Total Syntheses of the Structures Assigned to the Marine Natural Products Orthoscuticellines A-E.

The readily prepared and vinylated ß-carboline 11 has been converted over one or two steps into compounds 1-5, the structures assigned to the recently reported marine natural products orthoscuticellines A-E. The spectral data recorded on the synthetically derived compounds are fully consistent with the assigned structures and, on making allowances for variations in the pH of the medium in which the spectra of the natural products were recorded, it is concluded that the structures assigned to orthoscuticellines A-E are most likely correct. Certainly, the calculated 13C NMR spectra of the α-, γ-, and δ-carboline isomers of compounds 1-5 suggest that orthoscuticellines A-E do incorporate the assigned ß-carboline core.

Expeditious Access to Morphinans by Chemical Synthesis.

Morphinans are essential medicines derived entirely from poppy supply chains rendered increasingly volatile by climate change. Here, we report a seven-step, asymmetric chemical synthesis of (-)-codeine from simple materials that requires a total combined reaction time of fewer than 24 hours. The efficiency of our approach arises from a double-Heck cyclization reaction that generates two rings and two contiguous stereogenic carbon centres in the one pot. A subsequent photo-redox hydroamination protocol provides a novel, atom-economical means for assembling the piperidine D-ring of codeine. Simple modifications to the closing stages of our sequence offer effective access to pharmacologically valuable derivatives of N-demethyl codeine. Our work highlights the capacity for contemporary, stand-alone chemical synthesis regimes to diversify access to essential opiate medicines.

Silver-Promoted Radical Ring-Opening/Pyridylation of Cyclobutanols with N-Methoxypyridinium Salts.

The silver-promoted reaction of tertiary cyclobutanols with N-methoxypyridinium salts enables the efficient synthesis of a range of C2-substituted pyridines. The overall process likely occurs by ring-opening (via ß-scission) of the cyclobutoxy radical to generate the corresponding γ-keto alkyl radical that itself adds to the pyridinium salt. A wide range of tertiary cyclobutanols and N-methoxypyridinium salts are compatible with the reaction conditions.

Synthesis of Various Bridged Ring Systems via Rhodium-Catalyzed Bridged (3+2) Cycloadditions.

Here, we describe the rhodium-catalyzed bridged (3+2) cycloaddition cascade reactions of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles, which allowed the efficient diastereoselective construction of various functionalized and synthetically challenging bridged ring systems. This simple, direct transformation had a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. The highly strained polycyclic bicyclo[2.2.2]octa[b]indole core of fruticosine was synthesized efficiently using this methodology.

Visible-Light-Induced ortho-Selective Migration on Pyridyl Ring: Trifluoromethylative Pyridylation of Unactivated Alkenes.

The photocatalyzed ortho-selective migration on a pyridyl ring has been achieved for the site-selective trifluoromethylative pyridylation of unactivated alkenes. The overall process is initiated by the selective addition of a CF3 radical to the alkene to provide a nucleophilic alkyl radical intermediate, which enables an intramolecular endo addition exclusively to the ortho-position of the pyridinium salt. Both secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals are well-suited for addition to the C2-position of pyridinium salts to ultimately provide synthetically valuable C2-fluoroalkyl functionalized pyridines. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to the reaction with P-centered radicals. The utility of this transformation was further demonstrated by the late-stage functionalization of complex bioactive molecules.

Site-Selective Functionalization of Pyridinium Derivatives via Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalysis with Quinolinone.

