Asymmetric Radical Process for General Synthesis of Chiral Heteroaryl Cyclopropanes

Stereospecific Synthesis of 1,2,3-Trisubstituted Cyclopropanes from Pseudoglycals

Strategic design for constructing optically pure 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes with three contiguous stereocenters represents a formidable challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. Herein, we report a simple and highly enantiospecific transformation of pseudoglycals into chiral 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes, featuring three consecutive stereocenters, involving a stereospecific [1,4]-Wittig rearrangement. The effects of functional group orientation and conformational preferences were studied. Successful gram-scale preparations and subsequent derivatization reactions yielded various cyclopropane scaffolds with multiple stereocenters.

Asymmetric Radical Cyclopropanation of α,β-Unsaturated Amides with α-Boryl and α-Silyl Dibromomethanes via Cr(II)-Based Metalloradical Catalysis

Transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric carbene-transfer reactions represent a powerful strategy for synthesizing chiral cyclopropanes. However, current methods predominantly rely on stabilized carbene-bearing α-π-conjugated groups, restricting access to less stabilized carbenes, such as α-silyl and α-boryl carbenes. Herein, we present an unprecedented Cr(II)-based metalloradical system for the asymmetric cyclopropanation of α,β-unsaturated amides with α-boryl and α-silyl dibromomethanes in the presence of Mn as the reducing agent. Employing a chiral chromium complex, the reaction proceeds under mild conditions, yielding cyclopropanes with three contiguous stereocenters in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. This method features a Cr-catalyzed radical-based stepwise cyclopropanation mechanism. The broad substrate scope, encompassing various α,β-unsaturated amides, demonstrates the protocol's versatility and robustness. Mechanistic insights, supported by experimental and computational studies, suggest the formation of α-Cr(III)-alkyl radical intermediates, delineating a pathway distinct from that of classical concerted cyclopropanations. This approach provides a powerful tool for synthesizing highly functionalized cyclopropanes, offering high potential for applications in drug discovery and development.

Heterocoupling Two Similar Benzyl Radicals by Dual Photoredox/Cobalt Catalysis

Transition-metal-regulated radical cross coupling enables the selective bonding of two distinct transient radicals, whereas the catalytic method for sorting two almost identical transient radicals, especially similar benzyl radicals, is still rare. Herein, we show that leveraging dual photoredox/cobalt catalysis can selectively couple two similar benzyl radicals. Using easily accessible methylarenes and phenylacetates (benzyl N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters) as benzyl radical sources, a range of unsymmetrical 1,2-diarylethane classes via the 1°-1°, 1°-2°, 1°-3°, 2°-2°, 2°-3° and 3°-3° couplings were obtained with broad functional group tolerance. Besides the photochemical continuous flow synthesis, the one-pot procedure that directly uses phenylacetic acids and NHPI as the starting materials to avoid the pre-preparation of benzyl NHPI esters for the gram-scale synthesis is also feasible and affords good yields, showcasing the synthetic utility of our protocol.

Electrochemical Cyclopropanation of Unactivated Alkenes with Methylene Compounds

Cyclopropanes are prevalent in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and bioactive compounds, functioning as a significant structural motif. Although a series of methods have been developed for the construction of the cyclopropane skeleton, the development of a direct and efficient strategy for the rapid synthesis of cyclopropanes from bench-stable starting materials with a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance remains challenging and highly desirable. Herein, we present an electrochemical method for the direct cyclopropanation of unactivated alkenes using active methylene compounds. The strategy shows a broad substrate scope with a high level of functional group compatibility, as well as potential application as demonstrated by late-stage cyclopropanation of complex molecules and drug derivatives. Further mechanistic investigations suggest that Cp2Fe (Fc) plays an essential role as an oxidative mediator in generating radicals from active methylene compounds.

