Ru-Catalyzed Chemoselective Olefin Migration Reaction of Cyclic Allylic Acetals to Enol Acetals

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Propargyl Derivatives, and Their Application as Synthetic Intermediates and Building Blocks

The propargyl group is a highly versatile moiety whose introduction into small-molecule building blocks opens up new synthetic pathways for further elaboration. The last decade has witnessed remarkable progress in both the synthesis of propargylation agents and their application in the synthesis and functionalization of more elaborate/complex building blocks and intermediates. The goal of this review is to highlight these exciting advances and to underscore their impact.

Semisynthesis of (-)-Bufospirostenin A Enabled by Photosantonin Rearrangement Reaction

An enantioselective semisynthesis of (-)-bufospirostenin A is described. The key steps in the synthesis involve use of our proposed biomimetic and diastereoselective photosantonin rearrangement reaction for construction of the 5/7 bicyclic motif, and a Co-catalyzed reversible double-bond isomerization reaction for installing the double bond in the seven-membered ring.

Sequential Metal Catalysis towards 7-Oxostaurosporine and Its Non-Natural Septanose Analogue

We report sequential metal catalysis towards indolocarbazole glycosides. The signature event is highlighted by i) Pd⁰ -catalyzed addition of indolocarbazole to alkoxyallene combined with ring-closing-metathesis; ii) Ru-catalyzed chemoselective olefin migration; iii) Pd^II -catalyzed oxidative cyclization to build the bicyclic core structure of the target compounds. This approach gave access to both natural pyranose- and non-natural septanose glycosides. A short formal synthesis of 7-oxostaurosporine was achieved via this strategy.

One simple Ir/hydrosilane catalytic system for chemoselective isomerization of 2-substituted allylic ethers

Here, we describe one simple Ir/hydrosilane catalytic system for chemoselective isomerization of 2-substituted allylic ethers. This facile strategy shows high efficiency towards a variety of substrates, including derivatives from bioactive molecules. The substituent at the α position of the olefins is supposed to be critical in retarding the alkene hydrosilylation process and leading the reaction to go through the isomerization pathway.

Regioselectivity Influences in Platinum-Catalyzed Intramolecular Alkyne O-H and N-H Additions

The steric and electronic drivers of regioselectivity in platinum-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation are elucidated. A branch point is found that divides the process between 5-exo and 6-endo selective processes, and enol ethers can be accessed in good yields for both oxygen heterocycles. The main influence arises from an electronic effect, where the alkyne substituent induces a polarization of the alkyne that leads to preferential heteroatom attack at the more electron-deficient carbon. The electronic effects are studied in other contexts, including hydroacyloxylation and hydroamination, and similar trends in directionality are predominant although not uniformly observed.