Transition-metal-catalyzed cyclization reactions using vinyl and ethynyl benzoxazinones as dipole precursors

Recent Progress in the Synthesis of Benzoxazin-4-Ones, Applications in N-Directed Ortho-Functionalizations, and Biological Significance

The development of efficient synthetic procedures to access fused N, O-heterocyclic skeletons has been a pivotal research topic in organic synthesis for several years. Owing to the applications of N, O-fused heterocycles in organic synthesis, material sciences, and medicinal chemistry, significant efforts have been dedicated to design novel methods for their construction. To this end, 1,3-benzoxazin-4-ones are privileged candidates for N, O-heterocyclic molecules often found in natural products, agrochemicals, and materials science applications. In this review, we aim to summarize the existing literature on the synthesis of 1,3-benzoxazin-4-ones from 2010 onwards. Moreover, 1,3-benzoxazin-4-ones have also been identified as an excellent native directing group for the ortho-functionalization via C-H activation, which is often a strenuous task requiring pre-functionalized substrates. In the latter part of this report, we compiled several interesting examples of N-directed functionalizations of 1,3-benzoxazin-4-ones. Additionally, to emphasize biological importance, recent developments on the anticancer evaluations of benzoxazine-4-one core are included. We believe that by harnessing the methodologies discussed herein, new possibilities could be unlocked for the synthesis of fused N, O-heterocycles, leading to the development of novel biologically active compounds and functional materials.

Aza-ortho-Quinone Methide Promoted Strain-Release-Driven Conversion of Azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes into Functionalized Azetidines

A strategy for activating azabicyclo[1.1.0]butane (ABB) with in situ generated aza-ortho-quinone methide, promoted by HFIP, is reported. This unified activation, vis-à-vis strain-release-driven N/C3-functionalization, features a new means to prepare functionalized azetidines from ABB. Additionally, the newly installed motif on azetidine nitrogen could be forged into an indoline via Pd-catalyzed hydroamination, leveraging access to medicinally relevant scaffolds.

Copper-catalyzed yne-allylic substitutions: concept and recent developments

The catalytic (asymmetric) allylation and propargylation have been established as powerful strategies allowing access to enantioenriched α-chiral alkenes and alkynes. In this context, combining allylic and propargylic substitutions offers new opportunities to expand the scope of transition metal-catalyzed substitution reactions. Since its discovery in 2022, copper-catalyzed yne-allylic substitution has undergone rapid development and significant progress has been made using the key copper vinyl allenylidene intermediates. This review summarizes the developments and illustrates the influences of copper salt, ligand, and substitution pattern of the substrate on the regioselectivity and stereoselectivity.

Decarboxylative Cyclization of Ethynyl Benzoxazinanones with Imidazolidines to Access 2,3-Indole-Fused 1,4-Diazocines

2,3-Indole-fused 1,4-diazocines represent a new family of indole alkaloid compounds and are difficult to access by the reported protocols. Herein, we report a copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cyclization of cyclic propargylic carbamates with imidazolidines via sequential C-N/C-N/C-C bond formation to deliver a series of 2,3-indole-fused 1,4-diazocines, with a broad substrate scope and mild conditions.

Construction of 3,4-Dihydroquinolone Derivatives through Pd-Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition of Vinyl Benzoxazinanones with α-Alkylidene Succinimides

The construction of 3,4-dihydroquinolone derivatives has attracted a considerable amount of attention due to their extensive applications in medicinal chemistry. In this study, we present the Pd-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinanones with α-alkylidene succinimides for the efficient synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinolones. This approach presents numerous advantages, including the ready availability of starting materials, mild reaction conditions without the use of additional bases, and a wide range of substrates. In particular, all of the desired products can be easily afforded in high yields (≤99%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1). The practicality and reliability of this strategy were demonstrated by the successful scale-up synthesis and subsequent straightforward synthetic transformations.

Palladium-Catalyzed Ligand-Directed Divergent Decarboxylative Cycloadditions of Vinyloxazolidine-2,4-diones with 1,3,5-Triazinanes

This study demonstrates a highly efficient regiodivergent ligand-controlled palladium-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction of vinyloxazolidine-2,4-diones with 1,3,5-triazinanes. In the presence of a diphosphine ligand, the reaction proceeds via a (5+2) cycloaddition pathway to afford 1,3-diazepin-4-ones in excellent yields, while using a monophosphine ligand, the reaction proceeds smoothly via a (3+2) cycloaddition pathway to give imidazolidin-4-ones in good yields.

Cu-Catalyzed Divergent Transformations of Allenylethylene Carbonates with Diboron Reagents

Divergent transformations of allenylethylene carbonates with diboron reagents catalyzed by copper are disclosed. By using CuCl/IPr·HCl as the catalyst, the allenylethylene carbonates react with B2hex2 to afford 2,4-dien-1-ols as the product in the presence of Cs2CO3 as the base, iPrOH as the additive, and 1,4-dioxane as the solvent. And they react with B2pin2 to form boronic half acids in the presence of NaOtBu as the base, water as the additive, and THF as the solvent. The reactions afford corresponding products in good stereoselectivities and yields, and further derivatizations of boronic half acids and study of the mechanism are also demonstrated.

Nitrile stabilized synthesis of pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives via tandem alkynyl aza-Prins-Ritter reactions

An efficient methodology for the synthesis of N-(pyrrolidine-3-ylidenemethyl)acetamides mediated by triflic acid in good yields with separable Z/E isomers within a short reaction time has been demonstrated. The reaction involves the initial formation of the pyrrolidin-3-ylidenemethylium carbocation via the Prins cyclization reaction followed by the Ritter reaction to produce N-(pyrrolidine-3-ylidenemethyl)acetamides. This methodology is also used for the synthesis of their piperidine derivatives.

Copper-Catalyzed Umpolung Reactivity of Propargylic Carbonates in the Presence of Diboronates: One Stone Four Birds

Allylation and propargylation are two powerful synthetic strategies for making new substances that have been of significant importance in chemistry, medicine, and material fields. Conventional tactics employ various preformed allylation and propargylation reagents. In this study, a conceptually novel copper-catalyzed and B2pin2-mediated Umpolung reactivity of propargylic carbonates has been achieved for the first time, realizing both allylation and propargylation of aldehydes and ketones without additional reductants. Three types of allylation products and one type of propargylation product are generated efficiently, and all allylation products are formed with syn-configurations predominantly. The choice of ligands plays a vital role in modulating the Umpolung modes. The synthetic applications have been demonstrated in a myriad of further transformations including natural product synthesis, and systematic mechanistic studies have been conducted to reveal detailed insights into the Umpolung processes.

Pd-catalyzed oxa-[4 + n] dipolar cycloaddition using 1,4-O/C dipole synthons for the synthesis of O-heterocycles

Transition metal-catalyzed dipolar cycloaddition is one of the most efficient and powerful synthetic strategies to produce diverse heterocycles. In particular, for the construction of oxygen-containing heterocycles, which are valuable structural motifs found in pharmaceuticals and natural compounds, transition metal-catalyzed oxa-dipolar cycloaddition using an oxygen-containing dipole has emerged as a promising method. In recent years, the 1,4-O/C dipole synthons 2-alkylidenetrimethylene carbonate and 2-hydroxymethylallyl carbonate have been developed and successfully applied to palladium-catalyzed oxa-[4 + n] dipolar cycloadditions with diverse dipolarophiles. In this review, we summarize recent advances in palladium-catalyzed oxa-[4 + n] dipolar cycloadditions using 1,4-O/C dipoles including asymmetric catalysis and divergent catalysis toward five- to nine-membered O-heterocycles.

