Allylic Substrates Research Articles

Front Cover: Recent Advances in the Catalytic Umpolung Carboxylation of Allylic Alcohol Derivatives with Carbon Dioxide (Asian J. Org. Chem. 5/2022)

Allylic alcohols and their derivatives are readily available organic compounds that are frequently employed in organic synthesis. These allylic substrates add oxidatively to transition metals to form π-allyl metal species, which instantly become nucleophilic under reductive conditions and react with various electrophiles including the rather stable CO2 to afford synthetically useful β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in such catalytic umpolung carboxylations of allyl alcohols, acetates, pivalates, and halides with CO2 under thermal, photochemical, and electrochemical conditions. More information can be found in the Review by Tsuyoshi Mita et al.

Electrocatalytic Isomerization of Allylic Alcohols: Straightforward Preparation of β-Aryl-Ketones

Electrochemical synthesis has been rapidly developing over the past few years. Here, we report a practical and eco-friendly electrocatalytic isomerization of allylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds. This reaction can be carried out in undivided cells without the addition of external chemical oxidants and metal catalysts. Moreover, this reaction features a broad substrate scope including challenging allylic alcohols bearing tri- and tetra-substituted olefins and affords straightforward access to diverse β-aryl-ketones. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the reactions proceed through a radical process. This study represents a unique example in which electrochemistry enables hydrogen atom transfer in organic allylic alcohol substrates using a simple organocatalyst.

Structure-based engineering of a short-chain cis-prenyltransferase to biosynthesize nonnatural all-cis-polyisoprenoids: molecular mechanisms for primer substrate recognition and ultimate product chain-length determination.

Most cis-prenyltransferases (cPTs) use all-trans-oligoprenyl diphosphate, such as (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP, C15 ), but scarcely accept dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP, C5 ), as an allylic diphosphate primer in consecutive cis-condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate. Consequently, naturally occurring cis-1,4-polyisoprenoids contain a few trans-isoprene units at their ω-end. However, some Solanum plants have distinct cPTs that primarily use DMAPP as a primer to synthesize all-cis-oligoprenyl diphosphates, such as neryl diphosphate (NPP, C10 ). However, the mechanism underlying the allylic substrate preference of cPTs remains unclear. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of NDPS1, an NPP synthase from tomato, and investigated critical residues for primer substrate preference through structural comparisons of cPTs. Highly conserved Gly and Trp in the primer substrate-binding region of cPTs were discovered to be substituted for Ile/Leu and Phe, respectively, in DMAPP-preferring cPTs. An I106G mutant of NDPS1 exhibited a low preference for DMAPP, but a higher preference for FPP. However, an I106G/F276W mutant preferred not only DMAPP but also all-trans-oligoprenyl diphosphates, with 15-fold higher catalytic efficiency than WT. Surprisingly, the mutant synthesized longer polyisoprenoids (~C50 ). Furthermore, one of the helix domains that constitute the hydrophobic cleft for accommodating elongating prenyl chains was also demonstrated to be critical in primer substrate preference. An NDPS1 I106G/F276W mutant with a chimeric helix domain swapped with that of a medium-chain cPT synthesizing C50-60 polyisoprenoids showed over 94-fold increase in catalytic efficiency for all primer substrates tested, resulting in longer products (~C70 ). These NDPS1 mutants could be used in the enzymatic synthesis of nonnatural all-cis-polyisoprenoids.

Combined Effect of Palladium Catalyst and the Alcohol to Promote the Uncommon Bis‐Alkoxycarbonylation of Allylic Substrates

AbstractA chemoselective method for the carbonylation of allylic substrates CH2=CHCH2X (X=OAc, OC(O)CH2CN, OPh, OEt, OC(O)OPh, OC(O)OiBu, N(H)C(O)Ph, N(Ph)C(O)Ph, N(H)Boc, N(Ph)Boc, Ph, CO2Bn, CN), leading to alkyl succinates with preservation of the X group, under Pd(II)‐catalyzed oxidative carbonylation conditions, has been developed. Our method shows a completely different inverse chemoselectivity with respect to the “classical” substitutive carbonylation of the allyl compounds, which is known to provide β,γ‐unsaturated carbonyl derivatives through the formation of a π‐allylpalladium intermediate. An accurate study, carried out using allyl acetate as model substrate, allowed to maximize the selectivity in the envisioned 2‐CH2X substituted succinates. The best catalyst is generated in situ by mixing Pd(TFA)2 (TFA=trifluoroacetate) and the N,N′‐di(anthracen‐9‐yl)butane‐2,3‐diimine ligand. p‐Benzoquinone was used as oxidant in presence of benzyl alcohol, which acts as a nucleophile and as a solvent, under 4 bar of CO at 20 °C. A combined effect of the ligand and the nucleophile, rationalized through DFT calculations, has been observed both in promoting the bis‐alkoxycarbonylation process and in preventing π‐allylpalladium‐mediated side reactions, allowing the attainment of succinate derivatives with moderate to good yields.

