Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers Research Articles

Facile access to bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes by Lewis acid-catalyzed formal cycloaddition between silyl enol ethers and bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes

Saturated three-dimensional carbocycles have gained increasing prominence in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. In particular, bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes (BCHs) have been identified as the molecular replacement for benzenes. Here, we present facile access to a variety of BCHs via a stepwise two-electron formal (3 + 2) cycloaddition between silyl enol ethers and bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) under Lewis acid catalysis. The reaction features wide functional group tolerance for silyl enol ethers, allowing the efficient construction of two vicinal quaternary carbon centers and a silyl-protected tertiary alcohol unit in a streamlined fashion. Interestingly, the reaction with conjugated silyl dienol ethers can provide access to bicyclo[4.1.1]octanes (BCOs) equipped with silyl enol ethers that facilitate further transformation. The utilities of this methodology are demonstrated by the late-stage modification of natural products, transformations of tertiary alcohol units on bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane frameworks, and derivatization of silyl enol ethers on bicyclo[4.1.1]octanes, delivering functionalized bicycles that are traditionally inaccessible.

Asymmetric Synthesis of 3-Lactone-Substituted 2-Oxindoles with Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers through Vinylogous Conjugate Addition

AbstractA new method has been developed for constructing vicinal quaternary stereocenters with an oxindole–butanolide hybrid framework through asymmetric vinylogous addition of a siloxyfuran to an indol-2-one in the presence of a readily available N,N′-dioxide–Ni(OTf)2 complex catalyst. Various oxindole–lactones were obtained in up to 98% yield with >19:1 dr and 97% ee under mild reaction conditions. A possible transition-state model is proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.

Asymmetric α-Regioselective [3 + 2] Annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates: Construction of Three Contiguous Stereocenters with Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers.

Asymmetric α-regioselective annulation of MBH carbonates with 4-arylmethylisoxazol-5-ones has been developed to afford spirocyclic oxindole derivatives containing three contiguous stereogenic centers and vicinal all-carbon quaternary chiral centers. This reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. Excellent yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities were obtained in this efficient organocatalytic reaction.

Tandem 1,6-addition/cyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinylogous para-quinone methides with 3-chlorooxindoles: construction of vicinal quaternary carbon centers

A novel tandem 1,6-addition/cyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinylogous para-quinone methides with 3-chlorooxindoles has been developed, providing dispirooxindole–cyclopentane–cyclohexadienones with vicinal quaternary carbon centers.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Furanether A.

The first total synthesis of (±)-furanether A, which exhibits good antifeedant activity, has been concisely achieved in 13 linear steps. Notably, the key rigid tetracyclic skeleton containing a 1-methyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety with two vicinal quaternary carbon centers was rapidly constructed in one step through a unique tandem C-H oxidation/oxa-[3,3] Cope rearrangement/aldol cyclization sequence.

Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative [3 + 2] Annulation of Ethynylethylene Carbonates with Azlactones: Access to γ-Butyrolactones Bearing Two Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers.

An efficient decarboxylative [3 + 2] annulation reaction of ethynylethylene carbonates and azlactones has been developed with a copper salt as catalyst. This practical methodology gives access to a diverse library of γ-butyrolactones bearing α,β-two vicinal quaternary carbon centers in good to high yields with good levels of diastereoselectivities (up to 98% yield, >95:5 dr). Preliminary trials on enantioselective variant with a chiral PyBox ligand provided chiral products in up to 71% ee. This synthetic method features mild reaction conditions, broad functional group tolerance, large-scale synthesis, and versatile products transformation. A plausible catalytic cycle for the protocol is proposed based on previous related studies and our experimental observations.

Visible-Light-Mediated Intermolecular Radical Conjugate Addition for the Construction of Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers.