The Carbene Chemistry of N-Sulfonyl Hydrazones: The Past, Present, and Future

N-Sulfonyl hydrazones have been extensively used as operationally safe carbene precursors in modern organic synthesis due to their ready availability, facile functionalization, and environmental benignity. Over the past two decades, there has been tremendous progress in the carbene chemistry of N-sulfonyl hydrazones in the presence of transition metal catalysts, under metal-free conditions, or using photocatalysts under photoirradiation conditions. Many carbene transfer reactions of N-sulfonyl hydrazones are unique and cannot be achieved by any alternative methods. The discovery of novel N-sulfonyl hydrazones and the development of highly enantioselective new reactions and skeletal editing reactions represent the notable recent achievements in the carbene chemistry of N-sulfonyl hydrazones. This review describes the overall progress made in the carbene chemistry of N-sulfonyl hydrazones, organized based on reaction types, spotlighting the current state-of-the-art and remaining challenges to be addressed in the future. Special emphasis is devoted to identifying, describing, and comparing the scope and limitations of current methodologies, key mechanistic scenarios, and potential applications in the synthesis of complex molecules.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Pyridyl Cyclopropanes via Enzymatic Activation of Pyridotriazoles

Hemoproteins have recently emerged as powerful biocatalysts for new-to-nature carbene transfer reactions. Despite this progress, these strategies have remained largely limited to diazo-based carbene precursor reagents. Here, we report the development of a biocatalytic strategy for the stereoselective construction of pyridine-functionalized cyclopropanes via the hemoprotein-mediated activation of pyridotriazoles (PyTz) as stable and readily accessible carbene sources. This method enables the asymmetric cyclopropanation of a variety of olefins, including electron-rich and electrodeficient ones, with high activity, high stereoselectivity, and enantiodivergent selectivity, providing access to mono- and diarylcyclopropanes that incorporate a pyridine moiety and thus two structural motifs of high value in medicinal chemistry. Mechanistic studies reveal a multifaceted role of 7-halogen substitution in the pyridotriazole reagent toward favoring multiple catalytic steps in the transformation. This work provides the first example of asymmetric olefin cyclopropanation with pyridotriazoles, paving the way to the exploitation of these attractive and versatile reagents for enzyme-catalyzed carbene-mediated reactions.

Light Induced Cobalt(III) Carbene Radical Formation from Dimethyl Malonate As Carbene Precursor

Radical-type carbene transfer catalysis is an efficient method for the direct functionalization of C-H and C=C bonds. However, carbene radical complexes are currently formed via high-energy carbene precursors, such as diazo compounds or iodonium ylides. Many of these carbene precursors require additional synthetic steps, have an explosive nature, or generate halogenated waste. Consequently, the utilization of carbene radical catalysis is limited by specific carbene precursors that access the carbene radical intermediate. In this study, we generate a cobalt(III) carbene radical complex from dimethyl malonate, which is commercially available and bench-stable. EPR and NMR spectroscopy were used to identify the intermediates and showed that the cobalt(III) carbene radical complex is formed upon light irradiation. In the presence of styrene, carbene transfer occurred, forming cyclopropane as the product. With this photochemical method, we demonstrate that dimethyl malonate can be used as an alternative carbene precursor in the formation of a cobalt(III) carbene radical complex.

Iron(II) Phthalocyanine-Catalyzed Homodimerization and Tandem Diamination of Diazo Compounds with Primary Amines: Access to Construct Substituted 2,3-Diaminosuccinonitriles in One-Pot

We herein first report the homodimerization and tandem diamination of diazo compounds with primary amines catalyzed by the iron(II) phthalocyanine (PcFe(II)), which can construct one C-C bond and two C-N bonds within 20 min in one-pot. Compared to the traditional metal-catalyzed N-H insertion reaction between amines with diazo reagents, the developed reaction almost does not generate the N-H insertion product, but the homodimerization/tandem diamination product. The proposed mechanism studies indicate that primary amines play a crucial role in the homocoupling of diazo compounds via dimerization of iron(III)-acetonitrile radical generated from the reaction between diazoacetonitrile with PcFe(II) coordinated by bis(amines); the β-hydride elimination is involved, and then, the attack of primary amines toward the carbon atoms on the formed C-C bond is followed. Moreover, this novel reaction can be used to effectively prepare substituted 2,3-diaminosuccinonitriles with high yields and even up to >99:1 d.r., encouragingly these products contain both 1,2-diamines and succinonitrile motifs, which are two classes of important organic compounds with significant applications in many yields. This reaction is also suitable for the gram-scale preparation of 2,3-bis(phenylamino)succinonitrile (2a) with a yield of 84%. Therefore, the developed reaction represents a new type of transformation.

