Pybox Research Articles

Catalytic Asymmetric [4+1] Spiroannulation of α-Bromo-β-Naphthols with Azoalkenes by an Electrophilic Dearomatization/S RN 1-Debromination Approach

Catalytic Asymmetric [4+1] Spiroannulation of α-Bromo-β-Naphthols with Azoalkenes by an Electrophilic Dearomatization/S _RN 1-Debromination Approach

Asymmetric Alkyl and Aryl/Azolation of Alkenes via a Single Cu(I) Complex

The copper-catalyzed, highly enantioselective alkyl and aryl/azolation of alkenes is reported. The employment of the chiral carbazole-based bisoxazoline (Cbzbox) ligand is critical to the success o...

Anionic Bisoxazoline Ligands Enable Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Radical Azidation of Acrylamides.

Asymmetric radical azidation for the synthesis of chiral alkylazides remains a tremendous challenge in organic synthesis. We report here an unprecedented highly enantioselective radical azidation of acrylamides catalyzed by 1 mol % of a copper catalyst. The substrates were converted to the corresponding alkylazides in high yield with good-to-excellent enantioselectivity. Notably, employing an anionic cyano-bisoxazoline (CN-Box) ligand is crucial to generate a monomeric CuII azide species, rather than a dimeric CuII azide intermediate, for this highly enantioselective radical azidation.

Anionic Bisoxazoline Ligands Enable Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Radical Azidation of Acrylamides

AbstractAsymmetric radical azidation for the synthesis of chiral alkylazides remains a tremendous challenge in organic synthesis. We report here an unprecedented highly enantioselective radical azidation of acrylamides catalyzed by 1 mol % of a copper catalyst. The substrates were converted to the corresponding alkylazides in high yield with good‐to‐excellent enantioselectivity. Notably, employing an anionic cyano‐bisoxazoline (CN‐Box) ligand is crucial to generate a monomeric CuII azide species, rather than a dimeric CuII azide intermediate, for this highly enantioselective radical azidation.

A Unified Strategy for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,2-Amino Alcohols Leading to Highly Substituted Bisoxazoline Ligands

A general procedure for the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted 1,2-amino alcohols in high yield and diastereoselectivity is described that uses organometallic additions of a wide range of nucleophiles to tert-butylsulfinimines as the key step. The addition of organolithium reagents to these imines follows a modified Davis model. The diastereoselectivity for this reaction depends significantly on both the nucleophile and electrophile. These highly substituted 1,2-amino alcohols are used to synthesize stereochemically diverse and structurally novel, polysubstituted 2,2'-methylene(bisoxazoline) ligands in high yields.

Enantioselective C-H Amination Catalyzed by Nickel Iminyl Complexes Supported by Anionic Bisoxazoline (BOX) Ligands.

The trityl-substituted bisoxazoline (TrHBOX) was prepared as a chiral analogue to a previously reported nickel dipyrrin system capable of ring-closing amination catalysis. Ligand metalation with divalent NiI2(py)4 followed by potassium graphite reduction afforded the monovalent (TrHBOX)Ni(py) (4). Slow addition of 1.4 equiv of a benzene solution of 1-adamantylazide to 4 generated the tetrazido (TrHBOX)Ni(κ2-N4Ad2) (5) and terminal iminyl adduct (TrHBOX)Ni(NAd) (6). Investigation of 6 via single-crystal X-ray crystallography, NMR and EPR spectroscopies, and computations revealed a Ni(II)-iminyl radical formulation, similar to its dipyrrinato congener. Complex 4 exhibits enantioselective intramolecular C-H bond amination to afford N-heterocyclic products from 4-aryl-2-methyl-2-azidopentanes. Catalytic C-H amination occurs under mild conditions (5 mol % catalyst, 60 °C) and provides pyrrolidine products in decent yield (29%-87%) with moderate ee (up to 73%). Substrates with a 3,5-dialkyl substitution on the 4-aryl position maximized the observed enantioselectivity. Kinetic studies to probe the reaction mechanism were conducted using 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopies. A small, intermolecular kinetic isotope effect (1.35 ± 0.03) suggests an H-atom abstraction step with an asymmetric transition state while the reaction rate is measured to be first order in catalyst and zeroth order in substrate concentrations. Enantiospecific deuterium labeling studies show that the enantioselectivity is dictated by both the H-atom abstraction and radical recombination steps due to the comparable rate between radical rotation and C-N bond formation. Furthermore, the competing elements of the two-step reaction where H-removal from the pro-R configuration is preferred while the preferential radical capture occurs with the Si face of the carboradical likely lead to the diminished ee observed, as corroborated by theoretical calculations. Based on these enantio-determining steps, catalytic enantioselective synthesis of 2,5-bis-tertiary pyrrolidines is demonstrated with good yield (50-78%) and moderate ee (up to 79%).

