Ligand-Controlled, Nickel-Catalyzed Stereodivergent Construction of 1,3-Nonadjacent Stereocenters.

In contrast to the asymmetric synthesis of molecules with a single stereocenter or 1,2-adjacent stereocenters, the simultaneous construction of acyclic 1,3-nonadjacent stereocenters via a single catalyst in an enantioselective and diastereoselective manner remains a formidable challenge. Here, we demonstrate the enantioselective and diastereodivergent construction of 1,3-nonadjacent stereocenters through Ni-catalyzed reductive cyclization/cross-coupling of alkene-tethered aryl bromides and α-bromoamides, which represents the major remaining stereochemical challenge of cyclization/difunctionalization of alkenes. Using Ming-Phos as ligand, a diverse set of oxindoles containing 1,3-nonadjacent stereocenters were obtained with high levels of enantio- and diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory calculations indicate that magnesium salt plays a key role in controlling the diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, another set of complementary stereoisomeric products were constructed from the same set of starting materials using Ph-Phox as ligand.

Nickel-Catalyzed Ligand-Controlled Selective Reductive Cyclization/Cross-Couplings.

ConspectusThe use of quaternary stereocenters during lead candidate optimization continues to grow because of improved physiochemical and pharmacokinetic profiles of compounds with higher sp3 fraction. Pd-catalyzed redox-neutral alkene difunctionalization involving carbopalladation of alkenes followed by nucleophilic-trapping σ-alkyl-palladium intermediates has been developed as an efficient method to construct quaternary stereocenters. However, the low chemoselectivity and air sensitivity of organometallic nucleophiles, as well as their low availability and accessibility, limit the scope of application of this elegant strategy. Recently, Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling has evolved into a privileged strategy to easily construct valuable C(sp3)-C bonds. Despite great progress, the enantioselective coupling of C(sp3) electrophiles still relies on activated or functionalized alkyl precursors, which are often unstable and require multiple steps to prepare. Therefore, Ni-catalyzed reductive difunctionalization of alkenes via selective cyclization/cross-coupling was developed. This strategy not only offers a robust and practical alternative for traditional redox-neutral alkene difunctionalization but also provides strategic complementarity for reductive cross-coupling of activated alkyl electrophiles. In this Account, we summarize the latest results from our laboratory on this topic. These findings mainly include our explorations in modulating the enantioselectivity and cyclization mode of reductive cyclization/cross-couplings.We will first discuss Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive cyclization/cross-coupling to construct valuable chiral heterocycles with quaternary stereocenters and focus on the effects of ligands, reductants, and additives and their roles in reductive cross-coupling. A wide range of electrophiles have been explored, including aryl halides, vinyl halides, alkynyl halides, gem-difluoroalkenes, CO2, trifluoromethyl alkenes, and cyano electrophiles. The synthetic potential of this approach has also been demonstrated in the synthesis of biologically active natural products and drug molecules. Second, we will detail how to tune the steric effects of nickel catalysts by modifying bipyridine ligands for regiodivergent cyclization/cross-couplings. Specifically, the use of bidentate ligands favors exo-selective cyclization/cross-coupling, while the use of a carboxylic acid-modified bipyridine ligand permits endo-selective cyclization/cross-coupling. We will also show how to activate the amide substrate by altering the electronic and steric properties of substituents on the nitrogen, thereby enabling the nucleophilic addition of aryl halides to amide carbonyls. Further investigation of ligand properties has led to tunable cyclization/cross-couplings (addition to the amide carbonyl vs 7-endo-cyclization) for the divergent synthesis of pharmacologically important 2-benzazepine frameworks. Finally, we serendipitously discover that modifying the ligands of nickel catalysts and changing the oxidation state of nickel can control the migratory aptitude of different groups, thus providing a switchable skeletal rearrangement strategy. This transformation is of high synthetic value because it represents a conceptually unprecedented new approach to C-C bond activation. Thus, this Account not only summarizes synthetic methods that allow the formation of valuable chiral heterocycles with quaternary stereocenters using a wide variety of electrophiles but also provides insight into the relationship between ligand structure, substrate, and cyclization selectivity.