Construction of Enantioenriched Quaternary C-Cl Oxindoles through Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution with Chloroenolates

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric chloroenolate allylation with vinyl benzoxazinanones under mild reaction conditions has been developed, affording a series of optically active 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles exhibiting a chloro-group and a linear aryl amino side chain in good yields with up to 96% ee. Versatile functional group tolerance on the benzene ring has been demonstrated, and the utility of this method was probed by a scale-up synthesis and highlighted by product derivatizations.

Ligand-Controlled Diastereodivergency in Propargylic Alkylation of Vinylogous Aza-Enamines: Construction of 1,3-Stereocenters

The first diastereodivergent propargylic alkylation reaction is developed. This Cu(I)-catalyzed formal decarboxylative [4+2] cycloaddition between ethynyl benzoxazinanone and vinylogous aza-enamine delivers each diastereomer of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives, bearing 1,3-stereocenters, using either i-Pr-Pybox or BINAP as the ligand under otherwise identical reaction conditions. This is the first application of vinylogous aza-enamines in a transition metal-catalyzed transformation and the first example of the creation of 1,3-stereocenters in a propargylic substitution reaction.

Gold and Palladium Relay Catalytic [4 + 4] Cycloadditions of Enynamides and γ-Methylene-δ-valerolactones: Diastereoselective Construction of Furan-Fused Azacyclooctanes

We report a highly efficient and diastereoselective gold and palladium sequential relay catalysis system for the synthesis of furan-fused eight-membered heterocycles. Employing a one-pot procedure, easily accessible enynamides undergo cyclization to generate azadienes in situ, which subsequently participate in diastereoselective formal [4 + 4] cycloadditions with γ-methylene-δ-valerolactones. This strategy enables the rapid and efficient construction of a series of furan-fused azacyclooctanes with diverse substituents in good yields (63-97%) and a high level of diastereoselectivity (7:1 → 20:1 dr).

Catalyst-Controlled Annulations of Strained Cyclic Allenes with π-Allylpalladium Complexes

Strained cyclic allenes are a class of in situ-generated fleeting intermediates that, despite being discovered more than 50 years ago, has received significantly less attention from the synthetic community compared to related strained intermediates. Examples of trapping strained cyclic allenes that involve transition metal catalysis are especially rare. We report the first annulations of highly reactive cyclic allenes with in situ-generated π-allylpalladium species. By varying the ligand employed, either of two isomeric polycyclic scaffolds can be obtained with high selectivity. The products are heterocyclic and sp3-rich and bear two or three new stereocenters. This study should encourage the further development of fragment couplings that rely on transition metal catalysis and strained cyclic allenes for the rapid assembly of complex scaffolds.

Enantioselective Dearomatization of Indoles via SmI2-Mediated Intermolecular Reductive Coupling with Ketones

Samarium diiodide (SmI₂) mediated reductive coupling reactions are powerful methods for the construction of carbon-carbon bond in organic synthesis. Despite the extensive development in recent decades, successful examples of the corresponding asymmetric reactions remained scarce, probably due to the involvement of highly reactive radical intermediates. In this Article, we report an enantioselective dearomatization of indoles via SmI₂-mediated intermolecular reductive coupling with ketones. The utilization of samarium reductant supported by chiral tridentate aminodiol ligands allows the facile synthesis of indoline molecules bearing two contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields (up to 99%) and stereoselectivity (up to 99:1 er and >20:1 dr). Combined experimental and computational investigations suggested that parallel single-electron transfer to each substrate from the chiral samarium reductant allows the radical-radical recombination in an enantioselective manner, which is a unique mechanistic scenario in SmI₂-mediated reductive coupling reactions.

