Regiodivergent Synthesis of 1,3- and 1,4-Enynes through Kinetically Favored Hydropalladation and Ligand-Enforced Carbopalladation

Acetate Assistance in Regioselective Hydroamination of Allenamides: A Combined Experimental and Density Functional Theory Study

A key factor in the development of selective nucleophilic addition to allenamides is controlling the reactivity of electrophilic intermediates, which is generally achieved using an electrophilic activator via conjugated iminium intermediates. In this combined experimental and computational study, we show that a general and highly chemoselective hydroamination of allenamides can be accomplished using a combination of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) and NaOAc. Experimental mechanistic studies revealed that HFIP mediates proton transfer to activate the allenamide, while the acetate additive significantly contributes to N-selective interception. This strategy enables a general hydroamination of allenamides without the use of metals. We demonstrated that various functionalized 1,3-diamines could be readily synthesized and diversified into value-added structural motifs. Detailed mechanistic investigations using the density functional theory revealed the role of NaOAc in the formation of reactive electrophilic intermediates, which ultimately governed the selective formation of 1,3-diamine products. Critically, calculations of the potential energy surface around the proton-transfer transition state revealed that two different reactive electrophilic intermediates were formed when NaOAc was added.

Palladium-catalyzed alkynylation of allylic gem-difluorides

Herein, a palladium-catalyzed regioselective alkynylation, esterification, and amination of allylic gem-difluorides via C-F bond activation/transmetallation/β-C elimination or nucleophilic attack has been achieved. This innovative protocol showcases an extensive substrate range and operates efficiently under mild reaction conditions, resulting in high product yields and Z-selectivity. Particularly noteworthy is its exceptional tolerance towards a wide array of functional groups. This developed methodology provides effective and convenient routes to access a diverse array of essential fluorinated enynes, esters and amines.

Metal free regio - and stereoselective semireduction of CF3-substituted N-allenamides

We developed a chemoselective metal-free access for the 1,2- and 2,3-semireduction of CF3-N-allenamides. The enamide functionality of CF3-substituted N-allenamides could be efficiently reduced by Et3SiH/BF3·OEt2 in total regioselectivity and good stereoselectivity, whereas DBU promoted the isomerization of the resulting allyl amide leading exclusively to the E-configurated enamide.

Recent advances in ligand-enabled palladium-catalyzed divergent synthesis

Developing efficient and straightforward strategies to rapidly construct structurally distinct and diverse organic molecules is one of the most fundamental tasks in organic synthesis, drug discovery and materials science. In recent years, divergent synthesis of organic functional molecules from the same starting materials has attracted significant attention and has been recognized as an efficient and powerful strategy. To achieve this objective, the proper adjustment of reaction conditions, such as catalysts, solvents, ligands, etc., is required. In this review, we summarized the recent efforts in chemo-, regio- and stereodivergent reactions involving acyclic and cyclic systems catalyzed by palladium complexes. Meanwhile, the reaction types, including carbonylative reactions, coupling reactions and cycloaddition reactions, as well as the probable mechanism have also been highlighted in detail.

Gold-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective α-Acyloxy-β-Alkynylation of Ynol Ethers

Enol esters and conjugated enynes are valuable structural motifs for synthetic chemistry and material sciences. Herein, the synthesis of tetra-substituted enol ester 2-iodobenzoate derivatives was achieved in good yields at room temperature through a gold-catalyzed acyloxyalkynylation of sensitive ynol ethers with ethynylbenziodoxolones (EBXs), the latter acting as bifunctional reactants. The conversion is highly regioselective with a broad substrate scope. Mechanistically, an Au(III) species is the key intermediate of an Au(I)/Au(III) redox cycle. The reaction is synthetically useful and can easily be scaled up to gram scale.

Chemoselective Coupling of π-Systems to Access Metallated 1,4- or 1,5-Skipped Dienes in Multicomponent Reactions

Integrating distinct unsaturated C-C systems while simultaneously installing metallic groups has been significantly challenging to execute in a multicomponent reaction. Therefore, designing a suitable mechanistic pathway that provides the required reactivity and selectivity for target C-C bonds with metallic reagents to ensure successful coupling is the key to success. Copper-catalyzed borylallylation and silylallylation have emerged as the most efficient strategies for assembling borylated/silylated skipped (1,4 or 1,5) dienes by catalytically combining an organocopper intermediate with allyl electrophiles. However, reactions involving interelemental reagents (e. g., [Si]-[B]) to accomplish intermolecular atom-economic couplings have not been studied thoroughly. Therefore, to aid the development of new transformations in this research area, this article attempts to include all precedents, including recent studies by the authors. The present Concept article may be helpful for researchers working in this area as it provides a basic conceptual framework.

