Organocatalytic Oxidative Functionalizations of Alkynes

On-water accelerated sulfenylation of indole derivatives under visible light irradiation

A visible-light promoted sulfenylation of N-carboxyindoles with thiols showed substantially higher rate and selectivity when conducted "on water". An EDA complex was proposed to form at the water-oil interface, generating thiyl radicals and thus initiating a chain reaction.

Copper-catalyzed room-temperature cross-dehydrogenative coupling of secondary amides with terminal alkynes: a chemoselective synthesis of ynamides

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction between secondary amides and terminal alkynes has been developed. With the aid of ligands and 3 Å molecular sieves, ynamides can be efficiently synthesized at room temperature and conveniently scaled up. A legitimate mechanism involving nitrogen-centred radicals and copper trivalent intermediates has been proposed.

Gold-Catalyzed Alkyne Multifunctionalization through an Oxidation-Oxyalkylation-Aryloxylation Sequence

A gold-catalyzed oxidative three-component reaction of terminal alkynes with alcohols and quinone monoimines has been disclosed, affording α-ketoacetals in good to excellent yields. By using quinone monoimines as electrophiles for the interception of the in situ generated gold enolate intermediate, this one-pot process provides an unprecedented method for the polyfunctionalization of terminal alkynes through an oxidation-oxyalkylation-aryloxylation sequence, installing three oxygen atoms on the C-C triple bond.

Direct Synthesis of α-Amino Acid Derivatives by Hydrative Amination of Alkynes

α-Amino acid derivatives are key components of the molecules of life. The synthesis of α-amino carbonyl/carboxyl compounds is a contemporary challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we report a practical method for the preparation of α-amino acid derivatives via direct hydrative amination of activated alkynes under mild conditions, relying on sulfinamides as the nitrogen source. Computational studies suggest that the reaction is enabled by a new type of sulfonium [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.

Synthese von α-Aminosäurederivaten durch hydrative Aminierung von Alkinen

α‐Aminosäurederivate sind Kernbestandteile jeglichen Lebens. Die Synthese von α‐Aminocarbonyl/carboxyl Verbindungen ist jedoch weiterhin eine Herausforderung für die organische Synthese. In dieser Arbeit berichten wir von einer praktischen Herstellungsmethode für α‐Aminosäurederivate durch direkte hydrative Aminierung von aktivierten Alkinen mit Sulfinamiden unter milden Bedingungen. Computergestützte Untersuchungen legen nahe, dass eine [2,3]‐sigmatrope Sulfoniumumlagerung der zentrale Schritt der Reaktion ist.

Copper-Catalyzed Chemo-, Regio-, and Stereoselective Multicomponent 1,2,3-Trifunctionalization of Internal Alkynes

Herein, we report the first diaryliodonium salts promoted multicomponent 1,2,3-trifunctionalization of alkynes, where both the acetylenic bond and the adjacent nonactivated propargylic C(sp³)-H bond were functionalized synergistically to generate α-arylated enones with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. A broad spectrum of diaryliodonium salts and internal alkynes could be utilized in this protocol, and a diverse collection of highly substituted and stereochemically defined linear and cyclic complex structures could be elaborated from the enone products.

Ortho-selective C–H arylation of phenols with N-carboxyindoles under Brønsted acid- or Cu(i)-catalysis

Control over chemo- and regioselectivity is a critical issue in the heterobiaryl synthesis via C–H oxidative coupling. To address this challenge, a strategy to invert the normal polarity of indoles in the heterobiaryl coupling was developed. With N-carboxyindoles as umpoled indoles, an exclusively ortho-selective coupling with phenols has been realized, employing a Brønsted acid- or Cu(i)-catalyst (as low as 0.01 mol%). A range of phenols and N-carboxyindoles coupled with exceptional efficiency and selectivity at ambient temperature and the substrates bearing redox-active aryl halides (–Br and –I) smoothly coupled in an orthogonal manner. Notably, preliminary examples of atropselective heterobiaryl coupling have been demonstrated, based on a chiral disulfonimide or a Cu(i)/chiral bisphosphine catalytic system. The reaction was proposed to occur through S_N2′ substitution or a Cu(i)–Cu(iii) cycle, with Brønsted acid or Cu(i) catalysts, respectively.