Metalloradical Catalysis: General Approach for Controlling Reactivity and Selectivity of Homolytic Radical Reactions

Since Friedrich Wöhler's groundbreaking synthesis of urea in 1828, organic synthesis over the past two centuries has predominantly relied on the exploration and utilization of chemical reactions rooted in two-electron heterolytic ionic chemistry. While one-electron homolytic radical chemistry is both rich in fundamental reactivities and attractive with practical advantages, the synthetic application of radical reactions has been long hampered by the formidable challenges associated with the control over reactivity and selectivity of high-energy radical intermediates. To fully harness the untapped potential of radical chemistry for organic synthesis, there is a pressing need to formulate radically different concepts and broadly applicable strategies to address these outstanding issues. In pursuit of this objective, researchers have been actively developing metalloradical catalysis (MRC) as a comprehensive framework to guide the design of general approaches for controlling over reactivity and stereoselectivity of homolytic radical reactions. Essentially, MRC exploits the metal-centered radicals present in open-shell metal complexes as one-electron catalysts for homolytic activation of substrates to generate metal-entangled organic radicals as the key intermediates to govern the reaction pathway and stereochemical course of subsequent catalytic radical processes. Different from the conventional two-electron catalysis by transition metal complexes, MRC operates through one-electron chemistry utilizing stepwise radical mechanisms.

Synthesis of Acyl Cyclopentaquinolinones through Simultaneous Construction of the Heterocyclic Scaffold and Introduction of the Acyl Group

Presented herein is an effective and concise synthesis of acyl cyclopentaquinolinone derivatives via the cascade reactions of N-(o-ethynylaryl)acrylamides with α-diazo carbonyl compounds. The formation of product involves a visible light-induced radical formation from α-diazo carbonyl compound followed by its addition onto the acrylamide moiety to trigger double radical annulation, single-electron oxidation, and β-elimination. To our knowledge, this is the first example in which the cyclopentaquinolinone scaffold was constructed along with the introduction of an acyl group under visible light irradiation conditions. Compared with literature methods for similar purpose, this newly developed protocol has advantages such as readily accessible substrates, mild reaction conditions, valuable products, concise synthetic procedure, and high sustainability. With all these merits, this method is expected to find wide applications in the construction of related acyl heterocyclic skeletons.

Alkene Hydrobenzylation by a Single Catalyst That Mediates Iterative Outer-Sphere Steps

Cross-coupling catalysts typically react and unite functionally distinct partners via sequential inner-sphere elementary steps: coordination, migratory insertion, reductive elimination, etc. Here, we report a single catalyst that cross-couples styrenes and benzyl bromides via iterative outer-sphere steps: metal-ligand-carbon interactions. Each partner forms a stabilized radical intermediate, yet heterocoupled products predominate. The system is redox-neutral and, thus, avoids exogenous oxidants, resulting in simple and scalable conditions. Numerous variations of alkene hydrobenzylation are made possible, including access to the privileged heterodibenzyl (1,2-diarylethane) motif and challenging quaternary carbon variants.

Vitamin B12 -Photocatalyzed Cyclopropanation of Electron-Deficient Alkenes Using Dichloromethane as the Methylene Source

The cyclopropyl group is of great importance in medicinal chemistry, as it can be leveraged to influence a range of pharmaceutical properties in drug molecules. This report describes a Vitamin B12 -photocatalyzed approach for the cyclopropanation of electron-deficient alkenes using dichloromethane (CH2 Cl2 ) as the methylene source. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields under mild conditions, has excellent functional group compatibility, and is highly chemoselective. The scope could also be extended to the preparation of D2 -cyclopropyl and methyl-substituted cyclopropyl adducts starting from CD2 Cl2 and 1,1-dichloroethane, respectively.

