Polyol synthesis through hydrocarbon oxidation: de novo synthesis of L-galactose

Overcoming the Deallylation Problem: Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Chemo-, Regio-, and Stereoselective Allylic Oxidation of Aryl Allyl Ether, Amine, and Amino Acids

We report herein a Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide-catalyzed intramolecular allylic C-H acetoxylation of aryl allyl ether, amine, and amino acids with the retention of a labile allyl moiety. Mechanistically, the reaction proceeds through a distinct double-bond isomerization from the allylic to the vinylic position followed by intramolecular carboxypalladation and the β-hydride elimination pathway. For the first time, C-H oxidation of N-allyl-protected amino acids to furnish five-membered heterocycles through 1,3-syn-addition is established with excellent diastereoselectivity.

Facile Access to Substituted 1,4-Diaza-2,3-Diborinines

Several bis(dimethylamino)-substituted 1,4-diaza-2,3-diborinines (DADBs) were synthesized with variable substituents at the backbone nitrogen atoms. By reaction with HCl or BX3 (X=Br, I), these species were successfully converted into their synthetically more useful halide congeners. The high versatility of the generated B-X bonds in further functionalization reactions at the boron centers was demonstrated by means of salt elimination (MeLi) and commutation (NMe2 DADBs) reactions, thus making the DADB system a general structural motif in diborane(4) chemistry. A total of 18 DADB derivatives were characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, revealing a strong dependence of the heterocyclic bonding parameters from the exocyclic substitution pattern at boron. According to our experiments towards the realization of a Dipp-substituted, sterically encumbered DADB, the mechanism of DADB formation proceeds via a transient four-membered azadiboretidine intermediate that subsequently undergoes ring expansion to afford the six-membered DADB heterocycle.

Total Synthesis of Galanthamine and Lycoramine Featuring an Early-Stage C-C and a Late-Stage Dehydrogenation via C-H Activation

Herein, we report a novel strategy toward galanthamine and lycoramine. The concise synthesis was enabled by a Rh-catalyzed gram-scale C-C activation for the tetracyclic carbon framework and a regioselective Pd-catalyzed C-H activation for double-bond introduction. An aqueous-phase Beckmann rearrangement was performed for nitrogen atom insertion. Galanthamine and lycoramine were completed in 11 and 10 steps, respectively.

Aerobic Acyloxylation of Allylic C-H Bonds Initiated by a Pd0 Precatalyst with 4,5-Diazafluoren-9-one as an Ancillary Ligand

Palladium-catalyzed allylic C-H oxidation has been widely studied, but most precedents use acetic acid as the coupling partner. In this study, a method compatible with diverse carboxylic acid partners has been developed. Use of a Pd⁰ precatalyst under aerobic reaction conditions leads to oxidation of Pd⁰ by O₂ in the presence of the desired carboxylic acid to generate a Pd^II dicarboxylate that promotes acyloxylation of the allylic C-H bond. Good-to-excellent yields are obtained with a roughly 1:1 ratio of the alkene and carboxylic acid reagents. Optimized reaction conditions employ 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (DAF) as a ligand, in combination with a quinone/iron phthalocyanine cocatalyst system to support aerobic catalytic turnover.

