Enantioselective Heck‐Matsuda Reactions of Spirocyclopentenyl Hydantoins Directed by Non‐Covalent Interactions: Total Synthesis of the ( S , S )‐VPC01091

Asymmetric bifunctionalization of allenes with aryl iodides and amino acids enabled by chiral aldehyde/palladium combined catalysis

Even though catalytic asymmetric bifunctionalization of allenes has been extensively studied, almost all of the reported examples have been achieved in a two-component manner. In this study, we report a highly efficient asymmetric bifunctionalization of allenes with iodohydrocarbons and NH2-unprotected amino acid esters. The adopted chiral aldehyde/palladium combined catalytic system precisely governs the chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity of this three-component reaction. A wide range of substituted aryl iodides, allenes and amino acid esters can well participate in this reaction and deliver structurally diverse α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid esters with excellent experimental outcomes. One of the resulting products is utilized for the total synthesis of the molecule (S,R)-VPC01091.

Enantioselective synthesis of β-aryl-γ-lactam derivatives via Heck-Matsuda desymmetrization of N-protected 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles

We report herein an enantioselective palladium-catalyzed Heck-Matsuda reaction for the desymmetrization of N-protected 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles with aryldiazonium salts, using the chiral N,N-ligand (S)-PyraBox. This strategy has allowed straightforward access to a diversity of 4-aryl-γ-lactams via Heck arylation followed by a sequential Jones oxidation. The overall method displays a broad scope and good enantioselectivity, favoring the (R) enantiomer. The applicability of the protocol is highlighted by the efficient enantioselective syntheses of the selective phosphodiesterase-4-inhibitor rolipram and the commercial drug baclofen as hydrochloride.

Pd-Catalysed oxidative carbonylation of α-amino amides to hydantoins under mild conditions

The first example of palladium-catalysed oxidative carbonylation of unprotected α-amino amides to hydantoins is described here. The selective synthesis of the target compounds was achieved under mild conditions (1 atm of CO), without ligands and bases. The catalytic system overrode the common reaction pathway that usually leads instead to the formation of symmetrical ureas.

Enantioselective Heck-Matsuda Reactions: From Curiosity to a Game-Changing Methodology

The enantioselective palladium-catalyzed Heck arylation of olefins using arenediazonium salts is one of the last features in the evolution of a synthetic method known as the Heck-Matsuda reaction. This personal account highlights the development of the enantioselective Heck-Matsuda reaction in its initial stages, the challenges faced along the way, and the interesting findings that opened new synthetic opportunities, mainly from our laboratory, featuring the Heck-Matsuda reaction as a central player in the synthesis of bioactive and functional molecules.