The synthesis of alkenes via epi-phosphonium species: 1. An anti-Wittig elimination

Stereoretentive Olefin Metathesis: An Avenue to Kinetic Selectivity

Olefin metathesis is an incredibly valuable transformation that has gained widespread use in both academic and industrial settings. Lately, stereoretentive olefin metathesis has garnered much attention as a method for the selective generation of both E- and Z-olefins. Early studies employing ill-defined catalysts showed evidence for retention of the stereochemistry of the starting olefins at low conversion. However, thermodynamic ratios E/Z were reached as the reaction proceeded to equilibrium. Recent studies in olefin metathesis have focused on the synthesis of catalysts that can overcome the inherent thermodynamic preference of an olefin, providing synthetically useful quantities of a kinetically favored olefin isomer. These reports have led to the development of stereoretentive catalysts that not only generate Z-olefins selectively, but also kinetically produce E-olefins, a previously unmet challenge in olefin metathesis. Advancements in stereoretentive olefin metathesis using tungsten, ruthenium, and molybdenum catalysts are presented.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of ketones with P(O)–H compounds leading to β-ketophosphine oxides

A facile copper-catalyzed one-pot method for the synthesis of β-ketophosphine oxides has been developed via aerobic oxidative coupling of ketones with P(O)–H compounds assisted by TBSOTf at room temperature.

A beta-lactam-based stereoselective access to beta,gamma-dihydroxy alpha-amino acid-derived peptides with either alpha,beta-like or unlike configurations

A concise access to alpha,beta-dihydroxy alpha-amino acid-derived N-carboxy anhydrides (NCAs) with either like or unlike relative configuration is described. The key steps of the synthetic route are the preparation of the nonracemic 4-alkenyl beta-lactams, through either Horner-type olefination of a common 4-formyl beta-lactam or the Corey-Winter alkene synthesis applied to 4-dihydroxyalkyl beta-lactams, followed by the Sharpless AD reaction, and a subsequent ring expansion of the corresponding 4-substituted 3-hydroxy beta-lactams promoted by TEMPO. The opening of thus-prepared NCAs upon treatment with different O- and N-nucleophiles, including alpha-amino esters which lead to peptides, has also been studied under various reaction conditions.