Enantioselective Divergent Syntheses of Cephalotaxus Alkaloids: (-)-Cephalotaxine, (-)-Cephalotine B, and (-)-Fortuneicyclidins A and B.

A new strategy focusing on the last-stage asymmetric assembly of the ring D, which inherently possesses the densest part of stereogenic centers and functional groups in the A/B/C/D ring system of (-)-cephalotaxine, has been developed, in which a novel Rh-catalyzed asymmetric (2 + 3) annulation of tertiary enamides with enoldiazoacetates is designed and explored for enantioselective construction of the crucial cyclopentane ring D bearing a unique spirocyclic aza-quaternary stereocenter. Based on the expeditious access of chiral functionalized building block with the tetracyclic A/B/C/D ring system, a concise enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-cephalotaxine starting from readily available homopiperonyl alcohol has been achieved in nine steps with only two column chromatography purifications. Following the tactical introduction of the Meinwald rearrangement, enantioselective divergent syntheses of (-)-cephalotine B with an additional C3-O-C11 oxo-bridged bond (14 steps), (-)-fortuneicyclidin B with an unprecedented C3-C10 bond (14 steps), and its 2-epimer (-)-fortuneicyclidin A (16 steps) have been also accomplished for the first time.

Asymmetric Divergent Synthesis of ent-Kaurane-, ent-Atisane-, ent-Beyerane-, ent-Trachylobane-, and ent-Gibberellane-type Diterpenoids.

A unified strategy toward asymmetric divergent syntheses of nine C8-ethano-bridged diterpenoids A1-A9 (candol A, powerol, sicanadiol, epi-candol A, atisirene, ent-atisan-16α-ol, 4-decarboxy-4-methyl-GA12, trachinol, and ent-beyerane) has been developed based on late-stage transformations of common synthons having ent-kaurane and ent-trachylobane cores. The expeditious assembly of crucial advanced ent-kaurane- and ent-trachylobane-type building blocks is strategically explored through a regioselective and diastereoselective Fe-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) 6-exo-trig cyclization of the alkene/enone and 3-exo-trig cyclization of the alkene/ketone, showing the multi-reactivity of densely functionalized polycyclic substrates with πC═C and πC═O systems in HAT-initiated reactions. Following the rapid construction of five major structural skeletons (ent-kaurane-, ent-atisane-, ent-beyerane-, ent-trachylobane-, and ent-gibberellane-type), nine C8-ethano-bridged diterpenoids A1-A9 could be accessed in the longest linear 8 to 11 steps starting from readily available chiral γ-cyclogeraniol 1 and known chiral γ-substituted cyclohexenone 2, in which enantioselective total syntheses of candol A (A1, 8 steps), powerol (A2, 9 steps), sicanadiol (A3, 10 steps), epi-candol A (A4, 8 steps), ent-atisan-16α-ol (A6, 11 steps), and trachinol (A8, 10 steps) are achieved for the first time.

Catalytic Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Prochiral Triacylamines via Pseudopeptidic Guanidine-Guanidinium Catalysis.

Triacylamines with Cs symmetry have been explored in asymmetric organocatalysis, leading to the development of a novel catalytic enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral triacylamines by methanolysis under the catalysis of chiral pseudopeptidic guanidine-guanidinium salt having a weakly coordinating anion. This organocatalytic methodology provides an effective approach to the synthetically useful chiral imide-esters with a 1,5-dicarbonyl moiety, and its synthetic potential has been manifested in the asymmetric synthesis of two GABA analogue drugs, (R)-Baclofen·HCl and (S)-Pregabalin.

Iron(III)-catalyzed tandem annulation of indolyl-substituted p-quinone methides with ynamides for the synthesis of cyclopenta[b]indoles.

The unique reactivity of indolyl-substituted p-QMs as a new type of two-carbon synthon has been explored for the first time in a novel iron(III)-catalyzed tandem annulation. This (2+2) annulation/retro-4π electrocyclization/imino-Nazarov cyclization cascade reaction is characterized by an unusual structural reconstruction of indolyl-substituted p-QMs, leading to an expeditious assembly of synthetically important functionalized cyclopenta[b]indoles.

Copper-Catalyzed (4+1) Cascade Annulation of Terminal Alkynes with 2-(Tosylmethyl)anilines: Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Indoles.

A novel strategy based on Cu-catalyzed (4+1) cascade annulation of terminal alkynes as one-carbon synthons with 2-(tosylmethyl)anilines has been developed for the expeditious synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles, in which in situ generations of aza-o-quinone methides and alkynyl-copper(I) species are involved. This annulation provides an effective method for the assembly of synthetically and structurally interesting 2,3-disubstituted indoles.

Tandem (2 + 2) Annulation/Retro-4π Electrocyclization/Imino-Nazarov Cyclization Reaction of p-Quinone Methides with Ynamides: Expeditious Construction of Functionalized Aminoindenes.

