Phosphine-catalyzed Divergent Domino Processes between γ-Substituted Allenoates and Carbonyl-Activated Alkenes

Highly enantioselective and chemodivergent domino reactions between γ-substituted allenoates and activated alkenes have been developed. In the presence of NUSIOC-Phos, triketone enone substrates smoothly reacted with γ-substituted allenoates to form bicyclic furofurans in good yields with high stereoselectivities. Alternatively, the reaction between diester-activated enone substrates and γ-substituted allenoates formed chiral conjugated 1,3-dienes in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, by employing substrates with subtle structural difference, under virtually identical reaction conditions, we were able to access two types of chiral products, which are of biological relevance and synthetic importance.

Highly enantioselective and chemodivergent domino reactions between γ-substituted allenoates and activated alkenes have been developed.

Phosphine-catalyzed sequential (2+3)/(2+4) annulation of γ-vinyl allenoates: access to the synthesis of chromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles

A phosphine-catalyzed cascade (2+3)/(2+4) cyclization reaction of γ-vinyl allenoates with aldimine esters has been developed to provide a series of chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole derivatives that contain three contiguous stereogenic centers. The method gives a good yield, excellent chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity under mild conditions.

Annulation Cascade of Sulfamate-Derived Cyclic Imines with Glycine Aldimino Esters: Synthesis of 1,3-Benzoxazepine Scaffolds

An efficient (3 + 2) cycloaddition triggered annulation is reported to access 1,3-benzoxazepine frameworks. With amine base, sulfamate-derived cyclic imines readily react with glycine aldimino esters to furnish benzo-fused seven-membered heterocyclic products in good yields. The cascade reaction involves the formation of one C-C, one C-N, and one C-O bond along with the cleavage of two C-N bonds and one S-O bond. The synthesis of o-tyrosine analogues has also been accomplished from annulation products.

Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds through nucleophilic phosphine catalysis

Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is a practical and powerful tool for the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds with the advantages of environmentally friendly, metal-free, and mild reaction conditions. The present report summarizes the construction of four to eight-membered heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms through phosphine-catalyzed intramolecular annulations and intermolecular [2+2], [3+2], [4+1], [3+1+1], [5+1], [4+2], [2+2+2], [3+3], [4+3] and [3+2+3] annulations of electron-deficient alkenes, allenes, alkynes and Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Sequential [3+3]/Aza-6π-Electrocyclization Reaction of Cross-Conjugated Azatrienes and δ-Sulfonamido-Allenoates

An unprecedented sequential [3+3]/aza-6π-electrocyclization between cross-conjugated azatrienes and δ-sulfonamido-allenoates, catalyzed by phosphine, has been developed, which provides efficient and facile access to highly functionalized tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives. The products can be easily transformed into (dihydro)isoquinolines and their fused polycyclic compounds. The reactivity of both azatrienes and δ-sulfonamido-allenoates in this text, acting as a five-atom unit, is unique in the phosphine-catalyzed annulations of allenoates.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (3 + 2)/(3 + 2) Sequential Annulation of γ-Vinyl Allenoates: Access to Fused Carbocycles

The first (3 + 2)/(3 + 2) sequential annulation of γ-vinyl allenoates with alkylidenemalononitriles enabled by phosphine catalysis has been reported. A broad range of structurally dense tetra- and penta-substituted bicyclic[3,3,0]octene derivatives, containing a quaternary center and three sequential stereogenic center, were synthesized in good to excellent yields. In this approach, three new C-C bonds are formed in one pot, and εC and αC of γ-vinyl allenoate are two electrophilic centers, whereas its γC exhibits nucleophilic reactivity.

Recent advances in phosphine catalysis involving γ-substituted allenoates

This feature article will describe the selected examples of organophosphine catalysis of γ-substituent allenoates with a wide range of electrophiles to give diverse annulations.

Phosphine Organocatalysis

The hallmark of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is the initial nucleophilic addition of a phosphine to an electrophilic starting material, producing a reactive zwitterionic intermediate, generally under mild conditions. In this Review, we classify nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions in terms of their electrophilic components. In the majority of cases, these electrophiles possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds: alkenes (section 2), allenes (section 3), alkynes (section 4), and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) alcohol derivatives (MBHADs; section 5). Within each of these sections, the reactions are compiled based on the nature of the second starting material-nucleophiles, dinucleophiles, electrophiles, and electrophile-nucleophiles. Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions that occur via the initial addition to starting materials that do not possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds are collated in section 6. Although not catalytic in the phosphine, the formation of ylides through the nucleophilic addition of phosphines to carbon-carbon multiple bond-containing compounds is intimately related to the catalysis and is discussed in section 7. Finally, section 8 compiles miscellaneous topics, including annulations of the Hüisgen zwitterion, phosphine-mediated reductions, iminophosphorane organocatalysis, and catalytic variants of classical phosphine oxide-generating reactions.

A Redox-Active Cascade Precursor: Isolation of a Zwitterionic Triphenylphosphonio-Hydrazyl Radical and an Indazolo-Indazole Derivative

A redox-active [ML] unit (M = Co^II and Mn^II; LH₂ = N'-(1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)benzohydrazide) defined as a cascade precursor that undergoes a multicomponent redox reaction comprising of a C-N bond formation, tautomerization, oxidation, C-C coupling, demetalation, and affording 6,14-dibenzoylbenzo[f]benzo[5,6]indazolo[3a,3-c]indazole-5,8,13,16-tetraone (^IndL₂) is reported. Conversion of LH₂ → ^IndL₂ in air is overall a (6H⁺+6e) oxidation reaction, and it opens a route for the syntheses of bioactive diarylindazolo[3a,3-c]indazole derivatives. The reaction occurs via a radical coupling reaction, and the radical intermediate was isolated as a triphenylphosphonio adduct. In presence of PPh₃ the [ML] unit promotes a reaction that involves a C-P bond formation, tautomerization, and oxidation to yield a stable zwitterionic triphenylphosphonio-hydrazyl radical (^PPh3L^±•). Conversion of LH₂ → ^PPh3L^±• is a (3H⁺+3e) oxidation reaction. To authenticate the [ML] unit, in addition to the ^IndL₂, a zinc(II) complex, [(L₃)Zn^II(H₂O)Cl]·2MeOH (1·2MeOH), was successfully isolated (L₃H = a pyridazine derivative of 1,4 naphthoquinone) from a reaction of LH₂ with hydrated ZnCl₂. Conversion of 3LH₂ → 1 is also a multicomponent (6H⁺+6e) oxidation reaction promoted by zinc(II) ion via a radical intermediate. Facile oxidation of [L^2-] to [L^•-] that was considered as an intermediate of these conversions was confirmed by isolating a 1,4 naphthoquinone-benzhydrazyl radical (LH^•) complex, [(LH^•)Zn^II(H₂O)Cl₂] (2H^•). The intermediates of LH₂ → ^IndL₂, LH₂ → ^PPh3L^±•, and 3LH₂ → 1 conversions were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. The molecular and electronic structures of ^PPh3L^±•, ^IndL₂, 1·2MeOH, and 2H^• were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations.

Divergent synthesis of hydropyridine derivatives via nitrogen-containing Lewis base mediated regioselective [4 + 2] cyclizations

A nitrogen-containing Lewis base mediated regioselective [4 + 2] cyclization strategy between allenic esters and α,β-unsaturated ketimines was discovered.

Asymmetric aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reactions of chiral N-phosphonyl imines with acrylates via GAP chemistry/technology

A series of aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman acrylates have been synthesized by using chiral N-phosphonyl imines and GAP chemistry/technology.

A theoretical study of DABCO and PPh3 catalyzed annulations of allenoates with azodicarboxylate

Previous experiments have shown that DABCO-catalyzed annulation of 2,3-butadienoate and diethylazodicarboxylate leads to 1,2-diazetidine (reaction (1)), whereas PPh3-catalyzed 2-benzyl-2,3-butadienoate and diethylazodicarboxylate gives pyrazoline (reaction (2)).

(n)Bu3P-catalyzed desulfonylative [3 + 2] cycloadditions of allylic carbonates with arylazosulfones to pyrazole derivatives

Highly efficient (n)Bu3P-catalyzed desulfonylative [3 + 2] cycloadditions of allylic carbonates with arylazosulfones were developed for the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives. The reactions proceed smoothly under mild conditions to generate corresponding annulation products in good to excellent yields.

Convenient synthesis of substituted tetrahydrofuran via Lewis base catalyzed [3 + 2] domino reactions

A DABCO catalyzed domino reaction between 3-oxo-4-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) butanoates and allenoates furnished 2,3,5-substituted tetrahydrofuran furan derivatives bearing oxindole moiety and two exocyclic double bonds in high yield.