Axially Chiral Cyclic Phosphoric Acid Enabled Enantioselective Sequential Additions

Controlling Stereoselectivity with Noncovalent Interactions in Chiral Phosphoric Acid Organocatalysis

Chiral phosphoric acids (CPAs) have emerged as highly effective Brønsted acid catalysts in an expanding range of asymmetric transformations, often through novel multifunctional substrate activation modes. Versatile and broadly appealing, these catalysts benefit from modular and tunable structures, and compatibility with additives. Given the unique types of noncovalent interactions (NCIs) that can be established between CPAs and various reactants─such as hydrogen bonding, aromatic interactions, and van der Waals forces─it is unsurprising that these catalyst systems have become a promising approach for accessing diverse chiral product outcomes. This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms by which CPAs impart stereoselectivity, positioning NCIs as the central feature that connects a broad spectrum of catalytic reactions. Spanning literature from 2004 to 2024, it covers nucleophilic additions, radical transformations, and atroposelective bond formations, highlighting the applicability of CPA organocatalysis. Special emphasis is placed on the structural and mechanistic features that govern CPA-substrate interactions, as well as the tools and techniques developed to enhance our understanding of their catalytic behavior. In addition to emphasizing mechanistic details and stereocontrolling elements in individual reactions, we have carefully structured this review to provide a natural progression from these specifics to a broader, class-level perspective. Overall, these findings underscore the critical role of NCIs in CPA catalysis and their significant contributions to advancing asymmetric synthesis.

Development of Diverse Ligands and Catalysts Derived from Axially Chiral Cyclic Biphenyldiols

The development of suitable chiral ligands and catalysts is a key factor in asymmetric organic synthesis. In this paper, we describe the design, synthesis and evaluation of a new kind of adjustable axially chiral cyclic biphenyl ligands and catalysts derived from axially chiral cyclic biphenyldiols, and four representative examples were performed well including enantioselective alkynylation of benzo[e][1,2,3]oxathiazine 2,2-dioxide under catalysis of (R)-cyclic [1,1'-biphenyl]-2,2'-diol/ZnMe2, palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition of 4-phenyl-4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one with 2-arylidenemalononitriles in the presence of axially chiral cyclic phosphoramidite ligand, and axially chiral cyclic phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric Diels-Alder cycloaddition of styryl-1H-indole with cyclic 2,4-dienones and asymmetric Michael addition of indolizine to cyclopentenediones. The experiments showed that variation of 2,2'-substituent groups could provide different kinds of axially chiral cyclic ligands and catalysts, variation of steric and electronic properties (by changing substituent groups at the 3,3',5,5'-positions) and dihedral angles (by changing ring sizes at 6,6'-positions) could greatly change catalytic efficiency of ligands and catalysts derived from axially chiral cyclic biphenyldiols. The high reactivity and stereoselectivity of the reactions were effectively achieved through the precise regulation of multi-sites on our axially chiral cyclic biphenyldiols.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Construction of 2,6-Diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octanes by Harnessing the Potential of an 3-Oxindolium Ion Intermediate

Due to its structural complexity and intrinsic sensitivity of bridged aminal junction, 2,6-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (2,6-DABCO) has remained a highly desirable target in synthetic chemistry. However, the asymmetric access to this unit is still insufficient and hampered by the need for meticulously created functionalities for intricate double aza-cyclizations. Herein, we have developed a novel enantio- and diastereoselective protocol to access polycyclic chiral 2,6-DABCOs under metal-free conditions. This domino process involves the amine-catalyzed [4+2] annulation between glutaraldehyde and 2-arylindol-3-ones, followed by an acid-mediated Pictet-Spengler reaction/intramolecular aza-cyclization cascade sequence with tryptamine by trapping of in situ generated 3-oxindolium ion intermediate for the first time. Overall, 2,6-DABCOs fused with medicinally relevant scaffolds were isolated with good yield and excellent stereoselectivity by constructing five new bonds and four stereocenters in a one-pot operation.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-(3-pyrrolyl)methanamines with an aza-tetrasubstituted center under metal-free conditions

Construction of a chiral methanamine unit at the C3 position of pyrrole is highly desirable; nevertheless, it remains challenging due to its intrinsic electronic properties. Herein, we present an operationally straightforward and direct asymmetric approach for accessing α-(3-pyrrolyl)methanamines under benign organocatalytic conditions for the first time. The one-pot transformation proceeds smoothly through an amine-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction of succinaldehyde with various endo-cyclic imines, followed by a Paal-Knorr cyclization with a primary amine. Several N-H/alkyl/Ar α-(3-pyrrolyl)methanamines with an aza-tetrasubstituted center have been synthesized with good yields and excellent enantioselectivity.

Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylation Reaction of 2-Aryl-3H-indol-3-ones with Allyltrimethylsilane

An efficient method for the first ene-reaction of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones with allyltrimethylsilane has been developed for the first time. The reaction proceeded under the catalysis of Pd(OAc)2 and chiral phosphoric ligand L11 in the presence of Cu(CF3COO)2·XH2O, PivOH, and 5 Å molecular sieves in DMSO at 60 °C. The present methodology can avoid the impact of amine products generated by the reaction on the catalyst, and at the same time, the high catalytic activity of classical palladium catalysts still has catalytic ability for low electrophilic keto-imines. The desired products were furnished in excellent yields with good enantioselectivity.

Design of a new method for the synthesis of novel 2-aryl/alkyl-3H-indol-3-ones

In this research, a mild, efficient, and general method has been developed to synthesize the new derivatives of 2-aryl/alkyl-3H-indol-3-ones in moderate to excellent yields. This method allowed the syntheses of these compounds via the three-component reaction of anhydride compound, sodium cyanide, and aniline derivatives using acetic anhydride as an organic catalyst in one-pot reactions. The advantages of this method include mild reaction conditions, simple procedures, and easy workup.

Diastereoselective Access to Triazolo[1,2-a]indolines via a Bio-Inspired Oxidative Cyclization of NH-Indoles

Establishing three-dimensional chemicals by using the C₂-C₃ π bond of indoles has always been a research hotspot in organic synthesis; however, employing the oxidative C₂-C₃ π bond of indoles to generate imine which would lead to the N₁-C₂ π bond cyclization under metal-free conditions is still rare. Here, we report a bio-inspired synthesis of triazolo[1,2-a]indolines by the oxidative cyclization between NH-indoles and azomethine imines with 3,3-dimethyldioxirane as the sole oxidant under metal-free and mild conditions. This finding represents an elegant instance of tri-functionalization of NH-indoles, which provides rapid access to a broad range of triazolo[1,2-a]indolines with tetrahydroisoquinolines in one single step. Up to 86% yield and above 20:1 dr value are observed. The radical mechanism and proton migration process have been speculated.

Indoles Oxidative Ring-Opening/Cyclization Cascade with the 1,2-Diaminoarenes: Direct Synthesis of 2-Aryl-3-(2-aminoaryl)quinoxalines

A mild oxidative sequential tandem reaction was developed to rapidly generate 2-aryl-3-(2-aminoaryl) quinoxalines. This method exploited 2-substituted indoles as substrate to form quinoxalines in a one-pot reaction. The key to this tandem reaction was the formation of 3-iodoindoles, which underwent Kornblum-type oxidation with DMSO to generate active imine 2-substitued 3H-indol-3-ones. The active imines were captured in situ by 1,2-diaminobenzenes to construct diverse quinoxalines. The transformation can be accomplished at room temperature with excellent functional group tolerance.

An overview of the applications of chiral phosphoric acid organocatalysts in enantioselective additions to CO and CN bonds

Since 2004, chiral phosphoric acids (CPAs) have emerged as highyl efficient organocatalysts, providing excellent results in a wide reaction scope. In this review, the applications of CPA for enantioselective additions to CO and CN bonds are covered.

Dieckmann Condensation of Ugi N-Acylamino Amide Product: Facile Access to Functionalized 2,2-Disubstituted Indolin-3-ones

Structurally unique 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones with a quaternary carbon center have been constructed through a novel C-C bond formation at the C3 position of Ugi N-acylamino amide adducts employing an organic base-mediated Dieckmann condensation. This facile, flexible protocol can be fine-tuned to construct drug-like pyrazino[1,2-a]indole fragments with the same quaternary carbon center only through the variation of the acid part in Ugi input. This novel and expeditious methodology has a broad scope and can rapidly generate the drug-like indolin-3-one core.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Bridged N-Heterocycles with Tertiary Carbon Center through Barbas Dienamine-Catalysis: Scope and Applications

A direct aza-Diels-Alder reaction between 2-aryl-3H-indolin-3-ones and cyclic-enones has been developed to access chiral indolin-3-one fused polycyclic bridged compounds. This method proceeds via proline-catalyzed Barbas-dienamine intermediate formation from various cyclic-enones such as 2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-cyclohexene-1-one, and 2-cycloheptene-1-one, followed by a reaction with 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones. Several indolin-3-ones fusing [2.2.2], [2.2.1], and [3.2.1] skeletons decorated with a tertiary carbon chiral center have been prepared. Computational studies (DFT) supported the observed stereoselectivity in the method. The synthesized compounds have shown exciting photophysical activities and selective sensing of Pd²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions through the fluorescence quenching "switch-off" mode.

Palladium-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Pyrroloindolines from 2-Alkynyl Arylazides and Thioacetamides

A novel and efficient synthetic method for the preparation of various pyrroloindolines from 2-alkynyl arylazides and thioacetamides was developed. The reaction was carried out in a one-pot process under mild reaction conditions to afford the products in moderate to good yields, which has the potential to be used in organic synthesis.

Asymmetric Catalytic Ketimine Mannich Reactions and Related Transformations

The catalytic enantioselective ketimine Mannich and its related reactions provide direct access to chiral building blocks bearing an α-tertiary amine stereogenic center, a ubiquitous structural motif in nature. Although ketimines are often viewed as challenging electrophiles, various approaches/strategies to circumvent or overcome the adverse properties of ketimines have been developed for these transformations. This review showcases the selected examples that highlight the benefits and utilities of various ketimines and remaining challenges associated with them in the context of Mannich, allylation, and aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions as well as their variants.

Construction of chiral α-tert-amine scaffolds via amine-catalyzed asymmetric Mannich reactions of alkyl-substituted ketimines

Stereoselective Mannich reactions of aldehydes with ketimines provide chiral β-amino aldehydes that bear an α-tert-amine moiety. However, the structural variation of the ketimines is limited due to the formation of inseparable E/Z isomers, low reactivity, and other synthetic difficulties. In this study, a highly diastereodivergent synthesis of hitherto difficult-to-access β-amino aldehydes that bear a chiral α-tert-amine moiety was achieved using the amine-catalyzed Mannich reactions of aldehydes with less-activated Z-ketimines that bear both alkyl and alkynyl groups.

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of arylindolyl indolin-3-ones with both axial and central chirality

An efficient method for chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of arylindolyl indolin-3-ones with both axial and central chirality has been developed via the reaction of 3-arylindoles with 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones, and the target products were obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.

B(C6 F5 )3 /Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Ketimine-Ene Reaction of 2-Aryl-3H-indol-3-ones and α-Methylstyrenes

The enantioselective ketimine-ene reaction is one of the most challenging stereocontrolled reaction types in organic synthesis. In this work, catalytic enantioselective ketimine-ene reactions of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones with α-methylstyrenes were achieved by utilizing a B(C₆ F₅ )₃ /chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyst. These ketimine-ene reactions proceed well with low catalyst loading (B(C₆ F₅ )₃ /CPA=2 mol %/2 mol %) under mild conditions, providing rapid and facile access to a series of functionalized 2-allyl-indolin-3-ones with very good reactivity (up to 99 % yield) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Theoretical calculations reveal that enhancement of the acidity of the chiral phosphoric acid by B(C₆ F₅ )₃ significantly reduces the activation free energy barrier. Furthermore, collective favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions, especially the enhanced N-H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen-bonding interaction, differentiates the free energy of the transition states of CPA and B(C₆ F₅ )₃ /CPA, thereby inducing the improvement of stereoselectivity.

One-pot synthesis of 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles via acyloin rearrangements of 2-hydroxy-indolin-3-ones generated in situ from 2-alkynyl arylazides

A novel one-pot method to prepare 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles via acyloin rearrangements of 2-hydroxy-indolin-3-ones generated in situ from 2-alkynyl arylazides has been described.

Palladium-catalyzed one-pot cycloaddition reactions of thioureas with 3H-indol-3-ones generated in situ from 2-alkynyl arylazides: rapid and efficient access to imidazoloindolines

An efficient palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of imidazoloindolines from 2-alkynyl arylazides under mild reaction conditions has been described.