Synthesis of 2-benzyl N-substituted anilines via imine condensation-isoaromatization of (E)-2-arylidene-3-cyclohexenones and primary amines

A catalyst- and additive-free synthesis of 2-benzyl N-substituted anilines from (E)-2-arylidene-3-cyclohexenones and primary amines has been reported. The reaction proceeds smoothly through a sequential imine condensation-isoaromatization pathway, affording a series of synthetically useful aniline derivatives in acceptable to high yields. Mild reaction conditions, no requirement of metal catalysts, operational simplicity and the potential for scale-up production are some of the highlighted advantages of this transformation.

Bifunctional Iminophosphorane Catalyzed Amide Enolization for Enantioselective Cyclohexadienone Desymmetrization

The organocatalytic enolization of 2-arylacetamides, followed by an enantioselective intramolecular conjugate addition to tethered 2,5-cyclohexadienones, yielding 3D fused N-heterocycles, is described. The transformation represents the first strong activating group-free activation of carboxamides via α-C-H deprotonation in a metal-free, catalytic, and enantioselective reaction, and is achieved by employing a bifunctional iminophosphorane (BIMP) superbase.

Stereospecific Synthesis of Cyclohexenone Acids by [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement Route

Herein we report a modular synthetic method for the preparation of diaryl-substituted cyclohexenone acids starting from phenyl pyruvate and suitable enones. When the reaction is carried out in alkaline tert-butanol or toluene solutions in microwave-assisted conditions mainly anti configuration products are obtained with up to 86% isolated yield. However, when the reaction is carried out in alkaline water, a mixture of products with anti and syn conformations is obtained with up to 98% overall isolated yield. Mechanistically the product with anti conformation forms by a hemiketal-oxy-Cope type [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement-intramolecular aldol condensation route and syn product by an intermolecular aldol condensation-electrocyclization (disrotatory type) route.

Stereoselective N-Heterocyclic-Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 2] Cycloaddition: Access to Chiral Heterocyclic Cyclohexenones

The present study reports an asymmetric NHC-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of heterocyclic alkenes containing a polarized double bond with an azolium-dienolate intermediate generated from α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes without external oxidation of the Breslow intermediate. Heterocyclic cyclohexenones were produced in good isolated yields (typically about 90%) with good stereochemical outcomes (in most cases, dr > 20/1, and ee = 70-99%). The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified by the scope of heterocyclic alkenes.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Conjugate Addition in a Tandem Synthesis of δ-Substituted Cyclohexenones and Four-Step Total Synthesis of Penienone

A bisperfluorotoluyl-BINOL catalyzed conjugate addition of trifluoroborate salts to doubly vinylogous esters and aldol condensation synthesized chiral δ-substituted cyclohexenones with high yields and enantioselectivities (10 examples, up to 89% yield, 89-98% ee). Stepwise and single-pot sequences were developed, with the former also providing β-substituted masked ketoaldehydes containing a vinyl ether. The transformation was used in a four-step total synthesis of penienone (24% overall yield), ≤ half the steps as in previous syntheses.

Decarboxylation-triggered homo-Nazarov cyclization of cyclic enol carbonates catalyzed by rhenium complex

Decarboxylative homo-Nazarov cyclization catalyzed by a Lewis acid was achieved using a cyclic enol carbonate bearing a cyclopropane moiety as a substrate. Various substrates were converted into the corresponding multi-substituted cyclohexenones in good yields via decarboxylation, followed by 6-membered ring formation involving cyclopropane-ring-opening.

Probing α-Amino Aldehydes as Weakly Acidic Pronucleophiles: Direct Access to Quaternary α-Amino Aldehydes by an Enantioselective Michael Addition Catalyzed by Brønsted Bases

The high tendency of α-amino aldehydes to undergo 1,2-additions and their relatively low stability under basic conditions have largely prevented their use as pronucleophiles in the realm of asymmetric catalysis, particularly for the production of quaternary α-amino aldehydes. Herein, it is demonstrated that the chemistry of α-amino aldehydes may be expanded beyond these limits by documenting the first direct α-alkylation of α-branched α-amino aldehydes with nitroolefins. The reaction produces densely functionalized products bearing up to two, quaternary and tertiary, vicinal stereocenters with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. DFT modeling leads to the proposal that intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the NH group and the carbonyl oxygen atom in the starting α-amino aldehyde is key for reaction stereocontrol.

