Synthesis of 2-Aminoindoles through Gold-Catalyzed C–H Annulations of Sulfilimines with N-Arylynamides

Harnessing sulfilimine as an oxidizing directing group in Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed [4+2] annulation with alkynes and 1,3-diynes

We have developed the first Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed [4+2] annulation utilizing sulfilimine as an oxidizing directing group in a redox-neutral fashion. The N-S bond of the sulfilimine serves as an internal oxidant, thereby eliminating the need for any internal oxidant. The reaction worked with various alkynes and also exhibited an excellent regioselectivity with 1,3-diynes furnishing the 3-alkynylated isoquinolones.

Copper-Catalyzed and 1,3-Sulfonyl Migration Enabled Installation of Azaindoles in the Periphery of Aryl Rings: Synthesis of Sulfonylated Pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines and Investigation of Antimalarial Potency

Herein, an atom efficient and one-pot protocol, offering a series of sulfonylated pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines via C-N, C-C, and C-S bond formation, has been developed with an inexpensive copper catalyst. Notably, the reaction proceeds via a double-annulation reaction followed by a 1,3-sulfonyl migration sequence. Moreover, the method is applicable to a broad range of 2-carbonylanilines. Furthermore, synthetic applications and the scale-up reaction highlight the utility potential of this protocol. In addition, the antimalarial property of sulfonylated pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines showed parasite inhibition without cytotoxic effects in mammalian cells.

Isoxazoles as efficient alkyne amination reagents in divergent heterocycle synthesis

During the past decades, the exploration of new alkyne amination reactions has attracted increasing attention due to the high efficiency in heterocycle synthesis. In addition to the well-established alkyne amination reagents (such as nitrogen ylides and azides), isoxazoles and their derivatives have been proven to be efficient amination reagents, especially the N,O-bifunctional reagents of alkynes, in the transition metal-catalyzed transformation of alkynes through metal carbene intermediates. Isoxazole derivatives have been extensively applied to the rapid synthesis of a diverse range of structurally complex N-containing molecules, especially the valuable N-heterocycles in atom-economic manner. In this review, we summarize the latest trends and developments of isoxazole-enabled alkyne amination reactions and their applications in divergent heterocycle synthesis, including amination of ynamides, amination of ynol ethers, amination of thioynol ethers, amination of electron-deficient alkynes, amination of unpolarized alkynes and asymmetric amination of alkynes. Finally, we list the current challenges and opportunities for potential breakthroughs in this field.

Gold-Catalysed Intramolecular Reaction of Alkynes with Sulfoximines Acting as N- and O-Transfer Reagents

Among the nucleophilic oxidants employed in the gold-catalysed oxidation of alkynes, sulphur-based reagents have played a substantial role since the beginning, granting access to the respective gold carbene intermediates. Herein, we describe the first example of the substance class of sulfoximines being used as atom transfer reagents to alkynes in gold catalysis. Based on the transformation of N-(2-alkynylphenyl) sulfoximines to 3H-indol-3-ones, it is demonstrated that the sulfoximine functionality is capable of selectively transferring first its nitrogen moiety to the alkyne, forming the α-imino gold carbene, which is then oxidised by the released sulfoxide moiety in a second step via a pseudo-intramolecular mechanism-a distinctive feature that differentiates this work mechanistically from earlier studies. A combination of extensive experimental and theoretical studies provides evidence for this mechanistic rationale. As no external reagents for the 1,2-difunctionalisation of the alkyne unit are required, a wide variety of functional groups are tolerated in the transformation, affording the desired 3H-indol-3-ones in mostly good yields. It was further also showcased that it is possible to combine our methodology with additional transformations of the 3H-indol-3-one core in one-pot procedures, allowing facile access to C2-quaternary indolin-3-one structures.