The selective installation of phosphinoyl and carbamoyl moieties on the pyridine scaffold is an important transformation in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. By employing quinolinone as an efficient organic photocatalyst, we developed a catalytic system driven by visible light that forms phosphinoyl and carbamoyl radicals, which react with various heteroarenium derivatives under mild, transition-metal-free conditions. This straightforward and environmentally friendly synthetic method represents a new approach to site-divergent pyridine functionalization that offers considerable advantages in both simplicity and efficiency. Ambient temperature is sufficient for the formation of the reactive radicals, and the site-selectivity can be switched from C2 to C4 by changing the radical coupling sources. Under standard reaction conditions, phosphinoyl radicals give access to C4 products, while carbamoyl radicals selectively give C2 products. We found that the carbamoyl radical overcomes the intrinsic preference for forming the ortho-product by allowing the oxo functionality of the carbamoyl radical to electrostatically engage the nitrogen of the pyridinium substrate, which preferentially gives the ortho-product. The phosphinoyl radical cannot engage in the same interaction, because the phosphorus is too large. This novel synthetic route tolerates a broad range of substrates and provides a convenient and powerful synthetic tool for accessing the core structures of numerous privileged scaffolds.

Regioselective synthesis of difluoroalkyl/perfluoroalkyl enones via Pd-catalyzed four-component carbonylative coupling reactions.

The first example of Pd-catalyzed four-component carbonylative difluoroalkylation/perfluoroalkylation through the alkyne difunctionalization process is achieved. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions in the presence of 1 atm of CO at room temperature with good yields and E-selectivities. The utilization of CsF as an additive is vital to the success of the reaction.

Synthesis of ß-Difluoroalkylated Acrylonitriles in the Presence of Copper Powder.

A highly regio- and stereoselective copper-mediated cyanodifluoroalkylation of alkynes with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate and trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) is described. The three-component coupling reaction provides straightforward access to a variety of useful difluoroalkyl-substituted acrylonitriles. The introduction of the nitrile unit is of great importance in drug discovery for the modification of this fragment. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that a vinyl iodide intermediate and a difluoroalkyl radical might be involved in this transformation.

Copper-catalyzed difluoromethylation of propargylamide-substituted indoles: synthesis of mono- and bis-difluoromethylated indoloazepinone derivatives.

A novel copper-catalyzed difluoromethylation of 2- or 3-propargylamide-substituted indoles with ICF2CO2Et via a radical cascade cyclization process is described. A wide substrate scope is compatible with the reaction conditions to synthesize mono- and bis-difluoromethylated indoloazepinone derivatives, which contain a seven-membered ring.

Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective Difluoroalkylation and Carbonylation of Alkynes.

A novel, four-component synthetic strategy to synthesize a series of ß-difluoroalkyl unsaturated esters/amides with high regioslectivity is described. This Pd-catalyzed difluoroalkylation and carbonylation reaction can be carried out with simple starting materials. Through this protocol, two new C-C bonds (including one C-CF2 bond) and one C-O(N) bond are constructed simultaneously in a single step. The synthetic utility of this reaction system has been certified by the applicability to a wide scope of alkynes and nucleophiles. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the difluoroalkyl radical pathway is involved in this reaction.

Silver-promoted cinnamamidyl radical-mediated oxidative cascade cyclization: highly regioselective synthesis of phosphorylated azaspiro[4.5]decenones.

A silver-promoted oxidative cascade cyclization with a phosphorylation/1,5-aryl migration/desulfonylation/dearomatization process is presented here, providing an efficient method to synthesize azaspiro[4.5]decenones with high regioselectivity. The cinnamamidyl radical, which has rarely been reported before, plays a key role in this reaction.

Iodine-Promoted Radical Cyclization in Water: A Selective Reaction of 1,6-Enynes with Sulfonyl Hydrazides.

An iodine-promoted one-pot radical cyclization reaction of 1,6-enynes with sulfonyl hydrazides to provide five-membered and hexatomic ring sulfonylated products under the same conditions is established. This reaction proceeded smoothly in water and gave the corresponding products by using I2/TBHP instead of expensive and toxic catalysts with C-S and C-I bond formed in one step. This method also allowed easy access to significant functional sulfones for potential applications in medicinal and organic chemistry.

Silver-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Propargylamide-Substituted Indoles: Synthesis of Phosphorated Indoloazepinones Derivatives.

