One-Pot Organocatalytic Enantioselective Michael–Michael–Aldol–Henry Reaction Cascade. A Facile Entry to the Steroid System with Six Contiguous Stereogenic Centers

NiFe2O4@SiO2-Cu as a novel and efficient magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for regioselective synthesis of β-thiol-1,2,3-triazoles under benign conditions

A green, mild and eco-friendly approach for the three component one-pot regioselective synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles from thiiranes has been introduced in the presence of NiFe2O4@SiO2-Cu as a new and recoverable nanocatalyst. First, the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles have been produced through a solid-state reaction of hydrated nickel sulfate, hydrated iron(iii) nitrate, NaOH and NaCl salts, and then calcined at 700 °C. Next, in order to protect the ferrite particles from oxidation and aggregation, the NiFe2O4 was core-shelled using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and converted to NiFe2O4@SiO2. Finally, the novel NiFe2O4@SiO2-Cu nanocomposite was successfully prepared by adding copper(ii) chloride solution and solid potassium borohydride. The catalyst has been characterized by FT-IR, SEM, EDX, VSM, ICP-OES, TEM and XRD techniques. The 1,3-dipolar cyclization of 1,2,3-triazoles was performed successfully in water at room temperature in high yields. The recoverability and reusability of the heterogeneous NiFe2O4@SiO2-Cu have also been investigated using VSM, SEM and FT-IR analyses. The catalyst was used four times in consecutive runs without considerable loss of activity. The presented procedure provides significant benefits such as using water as a green solvent, absence of hazardous organic solvents, high yields, benign conditions and recyclability of the magnetic catalyst.

Recent Advance of Domino Michael Reaction in Natural Product Synthesis

Recent advances in the total syntheses of cyclic natural products and related compounds from 2005 to 2021, which employ domino Michael reactions as key steps, have been reviewed, focusing mainly on the domino Michael reactions catalyzed by organocatalysts.

Saegusa Oxidation of Enol Ethers at Extremely Low Pd-Catalyst Loadings under Ligand-free and Aqueous Conditions: Insight into the Pd(II)/Cu(II)-Catalyst System

A highly efficient and practical Pd(II)/Cu(OAc)₂-catalyst system of Saegusa oxidation, which converts enol ethers to the corresponding enals with a number of diverse substrates at extremely low catalyst loadings (500 mol ppm) under ligand-free and aqueous conditions, is described. Its synthetic utility was demonstrated by large-scale applications of the catalyst system to important nature molecules. This work allows Saegusa oxidation to become a highly practical approach to preparing enals and also suggests new insight into the Pd(II)/Cu(II)-catalyst system for dehydrogenation of carbonyl compounds and decreasing Pd-catalyst loadings.

Domino and one-pot syntheses of biologically active compounds using diphenylprolinol silyl ether

The successful application of diphenylprolinol silyl ether, which is one of the widely used organocatalysts, to the synthesis of natural products and drugs, is described mostly focusing on the author’s results. The molecules that are explained in this paper are baclofen, telcagepant, oseltamivir, ABT-341, prostaglandins, estradiol, horsfiline and coerulescine.

Catalytic Enantioselective Formal (4+2) Cycloaddition by Aldol-Aldol Annulation of Pyruvate Derivatives with Cyclohexane-1,3-Diones to Afford Functionalized Decalins

The decalin structure is found in bioactive molecules. We have developed catalytic enantioselective formal (4+2) cycloaddition reactions via aldol-aldol cascade reactions between pyruvate-derived diketoester derivatives and cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives that afford highly functionalized decalin derivatives. The reactions were performed using a quinidine-derived catalyst under mild conditions. Decalin derivatives bearing up to six chiral carbon centers including tetrasubstituted carbon centers were synthesized with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Five to six stereogenic centers were generated from achiral molecules with the formation of two C-C bonds in a single transformation resulting in the formation of the decalin system.

Organocatalyzed Synthesis of [3.2.1] Bicyclooctanes

Organocatalysis constitutes one of the main research areas in organic chemistry from the last two decades. This chemistry has been applied to the synthesis of many natural products and structures in a manner that reduces the residues and so the ecological impact. In this review, we consider the work that has been done for the synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework. This structure is present in many natural products with very important biological activities.

Synthesis of spiro-tetrahydrothiopyran-oxindoles by Michael–aldol cascade reactions: discovery of potential P53-MDM2 inhibitors with good antitumor activity

Novel one-pot Michael–aldol cascade reactions were used to efficiently construct spiro-tetrahydrothiopyran-oxindoles with good in vitro antitumor activity.

Pot Economy in the Total Synthesis of Estradiol Methyl Ether by Using an Organocatalyst

Enantioselective total synthesis of estradiol methyl ether has been accomplished in a pot-economical manner using five reaction vessels and four purifications. The key reaction is a diphenylprolinol silyl ether mediated domino Michael/aldol reaction to afford bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane derivatives, containing the A, C, and D rings of steroids, as a single isomer with excellent enantioselectivity. Six reactions such as oxidation, hydrogenation, formation of acid chloride, Friedel-Crafts reaction, deprotection, and reduction can be carried out in the last one-pot sequence.

