We report a general method for the synthesis of chiral thiosquaramides, a class of bifunctional catalysts not previously described in the literature. Thiosquaramides are found to be more acidic and significantly more soluble in nonpolar solvents than their oxosquaramide counterparts, and they are excellent catalysts for the unreported, enantioselective conjugate addition reaction of the barbituric acid pharmacaphore to nitroalkenes, delivering the chiral barbiturate derivatives in high yields and high enantioselectivities, even with catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol%.

AbstractThe asymmetric synthesis of (−)-N-methylwelwitindolinone B isothiocyanate is reported. Critical challenges overcome through these studies include the stereoselective installation of the sterically congested C13 alkyl chloride and control of the wayward reactivity of the indole unit to standard oxidants. A Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation helped stymie unwanted rearrangements facilitated by vinyl group participation during the chloride installation step, and a new FeII-catalyzed oxidation accomplished the problematic conversion of indole into 2-indolinone.

AbstractThe asymmetric synthesis of (−)-N-methylwelwitindolinone B isothiocyanate is reported. Critical challenges overcome through these studies include the stereoselective installation of the sterically congested C13 alkyl chloride and control of the wayward reactivity of the indole unit to standard oxidants. A Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation helped stymie unwanted rearrangements facilitated by vinyl group participation during the chloride installation step, and a new FeII-catalyzed oxidation accomplished the problematic conversion of indole into 2-indolinone.

A method is reported for the one-carbon homologation of an alcohol to the extended carboxylic acid, ester, or amide. The process involves the Mitsunobu reaction with an alkoxymalononitrile, followed by unmasking in the presence of a suitable nucleophile. The homologation and unmasking can even be performed in a one-pot process in high yield.

We report here a novel method for the modular synthesis of highly substituted piperazines and related bis-nitrogen heterocycles via a palladium-catalyzed cyclization reaction. The process couples two of the carbons of a propargyl unit with various diamine components to provide nitrogen heterocycles in generally good to excellent yields and high regio- and stereochemical control.

We have developed an efficient route for the synthesis of the perhydroquinoline core of the indole alkaloid aspidophytine (2), starting from commercially available and inexpensive 3-acetylpyridine. This densely functionalized perhydroquinoline core displays four contiguous stereocenters including an all-carbon quaternary center. The synthetic sequence features a highly effective Diels–Alder reaction using a carbamate-substituted siloxy diene accompanied by a spontaneous intramolecular substitution of the newly formed 3°-alkyl bromide with a carbamate group. The installation of the electron-rich aniline moiety was accomplished via a TBSOTf-mediated intramolecular aza-Michael reaction, and the relative stereochemistry of the aza-Michael product (30) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Among the useful transformations that were developed through this study is a highly enantioselective Diels–Alder reaction of a versatile cyclic carbamate siloxy diene.

We report herein a method for the recovery, purification, and application of OX063, a costly, commercially available nontoxic spin probe widely used for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging, as well as its corresponding quinone methide (QM) form. This precious probe can be successfully recovered after use in animal model experiments (25–47% recovery from crude lyophilizate with 98.5% purity), even from samples that are >2 years old. Significantly, the recovered trityl can be reused in further animal model EPR imaging experiments. The work also describes support for the observed formation of an air-sensitive radical derived from the QM under reducing conditions.

Reported here are methods for the direct construction of a range of spirocyclized oxindoles and indolenines in good to excellent yields. Specifically, we report the palladium-catalyzed reactions of oxindoles and indoles, both functioning as bis-nucleophiles, with propargyl carbonates to afford spirocyclic products having an exocyclic double bond on the newly formed ring. The reaction proceeds through a process wherein the first nucleophilic unit on the oxindole or indole reacts with an allenyl-palladium species, formed from oxidative addition of Pd(0) to propargyl carbonates, to generate a π-allyl palladium intermediate that then reacts further with the second nucleophilic component of the oxindole or indole. The cascade process forges two bonds en route to spirocyclized oxindole and indolenine products. The use of chiral phosphines renders the cyclization sequence enantioselective, providing spirocyclic products with modest to good enantioselectivities.

A general, asymmetric synthesis of amino acid derivatives is reported. Masked acyl cyanide (MAC) reagents are shown to be effective umpolung synthons for enantioselective additions to N-Boc-aldimines. The reactions are catalyzed by a modified cinchona alkaloid, which can function as a bifunctional, hydrogen bonding catalyst, and afford adducts in excellent yields (90–98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97.5:2.5 er). Unmasking the addition products gives acyl cyanide intermediates that are intercepted by a variety of nucleophiles to afford α-amino acid derivatives. Notably, the methodology provides an alternative method for peptide bond formation.

Copper(I) and nickel(0) complexes catalyze the formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-diazines and siloxyalkynes, a reaction hitherto best catalyzed by silver salts. These catalysts based on earth abundant metals are not only competent, but the copper catalyst, in particular, promotes cycloadditions of pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazine and pyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine, enabling a new synthesis of quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives, as well as the formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of cyclohexenone with a siloxyalkyne.

We report the intermolecular palladium-catalyzed reaction of tert-butyl propargyl carbonate with tryptamine derivatives or other indole-containing bis-nucleophiles. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and with low catalyst loadings to afford novel spiroindolenine products in good to high yields.

A novel class of chiral 5,5′-di(2,4,6-trialkyl)aryl salen-metal complexes have been developed and shown to catalyze highly enantioselective Nazarov cyclization reactions, giving rise to cyclopentenoids in 90:10–98:2 er. Significantly, the catalysts also promote, for the first time, highly enantioselective Nazarov reactions of “unactivated” dienones, producing hydrindenone products having in place three contiguous chiral centers.