Copper-Catalysed Rearrangement of Cyclic Ethynylethylene Carbonates: Synthetic Applications and Mechanistic Studies

Transition-metal-catalysed reactions of cyclic ethynylethylene carbonates have been intensively studied because of their robustness in new bond formation and diversified molecule construction. Known reaction modes usually involve a substitution step occurring at either the propargylic or terminal alkyne positions. Here, we report an unprecedented reaction pattern in which cyclic ethynylethylene carbonates first undergo a rearrangement to release allenal intermediates, which subsequently react with diverse nucleophiles to furnish synthetically useful allylic and propargylic allenols, phosphorus ylides, and cyclopropylidene ketones through an addition process rather than a substitution pathway. The products enable various further transformations, and mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations reveal that the reaction does not proceed via a semipinacol type [1,2]-hydride shift, but through base-mediated deprotonation as the key step to induce the rearrangement.

Copper-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Decarboxylative [3 + 2] Cyclization of Alkyne-Substituted Cyclic Carbamates with Azlactones: Access to γ-Butyrolactams Bearing Two Vicinal Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters

A copper-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective decarboxylative [3 + 2] cyclization reaction of alkyne-substituted cyclic carbamates with azlactones has been established. A range of optically pure γ-butyrolactams bearing two vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in high yields with good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99% yield, 99:1 dr, and 99% ee). This is the first example of asymmetric synthesis γ-butyrolactams containing sterically congested vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters via a decarboxylative cyclization pathway.

Iridium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Asymmetric Allylation of Vinyl Benzoxazinones for the Synthesis of Chiral 4H-3,1-Benzoxazines via Kinetic Resolution

Chiral benzoxazinones and 4H-3,1-benzoxazines as important motifs are widely found in abundant pharmaceuticals and biological molecules. We herein successfully developed the first kinetic resolution (KR) process of racemic benzoxazinones through Ir-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular allylation, furnishing a wide range of chiral benzoxazinones and 4H-3,1-benzoxazines with excellent results via outstanding KR performances (with the s factor up to 170). This protocol exhibited broad substrate scope generality and good functional group tolerance, and the chiral 4H-3,1-benzoxazine products could be readily transformed to other useful optically active heterocycles.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Intramolecular Cyclization/Intermolecular Michael Addition Reaction of Allenyl Benzoxazinones with 1-Azadienes

We herein designed and synthesized allenyl benzoxazinones of a novel type, which were then involved in a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric cascade intramolecular cyclization/intermolecular Michael addition reaction with 1-azadienes. A broad range of chiral C2-functionalized quinoline derivatives were afforded in moderate to good yields (up to 93%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) in this reaction.

Enantioselective Construction of Vicinal Quaternary-Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters by Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Propargylic Substitution

Enantioselective construction of vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters is a formidable challenge in organic synthesis. A copper-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative propargylic substitution with 3-amino oxindoles as trisubstituted carbon nucleophiles and propargylic cyclic carbonates as tertiary carbon electrophiles was developed. A range of 3-amino-3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles bearing vicinal quaternary-tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in high yields and good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 98% yield, >20:1 dr, and 98.5:1.5 er).

Asymmetric higher-order [10 + n] cycloadditions of palladium-containing 10π-cycloaddends

We uncovered an asymmetric higher-order [10 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between diverse activated alkenes and a new type of π-allylpalladium complex-containing dipole-type 10π-cycloaddend, which was generated in situ from 2-methylene-1-indanols via a dehydrative insertion and deprotonation strategy under double activation of Pd(0) and phosphoric acid. A similar strategy was applied to an asymmetric higher-order [10 + 8] cycloaddition reaction or [10 + 4] cycloaddition reaction by using a heptafulvene derivative or a cyclic enone, respectively, as the acceptor. A variety of polycyclic frameworks imbedding an indene core were generally furnished in moderate to excellent yields with high levels of enantioselectivity by employing a newly designed chiral phosphoramidite ligand.

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution with salicylaldehyde-derived imine esters

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution with salicylaldehyde-derived imine esters and propargylic carbonates has been successfully realized, generating a wide range of chiral amino acid derivatives containing propargylic groups with excellent results (up to 95% yield and 94% ee). The ortho-hydroxy group of the salicylaldehyde-derived imine esters is crucial to increase the reactivity and stabilize the azomethine ylide, which may be due to the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group and the imine group. A series of synthetic transformations were carried out to access other important chiral compounds, which displayed the synthetic versatility.

