Indole-ynones as Privileged Substrates for Radical Dearomatizing Spirocyclization Cascades.

Indole-ynones have been established as general substrates for radical dearomatizing spirocyclization cascade reactions. Five distinct and varied synthetic protocols have been developed─cyanomethylation, sulfonylation, trifluoromethylation, stannylation and borylation─using a variety of radical generation modes, ranging from photoredox catalysis to traditional AIBN methods. The simple and easily prepared indole-ynones can be used to rapidly generate diverse, densely functionalized spirocycles and have the potential to become routinely used to explore radical reactivity. Experimental and computational investigations support the proposed radical cascade mechanism and suggest that other new methods are now primed for development.

A Thiol-Mediated Three-Step Ring Expansion Cascade for the Conversion of Indoles into Functionalized Quinolines.

An operationally simple, high yielding three-step cascade process is described for the direct conversion of indole-tethered ynones into functionalized quinolines. A single "multitasking" thiol reagent is used to promote a three-step dearomatizing spirocyclization, nucleophilic substitution, and one-atom ring expansion reaction cascade under remarkably mild conditions. In addition, a novel route to thio-oxindoles is described, which was discovered by serendipity.

Phosphoranyl Radical Fragmentation Reactions Driven by Photoredox Catalysis.

Photocatalytic generation of phosphoranyl radicals is fast emerging as an essential method for the generation of diverse and valuable radicals, typically via deoxygenation or desulfurization processes. This Perspective is a comprehensive evaluation of all studies using phosphoranyl radicals as tunable mediators in photoredox catalysis, highlighting how two distinct methods for phosphoranyl radical formation (radical addition and nucleophilic addition) can be used to generate versatile radical intermediates with diverse reactivity profiles.

Photocatalytic Deoxygenation of Sulfoxides Using Visible Light: Mechanistic Investigations and Synthetic Applications.

The photocatalytic deoxygenation of sulfoxides to generate sulfides facilitated by either Ir[(dF(CF3)ppy)2(dtbbpy)]PF6 or fac-Ir(ppy)3 is reported. Mechanistic studies indicate that a radical chain mechanism operates, which proceeds via a phosphoranyl radical generated from a radical/polar crossover process. Initiation of the radical chain was found to proceed via two opposing photocatalytic quenching mechanisms, offering complementary reactivity. The mild nature of the radical deoxygenation process enables the reduction of a wide range of functionalized sulfoxides, including those containing acid-sensitive groups, in typically high isolated yields.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Indole C2-Allylation.

The enantioselective intermolecular C2-allylation of 3-substituted indoles is reported for the first time. This directing group-free approach relies on a chiral Ir-(P, olefin) complex and Mg(ClO4 )2 Lewis acid catalyst system to promote allylic substitution, providing the C2-allylated products in typically high yields (40-99 %) and enantioselectivities (83-99 % ee) with excellent regiocontrol. Experimental studies and DFT calculations suggest that the reaction proceeds via direct C2-allylation, rather than C3-allylation followed by in situ migration. Steric congestion at the indole-C3 position and improved π-π stacking interactions have been identified as major contributors to the C2-selectivity.

Modular Synthesis of Polycyclic Alkaloid Scaffolds via an Enantioselective Dearomative Cascade.

The polycyclic core of the akuammiline alkaloids can be synthesized from simple tryptamine and tryptophol derivatives via a Ag(I)-catalyzed enantioselective dearomative cyclization cascade sequence. The complex tetracyclic scaffolds are prepared via a rapid, versatile, three-step modular synthesis from simple commercially available indole derivatives in high yields and enantiomeric excess (up to 99% yield and >99% ee).

A marine viral halogenase that iodinates diverse substrates.

