An Organocatalytic Highly Enantioselective Stereospecific Synthesis of 1,1-Disubstituted-1,3-Dihydroisobenzofurans.

Herein, we disclosed the asymmetric construction of an oxa-quaternary stereocenter via an intramolecular oxa-Michael (IOM) reaction in ß-substituted ortho-hydroxymethyl chalcone by the formation of 1,1-disubstituted-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran using cinchona alkaloid-based chiral amino-squaramide catalyst. Both the (E- and Z)-ß-substituted ortho-hydroxymethyl chalcone provide (S)- and (R)-enantiomers of the 1,1-disubstituted-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran with excellent stereospecificity. In general, excellent yields (up to 95 %) and enantioselectivity (up to 98 % ee) were obtained. Furthermore, the resulting 1,1-disubstituted isobenzofuran or phthalan was converted to corresponding chiral 3,3-disubstituted phthalides without losing the enantioselectivity. This methodology provides the core moiety of the (S)-citalopram drug.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Spiroaminals via Chiral Bifunctional Hydrogen Bonding Organocatalysis.

Spiroaminals represent novel structural motifs prevalent in diverse natural products and biologically active molecules. Achieving their enantioselective synthesis is a highly desirable and challenging task in synthetic endeavors due to their intricate molecular frameworks. Herein, we accomplished the first stereodivergent construction of spiroaminals using chiral bifunctional organocatalyzed intramolecular 1,2-addition followed by an oxa-Michael addition cascade in a high atom and step economical pathway. A proper modulation of the cinchona-derived squaramide catalysts efficiently provided access to all the possible stereoisomers with high yield, diastereoselectivity, and excellent enantioselectivity while displaying a broad substrate tolerance. Additionally, we validated the scalability of the reaction and demonstrated the synthesis of variable spiroaminal scaffolds, confirming the viability of our protocol.

Organocatalytic Desymmetric Conjugate Addition to Cyclobutanone: An Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of [6,5,4]-Fused Carbocycles.

The first organocatalytic, non-destructive desymmetrisation of 3-substituted cyclobutanone followed by intramolecular cyclisation is described. Owing to the slow activation of the pronucleophile by the weak Brønsted base, the α-functionalization of ketones with tertiary-amine-derived Brønsted base catalysis has been chemically challenging in asymmetric transformations. Herein, we demonstrate that the cinchona-derived squaramide catalyst works effectively for the intramolecular Michael addition of cyclobutanone to enones and affords the architecturally fascinating [6,5,4]-fused carbocyclic skeleton in good yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr and 96 % ee). Furthermore, as a synthetic application, this method provides an alternative pathway to enantioenriched high-value products like γ-lactones and indan-2-ol derivatives.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Intramolecular Michael Addition by In Situ Generated Aminoisobenzofulvenes: Construction of Spiro Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters.

An unprecedented enantioselective organocatalytic spirocyclization strategy is presented by in situ generation of aminoisobezofulvenes. The reaction sequence involves a reductive Michael/aldol-condensation/Michael addition cascade by iminium-enamine catalysis. The key success of this spirocyclization was the formation of intermediatory nucleophilic aminoisobenzofuvenes accountable for intramolecular Michael addition. Benzospirononanes featuring an all carbon qauternary spirocenter were obtained using proline-derived amino-organocatalyst in moderate to good yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, and 99 % ee). Post-methodological manipulation of benzospirononanes was also demonstrated.

Stereoselective Borylcupration/Michael Addition on Symmetrical Dienones.

An efficient cascade protocol for the stereoselective synthesis of borylated carbocycles via copper-catalyzed borylative Michael/Michael cyclization is presented. Using this mild approach, up to 24 new boronic ester substituted indanes, cyclohexanes, and cyclopentanes were prepared in good yields with excellent diasteroselectivities and exceptional functional group tolerance. Furthermore, carbacyclic boronates were oxidized successfully through synthetic transformation. Gram-scale synthesis of the present protocol was also carried out effectively.

Expedient Access to Enantioenriched 1-Azaspiro Cyclobutanones Enabled by Modified Heyns Rearrangement.

Leveraging the unexplored regions of chemical space, the integration of spirocyclic cyclobutane in a molecular scaffold opens up a new vista in modern drug discovery. Despite recent advancements in achieving the synthesis of such motifs, strategies for their asymmetric construction have not been well-recognized and remain a formidable challenge. Herein, for the first time, we have demonstrated a chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 1-azaspiro cyclobutanone enabled by an unusual reactivity of enamine that explore the potentiality of Heyns rearrangement upon electrophilic modification. This design strategy offers viable access to a wide range of cyclobutanone containing spiroindoline and spiropyrrolidine derivatives in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities (up to >99 % ee, >20 : 1 dr). Furthermore, the practicality of this methodology has been shown by a scale-up synthesis of spirocyclic products and their facile post-synthetic modifications.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Cyclohexadienone Containing Spiroketals via DyKat Ketalization/oxa-Michael Addition Cascade.