Studies on a catalytic version of the Matteson asymmetric homologation reaction.

Studies of a catalytic asymmetric version of the Matteson reaction between dichloromethylboronates and organolithium reagents have been undertaken. From several different chiral catalytic systems studied, only one based on a mannitol derivative has given substantial asymmetric induction close to that previously achieved with a bis(oxazoline) derivative and ytterbium triflate. More detailed study of the latter reaction revealed that fresh ytterbium triflate actually reduced the level of asymmetric induction, while "aged" ytterbium triflate, or a fresh sample that had been treated with water, brought about improved induction. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective 1,2-vinylboration of styrenes.

A novel nickel-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-vinylboration reaction has been developed to afford benzylic alkenylboration products with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities by using a chiral bisoxazoline ligand. Under optimized conditions, a wide variety of chiral 2-boryl-1,1-arylvinylalkanes are efficiently prepared from readily available olefins and vinyl halides in the presence of bis(pinacolato)diboron as the boron source in a mild and easy-to-operate manner. This three-component cascade protocol furnishes exceptional chemo- and stereoselectivity, and its usefulness is illustrated by its application in asymmetric modifications of several structurally complex natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Hexafluoroisopropanol-Enabled Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Halogenation of Cyclic Diaryliodoniums for the Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2,2'-Dihalobiaryls.

An efficient asymmetric halogenation of cyclic diaryliodonium salts is demonstrated, which gives access to a wide range of axially chiral 2,2'-dihalobiaryls in good to excellent yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. The use of CuX with chiral bisoxazoline ligand and tetrabutylammonium halides in the unique solvent of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) led to the best results in the process. The axially chiral 2,2'-dihalobiaryls can be transformed into a number of enantiopure chiral ligands that could be potentially useful in asymmetric catalysis.

Nickel‐Catalyzed, Regio‐ and Enantioselective Benzylic Alkenylation of Olefins with Alkenyl Bromide

AbstractA NiH‐catalyzed migratory hydroalkenylation reaction of olefins with alkenyl bromides has been developed, affording benzylic alkenylation products with high yields and excellent chemoselectivity. The mild conditions of the reaction preclude olefinic products from undergoing further isomerization or subsequent alkenylation. Catalytic enantioselective hydroalkenylation of styrenes was achieved by using a chiral bisoxazoline ligand.

Nickel-Catalyzed, Regio- and Enantioselective Benzylic Alkenylation of Olefins with Alkenyl Bromide.

A NiH-catalyzed migratory hydroalkenylation reaction of olefins with alkenyl bromides has been developed, affording benzylic alkenylation products with high yields and excellent chemoselectivity. The mild conditions of the reaction preclude olefinic products from undergoing further isomerization or subsequent alkenylation. Catalytic enantioselective hydroalkenylation of styrenes was achieved by using a chiral bisoxazoline ligand.

Cu(I)/Chiral Bisoxazoline-Catalyzed Enantioselective Sommelet-Hauser Rearrangement of Sulfonium Ylides.

