Gold-catalyzed dual C-C bond cleavage of biphenylenes bearing a pendant alkyne at ambient temperature.

We report a catalytic skeletal rearrangement of biphenylenes with a pendant alkyne moiety at room temperature by a cationic gold catalyst, which involves the cleavage of two bonds: the C-C bond of biphenylene and the C(sp)-C(sp2 or sp3) bond. Experimental and theoretical studies revealed that the reaction mechanism included π-activation of the alkyne, ring expansion and 1,2-carbon shift.

Short-step synthesis and chiroptical properties of polyaza[5]-[9]helicenes with blue to green-colour emission.

We have developed a two- or three-step synthesis of polyaza[5]-[9]helicenes by consecutive N-H/C-H coupling with a hypervalent iodine reagent. We further evaluated their photophysical properties, and circularly polarized luminescence properties and found that glum values increase with the number of fused rings up to 2.7 × 10-2, which is the highest value among [9]helicenes.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) via Regioselective C-C Bond Activation of Biphenylenes.

Chiral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are expected to have unusual physical properties due to their chirality and expanded π-conjugated system. Indeed, PAHs are promising compounds as chiral recognizers and organic semiconductors. Therefore, an efficient method for the synthesis of chiral PAHs is strongly desired. In contrast to helically chiral PAHs, there are only limited examples of the enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral PAHs. Herein, we report the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of benzo[b]fluoranthene-based axially chiral PAHs in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to >99%, >99% ee) by regioselective cleavage of the sterically hindered C-C bond of biphenylenes. The consecutive cyclizations could provide polycyclic PAHs with two chiral axes. The obtained chiral PAHs have high ε values (up to ε = 8.9 × 104), quantum yields (up to Φ = 0.67), and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) property (|glum| = up to 3.5 × 10-3).

Consecutive HDDA and TDDA reactions of silicon-tethered tetraynes for the synthesis of dibenzosilole-fused polycyclic compounds and their unique reactivity.

Silicon-tethered tetraynes possessing a 1,3-diyne moiety underwent consecutive hexadehydro- and tetradehydro-Diels-Alder reactions to give a series of fused polycyclic aromatic compounds containing a dibenzosilole skeleton. The benzene ring in the product acted as a 1,3-diene and reacted with the active alkyne as well as oxygen to provide [4 + 2] cycloadducts.

Iodine-Catalyzed Synthesis of Chiral 4-Imidazolidinones Using α-Amino Acid Derivatives via Dehydrogenative N-H/C(sp3)-H Coupling.

An efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of 4-imidazolidinones via an iodine-catalyzed intramolecular N-H/C(sp3)-H activation of readily available and abundant feedstocks, amino acids, and amines is described. The reaction proceeded under visible light irradiation to afford a variety of 4-imidazolidinone derivatives under mild conditions in moderate to excellent yields. Secondary and tertiary C(sp3)-H bonds were aminated, and various functional groups were tolerated.

Intramolecular Consecutive Dehydro-Diels-Alder Reaction for the Catalytic and Enantioselective Construction of Axial Chirality.

Consecutive thermal and metal-catalyzed dehydro-Diels-Alder (DDA) reactions of sulfur-tethered tetraynes, possessing a 1,3-diyne moiety, proceeded efficiently, and axial chirality was achieved for the resulting dibenzothiophenyl moieties. Chiral-rhodium catalysis realized a highly enantioselective synthesis, and transformations into bis(benzocarbazole) derivatives were also achieved.

Regioselective Activation of a Sterically More Hindered C-C Bond of Biphenylenes Using an Alkene as Both a Directing Group and a Reaction Moiety.

The Rh-catalyzed intramolecular reaction of 1-(2-vinylaryl)-substituted biphenylenes was used to construct a dihydrobenzo[b]fluoranthene skeleton. This transformation was achieved by regioselective C-C bond cleavage of a sterically more hindered biphenylene site by using alkene as both a directing group and a reaction moiety. Furthermore, we measured and analyzed the photophysical properties of the new multicyclic fused compounds.