Synthesis and pharmacodynamic evaluation of 2-aminoindole derivatives against influenza A virus in vitro/vivo

Influenza virus is a kind of respiratory pathogen with high morbidity and mortality, which still threatens human health. Existing anti-influenza drugs have various limitations, such as the inability to alleviate body injury and side effects. There remains an urgent need to develop a novel antiviral drug to efficiently inhibit viral infection while avoiding body injury. A series of 2-aminoindole derivatives were synthesized via the TMSOTf-catalyzed reactions of N-arylynamides with sulfilimines and evaluated for their anti-influenza virus activity. The experimental results showed that 2-aminoindole 3h had significant antiviral activity (EC50 = 8.37 ± 0.65 μM) and the lowest cytotoxicity (CC50 = 669.26 ± 11.42 μM) in vitro. 2-Aminoindole 3h could inhibit viral replication by effectively binding to RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and could also directly target host cells to inhibit cytokine storms and apoptosis induced by viral infection, thereby improving host cell survival rate. In addition, viral load and organ injury in the lung tissue of infected mice were effectively reduced by 2-aminoindole 3h with satisfactory biosafety. These findings highlight the potential of a valuable therapeutic option against influenza infection while also laying the foundation for further research and development in this area.

TMSOTf-Catalyzed Reactions of N-Arylynamides with Sulfilimines To Construct 2-Aminoindoles and α-Arylated Amidines

Here, we disclose an efficient TMSOTf-catalyzed C-H annulation of aryl-terminated N-arylynamides with sulfilimines, leading to the practical assembly of various valuable 2-aminoindoles in generally moderate to excellent yields with a broad range of functional groups, while nonaryl terminated N-arylynamides undergo TMSOTf-catalyzed aminative arylation with sulfilimines providing α-arylated amidines.

Recyclable gold(I)-catalyzed heterocyclization of ynamides with benzyl or indolyl azides towards 2-aminoindoles or 3-amino-β-carbolines

A highly efficient heterogeneous gold(I)-catalyzed heterocyclization of ynamides with benzyl or indolyl azides has been achieved in 1,2-dichloroethane under mild conditions via a heterogenized α-imino gold carbene intermediate using 5 mol% of SBA-15-anchored strongly hindered NHC-gold(I) complex [IPr-SBA-15-AuNTf2] as the catalyst, delivering a wide range of valuable 2-aminoindoles or 3-amino-β-carbolines in mostly good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. Furthermore, the new heterogenized NHC-gold(I) complex displays the same catalytic activity as IPrAuNTf2 and is facile to recover by centrifugation of the reaction mixture and can be reused at least seven times without any appreciable drop in its catalytic activity.

Cascade Reactions of Aryl-Substituted Terminal Alkynes Involving in Situ-Generated α-Imino Gold Carbenes

An efficient, highly selective and divergent synthetic method to construct 2-substituted indoles and aryl-annulated carbazoles via the intermolecular generation of α-imino gold carbenes from terminal alkynes or diynes in combination with sulfilimines is disclosed. Importantly, the tandem reaction is proposed to proceed through an intermolecular gold carbene generation/C-H annulation followed by the activation of a second alkyne leading to 6-endo-dig cyclization, which is significantly different from previous dual activation or 1,6-carbene shift approaches for diyne systems. In the case of ortho-alkynylaniline as starting material, an unexpected regioselective formation of the indole moiety via the intermolecular path, instead of intramolecular hydroamination was discovered. This reactivity paved the way for a one-pot synthesis of the 11H-indolo [3,2-c] quinoline scaffold by exploiting the formed amino indole for a subsequent Pictet-Spengler reaction with aldehydes. The photophysical properties of the carbazoles indicated good violet-blue emission with quantum yields up to 40 %.

An unexpected synthesis of azepinone derivatives through a metal-free photochemical cascade reaction

Azepinone derivatives are privileged in organic synthesis and pharmaceuticals. Synthetic approaches to these frameworks are limited to complex substrates, strong bases, high power UV light or noble metal catalysis. We herein report a mild synthesis of azepinone derivatives by a photochemical generation of 2-aryloxyaryl nitrene, [2 + 1] annulation, ring expansion/water addition cascade reaction without using any metal catalyst. Among the different nitrene precursors tested, 2-aryloxyaryl azides performed best under blue light irradiation and Brønsted acid catalysis. The reaction scope is broad and the obtained products underwent divergent transformations to afford other related compounds. A computational study suggests a pathway involving a step-wise aziridine formation, followed by a ring-expansion to the seven-membered heterocycle. Finally, water is added in a regio-selective manner, this is accelerated by the added TsOH.

Sulfilimines as Transformable and Retainable Directing Groups in Rhodium-Catalyzed ortho-C-H Bond Functionalization

Shown herein is the first time that the sulfilimine is utilized as a directing group for Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation with intermolecular and intramolecular alkyne compounds. Sulfilimine serves as a transformable directing group, an internal oxidant, in the annulation with an alkyne moiety via N-S bond cleavage. Notably, the retention of sulfilimine as a directing group is also achieved in the Rh(III)-catalyzed ortho-alkynylation with alkyne bromides.