Palladium Hydride-Enabled Hydroalkenylation of Strained Molecules

We report the first palladium hydride enabled hydroalkenylation of strained molecules. This new mild protocol proceeds via a regio- and chemoselective hydropalladation step, followed by a photoinduced radical alkyl Heck reaction. This methodology represents a new reactivity mode for strained molecules and opens new avenues for photoinduced palladium catalysis. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and can be applied to complex structures, delivering a diverse array of highly valuable and modifiable alkenylated cyclobutanes and cyclopropanes. A hydroalkenylation/diastereoselective rearrangement cascade toward a cyclopentene scaffold has also been demonstrated.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-alkyl sulfonamides derived from polycyclic hydrocarbon scaffolds using a nitrogen-centered radical approach

Polycyclic hydrocarbons (PH) provide intriguing potential as lipophilic scaffolds within medicinal chemistry, but are currently limited by the availability of synthetic tools for predictable modification of the PH unit. Herein we report the development of new methods for installation of a sulfonamide unit to PH cores. In the first method, a xanthate ester serves as reagent for aminosulfonation using pre-formed imidoiodinane as N-source. An investigation of the reaction mechanism was performed to implicate a process involving a N-centered radical. An additional method for sulfonamide installation is described that involves the use of commercially available reagents and operationally convenient conditions. Using the new synthetic methods, 22 compounds were prepared and screened for biological activity against 6 mammalian cell lines along with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Results of the viability assays have identified compounds that exhibit higher potency than other known anticancer agents such as indisulam and ABT-751. Additionally, the physicochemical and drug-likeness properties of the synthesized compounds have been determined experimentally and using in silico predictive tools. The initial exploration into sulfonamide insertion into PH cores has resulted in a number of compounds that warrant further development to produce molecules with therapeutic value.

Silaborative Assembly of Allenamides and Alkynes: Highly Regio- and Stereocontrolled Access to Bi- or Trimetallic Skipped Dienes

A highly stereo- and regiocontrolled multicomponent approach to skipped 1,4-dienes decorated with one boryl and two silyl functionalities is described. This Pd-catalyzed atom-economical union of allenamides, alkynes, and Me₂ PhSiBpin (or Et₃ SiBpin) proceeds without the use of phosphine ligands, instead relying on chelation through the internal amide group of the allenamide sulfonyl. A variety of alkynes, including those derived from complex bioactive molecules, can be efficiently coupled with allenamides and Me₂ PhSiBpin in good yields and with excellent selectivity. The synthetic potential was demonstrated through multiple valuable chemoselective transformations, establishing new disconnections for functionalized dienes. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the reaction first proceeded through borylation of the allenamide, followed by silylation of the alkyne and then reductive elimination, which convergently assemble the skipped 1,4-diene.

Palladium-catalyzed regioselective hydrosulfonylation of allenes with sulfinic acids

A simple palladium-based catalytic system for hydrosulfonylation of allenamides was established. Various nitrogen-containing linear allylic sulfones can be generated in moderate to excellent yield with E-selectivity and 100% atom utilization.

Preparation of (E)-1,3-Enyne Derivatives through Palladium Catalyzed Hydroalkynylation of Allenes

A general and efficient palladium catalyzed hydroalkynylation of allenes was developed to produce synthetically versatile (E)-1,3-enyne derivatives with high regio- and stereoselectivity. This catalytic system proceeded under mild conditions and was compatible with a broad range of substrates, especially for allenes without electron-bias groups. This work further broadens the synthetic potential of these scaffolds in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Terminal vs. Fluorine-Substituted N-Allenamides via Addition of Diazo Compounds to Terminal Ynamides

A copper-mediated coupling reaction between ynamides and diazo-compounds to produce N-allenamides is reported for the first time. This method enables facile and rapid access to terminal N-allenamides by using commercially available TMS-diazomethane with wide functional group compatibility on the nitrogen. Furthermore, the ubiquity of molecules containing a fluorine moiety in medicine, in agricultural, and material science requires the continuous search of new building blocks, including this unique surrogate. The CuI/diazo protocol was successfully applied to the synthesis of fluorine-substituted N-allenamides. DFT calculations provided insights in the mechanism involved.

Synthesis of 1,4-enynes via nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of allylic alcohols with alkynylzinc reagents

Synthesis of 1,4-enynes was performed via nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of allylic alcohols with alkynylzinc reagents. The reaction features high regio- and E/Z-selectivity when aryl-substituted allylic alcohols were employed. The method also exhibits a wide scope of substrates and good compatibility of functional groups.

Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergence for Catalytic Stereoselective Semireduction of Allenamides

Ligand-controlled regiodivergence has been developed for catalytic semireduction of allenamides with excellent chemo- and stereocontrol. This system also provides an example of catalytic regiodivergent semireduction of allenes for the first time. The divergence of the semireduction is enabled by ligand switch with the same palladium pre-catalyst under operationally simple and mild conditions. Monodentate ligand XPhos exclusively promotes selective 1,2-semireduction to afford allylic amides, while bidentate ligand BINAP completely switched the regioselectivity to 2,3-semireduction, producing (E)-enamide derivatives.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Decarboxylative Addition of β-Keto Acids to Heteroatom-Substituted Allenes

The Pd-catalyzed asymmetric addition reaction of β-keto acids to heteroatom-substituted allene is reported. This reaction generates β-substituted ketones in an asymmetric manner through a branch-selective decarboxylative allylation pathway. The reaction accommodates various alkoxyallenes as well as amidoallenes.

