Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Imidoyl C-H Activation for Annulations to Azolopyrimidines.

Azolopyrimidines are efficiently prepared by direct imidoyl C-H bond activation. Annulations of N-azolo imines with sulfoxonium ylides and diazoketones under redox-neutral conditions and alkynes under oxidizing conditions provide products with various arrangements of nitrogen atoms and carbon substituents. We have also probed the mechanism of this first example of Rh(III)-catalyzed direct imidoyl C-H activation by structural characterization of a catalytically competent rhodacycle obtained after C-H activation and by kinetic isotope effects.

Synthesis of [5,6]-Bicyclic Heterocycles with a Ring-Junction Nitrogen Atom: Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Alkenyl Azoles.

The first syntheses of privileged [5,6]-bicyclic heterocycles, with ring-junction nitrogen atoms, by transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization of C-alkenyl azoles is disclosed. Several reactions are applied to alkenyl imidazoles, pyrazoles, and triazoles to provide products with nitrogen incorporated at different sites. Alkyne and diazoketone coupling partners give azolopyridines with various substitution patterns. In addition, 1,4,2-dioxazolone coupling partners yield azolopyrimidines. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the reactions are discussed and the utility of the developed approach is demonstrated by iterative application of C-H functionalization for the rapid synthesis of a patented drug candidate.

Synergistic Catalysis for the Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition of Vinyl Aziridines with α,ß-Unsaturated Aldehydes.

The first asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of vinyl aziridines with α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes, based on synergistic catalysis, is disclosed. This methodology allows the formation of attractive pyrrolidine structures in good yields (up to 84 %), moderate diastereoselectivity, and high enantioselectivity values (up to >99 % ee). Additionally, a tricyclic pyrrolidine core structure found in biologically active molecules was synthesized in a one-pot fashion by using the presented reaction concept. Finally, a mechanistic proposal is outlined.

Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Vinylcyclopropanes and α,ß-Unsaturated Aldehydes by Synergistic Palladium and Organocatalysis.

The stereoselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition between vinylcyclopropanes and α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes promoted by combined palladium and organocatalysis is disclosed. The unique synergistic catalytic system allows for the stereoselective formation of highly substituted cyclopentanes with up to four stereocenters in high yields and selectivities. Vinylcyclopropanes with two different geminal substituents facilitate the formation of cyclopentanes containing a quaternary stereocenter. Furthermore, the developed reaction performs well on gram scale, and a number of transformations are demonstrated.

Computational Approach to Diarylprolinol-Silyl Ethers in Aminocatalysis.

Asymmetric organocatalysis has witnessed a remarkable development since its "re-birth" in the beginning of the millenium. In this rapidly growing field, computational investigations have proven to be an important contribution for the elucidation of mechanisms and rationalizations of the stereochemical outcomes of many of the reaction concepts developed. The improved understanding of mechanistic details has facilitated the further advancement of the field. The diarylprolinol-silyl ethers have since their introduction been one of the most applied catalysts in asymmetric aminocatalysis due to their robustness and generality. Although aminocatalytic methods at first glance appear to follow relatively simple mechanistic principles, more comprehensive computational studies have shown that this notion in some cases is deceiving and that more complex pathways might be operating. In this Account, the application of density functional theory (DFT) and other computational methods on systems catalyzed by the diarylprolinol-silyl ethers is described. It will be illustrated how computational investigations have shed light on the structure and reactivity of important intermediates in aminocatalysis, such as enamines and iminium ions formed from aldehydes and α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes, respectively. Enamine and iminium ion catalysis can be classified as HOMO-raising and LUMO-lowering activation modes. In these systems, the exclusive reactivity through one of the possible intermediates is often a requisite for achieving high stereoselectivity; therefore, the appreciation of subtle energy differences has been vital for the efficient development of new stereoselective reactions. The diarylprolinol-silyl ethers have also allowed for novel activation modes for unsaturated aldehydes, which have opened up avenues for the development of new remote functionalization reactions of poly-unsaturated carbonyl compounds via di-, tri-, and tetraenamine intermediates and vinylogous iminium ions. Computational studies have played a pivotal role in the elucidation of the regioselectivities observed for such systems because these pose a challenge due to the presence of multiple reactive sites in these intermediates. Charge distribution and π-orbital coefficient calculations have been applied to explain the observed regioselectivity of the given reactions. The calculation of more elaborate energetic pathways has allowed for in silico identification of high-energy intermediates, such as zwitterions, and transition-state structures, which have also provided information on the driving force controlling the reaction course and outcome.

The Diarylprolinol Silyl Ethers: Ten Years After.