Aliphatic C-H Oxidations for Late-Stage Functionalization

The atomistic change of C( sp³)-H to C( sp³)-O can have a profound impact on the physical and biological properties of small molecules. Traditionally, chemical synthesis has relied on pre-existing functionality to install new functionality, and directed approaches to C-H oxidation are an extension of this logic. The impact of developing undirected C-H oxidation reactions with controlled site-selectivity is that scientists gain the ability to diversify complex structures at sites remote from existing functionality, without having to carry out individual de novo syntheses. This Perspective offers a historical view of why, as recently as 2007, it was thought that the differences between aliphatic C-H bonds of the same bond type (for example, 2° aliphatic) were not large enough to distinguish them preparatively with small-molecule catalysis in the absence of directing groups or molecular recognition elements. We give an account of the discovery of Fe(PDP)-catalyzed non-directed aliphatic C-H hydroxylations and how the electronic, steric, and stereoelectronic rules for predicting site-selectivity that emerged have affected a shift in how the chemical community views the reactivity among these bonds. The discovery that site-selectivity could be altered by tuning the catalyst [i.e., Fe(CF₃-PDP)] with no changes to the substrate or reaction now gives scientists the ability to exert control on the site of oxidation on a range of functionally and topologically diverse compounds. Collectively, these findings have made possible the emerging area of late-stage C-H functionalizations for streamlining synthesis and derivatizing complex molecules.

Oxidation of Hindered Allylic C-H Bonds with Applications to the Functionalization of Complex Molecules

We report the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of hindered alkenes to form linear allylic esters. The combination of palladium(II) benzoate, 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one, and benzoquinone catalyzes the mild oxidation of terminal alkenes with tert-butyl benzoyl peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of diverse functional groups. Selective oxidation of terminal alkenes in the presence of trisubstituted and disubstituted alkenes has been achieved, and the ability to conduct the reaction on a gram scale has been demonstrated. The mild conditions and high tolerance for auxiliary functionality make this method suitable for the synthesis and derivatization of complex molecules.

Achmatowicz Reaction and its Application in the Syntheses of Bioactive Molecules

Substituted pyranones and tetrahydropyrans are structural subunits of many bioactive natural products. Considerable efforts are devoted toward the chemical synthesis of these natural products due to their therapeutic potential as well as low natural abundance. These embedded pyranones and tetrahydropyran structural motifs have been the subject of synthetic interest over the years. While there are methods available for the syntheses of these subunits, there are issues related to regio and stereochemical outcomes, as well as versatility and compatibility of reaction conditions and functional group tolerance. The Achmatowicz reaction, an oxidative ring enlargement of furyl alcohol, was developed in the 1970s. The reaction provides a unique entry to a variety of pyranone derivatives from functionalized furanyl alcohols. These pyranones provide convenient access to substituted tetrahydropyran derivatives. This review outlines general approaches to the synthesis of tetrahydropyrans, covering general mechanistic aspects of the Achmatowicz reaction or rearrangement with an overview of the reagents utilized for the Achmatowicz reaction. The review then focuses on the synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyrans and pyranones and their applications in the synthesis of natural products and medicinal agents.

Diversified syntheses of multifunctionalized thiazole derivatives via regioselective and programmed C-H activation

The sequential construction of diversified multifunctionalized thiazole derivatives through Pd-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkenylation has been accomplished. This versatile approach provides the diversified thiazole derivatives featuring orthogonal substitution patterns at the C-2, C-4 and C-5 positions from mono-substituted (2- or 4-substituted) thiazole derivatives or even more challenging simple thiazole.

Divergent de novo synthesis of all eight stereoisomers of 2,3,6-trideoxyhexopyranosides and their oligomers

All eight possible stereoisomers of 2,3,6-trideoxyhexopyranosides are prepared systematically from furan derivatives by a sequence of Achmatowicz rearrangement, Pd-catalysed glycosidation, and chiral catalyst-controlled tandem reductions. This sequence provides access to all possible stereoisomers of naturally occurring rhodinopyranosides, amicetopyranosides, disaccharide narbosine B, and other unnatural oligomeric 2,3,6-trideoxyhexopyranosides. It comprises a unique and systematic strategy for the de novo synthesis of deoxysugars.

The emergence of sulfoxides as efficient ligands in transition metal catalysis

Sulfoxides are capable of forming stable complexes with transition metals and there have been many comprehensive studies into their binding properties. However, the use of sulfoxides, particularly chiral sulfoxides, as ligands in transition metal catalysis is rather less well developed. This review aims to describe these catalytic studies and covers new developments that are showing very promising results and that have led to a renewed interest in this field.

