Preparation of stereodefined homoallylic amines from the reductive cross-coupling of allylic alcohols with imines.

Regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective coupling reactions between imines and allylic alcohols have been developed. These coupling reactions deliver complex homoallylic amine products through a convergent C-C bond forming process that does not proceed through intermediate allylic organometallic reagents. In general, convergent coupling, by exposure of an allylic alkoxide to a preformed Ti-imine complex, occurs with allylic transposition in a predictable and stereocontrolled manner. While simple diastereoselection in these reactions is high, delivering anti-products with ≥20:1 selectivity, the organometallic transformation described is compatible with a diverse range of functionality and substrates (including aliphatic and aromatic imines, allylic silanes, trisubstituted alkenes, vinyl- and aryl halides, trifluoromethyl groups, thioethers, and aromatic heterocycles). Alkene geometry of the products is a complex function of the allylic alcohol structure and is consistent with a mechanistic proposal based on syn-carbometalation followed by syn-elimination by way of a boat-like transition state geometry. Single asymmetric coupling reactions provide a means to translate the stereochemical information of the allylic alcohol to the homoallylic amine or to control diastereoselection in the coupling reactions of achiral allylic alcohols with chiral imines. Double asymmetric coupling reactions are also described that afford a unique means to control stereoselection in these complex convergent coupling processes. Finally, empirical models are proposed that are consistent with the observed stereochemical course of these coupling reactions en route to chiral homoallylic amines possessing di- or trisubstituted alkenes and anti- or syn- relative stereochemistry at the allylic and homoallylic positions.

Convergent synthesis of stereodefined exo-alkylidene-gamma-lactams from beta-halo allylic alcohols.

A convergent process for the assembly of stereodefined mono- and bicyclic exo-alkylidene-gamma-lactams is described that proceeds through the union of beta-halo allylic alcohols, aromatic imines, and CO. Overall, regio- and stereoselective Ti-mediated reductive cross-coupling, followed by Pd-catalyzed carbonylation, can be performed in a one- or two-pot procedure, defining a highly selective three-component coupling process for heterocycle synthesis.

Convergent total syntheses of fluvibactin and vibriobactin using molybdenum(VI) oxide-catalyzed dehydrative cyclization as a key step.

Efficient total syntheses of fluvibactin and vibriobactin have been achieved via molybdenum(VI) oxide-catalyzed dehydrative cyclization, Sb(OEt)(3)-catalyzed ester-amide transformation, and WSCI and HOAt-promoted dehydrative amide formation.

Kinetic resolution of racemic carboxylic acids by an L-histidine-derived sulfonamide-induced enantioselective esterification reaction.

The direct and catalytic kinetic resolution of racemic carboxylic acids bearing a Brønsted base such as O-protected alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and N-protected alpha-amino acids has been accomplished through an L-histidine-derived sulfonamide-induced enantioselective esterification reaction with tert-butyl alcohol for the first time. Highly asymmetric induction [S( k fast/ k slow) = up to 56] has been achieved under the equilibrium between a chiral catalyst and two diastereomeric acylammonium salts through an intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction.