Enantioselective synthesis of a hydroxymethyl-cis-1,3-cyclopentenediol building block

Pd-Catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation of heterocycles: a user's guide

This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advances and strategies employed in the Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation (Pd-AAA) of nucleophilic prochiral heterocycles. The review is divided into sections each focused on a specific family of heterocycle, where optimisation data and reaction scope have been carefully analysed in order to bring forward specific reactivity and selectivity trends. The review eventually opens on how computer-based technologies could be used to predict an ideally matched catalytic system for any given substrate. This user-guide targets chemists from all horizons interested in running a Pd-AAA reaction for the preparation of highly enantioenriched heterocyclic compounds.

A Highly Stereospecific Claisen-Sakurai Approach to Densely Functionalized Cyclopentenols

The formation of highly substituted cyclopentenols was developed using a Claisen-Sakurai reaction. Both elements of the reaction can be performed in a one-pot sequence that provides the corresponding cyclized products in high stereoselectivity. The stereochemical outcome is defined by a combination of Claisen stereospecificity and stereoelectronic effects in the Sakurai cyclization that promotes reactivity via an anti-S_E' antiperiplanar transition state. This was determined by examination of the product stereochemistry and through detailed DFT analysis.

Recent Advances in Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Allylic Substitution: From Design to Applications

This Review compiles the evolution, mechanistic understanding, and more recent advances in enantioselective Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution and decarboxylative and oxidative allylic substitutions. For each reaction, the catalytic data, as well as examples of their application to the synthesis of more complex molecules, are collected. Sections in which we discuss key mechanistic aspects for high selectivity and a comparison with other metals (with advantages and disadvantages) are also included. For Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution, the catalytic data are grouped according to the type of nucleophile employed. Because of the prominent position of the use of stabilized carbon nucleophiles and heteronucleophiles, many chiral ligands have been developed. To better compare the results, they are presented grouped by ligand types. Pd-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative reactions are mainly promoted by PHOX or Trost ligands, which justifies organizing this section in chronological order. For asymmetric oxidative allylic substitution the results are grouped according to the type of nucleophile used.

The Allylic Alkylation of Ketone Enolates

The palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of non-stabilized ketone enolates was thought for a long time to be not as efficient as the analogous reactions of stabilized enolates, e. g. of malonates and β-ketoesters. The field has experienced a rapid development during the last two decades, with a range of new, highly efficient protocols evolved. In this review, the early developments as well as current methods and applications of palladium-catalyzed ketone enolate allylations will be discussed.

The Total Synthesis of (-)-Scabrolide A

The first total synthesis of the norcembranoid diterpenoid scabrolide A is disclosed. The route begins with the synthesis of two chiral pool-derived fragments, which undergo a convergent coupling to expediently introduce all 19 carbon atoms of the natural product. An intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction and an enone-olefin cycloaddition/fragmentation sequence are then employed to construct the fused [5-6-7] linear carbocyclic core of the molecule and complete the total synthesis.

Unified Enantioselective, Convergent Synthetic Approach toward the Furanobutenolide-Derived Polycyclic Norcembranoid Diterpenes: Synthesis of a Series of Ineleganoloids by Oxidation-State Manipulation of the Carbocyclic Core

Late-stage synthetic efforts to advance the enatio- and diastereoselectively constructed [6,7,5,5]-fused tetracyclic scaffold toward the polycyclic norditerpenoid ineleganolide are disclosed. The described investigations focus on oxidation-state manipulation around the central cycloheptane ring. Computational evaluation of ground-state energies of dihydroineleganolide is used to rationalize empirical observations and provide insight for further synthetic development, enhancing the understanding of the conformational constraints of these compact polycyclic structures. Advanced synthetic manipulations generated a series of natural product-like compounds termed the ineleganoloids.

Synthesis of C-pyrimidyl nucleosides starting from alkynyl ribofuranosides

The synthesis of four C-pyrimidyl nucleosides is described by condensation of small nitrogen molecules (amidines and ureas) onto alkynyl riboside derivatives. These last compounds were obtained by indium mediated stereoselective alkynylation of suitably protected ribose derivatives and the condensation reaction conditions were studied in order to favor the N-attack of the nitrogen molecules leading to the pyrimidine ring formation.