Pd/Cu-Catalyzed Vinylation of Terminal Alkynes with (2-Bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium Triflate

The potential of (2-bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate to be a powerful vinylation reagent was determined by the Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions with terminal alkynes. The vinylation proceeded smoothly at 25 °C under Pd/Cu catalysis to afford a variety of 1- and 2-unsubstituted 1,3-enynes in moderate to excellent yields. This protocol represents the first application of (2-haloethyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate as a CH═CH₂ transfer source in organic synthesis.

Pd-catalyzed C(sp3)-C(sp) bond formation in iodocyclobutenes

A synthesis of skipped 1,4-enynes through functionalization of the cyclobutene core with alkynes has been achieved, suggesting an unusual pathway of oxidative addition in tertiary iodoalkanes.

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 1-Vinyltetrahydro-β-carbolines and Aza-spiroindolenines: Access to the Syntheses of 1-Vinyl-β-carbolines and Eudistomins Y1 and Y2

A general synthesis of 1-vinyltetrahydro-β-carbolines (THBCs) has been achieved via palladium(0)-catalyzed cyclocondensation between allenyltryptamines and aryl iodides. Aza-spiroindolenines could also be accessed from the N-unsubstituted indole substrates by simply tweaking the reaction conditions. DDQ-mediated oxidation of THBCs easily afforded β-carbolines, which could be synthetically transformed into 1-aroyl-β-carbolines of pharmacological interest. Formal total syntheses of eudistomins Y1 and Y2 have also been achieved.

Characterization and Utilization of the Elusive α,β-Unsaturated N-Tosyliminium: the Synthesis of Highly Functionalizable Skipped Halo Enynes

A formal haloalkynylation of allenamides has been described for the synthesis of highly stereo- and regioselective skipped halo enynes. Exclusive γ-regioselectivity is achieved through the intermediacy of a conjugated N-tosyliminium intermediate-direct evidence for the formation of which was validated by NMR and HRMS. Quantum mechanical computations reveal that the reactive intermediate geometry is key to controlling the 1,2- or 1,4-regioselectivity of alkyne interception. Divergent access to elusive unsaturated systems has also been reported.

Access to Divergent Fluorinated Enynes and Arenes via Palladium-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Alkynylation of gem-Difluorinated Cyclopropanes

Herein, we describe a palladium-catalyzed alkynylation of gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes via C-C bond activation/C-F bond cleavage, followed by C-C(sp) coupling. The new approach proceeds with broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions, whereas both 1,1-disubstituted and complex-molecule-modified gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes react smoothly with high stereoselectivity. The developed method provides efficient and convenient ways access to diversity of important fluorinated enynes and arenes by slightly modification of the reaction conditions.

Regioselective synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines via syn- and anti-nucleopalladation-initiated cascade processes

Regioselective synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines via nucleopalladation-initiated cascade sequences was established.

Regiodivergent Intramolecular Nucleophilic Addition of Ketimines for the Diverse Synthesis of Azacycles

Azacycles such as indoles and tetrahydroquinolines are privileged structures in drug development. Reported here is an unprecedented regiodivergent intramolecular nucleophilic addition reaction of imines as a flexible approach to access N-functionalized indoles and tetrahydroquinolines, by the control of reaction at the N-terminus and C-terminus, respectively. Using ketimines derived from 2-(2-nitroethyl)anilines with isatins or α-ketoesters, the regioselective N-attack reaction gives N-functionalized indoles, while the catalytic enantioselective C-attack reaction affords chiral tetrahydroquinolines featuring an α-tetrasubstituted stereocenter. Mechanistic studies reveal that hydrogen-bonding interactions may greatly facilitate such unusual N-attack reactions of imines. The utility of this protocol is highlighted by the catalytic enantioselective formal synthesis of (-)-psychotrimine, and the construction of various fused aza-heterocycles.

Pd-Catalyzed Heck-Type Reaction: Synthesizing Highly Diastereoselective and Multiple Aryl-Substituted P-Ligands

In this work, an efficient palladium-catalyzed Heck-type reaction was successfully used to synthesize a wide range of monoaryl- or diaryl-substituted P-ligands with excellent yields and diastereoselectivity (up to 98% yield, dr >20:1). The preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrated that it possibly underwent a cationic Heck reaction that was assisted by silver salt, and it revealed the significant role of P(O)Ar₂ for excellent yields and diastereoselectivity.

Harnessing the Polarizability of Conjugated Alkynes toward [2 + 2] Cycloaddition, Alkenylation, and Ring Expansion of Indoles

Reported is the utilization of electronically biased conjugated alkynes in the development of highly diastereo- and regioselective dearomative [2 + 2] cycloadditions, alkenylations, and ring expansions of electron-rich indoles. Regioselective protonations of cross- and linear-conjugated alkynes were found to be crucial for accessing various cyclobutene-fused indoline and alkenylated indole derivatives. Furthermore, the facile ring expansion of [2 + 2] keto adducts, which were successfully synthesized from ynones, provided 1 H-benzo[ b]azepine scaffolds.