The visible light-driven organophotoredox catalysis is reported for the construction of vicinal quaternary carbon centers. Intermolecular conjugate addition of alkyl radicals, derived from 2,2-disubstituted dihydroquinazolinones, to Michael acceptors under blue light irradiation and rhodamine B catalysis allows the facile assembly of diverse, vicinal secondary/quaternary, tertiary/quaternary, and quaternary/quaternary carbon centers at room temperature. Our method provides a synthetically versatile protocol since both 2,2-disubstituted dihydroquinazolinones and Michael acceptors can be conveniently prepared from readily available ketones.

Concise Construction of the ACDE Ring System of Calyciphylline A Type Alkaloids by a [5+2] Cycloaddition.

A concise route for construction of the ACDE ring skeleton in calyciphylline A type alkaloids was developed using an intramolecular [5+2] cycloaddition reaction of an oxidopyrylium species bearing a tetrasubstituted olefin. Key to the success of this reaction was the combination of acid and base, which accelerated the construction of this skeleton containing a spiro ring and vicinal quaternary carbon centers. The resultant tricyclic ADE ring compound was converted to an ACDE ring model through C-H oxidation and an aza-Wittig reaction.

Protecting group-directed annulations of tetra-substituted oxindole olefins and sulfur ylides: regio- and chemoselective synthesis of cyclopropane- and dihydrofuran-fused spirooxindoles.

Protecting group-controlled annulations of tetra-substituted oxindole olefins and sulfur ylides have been achieved for the synthesis of multifunctional cyclopropane- and dihydrofuran-fused spirooxindoles. Under precise annulation regulation, a variety of cyclopropane- and dihydrofuran-fused spirooxindoles containing vicinal quaternary carbon centers were produced in up to 90% yield with up to 20 : 1 dr. This reaction demonstrates high regio-, chemo- and diastereoselectivity, broad functional group tolerance and gram-scale capacity.

Concise synthesis of the core structure of madreporanone by Rh-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition

A model study toward total synthesis of madreporanone, a novel diterpene isolated from Azorella madreporica, was investigated. The [3.3.0] bicyclic core of madreporanone bearing a cis-configured isopropyl group and two vicinal quaternary carbon centers was stereoselectively constructed via an intramolecular Rh-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition in a single step.

Solvent-Minimized, Chromatography-Free, Diastereoselective Synthesis of Oxazolidine-Dispirooxindoles via oxa-1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of 3-Oxindole.

An efficient and diastereoselective decarboxylative oxa-1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between 3-oxindoles and diverse amino acids is developed to access novel oxazolidine-dispirooxindole skeletons bearing vicinal quaternary carbon centers. This protocol features operational simplicity, a broad substrate scope, and good to excellent chemical yields and diastereoselectivities. In particular, minimal solvent (1 mL/10 mmol) and chromatography-free purification render this synthetic process more efficient and environmentally benign in the context of green chemistry.

Chemo- and Stereoselective Cross Rauhut-Currier-Type Reaction of Tri-substituted Alkenes Containing Trifluoromethyl Groups.

A chemoselective cross Rauhut-Currier-type reaction has been developed involving a tri-substituted alkene (trifluoromethyl-containing acrylonitrile derivative) with a di- or tri-substituted alkene to yield tetra-substituted double bonds in RC-type products. This approach can support the synthesis of trifluoromethylated tetra-substituted olefins and synthetically important, structurally complex 3-allylic-type oxindole skeletons. The asymmetric version of this RC-type reaction can be realized by combining a Brønsted acid and Lewis base for bifunctional H-bonding-tertiary amine catalysis. Subsequent transformation of multi-functionalized RC-type product leads to pharmacologically interesting cyclohexane-based spiro-pyrazolones bearing six contiguous chiral centers and two highly congested, vicinal quaternary carbon centers.

Formal Total Synthesis of (±)-Lycojaponicumin C.

