Zinc-Catalyzed Enantioselective [3 + 3] Annulation for Synthesis of Chiral Spiro[indoline-3,4'-thiopyrano[2,3-b]indole] Derivatives.

With a dinuclear zinc-ProPhenol complex as a catalyst, an efficient and novel [3 + 3] annulation of indoline-2-thiones and isatylidene malononitriles has been successfully developed via the Brønsted base and Lewis acid cooperative activation model. This practical methodology gives access to a broad range of chiral spiro[indoline-3,4'-thiopyrano[2,3-b]indole] derivatives in good yields with excellent levels of enantioselectivities (up to 88% yield and 99% ee).

Dinuclear Zinc Catalyzed Enantioselective Dearomatization [3+2] Annulation of 2-Nitrobenzofurans and 2-Nitrobenzothiophenes.

The application of dinuclear zinc catalysts in a dearomatization reaction has been developed. Catalytic asymmetric dearomatization [3+2] annulations of 2-nitrobenzofurans or 2-nitrobenzothiophenes with CF3 -containing N-unprotected isatin-derived azomethine ylides catalyzed by dinuclear zinc catalysts are realized with excellent diastereomer ratios (dr) of >20 : 1 and enantiomeric excess (ee) of up to 99 %. This protocol provides a practical, straightforward access to structurally diverse pyrrolidinyl spirooxindoles containing a 2,3-fused-dihydrobenzofuran (or dihydrobenzothiphene) moiety, and four contiguous stereocenters. Reactions can be performed on a gram scale. The absolute configuration of products is confirmed by X-ray single crystal structure analysis, and a possible mechanism is proposed.

Direct Asymmetric α-Selective Mannich Reaction of ß,γ-Unsaturated Ketones with Cyclic α-Imino Ester: Divergent Synthesis of Cyclocanaline and Tetrahydro Pyridazinone Derivatives.

The first regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective direct Mannich reaction of ß,γ,-unsaturated ketones with benzoxazinone cyclic imines was enabled by Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalysis. The dinuclear zinc complex catalyzed the reaction of a broad range of ß,γ-unsaturated ketones to proceed at the α-site exclusively, leading to corresponding adducts with two consecutive tertiary carbon stereocenters in diastereomeric ratios of up to >20:1 and enantioselectivities generally in the 90-99 % ee range. These products were used as general intermediates in the synthesis of multisubstituted cyclocanalines, tetrahydro pyridazinones, and 4H-furo[2,3-b][1,4]benzoxazine derivatives.

Dinuclear zinc-catalyzed enantioselective formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines with low reactivity aurone derivatives.

Highly enantioselective formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines with aurone derivatives of low reactivity using chiral dinuclear zinc catalysts has been developed via a Brønsted base and Lewis acid cooperative activation model. These transformations involving a domino Michael/Mannich reaction sequence led to efficient construction of a range of chiral spiro[benzofuran-pyrrolidine] scaffolds bearing three biologically relevant heterocyclic moieties and two adjacent spiro quaternary stereocenters in high yields (up to 95%) and with good enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuran Spirooxindoles via a Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst.

An asymmetric Michael/hemiketalization and Fridel-Crafts reaction has been reported through a one-pot reaction. A number of structurally novel tetrahydrofuran spirooxindoles are synthesized in the presence of a 10 mol % dinuclear zinc catalyst with diastereomer ratios (dr) of 3:1-13:1 and an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 75-99%. The reaction can be performed on a gram scale without impacting its efficiency. The absolute configuration of products is confirmed by X-ray single crystal structure analysis, and a possible mechanism is proposed.

Enantioselective synthesis of indanone spiro-isochromanone derivatives via a dinuclear zinc-catalyzed Michael/transesterification tandem reaction.

An enantioselective Michael/transesterification tandem reaction of α-hydroxy indanones with ortho-ester chalcones was realized using dinuclear zinc catalysts. A series of enantiomerically pure spiro[indanone-2,3'-isochromane-1-one] derivatives were obtained in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, up to >99% ee). This protocol could be conducted on a gram scale without affecting its stereoselectivities. In addition, the absolute stereochemistry of the products was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3ac, and a positive nonlinear effect was observed. Finally, a possible catalytic cycle was proposed to explain the origin of the enantioselectivity.

Access to Chiral 2,5-Pyrrolidinyl Dispirooxindoles via Dinuclear Zinc-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Reactions.

