DFT Studies on Gold-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 1,5-Enynes

Understanding the reaction mechanism of gold-catalyzed reactions of 2,1-benzisoxazoles with propiolates and ynamides

The detailed reaction mechanisms of gold-catalyzed reactions of 2,1-benzisoxazoles with propiolates and ynamides have been investigated with the aid of density functional theory calculations.

Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Small Rings

Three- and four-membered rings, widespread motifs in nature and medicinal chemistry, have fascinated chemists ever since their discovery. However, due to energetic considerations, small rings are often difficult to assemble. In this regard, homogeneous gold catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool to construct these highly strained carbocycles. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of all the major advances and discoveries made in the gold-catalyzed synthesis of cyclopropanes, cyclopropenes, cyclobutanes, cyclobutenes, and their corresponding heterocyclic or heterosubstituted analogs.

Enantioselective gold(i)-catalyzed cyclization/intermolecular nucleophilic additions of 1,5-enyne derivatives

An enantioselective Au(i)-catalyzed cyclization/nucleophilic addition process is developed, starting from 1,5-enyne substrates. A broad scope of O-, N- and C-nucleophiles was introduced in order to provide the corresponding chiral cyclopentene derivatives in moderate to high yields and up to 96 : 4 enantiomeric ratio.

Diastereospecific Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cyclization Cascade for the Controlled Preparation of N- and N,O-Heterocycles

The reaction of oxime-tethered 1,6-enynes with a cationic gold(I) catalyst demonstrates a great potential for the synthesis of a range of heterocycles in a diastereospecific fashion. The control of the configuration of the oxime and the alkene of the enyne moiety is the key to selectively obtain dihydro-1,2-oxazines, isoxazolines or dihydropyrrole-N-oxides as single diastereoisomers. As supported by DFT calculations, these cascade reactions proceed stepwise, by the intramolecular addition of the O or N atom of the oxime onto cyclopropyl gold(I) carbene intermediates. In this study, a rare [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of nitrones is also observed.

Mechanistic insight into water-modulated cycloisomerization of enynyl esters using an Au(i) catalyst

The Au(i)-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of 1,6-enylnyl ester are theoretically investigated to rationalize the observed product divergences by modulating H₂O participation.

Mechanistic examination of AuIII-mediated 1,5-enyne cycloisomerization by AuBr2(N-imidate)(NHC)/AgX precatalysts – is the active catalyst AuIII or AuI?

The role of Au^I and Au^III species in 1,5-enyne cycloisomerization reactions has been examined in this paper.

The mechanism and regioselectivity of gold(i) or platinum(ii) catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation to pyrrolopyridinones and pyrroloazepinones

Pyrrolopyridinones and pyrroloazepinones can be prepared through gold(i) or platinum(ii) catalysis. These interesting gold(i) or platinum(ii) catalyses are fully supported by a computational study justifying the formation of each intermediate.

Atom-efficient gold(I)-chloride-catalyzed synthesis of α-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds from propargylic alcohols and aryl thiols: substrate scope and experimental and theoretical mechanistic investigation

Gold(I)-chloride-catalyzed synthesis of α-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds from propargylic alcohols and aryl thiols showed a wide substrate scope with respect to both propargylic alcohols and aryl thiols. Primary and secondary aromatic propargylic alcohols generated α-sulfenylated aldehydes and ketones in 60-97% yield. Secondary aliphatic propargylic alcohols generated α-sulfenylated ketones in yields of 47-71%. Different gold sources and ligand effects were studied, and it was shown that gold(I) chloride gave the highest product yields. Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrated that the reaction proceeds in two separate steps. A sulfenylated allylic alcohol, generated by initial regioselective attack of the aryl thiol on the triple bond of the propargylic alcohol, was isolated, evaluated, and found to be an intermediate in the reaction. Deuterium labeling experiments showed that the protons from the propargylic alcohol and aryl thiol were transferred to the 3-position, and that the hydride from the alcohol was transferred to the 2-position of the product. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the observed regioselectivity of the aryl thiol attack towards the 2-position of propargylic alcohol was determined by a low-energy, five-membered cyclic protodeauration transition state instead of the strained, four-membered cyclic transition state found for attack at the 3-position. Experimental data and DFT calculations supported that the second step of the reaction is initiated by protonation of the double bond of the sulfenylated allylic alcohol with a proton donor coordinated to gold(I) chloride. This in turn allows for a 1,2-hydride shift, generating the final product of the reaction.

Coordination chemistry of gold catalysts in solution: a detailed NMR study

Coordination chemistry of gold catalysts bearing eight different ligands [L=PPh(3), JohnPhos (L2), Xphos (L3), DTBP, IMes, IPr, dppf, S-tolBINAP (L8)] has been studied by NMR spectroscopy in solution at room temperature. Cationic or neutral mononuclear complexes LAuX (L=L2, L3, IMes, IPr; X=charged or neutral ligand) underwent simple ligand exchange without giving any higher coordinate complexes. For L2AuX the following ligand strength series was determined: MeOH≪hex-3-yne <MeCN≈OTf(-) ≪Me(2)S<2,6-lutidine<4-picoline<CF(3)CO(2)(-) ≈DMAP<TMTU<PPh(3) <OH(-) ≈Cl(-). Some heteroligand complexes DTBPAuX exist in solution in equilibrium with the corresponding symmetrical species. Binuclear complexes dppf(AuOTf)(2) and S-tolBINAP(AuOTf)(2) showed different behavior in exchange reactions with ligands depending on the ligand strength. Thus, PPh(3) causes abstraction of one gold atom to give mononuclear complexes LLAuPPh(3)(+) and (Ph(3)P)(n)Au(+), but other N and S ligands give ordinary dicationic species LL(AuNu)(2)(2+). In reactions with different bases, LAu(+) provided new oxonium ions whose chemistry was also studied: (DTBPAu)(3)O(+), (L2Au)(2)OH(+), (L2Au)(3)O(+), (L3Au)(2)OH(+), and (IMesAu)(2)OH(+). Ultimately, formation of gold hydroxide LAuOH (L=L2, L3, IMes) was studied. Ligand- or base-assisted interconversions between (L2Au)(2)OH(+), (L2Au)(3)O(+), and L2AuOH are described. Reactions of dppf(AuOTf)(2) and S-tolBINAP(AuOTf)(2) with bases provided more interesting oxonium ions, whose molecular composition was found to be [dppf(Au)(2)](3)O(2)(2+), L8(Au)(2)OH(+), and [L8(Au)(2)](3)O(2)(2+), but their exact structure was not established. Several reactions between different oxonium species were conducted to observe mixed heteroligand oxonium species. Reaction of L2AuNCMe(+) with S(2-) was studied; several new complexes with sulfide are described. For many reversible reactions the corresponding equilibrium constants were determined.