Asymmetric organocatalysis has experienced an incredible development since the beginning of this century. The expansion of the field has led to a large number of efficient types of catalysts. One group, the diarylprolinol silyl ethers, was introduced in 2005 and has been established as one of the most frequently used in aminocatalysis. In this Minireview, we will take a look in the rear-view mirror, ten years after the introduction of the diarylprolinol silyl ethers. We will focus on the perspectives of the different activation modes made available by this catalytic system. Starting with a short introduction to aminocatalysis, we will outline the properties that have made the diarylprolinol silyl ethers a common choice of catalyst. Furthermore, we will describe the major tendencies in the activation and reaction concepts developed with regard to reactivity patterns and combinations with other activation concepts.

Asymmetric γ-Allylation of α,ß-Unsaturated Aldehydes by Combined Organocatalysis and Transition-Metal Catalysis.

The first asymmetric regio- and diastereodivergent γ-allylation of cyclic α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes based on combined organocatalysis and transition-metal catalysis is disclosed. By combining an aminocatalyst with an iridium catalyst, both diastereomers of branched allylated products can be achieved in moderate to good yields and excellent regio- and stereoselectivities. Furthermore, by replacing the iridium catalyst with a palladium catalyst, the linear allylated products are formed in good yields and excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. The developed method thus provides selective access to all six isomers of the γ-allylated product in a divergent fashion by choosing the appropriate combination of organocatalyst, transition-metal catalyst, and ligand.

Organocatalytic enamine-activation of cyclopropanes for highly stereoselective formation of cyclobutanes.

A novel organocatalytic activation mode of cyclopropanes is presented. The reaction concept is based on a design in which a reactive donor-acceptor cyclopropane intermediate is generated by in situ condensation of cyclopropylacetaldehydes with an aminocatalyst. The mechanism of this enamine-based activation of cyclopropylacetaldehydes is investigated by the application of a combined computational and experimental approach. The activation can be traced to a favorable orbital interaction between the π-orbital of the enamine and the σ*C-C orbital of the cyclopropyl ring. Furthermore, the synthetic potential of the developed system has been evaluated. By the application of a chiral secondary amine catalyst, the organocatalytically activated cyclopropanes show an unexpected and highly stereoselective formation of cyclobutanes, functionalizing at the usually inert sites of the donor-acceptor cyclopropane. By the application of 3-olefinic oxindoles and benzofuranone, biologically relevant spirocyclobutaneoxindoles and spirocyclobutanebenzofuranone can be obtained in good yields, high diastereomeric ratios, and excellent enantiomeric excesses. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed and two mechanistic proposals are presented.

Organocatalytic asymmetric strategies to carbocyclic structures by γ-alkylation-annulation sequences.

Attractive carbocyclic structures are accessed via a highly regio- and enantioselective aminocatalytic γ-addition of cyclic enals to vinyl phosphonates followed by a one-pot intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction. It is also demonstrated that nitro olefins can act as electrophiles in a similar reaction concept, providing carbocycles in equally high stereoselectivity.

Organocatalytic asymmetric formation of steroids.

A novel and simple one-step approach for the construction of optically active steroids in a highly stereoselective manner by using organocatalysis is presented. The reaction of (di)enals with cyclic dienophiles in the presence of a TMS-protected prolinol catalyst leads to the construction of important 14 ß-steroids. This new reaction allows an easy access to optically active steroids with a variety of substituents in the A ring in high yields and up to greater than 99 % ee. The reaction has been extended to include the construction of B- and D-homosteroids as well as steroids containing heteroatoms in the B ring. The angular substituent at C13 can be varied and alkyl, ester, and sulfone functionalities are introduced with excellent stereoselectivities. Simple synthetic procedures provide access to a range of naturally occurring steroids such as estrone and related analogues.

Organocatalytic asymmetric remote aziridination of 2,4-dienals.

Highly regio- and stereoselective remote aziridination of 2,4-dienals has been developed, based on a vinylogous iminium-ion-dienamine catalytic cascade reaction. Transformations of the aziridine products into enantioenriched motifs are also demonstrated. Furthermore, the reaction concept is extended to include enantioselective 1,6-addition of thiols.

Catalytic asymmetric diaziridination.

The first catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of diaziridines is presented. Aziridination of N-tosyl aldimines applying modified hydroxylamine under asymmetric phase-transfer catalysis furnished optically active diaziridines. The diaziridines are formed as a single diastereomer in up to 96% ee, containing two orthogonal N-protecting groups, which can be deprotected selectively.

Cross-trienamines in asymmetric organocatalysis.

Cross-conjugated trienamines are introduced as a new concept in asymmetric organocatalysis. These intermediates are applied in highly enantioselective Diels-Alder and addition reactions, providing functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octane compounds and γ'-addition products, respectively. The nature of the transformations and the intermediates involved are investigated by computational calculations and NMR analysis.