Intramolecular rhodium-catalysed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of linear chiral N-bridged triynes: straightforward access to fused tetrahydroisoquinoline core

A route for the preparation of merged symmetrical tetrahydroisoquinolines with central chirality through a rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition involving enantiopure triynes as substrates is described. The results show that linear triynes lacking a 3-atom tether can undergo efficient cyclisation. The N-tethered 1,7,13-triynes used in our approach were easily prepared from readily accessible chiral homopropargyl amides, the basic building blocks in our approach, which were efficiently obtained by diastereoselective addition of propargyl magnesium bromide to Ellman imines. Additional substitution at the benzene rings could be attained when substituted triynes at the terminal triple bonds were employed, giving access to more complex tetrahydroisoquinolines after the rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition. Among the different transition-metal catalysts, the Wilkinson complex (RhCl(PPh₃)₃) afforded higher yields in the cyclisation of linear triynes; however, triynes bearing a Br substituent at the terminal positions underwent the cyclisation more efficiently in the presence of [RhCl(CO)₂]₂.

Diastereoselectivity of the Addition of Propargylic Magnesium Reagents to Fluorinated Aromatic Sulfinyl Imines

The addition of propargylmagnesium bromide to fluorinated aromatic sulfinyl imines gave homopropargyl amines with total regio- and diastereoselection. Complete reversal of diastereoselectivity can be achieved in some cases using coordinating (THF) or noncoordinating (DCM) solvents. Substituted propargylic magnesium reagents have been also tested toward fluorinated aryl sulfinyl imines affording chiral homoallenyl amines with good yields and selectivity control. DFT calculations helped to rationalize the origin of the experimental regio- and diastereoselectivities observed in each case.

Pauson-Khand reaction of fluorinated compounds

The Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR) is one of the key methods for the construction of cyclopentenone derivatives, which can in turn undergo diverse chemical transformations to yield more complex biologically active molecules. Despite the increasing availability of fluorinated building blocks and methodologies to incorporate fluorine in compounds with biological interest, there have been few significant advances focused on the fluoro-Pauson-Khand reaction, both in the inter- and intramolecular versions. Furthermore, the use of vinyl fluorides as olefinic counterparts had been completely overlooked. In this review, we collect the advances both on the stoichiometric and catalytic intermolecular and intramolecular fluoro-Pauson-Khand reaction, with special attention to the PKR of enynes containing a fluoride moiety.

The Fluoro-Pauson-Khand Reaction in the Synthesis of Enantioenriched Nitrogenated Bicycles Bearing a Quaternary C-F Stereogenic Center

A variety of enantioenriched fluorinated 6H-cyclopenta[c]pyridin-6-one bicycles, a scaffold present in several classes of monoterpenic alkaloids with varied biological activity, were synthesized in just five steps from simple aldehyde starting materials. The synthesis presented wide functional group tolerance and moderate to high yields and diastereoselectivities and could be carried out on a gram scale. These products were suitable for further transformations, such as hydrogenation and deprotection of the tert-butylsulfonyl protecting group.

Gold(i)-catalysed cascade reactions in the synthesis of 2,3-fused indole derivatives

Unactivated alkenes and 1,3-unsubstituted indoles in gold(i)-catalysed hydroaminative/arylative cascade cyclizations.

Water compatible gold(III)-catalysed synthesis of unsymmetrical ethers from alcohols

An efficient and broad-scoped method for the preparation of unsymmetrical ethers from alcohols catalysed by the simplest and least expensive gold catalyst, NaAuCl(4), is described for the first time. The procedure enables the etherification of benzylic and tertiary alcohols with moderate to good yields under mild conditions with low catalyst loading. Symmetrical ethers, the usual side products in the etherification of alcohols, were not detected in this case. The formation of the racemic ether from a chiral benzyl alcohol suggests the intermediacy of a carbocation, which has not previously been postulated for gold-catalysed reactions involving alcohols.

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reaction involving a secondary sp3 carbon: studies of stereochemistry and scope of the reaction

Palladium-catalyzed C--C bond formation involving secondary sp3-hybridized carbon is described. These reactions occur with secondary 1-bromoethyl arylsulfoxides and different arylboronic acids, to produce the corresponding arylated sulfoxides in moderate to high yields and with complete stereospecificity. Despite the presence of beta hydrogens in the substrate, the competitive beta-hydride elimination is not a significant side reaction when coordinating solvents are used. The reported cross-coupling involves secondary C(sp3)--C(sp2) bond formation: this is the first time that a mechanistic study has been carried out with such substrates. The reaction proceeds with inversion of configuration at the stereogenic C(sp3) carbon. The high stereospecificity of the coupling and the mildness of the reaction conditions allow for the preservation of the optical purities of reagents and products and the preparation of useful chiral targets.

First Synthesis of β-Keto Sulfoxides by a Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Suzuki Reaction

[reaction: see text] An unprecedented palladium-catalyzed three-component cross-coupling reaction between alpha-bromo sulfoxide, carbon monoxide, and aromatic boronic acids provides a new and efficient approach to the synthesis of beta-ketosulfoxides. The reaction takes place under mild conditions with a wide range of variously substituted aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids. The carbonylative cross-coupling reaction is strongly favored over competing direct cross-coupling and homocoupling processes, except with boronic acids carrying strong electron-withdrawing substituents.

Palladium-Catalyzed Reaction of Boronic Acids with Chiral and Racemic α-Bromo Sulfoxides

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of racemic alpha-bromo sulfoxides with boronic acids are carried out in either aqueous or nonaqueous medium with formation of a new C sp(3)-C sp(2) bond. The arylation of chiral alpha-bromo sulfoxides occurs without racemization. The cross-coupling reaction is general and gives high yields with arylboronic acids substituted with either donor or acceptor groups but gives poor results with heteroarylboronic acids. The best yields are obtained using degassed solvents and CsF instead of aqueous base. The use of aqueous base and the presence of oxygen favor the homocoupling side reaction.

Unprecedented palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of alpha-bromo sulfoxides with boronic acids

[reaction: see text] A new Suzuki-type palladium-catalyzed reaction of boronic acids with alpha-bromo sulfoxides has been developed using a protocol similar to the well-documented reaction of boronic acids with aryl halides. Both cross-coupling and homocoupling processes were observed. The best yields in cross-coupling products were obtained when the presence of oxygen was carefully excluded using degassed solvents. The oxidative addition palladium complex intermediate could be isolated and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction.