Catalytic asymmetric dearomatization of phenols via divergent intermolecular (3 + 2) and alkylation reactions

Synthesis of 3-indolyl all-carbon quaternary centers via Rh/Brønsted acid co-catalyzed three-component reactions of azoalkenes with indoles and diazoacetates

Highly diastereoselective three-component reactions of azoalkenes with indoles and diazoacetates have been developed via a Rh/Brønsted acid co-catalyzed strategy. These transformations provide efficient construction of a range of 3-indolyl all-carbon quaternary centers in good yields and diastereoselectivities. This reaction is proposed to proceed through Michael-type trapping of zwitterionic intermediates generated from metal carbenes and indoles.

Structure Confirmation of Quinazolinone and Hydroindole Using Residual Dipolar Couplings From Polyarylisocyanide Liquid Crystal

Determining the constitution and configuration is a critical step in characterizing the structure of small molecules. In addition to the classical nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method conducted in isotropic solutions, the emerging anisotropic NMR parameters such as residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) were also employed to clarify the structures of organic molecules. These RDCs not only confirmed that the unexpectedly synthesized product was a quinazolinone but also validated the relative configuration of the diastereoisomeric hydroindole in a polyarylisocyanide lyotropic liquid crystalline solution through the induction of anisotropy. Singular value decomposition (SVD) was employed to fit the experimental RDC data against the low-energy conformational sets of an unexpected synthetic product, which were calculated using density functional theory (DFT). This analysis aimed to identify the correct molecular connection sites. Furthermore, the method was applied to determine the correct relative configuration between two possible diastereoisomers.

Catalytic Asymmetric Rearrangement of Azoalkene-Derived Sulfonium Ylides via Remote Chirality Control

The [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement has been widely utilized to construct C-S bonds. Herein, we report an enantioselective, intermolecular, and noncarbenoid [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of sulfonium ylides using azoalkenes. This process features a broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and excellent enantioselectivity, achieving yields of up to 99% and an enantiomeric excess (ee) of up to 96%. Furthermore, the protocol demonstrated good scalability.

Atom-efficient chlorinative dearomatization of naphthol, quinolinol, and isoquinolinol derivatives using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA)

A variety of dearomatized compounds have been prepared in moderate to excellent yields from planar scaffolds using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) as an atom-economical chlorinating agent. The method tolerates a broad range of functionalities and can take place in several green and/or sustainable solvents. Twenty-one examples of 1,1-dichlorinated products of dearomatized 2-naphthols and analogous heteroarenes (quinolinols, isoquinolinols, and quinazolinol) are reported along with five examples of monochlorinated dearomatized products. The utility of the 1,1-dichloronaphthalenone product as a reactive intermediate species is demonstrated in a two-step, one-pot reaction carried out in a green solvent. In a mechanistic investigation, the coordination of the chlorinating agent to the hydroxy substituent of the planar scaffold prior to chlorine transfer is implicated.

Reaction strategies for the meta-selective functionalization of pyridine through dearomatization

The pyridine moiety is a crucial structural component in various pharmaceuticals. While the direct ortho- and para-functionalization of pyridines is relatively straightforward, the meta-selective C-H functionalization remains a significant challenge. This review highlights dearomatization strategies as a key area of interest in expanding the application of meta-C-H functionalization of pyridines. Dearomatization enables the meta-functionalization through various catalytic methods that directly generate dearomatization products, and some products can be rearomatized back to pyridine derivatives. Furthermore, this article also covers the dearomatization of multiple positions of pyridine in the synthesis of polycyclic compounds. It offers a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in dearomatization at different positions of pyridine, aiming to provide a valuable resource for researchers in this field. It also highlights the advantages and limitations of existing technologies, aiming to inform a broader audience about this important field and foster its future development.

Organocatalyzed Enantioselective Double Dearomatization of Tricyclic Phenols and Alkoxybenzenes

To advance more efficient dearomatization approaches, we present herein an organocatalyzed asymmetric double dearomatization reaction of tricyclic phenols and alkoxybenzenes by leveraging a novel steric hindrance-regulated dearomatization strategy for nonfunctionalized phenols. This protocol allows the efficient synthesis of structurally complex polycyclic diketones with four tertiary carbon centers under mild conditions while also showcasing the potential of multiple dearomatizations for building intricate molecular frameworks from simple starting materials.

Construction of contiguous quaternary carbon centers enabled by dearomatization of phenols with 3-bromooxindoles

A transition metal-free and oxidation-free dearomatization of phenols through conjugate addition to in situ generated indol-2-one from 3-bromooxindole is detailed in this report. This methodology offers an effective approach for the synthesis of a range of 3-substituted oxindoles containing contiguous quaternary carbon centers (CQCCs) with yields of up to 99%. The reaction is characterized by mild conditions, exceptional efficiency, environmental compatibility, favorable functional group tolerance, and scalability to large-scale production.

Enantiodivergent Cyclization of Racemic Cyclohexadienones via Parallel Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation

Strategies that fully convert available racemic substrates into valuable enantioenriched products are urgently needed in organic synthesis. Reported herein is the first parallel kinetic asymmetric transformation of racemic cyclohexadienones. Racemic cyclohexadienones are first diastereoselectively converted into a new pair of racemic transient dienol intermediates, which are then parallel protonated by chiral phosphoric acid to deliver two sets of hydroindole products bearing a quaternary stereocenter with generally excellent enantioselectivity.

Asymmetric dearomatization of benzyl 1-naphthyl ethers via [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement

A catalytic asymmetric dearomatization reaction of benzyl 1-naphthyl ethers accelerated by a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Co(II) complex is disclosed. The reaction proceeds via an enantioselective [1,3] O-to-C rearrangement through a tight ion-pair pathway, providing a wide array of α-naphthalenone derivatives bearing an all-carbon quaternary center in high yields with excellent ee values.

Diastereodivergent and Regioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]furans with Four Consecutive Stereocenters

Base-catalyzed diastereodivergent and regioselective domino processes of triketone enones with arylacetaldehydes for the synthesis of tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]furans with four consecutive stereocenters are reported. Good yields and diastereoselectivities are obtained when DBU is employed as a catalyst; in contrast, Et3N delivers a different diastereomer in excellent diastereoselectivity. This work offers many advantages, including switchable diastereoselectivity, cheap base catalysts, and a simple operation.

Diversity-Oriented Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomatization of Indoles with o-Quinone Diimides

Herein, the first diversity-oriented catalytic asymmetric dearomatization of indoles with o-quinone diimides (o-QDIs) is reported. The catalytic asymmetric dearomatization (CADA) of indoles is one of the research focuses in terms of the structural and biological importance of dearomatized indole derivatives. Although great achievements have been made in target-oriented CADA reactions, diversity-oriented CADA reactions are regarded as more challenging and remain elusive due to the lack of synthons featuring multiple reaction sites and the difficulty in precise control of chemo-, regio-, and enantio-selectivity. In this work, o-QDIs are employed as a versatile building block, enabling the chemo-divergent dearomative arylation and [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of indoles. Under the catalysis of chiral phosphoric acid and mild conditions, various indolenines, furoindolines/pyrroloindolines, and six-membered-ring fused indolines are collectively prepared in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. This diversity-oriented synthesis protocol enriches the o-quinone chemistry and offers new opportunities for CADA reactions.