Gold-Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangement of Alkenes: Regioselective Synthesis of Skeletally Diverse Tricyclic Heterocycles and Mechanistic Investigations

Homogeneous Gold Catalysis: Development and Recent Advances

Gold catalysis has witnessed remarkable advances over the past decade, with numerous insightful reviews chronicling this progress. However, a comprehensive review addressing developments in the field during the post-pandemic COVID era remains notably absent. This review aims to bridge that gap by providing an in-depth analysis of recent studies, shedding light on the unique properties of gold complexes, particularly the intriguing aurophilic interactions that distinguish gold chemistry. The review systematically explores the latest achievements in both mono- and dinuclear gold-catalyzed reactions, with a focus on their applications in diverse fields, including redox coupling, asymmetric catalysis, photo-, and electrocatalysis. A special emphasis is placed on the comparative performance of mono- and dinuclear gold catalysts, with the latter often exhibiting enhanced catalytic efficiency and selectivity in certain reactions. By integrating mechanistic insights and DFT perspectives with representative experimental studies from recent years, this review highlights the significance of gold catalysis to synthetic chemistry, identifies emerging trends and outlines future directions for the field.

Catalytic Schmittel-Type [2+2] Cycloaddition of γ-Alkynyl Diazoacetates with Terminal Alkynes for Accessing Cyclobuta[a]indenes

Instead of the conventional [4+2] cycloaddition, a regioselective Schmittel-type [2+2] cycloaddition of yne-allene esters, generated in situ from copper-catalyzed dediazotized coupling of γ-alkynyl diazoacetates with terminal alkynes, is reported, enabling a bicyclization process to produce a diverse array of C1-arylated cyclobuta[a]indenes in moderate to good yields. The protocol features wide functional group compatibility, mild reaction conditions, and experimental simplicity, holding significant potential for building new tricyclic cyclobutenes.

Visible-Light Photocatalyzed Skeletal Rearrangement Enables the Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Xanthenes with Antitumor Activity

Highly functionalized xanthenes possess an impressive range of bioactivities and daunting synthetic challenge due to their unique ring systems and stereocenters. Here, we report an unprecedented ketyl radicals-induced skeletal rearrangement reaction of spirodihydrobenzofurans, enabled by zero-valent iron as reducing agents via photoredox catalysis, facilitating the facile preparation of various highly functionalized xanthenes. The features of this protocol include high chemo- and regioselectivity, exceptionally mild conditions, a broad substrate scope, scalability to gram-scale quantities, and consistent delivery of good to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies rationalize the function of this zero-valent iron-based reactivity in radical generation. Notably, this reaction was applied to the first asymmetric total synthesis of the complex polycyclic xanthene ent-myrtucomvalones E-F. Moreover, this work led to the discovery of an agent with highly effective antiosteosarcoma activity in vitro and in vivo, potentially paving the way for the development of new xanthene-based candidates for osteosarcoma treatment.

Base-Promoted Regioselective Annulation of Pyridinium Ylides and Bromoalkynes for the Chemodivergent Synthesis of Indolizines

A base-promoted regioselective formal [3 + 2] annulation of pyridinium ylides with bromoalkynes is reported, producing a series of substituent-diverse indolizines in generally good yields. A mild K2CO3-promoted three-component formal [3 + 2] cyclization of pyridinium ylides and bromoalkynes at a 2:1 molar ratio delivered C2-acylmethylated indolizines, whereas C2-brominated indolizines were generated starting from pyridinium ylides bearing strong electron-withdrawing groups at the pyridinium unit by using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy as a dehydrogenating reagent. The current synthetic methodology offers a controllable and modular approach to access indolizines with different substitution patterns, featuring a wide substrate scope, good functional group compatibility, and complete regioselectivity without the demand of any transition-metal catalysts.

Sc-Catalyzed Asymmetric [2 + 2] Annulation of 2-Alkynylnaphthols with Dienes to Access Cyclobutene Frameworks

Herein, we introduce a scandium-catalyzed synthetic strategy that provides access to a diverse and functionalized array of cyclobutene frameworks adorned with a quaternary carbon center. This approach broadens the synthetic repertoire of 2-alkynylnaphthols with alkenes, offering a versatile platform for the construction of complex molecular architectures. The asymmetric catalytic [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction demonstrates a wide substrate scope and an impressive functional group tolerance, yielding products with high efficiency, up to 97% yield, and excellent enantiomeric excess of up to 97%. The simplicity of scaling up this process, coupled with the ease of converting these cyclobutene frameworks into a variety of substituted products, significantly enhances the synthetic utility of this method.

Gold Self-Relay Catalysis Enabling Regioselective Bicyclization toward [5]Azahelicenes

A gold self-relay catalysis driving a double annulation cascade starting from soft electron-biased 1,2-di(o-aminoaryl)alkynes and aldehydes is reported, enabling regioselective access to produce a series of [5]azahelicenes depending on the substitution pattern in generally good yields under mild conditions. This protocol exploits and unifies the π- and σ-Lewis acid capability of gold catalysts, featuring high molecular convergence, broad substrate flexibility, and good functional group compatibility and regioselectivity.

