Strikingly simple direct alpha-allylation of aldehydes with allyl alcohols: remarkable advance in the Tsuji-Trost reaction

Synergistic Organoboron/Palladium Catalysis for Regioselective N-Allylations of Azoles with Allylic Alcohols

A method for regioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of ambident nitrogen heterocycles, employing simple allylic alcohols as electrophile precursors, is described. An organoboron co-catalyst serves both to activate the azole-type nucleophile toward selective N-functionalization and to accelerate the formation of a π-allylpalladium complex from the allylic alcohol. The method can be applied to various heterocycle types, including 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazoles, tetrazoles, pyrazoles, and purines, and can be extended to substituted allylic alcohol partners.

Syntheses and biological effects of natural Morinda lactone and derivatives

2-Caffeoyl-3-ketohexulofuranosonic acid γ-lactone (morinda lactone; 1a), a natural constituent of Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae), and eight derivatives with variance in the aryl residue were synthesised by Tsuji-Trost allylation of vitamin C acetonide with the respective aryl allyl alcohol. They were screened for antibiotic activities and for effects on the growth and persistence of microbial biofilms. Some derivatives were active against biofilms of S. aureus or C. albicans at concentrations not toxic to these microorganisms or mammalian cells.

[Pd]-Catalyzed para-selective allylation of phenols: access to 4-[(E)-3-aryl/alkylprop-2-enyl]phenols

4-[(E)-3-Arylprop-2-enyl]phenols are omnipresent scaffolds and constitute natural products and biologically significant compounds. Obtusastyrene and obtustyrene are two such phenolic-based natural products isolated from Dalbergia retusa. The development of strategies based on a site-selective allylation, particularly protecting group-free substrates and non-activated coupling agents, is indispensable in organic synthesis. Herein, we present a highly regioselective [Pd]-catalyzed para-allylation of phenols using simple, inactivated allylic alcohols as allylating coupling partners. Notably, this strategy is successful in open-air and under mild reaction conditions. Besides, the efficacy of the present protocol was demonstrated by the direct synthesis of obtusastyrene and obtustyrene.

Deconjugative α-Alkylation of Cyclohexenecarboxaldehydes: An Access to Diverse Terpenoids

A general and efficient method for the deconjugative α-alkylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes promoted by a synergistic effect between ^tBuOK and NaH, which considerably increases the reaction rate under mild conditions, is reported. The β,γ-unsaturated aldehyde, resulting from the α-alkylation, is transformed in high yield into the corresponding allyl acetate via a lead(IV) acetate-mediated oxidative fragmentation. This strategy could be used for the construction of the carbon skeleton of a wide variety of alkyl or arylterpenoids.

Counterion-Enhanced Pd/Enamine Catalysis: Direct Asymmetric α-Allylation of Aldehydes with Allylic Alcohols by Chiral Amines and Achiral or Racemic Phosphoric Acids

We report a straightforward and efficient Pd/enamine catalytic procedure for the direct asymmetric α-allylation of branched aldehydes. The use of simple chiral amines and easily prepared achiral or racemic phosphoric acids, together with a suitable Pd-source resulted in a highly active and enantioselective catalyst system for the allylation of various α-branched aldehydes with different allylic alcohols. The reported procedure could provide an easy access to both product antipodes. Furthermore, two possible orthogonal derivatizations of the enantioenriched aldehydes were performed without any decrease in enantioselectivity.

Synthesis of ortho-arylated and alkenylated benzamides by palladium-catalyzed denitrogenative cross-coupling reactions of 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-ones with organoboronic acids

An efficient palladium-catalyzed denitrogenative cross-coupling reaction of 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-ones with organoboronic acids is described. The reaction affords various ortho-aryl and alkenylated benzamides in good to high yields.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed α-Position Carbon–Carbon Bond Formations of Carbonyl Derivatives

α-Functionalization of carbonyl compounds in organic synthesis has traditionally been accomplished via classical enolate chemistry. As α-functionalized carbonyl moieties are ubiquitous in biologically and pharmaceutically valuable molecules, catalytic α-alkylations have been extensively studied, yielding a plethora of practical and efficient methodologies. Moreover, stereoselective carbon–carbon bond formation at the α-position of achiral carbonyl compounds has been achieved by using various transition metal–chiral ligand complexes. This review describes recent advances—in the last 20 years and especially focusing on the last 10 years—in transition metal-catalyzed α-alkylations of carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes, ketones, imines, esters, and amides and in efficient carbon–carbon bond formations. Active catalytic species and ligand design are discussed, and mechanistic insights are presented. In addition, recently developed photo-redox catalytic systems for α-alkylations are described as a versatile synthetic tool for the synthesis of chiral carbonyl-bearing molecules.