DFT Rationalization of Gold(I)-Catalyzed Couplings between Alkynyl Thioether and Nitrenoid Derivatives: Mechanism, Selectivity Patterns, and Effects of Substituents

The present work focuses on a theoretical investigation of mechanistic features, chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and effect of substituents in the gold-catalyzed reactions of alkynyl thioethers and isoxazoles. The DFT calculations reveal that the nucleophilic attack of isoxazole to a β-position of catalyst-bound ynamide forms a vinyl intermediate. This undergoes cleavage of the N-O isoxazole bond and isomerizes to form an α-imino α'-sulfenyl gold carbene complex with stabilization of the Au-S interaction. For 3,5-dimethylisoxazole, the reaction follows a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition pathway and a 1,3-H migration to give the pyrrole products. Replacement of 3,5-dimethylisoxazole by 3,5-dimethyl-4-phenylisoxazole leads to the formation of deacylative annulation products and desulfenylated 3-acylated pyrroles. Reactions with 4-methyl-3,5-diphenylisoxazoles induce the formation of N-acylated pyrroles and desulfenylated 3-acylated pyrroles. For the minor pathway, the α-addition and 1,2-S migration result in sulfur-substituted β-keto enamide derivatives. In addition, the unique features of regio- and chemoselectivity were rationalized by the distortion and interaction analysis. Apart from fully rationalizing the experimental results, the theoretical DFT data give an important support for comprehending related types of reaction mechanisms.

Regioselective synthesis of 6-nitroindole derivatives from enaminones and nitroaromatic compounds via transition metal-free C-C and C-N bond formation

Few methods are known for the synthesis of nitroindole derivatives. A simple and practical Cs₂CO₃-promoted method for the synthesis of 6-nitroindole derivatives from enaminones and nitroaromatic compounds has been developed. Two new C-C and C-N bonds were formed in a highly regioselective manner under transition metal-free conditions.

Insights into gold-catalyzed formation of aza-heterocycles using benzofuroxans as nitrene transfer reagents: mechanism and origins of chemoselectivity

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to reveal the mechanism of gold(i)-catalyzed annulation of N-allylynamides and benzofuroxans as nitrene transfer reagents to construct azaheterocyclic compounds. The calculated results revealed that the reaction mechanism mainly undergoes eight processes. Among the reaction steps, intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the imino N atom on the α-position of activated gold keteniminium is a rate-determining process, which is different from that proposed previously by experiment. The chemoselectivity of the products is controlled by competition between the cyclopropanation of α-imino gold carbenes and intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the phenyl ring on α-imino gold carbenes, and could be explained by NPA charge. The different yields of cyclopropanated product in different solvents are dictated by the relative polarity leading to the different energy barriers of the rate-determining steps. The present work expounds the experimental observation at the molecular level and is informative for exploring efficient syntheses of 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes.

DFT calculations were employed to study the mechanism and origin of chemoselectivity of gold-catalyzed annulation of N-allylynamides and benzofuroxans as nitrene transfer reagents.

Copper-catalyzed B−H bond insertion reaction of azide-ynamide with borane adducts via α-imino copper carbenes

A new copper-catalyzed B−H bond insertion reaction between azide-ynamides and borane adducts has been developed, which represents the first B−H bond insertion into α-imino metal carbenes. This protocol enables the...

Media-Driven Pd-Catalyzed Reaction Cascades with 1,3-Diynamides Leading Selectively to Either Indoles or Quinolines

Divergent Pd-catalyzed reaction cascades with various 1,3-diynamides yielding either 2-amino-3-alkynylindoles or 2-amino-4-alkenylquinolines were established. Omitting or adding TBAF (tetrabutylammonium fluoride) to the reaction of N,N-(2-iodophenyl)(4-toluenesulfonyl)-1,3-diynamides with secondary or primary amines in the presence of KOH in THF and catalytic amounts of Pd(PPh₃ )₄ completely changed the outcome of the reaction. In the absence of TBAF, 2-amino-3-alkynylindoles were the sole products, while the presence of TBAF switched the product formation to 2-amino-4-alkenylquinolines. Deuterium labeling proceeded selectively at the C3 and C11 positions of the 2-amino-4-alkenylquinoline products and this suggests the unprecedented formation of [4]cumulenimines from 1,3-diynamides as reactive key intermediates.