The formal total synthesis of (±)-lycojaponicumin C has been accomplished. Key transformations include a Rh-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction to construct the bicyclic [3.3.0] scaffold bearing two vicinal quaternary carbon centers, a stereoselective γ-hydroxyl directed Michael addition to introduce the vinyl group at a bulky position, and a late-stage ring-closing metathesis reaction to form the cyclohexanone ring.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Reductive Dimerization of Isatins and Isatin-Derived Ketimines: Diastereoselective Construction of 3,3′-Disubstituted Bisoxindoles

Reductive dimerization of isatin and its derivatives can be regarded as a step-economical pathway to construct 3,3'-disubstituted bisoxindoles, which was unfortunately accompanied by severe direct reduction as well as low efficiency. A visible-light driven, photoredox-catalytic protocol was developed to readily furnish 3,3'-dihydroxy- (dl-, > 20:1 dr) and 3,3'-diamino-bisoxindoles (meso-, 3.5:1 to 5:1 dr) in moderate to good yields, successfully circumventing the common problem. Two vicinal quaternary carbon centers were effectively assembled under the irradiation of visible light.

Diversity-driven and facile 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to access dispirooxindole-imidazolidine scaffolds.

A diversity-driven three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of isatins, amino acids and isatin-derived ketimines was developed to facilely assemble dispirooxindole-imidazolidine skeletons bearing vicinal quaternary carbon centers. This protocol features additive-free, minimal solvent usage (0.1 mL DMSO/0.2 mmol scale), wide substrate scope (34 examples), mild reaction conditions (room temperature) and high chemical yield (up to 99%).

A rhodium-catalyzed tandem reaction of N-sulfonyl triazoles with indoles: access to indole-substituted indanones

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of structurally diverse indole-substituted indanones via a rhodium(ii)-catalyzed tandem reaction of N-sulfonyltriazoles with indoles was developed. The reaction involves rhodium(ii)-catalyzed denitrogenation of the N-sulfonyltriazoles to form an oxonium ylide, followed by nucleophilic addition of the indoles and subsequent skeletal rearrangement. This strategy provides straightforward access to indanone frameworks bearing quaternary carbon centers.

Stereoelectronic factors in bridgehead C–H bond insertion: studies toward the total synthesis of maoecrystal V

A strategy for the total synthesis of maoecrystal V is presented. The key interior vicinal quaternary carbon centers will be formed via sequential bridgehead C–H bond insertion and enolate functionalization. Studies herein validate the C–H bond insertion as feasible in model studies, though there are significant effects on the selectivity for the bridgehead position from neighboring groups. Both inductive electron withdrawing elements and sterics play a role in deactivating that position, with the former having a greater effect. Forming the second quaternary carbon is possible via enolate acylation and alkylation. Lastly, an approach to synthesize the cyclohexenone ring of maoecrystal V is described.

ChemInform Abstract: Direct Construction of Vicinal All‐carbon Quaternary Stereocenters in Natural Product Synthesis

AbstractReview: 220 refs.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Chimonanthine, (+)-Folicanthine, and (-)-Calycanthine.

Facile, straightforward, and asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-chimonanthine (1), (+)-folicanthine (2), and (-)-calycanthine (3) were accomplished in four to five steps from commercially available tryptamine. The synthesis features copper-mediated asymmetric cyclodimerization of chiral tryptamine derivative, which established a new entry into constructing the sterically hindered vicinal quaternary stereogenic carbon centers of dimeric hexahydropyrroloindole alkaloids in one procedure. An unprecedented base-induced isomerization from the chimonanthine skeleton to the calycanthine skeleton was observed and facilitated the synthesis of (-)-calycanthine (3).

Highly diastereoselective Claisen rearrangement leading to vicinal quaternary carbons construction of oxindoles

An efficient approach to spirocyclic oxindole architecture with vicinal quaternary carbon centers is described. The reaction of 2-allyloxyindolin-3-ones with cyanomethylphosphonate at low reaction temperature proceeds smoothly with consecutive olefination, isomerization, deacylation, and anion-accelerated Claisen rearrangement to give the 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles with vicinal quaternary all-carbon centers in high yield and diastereoselectivity. The oxindoles are readily converted into more synthetically advanced spiro-products.