Phosphine-catalyzed Annulation Research Articles

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Annulation of Allenoates Bearing Acidic Hydrogen with 1,1-Dicyanoalkenes.

α-succinimide-substituted allenoates were employed as phosphine acceptors in phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 2) annulation with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes. They served as C4 synthons in the annulation reaction under mild reaction conditions and produced hexahydroisoindole derivatives in moderate to high yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities.

Acidic Hydrogen-Tethered Electron-Deficient Acceptors for Phosphine-Catalyzed Annulations

AbstractNucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed annulations are recognized as practical and powerful tools for synthesizing various cyclic compounds. Phosphine acceptors play a key role in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis. The design and synthesis of new phosphine acceptors that are able to introduce new zwitterionic intermediates with new reactivities into phosphine-catalyzed annulations is highly desirable. We recently applied proton-shift principles in the design of new phosphine acceptors, and we synthesized several new acceptors. With the use of these acceptors, we have developed several novel phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions. In this account, we present a brief introduction to the design and application of a series of acidic-hydrogen-tethered electron-deficient acceptors for phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions, categorized according to the type of atom (N–H, O–H, C–H) to which the acidic hydrogen is bound.1 Introduction2 Phosphine Acceptors Tethered with an Acidic N–H Group3 Phosphine Acceptors Tethered with an Acidic O–H Group4 Phosphine Acceptors Tethered with an Acidic C–H Group5 Conclusions

Phosphine-catalyzed (3+3) annulation of cinnamaldehyde-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with dinucleophiles.

The phosphine-catalyzed (3+3) annulation reaction of cinnamaldehyde-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds as dinucleophiles has been developed, giving hexahydrochromenone derivatives in high yields with moderate to good diastereoselectivities. The reaction worked through double conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to the phosphonium intermediates generated from the cinnamaldehyde-derived MBH carbonates.

(3+2) Annulation of 4-Acetoxy Allenoate with Aldimine Enabled by AgF-Assisted P(III)/P(V) Catalysis.

A phosphine-catalyzed (3+2) annulation of 4-acetoxy allenoate and aldimine with the assistance of AgF is described. The success of this reaction hinges on the metathesis between the enolate-phosphonium zwitterion and AgF, leading to a key intermediate comprising of silver enolate and a fluorophosphorane P(V)-moiety. The former is able to undergo a Mannich reaction with aldimine, whereas the latter initiates a cascade sequence of AcO-elimination/aza-addition, thus furnishing the P(III)/P(V) catalysis. By taking advantage of the silver enolate, a preliminary attempt at an asymmetric variant was conducted with the combination of an achiral phosphine catalyst and a chiral bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine ligand (PyBox), giving moderate enantioselectivity.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Annulation of γ-Substituted Cinnamic Aldehyde-Derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates through Remote Activation.

A series of γ-substituted Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates were synthesized and subjected to phosphine-catalyzed annulations with electrophilic exocyclic alkenes, giving various valuable spirocyclopentenes in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities. A large scope of MBH carbonates bearing γ-hydrogen, alkenyl, and alkynyl substituents was well tolerated. The annulation unprecedentedly involves β-, γ-, and δ-carbons of MBH carbonates.

Phosphine-catalyzed formal Buchner [6+1] annulation: de novo construction of cycloheptatrienes.

An unprecedented phosphine-catalyzed formal Buchner [6+1] annulation of a newly designed allenoate has been developed, providing a series of cycloheptatriene derivatives in moderate to good yields (up to 99%). This reaction demonstrates that the introduction of an electrophilic allylic group to allenoates effectively extends the reaction scope of phosphine-catalyzed annulation, providing a concise route to cycloheptatrienes. Mechanistic study indicated that this reaction involves a [4+2] Diels-Alder reaction and ring expansion of the bicyclo[4.1.0] moiety, which is similar to the Buchner reaction. Notably, an enantioselective variant of this [6+1] annulation can also be performed using a chiral iminophosphine catalyst.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Annulation of Allenoates with Benzofuran-Derived Azadienes and Subsequent Thio-Michael Addition.

A phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 2) annulation of tetrahydrobenzofuranone-derived allenoates and benzofuran-derived azadienes (BDAs) has been achieved to construct the decahydro-2H-naphtho[1,8-bc]furan derivatives, which were subsequently treated with 4-methylbenzenethiol and trimethylamine to produce thio-Michael addition products in high to excellent yields with good diastereoselectivities.

Phosphine-catalyzed activation of cyclopropenones: a versatile C3 synthon for (3+2) annulations with unsaturated electrophiles.

We herein report a phosphine-catalyzed (3 + 2) annulation of cyclopropenones with a wide variety of electrophilic π systems, including aldehydes, ketoesters, imines, isocyanates, and carbodiimides, offering products of butenolides, butyrolactams, maleimides, and iminomaleimides, respectively, in high yields with broad substrate scope. An α-ketenyl phosphorous ylide is validated as the key intermediate, which undergoes preferential catalytic cyclization with aldehydes rather than stoichiometric Wittig olefinations. This phosphine-catalyzed activation of cyclopropenones thus supplies a versatile C3 synthon for formal cycloadditon reactions.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Annulation of δ-Sulfonamido-Substituted Enones with 1,1-Dicyanoalkenes: Synthesis of Piperidine Derivatives.