Development of a Unified Enantioselective, Convergent Synthetic Approach Toward the Furanobutenolide-Derived Polycyclic Norcembranoid Diterpenes: Asymmetric Formation of the Polycyclic Norditerpenoid Carbocyclic Core by Tandem Annulation Cascade

An enantioselective and diastereoselective approach toward the synthesis of the tetracyclic scaffold of the furanobutenolide-derived polycyclic norditerpenoids is described. Focusing on synthetic efforts toward ineleganolide, the synthetic approach utilizes a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation for the construction of the requisite chiral tertiary ether. A diastereoselective cyclopropanation-Cope rearrangement cascade enabled the convergent assembly of the ineleganolide [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold. Investigation of substrates for this critical tandem annulation process is discussed along with synthetic manipulations of the [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold and the attempted interconversion of the [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold of ineleganolide to the isomeric [7,6,5,5]-core of scabrolide A and its naturally occurring isomers. Computational evaluation of ground-state energies of late-stage synthetic intermediates was used to guide synthetic development and aid in the investigation of the conformational rigidity of these highly constrained and compact polycyclic structures.

Model Studies To Access the [6,7,5,5]-Core of Ineleganolide Using Tandem Translactonization-Cope or Cyclopropanation-Cope Rearrangements as Key Steps

Recently, we reported a convergent cyclopropanation-Cope approach to the core of ineleganolide, which was the first disclosed synthesis of the core of the norditerpene natural product ineleganolide. In this complementary work, a model system for the core of ineleganolide has been prepared through a series of tandem cyclopropanation-Cope and translactonization-Cope rearrangements. Work with this model system has enriched our understanding of the cyclopropanation-Cope rearrangement sequence. Additionally, research into this model system has driven the development of tandem translactonization-Cope rearrangements.

Polycyclic Furanobutenolide-Derived Cembranoid and Norcembranoid Natural Products: Biosynthetic Connections and Synthetic Efforts

The polycyclic furanobutenolide-derived cembranoid and norcembranoid natural products are a family of congested, stereochemically complex, and extensively oxygenated polycyclic diterpenes and norditerpenes. Although the elegant architectures and biological activity profiles of these natural products have captured the attention of chemists since the isolation of the first members of the family in the 1990s, the de novo synthesis of only a single polycyclic furanobutenolide-derived cembranoid and norcembranoid has been accomplished. This article begins with a brief discussion of the proposed biosyntheses and biosynthetic connections among the polycyclic furanobutenolide-derived cembranoids and norcembranoids and then provides a comprehensive review of the synthetic efforts toward each member of the natural product family, including biomimetic, semisynthetic, and de novo synthetic strategies. This body of knowledge has been gathered to provide insight into the reactivity and constraints of these compact and highly oxygenated polycyclic structures, as well as to offer guidance for future synthetic endeavors.

Enantioselective, Convergent Synthesis of the Ineleganolide Core by a Tandem Annulation Cascade

An enantioselective and diastereoselective approach toward the synthesis of the polycyclic norditerpenoid ineleganolide is disclosed. A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation is employed to stereoselectively construct the requisite chiral tertiary ether and facilitate the synthesis of a 1,3-cis-cyclopentenediol building block. Careful substrate design enabled the convergent assembly of the ineleganolide [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold by a diastereoselective cyclopropanation-Cope rearrangement cascade under unusually mild conditions. Computational evaluation of ground state energies of late-stage synthetic intermediates was used to guide synthetic development and aid in the investigation of the conformational rigidity of these highly constrained and compact polycyclic structures. This work represents the first successful synthesis of the core structure of any member of the polycyclic norcembranoid diterpene family of natural products. Advanced synthetic manipulations generated a series of natural product-like compounds that were shown to possess selective secretory antagonism of either interleukin-5 or interleukin-17. This bioactivity stands in contrast to the known antileukemic activity of ineleganolide and suggests the norcembranoid natural product core may serve as a useful scaffold for the development of diverse therapeutics.

Catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-eucomic acid

A catalytic enantioselective synthesis of (+)-eucomic acid is reported. A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation is employed to access the chiral tetrasubstituted α-hydroxyacid moiety found in the natural product. The protecting group strategy was investigated, and a protecting group manipulation was made without any appreciable deleterious effects in the allylic alkylation reaction. Non-natural (+)-eucomic acid is synthesized in a longest linear sequence of 13 steps.

Synthesis and Exploration of Electronically Modified (R)-5,5-Dimethyl-(p-CF3)3-i-PrPHOX in Palladium-Catalyzed Enantio- and Diastereoselective Allylic Alkylation: A Practical Alternative to (R)-(p-CF3)3-t-BuPHOX

The synthesis of the novel electronically modified phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) ligand, (R)-5,5-dimethyl-(p-CF₃)₃-i-PrPHOX, is described. The utility of this PHOX ligand is explored in both enantio- and diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations. These investigations prove (R)-5,5-dimethyl-(p-CF₃)₃-i-PrPHOX to be an effective and cost-efficient alternative to electronically modified PHOX ligands derived from the prohibitively expensive (R)-t-leucine.