Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Hydroamination of Racemic Allenes and Asymmetric Hydroamination of Dienes

Enantioselective, Bro̷nsted Acid-Catalyzed Anti-selective Hydroamination of Alkenes

Chiral pyrrolidines are common structural motives in natural products as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients, explaining the need for methods for their enantioselective synthesis. While several, often metal-catalyzed, methods for their preparation do exist, the enantioselective synthesis of pyrrolidines containing quaternary stereocenters remains challenging. Herein, we report a Bro̷nsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination that provides such pyrrolidines from simple starting materials in high yield and enantioselectivity. Key to an efficient reaction was the use of an electron-deficient protective group on nitrogen, the common nosyl-protecting group, to avoid deactivation of the Bro̷nsted acid by deprotonation. The reaction proceeds as a stereospecific anti-addition indicating a concerted reaction. Furthermore, kinetic studies show Michaelis-Menten behavior, suggesting the formation of a precomplex similar to those observed in enzymatic catalysis.

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.

Intramolecular Carboamination of Aminodienes to N-Heterocycles via C-N Bond Activation

The catalytic transformation of ubiquitous but inert C-N bonds is highly appealing in synthetic chemistry, but the efficient cleaving inert C-N bond and simultaneous incorporation of both the cleaved C-moiety and N-moiety into the desired products has been a long-standing formidable challenge so far. Here, we developed a radical-addition triggered cyclization and C-N bond cleavage process enabled by the unique I2 /Ni or benzyl halide/Ni-catalytic system, allowing the formal insertion of diene into the inert C-N bond. This reaction features high atom economy and enables an expedient annulative carboamination of aminodienes to diverse pyrrolidines, piperidines, and tetrahydroisoquinolines. Mechanistic studies have revealed that the reaction is initiated via the generation of a benzyl radical and the formation of quaternary ammonium salt is key for the C-N bond cleavage.

Transition-Metal-Free Regioselective Intermolecular Hydroamination of Conjugated 1,3-Dienes with Heterocyclic Amines

The unique property of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) enables the regioselective hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with nitrogen heterocycles in a Markovnikov manner in the presence of catalytic Brønsted acid. This transition-metal-free intermolecular hydroamination protocol is achieved under mild reaction conditions. The aggregation by HFIP and Brønsted acid helps to activate the terminal double bond regioselectively. Following the protonation of diene, the C-N bond formation is accomplished upon the involvement of heterocyclic amines.

A Powerful Chiral Super Brønsted C-H Acid for Asymmetric Catalysis

A new type of chiral super Brønsted C-H acids, BINOL-derived phosphoryl bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl) methanes (BPTMs), were developed. As compared to widely utilized BINOL-derived chiral phosphoric acids (BPAs) and N-triflyl phosphoramides (NTPAs), BPTMs displayed much higher Brønsted acidity, resulting in dramatically improved activity and excellent enantioselectivity as demonstrated in catalytic asymmetric Mukaiyama-Mannich reaction, allylic amination, three-component coupling of allyltrimethylsilane with 9-fluorenylmethyl carbamate and aldehydes, and protonation of silyl enol ether. These new strong Brønsted C-H acids have provided a platform for expanding the chemistry of asymmetric Brønsted acid catalysis.

Chiral N-Triflylphosphoramide-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroamination of Unactivated Alkenes: A Hetero-Ene Reaction Mechanism

A highly enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination reaction catalyzed by chiral N-triflylphosphoramide (NTPA) that covers an exceptionally broad substrate scope of isolated unactivated alkenes was recently reported by some of us. Herein...

Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Conversion of Epoxides into Thiiranes: Mechanism, Stereochemical Model, and New Catalyst Design

Computations and experiments leading to new chiral phosphoric acids (CPAs) for epoxide thionations are reported. Density functional theory calculations reveal the mechanism and origin of the enantioselectivity of such CPA‐catalyzed epoxide thionations. The calculated mechanistic information was used to design new efficient CPAs that were tested experimentally and found to be highly effective. Bulky ortho‐substituents on the 3,3′‐aryl groups of the CPA are important to restrict the position of the epoxide in the key transition states for the enantioselectivity‐determining step. Larger para‐substituents significantly improve the enantioselectivity of the reaction.

