Selective Terminal Functionalization of Linear Alkanes.

A two-step sequential strategy involving a biocatalytic dehydrogenation/remote hydrofunctionalization, as a unified and versatile approach to selectively convert linear alkanes into a large array of valuable functionalized aliphatic derivatives is reported. The dehydrogenation is carried out by a mutant strain of a bacteria Rhodococcus and the produced alkenes are subsequently engaged in a remote functionalization through a metal-catalyzed hydrometalation/migration sequence that subsequently react with a large variety of electrophiles. The judicious implementation of this combined biocatalytic and organometallic approach enabled us to develop a high-yielding protocol to site-selectively functionalize unreactive primary C-H bonds.

Stereodivergent Access to Trisubstituted Alkenylboronate Esters through Alkene Isomerization.

We report an efficient method for the preparation of synthetically valuable trisubstituted alkenylboronate esters through alkene isomerization of their readily available 1,1-disubstituted regioisomeric counterparts. Either stereoisomer of the target alkenylboronate motif can be obtained at will from the same starting material by employing different isomerization catalysts.

Stereoselective tandem iridium-catalyzed alkene isomerization-cope rearrangement of ω-diene epoxides: efficient access to acyclic 1,6-dicarbonyl compounds.

The Cope rearrangement of 2,3-divinyloxiranes, a rare example of epoxide C-C bond cleavage, results in 4,5-dihydrooxepines which are amenable to hydrolysis, furnishing 1,6-dicarbonyl compounds containing two contiguous stereocenters at the 3- and 4-positions. We employ an Ir-based alkene isomerization catalyst to form the reactive 2,3-divinyloxirane in situ with complete regio- and stereocontrol, which translates into excellent control over the stereochemistry of the resulting oxepines and ultimately to an attractive strategy towards 1,6-dicarbonyl compounds.

Alkene Isomerization Revitalizes the Coates-Claisen Rearrangement.

The [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic vinyl acetals, first investigated by Coates nearly four decades ago, is set apart from other variants of the Claisen rearrangement owing to the versatile monoprotected 1,5-dicarbonyl motif featured in the products. Unfortunately, the synthetically elusive nature of the substrates has thus far precluded the widespread application of this attractive transformation. Herein, we show that the key allylic vinyl acetals can be efficiently generated through alkene isomerization of their readily available regioisomeric counterparts (derived from allylic alcohols and α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes), thus enabling the first systematic study of the substrate scope of this rearrangement, as well as the discovery of exceptionally mild conditions for its mediation by Lewis and Brønsted acids.

Stereoselective Sc(OTf)3 -Catalyzed Aldol Reactions of Disubstituted Silyl Enol Ethers of Aldehydes with Acetals.

Facile and modular access to stereodefined disubstituted aldehyde-derived silyl enol ethers allowed their successful application in a stereoselective aldol reaction affording the products with excellent yields and diastereomeric ratios. The counter-intuitive stereochemical behavior of this Mukaiyama-aldol reaction is accounted for by a non-classical open transition state.

Stereoselective Access to Fully Substituted Aldehyde-Derived Silyl Enol Ethers by Iridium-Catalyzed Alkene Isomerization.

An in situ generated cationic Ir-catalyst isomerizes simple allylic silyl ethers into valuable, fully substituted aldehyde-derived silyl enol ethers. Importantly, by judicious choice of substrate, either of the two possible stereoisomers of a given enolate derivative is accessible with complete stereoselectivity. One-pot isomerization-aldol and isomerization-allylation processes illustrate the synthetic utility of this method.