Organocatalytic enantioselective [2 + 4]-annulation of γ-substituted allenoates with N-acyldiazenes for the synthesis of optically active 1,3,4-oxadiazines

Copper-catalyzed intermolecular formal (5 + 1) annulation of 1,5-diynes with 1,2,5-oxadiazoles

One-carbon homologation reactions based on one-carbon insertion into the N-O bond of heterocycles have received tremendous interest over the past decades. However, these protocols have to rely on the use of hazardous and not easily accessible diazo compounds as precursors, and examples of the relevant asymmetric catalysis have not been reported. Here we show that a copper-catalyzed intermolecular formal (5 + 1) annulation of 1,5-diynes with 1,2,5-oxadiazoles involving one-carbon insertion into the heterocyclic N-O bond via non-diazo approach. This method enables practical and atom-economic synthesis of valuable pyrrole-substituted oxadiazines in generally moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions. In addition, the possibility of such an asymmetric formal (5 + 1) annulation also emerges.

One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3,4-Oxadiazines from Acylhydrazides and Allenoates

The framework of 1,3,4-oxadiazine is crucial for numerous bioactive molecules, but only a limited number of synthetic methods have been reported for its production. In 2015, Wang's group developed a 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP)-catalyzed [2 + 4] cycloaddition of allenoates with N-acyldiazenes, which provided an atom-efficient route for 1,3,4-oxadiazines. However, the practicality of this method was limited by the instability of N-acyldiazenes as starting materials. Building upon our ongoing research about the aerobic oxidation of hydrazides and their synthetic applications, we hypothesized that aerobic oxidative cycloadditions using acylhydrazides instead of N-acyldiazenes may provide a more practical synthetic route for 1,3,4-oxadiazines. In this manuscript, we describe a one-pot synthetic protocol for 1,3,4-oxadiazines from acylhydrazides and allenoates. The developed one-pot protocol consists of aerobic oxidations of acylhydrazides into N-acyldiazenes using NaNO₂ and HNO₃, followed by the DMAP-catalyzed cycloaddition of allenoate with the generated N-acyldiazenes. A variety of 1,3,4-oxadiazines were produced in good to high yields. In addition, the practicality of the developed method was demonstrated by a gram-scale synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazine.

Expedient cobalt-catalyzed stereospecific cascade C-N and C-O bond formation of styrene oxides with hydrazones

Cobalt-catalyzed cascade C-N and C-O bond formation of epoxides with hydrazones is described to furnish oxadiazines using air as an oxidant. The catalyst plays a dual role as a Lewis acid followed by a redox catalyst to accomplish the C-H/O-H cyclization. Optically active styrene oxide can be reacted enantiospecifically (>99% ee).

Catalytic asymmetric amination of azlactones with azobenzenes

We reported an efficient asymmetric amination of azlactones with N-aryl-N-aroyldiazenes through a chiral N,N'-dioxide-based Lewis acid catalyst. The multicoordination ability of Nd(III) enabled it to simultaneously activate and to locate the two reactants for N-selective addition. Hydrazine-bearing azlactone derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivity.

NHC-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulations of allenoates and 2,3-dioxopyrrolidine derivatives

A facile NHC-catalyzed [2 + 4] annulation of allenoates with 2,3-dioxypyrrolidine derivatives was discovered, which paved a new avenue for the construction of highly substituted pyranopyrrole with moderate to good yields, high atom economy and mild reaction conditions.

[3+2] regioselective annulation reaction of 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones towards synthesis of spirocyclopentenes: understanding the mechanism of γ-attack vs. α-attack using DFT studies

A regioselective [3+2] cyclisation reaction between 2-arylidene-1,3-indanedione and ethyl 2,3-butadienoate catalysed by triphenylphosphine has been demonstrated to synthesize functionalised spirocyclic cyclopentenes. The reaction tolerated various electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl substituted 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones with high to excellent chemical yields (up to 99%) and moderate to good regioselectivity (up to 5 : 1). DFT studies have also been carried out to understand the regioselective nature of this reaction. The results of Frontier molecular orbital calculations and the activation energy (E_a) favour the formation of compound 3avia γ-attack compared to that of 4avia α-attack.

A [3+2] annulation protocol for the construction of functionalized spirocyclopentenes utilizing 1,3-indanedione derived benzylidene-1,3-indanedione and ethyl-2,3-butadienoate at room temperature was developed.

Regiodivergent Organocatalytic Reactions

Organocatalysts are abundantly used for various transformations, particularly to obtain highly enantio- and diastereomeric pure products by controlling the stereochemistry. These applications of organocatalysts have been the topic of several reviews. Organocatalysts have emerged as one of the very essential areas of research due to their mild reaction conditions, cost-effective nature, non-toxicity, and environmentally benign approach that obviates the need for transition metal catalysts and other toxic reagents. Various types of organocatalysts including amine catalysts, Brønsted acids, and Lewis bases such as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts, cinchona alkaloids, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and hydrogen bond-donating catalysts, have gained renewed interest because of their regioselectivity. In this review, we present recent advances in regiodivergent reactions that are governed by organocatalysts. Additionally, we briefly discuss the reaction pathways of achieving regiodivergent products by changes in conditions such as solvents, additives, or the temperature.