Phosphine-catalysed transformations of ortho- and para-quinone methides

Organocatalytic methodologies for the derivatization of o-QM, p-QM and the analogous aza-QM have been recently developed and involve different catalytic systems such as phosphoric acids, thioureas, squaramides, NHC carbenes or chiral ammonium salts. Besides, phosphines, commonly used as ligands in metal-catalysed reactions, can be also used as organocatalysts. In this case, they are mainly involved as nucleophilic catalysts in reactions such as the Rauhut-Currier (RC) reaction. In this review, an analysis of the recent developments in racemic and enantioselective phosphine-catalysed transformations of o-QM, p-QM and aza-o-QM has been carried out.

Stereoselective Reductive Coupling Reactions Utilizing [1,2]-Phospha-Brook Rearrangement: A Powerful Umpolung Approach

[1,2]-Phospha-Brook rearrangement entails the generation of α-oxygenated carbanions via the umpolung process. Recently, these anionic species have been widely utilized for several C-C bond forming strategies, providing various useful frameworks that are difficult to access through conventional approaches. However, the application of this powerful methodology in the development of chiral strategies is still at the nascent stage due to challenges involved in controlling chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity. This synopsis provides a detailed summary of diastereo- and/or enantioselective chemical transformations using [1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement.

Metal-Free Approach for Oxa-spirocyclohexadienones through [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] ipso-Cyclization of para-Quinone Methides with Halo Alcohols

A facile one-pot metal-free, base-mediated formal [3 + 2] and [4 + 2] dearomative ipso-cycloaddition of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with halo alcohols has been designed for the efficient construction of 2-oxa-spirocyclohexadienones in excellent yield under mild reaction conditions. The commercial availability of the bases, reagents, and convenient reaction procedure makes it an attractive method for ipso-cyclization.

Synthesis of 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins and 4-aryl-4H-chromenes via Er(OTf)3-catalyzed cascade reactions of p-quinone methides with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

The Er(OTf)₃-catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with various 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed, which efficiently constructed a series of versatile 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins and 4-aryl-4H-chromenes. Herein, we not only propose a novel cyclization strategy of p-QMs, but also provide an easy access to structurally diverse coumarins and chromenes.

Recent development in asymmetric organocatalytic domino reactions involving 1,6-addition as a key step

This article highlights the significant development in stereoselective domino reactions involving 1,6-addition as a crucial step.

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalysed homoenolate addition reaction to 3-cyano-2-imino-2H-chromenes: synthesis of C4-functionalized 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromene

A NHC-catalyzed homoenolate addition reaction between enals and iminochromenes to yields of a new type of C4-functionalized 2-amino-4H-chromenes has been developed.

Synthesis of Spiroindolenine Bearing Chroman Scaffolds Based on Cylization Reaction to para-Methylated Methides

An efficient diastereoselective cyclization reaction of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides with α,β-unsaturated imines generated in situ from aryl sulfonyl indoles was developed, which afforded spiroindolenine bearing chroman scaffolds in good to...

Construction of chiral chroman skeletons via catalytic asymmetric [4 + 2] cyclization of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal rhodium complex

Construction of chiral chroman skeletons via catalytic asymmetric [4 + 2] cyclization of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-QMs catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal rhodium complex.

Construction of Oxygen- and Nitrogen-based Heterocycles from p-Quinone Methides

In the last few years, there has been an explosive growth in the area of para-quinone methide (p-QM) chemistry. This boom is actually due to the unique reactivity pattern of p-QMs, and also their remarkable synthetic applications. In fact, p-QMs serve as synthons for unsymmetrical diaryl- and triarylmethanes, and also for the construction of diverse range of carbocycles and heterocycles. In the last few years, a wide range of structurally complex heterocyclic frameworks could be accessed through the synthetic transformations of structurally modified stable p-QMs. Therefore, the main focus of this review article is to cover the recent advancements in the transition-metal, Lewis acid and base-catalyzed/mediated synthetic transformations of the stable p-quinone methides (p-QMs) to oxygen- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

A rhodium-catalysed conjugate addition/cyclization cascade for the asymmetric synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes

The enantioselective synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes via the cascade rhodium-catalysed conjugate addition/hetero Thorpe-Ziegler reaction is reported. Moderate to good yields (up to 98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) were obtained with a chiral diene-coordinated rhodium complex as the catalyst. This protocol remedies the methodological deficiency in the asymmetric synthesis of 4-aryl 2-amino-4H-chromenes.

Non-hydrogen bond catalyst-mediated diastereoselective conjugate additions of 5H-oxazol-4-ones to o-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-quinone methides

An efficient DBU-catalyzed conjugate addition of 5H-oxazol-4-ones to o-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-quinone methides has been developed, affording the valuable diarylmethanes in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity. This strategy demonstrates a robust access to a wide range of diarylmethane derivatives possessing biologically significant o-hydroxyphenol and p-hydroxyphenol moieties under mild reaction conditions.

Gold-catalyzed domino reactions of alkynol and p-quinone methides: divergent synthesis of fused- and spiro-ketals

A gold-catalyzed domino reaction of alkynyl alcohols and p-quinone methides to obtain divergent fused- and spiro-ketals has been developed.

