Gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular amination of allylic alcohols with alkylamines

Iridium-catalysed reductive allylic amination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Allylic amination is a powerful tool for constructing N-allylic amines widely found in bioactive molecules. Generally, allylic alcohols and unsaturated hydrocarbons have been considered for allylic amination reactions to minimize waste production. Herein, we present an iridium-catalysed method for reductive allylic amination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with amines to afford N-allylic amines under air conditions. This protocol is demonstrated to provide products from many substrates (41 examples) in moderate-to-excellent yields. This synthetic methodology is also highlighted by the synthesis of drug molecules, optically pure products, as well as scale-up experiments.

Reshuffle Bonds by Ball Milling: A Mechanochemical Protocol for Charge-Accelerated Aza-Claisen Rearrangements

This study presents the development of a mechanochemical protocol for a charge-accelerated aza-Claisen rearrangement. The protocol waives the use of commonly applied transition metals, ligands, or pyrophoric Lewis acids, e.g., AlMe₃. Based on (heterocyclic) tertiary allylamines and acyl chlorides, the desired tertiary amides were prepared in yields ranging from 17% to 84%. Moreover, the same protocol was applied for a Belluš-Claisen-type rearrangement resulting in the synthesis of a 9-membered lactam without further optimization.

Dehydrative Cross-Coupling for C-N Bond Construction under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions

A transition-metal-free catalytic system was designed to address the dehydrative cross-coupling of unactivated primary/secondary alcohols with amines/amides under environmentally benign conditions. Mg²⁺ and counteranion (PF₆^-) worked synergistically to realize C-OH bond cleavage and concomitant C-N bond formation. A wide range of allylic alcohols and amines/amides were tolerated well in this transformation, which allowed C-N bond construction with high efficiency.

Recent progress in the chemistry of β-aminoketones

The current study highlighted the significance of β-aminoketones as privileged biologically active molecules, recent synthetic strategies, and synthetic applications.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis and Structural Revision of Dysiherbol A

A 12-step total synthesis of the natural product dysiherbol A, a strongly anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor avarane meroterpene isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea sp., was elaborated. As key steps, the synthesis features an enantioselective Cu-catalyzed 1,4-addition/enolate-trapping opening move, an Au-catalyzed double cyclization to build up the tetracyclic core-carbon skeleton, and a late installation of the C5-bridgehead methyl group via proton-induced cyclopropane opening associated with spontaneous cyclic ether formation. The obtained pentacyclic compound (corresponding to an anhydride of the originally suggested structure for dysiherbol A) showed identical spectroscopic data as the natural product, but an opposite molecular rotation. CD-spectroscopic measurements finally confirmed that both the constitution and the absolute configuration of the originally proposed structure of (+)-dysiherbol A need to be revised.

Dehydrative Re2O7-Catalyzed Approach to Dihydropyran Synthesis

Monoallylic 1,3- and 1,5-diols undergo Re₂O₇-mediated ionization to form allylic cations that engage in cyclization reactions to form dihydropyran products. The reactions give the 2,6-trans-stereoisomer as the major products as a result of minimizing steric interactions in a boat-like transition state. The results of these studies are consistent with cationic intermediates, with an intriguing observation of stereochemical retention in one example.

Iron-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of γ,δ-unsaturated aromatic oxime esters to functionalized pyrrolines

Herein, a new method of iron-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of γ,δ-unsaturated aromatic oxime esters to functionalized pyrrolines has been developed. By using readily available substrates, 32 examples of functionalized pyrrolines were prepared in moderate to good yields. Notably, examples of reduction and cycloaddition reactions of the obtained product were given as well.

Gold-Catalyzed Hydroamination of Propargylic Alcohols: Controlling Divergent Catalytic Reaction Pathways To Access 1,3-Amino Alcohols, 3-Hydroxyketones, or 3-Aminoketones

A versatile approach to the valorization of propargylic alcohols is reported, enabling controlled access to three different products from the same starting materials. First, a general method for the hydroamination of propargylic alcohols with anilines is described using gold catalysis to give 3-hydroxyimines with complete regioselectivity. These 3-hydroxyimines can be reduced to give 1,3-amino alcohols with high syn selectivity. Alternatively, by using a catalytic quantity of aniline, 3-hydroxyketones can be obtained in high yield directly from propargylic alcohols. Further manipulation of the reaction conditions enables the selective formation of 3-aminoketones via a rearrangement/hydroamination pathway. The utility of the new chemistry was exemplified by the one-pot synthesis of a selection of N-arylpyrrolidines and N-arylpiperidines. A mechanism for the hydroamination has been proposed on the basis of experimental studies and density functional theory calculations.

