Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Polycyclic Spiroindolines by Cascade Reaction of 3-(2-Isocyanoethyl)indoles with 1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

A catalyst-free cascade reaction of 3-(2-isocyanoethyl)indoles and 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles was realized. This dearomative spirocyclization provided an efficient protocol to synthesize a series of polycyclic indolines bearing spiro-α-carboline in moderate to high yields in one step under thermal reaction conditions.

Synthesis of dihydropyrroles from in situ-generated zwitterions via Rh2(adc)4/TBAI dual catalysis.

Triggered by formation of α-imino carbene, the regioselective synthesis of dihydropyrroles was achieved via a cascade 1,3-sulfinate migration/annulation. The sulfinate group was converted into sulfone during the group migration, and a stable anion bearing two electron-withdrawing groups was thus formed. The addition of a catalytic amount of iodide is believed to assist the cleavage of the C-O bond, and the formation of a more stable carbocation. Thermodynamic product dihydropyrroles were produced efficiently rather than kinetic product cyclopropanes. This dual catalysis system would afford chemists a new strategy to control the annulation selectivity of zwitterions bearing multiple reactive sites and may be employed in flexible and divergent synthesis of different ring systems.

Synthesis of Azepane Derivatives via Formal 1,3-Migration of Hydroxy and Acyloxy Groups and Selective Annulation.

Formal 1,3-migration of hydroxy and acyloxy groups initiated by α-imino rhodium carbene was achieved, and the following selective annulations of the corresponding zwitterions could efficiently afford azepane derivatives. Benefiting from a time-saving procedure as well as a good functional group tolerance, this unique migration-annulation protocol could provide an efficient tool for synthesizing seven-membered N-heterocycles. The plausible mechanism is discussed.

Synthesis of α-Amino Cyclobutanones via Formal 1,3-Hydroxy Migration Triggered by Formation of α-Imino Rhodium Carbene.

Formal intramolecular 1,3-OH migration of α-imino carbene was achieved producing a unique zwitterion, and the subsequent selective annulation afforded α-amino cyclobutanone. Features such as readily available substrates, mild reaction conditions, a time-saving procedure, excellent functional group compatibility, and valuable transformations of the products qualified this unique protocol as an efficient tool for the synthesis of strained cyclic compounds. Density functional theory calculations were in good agreement with experimental observations, and a plausible mechanism is presented.

Access to tetrahydrocarbazoles and pyrrolo[3,4-b]carbazoles through sequential reactions of triazoles and indoles.

Tetrahydrocarbazoles and pyrrolo[3,4-b]carbazoles could be synthesized conveniently through sequential reactions of ester-tethered 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and indoles. The reaction conditions were mild and the procedures were quite simple. Moreover, the key intermediate α,ß-unsaturated imine acted as a [2C] synthon in the [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, and the imino group could be used as a nucleophile to construct the fourth ring.

Synthesis of benzothiazonine by rhodium-catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole and thiochromone.

A facile synthesis of multi-functionalized benzothiazonine was achieved by the rhodium-catalyzed denitrogenative annulation of 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole and thiochromone. In view of the excellent atom economy, broad substrate scope and easy availability of starting materials, the protocol provided an efficient strategy for the construction of medium N,S-heterocycles.

Synthesis of indolizines from pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates and propiolic acid derivatives via a formal [4 + 1] pathway.

A novel cyclization reaction of pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates and propiolic acid derivatives mediated by triethylamine is described, which allows the facile synthesis of indolizines under mild reaction conditions. The net transformation involves an acetylide-driven formal [5 + 1] annulation reaction followed by a spontaneous ring-contraction/sulfur extrusion process of transient pyridothiazine intermediates.

Two Reaction Modes of Pyridinium 1,4-Zwitterionic Thiolates with Sulfenes: Synthesis of 3H-1,2-Dithiole 2,2-Dioxides, 1,9a-Dihydropyrido[2,1-c][1,4]thiazines, and Indolizines.

Two reaction modes of pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates with sulfenes generated in situ from alkanesulfonyl chlorides are described with DIPEA as the base. 3H-1,2-Dithiole 2,2-dioxides could be obtained via a formal [3 + 2] pathway from alkylmethanesulfonyl chlorides, while 1,9a-dihydropyrido[2,1-c][1,4]thiazines were obtained via a stepwise [(5 + 2) - 1] pathway from phenylmethanesulfonyl chlorides. Moreover, as an application, indolizines could be accessed via a stepwise {[(5 + 2) - 1] - 1} pathway, with 1,9a-dihydropyrido[2,1-c][1,4]thiazines as the transient intermediates.

Synthesis of Cyclopropanes via 1,3-Migration of Acyloxy Groups Triggered by Formation of α-Imino Rhodium Carbenes.

A novel and highly efficient synthetic approach to cyclopropanes was realized via 1,3-migration of acyloxy groups triggered by α-imino rhodium carbenes. Excellent chemoselectivity ensured broad compatibility of common functional groups. Merits such as readily available substrates, mild reaction conditions, and time-saving processes qualified this transformation as an attractive alternative strategy to synthesize multifunctionalized cyclopropanes. Primary investigations and discussion on the mechanism are presented.

Synthesis of cis-5,5a,6,10b-Tetrahydroindeno[2,1-b]indoles through Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Coupling of Vinyl Benzoxazinanones with Arynes.

A novel palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reaction of vinyl benzoxazinanones with arynes which may feature an intramolecular nucleophilic attack of an amino group at the central carbon of π-allylpalladium intermediate has been developed. The cis-5,5a,6,10b-tetrahydroindeno[2,1-b]indoles were generated in moderate to good yields. One key to the success of the present reaction was to achieve comparable rates for the palladium-catalyzed decarboxylation and aryne formation steps.

Total synthesis of (+)-gelsemine via an organocatalytic Diels-Alder approach.

The structurally complex alkaloid gelsemine was previously thought to have no significant biological activities, but a recent study has shown that it has potent and specific antinociception in chronic pain. While this molecule has attracted significant interests from the synthetic community, an efficient synthetic strategy is still the goal of many synthetic chemists. Here we report the asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-gelsemine, including a highly diastereoselective and enantioselective organocatalytic Diels-Alder reaction, an efficient intramolecular trans-annular aldol condensation furnishing the prolidine ring and establishing the configuration of the C20 quaternary carbon stereochemical centre. The entire gelsemine skeleton was constructed through a late-stage intramolecular SN2 substitution. The enantiomeric excess of this total synthesis is over 99%, and the overall yield is around 5%.