A borane-mediated palladium-catalyzed reductive allylic alkylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

The development of the palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of in situ generated boron enolates via tandem 1,4-hydroboration is reported. Investigation of the reaction revealed insights into specific catalyst electronic features as well as a profound leaving group effect that proved crucial for achieving efficient allylic alkylation of ester enolates at room temperature and ultimately a highly preparatively useful synthesis of notoriously challenging acyclic all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. The method demonstrates boron enolates as viable pro-nucleophiles in transition-metal catalyzed allylic alkylation, potentially opening up further transformations outside their traditional use.

Novel Chiral Ligands for Palladium-catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation/ Asymmetric Tsuji-Trost Reaction: A Review

Background:

Asymmetric catalysis holds a prestigious role in organic syntheses since a long time and chiral inductors such as ligands have been used to achieve the utmost desired results at this pitch. The asymmetric version of Tsuji-Trost allylation has played a crucial role in enantioselective synthesis. Various chiral ligands have been known for Pdcatalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation (AAA) reactions and exhibited excellent catalytic potential. The use of chiral ligands as asymmetric inductors has widened the scope of Tsuji-Trost allylic alkylation reactions.

Conclusion:

Therefore, in this review article, a variety of chiral inductors or ligands have been focused for palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (Tsuji-Trost allylation) and in this regard, recently reported literature (2013-2017) has been described. The use of ligands causes the induction of enantiodiscrimination to the allylated products, therefore, the syntheses of various kinds of ligands have been targeted by many research groups to employ in Pd-catalyzed AAA reactions.

Synergistic palladium/enamine catalysis for asymmetric hydrocarbon functionalization of unactivated alkenes with ketones

Synergistic palladium and enamine catalysis was explored to promote ketone addition to unactivated olefins. A secondary amine-based organocatalyst was identified as the optimal co-catalyst for the directed Pd-catalyzed alkene activation. Furthermore, asymmetric hydrocarbon functionalization of unactivated alkenes was also achieved with good to excellent yield (up to 96% yields) and stereoselectivity (up to 96% ee). This strategy presented an efficient approach to prepare α-branched ketone derivatives under mild conditions.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Intramolecular Cyclization and Allylation of Enynoates with Allylic Alcohols

A Pd(II)-catalyzed mild and highly regioselective 6- endo cyclization/allylation reaction of enynoates with simple allylic alcohols has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, the vinyl palladium species generated in situ after cyclization could insert C-C double bond of allylic alcohol through cross-coupling reaction and lead to the formation of allyl pyrone via β-OH elimination. This cascade cross-coupling reaction represents a direct and atom economic methodology for the construction of novel allyl pyrones in moderate to good yields.

C-N Bond Formation from Allylic Alcohols via Cooperative Nickel and Titanium Catalysis

Amination of allylic alcohols is facilitated via cooperative catalysis. Catalytic Ti(O- i-Pr)₄ is shown to dramatically increase the rate of nickel-catalyzed allylic amination, and mechanistic experiments confirm activation of the allylic alcohol by titanium. Aminations of primary and secondary allylic alcohols are demonstrated with a variety of amine nucleophiles. Diene-containing substrates also cyclize onto the nickel allyl intermediate prior to amination, generating carbocyclic amine products. This tandem process is only achieved under our cooperative catalytic system.

Homologation chemistry with nucleophilic α-substituted organometallic reagents: chemocontrol, new concepts and (solved) challenges

The transfer of a reactive nucleophilic CH2X unit into a preformed bond enables the introduction of a fragment featuring the exact and desired degree of functionalization through a single synthetic operation. The instability of metallated α-organometallic species often poses serious questions regarding the practicability of using this conceptually intuitive and simple approach for forming C-C or C-heteroatom bonds. A deep understanding of processes regulating the formation of these nucleophiles is a precious source of inspiration not only for successfully applying theoretically feasible transformations (i.e. determining how to employ a given reagent), but also for designing new reactions which ultimately lead to the introduction of molecular complexity via short experimental sequences.

Efficient Access to All-Carbon Quaternary and Tertiary α-Functionalized Homoallyl-type Aldehydes from Ketones

β,γ-Unsaturated aldehydes with all-carbon quaternary or tertiary α-centers were rapidly assembled from ketones through a unique synthetic operation consisting of 1) C₁ homologation, 2) Lewis acid mediated epoxide-aldehyde isomerization, and 3) electrophilic trapping. The synthetic equivalence of a vinyl oxirane and a β,γ-unsaturated aldehyde is the key concept of this previously undisclosed tactic. Mechanistic studies and labeling experiments suggest that an aldehyde enolate is a crucial intermediate. The homologating carbenoid formation plays a critical role in determining the chemoselectivity.

Et3B-mediated and palladium-catalyzed direct allylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with Morita-Baylis-Hillman alcohols

A practical and efficient palladium-catalyzed direct allylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with both cyclic and acyclic Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) alcohols, using Et₃B as a Lewis acid promoter, is described herein. A wide range of the corresponding functionalized allylated derivatives have been obtained in good yields and with high selectivity.

Non-stabilized enolates – versatile nucleophiles in transition metal-catalysed allylic alkylations

This review covers new developments in the transition metal-catalyzed allylic alkylations of non-stabilized enolates, preferentially generated from ketone, esters or amides.

Direct use of allylic alcohols for palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 3-allylbenzo[b]thiophenes, benzofurans and indoles in aqueous media

Palladium-catalyzed allylative cyclization of 1, 2 and 3 using simple allylic alcohols in aqueous media afforded 3-allylbenzo[b]thiophenes 4, 3-allylindoles 5 and 3-allylbenzofurans 6 in good yields.

Direct borylation of benzyl alcohol and its analogues in the absence of bases

Direct borylation of arylmethanols to synthesize important and useful benzylboronates was carried out through Pd(OAc)₂-catalyzed sp³ C–O activation.

Direct cross-coupling of benzyl alcohols to construct diarylmethanes via palladium catalysis

A direct arylation to furnish diarylmethanes from benzyl alcohols was realized through Pd(PPh₃)₄-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling via benzylic C–O activation in the absence of any additives. The arylation is compatible with various functional groups. This development provides an atom- and step-economic way to approach a diarylmethane scaffold under mild and environmentally benign conditions.

Activation of alcohols with carbon dioxide: intermolecular allylation of weakly acidic pronucleophiles

The direct coupling of allyl alcohols with nitroalkanes, nitriles, and aldehydes using catalytic Pd(PPh3)4 has been accomplished via activation of C-OH bonds with CO2. The in situ formation of carbonates from alcohols and CO2 facilitates oxidative addition to Pd to form reactive π-allylpalladium intermediates. In addition, the formation of a strong base activates nucleophiles toward the reaction with the π-allylpalladium electrophile. Overall, this atom economical reaction provides a new C-C bond without the use of an external base and generates water as the only byproduct.

Hydrogen-bond-assisted activation of allylic alcohols for palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions

We report direct activation of allylic alcohols using a hydrogen-bond-assisted palladium catalyst and use this for alkylation and amination reactions. The novel catalyst comprises a palladium complex based on a functionalized monodentate phosphoramidite ligand in combination with urea additives and affords linear alkylated and aminated allylic products selectively. Detailed kinetic analysis show that oxidative addition of the allyl alcohol is the rate-determining step, which is facilitated by hydrogen bonds between the alcohol, the ligand functional group, and the additional urea additive.

Palladium catalyzed direct allylation of azlactones with simple allylic alcohols in the absence of any activators

The first example of the readily scalable direct allylic alkylation of azlactones with simple allylic alcohols has been developed, which is catalyzed by Pd(PPh₃)₄ alone in the absence of any activators under neutral conditions.

α-Borylcarbonyl compounds: from transient intermediates to robust building blocks

Various aspects of α-borylcarbonyl chemistry are discussed including transient intermediate detection, stable molecule preparation, and their applications in organic synthesis.

Development of asymmetric deacylative allylation

Herein we present the development of asymmetric deacylative allylation of ketone enolates. The reaction directly couples readily available ketone pronucleophiles with allylic alcohols using facile retro-Claisen cleavage to form reactive intermediates in situ. The simplicity and robustness of the reaction conditions is demonstrated by the preparation of >6 g of an allylated tetralone from commercially available materials. Furthermore, use of nonracemic PHOX ligands allows intermolecular formation of quaternary stereocenters directly from allylic alcohols.

Chemoselective palladium-catalyzed α-allylation of α-boryl aldehydes

Herein we report the development of an α-allylation reaction of α-boryl aldehydes that preserves the carbon-boron bond under Pd(0)/Pd(II) catalysis. A variety of α-boryl aldehydes and allylic alcohols participate in this chemoselective transformation. The α-allylated products were obtained as single regioisomers.

An efficient and convenient palladium catalyst system for the synthesis of amines from allylic alcohols

A novel catalyst system for efficient amination of allylic alcohols with aryl and alkyl amines is presented. By applying a convenient combination consisting of Pd(OAc)(2)/1,10-phenanthroline, a variety of allylic alcohols reacted smoothly to give the corresponding secondary and tertiary amines in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. The usefulness of our protocol is demonstrated in the one-step synthesis of the antifungal drug naftifine and the calcium channel blocker flunarizine.