Recent advances in the application of ylide-like species in [4+1]-annulation reactions: an update review

In this review, advances in [4+1]‐annulation reactions involving sulfonium, sulfoxonium and ammonium ylides, as well as diazo compounds and carbenes are summarized over the last 6 years. Newly emerged methods...

Water-Mediated Intramolecular Cyclization/Oxidation of α-Carbonyl Sulfur Ylides: Synthesis of Corey-Chaykovsky Reagent Type Heterocycles

A new class of Corey-Chaykovsky reagent type five-membered heterocycles with an oxosulfonium ylide moiety has been synthesized by the water-mediated intramolecular cyclization/oxidation of α-carbonyl sulfur ylides generated in situ from sulfonium salts under mild conditions.

A formal intermolecular [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of 3-chlorooxindole and o-quinone methides: a facile synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole scaffolds

Herein, we developed an efficient and straightforward method for the rapid synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole scaffolds via the [4 + 1] cyclization reaction of 3-chlorooxindole with o-quinone methides (o-QMs), which were generated under mild conditions. The products could be obtained in excellent yields with numerous types of 3-chlorooxindole. This methodology features mild reaction conditions, high atom-economy and broad substrate scope.

Herein, we developed an efficient and straightforward method for the rapid synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole scaffolds via the [4 + 1] cyclization reaction of 3-chlorooxindole with o-quinone methides (o-QMs), which were generated under mild conditions.

Diastereoselective synthesis of CF3-dihydrobenzofurans by [4+1] annulation of in situ-generated CF3-o-quinone methides and sulfur ylides

An efficient and highly diastereoselective synthesis of CF₃-dihydrobenzofurans by the reaction of in situ-generated CF₃-oQMs in the presence of a base with sulphur ylides is put forward. The generality of the present developed method was well studied with diverse substrates to access the corresponding products in excellent yields. The highly reactive CF₃-oQM has been utilized first time for the annulation reaction.

The first [4 + 1] annulation reaction of in situ-generated highly electrophilic CF₃-ortho-quinone methides with sulphur ylides has been put forth under mild reaction conditions to access CF₃-dihydrobenzofurans.

Copper-catalyzed double C–S bond formation for the synthesis of 2-acyldihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes and 2-acylbenzo[b]thiophenes

Efficient domino methods are developed for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes and 2-acylbenzo[b]thiophenes from 2-iodoketones using in situ generated iodine from by-product KI with a Cu-catalyst and xanthate.

Mild and efficient synthesis of trans-3-aryl-2-nitro-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans on water

A protocol to prepare trans-3-aryl-2-nitro-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans has been developed on water. The protocol avoids the use of toxic solvents, tedious work-up procedures, and chromatographic separation.

Efficient access to fluorescent benzofuro[3,2-b]carbazoles via TFA-promoted cascade annulations of sulfur ylides, 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes and indoles

An efficient, TFA-promoted cascade annulation of sulfur ylides, 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes and indoles was established.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed, Diastereo- and Enantioselective, Intramolecular Oxa-Diels-Alder Reaction of ortho-Quinone Methides and Unactivated Dienophiles

A stereoselective, phosphoric acid-catalyzed synthesis of dihydrochromenochromenes has been developed using transient ortho-quinone methides ( o-QMs). Three contiguous stereogenic centers were formed with excellent yields, partially as single diastereomers and with moderate to excellent enantioselectivity. This intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction features unactivated dienophiles and o-QM precursors tethered by a simple phenoxy linker and furnishes cycloadducts with a prominent structural motif found in many natural products. Through an appropriate choice of dienophile configuration and backbone substitution either exo- or endo-stereoisomers were formed selectively with up to a 96:04 enantiomeric ratio.

Lewis acid-catalyzed tandem cyclization of in situ generated o-quinone methides and arylsulfonyl hydrazides for a one-pot entry to 3-sulfonylbenzofurans

Lewis acid-mediated one-pot tandem cyclization of o-QMs with arylsulfonyl hydrazides was described for the first time and the corresponding 3-sulfonylbenzofuran products were obtained in moderate to good yields.

Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed [4 + 1]-Cycloannulation Reaction of ortho-Quinone Methides and Diazoketones: Catalytic, Enantioselective Access toward cis-2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans

A highly straightforward route to enantiomerically highly enriched cis-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans has been achieved via addition of α-diazocarbonyl compounds to in situ generated o-QMs catalyzed by a chiral Brønsted acid. This catalytic strategy provides a direct access to 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans in high yields and with up to 91:9 dr and 99:1 er at ambient temperature. Moreover, a unique phenonium-type rearrangement accounts for product formation with an inverted 2,3-substitution pattern.

Ammonium Ylide Mediated Cyclization Reactions

The use of readily accessible ammonium ylides for (asymmetric) transformations, especially cyclization reactions, has received considerable attention over the past two decades. A variety of highly enantioselective protocols to facilitate annulation reactions have recently been introduced as an alternative to other common methods including S-ylide-mediated strategies. It is the intention of this short review to provide an introduction to this field by highlighting the potential of ammonium ylides for (asymmetric) cyclization reactions as well as to present the limitations and challenges of these methods.

An elimination/Heck coupling/allylation cascade reaction: synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from allenoate adducts

A highly regio- and stereoselective Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction of allenoate adducts has been developed. Various allenoate adducts of phosphine-catalyzed addition of allenoates are found to be efficient substrates for the preparation of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran. It is the first example of allenoate adducts used as ideal and practical precursors of hard-to-get functionalized 1,3-butadienes for heterocycle synthesis.

Vinylogous Elimination/Heck Coupling/Allylation Domino Reactions: Access to 2-Substituted 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans and Indolines

A highly regio- and stereoselctive palladium-catalyzed domino reaction of functionalized aryl allyl ethers has been developed. Various aryl allyl ethers derived from the phosphine-catalyzed addition of electron-deficient allenes with phenol are found to be efficient substrates for the synthesis of 2-substituted 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and indolines. It is the first example of aryl allyl ether used as an ideal and practical precursor of hard to get functionalized 1,3-butadiene for the heterocyclic compound synthesis.

Formal (4 + 1)-Addition of Allenoates to o-Quinone Methides

The first (4 + 1)-annulation of o-quinone methides with α-branched allenoates as C1 synthons has been developed. This operationally simple protocol gives access to highly functionalized dihydrobenzofurans in an unprecedented fashion with excellent diastereoselectivities and high yields.

1,6-Conjugated addition-mediated [4 + 1] annulation: an approach to 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans

2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans were achieved via a 1,6-conjugated addition-mediated [4 + 1] annulation of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides in high yields with high diastereoselectivity.

Enantioselective Spirocyclopropanation of para-Quinone Methides Using Ammonium Ylides

The use of Cinchona alkaloid-based chiral ammonium ylides allows for the first highly enantioselective and broadly applicable spirocyclopropanation reactions of para-quinone methides. This strategy provides a straightforward protocol toward the chiral spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-one skeleton, which is a frequently found structural motif in important biologically active molecules.

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans by a [4+1] Annulation Between Ammonium Ylides and In Situ Generated o-Quinone Methides

A highly enantio‐ and diastereoselective [4+1] annulation between in situ generated ammonium ylides and o‐quinone methides for the synthesis of a variety of 2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans has been developed. The key factors controlling the reactivity and stereoselectivity were systematically investigated by experimental and computational means and the energy profiles obtained provide a deeper insight into the mechanistic details of this reaction.

Palladium-catalyzed paraformaldehyde insertion: a three-component synthesis of benzofurans

2-Aroylbenzofurans were prepared from 2-bromophenols, phenacyl bromides and paraformaldehyde under palladium catalysis conditions.

DMSO/I2 mediated C–C bond cleavage of α-ketoaldehydes followed by C–O bond formation: a metal-free approach for one-pot esterification

One-pot I₂/DMSO mediated metal-free C–C bond cleavage of aryl-/heteroaryl- or aliphatic α-ketoaldehydes offering a carboxylic acid followed by esterification is presented.