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative double allylic C–H oxygenation of alkenes: a novel and straightforward route to α,β-unsaturated esters

We reported a strategically distinct approach to synthesize α,β-unsaturated esters through palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative double allylic C–H oxygenation of alkenes.

A broadly applicable and practical oligomeric (salen) Co catalyst for enantioselective epoxide ring-opening reactions

The (salen) Co catalyst (4a) can be prepared as a mixture of cyclic oligomers in a short, chromatography-free synthesis from inexpensive, commercially available precursors. This catalyst displays remarkable enhancements in reactivity and enantioselectivity relative to monomeric and other multimeric (salen) Co catalysts in a wide variety of enantioselective epoxide ring-opening reactions. The application of catalyst 4a is illustrated in the kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides by nucleophilic ring-opening with water, phenols, and primary alcohols; the desymmetrization of meso epoxides by addition of water and carbamates; and the desymmetrization of oxetanes by intramolecular ring opening with alcohols and phenols. The favorable solubility properties of complex 4a under the catalytic conditions facilitated mechanistic studies, allowing elucidation of the basis for the beneficial effect of oligomerization. Finally, a catalyst selection guide is provided to delineate the specific advantages of oligomeric catalyst 4a relative to (salen) Co monomer 1 for each reaction class.

A C-H oxidation approach for streamlining synthesis of chiral polyoxygenated motifs

Chiral oxygenated molecules are pervasive in natural products and medicinal agents; however, their chemical syntheses often necessitate numerous, wasteful steps involving functional group and oxidation state manipulations. Herein a strategy for synthesizing a readily diversifiable class of chiral building blocks, allylic alcohols, through sequential asymmetric C-H activation/resolution is evaluated against the state-of-the-art. The C-H oxidation routes' capacity to strategically introduce oxygen into a sequence and thereby minimize non-productive manipulations is demonstrated to effect significant decreases in overall step-count and increases in yield and synthetic flexibility.

Catalyst-controlled C-O versus C-N allylic functionalization of terminal olefins

The divergent synthesis of syn-1,2-aminoalcohol or syn-1,2-diamine precursors from a common terminal olefin has been accomplished using a combination of palladium(II) catalysis with Lewis acid cocatalysis. Palladium(II)/bis-sulfoxide catalysis with a silver triflate cocatalyst leads for the first time to anti-2-aminooxazolines (C-O) in good to excellent yields. Simple removal of the bis-sulfoxide ligand from this reaction results in a complete switch in reactivity to afford anti-imidazolidinone products (C-N) in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities. Mechanistic studies suggest the divergent C-O versus C-N reactivity from a common ambident nucleophile arises due to a switch in mechanism from allylic C-H cleavage/functionalization to olefin isomerization/oxidative amination.

Oxidative Heck vinylation for the synthesis of complex dienes and polyenes

We introduce an oxidative Heck reaction for selective complex diene and polyene formation. The reaction proceeds via oxidative Pd(II)/sulfoxide catalysis that retards palladium-hydride isomerizations which previously limited the Heck manifold's capacity for furnishing stereodefined conjugated dienes. Limiting quantities of nonactivated terminal olefins (1 equiv) and slight excesses of vinyl boronic esters (1.5 equiv) that feature diverse functionality can be used to furnish complex dienes and polyenes in good yields and excellent selectivities (generally E:Z = >20:1; internal:terminal = >20:1). Because this reaction only requires prior activation of a single vinylic carbon, improvements in efficiency are observed for synthetic sequences relative to ones featuring reactions that require activation of both coupling partners.