Recent Advances in the Enantioselective Radical Reactions

The review covers research published since 2017 and is focused on enantioselective synthesis using radical reactions. It describes recent approaches to the asymmetric synthesis of chiral molecules based on the application of the metal catalysis, dual metal and organocatalysis and finally, pure organocatalysis including enzyme catalysis. This review focuses on the synthetic aspects of the methodology and tries to show which compounds can be obtained in enantiomerically enriched forms.

Diruthenium Tetracarboxylate-Catalyzed Enantioselective Cyclopropanation with Aryldiazoacetates

A series of chiral bowl-shaped diruthenium(II,III) tetracarboxylate catalysts were prepared and evaluated in asymmetric cyclopropanations with donor/acceptor carbenes derived from aryldiazoacetates. The diruthenium catalysts self-assembled to generate C4-symmetric bowl-shaped structures in an analogous manner to their dirhodium counterparts. The optimum catalyst was found to be Ru2(S-TPPTTL)4·BArF [S-TPPTTL = (S)-2-(1,3-dioxo-4,5,6,7-tetraphenylisoindolin-2-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate, BArF = tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate], which resulted in the cyclopropanation of a range of substrates in up to 94% ee. Synthesis and evaluation of first-row transition-metal congeners [Cu(II/II) and Co(II/II)] invariably resulted in catalysts that afforded little to no asymmetric induction. Computational studies indicate that the carbene complexes of these dicopper and dicobalt complexes, unlike the dirhodium and diruthenium systems, are prone to the loss of carboxylate ligands, which would destroy the bowl-shaped structure critical for asymmetric induction.

Asymmetric Radical Bicyclization for Stereoselective Construction of Tricyclic Chromanones and Chromanes with Fused Cyclopropanes

Asymmetric radical bicyclization processes have been developed via metalloradical catalysis (MRC) to stereoselectively construct chiral chromanones and chromanes bearing fused cyclopropanes. Through optimization of a versatile D2-symmetric chiral amidoporphyrin ligand platform, a Co(II)-metalloradical system can homolytically activate both diazomalonates and α-aryldiazomethanes containing different alkene functionalities under mild conditions for effective radical bicyclization, delivering cyclopropane-fused tricyclic chromanones and chromanes, respectively, in high yields with excellent control of both diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities. Combined computational and experimental studies, including the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detection and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) trapping of key radical intermediates, shed light on the working details of the underlying stepwise radical mechanisms of the Co(II)-catalyzed bicyclization processes. The two catalytic radical processes provide effective synthetic tools for stereoselective construction of valuable cyclopropane-fused chromanones and chromanes with newly generated contiguous stereogenic centers. As a specific demonstration of synthetic application, the Co(II)-catalyzed radical bicyclization has been employed as a key step for the first asymmetric total synthesis of the natural product (+)-Radulanin J.

Carbene Radicals in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Reactions

Discovered as organometallic curiosities in the 1970s, carbene radicals have become a staple in modern-day homogeneous catalysis. Carbene radicals exhibit nucleophilic radical-type reactivity orthogonal to classical electrophilic diamagnetic Fischer carbenes. Their successful catalytic application has led to the synthesis of a myriad of carbo- and heterocycles, ranging from simple cyclopropanes to more challenging eight-membered rings. The field has matured to employ densely functionalized chiral porphyrin-based platforms that exhibit high enantio-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. Thus far the focus has largely been on cobalt-based systems, but interest has been growing for the past few years to expand the application of carbene radicals to other transition metals. This Perspective covers the advances made since 2011 and gives an overview on the coordination chemistry, reactivity, and catalytic application of carbene radical species using transition metal complexes and catalysts.

