Z-Stereoselective Aza-Peterson Olefinations with Bis(trimethylsilane) Reagents and Sulfinyl Imines

Wittig Reaction in Deep Eutectic Solvents: Expanding the DES Toolbox in Synthesis

Wittig reaction between substituted phosphonium salts and (hetero)aromatic and alkyl carbonyl compounds in Deep Eutectic Solvents has been developed under a scalable and friendly protocol. Highly efficient reactions were successfully run with a wide range of bases including organic (DBU, LiTMP, t-BuOK) and inorganic (NaOH, K2CO3) ones in ChCl/Gly 1 : 2 (mol/mol) as solvent under mild conditions, at room temperature and under air. The proposed protocol was applied to a wide range of substrates, including (hetero)aromatic aldehydes with substituents as halogens (I, Br, Cl), EDG (alkoxy, methyl), EWG (NO2, CF3) or reactive groups as CN, esters, and ketones. Vinylic, alkynyl and cycloalkyl, alicyclic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes can also be used. Highly electrophilic ketones gave good yields. The diastereoselectivity of the reaction is in complete agreement with the E/Z ratio predictable under traditional conditions. We demonstrated that the protocol is scalable to 2 g (5 mmol) of phosphonium salt, furthermore the proposed workup protocol allows to remove TPPO without need of additional chromatographic purification.

Chemo-, Regio- and Stereoselective Preparation of (Z)-2-Butene-1,4-Diol Monoesters via Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Acyloxylation

(Z)-alkenes are useful synthons but thermodynamically less stable than their (E)-isomers and typically more difficult to prepare. The synthesis of 1,4-hetero-bifunctionalized (Z)-alkenes is particularly challenging due to the inherent regio- and stereoselectivity issues. Herein we demonstrate a general, chemoselective and direct synthesis of (Z)-2-butene-1,4-diol monoesters. The protocol operates within a Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative acyloxylation regime involving vinyl ethylene carbonates (VECs) and various carboxylic acids as the reaction partners under mild and operationally attractive conditions. The newly developed process allows access to a structurally diverse pool of (Z)-2-butene-1,4-diol monoesters in good yields and with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. Various synthetic transformations of the obtained (Z)-2-butene-1,4-diol monoesters demonstrate how these synthons are of great use to rapidly diversify the portfolio of these formal desymmetrized (Z)-alkenes.

Stereoselective Copper-Catalyzed Olefination of Imines

Alkenes are an important class of organic molecules found among synthetic intermediates and bioactive compounds. They are commonly synthesized through stoichiometric Wittig-type olefination of carbonyls and imines, using ylides or their equivalents. Despite the importance of Wittig-type olefination reactions, their catalytic variants remain underdeveloped. We explored the use of transition metal catalysis to form ylide equivalents from readily available starting materials. Our investigation led to a new copper-catalyzed olefination of imines with alkenyl boronate esters as coupling partners. We identified a heterobimetallic complex, obtained by hydrocupration of the alkenyl boronate esters, as the key catalytic intermediate that serves as an ylide equivalent. The high E-selectivity observed in the reaction is due to the stereoselective addition of this intermediate to an imine, followed by stereospecific anti-elimination.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Chemo-Selective Carbene Insertion into C-H Bond of Styrene over Cyclopropanation: C-C Bond Formation

The C-C bond formation reactions are important in organic synthesis. Heck reaction is known to arylate the terminal carbon of olefins; however, direct alkylation of the terminal carbon of olefin is limited. Herein, we report a novel ruthenium-catalyzed selective cross-coupling reaction of styrene and α-diazoesters to form a new C-C bond over cyclopropanation via the C-H insertion process for the first time. Using this novel methodology, a wide variety of substrates have been utilized and a variety of α-vinylated benzylic esters and densely functionalized olefins have been synthesized with good stereoselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The overall reaction process proceeds through the carbene insertion into styrene to form the desired products in good to excellent yields with proper stereoselectivity. The selective C-H inserted product, wide substrate scope, and excellent functional group tolerance are the best features of this work.

H2O as the Hydrogen Donor: Stereo-Selective Synthesis of E- and Z-Alkenes by Palladium-Catalyzed Semihydrogenation of Alkynes

It is very desirable to develop a facile controllable method for selective semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes with a cheap and safe hydrogen donor but remains a big challenge. H₂O is one of the best choices of the transfer hydrogenation agent of the world, and the development of methods for synthesizing E- and Z-alkenes using H₂O as the hydrogen source is worthwhile. In this article, a palladium-catalyzed synthesis of E- and Z-alkenes from alkynes using H₂O as the hydrogenation agent was reported. The use of di-tert-butylphosphinous chloride (t-Bu₂PCl) and triethanolamine/sodium acetate (TEOA/NaOAc) was essential for the stereo-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes. The general applicability of this procedure was highlighted by the synthesis of more than 48 alkenes, with good yields and high stereoselectivities.

Palladium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of terminal alkynes using ethanol as the hydrogen donor

A ligand-promoted, palladium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of terminal alkynes using ethanol as the hydrogen donor is developed. The chemical selectivity control is achieved based on ligand regulation. The use of triethanolamine and tetrahydrofuran at 80 °C under N2 is found to be critical for the transfer hydrogenation of terminal alkynes. The general applicability of this procedure is highlighted by the synthesis of 27 terminal alkenes in moderate to good yields.

