Stereoselective Kinugasa/Aldol Cyclization: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Spirocyclic ß-Lactams.

We report an enantioselective copper-catalyzed Kinugasa/aldol domino reaction. This strategy enables access to a range of spirocyclic ß-lactam pyrrolidinones in a stereoselective fashion. Under mild reaction conditions, prochiral alkyne-tethered ketones are coupled with nitrones to enable the facile construction of two spirofused ring systems containing three continuous stereocenters with excellent enantioselectivity. Also disclosed are post-transformation modifications demonstrating potential downstream functionalization of the spirocyclic molecules.

Sequential Pd0 - and PdII -Catalyzed Cyclizations: Enantioselective Heck and Nucleopalladation Reactions.

An enantioselective consecutive cyclization/coupling process, catalyzed by palladium is reported. Stereoinduction arises from an enantioselective carbopalladation, generating an intermediate which promotes a nucleopalladation step. The dual cyclization sequence was compatible with a variety of alkyne-tethered oxygen- and nitrogen-centered nucleophiles, and a variety of alkenyl-tethered aryl iodides, to forge numerous bisheterocycles in good yields and high regio- and enantioselectivities.

One-Pot, Three-Step Synthesis of Benzoxazinones via Use of the Bpin Group as a Masked Nucleophile.

The utilization of the Bpin group as a pronucleophile to facilitate the assembly of cyclic carbamates has been achieved. This one-pot process involves an initial copper-catalyzed borylation, a subsequent C-B bond oxidation to generate the reactive alcohol intermediate, and a cyclization. We report the use of this efficient, scalable, and simple method toward the synthesis of a wide range of benzoxazinone scaffolds, including enantioselective results. Subsequent transformations into useful scaffolds showcase the utility of this strategy.

Stereoselective Construction of γ-Lactams via Copper-Catalyzed Borylacylation.

A versatile and highly stereoselective borylative cyclization to generate polyfunctionalized γ-lactams has been developed. The stereoselective synthesis of these key ring systems is crucial due to their ubiquity in natural products. We report the diastero- and enantioselective construction of di- and trisubstituted γ-lactam cores, with examples containing an enantioenriched quaternary carbon.

Enantioselective Cobalt-Catalyzed Intermolecular Hydroacylation of 1,6-Enynes.

We report a cobalt-catalyzed hydroacylation of 1,6-enynes with exogenous aldehydes in a domino sequence to construct enantioenriched ketones. The products were obtained in good yields with excellent regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Furthermore, the chiral products served as valuable precursors to access complex spirocyclic scaffolds with three contiguous stereocenters. The asymmetric hydroacylation process exhibited no C-H crossover and no KIE, thus indicating that the C-H bond cleavage was not involved in the turnover-limiting step.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroarylation of 1,6-Enynes.

An asymmetric hydroarylative cyclization of enynes involving a C-H bond cleavage is reported. The cobalt-catalyzed cascade generates three new bonds in an atom-economical fashion. The products were obtained in excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities as single diastereo- and regioisomers. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction shows no intermolecular C-H crossover. This work highlights the potential of cobalt catalysis in C-H bond functionalization and enantioselective domino reactivity.

Synthesis and Reactions of 3,3-Difluoro-2-exo-methylidene Indolines.

A dearomative electrophilic fluorination of 2-methylindoles is reported, delivering 3,3-difluoroindolines bearing an exomethylidene. The model substrate was synthesized on up to a 20 mmol scale and was purified by a practical recrystallization as a crystalline bench-stable, yet reactive solid. The olefin is amphoteric and can react both as a nucleophile and as an electrophile. A wide range of metal-free, palladium, rhodium, and copper reactions was explored, forming new C-H, C-B, C-C (alkyl and aryl), C-N, C-O, C-P, and C-S bonds.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Borylative Cyclization with Cyclic Imides.

An enantioselective borylative cyclization cascade utilizing cyclic imides has been developed. We employ a highly enantioselective borylcupration process that includes a 1,2-addition to a cyclic imide. The products contain a valuable hemiaminal and boronate handle for further elaborations within a congested framework. This work demonstrates the utility of cyclic imides as simple precursors to unlock access to sought-after polycyclic indolines. Futhermore, this report highlights the capability to harness reactive catalytic intermediates to exploit otherwise unreactive functional groups.