N-Sulfenylsuccinimide/phthalimide: an alternative sulfenylating reagent in organic transformations

In the field of organosulfur chemistry, sulfenylating agents are an important key in C-S bond formation strategies. Among various organosulfur precursors, N-sulfenylsuccinimide/phthalimide derivatives have shown highly electrophilic reactivity for the asymmetric synthesis of many organic compounds. Hence, in this review article, we focus on the application of these alternative sulfenylating reagents in organic transformations.

One-Pot Tandem Nickel-Catalyzed α-Vinyl Aldol Reaction and Cycloaddition Approach to [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]quinolines

A one-pot tandem approach to [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinolines was developed from (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones and 2-azidoaryl carbonyls using a sequence of α-vinyl aldol and azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions. In particular, the intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition of allenol intermediates was readily promoted by a synergistic action of NEt₃ and nickel catalysts. Given that the [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinolines are useful synthetic precursors to α-diazoimines through ring-chain isomerization process, the subsequent denitrogenative transformations should provide ready access to valuable heterocyclic compounds.

Continuous Flow Synthesis of 1,4-Benzothiazines Using Ambivalent Reactivity of (E)-β-Chlorovinyl Ketones: A Point of Reaction Control Enabled by Flow Chemistry

A continuous flow system to 1,4-benzothiazines was developed using the point of reaction control, where the ambivalent (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones and 2,2'-dithiodianilines were confined in a diffusion controlled flow setting. The successful segregation of reactive chemical species in a flow setting allowed more defined reaction pathways that are not feasible in traditional batch reaction conditions. The point of reaction control in flow systems helps to execute the reactions often plagued with the concurrent generation of multiple chemical species.

One-Pot Synthesis of N-Hydroxypyrroles via Soft α-Vinyl Enolization of (E)-β-Chlorovinyl Ketones: A Traceless Arylsulfinate Mediator Strategy

A traceless arylsulfinate mediator strategy has been developed to switch the reaction course of β-chlorovinyl ketones with N-hydroxyamine. The soft α-vinyl enolization of (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones was conducted in the presence of sodium arylsulfinate to give transient alkenyl sulfones that in turn reacted with NH₂OH to give novel access to N-hydroxypyrroles. The mechanistic studies revealed the initial formation of oxazine intermediates that rearranged to thermodynamically stable aromatic products, N-hydroxypyrroles, under microwave-assisted heating conditions.

Catalytic Electrophilic Thiocarbocyclization of Allenes

An efficient approach via catalytic electrophilic thiocarbocyclization of allenes to construct indene-based sulfides with excellent regioselectivities is disclosed. The reactions were carried out at low temperatures by selenide catalysis in the presence of TMSOTf. Not only electrophilic arylthio reagents but also electrophilic alkylthio reagents worked well under these conditions. Furthermore, the method could be applied to intermolecular azidothiolation of allenes.

Access to Allene-Containing Molecules via Enantioselective Reactions of Azolium Cumulenolate Intermediates

Azolium cumulenolates are a special type of intermediates in N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. They contain elongated linear structures with three contiguous C=C bonds and sterically unhindered α-carbon atoms. These structural features make it difficult to develop enantioselective reactions for these intermediates. Here we disclose the first carbene-catalyzed highly enantioselective addition reactions of azolium cumulenolates. The reaction starts with alkynals as the precursors for azolium cumulenolate intermediates that undergo enantioselective addition to activated ketones. From the same set of substrates, both allene and spirooxindole products can be obtained with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The allene moieties in our optically enriched products carry rich reactivities and can be transformed to diverse molecules. The spirooxindole scaffolds in our products are important structural motifs in natural products and medicines.

CuI-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Thiolation of Propargylic Cyclic Carbonates/Carbamates to Access Allenyl Thioethers

The first CuI-catalyzed decarboxylative thiolation of terminal alkyne-substituted cyclic carbonates/carbamates to access allenes has been developed. A wide range of hydroxymethyl- and aminomethyl-containing allenyl thioethers were smoothly obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. The copper-allenylidene intermediate among the process is crucial to the decarboxylative thiolation reaction. This method opens up a new channel to access allenyl thioether compounds.

Tandem Transformations via Friedel-Crafts Acylation Followed by a Ring-Expansion, Ring-Opening, and Cycloisomerization Sequence

A tandem synthetic route to a diverse array of cyclic compounds has been developed from Friedel-Crafts acylation of alkynes followed by the microwave irradiation of β-chlorovinyl ketone intermediates. The stereoisomeric β-chlorovinyl ketone intermediates smoothly underwent a thermal α-vinyl enolization and ring expansion to vinyl and carbocyclic furans as well as cyclopetene derivatives in good to excellent yields without the need for any catalysts.

(E)-Selective Friedel–Crafts acylation of alkynes to β-chlorovinyl ketones: defying isomerizations in batch reactions by flow chemistry approaches

Flow chemistry approaches provide a fast, clean, and stereoselective synthetic route to (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones, free from inherent (E) → (Z) isomerization.

Thio-Michael addition of thioamides and allenes for the selective construction of polysubstituted 2-arylthiophenes via TBAI/H2O2 promoted tandem oxidative annulation and 1,2-sulfur migration

A novel TBAI-catalyzed tandem thio-Michael addition/oxidative annulation of allenes and thioamides for the construction of polysubstituted 2-arylthiophenes under a sulfur migration transformation protocol has been developed. The transition-metal-free protocol achieves the oxidative cyclization reaction of thioamides containing electron-rich substituents with allenes to construct polysubstituted thiophenes selectively by controlling oxidation conditions.

A One-Pot Synthesis of Pyranone and Pyrrole Derivatives from β-Chlorovinyl Ketones via Direct Conjugate Addition Approach

The direct conjugate addition reactions of imino esters to β-chlorovinyl ketones have been accomplished in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of hard base, LiHMDS. An in situ generated species from the conjugate addition reaction readily acted as autocatalyst to convert the imino esters to its corresponding enolates. By utilizing a sequence of conjugate addition/elimination/lactonization followed by either reduction or reaction with amines, the novel one-pot syntheses of highly functionalized pyranone and pyrrole derivatives were accomplished in good to excellent yields.