All-carbon Quaternary Center Research Articles

Asymmetric Michael Reaction of Malononitrile and α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes Catalyzed by Diarylprolinol Silyl Ether

AbstractAn asymmetric Michael reaction of malononitrile and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by a diarylprolinol silyl ether was developed. Michael products were obtained in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities without the formation of overreaction products. As a malononitrile moiety can be transformed into an alkoxy or amino carbonyl moiety by oxidative transformation, α-chiral esters or amides with all-carbon quaternary centers can be synthesized with excellent enantioselectivities.

Oxalates as Activating Groups for Tertiary Alcohols in Photoredox-Catalyzed gem-Difluoroallylation To Construct All-Carbon Quaternary Centers.

Construction of challenging and important all-carbon quaternary centers has received growing attention. Herein, with oxalates as activating groups for tertiary alcohols, we report photoredox-catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation to construct all-carbon quaternary centers enabled by efficient tertiary radical addition to α-trifluoromethyl alkenes. This transformation shows good functional group tolerance for both α-trifluoromethyl alkenes and oxalates. Moreover, this strategy is also successfully applied to the synthesis of monofluoralkenes from the corresponding electron-rich gem-difluoroalkenes and cesium tertiary alkyl oxalates under modified conditions.

Directed Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Arylation of Aliphatic C-H Bonds.

Herein, we describe the nickel-catalyzed reductive arylation of remote C(sp3)-H bonds with aryl electrophiles. The reaction targets secondary and tertiary C(sp3)-H bonds to deliver all-carbon quaternary centers. The success of this method relies on a novel amidyl radical precursor that tolerates reducing conditions, namely O-oxalate hydroxamic acid esters.

Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Dialkyl Malonates Enabling the Construction of Enantioenriched All-Carbon Quaternary Centers.

An enantioselective iridium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of malonates with trisubstituted allylic electrophiles to form all-carbon quaternary stereocenters is reported. This reaction proceeds at ambient temperature and enables the preparation of a wide range of enantioenriched products in up to 93% yield and 97% ee. The quaternary products can be readily converted to several valuable building blocks such as vicinal quaternary products and β-quaternary acids.

Overcoming O-H Insertion to Para-Selective C-H Functionalization of Free Phenols: Rh(II)/Xantphos Catalyzed Geminal Difunctionalization of Diazo Compounds.

Para-selective C–H functionalization of free phenols by metal carbenoids is rather challenging due to the generally more favorable competing O–H insertion. Herein, with the use of the combination of Rh(II) and a Xantphos ligand as the catalyst, a novel multicomponent reaction of free phenols, diazoesters, and allylic carbonates was successfully developed, affording a wide variety of phenol derivatives, bearing an all-carbon quaternary center and a synthetically useful allylic unit. This reaction is likely to occur through a tandem process of carbene-induced para-selective C–H functionalization, followed by Rh(II)/Xantphos-catalyzed allylation. The distinctive reactivity of para-selective C–H rather than O–H insertion for the carbenoid intermediate, combined with features of excellent functional group compatibility, high atom and step economy, and ease in further diversification of the products, might render this protocol highly attractive in facile functionalization of unprotected phenols.

Synthesis of Noraugustamine and Development of an Oxidative Heck/Aza-Wacker Cascade Cyclization.

Radical and transition metal-catalyzed cascade cyclization strategies were investigated with respect to the synthesis of the tetracyclic core of the augustamine-type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. These studies resulted in the synthesis of noraugustamine and the development of an oxidative Heck/aza-Wacker cascade forming two rings, a C-N bond, and an all-carbon quaternary center in a single step.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation of Tertiary C(sp3)-H Bonds of 3-Aryl Benzofuran-2(3H)-ones to Give Z- and E-Styrene Containing Quaternary Carbon Centers with 99/1 Regioselectivity.

The synthesis of isomerically pure olefins containing all-carbon quaternary centers is a challenging issue. Herein, we developed an efficient protocol for the synthesis of (Z)-olefins (27 examples, yield up to 97%, Z/E up to 99/1) and (E)-olefins (16 examples, yield up to 94%, E/Z up to 99/1) containing all-carbon quaternary centers. This protocol is adopted for the copper-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkenylation of the tertiary C(sp3)-H bond of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with alkyne and alkenes. A diverse range of functional groups in the substrates is well-tolerated, such as F, Cl, Br, Me, OMe, ester, CF3, etc. A gram scale experiment was performed in good yield, and the radical mechanisms are also proposed based on the control experiments.

