Sigmatropic [1,5] Carbon Shift of Transient C3 Ammonium Enolates.

The stereospecific sigmatropic [1,5] carbon shift of C3 ammonium enolates is discovered. According to mechanistic, kinetic and computational experiments, this new rearrangement proceeds via the catalytic generation of a transient C3 ammonium enolate by intramolecular aza-Michael addition. This intermediate rapidly undergoes [1,5] sigmatropic carbon migration to furnish the respective tetrahydroquinoline-4-ones with excellent diastereoselectivities of d.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Dihydro-quinolin-4-ones by a Borane-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral -1,7-Hydride Shift.

The borane-catalyzed synthesis of dihydroquinoline-4-ones is developed. The amino-substituted chalcones undergo a 1,7-hydride shift upon Lewis acid activation to form a zwitterionic iminium enolate, which collapses to the dihydroquinoline-4-one scaffold. The reaction proceeds in high yields (75-99%) with an excellent diastereoselectivity of up to >99:1 (:).

Borane-Catalyzed Synthesis of Quinolines Bearing Tetrasubstituted Stereocenters by Hydride Abstraction-Induced Electrocyclization.

The borane-catalyzed synthesis of quinoline derivatives bearing tetrasubstituted stereocenters from vinyl anilines has been developed. Mechanistic studies and quantum-mechanical investigations support the hydride abstraction/electrocyclization/hydride addition mechanism. The products were obtained in up to 99 % yield with a diastereoselectivity of >99 % in favour for the 3a-5-cis isomer.

Borane-catalyzed indole synthesis through intramolecular hydroamination.

The reaction of 2-alkynyl anilines with catalytic amounts of B(CF) (5 mol%) resulted in the formation of 2-substituted indoles according to an intramolecular hydroamination in good to excellent yields. Reaction intermediates as well as products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography. The domino hydroamination/hydrogenation sequence allowed the efficient synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline 8 in good yield.