Oceanic cyanobacteria are the most abundant oxygen-generating phototrophs on our planet and are therefore important to life. These organisms are infected by viruses called cyanophages, which have recently shown to encode metabolic genes that modulate host photosynthesis, phosphorus cycling and nucleotide metabolism. Herein we report the characterization of a wild-type flavin-dependent viral halogenase (VirX1) from a cyanophage. Notably, halogenases have been previously associated with secondary metabolism, tailoring natural products. Exploration of this viral halogenase reveals it capable of regioselective halogenation of a diverse range of substrates with a preference for forming aryl iodide species; this has potential implications for the metabolism of the infected host. Until recently, a flavin-dependent halogenase that is capable of iodination in vitro had not been reported. VirX1 is interesting from a biocatalytic perspective as it shows strikingly broad substrate flexibility and a clear preference for iodination, as illustrated by kinetic analysis. These factors together render it an attractive tool for synthesis.

Indole Synthesis Using Silver Catalysis.

Indoles are amongst the most important classes of heteroaromatics in organic chemistry, commonly found in biologically active natural products and therapeutically useful compounds. The synthesis of indoles is therefore important and several methods for their synthesis that make use of silver(I) catalysts and reagents have been developed in recent years. This Minireview contains, to the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive coverage of silver-mediated indole forming reactions since the first reaction of this type was reported in 2004.

Visible-light-induced intramolecular charge transfer in the radical spirocyclisation of indole-tethered ynones.

Indole-tethered ynones form an intramolecular electron donor-acceptor complex that can undergo visible-light-induced charge transfer to promote thiyl radical generation from thiols. This initiates a novel radical chain sequence, based on dearomatising spirocyclisation with concomitant C-S bond formation. Sulfur-containing spirocycles are formed in high yields using this simple and mild synthetic protocol, in which neither transition metal catalysts nor photocatalysts are required. The proposed mechanism is supported by various mechanistic studies, and the unusual radical initiation mode represents only the second report of the use of an intramolecular electron donor-acceptor complex in synthesis.

Dearomatizing Spiroannulation Reagents: Direct Access to Spirocycles from Indoles and Dihalides.

Unfunctionalized indoles can be directly converted into 3,3'-spirocyclic indolenines and indolines upon reaction with electrophilic dihalides in the presence of t-BuOK/BEt3. This double C-C bond forming reaction, which simultaneously generates a quaternary spirocyclic center, typically proceeds in high yield and has good functional group tolerance. In contrast to existing dearomatizing spirocyclization approaches, there is no need to prepare a prefunctionalized aromatic precursor, enabling faster access to valuable spirocyclic products from simple, commercially available aromatics in one step.

Ag(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Azabicyclic Alkaloid Frameworks from Ketimine-Tethered Ynones: Total Synthesis of Indolizidine 209D.

An efficient Ag(I)-catalyzed π-acid activation method for the cyclization of cyclic ketimine-tethered ynones is reported. Various nitrogen-containing scaffolds commonly found in bioactive alkaloids can be prepared in high yields, and the utility of the method is demonstrated by a formal synthesis of (±)-lasubine II and in a short total synthesis of (±)-indolizidine 209D.

Selective synthesis of three product classes from imine and carboxylic acid precursors via direct imine acylation.

Three divergent Direct Imine Acylation (DIA) procedures are reported that allow the selective generation of δ-lactams, ß-lactams and tetrahydropyrimidinones (via a novel three-component coupling) from imine and carboxylic acid precursors. All operate via initial N-acyliminium ion formation and diverge depending on the reaction conditions and nature of the substrates.

Low-Temperature, Transition-Metal-Free Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Protocol for the Synthesis of 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles.

A new low-temperature procedure for the synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted 2-oxindoles via cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) is reported. The use of a strong, nonreversible base in these reactions has been found to effect a dramatic drop in reaction temperature (to room temperature) relative to the current state-of-the-art (>100 °C) procedure. When employing iodine as an "oxidant", new evidence suggests that this transformation may occur via a transiently stable iodinated intermediate rather than by direct single-electron oxidation.

Photoredox-catalyzed procedure for carbamoyl radical generation: 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-one and quinolin-2-one synthesis.

