Bicarbonate-binding catalysis for the enantioselective desymmetrization of keto sulfonium salts.

Herein, an enantioselective desymmetrization of cyclic keto sulfonium salts through enantioselective deprotonation/ring opening process by anion-binding catalysis is presented. We report a squaramide/HCO complex as catalytic active species which is able to stereo-differentiate two enantiomeric protons, triggering the ring opening event taking advantage of the great tendency of sulfonium salts to act as leaving groups. Thus, this desymmetrization methodology give rise to β-methylsulfenylated sulfa-Michael addition type products with excellent yields and very good enantioselectivities.

General electrochemical Minisci alkylation of -heteroarenes with alkyl halides.

Herein, we report, a general, facile and environmentally friendly Minisci-type alkylation of -heteroarenes under simple and straightforward electrochemical conditions using widely available alkyl halides as radical precursors. Primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals have been shown to be efficiently generated and coupled with a large variety of -heteroarenes. The method presents a very high functional group tolerance, including various heterocyclic-based natural products, which highlights the robustness of the methodology.

Nickel-Catalysed Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Benzyl Bromides and Sulfonium Salts towards the Synthesis of Dihydrostilbenes.

A nickel-catalysed reductive cross-coupling reaction between benzyl sulfonium salts and benzyl bromides is reported. Simple, stable and readily available sulfonium salts have shown their ability as leaving groups in cross-electrophile coupling, allowing the formation of challenging sp -sp carbon-carbon bonds, towards the synthesis of interesting dihydrostilbene derivatives. In addition, benzyl tosyl derivatives have been demonstrated to be suitable substrates for reductive cross-coupling by in-situ formation of the corresponding sulfonium salt.

Isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective radical conjugate addition under batch and flow conditions.

The photocatalytic generation of α-amino radicals is combined with chiral isothiourea derived α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium intermediates. The reaction proceeds a [3+2] radical-polar crossover mechanism to generate γ-lactams in good yields and enantioselectivities. The enantioselective radical conjugate addition was carried out under batch and flow conditions.

Enantioselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction of α-ketoesters under bifunctional organocatalysis.

A highly enantioselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction to ketoesters catalysed by a hydrogen-bond-donor-based bifunctional organocatalyst is presented. The addition of silyloxy dienol ether gives rise to multifunctional chiral tertiary alcohols bearing a versatile α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with excellent enantiocontrol.

Asymmetric synthesis of Rauhut-Currier-type esters via Mukaiyama-Michael reaction to acylphosphonates under bifunctional catalysis.

A highly enantioselective organocatalytic Mukaiyama-Michael reaction of silyloxy dienes and α,β-unsaturated acyl phosphonates under bifunctional organocatalysis is presented. The new reactivity triggered by the catalyst conducted to Rauhut-Currier type esters, via a formal conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated esters. This protocol proceeds under mild conditions with complete regioselectivity and excellent enantiocontrol.