BIMP-Catalyzed 1,3-Prototropic Shift for the Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Conjugated Cyclohexenones

A bifunctional iminophosphorane (BIMP)-catalysed enantioselective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated cyclohexenones through a facially selective 1,3-prototropic shift of β,γ-unsaturated prochiral isomers, under mild reaction conditions and in short reaction times, on a range of structurally diverse substrates, is reported. α,β-Unsaturated cyclohexenone products primed for downstream derivatisation were obtained in high yields (up to 99 %) and consistently high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Computational studies into the reaction mechanism and origins of enantioselectivity, including multivariate linear regression of TS energy, were carried out and the obtained data were found to be in good agreement with experimental findings.

Base-Mediated Cyclopentannulation of Ynones with Amino Crotonates for Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Pentafulvenes and Cyclopenta[c]quinolines

A regio- and stereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted pentafulvenes is reported via the condensation of readily available ynones and amino crotonates under very mild conditions. The mechanism of this 3 + 2 annulation involved a vinylogous Michael addition followed by an intramolecular enamine aldol condensation. Substrates with o-bromo tether further cyclized to pentannulated hydroquinolines through an isomerization/S_NAr in the same reaction pot at the elevated temperature.

Enantioselective synthesis of cis-hydrobenzofurans bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters and application to total synthesis of (‒)-morphine

(‒)-Morphine, which is selected as an essential medicine by World Health Organization, is widely applied in the treatment of the pain-related diseases. Due to its synthetically challenging molecular architecture and important clinical role, extensive synthetic studies of morphine-type alkaloids have been conducted. However, catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (‒)-morphine remains a long-standing challenge. Here, we disclose an efficient enantioselective total synthesis of (‒)-morphine in a longest linear sequence of 16 steps. The key transformation features a highly enantioselective Robinson annulation enabled by our spiro-pyrrolidine catalyst to rapidly construct the densely functionalized cis-hydrodibenzofuran framework containing vicinal stereocenters with an all-carbon quaternary center. This asymmetric approach provides an alternative strategy for the synthesis of (‒)-morphine and its analogues.

(‒)-Morphine is an essential medicine selected by the World Health Organization, however its catalytic asymmetric syntheses have been rarely reported. Here, the authors developed an intramolecular enantioselective Michael addition leading to (‒)-morphine in a longest linear sequence of 16 steps.

Enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by 1,2-diphenylethanediamine

A general and highly enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to cinnamones and chalcones has been developed. The commercially available 1,2-diphenylethanediamine could be directly utilized as the organocatalyst to furnish the desired adducts in satisfactory yield (61–99%) and moderate to excellent enantiopurity (65 to >99% ee). β-Ketoester was also a competent donor and was employed to construct densely functionalized cyclohexenones via a tandem Michael-aldol condensation process.

1,2-Diphenylethanediamine could be directly utilized to promote the Michael addition of malonates and β-ketoesters to various α,β-unsaturated ketones.

Synthesis and Desymmetrization of meso Tricyclic Systems Derived from Benzene Oxide

Ozonolysis of the Diels-Alder adducts derived from benzene oxides and N-alkylmaleimides resulted in fully substituted, meso bicyclic systems bearing six contiguous stereocenters, isolated as diols upon reductive workup with NaBH₄. Variation in the workup allowed for isolation of two different diastereoisomers, through double epimerization of the imide stereocenters. Desymmetrization of the resulting meso diols via asymmetric nucleophilic epoxide opening and acylation reactions provided access to highly substituted, enantioenriched fused rings.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Morphan Derivatives by Michael and Hetero-Michael Addition of 1,1-Enediamines to Quinone Monoketals

A general and concise method was developed for the synthesis of highly functionalized morphans 3-4 by the Michael and hetero-Michael addition reaction of different types of quinone monoketals 1 and 1,1-enediamines 2 in ethanol or 1,4-dioxane at reflux. This method is suitable for the efficient parallel syntheses of N-containing heterocycles. A library of highly functional morphan derivatives was easily constructed using the Michael/hetero-Michael reaction.

