Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomatization by Visible-Light-Activated [2+2] Photocycloaddition.

A novel method for the catalytic asymmetric dearomatization by visible-light-activated [2+2] photocycloaddition with benzofurans and one example of a benzothiophene is reported, thereby providing chiral tricyclic structures with up to four stereocenters including quaternary stereocenters. The benzofurans and the benzothiophene are functionalized at the 2-position with a chelating N-acylpyrazole moiety which permits the coordination of a visible-light-activatable chiral-at-rhodium Lewis acid catalyst. Computational molecular modeling revealed the origin of the unusual regioselectivity and identified the heteroatom in the heterocycle to be key for the regiocontrol.

Highly Regio- and Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Reductive Hydroxymethylation of Styrenes and 1,3-Dienes with CO2.

Herein, we report a highly regio- and enantioselective copper-catalyzed reductive hydroxymethylation of styrenes and 1,3-dienes with 1 atm of CO2. Diverse important chiral homobenzylic alcohols were readily prepared from styrenes. Moreover, a variety of 1,3-dienes also were converted to chiral homoallylic alcohols with high yields and excellent regio-, enantio-, and Z/E-selectivities. The utility of this transformation was demonstrated by a broad range of styrenes and 1,3-dienes, facile product modification, and synthesis of bioactive compounds (R)-(-)-curcumene and (S)-(+)-ibuprofen. Mechanistic studies demonstrated the carboxylation of phenylethylcopper complexes with CO2 as one key step.

Synthesis of Chiral 1,4-Benzodioxanes and Chromans by Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Alkene Aryloxyarylation Reactions.

A highly enantioselective alkene aryloxyarylation led to the high-yielding formation of a series of 1,4-benzodioxanes, 1,4-benzooxazines, and chromans containing quaternary stereocenters with excellent enantioselectivity. The sterically bulky and conformationally well defined chiral monophosphorus ligand L4 or L5 was responsible for the high reactivity and enantioselectivity of these transformations. The application of this method to the synthesis of the chiral chroman backbone of α-tocopherol was demonstrated.

Synthesis of Chiral α-Amino Tertiary Boronic Esters by Enantioselective Hydroboration of α-Arylenamides.

The rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroboration of α-arylenamides with BI-DIME as the chiral ligand and (Bpin)2 as the reagent yields for the first time a series of α-amino tertiary boronic esters in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

A chiral ruthenium-monophosphine catalyst for asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to aryl aldehydes.

A novel ruthenium catalyst on the basis of a chiral monophosphorus ligand is efficient for the asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to aryl aldehydes, providing a series of chiral diarylmethanols in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). Preliminary study has shown that this process is catalyzed by a Ru complex with a single monophosphorus ligand.