An oxidative dearomatization of phenol followed by a dynamic kinetic (DyKat) ketalization/oxa-Michael addition cascade using cinchona alkaloid-based chiral bifunctional amino-squaramide catalysts is reported. A broad array of sterically hindered [5,5]-spiroketals attached to a cyclohexadienone moiety in spiro-fashion is synthesized in an enantiopure form. Further, the methodology was optimized and extended to the corresponding benzannulated [5,5]-spiroketals attached to a cyclohexadienone moiety in spiro-fashion. In general, good yields and excellent diastereoselectivies and enantioselectivities (up to 20:1 dr and up to 99% ee) were obtained.

Organocatalytic, Chemoselective Hydrophosphenylation/oxa-Michael Addition Cascade toward Diastereo- and Enantioenriched 1,3-Dihydroisobenzofuryl Phosphonates.

An efficient method for the construction of chiral C-P bond via an enantioselective 1,2-hydrophosphenylation followed by an oxa-Michael addition cascade of ortho-formyl chalcones has been developed. This provides the diastereoenriched ( cis)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuryl phosphonates with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99%). The origin of enantio- and diastereoselectivity is induced by using a chiral bifunctional organocatalyst. Further, functionalization to highly enantioselective 3-substituted phthalides has also been demonstrated.

Cinchonamine Squaramide Catalyzed Asymmetric aza-Michael Reaction: Dihydroisoquinolines and Tetrahydropyridines.

The first example of a chiral cinchona-squaramide catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aza-Michael addition for the synthesis of dihydroisoquinolines and tetrahydropyridines has been developed. In general, good yields and excellent enantioselctivities were observed. Broad classes of Michael acceptors, such as enones, esters, thioesters, and Weinreb amides, were successful substrates. The possibility of recycling the catalysts has also been demonstrated. An oxidation of combined enamine and keto functionalities on chiral dihydroisoquinolines leads to a single diastereomer of an architecturally unprecedented tetracyclic core without loss in enantioselectivity.

Dynamic Kinetic Spiroketalization/Oxa-Michael Addition Cascade of Alkoxyboronates and Peroxyacetals: Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Benzannulated Spiroketals.

A unified dynamic kinetic spiroketalization/enantioselective oxa-Michael addition cascade of an aromatic ketone tethered to an alkoxyboronate and an enone moiety has been developed using cinchona alkaloid based amino-thiourea/squaramide organocatalysts to provide isobenzofuran-based benzannulated spiroketals with high diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities. Further, a dynamic kinetic peroxy-hemiacetalization/dynamic kinetic spiroketalization/enantioselective oxa-Michael addition cascade of the above substrates provides the corresponding exo-peroxy-benzannulated spiroketals with outstanding enantio- and diastereoselectivities.

Catalyst-free Synthesis of 6-Hydroxy Indoles via the Condensation of Carboxymethyl Cyclohexadienones and Amines.

An efficient catalyst-free synthesis of 6-hydroxy indoles from carboxymethyl cyclohexadienones and primary amines has been developed. The aza-Michael addition of the in situ formed enamine, generated through the condensation of carboxymethyl unit of the substrates with an external amine, to cyclohexadienone moiety followed by rearomatization reaction to provide such indoles. Anilines, aliphatic amines, α-chiral aliphatic amines, or even ammonia were used as amine counterpart. Some of the cyclohexadienones gave 6-amino indoles instead of 6-hydroxy indoles using the Re2O7 catalyst. Various post methodological transformations were performed to explore the synthetic utility of the synthesized hydroxy indoles.

Synthesis of Functionalized Benzo[b]furans via Oxidative Cyclization of o-Cinnamyl Phenols.

Disclosed herein is an efficient synthetic route for the synthesis of functionalized 2-benzyl benzo[b]furans via a regioselective 5-exo-trig intramolecular oxidative cyclization of ortho-cinnamyl phenols using [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] as catalyst and benzoquinone as an oxidant. Further, a sequential ortho-cinnamylation of phenols using cinnamyl alcohols catalyzed by Re2O7, followed by an oxidative cyclization using the above Pd catalyst, is performed. The reaction showed broad substrate scope with good to excellent yields.

Nitrile-assisted oxidation over oxidative-annulation: Pd-catalyzed α,ß-dehydrogenation of α-cinnamyl ß-keto nitriles.

