Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,n-Dicarbonyl Compounds Through Palladium-Catalyzed Ring Opening/Isomerization of Densely Substituted Cyclopropanols

We report a highly diastereoselective protocol for the synthesis of 1,4- and 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds from densely substituted cyclopropanols. The methodology involves a palladium-catalyzed ring opening reaction followed by a "metal-walk" and oxidation of a remote hydroxyl group. The methodology represents a new application of cyclopropanols as initiation sites for chain walking remote functionalization. Importantly, this approach provides a straightforward access to highly valuable succinaldehyde derivatives bearing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters as single diastereomers.

Mechanistic Insights on the Selectivity of the Tandem Heck-Ring-Opening of Cyclopropyldiol Derivatives

The preparation of a new class of alkenyl cyclopropyl diols, easily available through a copper-catalyzed carbometalation reaction of cyclopropenes, has enabled the study of key mechanistic aspects of the tandem Heck-cyclopropane ring-opening reaction. Utilizing these substrates containing two distinct hydroxyl groups allowed us to examine parameters affecting the reaction outcome and selectivity. The combination of these experimental results with detailed DFT studies shed light on the mechanism governing the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cyclopropane ring-opening. A thorough investigation displayed the dual roles fulfilled by the hydroxyl group during the reaction, which is key to this remarkable transformation. In addition to its mechanistic implication, the reaction granted access to various lactones possessing up to four stereocenters as a single diastereomer, conveniently prepared in only two catalytic steps from easily accessible achiral cyclopropenes.

Synthesis, Characterization of Spirocyclic λ3 -Iodanes and Their Application to Prepare 4,1-Benzoxazepine-2,5-diones and 1,3-Diynes

Herein, a [3+2] cycloaddition of aza-oxyallylic cations with ethynylbenziodoxolones for synthesis of new λ³ -iodanes containing spirocyclic 4-oxazolidinone has been developed. This cyclic λ³ -iodanes display stability in air and excellent solubility in organic solvent. Using them as substrate, both the 4,1-benzoxazepine-2,5-diones and symmetrical 1,3-diynes derivatives were afforded in high yield under copper(I)-catalyzed conditions.

Stereoselective Remote Functionalization via Palladium-Catalyzed Redox-Relay Heck Methodologies

Exploration of novel, three-dimensional chemical space is of growing interest in the drug discovery community and with this comes the challenge for synthetic chemists to devise new stereoselective methods to introduce chirality in a rapid and efficient manner. This Minireview provides a timely summary of the development of palladium-catalyzed asymmetric redox-relay Heck-type processes. These reactions represent an important class of transformation for the selective introduction of remote stereocenters, and have risen to prominence over the past decade. Within this Minireview, the vast scope of these transformations will be showcased, alongside applications to pharmaceutically relevant chiral building blocks and drug substances. To complement this overview, a mechanistic summary and discussion of the current limitations of the transformation are presented, followed by an outlook on future areas of investigation.

Asymmetric Three-Component Heck Arylation/Amination of Nonconjugated Cyclodienes

Substituted cyclohexylamines are becoming increasingly important in drug discovery. Asymmetric Heck insertion/amination of nonconjugated cyclodienes proceeds to give 5-aryl cyclohexenylamines with good enantioselectivity and exclusive trans configurations. Primary and secondary anilines, indoline, and benzylamines are suitable amines. The weakly donating diphosphite Kelliphite forms a deep unsymmetrical pocket, which is essential for stereoselective anti attack of amines.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkenylation of Enelactams Using a Relay Heck Strategy

In this report, a palladium-catalyzed redox-relay Heck process to access optically active alkenylated α,β-unsaturated lactams is described. Under mild reaction conditions, electron-deficient alkenyl triflates and electron-rich alkenyl iodonium salts undergo enantioselective and site-selective coupling with enelactams to deliver the products in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the products allow facile access to natural products such as (+)-calvine and (+)-2-epicalvine in addition to the bioactive molecule aza-goniothalamin.

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Halovinylbenziodoxoles by Hydro- and Iodochlorination of Ethynylbenziodoxoles

We report herein the synthesis of highly substituted and stereochemically well-defined vinylbenziodoxole (VBX) derivatives through hydrochlorination and iodochlorination of ethynylbenziodoxoles. The hydrochlorination is achieved using pyridine hydrochloride as an HCl source in an anti-fashion under mild, open-air conditions to afford a 2-chlorinated VBX product, which serves as a useful building block for the stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes. Meanwhile, iodochlorination with iodine monochloride proceeds in an unusual syn-pathway, stereoselectively affording a tetrasubstituted VBX derivative.

Enantioselective C2-Alkylation of Indoles through a Redox-Relay Heck Reaction of 2-Indole Triflates

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective redox-relay Heck reaction of 2-indole triflates and disubstituted alkenes is reported. This process combines readily available indole triflates with a variety of alkenes to afford a range of indole derivatives bearing a stereocenter adjacent to C2. Enantioselectivity is achieved through use of a simple pyridine-oxazoline ligand. Tuning the electronics of the indole, through judicious choice of N-protecting group, is required to ensure selective β-hydride elimination away from the indole core. Utility of this method is highlighted in a modular formal synthesis of an S1P₁ agonist precursor developed by Merck.

Pd-Catalyzed Selective Remote Ring Opening of Polysubstituted Cyclopropanols

The distant functionalization of ω-ene cyclopropanols is induced by a Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction triggering a "metal-walk" and selective ring-opening of the three-membered ring. This approach provides a new class of acyclic aldehydes possessing concomitantly a stereodefined double bond and a quaternary carbon stereocenter α to the carbonyl group.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chromenes via a Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Redox-Relay Heck Reaction

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric redox-relay Heck reaction of 4H-chromenes and arylboronic acids has been successfully developed. The reaction proceeded in moderate to good yields with good to high enantioselectivities. The resulting product is an advanced intermediate of bio-active compound BW683C.

Benziodoxole Triflate as a Versatile Reagent for Iodo(III)cyclization of Alkynes

The utility of benziodoxole triflate, derived from α,α-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-iodobenzyl alcohol, as a versatile reagent for iodo(III)cyclization via electrophilic activation of alkyne, is reported herein. The reagent promotes cyclization of alkynes tethered to a variety of nucleophilic moieties, affording benziodoxole-appended (hetero)arenes such as benzofurans, benzothiophenes, isocoumarins, indoles, and polyaromatics under mild conditions. This unprecedented class of (hetero)aryl-I^III compounds proved easy to purify, stable, and amenable to various synthetic transformations.