Photochemical Organocatalytic Benzylation of Allylic C-H Bonds.

We report a radical-based organocatalytic method for the direct benzylation of allylic C-H bonds. The process uses nonfunctionalized allylic substrates and readily available benzyl radical precursors and is driven by visible light. Crucial was the identification of a dithiophosphoric acid that performs two distinct catalytic roles, sequentially acting as a catalytic donor for the formation of photoactive electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes and then as a hydrogen atom abstractor. By mastering these orthogonal radical generation paths, the organic catalyst enables the formation of benzylic and allylic radicals, respectively, to then govern their selective coupling. The protocol was also used to design a three-component radical process, which increased the synthetic potential of the chemistry.

Photoinduced Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Acylation of Allylic Phosphates with Acylsilanes.

We report a visible-light-induced copper-catalyzed highly enantioselective umpolung allylic acylation reaction with acylsilanes as acyl anion equivalents. Triplet-quenching experiments and DFT calculations supported our reaction design, which is based on copper-to-acyl metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) photoexcitation that generates a charge-separated triplet state as a highly reactive intermediate. According to the calculations, the allylic phosphate substrate in the excited state undergoes novel molecular activation into an allylic radical weakly bound to the copper complex. The allyl radical fragment undergoes copper-mediated regio- and stereocontrolled coupling with the acyl group under the influence of the chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligand.

Au(I)/Au(III) Catalytic Allylation Involving π-Allyl Au(III) Complexes

A (MeDalphos)AuCl complex was found to efficiently catalyze the cross-coupling of indoles and allyl acetates/alcohols. The reaction tolerates many functional groups and selectively affords the branched C3-allylated products from both α- and γ-substituted allyl substrates. It takes the advantage of the hemilabile character of the P∧N ligand. The C(sp2)–C(sp3) coupling operates via a Au(I)/Au(III) redox cycle and involves a dicationic π-allyl Au(III) complex as a key intermediate. In this case, the allyl moiety adopts an asymmetric σ + π-coordination mode, as substantiated by NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Rhenium-catalysed reactions in chemical synthesis: selected case studies.

This Perspective presents and discusses a selection of examples that reinforce the enabling and distinctive reactivity provided by homogeneous rhenium catalysis in chemical synthesis. Specifically, the ability for lower oxidation state rhenium-carbonyl catalysts to engage alkyne, allene, and enol substrates in various carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions is highlighted. The inherent capacity of Lewis acidic, higher oxidation state oxorhenium catalysts to facilitate the transposition/isomerisation of allyl alcohols and attendant functionalisation via reaction cascades is also showcased. A brief overview of representative rhenium catalysts that have allowed for reductions of imines, carbonyls, and related compounds is also provided.

Development of chiral bisphosphoric acid/boronic acid co-catalyst system for enantioselective SN2’ reaction

An enantioselective intramolecular SN2’ reaction of geometrically defined allylic substrates was developed by introducing a co-catalyst system composed of chiral bisphosphoric acid and phenylboronic acid. In the enantioselective nucleophilic substitution reaction using chiral phosphoric acids and derivatives (CPAs) as the catalyst, the formation of the corresponding CPA ester, which is afforded through the SN2 reaction of the substrate with the nucleophilic phosphate anion generated during the activation of a leaving group, has been a serious problem because of the catalyst deactivation. The developed co-catalyst system surmounted this fundamental problem by efficiently suppressing the catalyst deactivation process to afford enantioenriched vinyl epoxides in good yields with moderate to high enantioselectivities. Mechanistic elucidation of the present enantioselective intramolecular SN2’ reaction using the co-catalyst system revealed that the leaving group is involved in the enantio-determining transition states, and the anti-SN2’ pathway is considered to be the rational mechanism of the present allylic substitution reaction. In addition, the stereospecific Meinwald rearrangement of the thus-formed enantioenriched vinyl epoxide was aided by an equimolar amount of a Lewis acid, affording the corresponding all-carbon quaternary α-vinyl cyclohexanone without marked loss of enantiomeric purity.