Ir-Catalyzed Synthesis of Substituted Tribenzosilepins by Dehydrogenative C-H/Si-H Coupling.

The Ir-catalyzed intramolecular reaction of 2',6'-diaryl-2-(hydrosilyl)biphenyls gave substituted tribenzosilepins by direct dehydrogenative C-H/Si-H coupling. This is the first example of catalytic construction of the tribenzosilepin skeleton. Enantiomerically pure tribenzosilepin was prepared by optical resolution using chiral HPLC, and its inversion barrier was calculated by measurement of rate of racemization using the Eyring kinetic equation under heating conditions.

Catalytic Dearomative Spirocyclization via Gold Carbene Species Derived from Ynamides: Efficient Synthesis of 2-Azaspiro[4.5]decan-3-ones.

An intramolecular catalytic dearomatization of phenols via gold carbene species proceeded to provide 2-azaspiro[4.5]decan-3-ones. The use of NHC ligand and water as a co-solvent was critical for achieving high reactivity. This reaction did not require hazardous diazo compounds as carbene sources and proceeded even under air. The obtained spirocyclic product could be readily transformed into a gabapentin derivative by hydrogenation and deprotection.

Silver-Catalyzed Efficient Synthesis of Oxindoles and Pyrroloindolines via α-Aminoalkylation of N-Arylacrylamides with Amino Acid Derivatives.

α-Aminoalkylation of N-arylacrylamides with amino acid derivatives was achieved by silver-catalysis in moderate to high yields. The reaction provides an efficient strategy for the synthesis of functionalized oxindoles, and is suitable for a wide range of N-arylacrylamides and amino acids, both of which are inexpensive and readily available. The oxindoles obtained were readily transformed into densely functionalized pyrroloindolines by deprotection and cyclization in one pot.

Sulfur-directed carbon-sulfur bond cleavage for Rh-catalyzed regioselective alkynylthiolation of alkynes.

Sulfur-directed sp C-S bond cleavage along with a regioselective reaction with alkynes proceeded to give (Z)-enyne sulfides in high to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies were conducted, including characterization of an intermediate. An intramolecular variant realized the construction of a dibenzodithiepin skeleton, which is a seven-membered ring with two sulfur atoms.

Facile Two-Step Synthesis of 1,10-Phenanthroline-Derived Polyaza[7]helicenes with High Fluorescence and CPL Efficiency.

A facile two-step synthesis of aza[7]helicenes possessing a 6-5-6-6-6-5-6 skeleton from commercially available 2,9-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline via double amination with aniline derivatives followed by hypervalent iodine reagent-mediated intramolecular double-NH/CH couplings was developed. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of the helicenes revealed unique structures, including both a significantly twisted center and planar terminals of the skeleton. The azahelicenes show high fluorescent quantum yields (Φs) under both neutral (Φ: 0.25-0.55) and acidic conditions (Φ: up to 0.80). An enantiomerically pure aza[7]helicene showed high circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity under both neutral and acidic conditions (glum : up to 0.009).

DFT Studies on the Mechanism of the Iridium-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 1] Cycloaddition of Biphenylene with Alkenes.

Recently, we reported an Ir-catalyzed formal [4 + 1] cycloaddition of biphenylenes with alkenes, which gave 9,9-disubstituted fluorenes in moderate to excellent yields. We proposed a reaction mechanism that involved the intermolecular insertion of alkenes, ß-elimination, and intramolecular insertion based on the results of experimental mechanistic studies. Herein, we further support the proposed mechanism by density functional theory calculations and explain why [4 + 1] cycloaddition proceeds rather than conventional [4 + 2] cycloaddition.

Enantioselective Formal C-H Conjugate Addition of Acetanilides to ß-Substituted Acrylates by Chiral Iridium Catalysts.