Palladium-Catalyzed Semihydrogenation of Alkynes with EtOH: Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of E- and Z-Alkenes

A palladium-catalyzed semihydrogenation of alkynes to E- and Z-alkenes employing EtOH as the hydrogenating agent is reported. The selectivity of the reaction system was effectively controlled by ­ligand/additive and solvent regulation. The use of sodium acetate/­triethanolamine (NaOAc/TEOA), THF, and (1R,2R)-bis[(2-­methoxyphenyl)phenylphosphino]ethane [(R,R)-DIPAMP] in CH3CN was critical for the stereoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes. The general applicability of this procedure was highlighted by the synthesis of more than 36 alkenes, in good yields with high stereoselectivities.

Iterative addition of carbon nucleophiles to N,N-dialkyl carboxamides for synthesis of α-tertiary amines

A protocol for the synthesis of α-tertiary amines was developed by iterative addition of carbon nucleophiles to N,N-dialkyl carboxamides. Nucleophilic 1,2-addition of organolithium reagents to carboxamides forms anionic tetrahedral carbinolamine (hemiaminal) intermediates, which are subsequently treated with bromotrimethylsilane (Me₃SiBr) followed by organomagnesium (Grignard) reagents, organolithium reagents or tetrabutylammonium cyanide, affording α-tertiary amines. Employment of (trimethylsilyl)methylmagnesium bromide as the 2^nd nucleophile allowed for aza-Peterson olefination of the resulting α-tertiary (trimethylsilyl)methylamines with acidic work-up, resulting in the formation of 1,1-diarylethylenes.

Aza-Peterson Olefinations: Rapid Synthesis of (E)-Alkenes

An aza-Peterson olefination methodology to access 1,3-dienes and stilbene derivatives from the corresponding allyl- or benzyltrimethylsilane is described. Silanes can be deprotonated using Schlosser’s base and added to N-phenyl imines or ketones to directly give the desired products in high yields.

Intramolecular Sakurai Allylation of Geminal Bis(silyl) Enamide with Indolenine. A Diastereoselective Cyclization To Form Functionalized Hexahydropyrido[3,4-b]Indole

A fluoride-promoted intramolecular Sakurai allylation of geminal bis(silyl) enamide with indolenine has been developed. The reaction facilitates an efficient cyclization to give hexahydropyrido[3,4-b]indoles in good yields with high diastereoselectivity. The resulted cis, trans-stereochemistry further enables the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction of two alkene moieties, giving a tetracyclic N-hetereocycle widely found as the core structure in akuammiline alkaloids.

Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Peterson Olefinations

A mild and facile Peterson olefination has been developed employing low catalyst loading of the Brønsted acid HNTf₂. The reactions are typically performed at room temperature, with the reaction tolerant to a range of useful functionalities. Furthermore, we have extended this methodology to the synthesis of enynes.

E,Z-Selectivity in the reductive cross-coupling of two benzaldehydes to stilbenes under substrate control

Depending on the order of addition, two differently substituted benzaldehydes can selectively be coupled to either E- or Z-stilbene.

Synthesis of Isomerically Pure (Z)-Alkenes from Terminal Alkynes and Terminal Alkenes: Silver-Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Alkynes

Alkenes are an important class of compounds common among biologically active molecules and often are used as intermediates in organic synthesis. Many alkenes exist in two stereoisomeric forms (E and Z), which have different structures and different properties. The selective formation of the two isomers is an important synthetic goal that has long inspired the development of new synthetic methods. However, the efficient synthesis of diastereopure, thermodynamically less stable, Z-alkenes is still challenging. Here, we demonstrate an efficient synthesis of diastereopure Z-alkenes (Z:E > 300:1) through a silver-catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes, using alkylboranes as coupling partners. We also describe the exploration of the substrate scope, which reveals the broad functional group compatibility of the new method. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that a 1,2-metalate rearrangement of the silver borate intermediate is the key step responsible for the stereochemical outcome of the reaction.

Asymmetric retro-[1,4]-Brook rearrangement of 3-silyl allyloxysilanes via chirality transfer from silicon to carbon

An asymmetric retro-[1,4]-Brook rearrangement of 3-silyl allyloxysilanes has been developed via Si-to-C chirality transfer. Mechanistic studies reveal that the silyl group migrates with retention of configuration. The stereochemical outcome of the newly formed stereogenic carbon center, which has remained a longstanding question, is also clarified, suggesting a diastereoselective Si to C chirality transfer without loss of enantiomeric excess.

Formal Carbene C-H Bond Insertion in the Cu(I)-Catalyzed Reaction of Bis(trimethylsilyl)diazomethane with Benzoxazoles and Oxazoles

A Cu(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl)diazomethane and benzoxazoles/oxazoles is reported. A wide range of functional groups can be tolerated in this transformation. This reaction provides a new method to directly introduce a 1,1-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl group into heteroaromatic C-H bonds. Subsequent transformations of 1,1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-methylated heteroaromatic compounds are also presented.

Three-component reaction to synthesize E-vinyl silyl anti-1,2-diols via sequential [1,4]-O-to-O/[1,4]-C-to-O silyl migrations

A three-component reaction of geminal bis(silyl) allyl silyl ether, aldehyde and electrophile has been developed to synthesize trisubstituted E-vinyl silyl anti-1,2-diols. The approach features a sequential [1,4]-O-to-O/[1,4]-C-to-O silyl migrations process.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Monochlorosilanes And Grignard Reagents

Using a palladium catalyst supported by DrewPhos, the alkylation of monochlorosilanes with primary and secondary alkyl-magnesium halides is now possible. Arylation with sterically demanding aromatic magnesium halides is also enabled. This transformation overcomes the high bond strength of the Si-Cl bond (113 kcal/mol) and is a rare example of a transition-metal catalyzed process involving its activation. Due to the availability of both chlorosilanes and organomagnesium halide reagents, this method allows for the preparation of a wide range of alkyl and aryl silanes.