Gold-Catalyzed Transformation of Ynamides

Ynamide, a unique species with inherited polarization of nitrogen lone pair electron to triple bond, has been largely used for the developement of novel synthetic methods and the construction of unusual N-bearing heterocycles. The reaction versatility of ynamide on umpolung reactivity, radical reactions and asymmetric synthesis have been recently reviewed. This review provides an overall scenic view into the gold catalyzed transformation of ynamides. The ynamides reactivity towards nitrogen-transfer reagents, such as azides, nitrogen ylides, isoxazoles, and anthranils; oxygen atom-transfer reagents, like nitrones, sulfoxides, and pyridine N-oxides; and carbon nucleophiles under gold catalysis are herein uncovered. The scope as well the mechanistic insights of each reaction is also briefed.

Metal-Free [3+2] Annulation of Ynamides with Anthranils to Construct 2-Aminoindoles

A novel metal-free [3+2] annulation of ynamides with anthranils provides a facile, flexible, environmentally friendly, and atom-economical route to 2-aminoindoles. This synthetic process proceeds with efficiency, excellent regioselectivity, and wide functional group tolerance under mild conditions. Moreover, the obtained 2-aminoindole products represent a multifunctional platform for the construction of various 2-aminoindolyl frameworks.

Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed hydroamination of ynamides with aromatic amines

The Zn(OTf)₂-catalyzed hydroamination of ynamides 2a-2l with aromatic amines 1a-1r was developed. This protocol features broad substrate scope of aromatic amines, good functional group tolerance for ynamides, and excellent regioselectivities. As a result, a variety of substituted amidine compounds 3aa-3oa, 3ab-3al and 3pa-3rk were prepared in moderate to excellent yields and with high regioselectivities.

Reactivity of ynamides in catalytic intermolecular annulations

Ynamides are unique alkynes with a carbon-carbon triple bond directly attached to the nitrogen atom bearing an electron-withdrawing group. The alkyne is strongly polarized by the electron-donating nitrogen atom, but its high reactivity can be finely tempered by the electron-withdrawing group. Accordingly, ynamides are endowed with both nucleophilic and electrophilic properties and their chemistry has been an active research field. The catalytic intermolecular annulations of ynamides, featuring divergent assembly of structurally important amino-heterocycles in a regioselective manner, have gained much attention over the past decade. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the advances achieved in this area involving transition metal and acid catalysis. Moreover, the intermolecular annulations of ynamide analogs including ynol ethers and thioalkynes are also discussed, which can provide insights into the reactivity difference caused by the heteroatoms.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed sulfonylamination of α-indolyl alcohols via Csp2–Csp3 bond cleavage

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed beta-carbon amination of α-aryl alcohols with sulfonyl azides has been developed. This transformation features unstrained Csp²–Csp³ σ bond amination via C–C bond cleavage, and provides a direct approach to complex 2-aminoindoles.

Catalyst-free synthesis of oxazol-2(3H)-ones from sulfilimines and diazo compounds through a tandem rearrangement/aziridination/ring-expansion reaction

Oxazol-2(3H)-ones play a significant role in the fields of organic synthesis and drug development.

(Z)-Trifluoromethyl-Trisubstituted Alkenes or Isoxazolines: Divergent Pathways from the Same Allene

Because of a charge-dipole interaction involving nonbonding electron pairs on fluorine, protonation of trifluoromethyl allenes leads to tri- or tetrasubstituted alkenes with high (Z)-selectivity. Treatment of the same allenes with catalytic Au(I) initiates a reaction cascade that produces isoxazolines in high yield.

Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Ynamide Cyclization to Generate α-Imino Copper Carbenes: Divergent and Enantioselective Access to Polycyclic N-Heterocycles

Here an efficient copper-catalyzed cascade cyclization of azide-ynamides via α-imino copper carbene intermediates is reported, representing the first generation of α-imino copper carbenes from alkynes. This protocol enables the practical and divergent synthesis of an array of polycyclic N-heterocycles in generally good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivities. Moreover, an asymmetric azide-ynamide cyclization has been achieved with high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 e.r.) by employing BOX-Cu complexes as chiral catalysts. Thus, this protocol constitutes the first example of an asymmetric azide-alkyne cyclization. The proposed mechanistic rationale for this cascade cyclization is further supported by theoretical calculations.