The δ-sulfonamido-substituted enones were employed as phosphine acceptor in phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 2) annulation of 1,1-dicyanoalkenes. They served as a four-membered synthon to react with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes under mild reaction conditions, producing piperidine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4+1) Annulation: Rearrangement of Allenylic Carbamates to 3-Pyrrolines through Phosphonium Diene Intermediates.

We have developed a phosphine-catalyzed (4+1) annulative rearrangement for the preparation of 3-pyrrolines from allenylic carbamates via phosphonium diene intermediates. We employed this methodology to synthesize an array of 1,3-disubstituted- and 1,2,3-trisubstituted-3-pyrrolines, including the often difficult to prepare 2-alkyl variants. A mechanistic investigation employing allenylic acetates and mononucleophiles unexpectedly unveiled that a phosphine-catalyzed (4+1) reaction for the construction of cyclopentene products, previously reported by Tong, might not occur through a phosphonium diene, as had been proposed, but rather through multiple mechanisms working in concert. Consequently, our phosphine-catalyzed rearrangement is most likely the first transformation to involve the unequivocal formation of a phosphonium diene intermediate along the reaction pathway. To demonstrate the synthetic utility of this newly developed reaction, we have completed concise formal syntheses of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (±)-trachelanthamidine and (±)-supinidine.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Chemo- and Diastereoselective [2 + 2 + 2] and [3 + 2] Annulations of γ-Methyl Allenoates with Doubly Activated Olefins: Syntheses of Highly Substituted Cyclohexanes and Cyclopentenes.

Phosphine-catalyzed chemoselective [2 + 2 + 2] and [3 + 2] annulations of γ-methyl allenoates with doubly activated olefins have been developed, which afford highly substituted cyclohexanes bearing five continuous stereogenic centers and cyclopentenes bearing three continuous stereogenic centers, respectively, in generally high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity. The [2 + 2 + 2] annulation represents an unprecedented reactivity pattern of γ-methyl allenoates with activated C═C bonds to access six-membered carbocycles. In addition, the study herein also evidences that the acidic protic additives such as benzoic acid can exert influence on chemoselectivity of phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions involving allenoates.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Annulation of δ-Acetoxy Allenoates with 2-Sulfonamidomalonate: Synthesis of Highly Substituted 3-Pyrrolines and Mechanistic Insight.

A mild and efficient synthetic protocol for 3-pyrrolines via the phosphine-catalyzed (3 + 2) annulation of δ-acetoxy allenoates with 2-sulfonamidomalonate is reported. The asymmetric version (up to 83% ee) is also achieved by using phosphine ( R)-SITCP as the catalyst. Mechanistic experiments disclose that the involved deprotonation of amide N-H and aza-addition to vinyl phosphonium might proceed in a concerted manner.

ChemInform Abstract: Phosphine‐Catalyzed [4 + 1] Annulation of o‐Hydroxyphenyl and o‐Aminophenyl Ketones with Allylic Carbonates: Syntheses and Transformations of 3‐Hydroxy‐2,3‐disubstituted Dihydrobenzofurans and Indolines.

A phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 1) annulation reaction of o-hydroxyphenyl and o-aminophenyl ketones with ester-modified allylic carbonates has been developed, providing a facile and efficient method to synthesize functionalized 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans and indolines. Under mild conditions and in the catalysis of PPh3 (20 mol %), the reactions of o-hydroxyphenyl or o-aminophenyl ketones readily furnish highly functionalized 3-hydroxy-2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans or 3-hydroxy-2,3-disubstituted indolines in 40–99% yields with generally high diastereoselectivity. To further expand the utility of this annulation reaction to the synthesis of functionalized benzofurans and indoles, the CuSO4-promoted chemical transformations of the annulation products have also been studied.

Phosphine-Catalyzed (4 + 1) Annulation of o-Hydroxyphenyl and o-Aminophenyl Ketones with Allylic Carbonates: Syntheses and Transformations of 3-Hydroxy-2,3-Disubstituted Dihydrobenzofurans and Indolines

A phosphine-catalyzed (4 + 1) annulation reaction of o-hydroxyphenyl and o-aminophenyl ketones with ester-modified allylic carbonates has been developed, providing a facile and efficient method to synthesize functionalized 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans and indolines. Under mild conditions and in the catalysis of PPh3 (20 mol %), the reactions of o-hydroxyphenyl or o-aminophenyl ketones readily furnish highly functionalized 3-hydroxy-2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans or 3-hydroxy-2,3-disubstituted indolines in 40-99% yields with generally high diastereoselectivity. To further expand the utility of this annulation reaction to the synthesis of functionalized benzofurans and indoles, the CuSO4-promoted chemical transformations of the annulation products have also been studied.