A new tandem annulation of p-quinone methides (p-QMs) with ynamides is described. This cascade reaction features a unique combination of (2 + 2) annulation, retro-4π electrocyclization, and imino-Nazarov cyclization, wherein vinyl p-quinone methides (p-VQMs) as one of the key intermediates have been identified chemically. Significantly, an unusual structural reconstruction of p-QMs involving the cleavage of the C5-C6 bond and the late-stage formation of the C4-C6 bond is involved, leading to a methodology development for the construction of functionalized aminoindenes.

Hypervalent-Iodine(III)-Mediated Tandem Oxidative Dearomatization/Aziridination of Phenolic Amines: Synthesis of Functionalized Unactivated Aziridines.

A new hypervalent-iodine(III)-mediated tandem reaction involving oxidative dearomatization and in situ aziridination of phenolic amines is described, providing a mild and effective method for the assembly of structurally interesting and synthetically useful aziridines. Importantly, the densely functionalized aziridines resulting from this unprecedented tandem reaction offer a platform for expeditious access to architecturally diverse aza-heterocycles through transformations initiated by selective ring-opening of aziridines.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric (4 + 2) Annulation of γ-Methylidene-δ-valerolactones with Alkenes: Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Chiral Cyclohexyl Spirooxindoles.

An unprecedented asymmetric catalytic (4 + 2) annulation reaction of aryl-substituted γ-methylidene-δ-valerolactones (GMDVs) with isatin-derived para-quinone methides (p-QMs) has been developed under the catalysis of palladium(0) and (S,S,S)-(-)-Xyl-SKP, offering a new approach for the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of chiral cyclohexadienone-fused cyclohexyl spirooxindoles. Significantly, three highly congested contiguous tetrasubstituted carbon atoms embedded in bispirocyclic skeleton, of which two are vicinal quaternary stereogenic centers, are forged in an effective and selective manner (up to 99% yield, up to 95% ee, >20/1 dr). The current reaction represents the first exploration of enantioselective catalytic (4 + 2) annulation forming the six-membered carbocycles in the chemistry of both GMDVs and p-QMs.

P(NMe2)3-Mediated Umpolung Spirocyclopropanation Reaction of p-Quinone Methides: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spirocyclopropane-Cyclohexadienones.

An unprecedented umpolung spirocyclopropanation reaction of p-quinone methides and α-keto carbonyls is described. Our umpolung strategy based on 1,6-conjugate addition and intramolecular nucleophilic substitution offers a new method for effective access to a series of highly functionalized spirocyclohexadienonyl cyclopropanes having two vicinal quaternary carbons in ≤98% yield and >20:1 dr. Significantly, cyclic and acyclic topological structures of α-keto carbonyls as 1,1-dipole one-carbon synthons have a distinct influence on the stereochemistry of products, showing a reversal of diastereoselectivity in this P(NMe2)3-mediated umpolung spirocyclopropanation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric (2+3) Annulation of p-Quinone Methides with Trimethylenemethanes: Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Chiral Spirocyclopentyl p-Dienones.

A novel asymmetric catalytic (2+3) annulation of p-quinone methides with CN-substituted trimethylenemethane is described under palladium catalysis, providing an alternative approach for the enantioselective construction of highly functionalized chiral spirocyclopentyl p-dienones. Driven by the significant improvement in the reactivity and enantioselectivity, a novel type of non-C2-symmetric phosphoramidite ligand from the chirality-matched combination of (S)-BINOL and sterically demanding amine derived from l-hydroxyproline is evolved and explored for the protocol presented here.

Asymmetric Catalytic [4+5] Annulation of ortho-Quinone Methides with Vinylethylene Carbonates and its Extension to Stereoselective Tandem Rearrangement.

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+5] annulation of ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) with substituted vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) is described for the first time, giving a novel enantioselective approach to chiral nine-membered benzoheterocycles. Based on this designed [4+5] annulation, an unprecedented silica gel-promoted tandem rearrangement reaction featuring a unique asymmetric aromatic Claisen rearrangement is explored at room temperature, offering a new method for asymmetric construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters embedded in chiral functionalized homoallylic alcohols.

CuH-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,6-Conjugate Reduction of p-Quinone Methides: Enantioselective Synthesis of Triarylmethanes and 1,1,2-Triarylethanes.

The first copper hydride (CuH)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-conjugate reduction of p-quinone methides is reported. This protocol provides a new method to access a variety of triarylmethanes and 1,1,2-triarylethanes in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities and broad functional group tolerance.

Asymmetric Organocatalytic Synthesis of 2,3-Allenamides from Hydrogen-Bond-Stabilized Enynamides.

Asymmetric catalytic synthesis of 2,3-allenamides from hydrogen-bond-stabilized enynamides in the presence of quinine-based bifunctional squaramide organocatalysts is described. This protocol forms a variety of 2,3-allenamides in high yields and excellent stereoselectivities, in which the elaborated introduction of intramolecular H-bonds within the N, N-bidentate amide group constitutes one of the keys to this highly enantioselective transformation. The synthetic practicality of this reaction has been demonstrated by the axis-to-center chirality transfer of allenamides to furnish enantiomerically enriched building blocks.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Aryl Hydrocoumarins and 4-Aryl Hydroquinolin-2-ones via Intramolecular Vinylogous Rauhut-Currier Reaction of para-Quinone Methides.