Computational study on N-triflylphosphoramide-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination of alkenyl thiourea

The mechanism of the enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination of alkenyl thiourea catalyzed by chiral binaphthol N-triflylphosphoramide (NPTA) was investigated using density functional theory calculations. This study reveals the details of the hydrogen bonding mode between NPTA and the substrate and indicates the importance of the dual hydrogen binding properties of the thiourea moiety for the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the hydroamination.

Organocatalytic enantioselective reactions involving prochiral carbocationic intermediates

Since the discovery of carbocations in 1901, the past 120 years have witnessed many marvelous advances in the chemistry of carbocations. The state-of-the-art research in this field is to overcome the intrinsic instability and high reactivity of the prochiral carbocationic intermediates to develop catalytic asymmetric reactions. Such transformations enable the facile synthesis of structurally diverse value-added products from readily available starting materials such as alkenes, alcohols, and carbonyl derivatives, and enjoy high and even perfect atom-economy in most cases. Notably, such allows catalytic stereoconvergent synthesis from racemic substrates and can realize regioselectivity in olefin functionalization reactions complementary to radical processes. With the rapid developments in modern asymmetric organocatalysis, a variety of highly enantioselective protocols evolving prochiral carbocationic intermediates have been achieved by employing three strategies, namely chiral ion-pairing, chiral nucleophile, or chiral carbenium ion strategy. This feature article aims to summarize the exciting advances in this emerging area and briefly showcase the possible mechanisms. The advantages and limitations of each strategy are presented as well as their synthetic applications in the synthesis of natural products or bioactive compounds.

Copper-Catalyzed Highly Selective Protoboration of CF3 -Containing 1,3-Dienes

The copper-catalyzed highly selective protoboration of CF₃ -containing conjugated diene with proton source and B₂ Pin₂ has been developed. This chemistry could suppress the well-known defluorination and provide borated reagents with an intact CF₃ -group. Further studies indicated that the functional group tolerance of this chemistry is very well, and the products could be used as versatile precursors for different types of transformations. Importantly, using chiral diphosphine ligand, we have developed the first example for using such starting material to synthesis allylic boron-reagents which bearing a CF₃ -containing chiral center. Notably, the reaction mechanism was intensively studied by DFT calculations, which could reveal the reason that defluorination was inhibited.

Enantioenriched α-Vinyl 1,4-Benzodiazepines and 1,4-Benzoxazepines via Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydrofunctionalizations of Alkynes and Allenes

Benzofused seven-membered heterocycles such as 1,4-benzo[e]diazepines (1,4-BZDs) and 1,4-benzo[e]oxazepines (1,4-BZOs) were efficiently synthesized by Rh-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of internal alkynes and allenes in good to excellent yields. The asymmetric hydroamination of (aminomethyl)anilines gave rise to 3-vinyl-1,4-BZDs with excellent enantioselectivities. Orthogonal N-deprotection of 1,4-BZDs allowed an easy entry to an advanced pyrrolobenzodiazepine metabolite of the V₂-receptor antagonist Lixivaptan.

Insights into the Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Hydroamination of Racemic Allenes: An Allyl Carbocation/Phosphate Pair Mechanism

Computational studies of chiral phosphoric acid (CPA)-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric hydroamination (DyKAH) of racemic allenes show that the reaction proceeds through a catalytic asymmetric model involving a highly reactive π-allylic carbocationic intermediate, generated from a racemic allene through an intermolecular proton transfer mediated by CPA, which also results in a high E/Z selectivity. Moreover, the distortion-interaction, atom in molecule, and electrostatic interaction analyses and space-filling models are employed on the basis of the DyKAH catalyzed by (S)-A5 (reaction 1) or (R)-A2 (reaction 2) to explain the high enantioselectivity and the controlling effects of SPINOL scaffolds on the signs of enantioselectivity. Our calculations indicate that the enantioselectivity of reactions 1 and 2 can be mainly ascribed to the favorable noncovalent interactions within the stronger chiral electrostatic environment created by the phosphoric acid in the preferential transition states. Finally, the effect of (S/R)-SPINOL-based CPAs on the signs of enantioselectivity can be explained by the different combination modes of substrates into the chiral binding pocket of the catalyst controlled by the chirality of SPINOL backbones. Overall, the new insights into the reaction rationalize the outcome and these key factors that affect the product enantioselectivity are important to guide the DyKAHs.