Nitrene Transfer and Carbene Transfer in Gold Catalysis

Catalytic transformations involving metal carbenes are considered one of the most important aspects of homogeneous transition metal catalysis. Recently, gold-catalyzed generation of gold carbenes from readily available alkynes represents a significant advance in metal carbene chemistry. This Review summarizes the advances in the gold-catalyzed nitrene-transfer reactions of alkynes with nitrogen-transfer reagents, such as azides, nitrogen ylides, isoxazoles, and anthranils, and gold-catalyzed carbene-transfer reactions, involving oxygen atom-transfer reactions of alkynes with nitro compounds, nitrones, sulfoxides, and pyridine N-oxides, through the presumable α-imino gold carbene and α-oxo gold carbene intermediates, respectively. Gold-catalyzed processes are reviewed by highlighting their product diversity, selectivity, and applicability, and the mechanistic rationale is presented where possible.

Synthesis of Carbazoles and Related Heterocycles from Sulfilimines by Intramolecular C-H Aminations

While direct nitrene insertions into C-H bonds have become an important tool for building C-N bonds in modern organic chemistry, the generation of nitrene intermediates always requires transition metals, high temperatures, ultraviolet or laser light. We report a mild synthesis of carbazoles and related building blocks through a visible light-induced intramolecular C-H amination reaction. A striking advantage of this new method is the use of more reactive aryl sulfilimines instead of the corresponding hazardous azides. Different catalysts and divergent light sources were tested. The reaction scope is broad and the product yield is generally high. An efficient gram-scale synthesis of Clausine C demonstrates the applicability and scalability of this new method.

Dibenzothiophenesulfilimines: A Convenient Approach to Intermolecular Rhodium-Catalysed C-H Amidation

A sulfilimine‐based Group 9 transition‐metal‐catalysed C−H amidation procedure is reported. Dibenzothiophene‐based sulfilimines were shown to constitute a class of novel amidation reagents which enable the transfer of a wide range of N‐sulfonyl and N‐acyl moieties. It was demonstrated that sulfilimines, which are easily accessible from cheap reagents, are safe‐to‐handle and represent broadly applicable amidation reagents. The dibenzothiophene can be recycled after use. The C−H amidation was shown to proceed with high selectivity and gave the mono‐amidated products, mostly in good to excellent yields.

Catalytic Activity of trans-Bis(pyridine)gold Complexes

Gold catalysis has become one of the fastest growing fields in chemistry, providing new organic transformations and offering excellent chemoselectivities under mild reaction conditions. Methodological developments have been driven by wide applicability in the synthesis of complex structures, whereas the mechanistic understanding of Au(III)-mediated processes remains scanty and have become the Achilles’ heel of methodology development. Herein, the systematic investigation of the reactivity of bis(pyridine)-ligated Au(III) complexes is presented, based on NMR spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic, and DFT data. The electron density of pyridines modulates the catalytic activity of Au(III) complexes in propargyl ester cyclopropanation of styrene. To avoid strain induced by a ligand with a nonoptimal nitrogen–nitrogen distance, bidentate bis(pyridine)–Au(III) complexes convert into dimers. For the first time, bis(pyridine)Au(I) complexes are shown to be catalytically active, with their reactivity being modulated by strain.

α-Imino Gold Carbene Intermediates from Readily Accessible Sulfilimines: Intermolecular Access to Structural Diversity

Catalytic approaches to pharmaceutically important bioactive skeletons through gold carbene intermediates have experienced a dramatic development in the last decade. Although various carbene precursors continue to play an important role in heterocyclic syntheses, these reagents are associated with some drawbacks in terms of functional group tolerance, synthetic methods and safety limitations. A new generation of nitrene transfer reagents was established in 2019: the sulfilimines. These are safe, inexpensive and readily available. They can conveniently be stored and handled, and thus represent ideal reagents for the fast and modular modification of scaffolds and the preparation of libraries by intermolecular reactions of two components. Both the practical methods for synthesizing sulfilimines and the versatility of these ylidic species in gold-catalyzed preparation of structural diversity, for both heterocycles and carbocycles, will be outlined in this Concept article.

