Regio- and Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines by Formal Hydroamination of Enamines: Scope, Mechanism, and Asymmetric Synthesis of Orthogonally Protected Bis-Piperazines as a Privileged Scaffold.

We have previously reported the first formal hydroamination of enamines for the synthesis of chiral 1,2-diamines. Here, we describe: (i) the discovery, optimization, and substrate expansion of this reaction; (ii) a novel and straightforward protocol for the "click-type" synthesis of enamines in quantitative yield utilizing sodium sulfate in a dual role as an ancillary and dehydrating agent without the need for workup or purification; (iii) the application of this methodology to the first enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected 1,1'-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diyl) piperazines, a scaffold for rapid lead optimization in drug discovery; (iv) a computational investigation into the mechanism and rationalization of the enantioselectivities of the reaction.

Regio- and Enantioselective Formal Hydroamination of Enamines for the Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines.

The asymmetric formal hydroamination of enamines using a CuH catalyst is reported. The method provides a straightforward and efficient approach to the synthesis of chiral 1,2-dialkyl amines in good yields with high levels of enantioselectivities for a broad range of substrates, and should have significant value for the preparation of molecules bearing a 1,2-diamine motif.

Formal Synthesis of ent-Cephalotaxine Using a One-Pot Parham-Aldol Sequence.

A short formal synthesis of ent-Cephalotaxine is achieved. The approach features a new Lewis acid-mediated [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of N-allylated prolineamide to generate a key quaternary stereogenic center. Additionally, a one-pot Parham-aldol sequence was developed to rapidly assemble two of the four rings in the cephalotaxine core.

An Efficient Synthesis of (±)-Dehaloperophoramidine.

Perophoramidine and communesin F are structurally related indole alkaloids with an intriguing polycyclic core containing vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. Dehaloperophoramidine is a dehalogenated synthetic analogue of perophoramidine. Synthetic studies toward the total synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine have led to the discovery of two novel domino processes, the first encompassing four steps and resulting in the formation of an ortho-amide. A thorough study of the reactivity of the ortho-amide functionality revealed the second domino reaction and ultimately yielded the target molecule. The vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters having trans relative stereochemistry are constructed early in the reaction sequence by employing Overman's samarium mediated reductive dialkylation procedure. Described are the synthetic studies that led to the final eight-step synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine.

Synthesis of Imidates: TFA-Mediated Regioselective Amide Alkylation Using Meerwein's Reagent.

Regioselective O-alkylation of an amide to form the corresponding imidate is a common synthetic problem, often resulting in varying amounts of N-alkylation. Screening existing methods for converting amides to imidates gave inconsistent or irreproducible results, sometimes affording N-alkylamide as the major product. A simple and reliable protocol for amide O-alkylation with complete regioselectivity has been designed, and its scope and efficiency demonstrated on a number of substrates.

Concise Total Synthesis of Dehaloperophoramidine.

Perophoramidine, dehaloperophoramidine, and communesin F are structurally related alkaloids having intriguing polycyclic structures. A strategy for the synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine has been developed. In this synthesis all skeletal atoms and all functional groups required to reach the target molecule are incorporated early in the sequence. This approach led to the discovery of two novel substrate-specific domino processes, one encompassing four steps and the other comprising five steps, thus resulting in an eight-step synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine.

Enantioselective synthesis of anti-ß-hydroxy-α-amido esters by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation in emulsions.

Herein, we present two methods for an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation through the dynamic kinetic resolution of α-amido-ß-ketoesters. These procedures yield the corresponding anti-ß-hydroxy-α-amido esters in good yields and with good diastereo- and enantioselectivities. First, the scope of the reduction of α-amido-ß-ketoesters by using triethylammonium formate azeotrope is examined. Then, an emulsion technology with sodium formate is explored, which allows for broader substrate scope, faster reaction times, and lower catalyst loading. Furthermore, these reactions are operationally simple and can be set up in air.

Lewis acid-promoted addition of 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes to aldehydes: a route to 1,3-dienes.

The Lewis acid-promoted addition of 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes to aldehydes to provide the corresponding (E)-1,3-dienes in excellent stereoselectivity and good to excellent yields is reported. The procedure is mild, base-free, and operationally straightforward.

Synthesis of alpha-amino amides via N,O-acetals derived from Weinreb amides.

An easy and straightforward synthesis of alpha-amino amides via a base-mediated rearrangement of modified Weinreb amides into N,O-acetals is presented. Subsequent arylation, alkylation, alkenylation, or alkynylation of this intermediate affords the corresponding alpha-amino amides in excellent yields. Furthermore, a more generalized protocol for the alpha-arylation of Weinreb amides lacking an alpha-amino moiety is also discussed.

Enantioselective synthesis of anti-3-alkenyl-2-amido-3-hydroxy esters: application to the total synthesis of (+)-alexine.

A straightforward synthesis of anti-3-alkenyl-2-amido-3-hydroxy esters from the corresponding racemic α-amino-ß-keto esters by using a ATH/DKR protocol has been developed. This method gives moderate to excellent yields with high chemo-, diastereo- and enantioselectivities for a broad range of substrates. In order to highlight the versatility of the methodology it was applied in an efficient asymmetric synthesis of the polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloid (+)-alexine.

Diastereoselective aldol additions to alpha-amino-beta-silyloxy aldehydes. Divergent synthesis of aminodiols.

A divergent protocol for substrate-controlled diastereoselective synthesis of aminodiols has been developed using nucleophilic Mukaiyama aldol additions to alpha-amino-beta-silyloxy aldehydes. The merged stereochemical impact on the diastereoselectivity of the polar alpha- and beta-substituents is highlighted. [reaction: see text]

Regioselective and divergent opening of vinyl epoxides with ethoxyacetylene.

A divergent protocol for nucleophilic opening of vinyl epoxides with ethoxyacetylide has been developed and demonstrated to give complete regioselectivity depending on reaction conditions.

Asymmetric radical additions of trialkylboranes to 2H-azirine-3-carboxylates.

Asymmetric additions of alkyl radicals, generated from R3B, to chiral 2H-azirine-3-carboxylates offer a new entry to enantio-enriched aziridines, and proceed with high diastereoselectivity when using 8-phenylmenthol as chiral auxiliary.

Stereoselective aza-Diels-Alder reactions with 2H-azirines as dienophiles furnishing highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines.

Highly diastereoselective Lewis acid mediated aza-Diels-Alder reactions of chiral auxiliary derivatized 2H-azirines have been accomplished for the first time, yielding bi and tri-cyclic heterocyclic compounds, comprising aziridine and tetrahydropyridine substructures, in up to 97% de; with the absolute stereochemistry of the major product confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Asymmetric reduction of azirines; a new route to chiral aziridines.

The first enantioselective reduction of aromatic 2H-azirines yields aziridines in up to 70% ee, using the aminoalcohol-[RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction.

Synthesis and Aza-[2,3]-Wittig Rearrangements of Vinylaziridines: Scope and Limitations.

cis- and trans-2,3-Trisubstituted vinylaziridines have been prepared from cis- and trans-epoxy alcohols, respectively, and used as substrates in the aza-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement. Five different anion-stabilizing groups have been investigated for their efficiency to promote the rearrangement, and it was found that N-tert-butyl acetyl vinylaziridines were superior in this reaction, affording the corresponding cis-2,6-tetrahydropyridines (>90%) as single isomers when treated with LDA. Similarly, the corresponding (Z)-propenylaziridines gave trans,trans-2,3,6-trisubstituted tetrahydropyridines as the sole products while the (E)-propenylaziridines afforded the cis,cis-2,3,6-derivatives with equally high selectivity. The scope and limitations of the process have been investigated by varying the structure of the substrate, and the mechanism of the rearrangement has been probed to some extent; the mechanistic picture is more complex than assumed previously.

Studies toward communesin F: a Diels-Alder approach.

A Diels-Alder reaction is used as a key step in a synthetic study toward communesin F, in order to simultaneously introduce both of the all-carbon quaternary stereocenters with complete control of relative stereochemistry. Further manipulations of the cycloadduct, toward the hexacyclic core-structure of communesin F, are also disclosed.

Domino carbopalladation-cross-coupling for the synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles.

This study examines a domino carbopalladation-cross-coupling reaction for the formation of valuable oxindole scaffolds. Furthermore, the reaction sequence forges vicinal stereocenters in a stereospecific manner through the formation of two carbon-carbon bonds and, thereby, rapidly generates complexity. The reaction gives high yields for a variety of acrylamide substrates, and various organoboranes have also been evaluated for the cross-coupling. This work offers insight into the relative rates determining a successful carbopalladation-cross-coupling reaction and how to favor the desired reaction pathway.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation coupled with dynamic kinetic resolution in water: synthesis of anti-ß-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives.

The use of asymmetric transfer hydrogenation combined with dynamic kinetic resolution for the synthesis of ß-hydroxy-α-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino esters in water is described. This procedure provides the desired amino alcohols in good yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. A surfactant is employed to achieve good yields due to the hydrophobic nature of both the catalyst and substrate. The reaction setup is operationally simple, and nondegassed water can be used as the solvent.