Late-Stage C(sp3)-H Methylation of Drug Molecules

Methyl groups are well understood to play a critical role in pharmaceutical molecules, especially those bearing saturated heterocyclic cores. Accordingly, methods that install methyl groups onto complex molecules are highly coveted. Late-stage C-H functionalization is a particularly attractive approach, allowing chemists to bypass lengthy syntheses and facilitating the expedited synthesis of drug analogues. Herein, we disclose the direct introduction of methyl groups via C(sp3)-H functionalization of a broad array of saturated heterocycles, enabled by the merger of decatungstate photocatalysis and a unique nickel-mediated SH2 bond formation. To further demonstrate its synthetic utility as a tool for late-stage functionalization, this method was applied to a range of drug molecules en route to an array of methylated drug analogues.

Chiral oxalamide phosphine (COAP)-Pd-catalyzed enantioselective cascade formal [4 + 1] annulation for enantioenriched 2,3-disubstituted indolines and further DFT study on regio- and stereocontrol

COAP-Pd-catalyzed asymmetric cascade formal [4 + 1] annulation was developed between racemic vinyl benzoxazinones and N-tosylhydrazone sodium salts, affording trans-2,3-disubstituted indolines in good yields with high stereoselectivity.

Spontaneous Release of Metalloradicals and Coordinatively Unsaturated Species in Asymmetric Iridium Dimers to Promote C-N Bond Formation

An unusual iridium dimer 1, [(4-cpbo)Ir(μ-Cl)(μ-O)Ir(4-cpbo)] (4-cpbo = 4-chlorophenylbenzoxazolato-N,C2), was obtained by the oxidative addition of oxygen and reductive elimination of chlorine from a precursor [(4-cpbo)2Ir(μ-Cl)]2. This iridium dimer 1 has a metastable structure with an asymmetric bridge, can spontaneously release metalloradicals and coordinatively unsaturated species in solution at room temperature, and exhibits high catalytic ability for synthetic applications.

Diastereoselective Transfer of Tri(di)fluoroacetylsilanes-Derived Carbenes to Alkenes

Stereoselective cyclopropanation reaction of alkenes is usually achieved by metal complexes via singlet-metal-carbene intermediates. However, previous transition-metal-catalyzed cyclopropanation of alkenes with acylsilanes afforded low diastereoselectivity. Herein, we report the first visible-light-induced transition-metal-free cyclopropanation reaction of terminal alkenes with trifluoroacetylsilanes and difluoroacetylsilanes. Both aromatic and aliphatic alkenes as well as electron-deficient alkenes are suitable substrates for the highly cis-selective [2+1] cyclization reaction. A combination of experimental and computational studies identified triplet carbenes as being key intermediates in this transformation. The gram scale reaction and late-stage functionalization demonstrated the synthetic potential of this strategy.

Transition Metal Catalysis Controlled by Hydrogen Bonding in the Second Coordination Sphere

Transition metal catalysis is of utmost importance for the development of sustainable processes in academia and industry. The activity and selectivity of metal complexes are typically the result of the interplay between ligand and metal properties. As the ligand can be chemically altered, a large research focus has been on ligand development. More recently, it has been recognized that further control over activity and selectivity can be achieved by using the "second coordination sphere", which can be seen as the region beyond the direct coordination sphere of the metal center. Hydrogen bonds appear to be very useful interactions in this context as they typically have sufficient strength and directionality to exert control of the second coordination sphere, yet hydrogen bonds are typically very dynamic, allowing fast turnover. In this review we have highlighted several key features of hydrogen bonding interactions and have summarized the use of hydrogen bonding to program the second coordination sphere. Such control can be achieved by bridging two ligands that are coordinated to a metal center to effectively lead to supramolecular bidentate ligands. In addition, hydrogen bonding can be used to preorganize a substrate that is coordinated to the metal center. Both strategies lead to catalysts with superior properties in a variety of metal catalyzed transformations, including (asymmetric) hydrogenation, hydroformylation, C-H activation, oxidation, radical-type transformations, and photochemical reactions.

Decarboxylative tandem C-N coupling with nitroarenes via SH2 mechanism

Aromatic tertiary amines are one of the most important classes of organic compounds in organic chemistry and drug discovery. It is difficult to efficiently construct tertiary amines from primary amines via classical nucleophilic substitution due to consecutive overalkylation. In this paper, we have developed a radical tandem C-N coupling strategy to efficiently construct aromatic tertiary amines from commercially available carboxylic acids and nitroarenes. A variety of aromatic tertiary amines can be furnished in good yields (up to 98%) with excellent functional group compatibility under mild reaction conditions. The use of two different carboxylic acids also allows for the concise synthesis of nonsymmetric aromatic tertiary amines in satisfactory yields. Mechanistic studies suggest the intermediacy of the arylamine–(TPP)Fe(III) species and might provide a possible evidence for an S_H2 (bimolecular homolytic substitution) pathway in the critical C-N bond formation step.

Aromatic tertiary amines are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. In this article, the authors report on an iron-catalysed reaction for the decarboxylative C-N coupling from carboxylic acids and nitroarenes, leading to non-symmetric tertiary aromatic amines.

From Serendipity to Rational Design: Heteroleptic Dirhodium Amidate Complexes for Diastereodivergent Asymmetric Cyclopropanation

A heteroleptic dirhodium paddlewheel complex comprising three chiral carboxylate ligands and one achiral acetamidate ligand has recently been found to be uniquely effective in catalyzing the asymmetric cyclopropanation of olefins with α-stannylated (silylated and germylated) α-diazoacetate derivatives. A number of control experiments in combination with detailed computational studies provide compelling evidence that an interligand hydrogen bond between the −NH group of the amidate and the ester carbonyl group of the reactive rhodium carbene intermediate plays a quintessential role in the stereodetermining transition state. The penalty for distorting this array outweighs steric arguments and renders two of the four conceivable transitions states unviable. Based on this mechanistic insight, the design of the parent catalyst is revisited herein: placement of appropriate peripheral substituents allows high levels of diastereocontrol to be imposed upon cyclopropanation, which the original catalyst lacks. Because the new complexes allow either trans- or cis-configured stannylated cyclopropanes to be made selectively and in excellent optical purity, this transformation also marks a rare case of diastereodivergent asymmetric catalysis. The products are amenable to stereospecific cross coupling with aryl halides or alkenyl triflates; these transformations appear to be the first examples of the formation of stereogenic quaternary carbon centers by the Stille reaction; carbonylative coupling is also achieved. Moreover, tin/lithium exchange affords chiral lithium enolates, which can be intercepted with a variety of electrophilic partners. The virtues and inherent flexibility of this new methodology are illustrated by an efficient synthesis of two salinilactones, extremely scarce bacterial metabolites with signaling function involved in the self-regulatory growth inhibition of the producing strain.

Radical differentiation of two ester groups in unsymmetrical diazomalonates for highly asymmetric olefin cyclopropanation

Diazomalonates have been demonstrated as effective metalloradicophiles for asymmetric radical olefin cyclopropanation via Co(II)-metalloradical catalysis (MRC). Supported by D ₂-symmetric chiral amidoporphyrin ligand, Co(II)-based metalloradical system can efficiently activate unsymmetrical methyl phenyl diazomalonate (MPDM) with effective differentiation of the two ester groups for asymmetric cyclopropanation, enabling stereoselective construction of 1,1-cyclopropanediesters bearing two contiguous chiral centers, including all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center. The Co(II)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation, which operates at room temperature without slow addition of the diazo compound, is generally applicable to broad-ranging olefins and tolerates various functionalities, providing a streamlined synthesis of chiral 1,1-cyclopropanediesters in high yields with both high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. Combined computational and experimental studies support the underlying stepwise radical mechanism for Co(II)-catalyzed cyclopropanation. In addition to functioning as 1,3-dipoles for forming five-membered structures, enantioenriched (E)-1,1-cyclopropanediesters serve as useful building blocks for stereoselective synthesis of different cyclopropane derivatives. In addition, the enantioenriched (E)-1,1-cyclopropanediesters can be stereoselectively converted to (Z)-diastereomers.

