Regio- and Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines by Formal Hydroamination of Enamines: Scope, Mechanism, and Asymmetric Synthesis of Orthogonally Protected Bis-Piperazines as a Privileged Scaffold.

We have previously reported the first formal hydroamination of enamines for the synthesis of chiral 1,2-diamines. Here, we describe: (i) the discovery, optimization, and substrate expansion of this reaction; (ii) a novel and straightforward protocol for the "click-type" synthesis of enamines in quantitative yield utilizing sodium sulfate in a dual role as an ancillary and dehydrating agent without the need for workup or purification; (iii) the application of this methodology to the first enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected 1,1'-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diyl) piperazines, a scaffold for rapid lead optimization in drug discovery; (iv) a computational investigation into the mechanism and rationalization of the enantioselectivities of the reaction.

Regio- and Enantioselective Formal Hydroamination of Enamines for the Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines.

The asymmetric formal hydroamination of enamines using a CuH catalyst is reported. The method provides a straightforward and efficient approach to the synthesis of chiral 1,2-dialkyl amines in good yields with high levels of enantioselectivities for a broad range of substrates, and should have significant value for the preparation of molecules bearing a 1,2-diamine motif.

Enantioselective synthesis of -3-alkenyl-2-amido-3-hydroxy esters: application to the total synthesis of (+)-alexine.

A straightforward synthesis of -3-alkenyl-2-amido-3-hydroxy esters from the corresponding racemic α-amino-β-keto esters by using a ATH/DKR protocol has been developed. This method gives moderate to excellent yields with high chemo-, diastereo- and enantioselectivities for a broad range of substrates. In order to highlight the versatility of the methodology it was applied in an efficient asymmetric synthesis of the polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloid (+)-alexine.

Formal Synthesis of ent-Cephalotaxine Using a One-Pot Parham-Aldol Sequence.

A short formal synthesis of ent-Cephalotaxine is achieved. The approach features a new Lewis acid-mediated [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of N-allylated prolineamide to generate a key quaternary stereogenic center. Additionally, a one-pot Parham-aldol sequence was developed to rapidly assemble two of the four rings in the cephalotaxine core.

An Efficient Synthesis of (±)-Dehaloperophoramidine.

Perophoramidine and communesin F are structurally related indole alkaloids with an intriguing polycyclic core containing vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. Dehaloperophoramidine is a dehalogenated synthetic analogue of perophoramidine. Synthetic studies toward the total synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine have led to the discovery of two novel domino processes, the first encompassing four steps and resulting in the formation of an ortho-amide.

Synthesis of Imidates: TFA-Mediated Regioselective Amide Alkylation Using Meerwein's Reagent.

Regioselective O-alkylation of an amide to form the corresponding imidate is a common synthetic problem, often resulting in varying amounts of N-alkylation. Screening existing methods for converting amides to imidates gave inconsistent or irreproducible results, sometimes affording N-alkylamide as the major product. A simple and reliable protocol for amide O-alkylation with complete regioselectivity has been designed, and its scope and efficiency demonstrated on a number of substrates.

Concise Total Synthesis of Dehaloperophoramidine.

Perophoramidine, dehaloperophoramidine, and communesin F are structurally related alkaloids having intriguing polycyclic structures. A strategy for the synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine has been developed. In this synthesis all skeletal atoms and all functional groups required to reach the target molecule are incorporated early in the sequence.

Studies toward communesin F: a Diels-Alder approach.

A Diels-Alder reaction is used as a key step in a synthetic study toward communesin F, in order to simultaneously introduce both of the all-carbon quaternary stereocenters with complete control of relative stereochemistry. Further manipulations of the cycloadduct, toward the hexacyclic core-structure of communesin F, are also disclosed.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation coupled with dynamic kinetic resolution in water: synthesis of anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives.

The use of asymmetric transfer hydrogenation combined with dynamic kinetic resolution for the synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino esters in water is described. This procedure provides the desired amino alcohols in good yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. A surfactant is employed to achieve good yields due to the hydrophobic nature of both the catalyst and substrate.

Domino carbopalladation-cross-coupling for the synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles.

This study examines a domino carbopalladation-cross-coupling reaction for the formation of valuable oxindole scaffolds. Furthermore, the reaction sequence forges vicinal stereocenters in a stereospecific manner through the formation of two carbon-carbon bonds and, thereby, rapidly generates complexity. The reaction gives high yields for a variety of acrylamide substrates, and various organoboranes have also been evaluated for the cross-coupling.

Enantioselective synthesis of anti-β-hydroxy-α-amido esters by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation in emulsions.

Herein, we present two methods for an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation through the dynamic kinetic resolution of α-amido-β-ketoesters. These procedures yield the corresponding anti-β-hydroxy-α-amido esters in good yields and with good diastereo- and enantioselectivities. First, the scope of the reduction of α-amido-β-ketoesters by using triethylammonium formate azeotrope is examined.

