Umpolung Strategy Research Articles

Trifluoroacetic Acid Promotes Umpolung of 2‐Methylindole to Achieve C(sp3)‐H Activation

An umpolung strategy for the C(sp3)‐H aminomethylation of 2‐methylindole has been developed using trifluoroacetic acid to induce the transformation, with aminals serving as precursors of iminium ion. Mechanistic studies have clearly shown that trifluoroacetic acid may play a pivotal role in this strategy. The utilization of readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, tolerance to complex functional groups, combine with yields of up to 98% and potential biological applications render this protocol applicable and useful for organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

Umpolung Phosphorylation of Tyrosine via 1,2-Phospha-Brook Rearrangement.

Phosphorylated tyrosine is a fundamental building block of bioactive peptides and proteins. However, the chemoselective phosphorylation of tyrosine over other nucleophilic amino acid residues in unprotected peptides remains a significant challenge. Here we report an umpolung strategy that converts the C-terminal tyrosine into an electrophilic spirolactone cyclohexadienone motif through hypervalent iodine oxidation, followed by a 1,2-phospha-Brook rearrangement using phosphite diesters as nucleophilic phosphoryl donors. This reaction proceeds chemoselectively at the tyrosine phenol and is applicable to a wide range of peptide substrates containing various nucleophilic amino acid residues, including serine and threonine.

Sequential Modification of Pyrrole Ring with up to Three Different Nucleophiles.

An umpolung strategy was used for the preparation of highly functionalized 3-pyrrolin-2-ones. This approach involves dearomative double chlorination of 1H-pyrroles to form highly reactive dichloro-substituted 2H-pyrroles. The resulting intermediate reacts selectively with wet alcohols to form the corresponding alkoxy-substituted 3-pyrrolin-2-ones via double nucleophilic substitution in up to 99% yield. The subsequent reaction with different N-, O-, and S-nucleophiles opens access to highly functionalized pyrrolinones bearing additional functionality. The overall outcome of the reported sequence is step-by-step nucleophilic modification of pyrroles with three different nucleophiles. All steps were found to be highly efficient and 100% regioselective. This transformation proceeds under mild conditions and does not require any catalyst to give final products in very high yields. The obtained experimental results are in perfect agreement with the data obtained by theoretical investigation of these reactions.

Umpolung Strategy for the One-Pot Synthesis of Highly Steric Bispirooxindoles via the l-Amino Acid Ester-Promoted In Situ Reduction/Nucleophilic Addition/Cyclization Cascade Reaction.

On the basis of a novel umpolung strategy, an efficient l-amino acid ester-mediated in situ reduction of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)malononitrile and sequential nucleophilic addition/cyclization cascade reaction is reported. Various densely substituted cyclopentene bispirooxindoles and dihydrofuran bispirooxindoles with two quaternary spirocenters were constructed in high yields (≤93%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1 dr). The method has advantages of readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, a one-pot process, a metal-free biomimetic reducing agent, a wide substrate scope, and operational simplicity (single filtration without column chromatography).

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkylated N-Cyanamides from Dioxazolones via a Nitrogen Umpolung Strategy

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkylated N-Cyanamides from Dioxazolones via a Nitrogen Umpolung Strategy

Formate and CO2 Enable Reductive Carboxylation of Imines: Synthesis of Unnatural α-Amino Acids.

Herein, a photocatalytic umpolung strategy for reductive carboxylation of imines for the synthesis of α-amino acids was disclosed. Carbon dioxide radical anion (CO2•-) generated from formate is the key single electron reductant in the reactions. An unprecedentedly broad substrate scope of imines with excellent reaction yields was obtained with carbon dioxide (CO2) and formate salt as carbon sources.

On Demand Synthesis of C3-N1' Bisindoles by a Formal Umpolung Strategy: First Total Synthesis of (±)-Rivularin A.

In this work, a straightforward synthesis of C3-N1' bisindolines is achieved by a formal umpolung strategy. The protocols were tolerant of a wide variety of substituents on the indole and indoline ring. In addition, the C3-N1' bisindolines could be converted to C3-N1' indole-indolines and C3-N1'-bisindoles. Also, we have successfully synthesized (±)-rivularin A through a biomimetic late-stage tribromination as a key step.