Intramolecular substitutions of secondary and tertiary alcohols with chirality transfer by an iron(III) catalyst

Optically pure alcohols are abundant in nature and attractive as feedstock for organic synthesis but challenging for further transformation using atom efficient and sustainable methodologies, particularly when there is a desire to conserve the chirality. Usually, substitution of the OH group of stereogenic alcohols with conservation of chirality requires derivatization as part of a complex, stoichiometric procedure. We herein demonstrate that a simple, inexpensive, and environmentally benign iron(III) catalyst promotes the direct intramolecular substitution of enantiomerically enriched secondary and tertiary alcohols with O-, N-, and S-centered nucleophiles to generate valuable 5-membered, 6-membered and aryl-fused 6-membered heterocyclic compounds with chirality transfer and water as the only byproduct. The power of the methodology is demonstrated in the total synthesis of (+)-lentiginosine from D-glucose where iron-catalysis is used in a key step. Adoption of this methodology will contribute towards the transition to sustainable and bio-based processes in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.

The direct substitution of the OH group of stereogenic alcohols are reported rarely in literature. Here, the authors demonstrate direct substitution of both secondary and tertiary alcohols with chirality transfer leading to enantioenriched 5-membered, 6-membered and aryl-fused 6-membered heterocyclic compounds.

Catalytic Dehydrative Lactonization of Allylic Alcohols

A convenient strategy for the synthesis of phthalides and γ-butyrolactones is reported. The method utilizes readily prepared allylic alcohols in formal Au(I)- and Pd(II)-catalyzed S_N2' reactions. Using these catalysts, exclusive formation of the desired five-membered lactones is observed, completely avoiding the competing direct lactonization pathway that forms the undesired seven-membered ring with protic acids and alternative metal salts. This mild and operationally simple method notably tolerates exomethylene groups and should find use in both phthalide and terpene syntheses.

Chirality Transfer in Gold(I)-Catalysed Direct Allylic Etherifications of Unactivated Alcohols: Experimental and Computational Study

Gold(I)-catalysed direct allylic etherifications have been successfully carried out with chirality transfer to yield enantioenriched, γ-substituted secondary allylic ethers. Our investigations include a full substrate-scope screen to ascertain substituent effects on the regioselectivity, stereoselectivity and efficiency of chirality transfer, as well as control experiments to elucidate the mechanistic subtleties of the chirality-transfer process. Crucially, addition of molecular sieves was found to be necessary to ensure efficient and general chirality transfer. Computational studies suggest that the efficiency of chirality transfer is linked to the aggregation of the alcohol nucleophile around the reactive π-bound Au-allylic ether complex. With a single alcohol nucleophile, a high degree of chirality transfer is predicted. However, if three alcohols are present, alternative proton transfer chain mechanisms that erode the efficiency of chirality transfer become competitive.

Iron- and indium-catalyzed reactions toward nitrogen- and oxygen-containing saturated heterocycles

A myriad of natural and/or biologically active products include nitrogen- and oxygen-containing saturated heterocycles, which are thus considered as attractive scaffolds in the drug discovery process. As a consequence, a wide range of reactions has been developed for the construction of these frameworks, much effort being specially devoted to the formation of substituted tetrahydropyrans and piperidines. Among the existing methods to form these heterocycles, the metal-catalyzed heterocyclization of amino- or hydroxy-allylic alcohol derivatives has emerged as a powerful and stereoselective strategy that is particularly interesting in terms of both atom-economy and ecocompatibility. For a long time, palladium catalysts have widely dominated this area either in Tsuji-Trost reactions [Pd(0)] or in an electrophilic activation process [Pd(II)]. More recently, gold-catalyzed formation of saturated N- and O-heterocycles has received growing attention because it generally exhibits high efficiency and diastereoselectivity. Despite their demonstrated utility, Pd- and Au-complexes suffer from high costs, toxicity, and limited natural abundance, which can be barriers to their widespread use in industrial processes. Thus, the replacement of precious metals with less expensive and more environmentally benign catalysts has become a challenging issue for organic chemists. In 2010, our group took advantage of the ability of the low-toxicity and inexpensive FeCl3 in activating allylic or benzylic alcohols to develop iron-catalyzed N- and O-heterocylizations. We first focused on N-heterocycles, and a variety of 2,6-disubstituted piperidines as well as pyrrolidines were synthesized in a highly diastereoselective fashion in favor of the cis-compounds. The reaction was further extended to the construction of substituted tetrahydropyrans. Besides triggering the formation of heterocycles, the iron salts were shown to induce a thermodynamic epimerization, which is the key to reach the high diastereoselectivities observed in favor of the most stable cis-isomers. It is worth noting that spiroketals could be prepared by using this method, which was successfully applied to a synthetic approach toward natural products belonging to the bistramide family. We then turned our attention to heterocycles incorporating two heteroatoms such as isoxazolidines. These frameworks can be found in biologically active natural products, and in addition, they can be transformed into 1,3-amino alcohols, which are of importance in organic chemistry. The use of FeCl3·6H2O allowed the access to a large variety of 3,5-disubstituted isoxazolidines from δ-hydroxylamino allylic alcohol derivatives with good yields and diastereoselectivities in favor of the cis-isomer. Recently, a Lewis acid-catalyzed synthesis of six- and five-membered ring carbonates starting from linear tert-butyl carbonates was reported. In some cases, the mild and chemoselective InCl3 was preferred over FeCl3·6H2O to avoid side-product formation. The resulting cyclic carbonates were easily transformed into 1,3- or 1,2-diols, and a total synthesis of (3S,5S)-alpinikatin was achieved.