Phosphine-catalyzed dearomatizing [3+2] annulations of isoquinolinium methylides with allenes.

A phosphine-catalyzed dearomatizing [3+2] annulation of isoquinolinium methylides with allenoates or allenones yields highly functionalized pyrroloisoquinolines with high regioselectivity and in viable yields.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Annulation Reactions of 2-Butynoate and α-Keto Esters: Synthesis of Cyclopentene Derivatives

We have developed phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions for the synthesis of highly substituted cyclopentene derivatives from 2-alkynoate and α-keto esters. These transformations involve carbon–carbon bond cleavage of α-keto esters. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that, in addition to facilitating carbon–carbon bond formation, the phosphine catalyst plays a role in promoting methanolysis.

ChemInform Abstract: Nucleophilic Phosphine Organocatalysis. A Practical Synthetic Strategy for the Drug‐Like Nitrogen Heterocyclic Framework Construction

AbstractReview: 56 refs.

Nucleophilic Phosphine Organocatalysis: a Practical Synthetic Strategy for the Drug-Like Nitrogen Heterocyclic Framework Construction

Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis has proven to be a practical and powerful synthetic strategy in organic chemistry, which can provide easy access to five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. The reaction topologies can be controlled by a proper choice of the phosphine catalysts, as well as the functionalization of the reaction substrates. In many cases, the reactions take place smoothly at room temperature, with high efficiency and atom economy. This mini-review presents the recent advances in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis for the synthesis of drug-like nitrogen heterocylic compounds. The nitrogen heterocyclic compounds with significant biological activities derived from the library based on nucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions are also highlighted.

Identification and characterization of mechanism of action of P61-E7, a novel phosphine catalysis-based inhibitor of geranylgeranyltransferase-I.

Small molecule inhibitors of protein geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I) provide a promising type of anticancer drugs. Here, we first report the identification of a novel tetrahydropyridine scaffold compound, P61-E7, and define effects of this compound on pancreatic cancer cells. P61-E7 was identified from a library of allenoate-derived compounds made through phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions. P61-E7 inhibits protein geranylgeranylation and blocks membrane association of geranylgeranylated proteins. P61-E7 is effective at inhibiting both cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and it induces high p21CIP1/WAF1 level in human cancer cells. P61-E7 also increases p27Kip1 protein level and inhibits phosphorylation of p27Kip1 on Thr187. We also report that P61-E7 treatment of Panc-1 cells causes cell rounding, disrupts actin cytoskeleton organization, abolishes focal adhesion assembly and inhibits anchorage independent growth. Because the cellular effects observed pointed to the involvement of RhoA, a geranylgeranylated small GTPase protein shown to influence a number of cellular processes including actin stress fiber organization, cell adhesion and cell proliferation, we have evaluated the significance of the inhibition of RhoA geranylgeranylation on the cellular effects of inhibitors of GGTase-I (GGTIs). Stable expression of farnesylated RhoA mutant (RhoA-F) results in partial resistance to the anti-proliferative effect of P61-E7 and prevents induction of p21CIP1/WAF1 and p27Kip1 by P61-E7 in Panc-1 cells. Moreover, stable expression of RhoA-F rescues Panc-1 cells from cell rounding and inhibition of focal adhesion formation caused by P61-E7. Taken together, these findings suggest that P61-E7 is a promising GGTI compound and that RhoA is an important target of P61-E7 in Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells.

Diversity through phosphine catalysis identifies octahydro-1,6-naphthyridin-4-ones as activators of endothelium-driven immunity

The endothelium plays a critical role in promoting inflammation in cardiovascular disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, and many small-molecule screens have sought to identify agents that prevent endothelial cell activation. Conversely, an augmented immune response can be protective against microbial pathogens and in cancer immunotherapy. Yet, small-molecule screens to identify agents that induce endothelial cell activation have not been reported. In this regard, a bioassay was developed that identifies activated endothelium by its capacity to trigger macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta from primary monocytes. Subsequently, a 642-compound library of 39 distinctive scaffolds generated by a diversity-oriented synthesis based on the nucleophilic phosphine catalysis was screened for small molecules that activated the endothelium. Among the active compounds identified, the major classes were synthesized through the sequence of phosphine-catalyzed annulation, Tebbe reaction, Diels-Alder reaction, and in some cases, hydrolysis. Ninety-six analogs of one particular class of compounds, octahydro-1,6-naphthyridin-4-ones, were efficiently prepared by a solid-phase split-and-pool technique and by solution phase analog synthesis. Structure-function analysis combined with transcriptional profiling of active and inactive octahydro-1,6-naphthyridin-4-one analogs identified inflammatory gene networks induced exclusively by the active compound. The identification of a family of chemical probes that augment innate immunity through endothelial cell activation provides a framework for understanding gene networks involved in endothelial inflammation as well as the development of novel endothelium-driven immunotherapeutic agents.