Terminal olefins to linear α,β-unsaturated ketones: Pd(II)/hypervalent iodine co-catalyzed Wacker oxidation-dehydrogenation

Development of a mild (35 °C, no Brønsted acids) tandem Wacker oxidation-dehydrogenation of terminal olefins was accomplished using palladium(II) and hypervalent iodine co-catalysis. The reaction affords linear aryl and alkyl α,β-unsaturated ketones directly from readily available terminal olefins in good yields (average 75% per step) with excellent functional group tolerance and chemo- and stereoselectivities. The hypervalent iodine co-catalyst was found to be critical for dehydrogenation but was not effective as a stoichiometric oxidant.

Iron-catalyzed intramolecular allylic C-H amination

A highly selective C-H amination reaction under iron catalysis has been developed. This novel system, which employs an inexpensive, nontoxic [Fe(III)Pc] catalyst (typically used as an industrial ink additive), displays a strong preference for allylic C-H amination over aziridination and all other C-H bond types (i.e., allylic > benzylic > ethereal > 3° > 2° ≫ 1°). Moreover, in polyolefinic substrates, the site selectivity can be controlled by the electronic and steric character of the allylic C-H bond. Although this reaction is shown to proceed via a stepwise mechanism, the stereoretentive nature of C-H amination for 3° aliphatic C-H bonds suggests a very rapid radical rebound step.

Synthesis of C-glycoside analogues of α-galactosylceramide via linear allylic C-H oxidation and allyl cyanate to isocyanate rearrangement

C-Glycoside analogues of α-galactosylceramide were synthesized in which several significant modifications known to promote Th-1 cytokine production were included. The key transformations include C-H oxidation, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, olefin cross metathesis, and an allyl cyanate to isocyanate rearrangement.

Synthesis of complex allylic esters via C-H oxidation vs C-C bond formation

A highly general, predictably selective C-H oxidation method for the direct, catalytic synthesis of complex allylic esters is introduced. This Pd(II)/sulfoxide-catalyzed method allows a wide range of complex aryl and alkyl carboxylic acids to couple directly with terminal olefins to furnish (E)-allylic esters in synthetically useful yields and selectivities (16 examples, E/Z >or= 10:1) and without the use of stoichiometric coupling reagents or unstable intermediates. Strategic advantages of constructing allylic esters via C-H oxidation vs C-C bond-forming methods are evaluated and discussed in four "case studies".

Diversification of a β-Lactam Pharmacophore via Allylic C-H Amination: Accelerating Effect of Lewis Acid Co-Catalyst

This report describes the use of Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide 1 catalyzed intra- and intermolecular allylic C-H amination reactions to rapidly diversify structures containing a sensitive β-lactam core similar to that found in the monobactam antibiotic Aztreonam. Pharmacologically interesting oxazolidinone, oxazinanone, and linear amine motifs are rapidly installed with predictable and high selectivities under conditions that use limiting amounts of substrate. Additionally, we demonstrate for the first time that intramolecular C-H amination processes may be accelerated using catalytic amounts of a Lewis acid co-catalyst [Cr(III)(salen)Cl 2].

Allylic C-H amination for the preparation of syn-1,3-amino alcohol motifs

A highly selective and general Pd/sulfoxide-catalyzed allylic C-H amination reaction en route to syn-1,3-amino alcohol motifs is reported. Key to achieving this reactivity under mild conditions is the use of electron-deficient N-nosyl carbamate nucleophiles that are thought to promote functionalization by furnishing higher concentrations of anionic species in situ. The reaction is shown to be orthogonal to classical C-C bond-forming/-reduction sequences as well as nitrene-based C-H amination methods.

A catalytic, Brønsted base strategy for intermolecular allylic C-H amination

A Brønsted base activation mode for oxidative, Pd(II)/sulfoxide-catalyzed, intermolecular C-H allylic amination is reported. N,N-diisopropylethylamine was found to promote amination of unactivated terminal olefins, forming the corresponding linear allylic amine products with high levels of stereo-, regio-, and chemoselectivity. The predictable and high selectivity of this C-H oxidation method enables late-stage incorporation of nitrogen into advanced synthetic intermediates and natural products.