Recent contributions from the Baylis-Hillman reaction to organic chemistry

Regioselective SN2' Mitsunobu reaction of Morita-Baylis-Hillman alcohols: A facile and stereoselective synthesis of α-alkylidene-β-hydrazino acid derivatives

A highly regioselective S_N2' Mitsunobu reaction between Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) alcohols, azodicarboxylates, and triphenylphosphine is developed, which provides an easy access to α-alkylidene-β-hydrazino acid derivatives in high yields and good stereoselectivity. This reaction represents the first direct transformation of MBH alcohols into hydrazines.

α-Isocupreine, an enantiocomplementary catalyst of β-isocupreidine

Complementary chemistry! α-Isocupreine (-ICPN) was synthesized for the first time in one step from quinine by treatment with CF3SO3H (see scheme). This compound serves as an enantiocomplementary catalyst to β-isocupreidine (β-ICD) in the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction.

P-chirogenic organocatalysts: application to the aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman (aza-MBH) reaction of ketimines

The P-chirogenic organocatalysts were found to promote the enantioselective aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of ketimines derived from acyclic α-keto esters. In the P-chirogenic organocatalyzed aza-MBH reactions, α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives were obtained in high yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).

Catalytic MBH reaction of β-substituted nitroalkenes with azodicarboxylates

An unprecedented N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction of β-substituted nitroalkenes and azodicarboxylates has been developed. Both β-aryl and β-alkyl nitroalkenes worked well for the reaction using 5 mol% of NHC catalyst, giving the desired α-hydrazino-α,β-unsaturated nitroalkenes in good to excellent yields.

Efficient Synthesis of Pyrazole Fused [6-7-5] Tricyclic Frameworks via Intramolecular Friedel–Crafts Reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Adducts

A novel and efficient synthesis of pyrazole fused[6-7-5]tricyclic derivatives via AlCl3-catalysed intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts was described and a plausible mechanism was given.

Total synthesis of (+)-grandiamide D, dasyclamide and gigantamide A from a Baylis-Hillman adduct: A unified biomimetic approach

A unified strategy was followed for the synthesis of three putrescine bisamides, (+)-grandiamide D, dasyclamide and gigantamide A, isolated from leaves of Aglaia gigantea, by making use of a common synthetic intermediate prepared by the Baylis–Hillman reaction. Asymmetric synthesis of the natural (+)-grandiamide D was accomplished from camphor sultam.

Highly regio- and diastereoselective construction of spirocyclopenteneoxindole phosphonates through a phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation reaction

A phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of MBH phosphonates with isatylidene malononitriles is developed, which represents a novel approach to highly regioselective and diastereoselective synthesis of spirocyclopenteneoxindole phosphonates.

The highly enantioselective catalytic aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction

Chiral phosphine, amine or metal catalyzed asymmetric aza-MBH reactions of various imines with different Michael acceptors in recent decades have been discussed and the perspectives offered by these new developments have also been demonstrated.

Recent advances in the synthesis of nitroolefin compounds

This review focuses on recent achievements in nitroolefin synthesis and the mechanisms of the reactions are also discussed.

The Baylis–Hillman acetates in organic synthesis: Unprecedented sodium nitrite induced intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization of secondary nitro compounds

Unprecedented sodium nitrite mediated intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization of alkyl (E)-2-arylidene-4-nitroalkanoates and (E)-3-arylidene-5-nitroalkan-2-ones derived from Baylis–Hillman acetates has been described.

A Simple and Direct Synthesis of 3-Methylene-1, 4-diarylazetidin-2-ones and (E)-3-Arylidene-1-phenylazetidin-2-ones Using Baylis–Hillman Derivatives

Herein we describe a direct method, promoted by potassium tert-butoxide (KOtBu), for the synthesis of highly substituted α-methylene β-lactams and α-arylidene β-lactams from the amino ester intermediates derived from the acetates and bromo derivatives of the Baylis–Hillman adducts. A variety of β-lactams was synthesized in a single step with good yields.

Advances in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis of alkenes, allenes, alkynes, and MBHADs

In nucleophilic phosphine catalysis, tertiary phosphines undergo conjugate additions to activated carbon-carbon multiple bonds to form β-phosphonium enolates, β-phosphonium dienolates, β-phosphonium enoates, and vinyl phosphonium ylides as intermediates. When these reactive zwitterionic species react with nucleophiles and electrophiles, they may generate carbo- and heterocycles with multifarious molecular architectures. This article describes the reactivities of these phosphonium zwitterions, the applications of phosphine catalysis in the syntheses of biologically active compounds and natural products, and recent developments in the enantioselective phosphine catalysis.