ABSTRACT
The electrochemical cathodic reduction of cyclic imides (maleimides) to succinimides can be achieved chemoselectively in the presence of alkene, alkyne, and benzyl groups. The efficiency of the system was demonstrated by using a 3D electrode in a continuous flow reactor. The reduction of 3,4-dimethylmaleimides to the corresponding succinimides proceeds with a 3:2 diastereomeric ratio, which is independent of the nitrogen substituent and electrode surface area. The stereoselectivity of the process was rationalized by using DFT calculations, involving an acid-catalyzed tautomerization of a half-enol occurring through a double hydrogen-transfer mechanism.
Subject(s)
Maleimides/chemistry , Succinimides/chemistry , Electrochemistry , Electrodes , Oxidation-Reduction , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
Screening of a range of azolium salts, bases and solvents for reactivity indicates that triazolinylidenes, generated in situ with KHMDS in THF, promote the Steglich rearrangement of oxazolyl carbonates with high catalytic efficiency (typical reaction time 5 min at <1.5 mol % NHC). This protocol shows wide substrate applicability, even allowing the efficient generation of vicinal quaternary centers. An improved experimental procedure is also described that allows a simplified one-pot reaction protocol to be employed with similarly high catalytic efficiency.
ABSTRACT
[reaction: see text] An N-heterocyclic carbene promotes the rearrangement of alpha-amino acid derived O-acyl carbonates to their corresponding C-acylated isomers, generating a C-C bond and a quaternary stereocenter with high efficiency, under mild reaction conditions and with low catalyst loadings.
