Radical coupling of ß-ketoesters and amides promoted by Brønsted/Lewis acids.

Recent advances in photocatalysis have enabled radical methods with complementary chemoselectivity to established two electron bond forming approaches. While this radical strategy has previously been limited to substrates with favorable redox potentials, Brønsted/Lewis acid activation has emerged as a means of facilitating otherwise difficult reductions. We report herein our investigations into the Lewis acid-promoted redox activation of ß-ketocarbonyls in a model photocatalytic radical alkylation reaction. Rapid evaluation of substrates and reactions conditions was achieved by high throughput experimentation using 96-well plate photoreactors.

Organocatalytic Mukaiyama Mannich Reactions of 2,5-Bis(trimethylsilyloxy)furan.

The organocatalytic synthesis of densely substituted mono- and bis-γ-lactams involving the Mukaiyama Mannich addition of 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)furan to imines is described. Use of a ditoluenesulfonylimide catalyst produces γ-lactams from monoaddition, whereas a more acidic catalyst (triflic acid) produces fused bis-lactams from double addition. Optimized organocatalytic conditions allow for the selective synthesis of either desired core as well as the one-pot, multicomponent assembly of the trisubstituted monolactams from aldehydes, amines, and bis-trimethylsilyloxyfuran. An examination of chiral acids found these organocatalysts to be highly active and diastereoselective in the monoaddition reaction, albeit with no enantioselectivity.

Diastereoselective Base-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of N-Sulfonyl Imines and Cyclic Anhydrides.

A diastereoselective base-catalyzed Mannich reaction of cyclic, enolizable anhydrides and N-sulfonyl imines for the synthesis of δ-lactams is reported. This anhydride Mannich reaction tolerates imines derived from aryl and enolizable aldehydes. A base-catalyzed product epimerization pathway ensures high anti diastereoselectivity in aryl and achiral enolizable imines.

Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-malbrancheamide B.

The asymmetric total synthesis of the chlorinated [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic indole alkaloid (+)-malbrancheamide B is reported. Key to the synthesis is a domino reaction sequence that employs an aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Diastereofacial selection between the azadiene stereofaces is enforced with a chiral aminal auxiliary. A formal 7-step (longest linear route) synthesis of (±)-malbrancheamide B is also reported.

Efficient entry to the [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic ring system via diastereoselective domino reaction sequence.

A domino reaction sequence involving aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition for the synthesis of [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic structures is reported. Excellent diastereofacial control during the cycloaddition is enforced with a removable chiral phenyl aminal diketopiperazine substituent. The reaction sequence rapidly generates molecular complexity and is competent with both enolizable and nonenolizable aldehyde substrates (nine examples total). Progress toward the synthesis of malbrancheamide B, a protypical member of the [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic natural product family, is also disclosed.