Catalytic asymmetric thia-Sommelet-Hauser rearrangement of sulfonium ylides remains a great challenge due to its multistep reaction mechanism involving metal carbene formation, proton transfer, and [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. In particular, the key problem of such reactions is the differentiation of the enantiotopic lone pair electrons of sulfur, which generates the sulfonium ylide intermediate bearing chirality on the sulfur atom. With a modified chiral bisoxazoline ligand, we developed a Cu(I)-catalyzed asymmetric thia-Sommelet-Hauser rearrangement with good to excellent enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies provide insights into the details of the reaction mechanism.

Asymmetric hetero‐Diels‐Alder Reaction of trans‐1‐Methoxy‐3‐trimethylsilyloxy‐buta‐1,3‐diene Catalyzed by Zinc Complexes

Asymmetric hetero‐Diels‐Alder reactions of Danishefsky's diene and glyoxylate/pyruvate esters catalyzed by readily available zinc triflate complex with BOX ligand afforded the corresponding adduct which upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid furnished the hetero‐Diels‐Alder product in 91 % enantiomeric excess and 87 % isolated yield. This reaction was applied to the concise synthesis of six‐membered ulosonic acid C‐glycoside.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Benzylic Radicals via Ring Opening of Cyclopropanols

Summary The asymmetric trifluoromethylation of aryl-substituted cyclopropanols via a radical ring-opening pathway is reported herein, which provides an easy and straightforward access to structurally diverse β-CF3 ketones in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities under very mild conditions. Critical to the success of the copper-catalyzed radical relay is that a benzylic radical intermediate can be enantioselectively trapped by reactive (L∗)CuIICF3. In addition, a novel quinolinyl-containing bisoxazoline ligand plays a significant role in the asymmetric trifluoromethylation.

Asymmetric Ni-Catalyzed Radical Relayed Reductive Coupling.

Alkene dicarbofunctionalizations enable the streamlined construction of aliphatic structures and have thus been the subject of intense research efforts. Despite significant progress, catalytic asymmetric variants remain scarce. Inspired by the advantages of reductive cross-coupling approaches, we present here a highly efficient asymmetric intermolecular Ni-catalyzed reductive dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes. Two distinct readily available electrophiles, namely, Csp2- and Csp3-halides, are added simultaneously across a variety of olefins (vinyl amides, vinyl boranes, vinyl phosphonates) at room temperature in a highly regio- and enantioselective manner. The reaction, devoid of sensitive organometallic reagents, takes advantage of an in situ generated chiral alkyl Ni(III)-intermediate to ensure a stereodefined outcome in the Csp3-Csp2 bond-forming reaction. An (l)-(+)-isoleucine chiral bisoxazoline ligand and the presence of coordinating sites on the alkene are key for the successful outcome in these "asymmetric radical relayed reductive couplings" (ARRRCs). Further, multiple transformations of the chiral amides obtained in this process showcase the potential of this new methodology for the straightforward assembly of chiral building blocks such as primary and secondary amines and oxazolines, highlighting its synthetic utility.

CuII/TEMPO‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3)–H Alkynylation of Tertiary Cyclic Amines through Shono‐Type Oxidation

AbstractA novel strategy for asymmetric Shono‐type oxidative cross‐coupling has been developed by merging copper catalysis and electrochemistry, affording C1‐alkynylated tetrahydroisoquinolines with good to excellent enantioselectivity. The use of TEMPO as a co‐catalytic redox mediator is crucial not only for oxidizing a tetrahydroisoquinoline to an iminium ion species but also for decreasing the oxidation potential of the reaction. A novel bisoxazoline ligand is also reported.

CuII /TEMPO-Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3 )-H Alkynylation of Tertiary Cyclic Amines through Shono-Type Oxidation.

A novel strategy for asymmetric Shono-type oxidative cross-coupling has been developed by merging copper catalysis and electrochemistry, affording C1-alkynylated tetrahydroisoquinolines with good to excellent enantioselectivity. The use of TEMPO as a co-catalytic redox mediator is crucial not only for oxidizing a tetrahydroisoquinoline to an iminium ion species but also for decreasing the oxidation potential of the reaction. A novel bisoxazoline ligand is also reported.