Control over chemo- and regioselectivity is a critical issue in the heterobiaryl synthesis via C–H oxidative coupling. To address this challenge, a strategy to invert the normal polarity of indoles was developed.

Recent Progress in Enolonium Chemistry under Metal-Free Conditions

Umpolung approach through inversion of the polarity of conventional enolates, has opened up an unprecedented opportunity in the cross-coupling via alkylation. The enolonium equivalents can be accessed either by hypervalent iodine reagents, activation/oxidation of amides, or the oxidation of alkynes. Under umpolung conditions, highly basic conditions required for classical enolate chemistry can be avoided, and they can couple with unmodified nucleophiles such as heteroatom donors and electron-rich arenes.

Palladium-catalysed cyclisation of ynamides and propargyl tethered iodosulfonamides with boronic acids leading to benzosultams

An efficient and straightforward Pd-catalysed synthesis of diversely substituted sultams utilising ynamides and boronic acids is disclosed; toluene was found to be the most suitable solvent for this transformation. This strategy has been successfully applied to generate dihydrobenzo[d]isothiazole 1,1-dioxides and dihydro-2H-benzo[e][1,2]thiazine 1,1-dioxides. The advantages of this protocol are good functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, high-yielding reaction and low catalyst loading to access benzofused sultams with five-/six-membered rings. The synthetic utility has been demonstrated by a gram-scale synthesis. A plausible catalytic cycle involving carbopalladation has been proposed for this transformation.

Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Small Rings

Three- and four-membered rings, widespread motifs in nature and medicinal chemistry, have fascinated chemists ever since their discovery. However, due to energetic considerations, small rings are often difficult to assemble. In this regard, homogeneous gold catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool to construct these highly strained carbocycles. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of all the major advances and discoveries made in the gold-catalyzed synthesis of cyclopropanes, cyclopropenes, cyclobutanes, cyclobutenes, and their corresponding heterocyclic or heterosubstituted analogs.

Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of ynamides

Over the past two decades, the development and application of ynamide chemistry have received more and more attention. Ynamides have proven to be versatile reagents for organic synthesis, and have been widely applied to the rapid assembly of a diverse range of structurally complex N-containing molecules, especially the valuable N-heterocycles. In comparison with the well-established transition metal-catalyzed reactions of ynamides, metal-free ynamide transformations have relatively seldom been exploited. Recently, Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of ynamides represent significant advances in ynamide chemistry. This review summarizes the latest trends and developments of Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of ynamides, including cycloaddition, cyclization, intramolecular alkoxylation-initiated rearrangement, oxygen atom transfer reactions and hydro-heteroatom addition reactions.

Regioselective C-H Functionalization of Heteroarene N-Oxides Enabled by a Traceless Nucleophile

Although N-alkenoxyheteroarenium salts have been widely used as umpoled synthons with nucleophilic (hetero)arenes, the use of electron-poor heteroarenes has remained unexplored. To overcome the inherent electron deficiency of quinolinium salts, a traceless nucleophile-triggered strategy was designed, wherein the quinolinium segment is converted into a dearomatized intermediate, thereby allowing simultaneous C8-functionalization of quinolines at room temperature. Experimental and computational studies support the traceless operation of a nucleophile, which enables the previously inaccessible transformation of N-alkenoxyheteroarenium salts. Remarkably, the generality of this strategy has been further demonstrated by broad applications in the regioselective C-H functionalization of other electron-deficient heteroarenes such as phenanthridine, isoquinoline, and pyridine N-oxides, offering a practical tool for the late-stage functionalization of complex biorelevant molecules.

