Exploring the anionic reactivity of ynimines, useful precursors of metalated ketenimines.

Insights into the reactivity of ynimines under anionic conditions are reported. They were shown to be excellent precursors of metalated ketenimines, which can be generated in situ by the reaction of ynimines with organolithium reagents or strong bases. The metalated ketenimines can then be trapped with various electrophiles and, depending on their substitution pattern, afford original and divergent entries to various building blocks.

Intramolecular carbocupration of N-aryl-ynamides: a modular indole synthesis.

A modular indole synthesis based on an intramolecular 5-endo-dig carbocupration starting from readily available N-aryl-ynamides is reported. A variety of ynamides are converted to indoles in moderate to good yields and with varying substitution pattern on the indole ring. This further extends the synthetic utility of ynamides in organic synthesis and provides additional insights on the use of intramolecular carbometalation reactions.

De novo synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines and pyridines.

An efficient and general method for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines and pyridines based on a lithiation/isomerization/intramolecular carbolithiation sequence is reported. This procedure provides an efficient, divergent, and straightforward entry to a wide range of polysubstituted dihydropyridines and pyridines starting from readily available N-allyl-ynamides.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative alkynylation of diaryl imines with terminal alkynes: a facile synthesis of ynimines.

An efficient copper-mediated method for the oxidative alkynylation of diaryl imines with terminal alkynes is reported. This reaction provides the first catalytic and general synthesis of ynimines and allows for an easy preparation of these useful building blocks. An improved copper-catalyzed oxidative dimerization of imines to azines and the synthesis of dienes and azadienes from ynimines are also described.

Intramolecular carbolithiation of N-allyl-ynamides: an efficient entry to 1,4-dihydropyridines and pyridines - application to a formal synthesis of sarizotan.

We have developed a general synthesis of polysubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridines and pyridines based on a highly regioselective lithiation/6-endo-dig intramolecular carbolithiation from readily available N-allyl-ynamides. This reaction, which has been successfully applied to the formal synthesis of the anti-dyskinesia agent sarizotan, further extends the use of ynamides in organic synthesis and further demonstrates the synthetic efficiency of carbometallation reactions.