Dehydrative thiolation of allenols: indium vs gold catalysis

Intermolecular additions of thiols to allenols via formal S(N)2' selectivity to produce functionalized dienes are described. Although this dehydrative reaction was initially developed using gold(I) catalysis, indium(III) proves to be a far superior catalyst in terms of selectivity and substrate scope.

Gold(I)-catalysed direct thioetherifications using allylic alcohols: an experimental and computational study

A gold(I)-catalysed direct thioetherification reaction between allylic alcohols and thiols is presented. The reaction is generally highly regioselective (S(N)2'). This dehydrative allylation procedure is very mild and atom economical, producing only water as the by-product and avoiding any unnecessary waste/steps associated with installing a leaving or activating group on the substrate. Computational studies are presented to gain insight into the mechanism of the reaction. Calculations indicate that the regioselectivity is under equilibrium control and is ultimately dictated by the thermodynamic stability of the products.

Palladium-catalyzed stereospecific cross-coupling of enantioenriched allylic alcohols with boronic acids

In the presence of 2.5 mol% Pd2(dba)3-TMEDA (1 : 4), a range of enantioenriched allylic alcohols smoothly coupled with boronic acids in a highly regioselective fashion with inversion of configuration to afford structurally diverse alkenes in good yields with perfect retention of ee.

Fully diastereoselective synthesis of polysubstituted, functionalized piperidines and decahydroquinolines based on multicomponent reactions catalyzed by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate

The cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)-catalyzed, three-component reaction between primary amines, β-dicarbonyl compounds, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in ethanol heated to reflux, constitutes a general, one-pot synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines. Their reduction with sodium triacetoxyborohydride furnished piperidine derivatives bearing up to five substituents with full diastereoselectivity in a hitherto inaccessible stereochemical arrangement. The reaction proceeded with no significant loss of enantiomeric purity under mild reduction conditions that are compatible with several functional groups that are normally sensitive to reduction. Octahydroquinolin-5-one derivatives, which were prepared by a modified version of the initial multicomponent reaction, were not suitable substrates for the sodium triacetoxyborohydride mediated reduction, but they were transformed into the corresponding decahydroquinolines, including a precursor of the amphibian alkaloid pumiliotoxin C, by catalytic hydrogenation under a variety of conditions.

Gold(I)-catalysed one-pot synthesis of chromans using allylic alcohols and phenols

A gold(I)-catalysed reaction of allylic alcohols and phenols produces chromans regioselectively via a one-pot Friedel-Crafts allylation/intramolecular hydroalkoxylation sequence. The reaction is mild, practical and tolerant of a wide variety of substituents on the phenol.

The regio- and stereospecific intermolecular dehydrative alkoxylation of allylic alcohols catalyzed by a gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complex

A 1:1 mixture of [AuCl(IPr)] (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidine) and AgClO(4) catalyzes the intermolecular dehydrative alkoxylation of primary and secondary allylic alcohols with aliphatic primary and secondary alcohols to form allylic ethers. These transformations are regio- and stereospecific with preferential addition of the alcohol nucleophile at the γ-position of the allylic alcohol syn to the departing hydroxyl group and with predominant formation of the E stereoisomer. The minor α regioisomer is formed predominantly through a secondary reaction manifold involving regioselective γ-alkoxylation of the initially formed allylic ether rather than by the direct α-alkoxylation of the allylic alcohol.

Mechanistic insights into enantioselective gold-catalyzed allylation of indoles with alcohols: the counterion effect

Enantioselective gold-catalysis is emerging as a powerful tool in organic synthesis for the stereoselective manipulation of unfunctionalized unsaturated hydrocarbons. Despite the exponential growth, the molecular complexity of common chiral gold complexes generally prevents a complete description of the mechanism steps and activation modes being documented. In this study, we present the results of a combined experimental-computational (DFT) investigation of the mechanism of the enantioselective gold-catalyzed allylic alkylation of indoles with alcohols. A stepwise S(N)2'-process (i.e. anti-auroindolination of the olefin, proton-transfer, and subsequent anti-elimination [Au]-OH) is disclosed, leading to a library of tricyclic-fused indole derivatives. The pivotal role played by the gold counterion, in terms of molecular arrangement (i.e. "folding effect") and proton-shuttling in restoring the catalytic species, is finally documented.