Electrospray mass spectrometry for detailed mechanistic studies of a complex organocatalyzed triple cascade reaction.

The development of modular combinations of organocatalytic reactions into cascades has been shown to be an effective tool despite the fact that the mechanism of such a complex organocatalytic multistep cascade reaction still remains poorly understood. Here the detailed mechanistic studies of a complex organocatalytic triple cascade reaction for the synthesis of tetra-substituted cyclohexene carbaldehydes are reported. The investigation has been carried out using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization. Important intermediates were detected and characterized through MS/MS studies. A detailed formation pathway is presented based on these characterized intermediates, and supporting the proposed mechanism of the formation of the substituted cyclohexene carbaldehydes.

Organocatalytic cascade reactions as a new tool in total synthesis.

The total synthesis of natural products and biologically active compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, has reached an extraordinary level of sophistication. We are, however, still far away from the 'ideal synthesis' and the state of the art is still frequently hampered by lengthy protecting-group strategies and costly purification procedures derived from the step-by-step protocols. In recent years several new criteria have been brought forward to solve these problems and to improve total synthesis: atom, step and redox economy or protecting-group-free synthesis. Over the past decade the research area of organocatalysis has rapidly grown to become a third pillar of asymmetric catalysis standing next to metal and biocatalysis, thus paving the way for a new and powerful strategy that can help to address these issues - organocatalytic cascade reactions. In this Review we present the first applications of such asymmetric organocascade reactions to the total synthesis of natural products.

Asymmetric organocatalytic domino reactions.

The current status of organic synthesis is hampered by costly protecting-group strategies and lengthy purification procedures after each synthetic step. To circumvent these problems, the synthetic potential of multicomponent domino reactions has been utilized for the efficient and stereoselective construction of complex molecules from simple precursors in a single process. In particular, domino reactions mediated by organocatalysts are in a way biomimetic, as this principle is used very efficiently in the biosynthesis of complex natural products starting from simple precursors. In this Minireview, we discuss the current development of this fast-growing field.

Control of four stereocentres in a triple cascade organocatalytic reaction.

Efficient and elegant syntheses of complex organic molecules with multiple stereogenic centres continue to be important in both academic and industrial laboratories. In particular, catalytic asymmetric multi-component 'domino' reactions, used during total syntheses of natural products and synthetic building blocks, are highly desirable. These reactions avoid time-consuming and costly processes, including the purification of intermediates and steps involving the protection and deprotection of functional groups, and they are environmentally friendly and often proceed with excellent stereoselectivities. Therefore, the design of new catalytic and stereoselective cascade reactions is a continuing challenge at the forefront of synthetic chemistry. In addition, catalytic cascade reactions can be described as biomimetic, as they are reminiscent of tandem reactions that may occur during biosyntheses of complex natural products. Here we report the development of an asymmetric organocatalytic triple cascade reaction for the synthesis of tetra-substituted cyclohexene carbaldehydes. This three-component domino reaction proceeds by way of a catalysed Michael/Michael/aldol condensation sequence affording the products with good to moderate yields (25-58 per cent). During this sequence, four stereogenic centres are formed with high diastereoselectivity and complete enantioselectivity. In addition, variation of the starting materials can be used to obtain diverse polyfunctional cyclohexene derivatives, which can be used as building blocks in organic synthesis.

A direct organocatalytic entry to sphingoids: asymmetric synthesis of D-arabino- and L-ribo-phytosphingosine.

The organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of D-arabino- and L-ribo-phytosphingosine is described employing a diastereo- and enantioselective (S)-proline-catalyzed aldol reaction of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one and pentadecanal as the key step.