Intramolecular Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Propargylic [4 + 2]- Cycloaddition toward Optically Active Tetrahydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinoxalines

An intramolecular Cu-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic [4 + 2] cycloaddition of bis-N-nucleophile-functionalized propargylic esters has been realized in the support of a chiral tridentate N-ligand, (S,S)-Pybox-diOAc, leading to chiral tetrahydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinoxalines in high yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivities. The reaction features high efficiency, simplicity, and broad substrate scope, thus providing a powerful and concise strategy for stereoselective access to optically active polycyclic heterocycle frameworks that are otherwise difficult to synthesize.

Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cascade Cyclization of Propargylic Cyclic Carbonates/Carbamates with Pyridinium 1,4-Zwitterionic Thiolates to Fused Polyheterocyclic Structures

A copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cascade cyclization of propargylic cyclic carbonates/carbamates with pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates is developed. A range of fused polyheterocyclic compounds are obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. Of particular note is that four new bonds (two C-C, one C-O/N, one C-S) and four new stereocenters could be efficiently embedded into the tetracyclic fused scaffolds in a single step.

Enantio-, Diastereo- and Regioselective Synthesis of Chiral Cyclic and Acyclic gem-Difluoromethylenes by Palladium-Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition

gem-Difluoromethylene moieties are attractive in medicinal chemistry due to their ability to mimic other more ubiquitous functional groups. Thus, effective asymmetric methods for their construction are highly desirable, especially for the industrial production of chiral drugs. Using a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition between substituted-2-alkylidenetrimethylene carbonates and gem-difluoroalkyl ketones, we were able to easily access chiral 1,3-dioxanes that contain a tetrasubstituted difluoroalkyl stereogenic center in cyclic and acyclic skeletons. A novel phosphoramidite ligand, which contains a bulky 1,1-dinaphthylmethanamino moiety, was developed to provide the products in high yield with excellent enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselectivity. Strikingly, the gem-difluoro substitution pattern promotes the reaction, and pentafluoroethylketone, an α,α-difluorinated β-ketoester, and a β-ketosulfone are suitable substrates for this method.

Pd-Catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of methylene cyclic carbamates with dihydropyrazolone-derived alkenes: synthesis of spiropyrazolones

In this paper, a palladium-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 5-methylene-1,3-oxazinan-2-ones with 4-arylidene-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-ones has been developed to produce spiropyrazolones in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities in nearly all cases. The cycloaddition reaction was scaled-up without significant loss of yield, and its synthetic utility has been demonstrated by further transformations of the products. The reaction type of N-Ts cyclic carbamates under palladium catalysis was extended to include [4 + 2] cycloaddition for the first time.

High-order dipolar annulations with metal-containing reactive dipoles

Medium-sized heterocycles are widespread among a spectrum of structurally intriguing and biologically significant natural products and synthetic pharmaceuticals. Metal-catalyzed high-order dipolar annulations resembling reactions of metal-containing reactive dipoles with dipolarophiles constitute a highly efficient and flexible strategy for constructing medium-sized heterocycles. Mechanistically, these annulation reactions usually proceeding through stepwise pathways are different from the classic high-order pericyclic reactions that follow the Woodward-Hoffman rules. More significantly, asymmetric high-order dipolar annulations using chiral organometallic catalysts have been proven successful for constructing chiral medium-sized heterocycles with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity. This review highlights the impressive advances in this area and is focused on the reactivity, scope, mechanisms and applications of high-order dipolar annulation reactions.