An umpolung strategy for chemoselective metal-free [4 + 2] annulation of azlactones: access to tetrahydro-β-carbolin 1,3-diketone frameworks

A range of tetrahydro-β-carbolin 1,3-diketones can be efficiently synthesized through effective [4 + 2] annulation involving azlactones and indole-2-amides. This method utilizes the umpolung strategy and exhibits excellent compatibility.

Photoredox catalyzed reductive trifluoromethylation of imines via a radical umpolung strategy.

Visible light-induced radical umpolung chemistry is utilized to synthesize trifluoromethylated unnatural α-amino acid and amine derivatives. This approach utilizes photoredox catalysis to perform a single-electron-transfer reduction of imines generating a N-centred radical that eventually migrates to the C-centre followed by a radical-radical cross-coupling to deliver reductive trifluoromethylation products.

Synthesis of unsymmetrical phosphorus disulfides.

A sulfur-mediated umpolung strategy employing N-thiosuccinimides and (EtO)2P(O)SH has been developed to synthesize unsymmetrical organophosphorus disulfides (P(O)-S-S motif). A pronucleophile (EtO)2P(O)SH, Brønsted acid and phosphorothioate nucleophile, converts N-thiosuccinimides into unsymmetrical phosphorus disulfides. This protocol achieves catalyst- and additive-free reaction conditions, uses a renewable solvent (EtOH), and avoids harsh reagents.

Practical synthesis of isoindolines yields potent colistin potentiators for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

An efficient and practical one-pot synthesis of isoindolines from readily available starting materials was achieved under mild conditions by implementing an isoindole umpolung strategy. A variety of isoindolines were prepared with good to excellent yields. Biological screens of these identified compounds demonstrated that they are potent potentiators of colistin for multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

A General Method to Access Sterically Encumbered Geminal Bis(boronates) via Formal Umpolung Transformation of Terminal Diboron Compounds.

General methods for the preparation of geminal bis(boronates) are of great interest due to their widespread applications in organic synthesis. While the terminal gem-diboron compounds are readily accessible, the construction of the sterically encumbered, internal analogues has remained a prominent challenge. Herein, we report a formal umpolung strategy to access these valuable building blocks. The readily available 1,1-diborylalkanes were first converted into the corresponding α-halogenated derivatives, which then serve as electrophilic components, undergoing a formal substitution with a diverse array of nucleophiles to form a series of C-C, C-O, C-S, and C-N bonds. This protocol features good tolerance to steric hindrance and a wide variety of functional groups and heterocycles. Notably, this strategy can also be extended to the synthesis of diaryl and terminal gem-diboron compounds, therefore providing a general approach to various types of geminal bis(boronates).

A General Method to Access Sterically Encumbered Geminal Bis(boronates) via Formal Umpolung Transformation of Terminal Diboron Compounds

AbstractGeneral methods for the preparation of geminal bis(boronates) are of great interest due to their widespread applications in organic synthesis. While the terminal gem‐diboron compounds are readily accessible, the construction of the sterically encumbered, internal analogues has remained a prominent challenge. Herein, we report a formal umpolung strategy to access these valuable building blocks. The readily available 1,1‐diborylalkanes were first converted into the corresponding α‐halogenated derivatives, which then serve as electrophilic components, undergoing a formal substitution with a diverse array of nucleophiles to form a series of C−C, C−O, C−S, and C−N bonds. This protocol features good tolerance to steric hindrance and a wide variety of functional groups and heterocycles. Notably, this strategy can also be extended to the synthesis of diaryl and terminal gem‐diboron compounds, therefore providing a general approach to various types of geminal bis(boronates).

Copper-Mediated N-Trifluoromethylation of O-Benzoylhydroxylamines.

The use of trifluoromethyl containing compounds is well established within medicinal chemistry, with a range of approved drugs containing C-CF3 and O-CF3 moieties. However, the utilisation of the N-CF3 functional group remains relatively unexplored. This may be attributed to the challenging synthesis of this unit, with many current methods employing harsh conditions or less accessible reagents. A robust methodology for the N-trifluoromethylation of secondary amines has been developed, which employs an umpolung strategy in the form of a copper-catalysed electrophilic amination. The method is operationally simple, uses mild, inexpensive reagents, and has been used to synthesise a range of novel, structurally complex N-CF3 containing compounds.

Photocatalytic Umpolung Strategy for the Synthesis of α-Amino Phosphine Oxides and Deuterated Derivatives.

Direct, economical, and green synthesis of deuterated α-amino phosphine oxides remains an elusive challenge in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report a visible-light-driven umpolung strategy for synthesizing deuterated α-amino phosphine oxides from isocyanide using 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene as the photocatalyst and D2O as the deuterium source. Moreover, the streamlined and sustainable methodology can be applied in the modification of amino acids, natural products, and drugs. The strong antiproliferative activity of the desired products indicates that the method could provide a novel privileged scaffold for antitumor drug development.

Magnesium-Mediated Umpolung Carboxylation of p-Quinone Methides with CO2.

Magnesium-mediated reductive carboxylation of p-QMs with CO2 via an Umpolung strategy has been developed, which can be used for the preparation of various aryl acetic acids. This protocol featured high atom economy, mild conditions, and operational simplicity. The creation of this Umpolung carboxylation of p-QMs will unprecedentedly extend the application of p-QMs to nucleophilic reagents.

Photoredox‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Homoallylamines from Unactivated Imines and Allyl Bromides

AbstractA photoredox‐catalyzed umpolung strategy for the synthesis of homoallylamines from unactivated imines and allyl bromides is described. This strategy exploited N,N‐diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) as an auxiliary agent to indirectly realize the cross‐coupling of imines and allyl bromides. Various sterically hindered homoallylamines were synthesized by combining photocatalysis with halogen atom transfer (XAT). Notable characteristics of this approach include water‐insensitive reaction conditions, high yield (up to 99%), wide substrate scope (suitable for N‐aryl/alkyl and C‐aryl ketimines and aldimines, 39 examples), and high tolerance of functional groups (such as cyano, ester, amide, and thioamide).

Nucleophilic covalent ligand discovery for the cysteine redoxome.

With an eye toward expanding chemistries used for covalent ligand discovery, we elaborated an umpolung strategy that exploits the 'polarity reversal' of sulfur when cysteine is oxidized to sulfenic acid, a widespread post-translational modification, for selective bioconjugation with C-nucleophiles. Here we present a global map of a human sulfenome that is susceptible to covalent modification by members of a nucleophilic fragment library. More than 500 liganded sulfenic acids were identified on proteins across diverse functional classes, and, of these, more than 80% were not targeted by electrophilic fragment analogs. We further show that members of our nucleophilic fragment library can impair functional protein-protein interactions involved in nuclear oncoprotein transport and DNA damage repair. Our findings reveal a vast expanse of ligandable sulfenic acids in the human proteome and highlight the utility of nucleophilic small molecules in the fragment-based covalent ligand discovery pipeline, presaging further opportunities using non-traditional chemistries for targeting proteins.

TEMPO Mediated Cyclopropanols Ring Opening C−N Cross‐Coupling with Nitrogen Nucleophiles

AbstractA feasible and umpolung strategy for the synthesis of structurally diverse β‐amino ketones has been achieved through TEMPO mediated C−N coupling of cyclopropanols with nitrogen nucleophiles. Mechanism studies indicated that in situ generated enones derived from cyclopropanols are the key intermediates and TEMPO play multiple roles, including radical initiator, trapping reagent, a porter of β‐hydrogen and an in situ base. This protocol features broad substrate scope, good scalability and good to excellent yields and provides an alternative and complementary approach to the synthesis of structurally important β‐amino ketone scaffolds under metal and additive‐free conditions.magnified image

Preparation of Alkyl Di(p-tolyl)sulfonium Salts and Their Application in Metal-Free C(sp3)-C(sp3) and C(sp3)-C(sp2) Bond Formations.

Alkyldiarylsulfonium salts were synthesized by a combination of active sulfonium species, prepared through the activation of diarylsulfoxide, and alkyl nucleophiles. The isolated sulfonium salts were subjected to the allylation and cyclopropanation of the active methylene compounds and metal-free C(sp3)-C(sp2) couplings via oxyallyl cation intermediates under mild conditions. The series of reactions included an umpolung strategy for the coupling of alkyl nucleophiles and metal-free C-C bond formation using sulfonium salts.