Ni-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Cyclization/Amidation and Amination of 1,6-Enynes and 1,7-Enynes.

Transition-metal-catalyzed hydroamination of unsaturated hydrocarbons is an appealing synthetic tool for the construction of high value-added chiral amines. Despite significant progress in the asymmetric hydroamination of alkenes, allenes, and 1,3-dienes, asymmetric hydroamination of 1,6-enynes or 1,7-enynes remains rather limited due to the enormous challenges in controlling the chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity of the reaction. Herein, we report a Ni-catalyzed chemo- and enantioselective reductive cyclization/amidation and amination of 1,6-enynes and 1,7-enynes using dioxazolones or anthranils as nitrene-transfer reagents. This mild, modular, and practical protocol provides rapid access to a variety of enantioenriched 2-pyrrolidone and 2-piperidone derivatives bearing an aminomethylene group at the 4-position in good yields (up to 83%) with excellent enantioselectivities (40 examples, up to 99% ee). Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory calculations indicate that the reaction is initiated by hydronickelation of alkynes followed by migratory insertion into alkenes, rather than by a [2+2+1] oxidative addition process of nickel to alkenes and alkynes.

Enantioselective C(sp3)-H Functionalization of Oxacycles via Photo-HAT/Nickel Dual Catalysis.

The selective functionalization of ubiquitous but inert C-H bonds is highly appealing in synthetic chemistry, but the direct transformation of hydrocarbons lacking directing groups into high-value chiral molecules remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we develop an enantioselective C(sp3)-H functionalization of undirected oxacycles via photo-HAT/nickel dual catalysis. This protocol provides a practical platform for the rapid construction of high-value and enantiomerically enriched oxacycles directly from simple and abundant hydrocarbon feedstocks. The synthetic utility of this strategy is further demonstrated in the late-stage functionalization of natural products and the synthesis of many pharmaceutically relevant molecules. Experimental and density functional theory calculation studies provide detailed insights into the mechanism and the origin of enantioselectivity for the asymmetric C(sp3)-H functionalization.

Switchable 1,2-Rearrangement Enables Expedient Synthesis of Structurally Diverse Fluorine-Containing Scaffolds.

Skeletal rearrangement that changes the connectivity of the molecule via cleavage and reorganization of carbon-carbon bonds is a fundamental and powerful strategy in complex molecular assembly. Because of the lack of effective methods to control the migratory tendency of different groups, achieving switchable selectivity in skeletal rearrangement has been a long-standing quest. Metal-based dyotropic rearrangement provides a unique opportunity to address this challenge. However, switchable dyotropic rearrangement remains unexplored. Herein, we show that such a problem could be solved by modifying the ligands on the metal catalyst and changing the oxidation states of the metal to control the migratory aptitude of different groups, thereby providing a ligand-controlled, switchable skeletal rearrangement strategy. Experimental and density functional theory calculation studies prove this rational design. The rearrangement occurs only when the nickel(II) intermediate is reduced to a more nucleophilic nickel(I) species, and the sterically hindered iPrPDI ligand facilitates 1,2-aryl/Ni dyotropic rearrangement, while the terpyridine ligand promotes 1,2-acyl/Ni dyotropic rearrangement. This method allows site-selective activation and reorganization of C-C bonds and has been applied for the divergent synthesis of four medicinally relevant fluorine-containing scaffolds from the same starting material.

Synthesis of Carbonyl-Containing Oxindoles via Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Aryl-Acylation and Aryl-Esterification of Alkenes.

Carbonyl-containing oxindoles are ubiquitous core structures present in many biologically active natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. Nickel-catalyzed reductive aryl-acylation of alkenes using aryl anhydrides or alkanoyl chlorides as acyl sources is developed, providing 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles bearing ketone functionality at the 3-position. Moreover, nickel-catalyzed reductive aryl-esterification of alkenes using chloroformate as ester sources is further developed, affording 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles bearing ester functionality at the 3-position. This strategy has the advantages of good yields and high functional group compatibility.

Ni-Catalyzed Divergent Synthesis of 2-Benzazepine Derivatives via Tunable Cyclization and 1,4-Acyl Transfer Triggered by Amide N-C Bond Cleavage.

Ligand-directed divergent synthesis can transform common starting materials into distinct molecular scaffolds by simple tuning different ligands. This strategy enables the rapid construction of structurally rich collection of small molecules for biological evaluation and reveals novel modes of catalytic transformation, representing one of the most sought-after challenges in synthetic chemistry. We herein report a Ni-catalyzed ligand-controlled tunable cyclization/cross-couplings for the divergent synthesis of pharmacologically important 2-benzazepine frameworks. The bidentate ligand facilitates the nucleophilic addition of the aryl halides to the amide carbonyl, followed by 1,4-acyl transfer and cross-coupling to obtain 2-benzazepin-5-ones and benzo[c]pyrano[2,3-e]azepines. The tridentate ligand promotes the selective 7-endo cyclization/cross-coupling to access to 2-benzazepin-3-ones. The protocol operates under mild reaction conditions with divergent cyclization patterns that can be easily modulated through the ligand backbone.

Nickel-Catalyzed Defluorinative Asymmetric Cyclization of Fluoroalkyl-Substituted 1,6-Enynes for the Synthesis of Seletracetam.

The introduction of fluorine-containing groups into organic molecules can significantly affect their physical and chemical properties and has long been used as an effective strategy for drug discovery and development. Consequently, the development of catalytic asymmetric methods for the synthesis of fluorine-containing heterocycles is highly desirable and sought after. Herein, we describe a nickel-catalyzed defluorinative asymmetric cyclization of fluoroalkyl-substituted 1,6-enynes, providing an expedient access to synthetically attractive 4-fluorovinyl-substituted 2-pyrrolidones in good yields with remarkable high levels of chemo-, regio-, and enantioselectivities (90-99 % ee,>35 examples). This protocol features readily available starting materials and excellent functional group compatibility, and exhibits complementary regioselectivity. The utility of this strategy was demonstrated in the enantioselective synthesis of the antiepileptic drug Seletracetam.

Ni-Catalyzed Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergent Reductive Dicarbofunctionalization of Alkenes.

Transition-metal-catalyzed dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes involving intramolecular Heck cyclization followed by intermolecular cross-coupling has emerged as a powerful engine for building heterocycles with sterically congested quaternary carbon centers. However, only exo-cyclization/cross-coupling products can be obtained; endo-selective cyclization/cross-coupling has not been reported yet and still poses a formidable challenge. We herein report the first example of catalyst-controlled dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes for the regiodivergent synthesis of five- and six-membered benzo-fused lactams bearing all-carbon quaternary centers. Using a chiral Pyrox- or Phox-type bidentate ligand, 5-exo cyclization/cross-couplings proceed favorably to produce indole-2-ones in good yields with excellent regioselectivity and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). When C6-carboxylic acid-modified 2,2'-bipyridine was used as the ligand, 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones were obtained in good yields through 6-endo-selective cyclization/cross-coupling processes. This transformation is modular and tolerant of a variety of functional groups. The ligand rather than the substrate structures precisely dictates the regioselectivity pattern. Moreover, the synthetic value of this regiodivergent protocol was demonstrated by the preparation of biologically relevant molecules and structural scaffolds.

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Construction of Spirocycles by Nickel-Catalyzed Cascade Borrowing Hydrogen Cyclization.

Spirocycles play an important role in drug discovery and development owing to their inherent three-dimensionality and structural novelty. Despite the recent significant progress, the straightforward catalytic asymmetric assembly of spirocyclic scaffolds with multiple stereocenters from readily available starting materials remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we develop an unprecedented nickel-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of enantioenriched spiroindanones from easily available 1,6-enynes and o-formylarylboronic acids. The reaction proceeds smoothly under redox-neutral conditions, without the need for an additional hydrogen donor, and features a broad substrate scope and excellent regio-, enantio-, and diastereoselectivity.

Three-Component Alkene Difunctionalization by Direct and Selective Activation of Aliphatic C-H Bonds.

Catalytic alkene difunctionalization is a powerful strategy for the rapid assembly of complex molecules and has wide range of applications in synthetic chemistry. Despite significant progress, a compelling challenge that still needs to be solved is the installation of highly functionalized C(sp3 )-hybridized centers without requiring pre-activated substrates. We herein report that inexpensive and easy-to-synthesize decatungstate photo-HAT, in combination with nickel catalysis, provides a versatile platform for three-component alkene difunctionalization through direct and selective activation of aliphatic C-H bonds. Compared with previous studies, the significant advantages of this strategy are that the most abundant hydrocarbons are used as feedstocks, and various highly functionalized tertiary, secondary, and primary C(sp3 )-hybrid centers can be easily installed. The practicability of this strategy is demonstrated in the selective late-stage functionalization of natural products and the concise synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules including Piragliatin.

Synthesis of Indanones and Spiroindanones by Diastereoselective Annulation Based on a Hydrogen Autotransfer Strategy.

An unprecedented nickel-catalyzed domino reductive cyclization of alkynes and o-bromoaryl aldehydes is described. The reaction features broad substrate scope and is tolerant of a variety of functional groups, providing straightforward access to biologically significant indanones and spiroindanone pyrrolidine derivatives in good yields with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic studies have shown that indanones are formed by the cyclization of o-bromoaryl aldehydes and alkynes to form indenol intermediates, followed by hydrogen autotransfer.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Carbo-Carboxylation of Alkenes with CO2.

Reductive carboxylation of organo (pseudo)halides with CO2 is a powerful method to provide carboxylic acids quickly. Notably, the catalytic reductive carbo-carboxylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons via CO2 fixation is a highly challenging but desirable approach for structurally diverse carboxylic acids. There are only a few reports and no examples of alkenes via transition metal catalysis. We report the first asymmetric reductive carbo-carboxylation of alkenes with CO2 via nickel catalysis. A variety of aryl (pseudo)halides, such as aryl bromides, aryl triflates and inert aryl chlorides of particular note, undergo the reaction smoothly to give important oxindole-3-acetic acid derivatives bearing a C3-quaternary stereocenter. This transformation features mild reaction conditions, wide substrate scope, facile scalability, good to excellent chemo-, regio- and enantioselectivities. The method highlights the formal synthesis of (-)-Esermethole, (-)-Physostigmine and (-)-Physovenine, and the total synthesis of (-)-Debromoflustramide B, (-)-Debromoflustramine B and (+)-Coixspirolactam A; thereby, opening an avenue for the total synthesis of chiral natural products with CO2 .

Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters by Palladium-Catalyzed Carbopalladation-Initiated Cascade Reactions.

The enantioselective synthesis of molecules containing quaternary stereocenters is a field of intense research interest and development. Among the known organic transformations, carbopalladation-initiated domino transformations constitutes a general method for the construction of compounds containing cyclic or spiro quaternary stereocenters. In this Minireview, recent achievements in palladium-catalyzed domino Heck/C-H functionalizations and developments in enantioselective carbopalladation-initiated domino processes are summarized.

Ni-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Diarylation of Activated Alkenes by Domino Cyclization/Cross-Coupling.

A Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive diarylation of activated alkenes by domino cyclizative/cross-coupling of two aryl bromides is developed. This reaction proceeds under very mild conditions and shows broad substrate scope, without requiring the use of preformed organometallic reagents. Moreover, this approach provides direct access to various bis-heterocycles bearing all-carbon quaternary centers in synthetically useful yields (up to 81%) with excellent enantioselectivity (>30 examples, 90-99% ee).