A quadruple cascade protocol for the one-pot synthesis of fully-substituted hexahydroisoindolinones from simple substrates

A new and efficient synthetic method to obtain fully-substituted hexahydroisoindolinones was developed by using bifunctional tertiary amine-thioureas as powerful catalysts. As far as we know, there is no efficient synthetic method developed toward fully-substituted hexahydroisoindolinones. The products were obtained in good yield and diastereoselectivity. The one-pot cascade quadruple protocol features readily available starting materials, simple manipulation, mild conditions and good atom economy.

Pot economy and one-pot synthesis

The one-pot synthesis of a target molecule in the same reaction vessel is widely considered to be an efficient approach in synthetic organic chemistry. In this review, the characteristics and limitations of various one-pot syntheses of biologically active molecules are explained, primarily involving organocatalytic methods as key tactics. Besides catalysis, the pot-economy concepts presented herein are also applicable to organometallic and organic reaction methods in general.

Asymmetric synthesis of functionalized pyrrolizidines by an organocatalytic and pot-economy strategy

An enantioselective synthesis of indolizidines was achieved with a one-step purification by sequential asymmetric Michael–oxidative esterification–Michael–reduction–reductive Mannich–amidation reactions.

Constructing densely functionalized Hajos–Parrish-type ketones with six contiguous stereogenic centers and two quaternary carbons in a formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition cascade

Efficient construction of Hajos–Parrish-type ketones with six contiguous stereogenic centers in a formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition cascade. The spontaneous resolution of racemic product without the need for chiral agent has been achieved.

Enantioselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.n.1]alkanes by chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed desymmetrizing Michael cyclizations

2,2-Disubstituted cyclic 1,3-diketones containing a tethered electron-deficient alkene undergo chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed desymmetrizing Michael cyclizations to give bridged bicyclic products in high enantioselectivities. Both bicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes are accessible using this methodology.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Polycarbocycles via a Three-Component Organocascade Quadruple Reaction

An efficient organocascade quadruple reaction was conducted to synthesize a functionalized spiropolycyclic scaffold in high chemical yields (43-80%) and excellent levels of stereoselectivity (up to >19:1 dr and 99% ee). The quadruple reaction proceeded smoothly between 1,3-indanedione and aromatic aldehydes with concomitant desymmetrization of prochiral 4-substituted cyclohexanones through the Knoevenagel/Michael/aldol/aldol reaction sequence catalyzed by a bifunctional thiourea catalyst. Two of the formed products were transformed into spirocyclic epoxides containing four contiguous quaternary centers.

An Asymmetric Organocatalytic Quadruple Domino Reaction Employing a Vinylogous Friedel-Crafts/Michael/Michael/Aldol Condensation Sequence

An organocatalytic quadruple cascade initiated by a Friedel-Crafts-type reaction is described. The (S)-diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl ether catalyzed reaction yields highly functionalized cyclohexenecarbaldehydes bearing a 1,1-bis[4-(dialkylamino)phenyl]ethene moiety and three contiguous stereogenic centers. The reaction tolerates various functional groups and all products are obtained with very good diastereoselectivity and with virtually complete enantiomeric excess.

A convergent total synthesis of ouabagenin

A convergent total synthesis of ouabagenin, an aglycon of cardenolide glycoside ouabain, was achieved by assembly of the AB-ring, D-ring and butenolide moieties.

A convergent total synthesis of ouabagenin, an aglycon of cardenolide glycoside ouabain, was achieved by assembly of the AB-ring, D-ring and butenolide moieties. The multiply oxygenated cis-decalin structure of the AB-ring was constructed from (R)-perillaldehyde through the Diels–Alder reaction and sequential oxidations. The intermolecular acetal formation of the AB-ring and D-ring fragments, and combination of the intramolecular radical and aldol reactions, assembled the requisite steroidal skeleton in a stereoselective fashion. Finally, stereoselective installation of the C17-butenolide via the Stille coupling and hydrogenation led to ouabagenin.

Base catalyzed synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octane scaffolds

A base-catalyzed and time controlled reaction of 1,3-cyclopentanediones tethered to activated olefins afforded in high yields either bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-6,8-dione or bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-6-carboxylate derivatives.

Enantioselective cascade double Michael addition of 3-nitro-2H-chromenes and acyclic enones: efficient synthesis of functionalized tricyclic chroman derivatives

An efficient protocol for the construction of enantiomerically enriched tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromenes by the cascade double Michael addition of 3-nitro-2H-chromenes and α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by a quinine-derived primary amine has been developed.

One-pot protocol to synthesize N-(β-nitro)amides by tandem Henry/Ritter reaction

A novel, efficient and atom economical one pot protocol for the synthesis of N-(β-nitro)amides has been described by combining the Henry reaction with the Ritter reaction.