Fluorinated 2-Azetines: Synthesis, Applications, Biological Tests, and Development of a Catalytic Process.

An efficient and straightforward phosphine-promoted tandem aza-Michael addition/intramolecular Wittig reaction was developed for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 2-azetines. After demonstrating that this transformation could be made catalytic in phosphine through reduction of phosphine oxide with phenylsilane, different post-transformation steps have been demonstrated, including an original [2 + 2] photodimerization. Preliminary biological tests highlighted that these fluorinated 1,2-dihydroazete-2,3-dicarboxylates exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line.

Catalytic and Asymmetric Process via P/P═O Redox Cycling: Access to (Trifluoromethyl)cyclobutenes via a Michael Addition/Wittig Olefination Reaction.

In the present study, we report the first enantioselective and highly efficient phosphine-catalyzed process via a chemoselective in situ phosphine oxide reduction. Starting with 4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate substrates, highly functionalized fluorinated cyclobutenes were obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Using the same methodology, CF-spirocyclobutene derivatives were also synthesized (34 examples, up to 95% ee).

Phosphine-Promoted Synthesis of 9 H-Pyrrolo[1,2- a]indole Derivatives via an γ-Umpolung Addition/Intramolecular Wittig Reaction.

The synthesis of substituted 9 H-pyrrolo[1,2- a]indole products from 1 H-indole-2-carbaldehydes and allenoates is described, using a phosphine-promoted Michael addition/intramolecular Wittig reaction. This halide- and base-free methodology provides an efficient access to different tricyclic nitrogen-containing heterocycles (18 examples, 32-88% isolated yields).

Short Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Rhazinilam Using a Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cyclization.

(R)-(-)-Rhazinilam has been synthesized in nine steps and 20% overall yield. The key steps involve two metal-catalyzed processes: the enantioselective gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of an allene-functionalized pyrrole and the palladium-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of a vinyl moiety with formate as a CO surrogate. This novel strategy represents the shortest and highest yielding enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-rhazinilam.