Catalytic Asymmetric Decarboxylative Michael Addition To Construct an All-Carbon Quaternary Center with 3-Alkenyl-oxindoles.

The first highly enantioselective asymmetric decarboxylative addition of β-keto acids with 3-alkenyl-oxindoles bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter have been developed. The relevant products were acquired in 49-98% yields with 88-98% enantioselectivities in the presence of 0.04-1.0 mol % of chiral rhodium catalyst. The comprehensive practicability of this method was proven in the preparation of the key intermediate, which can be easily transformed into analogues of physovenine and physostigmine.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Cascade Arylalkylation of Alkenes with Alkylpyridinium Salts.

Herein, we describe a nickel-catalyzed reductive deaminative arylalkylation of tethered alkenes with pyridinium salts as C(sp3) electrophiles. This two-component dicarbofunctionalization reaction enables the efficient synthesis of various benzene-fused cyclic compounds bearing all-carbon quaternary centers. The approach presented in this paper proceeds under mild conditions, tolerating a wide variety of functional groups and heterocycles. It has been used to functionalize complicated molecules at a late stage.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,2-Carboamidation of Alkenes Enables Access to Chiral 2,3-Dihydro-3-benzofuranmethanamides.

Through the initial screening and further rational design of chiral cyclopentadienyl ligands, a chiral rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective 1,2-carboamidation of aromatic tethered alkenes was developed, enabling the asymmetric preparation of various chiral 2,3-dihydro-3-benzofuranmethanamides with an enantioenriched all-carbon quaternary center at the β position of amide. This robust transformation has a broad functional group tolerance, excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98.5:1.5 er), and a mild reaction conditions, releasing CO2 as the single byproduct.

Structure units oriented approach towards collective synthesis of sarpagine-ajmaline-koumine type alkaloids

Sarpagine-Ajmaline-Koumine type monoterpenoid indole alkaloids represent a fascinating class of natural products with polycyclic and cage-like structures, interesting biological activities, and related biosynthetic origins. Herein we report a unified approach towards the asymmetric synthesis of these three types of alkaloids, leading to a collective synthesis of 14 natural alkaloids. Among them, akuammidine, 19-Z-akuammidine, vincamedine, vincarine, quebrachidine, vincamajine, alstiphylianine J, and dihydrokoumine are accomplished for the first time. Features of our synthesis are a new Mannich-type cyclization to construct the key indole-fused azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane common intermediate, a SmI2 mediated coupling to fuse the aza-bridged E-ring, stereoselective olefinations to install either the 19-E or 19-Z terminal alkenes presented in the natural alkaloids, and an efficient iodo-induced cyclization to establish the two vicinal all-carbon quaternary centers in the Koumine-type alkaloids.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Diarylation of 1,3-Diketone in Total Synthesis of (±)-Spiroaxillarone A.

A sterically congested all-carbon quaternary center was installed for the first time via a Pd-catalyzed cascade diarylation with aryl bromides and acyclic 1,3-diketones. This method was used as a key step in the total synthesis of (±)-spiroaxillarone A. Computational experimental results indicated that the selective diarylation is accelerated by the higher free-energy barriers of the endothermic transmetalation and reductive elimination in the first arylation step.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Desymmetric Arylation of γ,γ-Disubsituted Cyclohexadienones: Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral All-Carbon Quaternary Centers.

The desymmetric arylation of prochiral cyclohexadienones with ArZnCl in the presence of an (R)-segphos-rhodium catalyst gave high yields of the corresponding cyclohexenones, which contain a chiral arylated carbon center at the β-position and a chiral all-carbon quaternary center at the γ-position, with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. This catalytic system was also applied to the arylation of spirocarbocyclic cyclohexadienones and afforded the corresponding cyclohexenones bearing a chiral spiro quaternary carbon with high dr and ee.

