A new strategy for the synthesis of chiral β-alkynyl esters via sequential palladium and copper catalysis

Catalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Reduction

Enantioselective reduction reactions are privileged transformations for the construction of trisubstituted stereogenic centers. While these include established synthetic strategies, such as asymmetric hydrogenation, methods based on the enantioselective addition of hydridic reagents to electrophilic prochiral substrates have also gained importance. In this context, the asymmetric conjugate reduction (ACR) of α,β-unsaturated compounds has become a convenient approach for the synthesis of chiral compounds with trisubstituted stereocenters in α-, β-, or γ-position to electron-withdrawing functional groups. Because such activating groups are diverse and amenable of further derivatizations, ACRs provide a general and powerful synthetic entry towards a variety of valuable chiral building blocks. This Review provides a comprehensive collection of catalytic ACR methods involving transition-metal, organic, and enzymatic catalysis since its first versions dating back to the late 1970s.

Ene-Reductase: A Multifaceted Biocatalyst in Organic Synthesis

Biocatalysis integrate microbiologists, enzymologists, and organic chemists to access the repertoire of pharmaceutical and agrochemicals with high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and enantioselectivity. The saturation of carbon-carbon double bonds by biocatalysts challenges the conventional chemical methodology as it bypasses the use of precious metals (in combination with chiral ligands and molecular hydrogen) or organocatalysts. In this line, Ene-reductases (ERs) from the Old Yellow Enzymes (OYEs) family are found to be a prominent asymmetric biocatalyst that is increasingly used in academia and industries towards unparalleled stereoselective trans-hydrogenations of activated C=C bonds. ERs gained prominence as they were used as individual catalysts, multi-enzyme cascades, and in conjugation with chemical reagents (chemoenzymatic approach). Besides, ERs' participation in the photoelectrochemical and radical-mediated process helps to unlock many scopes outside traditional biocatalysis. These up-and-coming methodologies entice the enzymologists and chemists to explore, expand and harness the chemistries displayed by ERs for industrial settings. Herein, we reviewed the last five year's exploration of organic transformations using ERs.

Hydroalkynylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes with terminal alkynes

A rhodium-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective hydroalkynylation generating cis-hydrobenzofuranone-tethered enynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds with a dynamic kinetic head-to-head insertion and symmetry breaking Michael addition cascade.

A rhodium-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective hydroalkynylation, generating cis-hydrobenzofuranone-tethered enynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds with a selective head-to-head insertion and symmetry breaking Michael addition cascade. One product was produced from tens of possible isomers through precise control of chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities using a single rhodium catalyst. Notable features of this method include 100% atom-economy, mild reaction conditions and a very broad substrate scope.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Redox-Relay Heck Alkynylation of Alkenols To Access Propargylic Stereocenters

An enantioselective redox-relay Heck alkynylation of di- and trisubstituted alkenols to construct propargylic stereocenters is disclosed using a new pyridine oxazoline ligand. This strategy allows direct access to chiral β-alkynyl carbonyl compounds employing allylic alcohol substrates in contrast to more traditional conjugate addition methods.

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-alkynyl carbonyl and sulfonyl derivatives via sequential palladium and copper catalysis

We present a full account detailing the development of a sequential catalysis strategy for the synthesis of chiral β-alkynyl carbonyl and sulfonyl derivatives. A palladium-catalyzed cross coupling of terminal alkyne donors with acetylenic ester, ketone, and sulfone acceptors generates stereodefined enynes in high yield. These compounds are engaged in an unprecedented, regio- and enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate reduction. The process exhibits a high functional group tolerance, and this enables the synthesis of a broad range of chiral products from simple, readily available alkyne precursors. The utility of the method is demonstrated through the elaboration of the chiral β-alkynyl products into a variety of different molecular scaffolds. Its value in complex molecule synthesis is further validated through a concise, enantioselective synthesis of AMG 837, a potent GPR40 receptor agonist.

Isopropylmagnesium chloride-promoted unilateral addition of Grignard reagents to β-diketones: one-pot syntheses of β-tertiary hydroxyl ketones or 3-substituted cyclic-2-enones

The regioselective unilateral additions of Grignard reagents to acyclic or cyclic β-diketones were effectively promoted by sub-stoichiometric amounts of i-PrMgCl to afford β-tertiary hydroxyl ketones or 3-substituted cyclic-2-enones, respectively. Also, the addition of Grignard reagents to acyclic β-diketones followed by a reaction with cyclic β-diketones in a one-pot process was put forward. The reaction mechanism was discussed in detail to explain the high regioselectivity via chemical experiments, hydrogen-deuterium exchange and mass spectrometry.

Computational insight into the mechanism of the Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes

The Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes was computationally studied to gain a mechanistic insight.

Carboxylate switch between hydro- and carbopalladation pathways in regiodivergent dimerization of alkynes

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the regiodivergent palladium-catalyzed dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. Employment of N-heterocyclic carbene-based palladium catalyst in the presence of phosphine ligand allows for highly regio- and stereoselective head-to-head dimerization reaction. Alternatively, addition of carboxylate anion to the reaction mixture triggers selective head-to-tail coupling. Computational studies suggest that reaction proceeds via the hydropalladation pathway favoring head-to-head dimerization under neutral reaction conditions. The origin of the regioselectivity switch can be explained by the dual role of carboxylate anion. Thus, the removal of hydrogen atom by the carboxylate directs reaction from the hydropalladation to the carbopalladation pathway. Additionally, in the presence of the carboxylate anion intermediate, palladium complexes involved in the head-to-tail dimerization display higher stability compared to their analogues for the head-to-head reaction.

Asymmetric catalytic conjugate addition of acetaldehyde to nitrodienynes/nitroenynes: applications to the syntheses of (+)-α-lycorane and chiral β-alkynyl acids

The catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of acetaldehyde to polyconjugated substrates, nitrodienynes and nitroenynes, has been accomplished using organocatalysis. Various functionalized 1,3-enynes and propargylic compounds were obtained in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivity. The synthetic utilities of the conjugate addition reactions have been highlighted in the concise total synthesis of (+)-α-lycorane and the metal-free synthesis of chiral β-alkynyl acids.

Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkynylation

No leaving group needed: With an Ir(P,olefin) complex as catalyst, the direct enantioselective allylic alkynylation of secondary allylic alcohols with potassium alkynyltrifluoroborates as alkynylating reagents has been achieved. High levels of enantioselectivity and high yields were achieved with this operationally easy and robust protocol, the use of which was demonstrated in the synthesis of GPR40 receptor agonist AMG 837. cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene.

Rhodium-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective cross-dimerization of two terminal alkynes

Cross-dimerization of terminal arylacetylenes and terminal propargylic alcohols/amides has been achieved in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. This method features high chemo- and regioselectivities rendering convenient and atom economical access to functionalized enynes.