A reductive approach for carbamoyl radical generation from N-hydroxyphthalimido oxamides under photoredox catalysis is outlined. This strategy was applied to the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones via the intermolecular addition/cyclization of carbamoyl radicals with electron deficient olefins in a mild, redox-neutral manner. Under a general set of reaction conditions, diversely substituted 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones, including spirocyclic systems can be prepared. By using chlorine-substituted olefins, aromatic quinolin-2-ones can also be accessed.

A Cu-Catalysed Radical Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Approach to Acridanes and Related Heterocycles.

The synthesis of acridanes and related compounds through a Cu-catalysed radical cross-dehydrogenative coupling of simple 2-[2-(arylamino)aryl]malonates is reported. This method can be further streamlined to a one-pot protocol involving the in situ fomation of the 2-[2-(arylamino)aryl]malonate by α-arylation of diethyl malonate with 2-bromodiarylamines under Pd catalysis, followed by Cu-catalysed cyclisation.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Reductive Carbamoyl Radical Generation: A Redox-Neutral Intermolecular Addition-Cyclization Approach to Functionalized 3,4-Dihydroquinolin-2-ones.

The first reductive generation of carbamoyl radicals using photoredox catalysis for their formation is reported. This approach facilitated the development of a redox-neutral synthesis of functionalized 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones via the novel intermolecular addition-cyclization of carbamoyl radicals across electron-deficient alkenes. To illustrate the versatility of this reaction, a diverse collection of 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones, including fused cyclic and spirocyclic systems inspired by natural products, has been prepared.

Preparation and Reactions of Indoleninyl Halides: Scaffolds for the Synthesis of Spirocyclic Indole Derivatives.

The dearomatization of 2-haloindole precursors allows access to indoleninyl halides, a hitherto underexploited functional handle with broad synthetic utility. Indoleninyl iodides have been shown to react via three distinct modes: hydrolysis, nucleophilic substitution, and cross-coupling. This allows a broad array of functionalized spirocyclic indole derivatives to be generated from a common starting material. They are also useful precursors to functionalized quinolines following migratory rearrangement and subsequent derivatization reactions.

Catalytic Dearomatization Approach to Quinolizidine Alkaloids: Five Step Total Synthesis of (±)-Lasubine II.

A series of high-yielding silver(I)-catalyzed cyclization reactions of pyridine-, isoquinoline-, and pyrazine-ynones are described. The operationally simple and mild reaction conditions are a significant improvement over previously reported thermal cyclizations. The quinolizinone products were also used in a novel dearomatization strategy to prepare 0.53 g of the alkaloid lasubine II in five steps and 36% overall yield.

Dearomatisation approaches to spirocyclic dienones via the electrophilic activation of alkynes.

Two complementary dearomatising spirocyclisation protocols to generate spirocyclic dienones from anisole and phenol-tethered ynones are described, each proceeding via electrophilic alkyne activation. The first approach focuses on the spirocyclisation of para-substituted anisoles using either SnCl2·2H2O or Cu(OTf)2. The second approach, which enables the spirocyclisation of both ortho- and para-substituted phenols, uses silica-supported AgNO3 to generate similar scaffolds with much greater efficiency. Initial asymmetric studies are also outlined.

Silica-Supported Silver Nitrate as a Highly Active Dearomatizing Spirocyclization Catalyst: Synergistic Alkyne Activation by Silver Nanoparticles and Silica.

Silica-supported AgNO3 (AgNO3 -SiO2 ) catalyzes the dearomatizing spirocyclization of alkyne-tethered aromatics far more effectively than the analogous unsupported reagent; in many cases, reactions which fail using unsupported AgNO3 proceed effectively with AgNO3 -SiO2 . Mechanistic studies indicate that this is a consequence of silver nanoparticle formation on the silica surface combined with a synergistic effect caused by the silica support itself. The remarkable ease with which the reagent can be prepared and used is likely to be of much synthetic importance, in particular, by making nanoparticle catalysis more accessible to non-specialists.