Catalytic Enantioselective Benzilic Ester Rearrangement.

We report the first examples of catalytic enantioselective benzilic ester rearrangement reaction. In the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)2 and a chiral box ligand under mild conditions, reaction of 2,3-diketoesters with alcohols afforded structurally diverse α-aryl(alkyl) substituted-α-hydroxy malonates (tartronic esters) in good to excellent yields with high enantioselectivities. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that hemiketalization, rather than the dynamic kinetic resolution of hemiketal, was the enantiodetermining step under our reaction conditions.

Catalytic Enantioselective Benzilic Ester Rearrangement

AbstractWe report the first examples of catalytic enantioselective benzilic ester rearrangement reaction. In the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)2 and a chiral box ligand under mild conditions, reaction of 2,3‐diketoesters with alcohols afforded structurally diverse α‐aryl(alkyl) substituted‐α‐hydroxy malonates (tartronic esters) in good to excellent yields with high enantioselectivities. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that hemiketalization, rather than the dynamic kinetic resolution of hemiketal, was the enantiodetermining step under our reaction conditions.

Catalyzing Electrosynthesis: A Homogeneous Electrocatalytic Approach to Reaction Discovery.

Electrochemistry has been used as a tool to drive chemical reactions for over two centuries. With the help of an electrode and a power source, chemists are bestowed with an imaginary reagent whose potential can be precisely dialed in. The theoretically infinite redox range renders electrochemistry capable of oxidizing or reducing some of the most tenacious compounds (e.g., F- to F2 and Li+ to Li0). Meanwhile, a granular level of control over the electrode potential allows for the chemoselective differentiation of functional groups with minute differences in potential. These features make electrochemistry an attractive technique for the discovery of new modes of reactivity and transformations that are not readily accessible with chemical reagents alone. Furthermore, the use of an electrical current in place of chemical redox agents improves the cost-efficiency of chemical processes and reduces byproduct generation. Therefore, electrochemistry represents an attractive approach to meet the prevailing trends in organic synthesis and has seen increasingly broad use in the synthetic community over the past several years.While electrochemical oxidation or reduction can provide access to reactive intermediates, redox-active molecular catalysts (i.e., electrocatalysts) can also enable the generation of these intermediates at reduced potentials with improved chemoselectivity. Moreover, electrocatalysts can impart control over the chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities of the chemical processes that take place after electron transfer at electrode surfaces. Thus, electrocatalysis has the potential to significantly broaden the scope of organic electrochemistry and enable a wide range of new transformations. Our initial foray into electrocatalytic synthesis led to the development of two generations of alkene diazidation reactions, using transition-metal and organic catalysis, respectively. In these reactions, the electrocatalysts play two critical roles; they promote the single-electron oxidation of N3- at a reduced potential and complex with the resultant transient N3• to form persistent reactive intermediates. The catalysts facilitate the sequential addition of 2 equiv of azide across the alkene substrates, leading to a diverse array of synthetically useful vicinally diaminated products.We further applied this electrocatalytic radical mechanism to the heterodifunctionalization of alkenes. Anodically coupled electrolysis enables the simultaneous anodic generation of two distinct radical intermediates, and the appropriate choice of catalyst allowed the subsequent alkene addition to occur in a chemo- and regioselective fashion. Using this strategy, a variety of difunctionalization reactions, including halotrifluoromethylation, haloalkylation, and azidophosphinoylation, were successfully developed. Importantly, we also demonstrated enantioselective electrocatalysis in the context of Cu-promoted cyanofunctionalization reactions by employing a chiral bisoxazoline ligand. Finally, by introducing a second electrocatalyst that mediates oxidatively induced hydrogen atom transfer, we expanded scope of electrocatalysis to hydrofunctionalization reactions, achieving hydrocyanation of conjugated alkenes in high enantioselectivity. These developments showcase the generality of our electrocatalytic strategy in the context of alkene functionalization reactions. We anticipate that electrocatalysis will play an increasingly important role in the ongoing renaissance of synthetic organic electrochemistry.