Highly enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral cyclic α,α-dicyanoalkenes via the direct vinylogous Michael/cyclization domino reaction

A chiral N,N′-dioxide/Mg(ii) complex efficiently constructs spiroindolinones which include three adjacent atom chiralities and a tertiary carbon center at remote sites in up to 95% yield, with 99% ee and 20 : 1 dr.

Finding Lead Catalytic Systems for a Rare Version of Enantioselective Robinson Annulation: Integration of Fluorogenic Assays in Catalyst Screening

Among the several variants of the highly useful and versatile Robinson annulation, a particular variation that involves ketones reacting with nonenolizable enones, while the α-carbons of the ketones act as nucleophiles at both steps of this cascade process, remains largely unexplored. Moreover, such a catalytic enantioselective reaction is exceptionally rare. While pursuing catalysis of this transformation, we developed two fluorogenic assays that, in combination with other analytic techniques, enabled rapid screening of several sets of catalysts. The first set of polymer-bound aminourea bifunctional organocatalysts was screened using a two-step fluorogenic protocol, designed for slower (e.g., heterogeneous) catalysts. Robinson annulation of acetone with 4'-nitrochalcone formed 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-cyclohexenone, which, after a "developing" reductive treatment, was converted into the corresponding amino derivative, serving as a fluorescent reporter. On the other hand, a range of potentially faster homogeneous catalyst-cocatalyst systems were examined using a direct assay, where 4'-dimethylaminochalcone is converted into the corresponding cyclohexanone fluorescent reporter already upon annulation with acetone. In both cases, the combination of the fluorogenic protocols with high-performance liquid chromatography-based enantiomeric excess estimation enabled identification of lead catalysts, which promoted the enantioselective version of this variant of the annulation.

β2, 2 -Amino Acid N-Carboxyanhydrides Relying on Sequential Enantioselective C(4)-Functionalization of Pyrrolidin-2,3-diones and Regioselective Baeyer-Villiger Oxidation

A catalytic enantioselective entry to β^2, 2 -amino acids enabling their direct coupling with nucleophiles is described. The approach is based upon an effective bifunctional Brønsted base catalyzed construction of a quaternary carbon stereocenter at C₄ position of pyrrolidin-2,3-diones. Subsequent regioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the resultant adducts gives β^2, 2 -amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides as the reactive species, which can further react with nucleophiles. Following this strategy both, β^2, 2 -amino acid derivatives with different functionalities at the newly created stereocenter, and spirocyclic structures can be efficiently prepared.

(Thio)urea-mediated synthesis of functionalized six-membered rings with multiple chiral centers

Organocatalysis, now running its second decade of life, is being considered one of the main tools a synthetic chemist has to perform asymmetric catalysis. In this review the synthesis of six-membered rings, that contain multiple chiral centers, either by a ring closing process or by a functionalization reaction on an already existing six-membered ring, utilizing bifunctional (thio)ureas will be summarized. Initially, the use of primary amine-thioureas as organocatalysts for the above transformation is being discussed, followed by the examples employing secondary amine-thioureas. Finally, the use of tertiary amine-thioureas and miscellaneous examples are presented.

Mechanism, chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity for the rhodium-catalyzed desymmetric synthesis of hydrobenzofurans: a theoretical study

A theoretical study of Rhodium-catalyzed desymmetrization of cyclohexadienones.

Recyclable organocatalyst-promoted one-pot Michael/aza-Henry/lactamization reactions for fluorinated 2-piperidinones bearing four stereogenic centres

A highly efficient method for asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated 2-piperidinones bearing four stereogenic centres is introduced.

Synergistic Cu–amine catalysis for the enantioselective synthesis of chiral cyclohexenones

An unprecedented utilization of 1,3-acetonedicarboxylic acid as a 1,3-bis-pro-nucleophile and a reactive acetone surrogate in enantioselective catalysis has been reported.

Metal-free aerobic C–H oxidation of cyclic enones

A metal-free procedure is described for the aerobic and complete C–H methylene oxidation of Hajos–Parrish enones to versatile dihydroindenediones.