Water as a Hydride Source in Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Heck Reactions.

Pd-catalyzed intramolecular asymmetric carbopalladation of N-aryl acrylamides followed by reduction of C(sp3 )-Pd intermediate using diboron-water as a hydride source afforded enantioenriched 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in high yields and enantioselectivities. When heavy water was used as a deuterium donor in combination with bis(catecholato)diboron (Cat2 B2 ), deuterium was incorporated into the products with high synthetic efficiency. The ligand determined both the enantioselectivity of the reaction and the reaction pathways, thereby affording either hydroarylation (reductive Heck) or carboborylation products.

Synthesis of Diversely Functionalized Oxindoles Enabled by Migratory Insertion of Isocyanide to a Transient σ-Alkylpalladium(II) Complex.

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carbopalladation of N-aryl acrylamides followed by migratory insertion of an isocyanide-coordinated C(sp(3) )-Pd intermediate afforded an alkylimidoyl-Pd(II) complex, which can be intercepted by a nucleophile, including heteroarenes. In addition to amides, the alkylimidoyl-Pd(II) complex was successfully converted into esters, ketones, and bis-heterocyclic compounds. An unprecedented palladium-catalyzed enantioselective domino process involving isocyanide was also documented.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Domino Heck/Intermolecular C-H Bond Functionalization: Development and Application to the Synthesis of (+)-Esermethole.

Intramolecular asymmetric carbopalladation of N-aryl acrylamides followed by intermolecular trapping of the resulting σ-C(sp(3))-Pd complex by azoles afforded 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Two C-C bonds were created with concurrent formation of an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter. Oxadiazole substituted oxindoles were subsequently converted to pyrroloindolines by an unprecedented reductive cyclization protocol. The utility of this chemistry was illustrated by an enantioselective synthesis of (+)-esermethole.

Cyclization cascades via N-amidyl radicals toward highly functionalized heterocyclic scaffolds.

The addition of a variety of radicals to the double bond of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides can trigger cyclization/aryl migration/desulfonylation cascades via amidyl radical intermediates 2. Herein, we demonstrate the synthetic utility of these intermediates in subsequent C-C and C-X bond-forming events to rapidly build up molecular complexity. First, we describe a regioselective one-pot synthesis of CF3-, SCF3-, Ph2(O)P-, and N3-containing indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones from N-[(2-ethynyl)arylsulfonyl]acrylamides through a multi-step radical reaction cascade. The process involves the one-pot formation of four new bonds (one C-X, two C-C, and one C-N), a formal 1,4-aryl migration, and desulfonylation of the starting material. Second, we present a one-pot synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted-2-dihydropyridinones from N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. In this case, a silver-catalyzed radical cascade process involving the sequential formation of two new C-C bonds and one C-N bond, a formal 1,4-aryl migration, and desulfonylation of the starting material explains the regioselective formation of densely functionalized heterocycles in a straightforward manner. Control experiments have unraveled the key intermediates as well as the sequence of individual steps involved in these transformations.

Stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized indanes and dibenzocycloheptadienes through complex radical cascade reactions.

Two highly stereoselective radical-mediated syntheses of densely functionalized indanes and dibenzocycloheptadienes from ortho-vinyl- and ortho-vinylaryl-substituted N-(arylsulfonyl)-acrylamides, respectively, are presented here. The chemoselective addition of in situ generated radicals (X(·)) onto the styrene moieties triggers an unprecedented reaction cascade, resulting in the formation of one new C-X bond and two new C-C bonds, a formal 1,4-aryl migration, and the extrusion of SO2 to generate an amidyl radical intermediate. This intermediate, upon H abstraction, leads to the observed 5- and 7-membered ring carbocyclic products, respectively, in a highly efficient manner.