A silver-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of 2- or 3-propargylamide-substituted indoles to synthesize phosphorated indoloazepinone derivatives is described. This reaction displays a difunctionalizalion of alkynes with diphenylphosphine oxides to construct a seven-membered ring through a radical cyclization process. The indoloazepinones derivatives are common structural motifs found in many natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Aryldifluoroalkylation of Alkynes.

A palladium-catalyzed aryldifluoroalkylation of alkynes with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate and arylboronic acids as reaction partners is described. The alkyne difunctionalization process provides various aryldifluoroalkylated products in one pot under mild reaction conditions. A wide range of alkynes and diverse arylboronic acids are compatible with these reaction conditions. High reaction efficiency and broad substrate scope are the notable features of this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that a difluoroalkyl radical addition pathway is involved in this transformation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Radical Cascade Iododifluoromethylation/Cyclization of 1,6-Enynes with Ethyl Difluoroiodoacetate.

A novel and convenient Pd-catalyzed radical cascade iododifluoromethylation/cyclization of 1,6-enynes with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate is demonstrated. The proposed transformation presents high stereoselectivity under mild and facile reaction conditions, thereby allowing an efficient access to a variety of iodine-containing difluoromethylated pyrrolidines. A possible radical pathway for the transformation is proposed on the basis of the results of control experiments and relevant literature reviews.

The copper-catalyzed synthesis of ß-trifluoromethylated acrylonitriles and trifluoromethyl-substituted 2H-azirines.

The direct assembly of acrylonitriles and valuable 2H-azirines from readily available starting materials is described. This novel alkyne difunctionalization reaction proceeded under mild reaction conditions. Considering the versatile roles of 2H-azirines, this work paves the way for further modification into various heterocycles.

AgSCF3-Mediated Trifluoromethylthiolation/Radical Cascade Cyclization of 1,6-Enynes.

A AgSCF3-mediated radical cascade cyclization/trifluoromethylthiolation of 1,6-enynes triggered by a C-C triple bond is developed. This protocol also provides another opportunity to construct a valuable trifluoromethylthio-substituted polycyclic fluorene system through the formations of one C-SCF3 bond and two C-C bonds in a single step.

Convenient and highly efficient routes to 2 H-chromene and 4-chromanone derivatives: iodine-promoted and p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyzed cascade cyclizations of propynols.

A convenient strategy is presented for the easy preparation of a series of 2 H-chromenes under mild conditions through iodocyclization of readily accessible propynols. In addition, various 4-chromanones can be synthesized through a p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyzed cascade cyclization with high efficiency (yields up to 99 %). Our developed reaction systems are proven to have good functional-group applicability and can be scaled up to gram quantities in satisfactory yields. These systems also provide a new synthetic strategy for two types of important flavonoid skeleton without using costly and toxic metal catalysts. Additionally, the resulting halides could be further exploited in subsequent palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions, so these compounds could act as potential intermediates for the construction of some valuable drug molecules.

Copper-catalyzed difunctionalization of activated alkynes by radical oxidation-tandem cyclization/dearomatization to synthesize 3-trifluoromethyl spiro[4.5]trienones.

A copper-catalyzed difunctionalizing trifluoromethylation of activated alkynes with the cheap reagent sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (NaSO2CF3 or Langlois' reagent) has been developed incorporating a tandem cyclization/dearomatization process. This strategy affords a straightforward route to synthesis of 3-(trifluoromethyl)-spiro[4.5]trienones, and presents an example of difunctionalization of alkynes for simultaneous formation of two carbon-carbon single bonds and one carbon-oxygen double bond.

Silver-promoted oxidative cyclization of 1,6-enynes: highly regioselective synthesis of phosphorated fluorene derivatives.

A silver-promoted oxidative cyclization of 1,6-enynes with disubstituted phosphine oxides is developed for the synthesis of fluorene derivatives. The reaction proceeds with high regioselectivity by constructing one C-P bond and two C-C bonds in one step. Moreover, reduction of the pentavalent phosphine enlarges the application scope of the product.