a boron aldol reaction to establish the stereogenic all-carbon quaternary carbon (C1). In this case, it was found that torsional steering in the transition state led to the formation of the undesired configuration at this position. The second route makes use of a highly diastereoselective acetylide conjugate addition/β-ketoester alkylation sequence to construct the vicinal C1 and C10 stereocenters with the correct relative configuration. Originally, it was proposed that torsional steering in the transition state for the ketoester alkylation step was the primary factor responsible for generating the major product. DFT calculations reveal that while torsional steering does play a role, larger conformational factors must also be considered. These calculations also reveal that an unusual C-Hπ(alkyne) interaction may contribute to lowering the energy of one transition state that leads to the observed stereoisomer. Ultimately, this strategy leads to a concise synthesis (under 10 steps) of the stereotetrad core common to the briarane diterpenoids.

Briarane Diterpenoids Isolated from Octocorals between 2014 and 2016

The structures, names, bioactivities, and references of 124 briarane-type natural products, including 66 new metabolites, isolated between 2014 and 2016 are summarized in this review article. All of the briarane diterpenoids mentioned in this review were isolated from octocorals, mainly from Briareum violacea, Dichotella gemmacea, Ellisella dollfusi, Junceella fragilis, Junceella gemmacea, and Pennatula aculeata. Some of these compounds exhibited potential biomedical activities, including anti-inflammatory activity, antibacterial activity, and cytotoxicity towards cancer cells.

A concise synthetic route to the stereotetrad core of the briarane diterpenoids

A concise synthesis (under 10 steps) of the stereotetrad core of the briarane diterpenoids is reported. This approach harnesses the unique reactivity of salicylate ester derived 2,5-cyclohexadienones to quickly build complexity. In particular, a highly diastereoselective acetylide conjugate addition/β-ketoester alkylation sequence was used to set the relative configuration of the C1 (quaternary) and C10 (tertiary) vicinal stereocenters. The sterochemical outcome of the β-ketoester alkylation appears to be governed by torsional steering in the transition state.