Palladium-catalyzed stereoselective decarboxylative allylation of azlactones: access to (Z)-trisubstituted allylic amino acid derivatives

A palladium-catalyzed stereoselective decarboxylative allylation of azlactones with vinyl methylene cyclic carbonates affords a series of trisubstituted allylic amino acid derivatives in good yields with an exclusive (Z)-configuration.

Asymmetric Decarboxylative [3+2] Cycloaddition for the Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiro[2.4]heptanes via Cyclopropanation

Asymmetric cycloaddition reaction has emerged as one of the powful and reliable strategies for the construction of enantioenriched molecules, especially those with polycyclic frameworks. Herein, we report the asymmetric decarboxylative...

Cycloaddition of Huisgen 1,4-dipoles: synthesis and rapid epimerization of functionalized spiropyrido[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine-pyrroles and related products

1,4-Dipolar cycloaddition has emerged as a powerful tool for the synthesis of various cyclic compounds. In the present work, 1H-pyrrole-2,3-diones are proposed as new dipolarophiles for 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition. Their [4 + 2] cycloaddition with dipoles generated from dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and pyridine was found to proceed regioselectively affording spiro[pyrido[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine-2,3'-pyrroles] as diastereomeric mixtures which exist in rapid equilibrium in solution. It was established that this phenomenon of rapid epimerization is a characteristic of other similar spiropyrido[2,1-b][1,3]oxazines and even related spiroquinolizines, which was demonstrated by the investigation of related products of previously reported, and reproduced in this work, 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition reactions.

A cooperative Pd/Co catalysis system for the asymmetric (4+2) cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinones with N-acylpyrazoles

Transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition has been established as a powerful tool for heterocycle synthesis. Despite impressive advances, the exploitation of new catalysis strategies and systems is still highly significant to enrich the heterocycle family. Herein, we disclosed a cooperative catalysis system merging an achiral Pd catalyst and a chiral Co catalyst for the asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition between vinyl benzoxazinones and N-acylpyrazoles. Chiral tetrahydroquinolines bearing two contiguous, unusual cis-configured stereocenters were produced in high yields and enantio- and diastereoselectivities. The pyrazole directing group can be easily converted into many other functional groups, thus demonstrating the flexibility of the present methodology.

Recent Advances in the Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters via Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative asymmetric allylic alkylation (DAAA) provides an efficient and powerful strategy to construct quaternary stereocenters, which are widely present in biologically active natural products and approved drugs. In this short review, we summarize recent developments (since 2018) in the facile synthesis of quaternary stereocenters via DAAA methods. Several representative examples of the use of DAAA strategies for the total synthesis of complex natural products further demonstrate its synthetic potential in the realm of organic and medicinal chemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters via Palladium Catalyzed DAAA

3 Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters via Pd-Catalyzed Interceptive DAAA

4 Application of DAAA in Natural Product Synthesis

5 Conclusion

Construction of poly-N-heterocyclic scaffolds via the controlled reactivity of Cu-allenylidene intermediates

Controlling the sequence of the three consecutive reactive carbon centres of Cu-allenylidene remains a challenge. One of the impressive achievements in this area is the Cu-catalyzed annulation of 4-ethynyl benzoxazinanones, which are transformed into zwitterionic Cu-stabilized allenylidenes that are trapped by interceptors to provide the annulation products. In principle, the reaction proceeds via a preferential γ-attack, while annulation reactions via an α- or β-attack are infrequent. Herein, we describe a method for controlling the annulation mode, by the manipulation of a CF₃ or CH₃ substituent, to make it proceed via either a γ-attack or an α- or β-attack. The annulation of CF₃-substituted substrates with sulfamate-imines furnished densely functionalized N-heterocycles with excellent enantioselectivity via a cascade of an internal β-attack and an external α-attack. CH₃-variants were transformed into different heterocycles that possess a spiral skeleton, via a cascade of an internal β-attack and a hydride α-migration followed by a Diels-Alder reaction.

