Synergistic Pd/Cu-catalysed regio- and stereoselective borylation of allenylic carbonates

A simple Pd/Cu-catalyzed borylation of allenylic carbonates with B₂Pin₂ was developed using a cheap P(OEt)₃ ligand. Under mild neutral conditions, 2-boryl 1,3-butadienes were obtained selectively in moderate to high yields. Furthermore, the use of different diboron reagents was also feasible in the reaction.

Addition of Chloroprene Grignards to Aromatic Aldehydes: Synthesis of Homoallenyl Alcohols

A general procedure for the one-pot synthesis of racemic homoallenyl alcohols from the corresponding aldehyde and chloroprene-derived Grignards is described. Employing bis[2-dimethylaminoethyl]ether (BDMAEE) as an additive at low temperatures shifts the selectivity of the chloroprene Grignard addition to aldehydes such that it is almost exclusive toward allene formation. In a set of follow-up experiments, simple and more elaborate methods for further derivatization have been demonstrated, allowing quick access to more complex structures.

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.

Total synthesis of the macrocyclic N-Methyl enamides palmyrolide A and 2S-sanctolide A

Full details of the total syntheses of the initially reported and revised structures of the neuroprotective agent palmyrolide A are reported. The key macrocyclization step was achieved using a sequential ring-closing metathesis/olefin isomerization reaction. Furthermore, the total synthesis of the related macrolide (2S)-sanctolide A is reported. The synthesis used key elements from the synthesis of palmyrolide A, including the RCM/olefin isomerization sequence. The synthetic work described herein serves to facilitate the assignment of stereochemistry of the natural product sanctolide A and demonstrates the utility of this approach for the synthesis of macrocyclic tertiary enamide natural products.

Regulation of diastereoselectivity in the carbocyclization of allenyl (S)-N-tert-butylsulfinimines through a three-component assembly

Allenyl sulfinimines can be stereoselectively cyclized with hexamethylditin under palladium catalysis conditions followed by a selection of additives for an activated transmetalation. Reactivity and diastereoselectivity for the cyclization strongly depend on the characteristics of additives. A highly diastereoselective synthesis of five-membered rings is achieved from the reaction of the corresponding allenyl (S)-N-tert-butylsulfinimies through the following sequence. After the distannylation of the allenyl group with hexamethylditin catalyzed by the Pd complex, stereochemical routes are additive dependent: addition of SnCl4 affords a cis ring exclusively, whereas a trans ring is formed predominantly by the introduction of B-bromocatecholborane. Extension of the methodology to the synthesis of six-membered cis rings is achieved by using B-bromocatecholborane. Stereochemical relationships of products were unambiguously deduced by X-ray crystallography.