Aminooxygenation of Ynamides with N-Hydroxybenzotriazoles: Synthesis of α-Benzotriazolyl Carbonyl Compounds

Addition of N-hydroxybenzotriazoles to ynamides causes spontaneous rearrangement, resulting in α-benzotriazolyl imides. The transformation proceeded at rt in the absence of any catalyst but could be efficiently catalyzed by Zn(OTf)₂. Crossover experiments confirmed that the rearrangement is an intramolecular process, most likely via a concerted mechanism. However, heating the mixture above 110 °C resulted in isomerization of N2 into N1 product, via heterolytic C-N bond dissociation. This tandem addition-rearrangement sequence provides an efficient and atom-economical synthetic route for the synthesis of α-benzotriazolyl carbonyl compounds.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary α,α-Diaryl Carbonyl Compounds Using Chiral N,N'-Dioxides under Umpolung Conditions

Brønsted acid-catalyzed addition of the chiral N,N'-dioxide into ynamides generated enolonium ions in situ which underwent enantioselective alkylation by indoles, pyrroles, and phenols, without racemization of the formed tertiary center. This external oxidant approach allows for the use of unmodified nucleophiles and does not leave trace groups from the oxidant, which significantly increases the synthetic efficiency and the product diversity. Furthermore, the byproduct of the N,N'-dioxide could be efficiently recycled into an optically pure form.

Solvent-controlled divergent annulation of ynones and (iso)quinoline N-oxides: of 3-((iso)quinolin-1-yl)-4H-chromen-4-ones and 13H-isoquinolino[2,1-a]quinolin-13-ones

An effective annulation of ynones and (iso)quinoline N-oxides was developed to deliver various functionalized 3-((iso)quinolin-1-yl)-4H-chromen-4-ones and 13H-isoquinolino[2,1-a]quinolin-13-ones in moderate to excellent yields, respectively. This protocol exhibits high regioselectivity and broad substrate scope under transition-metal-free conditions. Moreover, the key reaction intermediate was successfully isolated and determined unambiguously by single crystal X-ray crystallography.

A.E.Favorskii’s scientific legacy in modern organic chemistry: prototropic acetylene – allene isomerization and the acetylene zipper reaction

Alexei Evgrafovich Favorskii was an outstanding organic chemist who left a great scientific legacy as a result of long time and fruitful work. Most of the theoretically and practically important discoveries of A.E.Favorskii were made in the chemistry of acetylene and its derivatives. Nowadays, the reactions discovered by him, which include acetylene – allene isomerization, the Favorskii and retro-Favorskii reactions, the Favorskii rearrangement and the vinylation reaction, are widely used in industry and in laboratory synthesis. This review summarizes the main scientific achievements of A.E.Favorskii, as well as their development in modern organic chemistry. Much consideration is given to acetylene – allene isomerization as a convenient method for the synthesis of methyl-substituted acetylenes and to the acetylene zipper reaction as a synthetic tool for obtaining terminal acetylenes. The review presents examples of the application of these reactions in modern organic synthesis of complex molecules, including natural compounds and their analogues.

The bibliography includes 266 references.

β-Oxidation of Ynamides into N,O-Acetals by mCPBA: Application in Enantioselective Intermolecular Transacetalization

Oxidation of ynamides by mCPBA led to β-oxygenation and resulted in formation of carbonyl compounds with α-N,O-acetal functionality. These N,O-acetals are formed in high yields and can be stored indefinitely at room temperature. Yet, they can be activated by a chiral Brønsted acid and underwent an enantioselective transacetalization into a α-N,O-acetal. Subsequent diastereoselective transformations occurred with exceptional selectivity according to Felkin-Anh model.

Synthesis of γ-substituted carbonyl compounds from DMSO-mediated oxidation of enynamides: mechanistic insights and carbon- and hetero-functionalizations

1,3-Enynamides underwent oxygenative coupling with carbon- and heteroatom nucleophiles with high remote selectivity. Kinetic analysis revealed a continuum mechanism between concerted S_N2′′ and via a carbocation, depending on the nucleophiles used.

Oxidative coupling of 1,3-enynamides using DMSO as a terminal oxidant has been developed. Carbon as well as unmodified heteroatom nucleophiles, including aliphatic alcohols, thiols, and hydrazides, could be efficiently alkylated at the γ-position in a highly regioselective fashion. The kinetic analysis suggested a nucleophile-dependent mechanism ranging from a concerted S_N2′′ to a carbocationic mechanism. Thus, the remote site-selectivity was ascribed to the partial positive charge developing at the terminal carbocationic center.