The Ir-catalyzed enantioselective reaction of substituted acetanilides with ß-substituted α,ß-unsaturated esters provided chiral 3,3-disubstituted propanoates in high yield with good-to-excellent enantiomeric excess (up to 99 % ee). This transformation, initiated by sp2 C-H bond activation, is the first example of enantioselective formal C-H conjugate addition to ß-substituted α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The starting materials are commercially available and/or readily accessible.

Pt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Cycloisomerization for the Synthesis of Planar-Chiral Ferrocene Derivatives.

Enantioselective cycloisomerization of 2-ethynyl-1-ferrocenylbenzene derivatives proceeded by using a chiral cationic platinum catalyst at room temperature. The intramolecular reaction gave planar-chiral naphthalene- and anthracene-fused ferrocene derivatives with high to excellent ee.

Iridium-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 1] Cycloaddition of Biphenylenes with Alkenes Initiated by C-C Bond Cleavage for the Synthesis of 9,9-Disubstituted Fluorenes.

An Ir-catalyzed intermolecular reaction of biphenylenes as a C4 unit with various alkenes as a C1 unit gave 9,9-disubstituted fluorenes in moderate to high yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that this formal [4 + 1] cycloaddition probably proceeds via C-C bond cleavage, alkene insertion, ß-hydrogen elimination, intramolecular alkene insertion, and then reductive elimination. An example of enantioselective reaction was also disclosed.

Catalytic and Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Multisubstituted Tribenzothiepins by Intermolecular Cycloadditions.

The first catalytic and highly enantioselective synthesis of tribenzothiepin derivatives was achieved. Two types of intermolecular cycloadditions using either diphenyl-sulfide-tethered diynes or 2-phenyl sulfanylbenzene-tethered diynes with a monoalkyne successfully gave chiral multisubstituted tribenzothiepins in good to excellent ee values under mild conditions. The inversion energy of this saddle-shaped molecule was calculated by measurement of the racemization rate of chiral tribenzothiepins using the Eyring kinetic equation under heating conditions. The present protocol could also be used to prepare a chiral tribenzoselenepin.

Enantioselective sp(3) C-H alkylation of γ-butyrolactam by a chiral Ir(I) catalyst for the synthesis of 4-substituted γ-amino acids.

Ir-catalyzed sp(3) C-H alkylation of γ-butyrolactam with alkenes was used for the highly enantioselective synthesis of 5-substituted γ-lactams, which were readily converted into chiral 4-substituted γ-amino acids. A broad scope of alkenes was amenable as coupling partners, and the alkylated product using acrylate could be transformed into the key intermediate of pyrrolam A synthesis.

Total Synthesis of cis-Clavicipitic Acid from Asparagine via Ir-Catalyzed C-H bond Activation as a Key Step.

4-Substituted tryptophan derivatives and the total synthesis of cis-clavicipitic acid were achieved in reactions in which Ir-catalyzed C-H bond activation was a key step. The starting material for these reactions is asparagine, which is a cheap natural amino acid. The reductive amination step from the 4-substituted tryptophan derivative gave cis-clavicipitic acid with perfect diastereoselectivity.

Synthesis and Applications of Hajos-Parrish Ketone Isomers.

Numerous natural products possess ring systems and functionality for which Hajos-Parrish ketone isomers with a transposed methyl group (termed "iso-Hajos-Parrish ketones") would be of value. However, such building blocks have not been exploited to the same degree as the more typical Hajos-Parrish hydrindane. An efficient three-step synthesis of such materials was fueled by a simple method for the rapid preparation of highly functionalized cyclopentenones, several of which are new chemical entities that would be challenging to access through other approaches. Furthermore, one iso-Hajos-Parrish ketone was converted into two distinct natural product analogues and one natural product. As one indication of the value of these new building blocks, that latter target was obtained in 10 steps, having previously been accessed in 18 steps using the Hajos-Parrish ketone.