Organophosphates as Versatile Substrates in Organic Synthesis

This review summarizes the applications of organophosphates in organic synthesis. After a brief introduction, it discusses cross-coupling reactions, including both transition-metal-catalyzed and transition-metal-free substitution reactions. Subsequently, oxidation and reduction reactions are described. In addition, this review highlights the applications of organophosphates in the synthesis of natural compounds, demonstrating their versatility and importance in modern synthetic chemistry.

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-α,β-unsaturated esters: triethylamine-catalyzed allylic rearrangement of enol phosphates

α,β-Unsaturated esters are key structural motifs widely distributed in various biologically active molecules, and their Z/E-stereoselective synthesis has always been considered highly attractive in organic synthesis. Herein, we present a >99% (E)-stereoselective one-pot synthetic approach towards β-phosphoroxylated α,β-unsaturated esters via a mild trimethylamine-catalyzed 1,3-hydrogen migration of the corresponding unconjugated intermediates derived from the solvent-free Perkow reaction between low-cost 4-chloroacetoacetates and phosphites. Versatile β,β-disubstituted (E)-α,β-unsaturated esters were thus afforded with full (E)-stereoretentivity by cleavage of the phosphoenol linkage via Negishi cross-coupling. Moreover, a stereoretentive (E)-rich mixture of a α,β-unsaturated ester derived from 2-chloroacetoacetate was obtained and both isomers were easily afforded in one operation.

Synthesis of enol phosphates directly from ketones via a modified one-pot Perkow reaction

A modified Perkow reaction, named Perkow-Shi reaction, was developed based on the one-pot α-tosyloxylation of ketones following by addition of P(iii)-reagents and 4 Å molecular sieves. Diversity of enol phosphates, as well as enol phosphonates, enol phosphinates, and enol phosphoramidates were synthesized in high yields directly from the ubiquitously available ketones instead of the unfavourable α-chloroketones under a mild and environmental friendly condition.

A modified Perkow reaction was developed based on the one-pot α-tosyloxylation of ketones following by addition of P(iii)-reagents and 4 Å molecular sieves.

Stereocomplementary and Parallel Syntheses of Multi-Substituted (E)-, (Z)-Stereodefined α,β-Unsaturated Esters: Application to Drug Syntheses

Ubiquitous α,β-unsaturated esters are well recognized as key structural olefin scaffolds in organic chemistry. (E)- and (Z)-steroselectivity is the most critical issue in their synthesis, however, (E)- and (Z)- stereocomplementary synthetic methods remain quite limited. The present account discloses general (E)-, (Z)-stereocomplementary syntheses of a variety of α,β-unsaturated esters from highly accessible (E)-, (Z)-stereodefined enol tosylates derived from β-ketoesters and α-formyl esters. Step 1 toward the stereocomplementary preparation of (E)-, (Z)-stereodefined enol tosylates is implemented by using inexpensive reagents under mild reaction conditions. Step 2 toward the highly stereoretentive synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-stereodefined α,β-unsaturated esters involves Suzuki-Miyaura, Negishi, Sonogashira, Iron-catalyzed, Mizoroki-Heck, and Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reactions. Notably, this strategy was successfully applied for parallel drug syntheses of (E)- and (Z)-zimelidine, (E)- and (Z)-tamoxifen, and Merck's cyclopropane pharmacophore. Representative successful utilizations by other groups are also introduced.

Room-Temperature Negishi Reaction of Trisubstituted Vinyl Phosphates for the Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Alkenes

The present study investigated the ability of bromovinyl phosphates to react with organozinc reagents at room temperature during palladium-catalyzed reactions. It was determined that both the bromine atom and the phosphate group were successfully substituted by means of the reaction with the organozinc reagents, thereby allowing for the synthesis of cyclic and acyclic tetrasubstituted double bonds. The low stability of the organozinc compounds in an acidic environment was exploited to accomplish the synthesis of alkenes using a one-pot, two-step experimental setup.

Electrochemical-Induced Ring Transformation of Cyclic α-(ortho-Iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters

Cyclic α-(ortho-iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters were converted in a ring-expanding transformation to furnish benzannulated cycloalkanone carboxylic esters. The reaction sequence started by electrochemical reduction of the iodoarene moiety. In a mechanistic rationale, the resulting carbanionic species was adding to the carbonyl group under formation of a strained, tricyclic benzocyclobutene intermediate, which underwent carbon-carbon bond cleavage and rearrangement of the carbon skeleton by retro-aldol reaction. The scope of the reaction sequence was investigated by converting cyclic oxoesters with different ring sizes yielding benzocycloheptanone, -nonanone and -decanone derivatives in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, acyclic starting materials and cyclic compounds carrying additional substituents on the iodophenyl ring were submitted to this reaction sequence. The starting materials for this transformation are straightforwardly obtained by conversion of β-oxoesters with phenyliodobis(trifluoroacetate).

Iron-catalyzed stereospecific arylation of enol tosylates using Grignard reagents

Iron-catalyzed stereospecific arylation of enol tosylates with Grignard reagents.

Iron catalyzed stereoselective alkene synthesis: a sustainable pathway

Replacing expensive or toxic transition metals with iron has become an important trend. This article summarises the recent progresses of a wide range of Fe-catalyzed reactions for accessing various stereodefined alkenes.

A rearrangement involving a solid-state melt reaction for the synthesis of multifunctional tetrasubstituted olefins

A new catalyst- and solvent-free intramolecular rearrangement sequence leading towards benzimidazole-tethered tetrasubstituted olefins through a solid-state melt reaction (SSMR).

Divergent Synthetic Access to E- and Z-Stereodefined All-Carbon-Substituted Olefin Scaffolds: Application to Parallel Synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-Tamoxifens

A highly substrate‐general synthesis of all‐carbon‐substituted E‐ and Z‐stereodefined olefins is performed. The method comprises two sets of parallel and stereocomplementary preparations of (E)‐ and (Z)‐α,β‐unsaturated esters involving two robust and distinctive reactions: 1) stereocomplementary enol tosylations using readily available TsCl/diamine/(LiCl) base reagents, and 2) stereoretentive Negishi cross‐coupling using the catalysts [Pd(dppe)Cl₂] (for E) and [Pd(dppb)Cl₂] (for Z). The present parallel approach is categorized as both type I (convergent approach: 16 examples, 56–87 % yield) and type II (divergent approach: 18 examples, 70–95 % yield). The obtained (E)‐ and (Z)‐α,β‐unsaturated ester scaffolds are successfully transformed into various E‐ and Z‐stereodefined known and novel olefins (8×2 derivatization arrays). As a demonstration, application to the parallel synthesis of both (E)‐ and (Z)‐tamoxifens, a representative motif of all‐carbon‐substituted olefins, is accomplished in a total of eight steps with an overall yield of 58 % (average 93 %) and 57 % (average 93 %), respectively.

Functionalized hypercrosslinked polymers with knitted N-heterocyclic carbene–copper complexes as efficient and recyclable catalysts for organic transformations

An N-heterocyclic carbene–copper complex supported on hypercrosslinked polymers was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods, displaying very good catalytic activity in many organic reactions.