Utopia Point Bayesian Optimization Finds Condition-Dependent Selectivity for N-Methyl Pyrazole Condensation.

Utopia Point Bayesian Optimization (UPBO) was used to identify reaction conditions that are highly selective for the formation of N1 and N2-methyl-3-aryl pyrazole constitutional isomers. UPBO was used to explore a wide chemical space and identify basic reaction conditions for a typically acid-catalyzed Knorr pyrazole condensation. These studies revealed that selectivity in the reaction stems from a condition-dependent equilibrium of intermediates prior to dehydration. For the N2-methyl isomer reaction pathway, a hemiaminal intermediate was found to form reversibly under the reaction conditions, enabling a highly selective synthesis of the N2 isomer upon dehydrative workup. UPBO was able to successfully optimize conversion and selectivity simultaneously with search spaces of >1 million potential variable combinations without the need for high-performance computational resources.

N1-Selective Methylation of Pyrazoles via α-Halomethylsilanes as Masked Methylating Reagents.

The development of a highly selective N-methylation of pyrazole heterocycles using commercially available, bench-stable α-halomethylsilanes as masked methylating reagents is described. Sterically bulky α-halomethylsilanes significantly improve the selectivity of N-alkylation over traditional methylating reagents and readily undergo protodesilylation in the presence of a fluoride source and water to give N-methyl pyrazoles. Selectivities of 92:8 to >99:1 N1/N2 regioisomeric ratios were achieved with a range of pyrazole substrates in good yields.

Umpolung Flow Chemistry for the Synthesis of a 3-Oxo-3H-spiro[benzofuran-2,4'-piperidine] Building Block.

An efficient and scalable route to tert-butyl 3-oxo-3H-spiro[benzofuran-2,4'-piperidine]-1'-carboxylate, a central prochiral intermediate in the synthesis of SHP2 inhibitor GDC-1971 (migoprotafib), was achieved. Preparation of the title compound from readily available 2-fluorobenzaldehyde included formation of a modified Katritzky benzotriazole hemiaminal, which, upon deprotonation by n-butyllithium, participated in umpolung reactivity via 1,2-addition to tert-butyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate (N-Boc-4-piperidone). Most notably, this reaction was developed as a robust plug-flow process that could be executed on multiple kilograms without the need for pilot-scale reaction vessels operating at low cryogenic temperatures. Treatment of the resulting tetrahedral intermediate with oxalic acid resulted in collapse to the corresponding 4-(2-fluorobenzoyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine, which was isolated as a solid via crystallization. The synthesis concluded with an optimized intramolecular SNAr reaction and final crystallization to generate tert-butyl 3-oxo-3H-spiro[benzofuran-2,4'-piperidine]-1'-carboxylate as a stable, high-quality intermediate suitable for further functionalization toward GDC-1971.

Zn-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition involving two electron-deficient partners: asymmetric synthesis of piperidines from 1-azadienes and nitro-alkenes.

We report a catalytic asymmetric synthesis of piperidines through [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 1-azadienes and nitro-alkenes. The reaction uses earth abundant Zn as catalyst and is highly diastereo- and regioselective. A novel BOPA ligand (F-BOPA) confers high reactivity and enantioselectivity in the process. The presence of ortho substitution on the arenes adjacent to the bis(oxazolines) was found to be particularly impactful, due to limiting the undesired coordination of 1-azadiene to the Lewis acid and thus allowing the reaction to be carried out at lower temperature. A series of secondary kinetic isotope effect studies using a range of ligands implicates a stepwise mechanism for the transformation, involving an initial Michael-type addition of the imine to the nitro-alkene followed by a cyclization event. The stepwise mechanism obviates the electronic requirement inherent to a concerted mechanism, explaining the successful cycloaddition between two electron-deficient partners.

Supramolecular Ga4L6(12-) Cage Photosensitizes 1,3-Rearrangement of Encapsulated Guest via Photoinduced Electron Transfer.

The K12Ga4L6 supramolecular cage is photoactive and enables an unprecedented photoreaction not observed in bulk solution. Ga4L6(12-) cages photosensitize the 1,3-rearrangement of encapsulated cinnamylammonium cation guests from the linear isomer to the higher energy branched isomer when irradiated with UVA light. The rearrangement requires light and guest encapsulation to occur. The Ga4L6(12-) cage-mediated reaction mechanism was investigated by UV/vis absorption, fluorescence, ultrafast transient absorption, and electrochemical experiments. The results support a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism for the 1,3-rearrangement, in which the Ga4L6(12-) cage absorbs photons and transfers an electron to the encapsulated cinnamylammonium ion, which undergoes C-N bond cleavage, followed by back electron transfer to the cage and recombination of the guest fragments to form the higher energy isomer.

Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Pentenyl Isocyanate and 4-Ethynylanisole: Preparation and Use of Taddolpyrrolidine Phosphoramidite.

Caution, alkyl acyl azides can rapidly decompose with heat to release large amounts of nitrogen. Care should be taken during handling: do not attempt to convert neat and avoid handling neat.

Catalytic asymmetric intermolecular stetter reaction of heterocyclic aldehydes with nitroalkenes: backbone fluorination improves selectivity.