A series of new nonsymmetric semi-azacrown ether ligands were developed and applied to the asymmetric Michael/cyclic keto-imine formation/Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions of 3-amino oxindole hydrochlorides and ß,γ-unsaturated α-keto amides. A diversity of 2,5-pyrrolidinyl dispirooxindoles containing two nonadjacent spiro-quaternary stereocenters were obtained in excellent diastereoselectivities and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). A possible catalytic cycle was proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.

Dinuclear zinc cooperative catalytic three-component reactions for highly enantioselective synthesis of 3,3'-dihydrofuran spirooxindoles.

A new dinuclear zinc cooperative catalytic enantioselective three-component reaction via a domino Knoevenagel /Michael/cyclization sequence has been developed. A series of chiral 3,3'-dihydrofuran spirooxindoles are obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). In addition, the reaction is carried out smoothly on a gram scale under mild conditions.

Dinuclear zinc synergistic catalytic asymmetric phospha-Michael/Michael cascade reaction: synthesis of 1,2,3-trisubstituted indanes bearing phosphoryl groups.

A new dinuclear zinc synergistic catalytic asymmetric phospha-Michael/Michael cascade reaction of o-dienones and dialkyl phosphates is reported. This method has been proven to be general and efficient for the formation of a range of chiral 1,2,3-trisubstituted indane compounds containing phosphorus groups in good yields (up to 92%) with excellent stereoselectivities (up to >99% ee and up to >99 : 1 dr). The relative configuration of the product was identified as having a trans,trans substitution pattern via two-dimensional (2D) nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy 1H-1H NMR experiments. A possible mechanism was proposed.

Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with Trifluoromethyl Pyruvate Catalyzed by a Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst.

A bimetallic cooperative catalysis model has been reported for the asymmetric Friedel-Crafts (F-C) alkylation of indoles with trifluoromethyl pyruvates using Trost's intramolecular dinuclear zinc complex as the catalyst. This dinuclear zinc catalyst was prepared in situ by reacting the chiral ligand (S,S)-L2b with 2 equiv of ZnEt2. A series of trifluoromethyl alcohol and indole-containing biological compounds were formed in moderate to good yields (up to 95%) with good enantioselectivity (up to 88% enantiomeric excess (ee)) in the presence of 10 mol % catalyst under mild conditions. A synergistic transition state model was proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.

Synthesis of 3-Indolylglycine Derivatives via Dinuclear Zinc Catalytic Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Reaction.

A direct asymmetric Friedel-Crafts (F-C) alkylation reaction between a wide range of indoles and ethyl 2-(4-methoxyphenylimino)acetate catalyzed by Trost's dinuclear complex is reported. A series of 3-indolylglycine derivatives were synthesized in enantioselectivity of up to >99% enantiomeric excess (ee) using 10 mol% catalyst loading under mild conditions. This atom economic reaction could be run on a gram scale without impacting its enantioselectivity. The absolute stereochemistry of catalytic products was determined by correlation with a known configuration compound. A possible mechanism was proposed for the asymmetric induction.

A New Strategy for Enantioselective Construction of Multisubstituted Five-Membered Oxygen Heterocycles via a Domino Michael/Hemiketalization Reaction.

A new highly enantioselective domino Michael/hemiketalization reaction of α-hydroxyacetophenone with ß,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters for the synthesis of 2,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted chiral tetrahydrofurans is reported. With 2 mol % intramolecular dinuclear zinc-AzePhenol complex prepared in situ from the reaction of multidentate semi-azacrown ether ligand with ZnEt2 , the corresponding anti-multisubstituted tetrahydrofuran products were obtained in up to 90 % yields, and 98 % enantiomeric excess (ee) at 0 °C for 45 min. Moreover, the products were easily converted to 2,3,5-trisubstituted 2,3-dihydrofurans without any loss in optical activity.

Highly enantioselective catalytic system for asymmetric copolymerization of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide.

A new ligand can be easily prepared, and its intramolecular dinuclear zinc complexes act as a high performance catalyst for the asymmetric alternating copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and CO2 under very mild conditions (1 atm CO2 , room temperature), affording completely alternating polycarbonates with up to 93.8 % enantiomeric excess (ee) and 98 % yield. A high Mn value of 28 600 and a relatively narrow polydispersity (Mw /Mn ratio) of 1.43 were also achieved.

Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of pyrrole with chalcones catalyzed by a dinuclear zinc catalyst.

A highly enantioselective Friedel-Crafts (F-C) alkylation of pyrrole with a wide range of simple nonchelating chalcone derivatives catalyzed by a chiral (Zn2EtL)n (L = (S,S)-1) complex has been developed. The catalyst (Zn2EtL)n complex was prepared in situ by reacting the chiral ligand (S,S)-1 with 2 equiv of diethylzinc. A series of ß-pyrrole-substituted dihydrochalcones were usually formed mostly in excellent yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivity [up to 99% enantiomeric excess (ee)] by using 15 mol % catalyst loading under mild conditions. The absolute stereochemistry of the products was determined to be the S-configuration by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 13g. Meanwhile, a weak negative nonlinear effect was observed. On the basis of the experimental results and previous reports, a possible mechanism was proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.

Diastereomeric aziridine carbinol catalyzed enantioselective arylation reaction: toward the asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of chiral 3-aryl phthalide.

The diastereomeric aziridine carbinols are applied, respectively, as efficient chiral ligand in the catalysis of asymmetric arylation and sequential arylation-lactonization cascade. The two diastereomers, which are facilely synthesized from the same chiral source, function as pseudo enantiomers in arylation of aromatic aldehydes providing the different enantiomers of the diarylmethanols with almost the same excellent enantioselectivities. The arylation method is also carried out in tandem with lactonization process to afford a concise synthetic approach to both enantiomers of optically active 3-aryl phthalide.

Dinuclear Zinc-Catalyzed Asymmetric Desymmetrization of Cyclopentendiones: Access to Functional Cyclopentanediones Bearing an All-carbon Quaternary Stereocenter.

The success in the identification of the two enantioisomeric surfaces of electrophiles by dinuclear zinc catalysts is disclosed. This protocol realizes a dinuclear zinc-cocatalyzed desymmetrization of cyclopentendiones using α-hydroxy aryl ketones as nucleophiles through Michael addition reaction. Under mild conditions, a series of functional cyclopentanediones bearing multiple stereogenic centers including an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter, were obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent stereoselectivities.

Zn-ProPhenol catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction.

The first Zn-ProPhenol catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction has been accomplished. This protocol was carried out by a dual-activation mode under mild conditions, allowing the preparation of various biologically important dihydropyrans in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities.

Zinc-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Michael/Acyl Transfer Reaction between α-Hydroxy Aryl Ketones and Enynones.

We described herein a neoteric enantioselective cascade Michael/acyl transfer reaction of enynones and α-hydroxy aryl ketones catalyzed by dinuclear zinc cooperative catalysis. A series of structurally diverse chiral 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds were synthesized in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities. This strategy features broad substrate scope, high atom economy, as well as enynones as efficient electrophilic acyl transfer reagents in asymmetric cascade reactions for the first time.

Catalytic asymmetric de novo construction of 4-pyrrolin-2-ones via intermolecular formal [3+2] cycloaddition of azoalkenes with azlactones.

The chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular formal [3+2] cycloaddition of azoalkenes with azlactones has been established. This convergent protocol leads to a facile and enantioselective de novo construction of a wide range of fully substituted 4-pyrrolin-2-ones bearing a fully substituted carbon atom in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (26 examples, 72-95% yields and 87-99% ee).

Catalytic asymmetric dearomatization of phenols via divergent intermolecular (3 + 2) and alkylation reactions.

The catalytic asymmetric dearomatization (CADA) reaction has proved to be a powerful protocol for rapid assembly of valuable three-dimensional cyclic compounds from readily available planar aromatics. In contrast to the well-studied indoles and naphthols, phenols have been considered challenging substrates for intermolecular CADA reactions due to the combination of strong aromaticity and potential regioselectivity issue over the multiple nucleophilic sites (O, C2 as well as C4). Reported herein are the chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed divergent intermolecular CADA reactions of common phenols with azoalkenes, which deliver the tetrahydroindolone and cyclohexadienone products bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center in good yields with excellent ee values. Notably, simply adjusting the reaction temperature leads to the chemo-divergent intermolecular (3 + 2) and alkylation dearomatization reactions. Moreover, the stereo-divergent synthesis of four possible stereoisomers in a kind has been achieved via changing the sequence of catalyst enantiomers.