Brønsted acid-promoted hydroamination of unsaturated hydrazones: access to biologically important 5-arylpyrazolines

A novel and efficient Brønsted acid-promoted hydroamination of hydrazone-tethered olefins has been developed. A variety of pyrazolines have been easily obtained in good to excellent yields with high chemo- and regioselectivity under simple and mild conditions. This method represents a straightforward, facile, and practical approach toward biologically important 5-arylpyrazolines, which are difficult to access by previously reported radical hydroamination of β,γ-unsaturated hydrazones.

An efficient, chemo- and regioselective Brønsted acid-promoted hydroamination reaction of hydrazone-tethered olefins towards 5-arylpyrazolines was developed.

Catalysis and regioselectivity in hydrofunctionalization reactions of unsaturated carbon bonds. Part II. Hydroamination

This review continues consideration of the regioselectivity problem in the catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of unsaturated organic compounds and addresses hydroamination of unsaturated hydrocarbons. Particular parts of the review deal with reactions of alkenes, alkynes, allenes and dienes. It is shown that the selectivity of hydroamination depends on the natures of the reactants and the catalyst. Conditions of the reactions are described; in some cases, reaction mechanisms are discussed. Reactions for which divergent regioselectivity is possible are noted.

The bibliography includes 249 references.

Dedicated to the memory of V.V.Markovnikov.

Desymmetrization of unactivated bis-alkenes via chiral Brønsted acid-catalysed hydroamination

Although great success has been achieved in catalytic asymmetric hydroamination of unactivated alkenes using transition metal catalysis and organocatalysis, the development of catalytic desymmetrising hydroamination of such alkenes remains a tough challenge in terms of attaining a high level of stereocontrol over both remote sites and reaction centers at the same time. To address this problem, here we report a highly efficient and practical desymmetrising hydroamination of unactivated alkenes catalysed by chiral Brønsted acids with both high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. This method features a remarkably broad alkene scope, ranging from mono-substituted and gem-/1,2-disubstituted to the challenging tri- and tetra-substituted alkenes, to provide access to a variety of diversely functionalized chiral pyrrolidines bearing two congested tertiary or quaternary stereocenters with excellent efficiency under mild and user-friendly synthetic conditions. The key to success is indirect activation of unactivated alkenes by chiral Brønsted acids via a concerted hydroamination mechanism.

Enantioselective assembly of multi-layer 3D chirality

The first enantioselective assembly of sandwich-shaped organo molecules has been achieved by conducting dual asymmetric Suzuki-Miyaura couplings and nine other reactions. This work also presents the first fully C-C anchored multi-layer 3D chirality with optically pure enantiomers. As confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis that this chiral framework is featured by a unique C2 -symmetry in which a nearly parallel fashion consisting of three layers: top, middle and bottom aromatic rings. Unlike the documented planar or axial chirality, the present chirality shows its top and bottom layers restrict each other from free rotation, i.e., this multi-layer 3D chirality would not exist if either top or bottom layer is removed. Nearly all multi-layered compounds showed strong luminescence of different colors under UV irradiation, and several randomly selected samples displayed aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. This work is believed to have broad impacts on chemical, medicinal and material sciences including optoelectronic materials in future.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reactions Involving Radicals