Metalloradical Activation of In Situ-Generated α-Alkynyldiazomethanes for Asymmetric Radical Cyclopropanation of Alkenes

α-Alkynyldiazomethanes, generated in situ from the corresponding sulfonyl hydrazones in the presence of a base, can serve as effective metalloradicophiles in Co(II)-based metalloradical catalysis (MRC) for asymmetric cyclopropanation of alkenes. With D₂-symmetric chiral amidoporphyrin 2,6-DiMeO-QingPhyrin as the optimal supporting ligand, the Co(II)-based metalloradical system can efficiently activate different α-alkynyldiazomethanes at room temperature for highly asymmetric cyclopropanation of a broad range of alkenes. This catalytic radical process provides a general synthetic tool for stereoselective construction of alkynyl cyclopropanes in high yields with high both diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. Combined computational and experimental studies offer several lines of evidence in support of the underlying stepwise radical mechanism for the Co(II)-catalyzed olefin cyclopropanation involving a unique α-metalloradical intermediate that is associated with two resonance forms of α-Co(III)-propargyl radical and γ-Co(III)-allenyl radical. The resulting enantioenriched alkynyl cyclopropanes, as showcased with several stereospecific transformations, may serve as valuable chiral building blocks for stereoselective organic synthesis.

Palladium-Catalyzed Siloxycyclopropanation of Alkenes Using Acylsilanes

Currently, catalytically transferable carbenes are limited to electron-deficient and neutral derivatives, and electron-rich carbenes bearing an alkoxy group (i.e., Fischer-type carbenes) cannot be used in catalytic cyclopropanation because of the lack of appropriate carbene precursors. We report herein that acylsilanes can serve as a source of electron-rich carbenes under palladium catalysis, enabling cyclopropanation of a range of alkenes. This reactivity profile is in sharp contrast to that of metal-free siloxycarbenes, which are unreactive toward normal alkenes. The resulting siloxycyclopropanes serve as valuable homoenolate equivalents, allowing rapid access to elaborate β-functionalized ketones.

A biomimetic SH2 cross-coupling mechanism for quaternary sp3-carbon formation

Bimolecular homolytic substitution (SH2) is an open-shell mechanism that is implicated across a host of biochemical alkylation pathways. Surprisingly, however, this radical substitution manifold has not been generally deployed as a design element in synthetic C–C bond formation. We found that the SH2 mechanism can be leveraged to enable a biomimetic sp3-sp3 cross-coupling platform that furnishes quaternary sp3-carbon centers, a long-standing challenge in organic molecule construction. This heteroselective radical-radical coupling uses the capacity of iron porphyrin to readily distinguish between the SH2 bond-forming roles of open-shell primary and tertiary carbons, combined with photocatalysis to generate both radical classes simultaneously from widely abundant functional groups. Mechanistic studies confirm the intermediacy of a primary alkyl–Fe(III) species prior to coupling and provide evidence for the SH2 displacement pathway in the critical quaternary sp3-carbon bond formation step.

Tunable and Cooperative Catalysis for Enantioselective Pictet-Spengler Reaction with Varied Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Carboxaldehydes

Herein we report an organocatalytic enantioselective functionalization of heterocyclic carboxaldehydes via the Pictet-Spengler reaction. Through careful pairing of novel squaramide and Brønsted acid catalysts, our method tolerates a breadth of heterocycles, enabling preparation of a series of heterocycle conjugated β-(tetrahydro)carbolines in good yield and enantioselectivity. Careful selection of carboxylic acid co-catalyst is essential for toleration of a variety of regioisomeric heterocycles. Utility is demonstrated via the three-step stereoselective preparation of pyridine-containing analogues of potent selective estrogen receptor downregulator and U.S. FDA approved drug Tadalafil.