The catalytic asymmetric intermolecular Stetter reaction of heterocyclic aldehydes and nitroalkenes has been developed. We have identified a strong stereoelectronic effect on catalyst structure when a fluorine substituent is placed in the backbone. X-ray structure analysis provides evidence that hyperconjugative effects are responsible for a change in conformation in the azolium precatalyst. This new N-heterocyclic carbene precursor bearing fluorine substitution in the backbone results in significantly improved enantioselectivities across a range of substrates.

Enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of terminal alkynes and alkenyl isocyanates: mechanistic insights lead to a unified model that rationalizes product selectivity.

This manuscript describes the development and scope of the asymmetric rhodium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes and alkenyl isocyanates leading to the formation of indolizidine and quinolizidine scaffolds. The use of phosphoramidite ligands proved crucial for avoiding competitive terminal alkyne dimerization. Both aliphatic and aromatic terminal alkynes participate well, with product selectivity a function of both the steric and electronic character of the alkyne. Manipulation of the phosphoramidite ligand leads to tuning of enantio- and product selectivity, with a complete turnover in product selectivity seen with aliphatic alkynes when moving from Taddol-based to biphenol-based phosphoramidites. Terminal and 1,1-disubstituted olefins are tolerated with nearly equal efficacy. Examination of a series of competition experiments in combination with analysis of reaction outcome shed considerable light on the operative catalytic cycle. Through a detailed study of a series of X-ray structures of rhodium(cod)chloride/phosphoramidite complexes, we have formulated a mechanistic hypothesis that rationalizes the observed product selectivity.

Phosphoramidite-Rhodium Complexes as Catalysts for the Asymmetric [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkenyl Isocyanates and Alkynes.

The discovery and development of the asymmetric rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkenyl isocyanates and exogenous alkynes to form indolizinone and quinolizinone scaffolds is described. This methodology has been expanded to include substituted alkenes and dienes, a variety of sterically and electronically diverse alkynes, and carbodiimides in place of the isocyanate. Through X-ray analysis of Rh(cod)/phosphoramidite complexes, additives that modify the enantio-determining step, and other experimental data, a mechanism has been proposed that explains lactam, vinylogous amide, and pyridone products and the factors governing their formation. Finally, we have applied this methodology to the synthesis of (+)-lasubine-II and (-)-209D.

Correction: Ligand design for Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation: an unsymmetrical cyclopentadienyl group enables a regioselective synthesis of dihydroisoquinolones.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C4SC02590C.].

Correction: Ligand design for Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation: an unsymmetrical cyclopentadienyl group enables a regioselective synthesis of dihydroisoquinolones.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C4SC02590C.].

Ligand Design for Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation: An Unsymmetrical Cyclopentadienyl Enables a Regioselective Synthesis of Dihydroisoquinolones.

We report the regioselective synthesis of dihydroisoquinolones from aliphatic alkenes and O-pivaloyl benzhydroxamic acids mediated by a Rh(III) precatalyst bearing sterically bulky substituents. While the prototypical Cp* ligand provides product with low selectivity, sterically bulky Cpt affords product with excellent regioselectivity for a range of benzhydroxamic acids and alkenes. Crystallographic evidence offers insight as to the source of the increased regioselectivity.

Catalytic, asymmetric indolizidinone aza-quaternary stereocenter synthesis: expedient synthesis of the cylindricine alkaloid core.

The Rh(I)•CKphos catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,1-disubstituted alkenyl isocyanates and alkyl alkynes selectively forms previously inaccessible vinylogous amide indolizidinone cycloadducts, establishing an aza-quaternery stereocenter with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). This advance enables a seven step catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of the tricyclic core of the cylindricine alkaloids with excellent control of product selectivity as well as regio- and enantioselectivity.

Perfluorinated Taddol Phosphoramidite as an L,Z-Ligand on Rh(I) and Co(-I): Evidence for Bidentate Coordination via Metal-C6F5 Interaction.

Perfluorinated Taddol-based phosphoramidite, CKphos, is a highly selective ligand for formation of the vinylogous amide cycloadduct in the Rh(I) catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkenyl isocyanates and alkynes. CKphos overrides substrate bias of product selectivity in the cycloaddition, providing indolizinones in excellent product and enantioselectivities. Excellent selectivities are attributed to a shortened Rh-P bond and coordination of one C6F5 to rhodium via a Z-type interaction, making the phosphoramidite a bidentate L,Z-ligand on rhodium. Evidence for the shortened Rh-P and C6F5 coordination is provided by X-ray, NMR and DFT computation analyses. Additionally, an anionic cobalt complex with CKphos was synthesized and two Co-C6F5 interactions are seen. Rh(C2H4)Cl•CKphos catalyst in the [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkenyl isocyanates and alkynes represents a rare example of metal-C6F5 Z-type interaction affecting selectivity in transition metal catalysis.

SNAr-Derived Decomposition By-products Involving Pentafluorophenyl Triazolium Carbenes.

Pentafluorophenyl triazolium carbenes, widely used in NHC-catalysis, can decompose by several mechanisms. Under high concentration conditions, the azolium may undergo a pentafluorophenyl exchange by a proposed SNAr mechanism to give an inactive salt. In the presence of appropriate substrates, cyclization on the ortho-position of the arene can occur, also by SNAr. These adducts provide a potential pathway for catalyst decomposition and serve as a caveat to the development of new reactions and catalysts.