Direct Synthesis of Allyl Amines with 2-Nitrosulfonamide Derivatives via the Tsuji-Trost Reaction.

The Tsuji‐Trost Reaction is a palladium‐catalysed allylation of nucleophiles that consists in the reaction of a nitrogen, carbon or oxygen‐based nucleophiles with an allylic substrate bearing a leaving group. Here we present the use of 2‐nitrosulfonamide derivatives as nucleophile, which are reactive under mild conditions. 2‐nitrosulfonyl groups are well‐known dual protective activator groups easy to introduce in any type of amine substrates. The resulting 2‐nitrosulfonamide derivatives are ideal substrates for the Tsuji‐Trost reaction to afford a convenient and flexible access to primary and dissymmetric secondary allyl amines. The optimised procedure is flexible (for solvent, temperature, functional groups) and has been applied with good to excellent yield to access to a wide range of allyl amine derivatives.

1,3-Alkyl Transposition in Allylic Alcohols Enabled by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer.

A method is described for the isomerization of acyclic allylic alcohols into β-functionalized ketones via 1,3-alkyl transposition. This reaction proceeds via light-driven proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) activation of the O-H bond in the allylic alcohol substrate, followed by C-C β-scission of the resulting alkoxy radical. The transient alkyl radical and enone acceptor generated in the scission event subsequently recombine via radical conjugate addition to deliver β-functionalized ketone products. A variety of allylic alcohol substrates bearing alkyl and acyl migratory groups were successfully accommodated. Insights from mechanistic studies led to a modified reaction protocol that improves reaction performance for challenging substrates.

1,3‐Alkyl Transposition in Allylic Alcohols Enabled by Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer

AbstractA method is described for the isomerization of acyclic allylic alcohols into β‐functionalized ketones via 1,3‐alkyl transposition. This reaction proceeds via light‐driven proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) activation of the O−H bond in the allylic alcohol substrate, followed by C−C β‐scission of the resulting alkoxy radical. The transient alkyl radical and enone acceptor generated in the scission event subsequently recombine via radical conjugate addition to deliver β‐functionalized ketone products. A variety of allylic alcohol substrates bearing alkyl and acyl migratory groups were successfully accommodated. Insights from mechanistic studies led to a modified reaction protocol that improves reaction performance for challenging substrates.

Iridium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Substitutions of Racemic, Branched Trichloroacetimidates with Heteroatom Nucleophiles: Formation of Allylic C−O, C−N, and C−S Bonds

AbstractA broadly applicable methodology for the regio‐ and enantioselective construction of branched allylic carbon‐heteroatom bonds from racemic, secondary allylic trichloroacetimidates has been developed. The branched allylic substrates undergo dynamic kinetic asymmetric substitution reactions with a number of unactivated anilines and carboxylic acids as well as unactivated aromatic thiols in the presence of a chiral bicyclo[3.3.0]octadiene‐ligated iridium catalyst. The allylic C−O, C−N, and C−S bond containing products are obtained in synthetically useful yield and selectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest that the iridium‐catalyzed enantioselective substitution reactions of heteroatom nucleophiles with allylic trichloroacetimidate substrates through an outer‐sphere nucleophilic addition mechanism. In addition, the chiral diene‐ligated iridium catalyst is effective at promoting asymmetric aminations of acyclic secondary anilines. Importantly, this catalytic iridium methodology enables the use of alkyl substituted allylic electrophiles.magnified image

A Formal Rearrangement of Allylic Silanols

We show that 1M aqueous HCl/THF or NaBH4/DMF allows for demercurative ring-opening of cyclic organomercurial synthons into secondary silanol products bearing terminal alkenes. We had previously demonstrated that primary allylic silanols are readily transformed into cyclic organomercurials using Hg(OTf)2/NaHCO3 in THF. Overall, this amounts to a facile two-step protocol for the rearrangement of primary allylic silanol substrates. Computational investigations suggest that this rearrangement is under thermodynamic control and that the di-tert-butylsilanol protecting group is essential for product selectivity.