Chiral Calcium Phosphate Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Center by Friedel–Crafts Alkylation Reaction of Pyrroles and Trifluoromethylated Nitrostyrenes

AbstractA chiral calcium phosphate-catalyzed enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of pyrroles and α-trifluoromethyl-β-nitrostyrenes has been developed. Pyrroles bearing an all-carbon quaternary center at 2-position were obtained with high to excellent enantioselectivity. Use of 4,7-dihydroindole as a nucleophile and subsequent oxidation resulted in the formation a 2-substituted indole derivative with excellent enantioselectivity. A 3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidine derivative was successfully synthesized by reduction followed by benzoylation of the product without loss of enantioselectivity. Application to a 1 mmol scale reaction was successfully achieved.

Hydroxymethylation of active methenyl compounds: DMSO as methylene source and H2O as oxygen source

A mild and efficient method for hydroxymethylation of active methenyl compounds has been described. In this transformation, the widely available solvents DMSO and H2O served as methylene and oxygen sources, respectively. Under promotion of activator and base, the reaction could be used for the construction of a series of α-hydroxymethylated carbonyl compounds with all-carbon quaternary carbon center in good to excellent yield.

Palladium-Catalyzed Carbene Migratory Insertion/Carbonylation Cascade Reaction: Synthesis of 2-Indolones with a C3 All-Carbon Quaternary Center.

An attractive palladium-catalyzed three-component reaction of ortho-amino aryl diazo esters, allyl carboxylates, and carbon monoxide (CO) has been developed. This catalytic system rendered domino carbene migratory insertion and carbonylation. Remarkably, 2-indolones 3 with a C3 all-carbon quaternary center can be selectively obtained in good to excellent yields via one-pot synthesis, in which two different C-C bonds and one C-N bond were formed in a straightforward manner.

Asymmetric Coupling of β-Ketocarbonyls and Alkynes by Chiral Primary Amine/Rh Synergistic Catalysis.

We herein report a synergetic chiral primary amine and rhodium catalysis for asymmetric coupling of β-ketocarbonyls and alkynes. A series of β-ketocarbonyls could be applied to afford linear allylation products, bearing all-carbon quaternary centers in high regio- and enantioselectivities.

Overcoming the Challenges toward Selective C(6)-H Functionalization of 2-Pyridone with Maleimide through Mn(I)-Catalyst: Easy Access to All-Carbon Quaternary Center.

An earth-abundant and inexpensive Mn(I)-catalyzed alkylation of 2-pyridone with maleimide has been reported for the first time, in contrast to previously reported Diels-Alder products. Notably, an unexpected rearrangement has been discovered in the presence of acetic acid, which also provides a unique class of compounds bearing three different N-heterocycles with an all-carbon quaternary center. Furthermore, single crystal X-ray and HRMS revealed a five-membered manganacycle intermediate. This methodology tolerates a wide variety of functional groups delivering the alkylated products in moderate to excellent yields.

Nucleotide Analogues Bearing a C2′ or C3′-Stereogenic All-Carbon Quaternary Center as SARS-CoV-2 RdRp Inhibitors

The design of novel nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) analogues bearing an all-carbon quaternary center at C2′ or C3′ is described. The construction of this all-carbon stereogenic center involves the use of an intramoleculer photoredox-catalyzed reaction. The nucleoside analogues (NA) hydroxyl functional group at C2′ was generated by diastereoselective epoxidation. In addition, highly enantioselective and diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reactions, diastereoselective N-glycosylations and regioselective triphosphorylation reactions were employed to synthesize the novel NTPs. Two of these compounds are inhibitors of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2, the causal virus of COVID-19.

Ti-Catalyzed Reductive Dehydroxylative Vinylation of Tertiary Alcohols

Metal-catalyzed direct deoxygenative C(sp3)–C(sp2) coupling of alcohols is synthetically appealing, but it remains a particular challenge for the synthetic community. Herein, we demonstrate a radical dehydroxylative vinylation reaction of tertiary alcohols by Ti catalysis and, thus, establish a method for the construction of vinylated all-carbon quaternary centers. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and tolerates various functionalities, including Ar–Bpin, Ar–SiMe3, alkyl chloride, phenol, nitrile, ester, furan, and thiophene. The reaction works with various vinyl halides, including fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and iodides. The use of a mixture of trans- and cis-haloalkenes gives the same trans products. The selectivity profiles were investigated among the vinyl and aryl electrophiles and among the different classes of alcohols.