Chiral Self-Sorting Process With C2 Symmetric Bisimidazoline Ligands

We have studied the coordination chemistry of chiral imidazoline-based C2-symmetric ligands with zinc (II) and copper (II). Two types of bisimidazoline ligands were studied, one with the free amine (BIM-H) and the other with the amine protected by a toluene sulfonyl group in position 6 (BIM-Ts). The complexes formed were isolated, purified, and characterized, in particular by X-ray diffraction studies and CD in the case of the enantiopure complexes. By playing with the choice of ligand system (enantiopure or racemate), we were able to show that the selective formation of homoleptic and heteroleptic metal complexes can be controlled by means of the chiral molecular instruction of bisimidazoline ligands.

Iodine-Promoted Thioylation and Dicarbonylation of Enaminone α-C Sites: Synthesis of Fully Substituted Thiazoles via C═C Bond Cleavage

A novel iodine-promoted difunctionalization of α-C sites in enaminones was demonstrated as a means of synthesizing a variety of fully substituted thiazoles by constructing C-C(CO), C-S, and C-N bonds. This transformation allows the realization of enaminones as unusual aryl C2 synthons and simultaneously allows the thioylation and dicarbonylation of α-C sites. A preliminary mechanistic study was performed and indicated that the cleavage of C═C bonds in enaminones involves a bicyclization/ring-opening and oxidative coupling sequence.

Olefin skeletal rearrangement enabling access to multiarylated N-sulfonyl amidines

A base-promoted olefin skeletal rearrangement strategy from para-quinone methides (p-QMs) and N-fluoroarenesulfonamides is reported, enabling direct nitrogen insertion of olefins to produce a series of multiarylated (Z)-N-sulfonyl amidines with complete stereoselectivity and generally good yields. Using p-QMs without o-hydroxy substituents gave triarylated N-sulfonyl amidines, whereas tetraarylated N,N'-disulfonyl amidines were synthesized with the existence of o-hydroxy groups.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Dehydrative Nazarov-type Cyclization of CF3-Substituted 3-Indolylallyl Alcohols: Divergent Synthesis of 1-Trifluoromethylated Cyclopenta[b]indoles

An expedient and efficient synthetic method for the divergent synthesis of 1-trifluoromethylated cyclopenta[b]indoles that relies on Brønsted acid-catalyzed dehydrative Nazarov-type cyclization of CF3-substituted 3-indolylallyl alcohols is described. Two classes of 1-trifluoromethylated cyclopenta[b]indoles can be easily accessed simply by changing the NH-protecting group of indoles. With arylsulfonyl protected 3-indolylallyl alcohols as starting materials, the reaction provided the arylsulfonyl protected 1-trifluoromethylated cyclopenta[b]indoles in good to excellent yields, whereas pivaloyl (Piv) protected substrates led to the formation of NH-free 1-trifluoromethylated cyclolopenta[b]indoles with another alkenyl isomer. This protocol features tunable chemoselectivity, operational simplicity, excellent functional group compatibility, and mild metal-free conditions.

Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of Bromoalkynes, Anilines and CO: Access to 1,3-Substituted Maleimides

A novel palladium-catalyzed three-component carbonylation reaction for the assembly of various 1,3-substituted maleimide derivatives from haloalkynes and simple anilines. The nucleophilic addition reaction of haloalkynes, anilines and CO, and insertion of carbonyl have been achieved sequentially in this reaction. The high chemo- and regioselectivities, as well as no need of expensive ligands or additives further illustrate the synthetic value of this approach.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially and Centrally Chiral 1,2-Dihydrobenzofuro[3,2-b]pyridines through a [2 + 2] Cycloaddition/Retroelectrocyclization/Re-Cycloaddition Cascade

A catalytic asymmetric tandem cyclization of azadienes and ortho-alkynylnaphthols accelerated by the chiral N,N'-dioxide-gadolinium(III) complex is disclosed. This method allows the synthesis of a range of 1,2-dihydrobenzofuro[3,2-b]pyridines containing both axially and centrally chiral elements in high yields and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >99% yield, 91:9 dr, 98% ee). A control experiment revealed that this process proceeded through a multistep [2 + 2] cycloaddition/retroelectrocyclization/tautomerism/1,6-conjugate addition cascade.

Highly Regio- and Diastereoselective Phosphine-Catalyzed [2 + 4] Annulation of Benzofuran-Derived Azadienes with Allyl Carbonates: Access to Spiro[benzofuran-cyclohexanes]

A novel highly regio- and diastereoselective phosphine-catalyzed [2 + 4] annulation of benzofuran-derived azadienes (BDAs) with acidic hydrogen-tethered allyl carbonates has been developed ingeniously. A range of functionalized spiro[benzofuran-cyclohexane] derivatives with two consecutive stereocenters were smoothly obtained in moderate to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions from readily available materials. Moreover, this method is a practical and scalable strategy that creates the core structural motif of the fungistatic drug, griseofulvin.

Gold self-relay catalysis enabling annulative oxygenation of propargylic alcohols with O-nucleophiles

A new gold(I) self-relay catalysis reaction enabling the annulative oxygenation of propargylic alcohols with various O-nucleophiles, such as carboxylic acids, alcohols and TBHP, is reported, producing a series of functionalized benzofurans in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This protocol benefits from the π- and σ-Lewis acid capability of gold complexes, demonstrating high molecular convergence, broad substrate flexibility, high functional group compatibility and mild conditions.

A Lewis Acid-Promoted Michael Addition and Ring-Expansion Cascade for the Construction of Nitrogen-Containing Medium-Sized Rings

A Lewis acid-promoted annulation of azadienes and cyclobutamines was developed. This reaction proceeded through Michael addition and ring-expansion cascade, affording the corresponding nitrogen-containing medium-sized rings with a broad scope in moderate to high yields. The catalytic asymmetric version of this reaction has also been explored using a chiral base.

Three-component acyloxylation of diazo compounds with carboxylic acids and azadienes

Despite many studies on benzofuran-derived azadiene being reported, multi-component studies have scarcely been reported on this heterocyclic skeleton. The first cascade three-component acyloxylation of diazos with acids and azadienes has been reported under mild conditions. The reaction is applicable to various (A/A) diazo compounds, generating diverse complex benzofuran derivatives.

Azoarene activation for Schmidt-type reaction and mechanistic insights

The Schmidt rearrangement, a reaction that enables C-C or C-H σ bond cleavage and nitrogen insertion across an aldehyde or ketone substrate, is one of the most important and widely used synthetic tools for the installation of amides and nitriles. However, such a reaction frequently requires volatile, potentially explosive, and highly toxic azide reagents as the nitrogen donor, thus limiting its application to some extent. Here, we show a Schmidt-type reaction where aryldiazonium salts act as the nitrogen precursor and in-situ-generated cyclopenta-1,4-dien-1-yl acetates serve as pronucleophiles from gold-catalyzed Nazarov cyclization of 1,3-enyne acetates. Noteworthy is that cycloketone-derived 1,3-enyne acetates enabled ring-expansion relay to access a series of 2-pyridone-containing fused heterocycles, in which nonsymmetric cycloketone-derived counterparts demonstrated high regioselectivity. Aside from investigating the scope of this Schmidt-type reaction, mechanistic details of this transformation are provided by performing systematic theoretical calculations.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of N-alkylanilines with bromoalkynes: access to functionalized 3-bromoindoles

A straightforward approach to the synthesis of 3-bromoindoles via palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of N-alkylanilines with bromoalkynes has been described. This protocol features high atom economy, excellent chemo- and regioselectivities, and good functional group tolerance. Moreover, the resultant 3-bromoindoles can be transformed to various functionalized indole derivatives, which demonstrates the practicability of this method in organic synthesis.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Annulation of Allenoates with Benzofuran-Derived Azadienes and Subsequent Thio-Michael Addition

A phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 2) annulation of tetrahydrobenzofuranone-derived allenoates and benzofuran-derived azadienes (BDAs) has been achieved to construct the decahydro-2H-naphtho[1,8-bc]furan derivatives, which were subsequently treated with 4-methylbenzenethiol and trimethylamine to produce thio-Michael addition products in high to excellent yields with good diastereoselectivities.

Substrate-Switched Chemodivergent Pyrazole and Pyrazoline Synthesis: [3 + 2] Cycloaddition/Ring-Opening Rearrangement Reaction of Azadienes with Nitrile Imines

By virtue of a fundamentally new reaction model of benzofuran-derived azadienes (BDAs), an unprecedented synthesis of biologically important pyrazoles has been achieved through a tandem [3 + 2] cycloaddition/ring-opening rearrangement reaction of BDAs with nitrile imines. The nature and type of substrates are found to act as a chemical switch to trigger two distinct reaction pathways. A minor modification to the substrates allows the access to spiro-pyrazolines.

Gold self-relay catalysis for accessing functionalized cyclopentenones bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter

A new gold(i) self-relay catalysis consisting of a 3,3-rearrangement, Nazarov cyclization and Michael addition cascade of 1,3-enyne acetates with aurones and their derived azadienes is reported, producing functionalized cyclopentenones.

A cooperative Pd/Co catalysis system for the asymmetric (4+2) cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinones with N-acylpyrazoles

Transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition has been established as a powerful tool for heterocycle synthesis. Despite impressive advances, the exploitation of new catalysis strategies and systems is still highly significant to enrich the heterocycle family. Herein, we disclosed a cooperative catalysis system merging an achiral Pd catalyst and a chiral Co catalyst for the asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition between vinyl benzoxazinones and N-acylpyrazoles. Chiral tetrahydroquinolines bearing two contiguous, unusual cis-configured stereocenters were produced in high yields and enantio- and diastereoselectivities. The pyrazole directing group can be easily converted into many other functional groups, thus demonstrating the flexibility of the present methodology.

Photocatalytic three-component annulation enabling stereoselective generation of (Z)-thiochromene 1,1-dioxides

A new photocatalytic three-component annulation of 2-alkynylaryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates with γ-hydroxyl terminal alkynes and sodium metabisulfite is reported and used to produce a series of (Z)-thiochromene 1,1-dioxides.