Organocatalytic Enantioselective Formal (4 + 2)-Cycloadditions of Phosphine-Containing Dipoles with Isocyanates

Catalyst-free reaction of 2-(4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)acrylates: synthesis of 1,2-dihydroquinolines and 2,3-dihydropyrroles

Catalyst-free annulations of 2-(4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)acrylates have been successfully achieved under mild conditions. Specifically, the reaction of 2-(4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)acrylates with sulfur ylides furnished various 1,2-dihydroquinolines in generally high yields. Furthermore, [3+2]-annulations of 2-(4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)acrylates with α,β-unsaturated imines afforded a broad scope of polysubstituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles with high efficiency.

Phosphine-catalysed transformations of ortho- and para-quinone methides

Organocatalytic methodologies for the derivatization of o-QM, p-QM and the analogous aza-QM have been recently developed and involve different catalytic systems such as phosphoric acids, thioureas, squaramides, NHC carbenes or chiral ammonium salts. Besides, phosphines, commonly used as ligands in metal-catalysed reactions, can be also used as organocatalysts. In this case, they are mainly involved as nucleophilic catalysts in reactions such as the Rauhut-Currier (RC) reaction. In this review, an analysis of the recent developments in racemic and enantioselective phosphine-catalysed transformations of o-QM, p-QM and aza-o-QM has been carried out.

Iridium-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective [4 + 1] Cycloaddition of Hydroxyallyl Anilines with Sulfoxonium Ylides

We present here an iridium-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of hydroxyallyl anilines with sulfoxonium ylides under mild reaction conditions, leading to 3-vinyl indolines in moderate to good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Control experiments disclosed a plausible reaction mechanism.

Access to Chiral Tetrahydroquinazolines/1,3-Benzoxazines via Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4 + 2] Cycloaddition

An iridium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,3,5-triazinanes with 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)anilines/2-(1-hydroxyallyl)phenols has been developed, providing a straightforward and efficient approach to a wide range of tetrahydroquinazolines in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). Typically, chiral 1,3-benzoxazines, which are challenging substrates in asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloaddition, could be obtained in excellent enantioselectivities via this protocol.

Organocatalytic Regio- and Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Indolin-2-imines with MBH Carbonates toward 3-Allylindoles

An organocatalytic asymmetric C3-allylic alkylation of indolone-2-imines with MBH carbonates has been developed for the first time. As opposed to previous reports, an "interrupted" annulation was achieved, affording 3-allylindoles in generally high yields with excellent stereoselectivities. The representative scale-up reaction and transformation of 3-allylindoles were examined. A possible mechanism was also proposed.