Oxidants Controlled C-H Bond Functionalization of N-Aryltetrahydroisoquinolines: The Construction of the Quaternary Carbon Center and Cleavage of the C-N Bond.

Initiated by triarylamine radical cation salt (TBPA), the direct C-H bond functionalization of α-N-aryltetrahydroisoquinoline esters was smoothly realized, giving a series of α-hydroxylated derivatives with a quaternary carbon center in good yields. Differently, in the presence of tert-butyl nitrite (TBN), the C-N single bond was cleaved to keto esters. The mechanistic study revealed that these reactions were mediated by a similar mechanism, in which the N-nitrosation might provide a driving force to the C-N bond cleavage.

Methodologies for the synthesis of quaternary carbon centers via hydroalkylation of unactivated olefins: twenty years of advances.

Olefin double-bond functionalization has been established as an excellent strategy for the construction of elaborate molecules. In particular, the hydroalkylation of olefins represents a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of new C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds, with concomitant formation of challenging quaternary carbon centers. In the last 20 years, numerous hydroalkylation methodologies have emerged that have explored the diverse reactivity patterns of the olefin double bond. This review presents examples of olefins acting as electrophilic partners when coordinated with electrophilic transition-metal complexes or, in more recent approaches, when used as precursors of nucleophilic radical species in metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer reactions. This unique reactivity, combined with the wide availability of olefins as starting materials and the success reported in the construction of all-carbon C(sp3) quaternary centers, makes hydroalkylation reactions an ideal platform for the synthesis of molecules with increased molecular complexity.

Unexpected Rearrangement of N-Allyl-2-phenyl-4,5-Dihydrooxazole-4-Carboxamides to Construct Aza-Quaternary Carbon Centers.

The unexpected rearrangement of N-allyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole-4-carboxamides in the presence of LiHMDS has been found. The key features are: (1) the net reaction consisted of 1,3-migration of the N-allyl group, (2) the rearrangement produced a congested aza-quaternary carbon center, (3) both cyclic and acyclic substrates underwent the unexpected rearrangement to afford products in moderate to high yields, and (4) the reaction seemed to be highly stereoselective. In addition, a plausible mechanism has been discussed.

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Sequential C(sp)-C(sp(3)) and C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) Bond Formation through Migratory Carbene Insertion.

A Rh(I)-catalyzed three-component reaction of tert-propargyl alcohol, diazoester, and alkyl halide has been developed. This reaction can be considered as a carbene-involving sequential alkyl and alkynyl coupling, in which C(sp)-C(sp(3)) and C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) bonds are built successively on the carbenic carbon atom. The Rh(I)-carbene migratory insertion of an alkynyl moiety and subsequent alkylation are proposed to account for the two separate C-C bond formations. This reaction provides an efficient and tunable method for the construction of all-carbon quaternary center.

Forming Stereogenic Centers in Acyclic Systems from Alkynes.

The combined carbometalation/zinc homologation followed by reactions with α-heterosubstituted aldehydes and imines proceed through a chair-like transition structure with the substituent of the incoming aldehyde residue preferentially occupying a pseudo-axial position to avoid the two gauche interactions. The heteroatom in the axial position produces a chelated intermediate (and not a Cornforth-Evans transition structure for α-chloro aldehydes and imines) leading to a face differentiation in the allylation reaction. This method provides access to functionalized products in which three new carbon-carbon bonds and two to three stereogenic centers, including a quaternary one, were created in acyclic systems in a single-pot operation from simple alkynes.

A multicomponent Ni-, Zr-, and Cu-catalyzed strategy for enantioselective synthesis of alkenyl-substituted quaternary carbons.

The availability of enantiomerically enriched carbonyl-containing compounds is essential to the synthesis of biologically active molecules. Since catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition (ECA) reactions directly generate the latter valuable class of molecules, the design and development of such protocols represents a compelling objective in modern chemistry. Herein, we disclose the first solution to the problem of ECA of alkenyl groups to acyclic trisubstituted enones, an advance achieved by adopting an easily modifiable and fully catalytic approach. The requisite alkenylaluminum reagents are synthesized with exceptional site- and/or stereoselectivity by a Ni-catalyzed hydroalumination process, and the necessary enones are prepared through a site- and stereoselective zirconocene-catalyzed carboalumination/acylation reaction. The all-catalytic procedure is complete within four hours, furnishing the desired products in up to 77 % overall yield and 99:1 enantiomeric ratio.