Lewis acid-promoted addition of 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes to aldehydes: a route to 1,3-dienes.

The Lewis acid-promoted addition of 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes to aldehydes to provide the corresponding (E)-1,3-dienes in excellent stereoselectivity and good to excellent yields is reported. The procedure is mild, base-free, and operationally straightforward.

Enantioselective synthesis of anti-β-hydroxy-α-amido esters via transfer hydrogenation.

The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of α-amido-β-keto esters to provide the corresponding anti-β-hydroxy-α-amido esters in good to excellent yields, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity is reported. The procedure is operationally simple, and delicate handling of the catalyst is not necessary.

Domino carbopalladation-carbonylation: generating quaternary stereocenters while controlling beta-hydride elimination.

A domino carbopalladation-carbonylation sequence for substrates possessing beta-hydrogens is explored. This allows for the construction of complex architectures with vicinal stereocenters in a concise and rapid fashion via the stereocontrolled formation of two carbon-carbon bonds. An integral aspect of this domino reaction is the ability to control beta-hydride elimination of the organopalladium intermediate and instead form the carbonylation product.

Mukaiyama aldol addition to alpha-chloro-substituted aldehydes. Origin of the unexpected syn selectivity.

The addition of sterically demanding enolsilanes to alpha-chloro aldehydes results unexpectedly in preferential formation of the anti-PFA product (1,2-syn), while the addition of the corresponding boron enolate furnishes the expected polar Felkin-Anh product (1,2-anti). A stereoinduction model explaining these observations is proposed.

Synthesis of alpha-amino amides via N,O-acetals derived from Weinreb amides.

An easy and straightforward synthesis of alpha-amino amides via a base-mediated rearrangement of modified Weinreb amides into N,O-acetals is presented. Subsequent arylation, alkylation, alkenylation, or alkynylation of this intermediate affords the corresponding alpha-amino amides in excellent yields. Furthermore, a more generalized protocol for the alpha-arylation of Weinreb amides lacking an alpha-amino moiety is also discussed.

Asymmetric Lewis acid mediated [1,2]-rearrangement of proline-derived ammonium ylides.

The first example of asymmetric Lewis acid mediated [1,2]-rearrangement of N-benzylic proline amides to form quaternary proline derivatives is reported. The presented reaction is shown to proceed with remarkable high C-->N-->C chirality transfer. Various quaternary proline derivatives have been prepared in good to excellent yields and high enantiomeric purity.

Total Synthesis of +-alexine by utilizing a highly stereoselective [3+2] annulation reaction of an N-tosyl-alpha-amino aldehyde and a 1,3-bis(silyl)propene.

A novel route towards the polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloid (+)-alexine has been developed. A key step in this synthesis is a highly stereoselective [3+2] annulation reaction of N-Ts-alpha-amino aldehyde 7 a (Ts=tosyl) and 1,3-bis(silyl)propene 8 a for the construction of the polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine subunit of the target molecule. Previous synthetic strategies rely on carbohydrates that require several protecting-group manipulations, thereby making the total number of steps relatively high.

Total synthesis of (-)-stemoamide.

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-stemoamide (1) is presented. The synthesis starts from commercially available (S)-pyroglutaminol (4). A chemoselective iodoboration of 5 was used to access key intermediate 3.

Lewis acid mediated asymmetric [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic amines. Scope and mechanistic investigation.

The first asymmetric [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of achiral allylic amines has been realized by quaternization of the amines with an enantiomerically pure diazaborolidine and subsequent treatment with Et3N. The resultant homoallylic amines were obtained in good yields and excellent ee's. The observed diastereo- and enantioselectivities were rationalized by invoking a kinetically controlled process, and support for this model was obtained from an NMR spectroscopic investigation of the chiral Lewis acid-substrate complex.

Stereoselective synthesis of functionalized pyrrolidines via a [3 + 2]-annulation of N-Ts-alpha-amino aldehydes and 1,3-Bis(silyl)propenes.

An efficient protocol for stereoselective synthesis of densely functionalized pyrrolidines by a [3 + 2]-annulation of N-Ts-alpha-amino aldehydes and 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes is described.

Synthesis of new sugar-based surfactants and evaluation of their hemolytic activities.

The synthesis of four sugar-based surfactants derived from glucose and (R)-12-hydroxystearic acid is described. The surfactants have a hydroxy group in the hydrophobic part, which is either free or acylated using acetyl chloride, hexanoyl chloride, or myristoyl chloride. Three of the synthesized surfactants are water-soluble and are evaluated with respect to their CMCs and hemolytic activities.

Asymmetric [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic ammonium ylides.

An asymmetric Lewis acid-mediated [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic amines has been developed, affording the corresponding homoallylic amines in good yield and excellent enantioselectivities. The rearrangement proceeds by complexation of the chiral Lewis acid to the amine followed by deprotonation and rearrangement.