A novel strategy for the asymmetric construction of functionalized 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins and 4-aryl-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones via an intramolecular vinylogous Rauhut-Currier reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) under the bifunctional catalysis of chiral amine-phosphine is described. This intramolecular mode for the catalytic enantioselective 1,6-conjugate addition of p-QMs has been explored for the first time, delivering two types of synthetically important heterocycles in high yields and enantioselectivites.

Au-Catalyzed [2 + 3] Annulation of Enamides with Propargyl Esters: Total Synthesis of Cephalotaxine and Cephalezomine H.

A novel Au-catalyzed [2 + 3] annulation reaction of enamides with propargyl esters has been developed, providing a new method for expeditious assembly of synthetically useful functionalized 1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane building blocks. Based on this key annulation, strategic installation of the pivotal azaspirocyclic core, followed by constructing the benzazepine unit via Witkop cyclization, led to the divergent total syntheses of cephalotaxine and cephalezomine H.

Cinchona Alkaloid Catalyzed Enantioselective [4 + 2] Annulation of Allenic Esters and in Situ Generated ortho-Quinone Methides: Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Chromans.

A novel enantioselective [4 + 2] annulation of the allenoates having a unique positive ortho-effect with in situ generated ortho-quinone methides has been developed under the catalysis of Cinchona alkaloid. This chiral amine-catalyzed reaction provides an alternative route to asymmetric catalytic construction of synthetically interesting, highly functionalized chiral chromans in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).

Total Synthesis of (±)-Lycojaponicumin D and Lycodoline-Type Lycopodium Alkaloids.

Lycopodium alkaloids with structural diversity and biological significance have been stimulating an increasing interest in the synthetic and medicinal communities, in which inspiration and exploration of their related biogenetic relationship generally constitute one of the major concerns. Driven by the plausible biogenetic entry to lycojaponicumin D as the first member of Lycopodium alkaloids having a structurally unusual C3-C13-linked scaffold, a new connection with lycodoline has been proposed and discovered on the basis of the design of an unprecedented bioinspired tandem fragmentation/Mannich reaction. Initiated by expeditious assembly of bridgehead heterofunctionalization in the [3.3.1] bicyclic system of lycodoline, a novel tandem palladium-mediated oxidative dehydrogenation/hetero-Michael reaction has been developed for the strain-driven formation of the C-heteroatom bond, leading to a new approach to conformationally rigid bridgehead heteroquaternary carbons. The present unified strategy provides a scenario for the divergent total syntheses of nine natural Lycopodium alkaloids and four unnatural C12 epimers, wherein (±)-lycojaponicumin D and six lycodoline-type alkaloids have been synthetically achieved for the first time.

Total Synthesis of Lycopodium Alkaloids Palhinine A and Palhinine D.

The first total syntheses of Lycopodium alkaloids palhinine A, palhinine D, and their C3-epimers have been divergently achieved through the use of a connective transform to access a pivotal hexacyclic isoxazolidine precursor. A microwave-assisted regio- and stereoselective intramolecular nitrone-alkene cycloaddition was tactically orchestrated as a key step to install the crucial 10-oxa-1-azabicyclo[5.2.1]decane moiety embedded in the conformationally rigid isotwistane framework, demonstrating the feasibility of constructing the highly strained medium-sized ring by introduction of an oxygen bridging linker to relieve the transannular strain in the polycyclic scaffold. Subsequent N-O bond cleavage provided the synthetically challenging nine-membered azonane ring system bearing the requisite C3 hydroxyl group. Late-stage transformations featuring a chemo- and stereoselective reduction of the pentacyclic ß-diketone secured the availability of our target molecules.

Tandem Spirocyclopropanation/Rearrangement Reaction of Vinyl p-Quinone Methides with Sulfonium Salts: Synthesis of Spirocyclopentenyl p-Dienones.

A novel base-mediated tandem spirocyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinyl p-quinone methides (p-VQMs) with sulfonium salts is described. The unprecedented reactivity of p-VQMs was explored for the first time in the spiroannulation cascade, providing a stereoselective approach to the construction of synthetically interesting, densely functionalized spirocyclopentenyl p-dienones.

Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Synthesis of Unsymmetric ß,ß-Diaryl-α-Amino Acid Esters via Organocatalytic 1,6-Conjugate Addition of para-Quinone Methides.

A novel strategy based on phase transfer catalysis for the diastereoselective and enantioselective direct assembly of unsymmetric ß,ß-diaryl-α-amino acid esters via 1,6-conjugate addition of para-quinone methides and glycine derivatives is described. This protocol also provides an alternative route to the synthetically interesting functionalized chiral tetrahydroisoquinoline and its analogues.