Organocatalytic asymmetric cascade 1,6-addition/hemiketalization/retro-Henry reaction of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-QMs with α-nitroketones

Novel organocatalytic asymmetric cascade 1,6-addition/hemiketalization/retro-Henry reaction is developed to give new chiral 2-(1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)phenols with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions.

In(OTf)3-catalysed easy access to dihydropyranocoumarin and dihydropyranochromone derivatives

Allylation/cyclization of β-ketolactone-type heterocyclic compounds, under In(OTf)₃-catalysis, for the construction of biologically active dihydropyranocoumarin and dihydropyranochromone derivatives.

Construction of chiral chroman scaffolds via catalytic asymmetric (4 + 2) cyclizations of para-quinone methide derivatives with 3-vinylindoles

The title reaction has been established in the presence of chiral phosphoric acid, affording chiral chroman derivatives bearing an indole moiety in high yields and with moderate to good stereoselectivities.

Recent developments in 1,6-addition reactions of para-quinone methides (p-QMs)

In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in this rapidly growing field by summarizing the 1,6-conjugate addition and annulation reactions of p-QMs with consideration of their mechanisms and applications.

Organocatalytic and enantioselective [4+2] cyclization between hydroxymaleimides and ortho-hydroxyphenyl para-quinone methide-selective preparation of chiral hemiketals

A highly effective and enantioselective organocatalytic [4+2] cyclization has been disclosed, and a series of new chiral hemiketals containing chromane and succinimide frameworks have been firstly prepared in excellent results with 100% atom efficacy.

Divergent synthesis of oxindole derivatives via controllable reactions of isatin-derived para-quinone methides with sulfur ylides

A catalyst-free and controllable reaction of isatin-derived para-quinone methides with sulfur ylides was developed, and it enables the divergent synthesis of two valuable oxindoles.

Asymmetric organocatalytic double 1,6-addition: rapid access to chiral chromans with molecular complexity

We have developed a highly δ-selective organocatalytic asymmetric double 1,6-addition protocol by tethering ortho-hydroxyphenyl substituted p-QMs onto the linear unbiased 2,4-dienals towards the formation of synthetically enriched chiral chromans.

Regioselective catalytic asymmetric N-alkylation of isoxazol-5-ones with para-quinone methides

A highly regioselective and enantioselective N-alkylation of isoxazol-5-ones with para-quinone methides has been developed to obtain enantioenriched N-diarylmethane substituted isoxazolinones with high yields and enantioselectivities.

Cu(ii)-Catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition between quinone methides (QMs) and electron-poor 3-vinylindoles

A new Cu(ii)-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition between quinone methides (QMs) including para-quinone methides (p-QMs) and ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) and electron-poor 3-vinylindoles was established.

Synthesis of indenofurans, benzofurans and spiro-lactones via Hauser–Kraus annulation involving 1,6-addition of phthalide to quinone methides

Base mediated 1,6-addition–Dieckmann cyclization of phthalide with quinone methide leads to oxygen heterocycles such as indenofurans, spiro-lactones and benzofurans through a cascade of rearrangements involving multiple ring opening and ring closure.

Organocatalytic Remote Stereocontrolled 1,8-Additions of Thiazolones to Propargylic Aza-p-quinone Methides

A remote stereocontrolled 1,8-conjugate addition of thiazolones to propargylic aza-p-quinone methides formed from propargylic alcohols has been developed with the aid of a chiral phosphoric acid, and this represents the first report on organocatalytic stereocontrolled 1,8-addition of propargylic aza-p-quinone methides. Notably, the remote stereocontrolled activation protocol enables the construction of vicinal sulfur-containing quaternary carbon stereocenters and axially chiral tetrasubstituted allenes and promotes the chemistry of chiral phosphoric acids.

Catalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Indoles to para-Quinone Methide Derivatives

A catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of indoles to o-hydroxyphenyl substituted p-quinone methides has been established in the presence of chiral phosphoric acid, which afforded chiral indole-containing triarylmethanes in generally high yields (54-98%) and good enantioselectivities (90:10-96:4 enantiomeric ratio). The control experiments indicated that o-hydroxyphenyl substituted p-quinone methides had a high possibility to transform into o-quinone methides in the presence of chiral phosphoric acid, and the formation of o-quinone methides might be a necessity for the reaction. This reaction will not only contribute to the research field of catalytic asymmetric transformations of p-quinone methides and o-quinone methides but also provide a useful method for the construction of enantioenriched triarylmethane frameworks.

Asymmetric domino 1,6-addition/annulation reaction of 3-cyano-4-alkenyl-2H-chromen-2-ones with isatin-derived MBH carbonates: enantioselective synthesis of 3,3′-cyclopentenylspirooxindoles bearing 2H-chromen-2-ones

An asymmetric domino 1,6-addition/annulation reaction of 3-cyano-4-alkenyl-2H-chromen-2-ones with isatin-derived MBH carbonates was achieved by using a modified cinchona alkaloid as a catalyst.

Phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] cyclization of para-quinone methide derivatives with allenes

The first [4 + 2] cyclization of para-quinone methide derivatives with allenes has been established via phosphine catalysis, which afforded a series of chroman derivatives in high yields (up to 97%) and excellent (E/Z)-selectivities (all >95 : 5 E/Z).