Broadening the Scope of the Zwitterionic 1,3-Diaza-Claisen Rearrangement through a Tethering Strategy.

Expansion of the scope of the 1,3-diaza-Claisen rearrangement beyond bridged-bicyclic tertiary allylic amines has been investigated through a tethering strategy. Isothioureas tethered to tertiary allylic amines are converted to carbodiimides through a reaction with AgOTf/Et3N. Intramolecular cyclization of the tertiary allylic amine to the carbodiimide equilibrates with a zwitterionic intermediate. Heating the carbodiimide/zwitterion affords a rearrangement product. Heating carbodiimide/zwitterion with a deuterated allyl group results in the scrambling of the deuterium label, which is consistent with an ionic mechanism involving heterolytic cleavage of the allylic C-N bond, followed by trapping of the allyl cation at either terminal carbon. The ionic mechanism is attributed to silver salt contamination since pushing deuterium-labeled carbodiimide/zwitterion through silica gel prior to heating results in clean deuterium transposition consistent with a sigmatropic mechanism, and adding back silver salts results in deuterium scrambling. Overall, the tethering strategy broadens the scope of the rearrangement to simpler allylic substrates. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the sigmatropic rearrangement are in agreement with reactivity trends observed with reactions run under silver-free conditions.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters by Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation: A Review.

Quaternary stereocenters are of great importance to the three-dimensionality and enhanced properties of new molecules, but the synthetic challenges in creating quaternary stereocenters greatly hinder their wide use in drug discovery, organic material design, and natural product synthesis. The asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) of allylic substrates has proven to be a powerful methodology for enantioselective formation of structure skeletons bearing single or more quaternary carbon centers in modern asymmetric organocatalysis. AAA has certain advantages in constructing the tetrasubstituted stereocenters, including but not limited to mild reactive conditions, effective reaction rates, new functional group introduction, and carbon chains length extension. This review outlines the key considerations in the application of AAA reactions and summarizes the recent progress of AAA reactions in the enantioselective synthesis of products containing quaternary stereocenters. Meanwhile, a detailed discussion of the AAA reactions such as ligands, scope of substrates, transformations and the general reaction mechanisms is also provided. We hope this review could stimulate further advances in much broader areas, including organic synthesis, asymmetric catalysis, C-H activation, and symmetrical pharmaceutical chemistry.

Celebrating Professor Barry M. Trost's 80th Birthday

Celebrating Professor Barry M. Trost's 80^th Birthday

Enantioselective Formation of Quaternary Centers by Allylic Alkylation with First-Row Transition-Metal Catalysts.

Asymmetric allylic alkylation mediated by transition metals provides an efficient strategy to form quaternary stereogenic centers. While this transformation is dominated by the use of second- and third-row transition metals (e.g., Pd, Rh, and Ir), recent developments have revealed the potential of first-row transition metals, which provide not only a less expensive and potentially equally efficient alternative but also new mechanistic possibilities. This review summarizes examples for the assembly of quaternary stereocenters using prochiral allylic substrates and hard, achiral nucleophiles in the presence of copper complexes and highlights the complementary approaches with soft, prochiral nucleophiles catalyzed by chiral cobalt and nickel complexes.

Unusual Rearrangement-Remercuration Reactions of Allylic Silanols.

We present the first examples of rearrangement reactions of allylic silanol substrates into linear ketone and 5-membered cyclic silanediol organomercurial products. Both reactions are mediated by Hg(OTf)2 but differ in the use of base, solvent, and temperature. The substrate scope of both transformations was explored, and the product organomercurials were shown to be valuable synthons. Mechanistic studies suggest that both products are the result of a series of transformations, cascading in one pot. DFT analysis provides a basis for understanding the rearrangement of a 6-endo intermediate into the 5-exo cyclic silanediol product.

Easy access to secondary and tertiary alcohols via metal-free and light mediated radical carbonyl allylation.

Here we report a strategy for carbonyl addition with unactivated alkenes using an organic photocatalyst on both aldehyde and ketone substrates. This protocol grants us a good alternative to the traditional Barbier-Grignard allylation that exhibits poor functional group tolerance. With this method the stoichiometric use of metals can be avoided, high atom economy can be achieved and fewer by-products are generated.