Preparation of 2'-Deoxy-2'-spirocyclopropylcytidine via an Alternative Cyclopropanation Reaction.

Herein we report the preparation of 2'-deoxy-2'-spirocyclopropylcytidine via an alternative cyclopropanation reaction starting from γ-silyl tertiary alcohols. Activation of the hydroxyl function with thionyl chloride in the presence of 4-DMAP allows the ring-closing step under mild conditions. Participation of the uracil moiety in the cyclization step is proposed.

Exploiting Synergistic Effects in Organozinc Chemistry for Direct Stereoselective C-Glycosylation Reactions at Room Temperature.

Pairing a range of bis(aryl) zinc reagents ZnAr2 with the stronger Lewis acidic [(ZnArF2 )] (ArF =C6 F5 ), enables highly stereoselective cross-coupling between glycosyl bromides and ZnAr2 without the use of a transition metal. Reactions occur at room temperature with excellent levels of stereoselectivity, where ZnArF2 acts as a non-coupling partner although its presence is crucial for the execution of the C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) bond formation process. Mechanistic studies have uncovered a unique synergistic partnership between the two zinc reagents, which circumvents the need for transition-metal catalysis or forcing reaction conditions. Key to the success of the coupling is the avoidance of solvents that act as Lewis bases versus diarylzinc compounds (e.g. THF).

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative couplings of vinylogous enolates: application to statin structures.

The first Pd-catalyzed carbonylative couplings of aryl and vinyl halides with vinylogous enolates are reported generating products derived from C-C bond formation exclusively at the γ-position. Good results were obtained with a dienolate derivative of acetoacetate (1,3-dioxin-4-one). These transformations occurred at room temperature and importantly with only stoichiometric carbon monoxide in a two-chamber reactor. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of two members of the statin family generating the cis-3,5-diol acid motif by a γ-selective carbonylation followed by a cis-stereoselective reduction of the 3,5-dicarbonyl acid intermediates.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of (2-azaaryl)methyl anion equivalents with (hetero)aryl bromides.

Conditions for the palladium-catalyzed coupling of (2-pyridyl)acetones with aryl bromides have been developed. Followed by an acid-promoted deacetylation step, the desired 1-(het)aryl-2-(2-pyridyl)ethanones were obtained in good to excellent yields with high functional group tolerance. Test reactions revealed that both the addition of MgCl2 and a specifically positioned heteroatom in the heteroaromatic ring were crucial for product formation indicating the importance of a chelated intermediate in the reaction mechanism. The reaction conditions proved suitable for a number of 5- and 6-membered heteroaromatic starting materials affording all products in good yields. The utility of the obtained 1-(het)aryl-2-(2-pyridyl)ethanones was demonstrated by the straightforward synthesis of several multiaromatic derivatives in only few additional steps.

Catalytic enantioselective vinylogous Mukaiyama-Michael addition of 2-silyloxyfurans to cyclic unsaturated oxo esters.

The copper-catalyzed asymmetric addition of 2-silyloxyfurans to cyclic unsaturated oxo esters is reported. The reaction proceeds with excellent diastereocontrol (usually dr 99:1) and modest to high enantioselectivity, depending on the nature of the ester group and the substitution of the cyclic oxo ester. We have shown that these substrates can be transformed into a variety of building blocks bearing a γ-butenolide or γ-lactone connected to a cycloalkane or cycoalkene moiety.