Diastereoselective B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed Reductive Carbocyclization of Unsaturated Carbohydrates.

A B(C6F5)3-catalyzed method for the selective conversion of unsaturated carbohydrates to cyclopentanes and cyclopropanes is disclosed. Catalyst activation of tertiary silanes generates the ion pair [(C6F5)3B-H][ROSi2] whose components synergistically activate C-O bonds for diastereoselective C-C bond formation. Sila-THF cations are invoked as key intermediates facilitating carbocyclizations. Complex chiral synthons are thereby obtained in a single pot.

Chemoselective conversion of biologically sourced polyols into chiral synthons.

Crude oil currently provides much of the world's energy, but it is also the source of many feedstock chemicals. Methodology for the conversion of biomass into useful chemicals has often focused on either complete deoxygenation or the production of high-volume platform chemicals. Here, we describe the chemoselective partial reduction of silyl-protected C6O6-derived polyols to produce a diverse set of oxygen-functionalized chiral synthons. The combination of B(C6F5)3 and a tertiary silane efficiently generates a reactive equivalent of an electrophilic silylium ion (R3Si(+)) and a hydride (H(-)) reducing agent. The mechanism of oxygen loss does not involve a dehydrative elimination and thus avoids ablation of stereochemistry. Neighbouring group participation and the formation of cyclic intermediates is key to achieving selectivity in these reactions and, where both primary and secondary C-O bonds are present, the mechanism allows further control. The method provides--in one or two synthetic steps--highly improved syntheses of many C6On synthons as well as several previously undescribed products.

Combining NHC-Cu and Brønsted base catalysis: enantioselective allylic substitution/conjugate additions with alkynylaluminum reagents and stereospecific isomerization of the products to trisubstituted allenes.

All-catalytic route to trisubstituted allenes: The first examples of catalytic enantioselective allylic substitution reactions that involve alkyne-based nucleophiles and lead to products having tertiary stereogenic centers are followed by an exceptionally stereospecific amine-catalyzed isomerization to trisubstituted allenes (see picture; NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene).

Enantioselective synthesis of alkyne-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers through NHC-Cu-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions with (i-Bu)2(alkynyl)aluminum reagents.

A catalytic enantioselective method for the formation of alkyne-substituted all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers is reported. Additions of alkynylaluminums to alkyl-, aryl-, carboxylic ester-, or silyl-substituted allylic phosphates are promoted by 1.0-5.0 mol % loadings of NHC-Cu complexes derived from air-stable and commercially available CuCl(2)·2H(2)O. The requisite Al-based reagents are prepared through treatment of the corresponding aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkyl-, or alkenyl-substituted terminal alkynes with diisobutylaluminum hydride in the presence of 5.0 mol % Et(3)N at ambient temperature. The desired 1,4-enynes are obtained in up to 98% yield and >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. Selected Au-catalyzed cyclizations involving the alkyne unit of the enantiomerically enriched products are presented as a demonstration of the method's utility in chemical synthesis.

Formation of vinyl-, vinylhalide- or acyl-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers through NHC-Cu-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate additions of Si-containing vinylaluminums to ß-substituted cyclic enones.

A catalytic method for enantioselective conjugate addition (ECA) of Si-containing vinylaluminum reagents to ß-substituted cyclopentenones and cyclohexenones is described. Reactions are promoted by 1.0-5.0 mol % of a bidentate NHC-Cu complex, which is prepared from air-stable CuCl(2)•2H(2)O and used in situ, and typically proceed to completion within 15-20 min. The requisite vinylmetals are generated efficiently by a site-selective hydroalumination of an alkyne with dibal-H. The desired products, containing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center, are obtained in 48-95% yield after purification and in 89:11 to >98:2 enantiomer ratio (er). The vinylsilane moiety within the products can be functionalized to afford acyl, vinyliodide, or desilylated alkenes in 67% to >98% yield and with >90% retention of the alkene's stereochemical identity. The utility of the catalytic process is illustrated in the context of a concise enantioselective synthesis of riccardiphenol B.

Catalytic and regioselective ring expansion of arylcyclobutanones with trimethylsilyldiazomethane. Ligand-dependent entry to beta-ketosilane or enolsilane adducts.

Divergent reactivity is uncovered in the homologation of arylcyclobutanones with trimethylsilyldiazomethane. With Sc(OTf)(3) as catalyst, enolsilanes are obtained with a high preference for methylene migration. By contrast, Sc(hfac)(3) gives beta-ketosilanes with both regio- and diastereocontrol. Each adduct affords the cyclopentanone upon hydrolysis.