Asymmetric functionalization of alkyl radicals represents a robust yet underdeveloped method for efficient construction and decoration of carbon skeletons in chiral organic molecules. In this field, we have been inspired by the excellent redox, alkyl radical trapping, and Lewis acidic properties of copper to develop several catalytic modes for asymmetric reactions involving alkyl radicals. At the beginning, we discovered tandem radical hydrotrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes and enantioselective alkoxylation of remote C(sp³)-H bonds by copper/chiral phosphate relay catalysis. This success has stimulated us to develop an asymmetric three-component 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of 1,1-diarylalkenes using a similar strategy via radical intermediates. Meanwhile, we also discovered a copper/chiral secondary amine cooperative catalyst for asymmetric radical intramolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes using α-aldehyde methylene groups as C1 sources. The trapping of alkyl radical intermediates by Cu^II species during the reaction was essential for the chemoselectivity toward cyclopropanation. Encouraged by the efficient enantiocontrol with chiral phosphate and the effective trapping of alkyl radicals with Cu^II species, we then sought to develop copper/chiral phosphate as a single-electron-transfer catalyst for asymmetric reactions involving alkyl radicals. Subsequently, we successfully achieved a series of highly enantioselective 1,2-aminofluoroalkylation, -aminoarylation, -diamination, -aminosilylation, and -oxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes. The key for high enantioinduction was believed to be the effective trapping of alkyl radicals by Cu^II/chiral phosphate complexes. Besides, an achiral pyridine ligand was found to be indispensable for achieving high enantioselectivity, presumably via stabilization of Cu^III species in the 1,2-alkoxytrifluoromethylation reaction. This discovery reminded us of tuning the redox properties and chemoreactivity of copper centers with an ancillary ligand. As a result, we subsequently identified cinchona alkaloid-derived sulfonamides as novel neutral-anionic hybrid ligands for simultaneous chemo- and enantiocontrol. We thus accomplished highly enantioselective 1,2-iminoxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes under the catalysis of copper/cinchona alkaloid-derived sulfonamide ligand, affording trifluoromethylated isoxazolines in high enantiomeric excess. Our copper-catalyzed asymmetric reactions with alkyl radicals provide expedient access to a diverse range of valuable chiral molecules with broad application potential in areas of organic synthesis, medicine, agrochemical, and material sciences.

Asymmetric synthesis of allylic compounds via hydrofunctionalisation and difunctionalisation of dienes, allenes, and alkynes

This review article provides an overview of progress in asymmetric synthesis of allylic compounds via hydrofunctionalisation and difunctionalisation of dienes, allenes, and alkynes.

Highly Selective and Catalytic Generation of Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters via Functionalization of 1,3-Dienes with CO2

The catalytic asymmetric functionalization of readily available 1,3-dienes is highly important, but current examples are mostly limited to the construction of tertiary chiral centers. The asymmetric generation of acyclic products containing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters from substituted 1,3-dienes represents a more challenging, but highly desirable, synthetic process for which there are very few examples. Herein, we report the highly selective copper-catalyzed generation of chiral all-carbon acyclic quaternary stereocenters via functionalization of 1,3-dienes with CO₂. A variety of readily available 1,1-disubstituted 1,3-dienes, as well as a 1,3,5-triene, undergo reductive hydroxymethylation with high chemo-, regio-, E/Z-, and enantioselectivities. The reported method features good functional group tolerance, is readily scaled up to at least 5 mmol of starting diene, and generates chiral products that are useful building blocks for further derivatization. Systemic mechanistic investigations using density functional theory calculations were performed and provided the first theoretical investigation for an asymmetric transformation involving CO₂. These computational results indicate that the 1,2-hydrocupration of 1,3-diene proceeds with high π-facial selectivity to generate an (S)-allylcopper intermediate, which further induces the chirality of the quaternary carbon center in the final product. The 1,4-addition of an internal allylcopper complex, which differs from previous reports involving terminal allylmetallic intermediates, to CO₂ kinetically determines the E/Z- and regioselectivity. The rapid reduction of a copper carboxylate intermediate to the corresponding silyl-ether in the presence of Me(MeO)₂SiH provides the exergonic impetus and leads to chemoselective hydroxymethylation rather than carboxylation. These results provide new insights for guiding further development of asymmetric C-C bond formations with CO₂.

Nickel/Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Chemo- and Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroamination of Conjugated Dienes

A novel nickel/Brønsted acid-catalyzed asymmetric hydroamination of acyclic 1,3-dienes has been established. A wide array of primary and secondary amines can be transformed into allylic amines with high yields and high enantioselectivities under very mild conditions. Moreover, our method is compatible with various functional groups and heterocycles, allowing for late-stage functionalization of biologically active complex molecules. Remarkably, this protocol exhibits good chemoselectivity with respect to amines bearing two different nucleophilic sites. Mechanistic studies reveal that the enantioselective carbon-nitrogen bond-forming step is reversible.