A palladium-catalyzed oxidation reaction is disclosed where the nitrile functionality on the substrate simply changes the course of the reaction. Our previous finding showed that using the Pd(ii)-catalyst in the presence of benzoquinone as an oxidant, 2-cinnamyl-1,3-dicarbonyls provides functionalized furans via oxidative cyclization. When a nitrile group is replaced with one of the carbonyl functionalities of the same substrate, the oxidative cyclization was completely suppressed; instead, the oxidation at the α,ß-position occurred to provide α,ß,γ,δ-diene containing ß-keto nitriles.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Intramolecular Oxa-Michael Reaction of Enols: Synthesis of Chiral Isochromenes.

An unprecedented enantioselective intramolecular oxa-Michael reaction of enols has been described. A squaramide-containing tertiary amine based bifunctional organocatalyst efficiently activates the o-homoformyl chalcones to provide the chiral isochromenes in moderate yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities. Further, late-stage functionalizations of the vinyl ether moiety of the chiral isochromene products have also been exemplified.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of exo-Peroxyacetals: An Organocatalyzed Peroxyhemiacetalization/oxa-Michael Addition Cascade.

An unprecedented enantioselective peroxyhemiacetalization/oxa-Michael addition cascade of ortho-formyl homochalcones has been developed using cinchona-alkaloid-based chiral bifunctional organocatalysts to provide cis-configured exo-peroxyacetals, a new class of organic peroxide, in good yields with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities. The resulting cis-configured exo-peroxyacetals were converted into the corresponding trans-configured peroxyacetals without affecting the enantioselectivity. Furthermore, the displacement of the peroxide moiety of exo-peroxyacetals with various nucleophiles has been demonstrated to afford 1,3-disubstituted isochromans with high diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities.

Organocatalytic, Enantioselective Synthesis of Cyclohexadienone Containing Hindered Spirocyclic Ethers through an Oxidative Dearomatization/Oxa-Michael Addition Sequence.

An unprecedented enantioselective oxa-Michael reaction of α-tertiary alcohols using cinchona-alkaloid-based chiral bifunctional squaramide catalysts is reported. An oxidative dearomatization of phenol followed by an enantioselective oxa-Michael addition sequence provided a broad array of chiral sterically hindered tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans attached to a cyclohexadienone moiety in spiro fashion. In general, good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 %) were observed. The chiral oxo-cycles obtained have easily been transformed into chromans without disturbing the enantioselectivity.

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Homo- and Hetero-1,2,4-Triaryl Benzenes by an Unexpected Base-Promoted Dearylative Pathway.

An unprecedented approach for the synthesis of homo- and hetero-1,2,4-triaryl benzenes has been developed using a simple base-mediated reaction of either α-aryl cinnamyl alcohols or α,γ-di-aryl propanones. The salient feature of this strategy involves the sequential hydride transfer, regiospecific condensation, regiospecific dearylation, and aromatization under metal-free reaction conditions. The synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted triphenylenes by oxidative coupling of the synthesized 1,2,4-triaryl benzenes has also been demonstrated.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Cycloisomerization of 2-Cinnamyl-1,3-Dicarbonyls: Synthesis of Functionalized 2-Benzyl Furans.

A new palladium-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative cycloisomerization of readily available starting materials, 2-cinnamyl-1,3-dicarbonyls, has been demonstrated for the creation of structurally diverse 2-benzyl furans. The cycloisomerization occurs by a regioselective 5-exo-trig pathway. The reaction shows a broad substrate scope with good to excellent yields. Furthermore, a one-pot procedure has been executed by using readily available cinnamyl alcohols and 1,3-diketones.

Synthesis of air- and moisture-stable, storable chiral oxorhenium complexes and their application as catalysts for the enantioselective imine reduction.

Air-/moisture-stable, crystalline, and storable chiral salicyloxazoline based oxorhenium(V) complexes have been synthesized and their catalytic application for the asymmetric reduction of ketimines using hydrosilane as hydride source is disclosed. A broad substrate scope, high yields, and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 %) are attained. Furthermore, the syntheses of enantiopure α-amino esters, γ- and δ-lactams, and isoindolinones have also been carried out using this methodology. Finally, the method has been applied to synthetic targets of pharmaceutical relevance, such as R-(+)-salsolidine and R-(+)-crispine A.

Organocatalytic, Enantioselective Synthesis of 1- and 3-Substituted Isochromans via Intramolecular Oxa-Michael Reaction of Alkoxyboronate: Synthesis of (+)-Sonepiprazole.

The enantioselective oxa-Michael reaction of alkoxyboronate strategy was demonstrated to provide a new and practical route to enantioriched 1- and 3-substituted isochromans using a chiral bifunctional organocatalyst. Furthermore, this methodology was extended to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-sonepiprazole, a dopamine receptor antagonist.