Combining palladium and ammonium halide catalysts for Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates of methyl vinyl ketone: from 1,4-carbodipoles to ion pairs

Here we report that Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates from diverse aldehydes and methyl vinyl ketones can be directly utilised as palladium-trimethylenemethane 1,4-carbodipole-type precursors, and both reactivity and enantioselectivity are finely regulated by adding a chiral ammonium halide as the ion-pair catalyst. The newly assembled intermediates, proposed to contain an electronically neutral π-allylpalladium halide complex and a reactive compact ion pair, efficiently undergo asymmetric [4 + 2] annulations with diverse activated alkenes or isatins, generally with high regio-, diastereo- and enantio-selectivity, and even switchable regiodivergent or diastereodivergent annulations can be well realised by tuning the substrate or catalyst assemblies. An array of control experiments, including UV/Vis absorption study and density functional theory calculations, are conducted to rationalise this new double activation mode combining a palladium complex and an ammonium halide as an ion-pair catalyst.

Synthesis of hydroindoles via desymmetric [3+2] cycloadditions of para-quinamines with photogenerated ketenes

A DBU-catalyzed desymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition between para-quinamines and photogenerated ketenes was developed for the first time. Under the irradiation of low-energy blue LEDs, a variety of hydroindoles bearing all-carbon quaternary centers were produced with good reaction efficiency and complete diastereoselectivity (34 examples, 45-99% yields and >95 : 5 dr). This protocol represents a new approach to synthetically significant hydroindoles, and features broad substrate scope, high functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions.

Palladium-Catalyzed (3+3) Annulation of Allenylethylene Carbonates with Nitrile Oxides

In this paper, we designed and synthesized a new type of cyclic carbonates, allenylethylene carbonates (AECs). With AECs as reactive precursors, we developed palladium-catalyzed (3+3) annulation of AECs with nitrile oxides. Various AECs worked well in this reaction under mild reaction conditions. A variety of 5,6-dihydro-1,4,2-dioxazine derivatives with allenyl quaternary stereocenters can be accessed in a facile manner in high yields (≤98%).

Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergent Asymmetric [5 + 2] and [3 + 2] Annulations of Vinyl Indoloxazolidones Catalyzed by Palladium

Here, we present palladium-catalyzed regiodivergent asymmetric annulations of vinyl indoloxazolidones, which can act as 1,5-carbodipoles or 1,3-carbodipoles by tuning the chiral ligands and conditions, in the assemblies with sulfamate-derived cyclic imines and even activated alkenes. A diversity of polycyclic products are generally constructed with high regio- and enantioselectivity.

Synthesis of Tetra-Substituted Trifluoromethyl-3,1-Benzoxazines by Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cyclization of N-Benzoyl Benzoxazinones

Efficient synthesis of N,O-heterocyclic tetra-substituted trifluoromethyl-3,1-benzoxazines via a transition-metal-catalyzed decarboxylative intramolecular cyclization was achieved. The decarboxylation of N-benzoyl trifluoromethyl-benzoxazinones generated the amide oxygen nucleophile, allowing a selective internal C1 -attack on Pd- or Cu-coordinated zwitterions, affording medicinally attractive tetra-substituted vinyl- or ethynyl-trifluoromethyl-3,1-benzoxazines. This protocol can be applied to the synthesis of perfluoroalkyl- and non-fluorinated 3,1-benzoxazines.

Access to 5,6-Spirocycles Bearing Three Contiguous Stereocenters via Pd-Catalyzed Stereoselective [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of Azadienes

We present herein a highly diastereo- and enantioselective Pd-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of benzofuran-derived azadienes with vinyl benzoxazinanones, which represents a rare highly stereoselective cycloaddition of this class of fused azadienes as a two-atom synthon. The use of a phosphoramidite ligand bearing a chiral secondary amine with a simple biphenyl backbone proved to be the key to construct the novel spirocyclic tetrahydroquinoline scaffold containing three contiguous stereocenters as a single diastereomer in high enantioselectivity.