Acyl Migration versus Epoxidation in Gold Catalysis: Facile, Switchable, and Atom-Economic Synthesis of Acylindoles and Quinoline Derivatives

We report a switchable synthesis of acylindoles and quinoline derivatives via gold-catalyzed annulations of anthranils and ynamides. α-Imino gold carbenes, generated in situ from anthranils and an N,O-coordinated gold(III) catalyst, undergo electrophilic attack to the aryl π-bond, followed by unexpected and highly selective 1,4- or 1,3-acyl migrations to form 6-acylindoles or 5-acylindoles. With the (2-biphenyl)di-tert-butylphosphine (JohnPhos) ligand, gold(I) carbenes experienced carbene/carbonyl additions to deliver quinoline oxides. Some of these epoxides are valuable substrates for the preparation of 3-hydroxylquinolines, quinolin-3(4H)-ones, and polycyclic compounds via facile in situ rearrangements. The reaction can be efficiently conducted on a gram scale and the obtained products are valuable substrates for preparing other potentially useful compounds. A computational study explained the unexpected selectivities and the dependency of the reaction pathway on the oxidation state and ligands of gold. With gold(III) the barrier for the formation of the strained oxirane ring is too high; whereas with gold(I) this transition state becomes accessible. Furthermore, energetic barriers to migration of the substituents on the intermediate sigma-complexes support the observed substitution pattern in the final product.

Insight into the reaction mechanism and chemoselectivity in the cycloaddition of ynamides and isoxazoles with H2O

The mechanism and chemoselectivity in the cycloaddition of ynamides and isoxazoles have been explored by the density functional theory (DFT) in model systems composed of a Brønsted acid (HNTf₂), gold(i) [IPrAuNTf₂] or platinum(ii) (PtCl₂/CO) catalyst.

Facile one-pot synthesis of 2-aminoindoles from simple anilines and ynamides

A highly effective and facile one-pot reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 2-aminoindoles directly from anilines and ynamides.

Synthesis of lactone-fused pyrroles by ruthenium-catalyzed 1,2-carbon migration-cycloisomerization

A ruthenium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 3-amino-4-alkynyl-2H-chromen-2-ones via 1,2-carbon migration was developed. Various 1-arylchromeno[3,4-b]pyrrol-4(3H)-ones were synthesized in good to excellent yields. The reaction was applied to the formal total synthesis of marine natural products Ningalin B and Lamellarin H. The efficient synthesis of γ-butyrolactone-fused pyrrole derivatives was also achieved.

AgNTf2-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with unprotected isoxazol-5-amines: efficient access to functionalized 5-amino-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivatives

A formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition between ynamides and unprotected isoxazol-5-amines has been developed in the presence of catalytic AgNTf2 in an open flask. By the protocol, a variety of functionalized 5-amino-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivatives can be obtained in up to 99% yield. The reaction mechanism might involve the generation of an unusual α-imino silver carbene intermediate (or a silver-stabilized carbocation) and subsequent cyclization/isomerization to build the significant pyrrole-3-carboxamide motif. The reaction features the use of an inexpensive catalyst, simple reaction conditions, simple work-up without column chromatographic purification for most of products and high yields.

Generation of Donor/Donor Copper Carbenes through Copper-Catalyzed Diyne Cyclization: Enantioselective and Divergent Synthesis of Chiral Polycyclic Pyrroles

The generation of metal carbenes from readily available alkynes represents a significant advance in metal carbene chemistry. However, most of these transformations are based on the use of noble-metal catalysts and successful examples of such an asymmetric version are still very scarce. Here a copper-catalyzed enantioselective cascade cyclization of N-propargyl ynamides is reported, enabling the practical and atom-economical construction of diverse chiral polycyclic pyrroles in generally good to excellent yields with wide substrate scope and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 e.r.). Importantly, this protocol represents the first copper-catalyzed asymmetric diyne cyclization. Moreover, mechanistic studies revealed that the generation of donor/donor copper carbenes is presumably involved in this 1,5-diyne cyclization, which is distinctively different from the related gold catalysis, and thus it constitutes a novel way for the generation of donor/donor metal carbenes.

Gold-catalyzed cyclization of 1-(2′-azidoaryl) propynols: synthesis of polysubstituted 4-quinolones

α-Imino gold carbene intermediate is produced from 1-(2′-azidoaryl) propynols, which triggers a 1,2-carbon migration and is converted to 2,3-disubstituted 4-quinolones. The reaction works under mild conditions and tolerates various functional groups.