Masked acyl cyanide (MAC) reagents are shown to be effective umpolung synthons for enantioselective Michael addition to substituted enones. The reactions are catalyzed by chiral squaramides and afford adducts in high yields (90–99%) and with excellent enantioselectivities (85–98%). The addition products are unmasked to produce dicyanohydrins that, upon treatment with a variety of nucleophiles, provide γ-keto acids, esters, and amides. The use of this umpolung synthon has enabled, in enantiomerically enriched form, the first total synthesis of the prenylated phenol (+)-fornicin C.

A set of general methods for the palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative C3-allylation and C3-benzylation of indoles, starting from the corresponding N-alloc and N-Cbz indoles, respectively, is reported. This chemistry provides ready access to a wide range of functionalized indolenines in good to excellent yields. A tandem process, wherein the palladium catalyzed allylation chemistry is coupled with a Mizoroki–Heck reaction, offers a simple route to cinnamylated products.

The first syntheses and structural elucidation of Ag(I) ternary complexes with 1,2-diazines and chelating heteroarenes have been described. Conserved modes of inter-cation Ag+⋯π and π⋯π stacking interactions result in near identical patterns of cation self-assembly in these ternary complexes.

In the course of a search for new classes of hydrogen bonding catalysts, we have examined diarylacetylenediols as potential catalysts for the Diels–Alder reaction. General and efficient methods have been developed for the preparation of these diols. Their structures were systematically modified, and increased activity was observed for those possessing an electron-withdrawing group on the aryl groups. The electron-deficient diarylacetylenediol catalysts, while more active, undergo spontaneous cyclization to the corresponding benzo[b]furans. A mechanism is postulated to explain this facile transformation. Computational studies performed on 2-ethynylphenol help to explain the effect of the alkyne on the conformation and hydrogen bond donating ability of the adjacent OH group. Finally, the crystal structure of one of the diols is reported, and it displays an intricate network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

A highly effective silver-catalyzed formal inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction of 1,2-diazines and siloxy alkynes has been developed. The reactions provide ready access to a wide range of siloxy naphthalenes and anthracenes, which are formed in good to high yields, under mild reaction conditions, using low catalyst loadings.

A general method for regioselective C3-benzylation of indoles has been developed. Various 3-substituted indoles and benzyl methyl carbonates with different electronic properties react under mild conditions to afford a diverse range of 3-benzylindolenine products in good yields.

As part of a comprehensive strategy to the welwitindolinone alkaloids possessing a bicyclo[4.3.1]decane core, we report herein concise asymmetric total syntheses of (−)-N-methylwelwitindolinone C isothiocyanate (2a), (−)-N-methylwelwitindolinone C isonitrile (2b), and (−)-3-hydroxy-N-methylwelwitindolinone C isothiocyanate (3a) from a common tetracyclic intermediate. The crucial vinyl chloride moiety was installed through electrophilic chlorination of a hydrazone, but only after adjustment of reactivity to circumvent a facile skeletal rearrangement. Selective desulfurization and oxidation of 2a provided access to 2b and 3a, respectively. Notably, this work provides corrected 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for 3a.

Described is a concise total synthesis of N-methylwelwitindolinone D isonitrile, the first in a family of complex bicyclo[4.3.1]decane-containing indole alkaloids to yield to synthesis. The complete carbon core of the natural product was assembled rapidly through a Lewis acid-mediated alkylative coupling followed directly by a palladium-catalyzed enolate arylation reaction. The final ring of the pentacycle was introduced by an indole oxidation/cyclization, and the isonitrile was installed through the rearrangement of an aldehyde to an isothiocyanate followed by desulfurization.

Described is a concise synthesis of the 20,21-dihydro analog of N-methylwelwitindolinone B isothiocyanate, wherein a cationic homoallyl to cyclopropylmethyl rearrangement is circumvented by hydrogenation of the offending double bond.

Regiocontrolled oxidative cyclizations of 3-substituted indoles are described herein. Specifically, it is shown that the installation of a chloride at C2 alters the inherent propensity for cyclization at the 2-position of indole so as to favor the 4-position, enabling the construction of the unique framework found in most welwitindolinone alkaloids. The chloride functions here as more than a blocking group, as it also provides ready access to the corresponding oxindole.

Hydrogen bond catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reactions of α-ketoesters proceed in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities, giving products possessing two chiral centers, of which one is a tertiary alcohol.

Chiral squaramides are highly enantioselective catalysts for Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles with N-tosyl imines, affording 3-indolyl methanamine products in 85–96% yields and 84–96% ees.

Catalytic enantioselective α-hydrazination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with azodicarboxylates was investigated in the presence of our newly developed hydrogen bonding catalyst, squaramide 3j. High yields and high enantioselectivities were achieved with low catalyst loading under mild conditions.

Like molecules of life (e.g., proteins and DNA), many pharmaceutical drugs are also asymmetric (chiral); they are not superimposable on their mirror images. One mirror image form (enantiomer) of a drug can have desirable activity, the other not. Consequently, the development of methods for the selective synthesis of one enantiomer is of great scientific and economic importance. We report here that a simple, commercially available chiral alcohol, α,α,α′,α′-tetraaryl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanol (TADDOL), catalyzes the all-carbon Diels–Alder reactions of aminosiloxydienes and substituted acroleins to afford the products in good yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% enantiomeric excess). It is remarkable that the reactions are promoted by hydrogen bonding, the ubiquitous “glue” that helps to keep water molecules together and holds up the 3D structures of proteins. Hydrogen bond catalysis is little used in chemical synthesis, wherein most reactions are promoted by complexes of Lewis acidic metal salts coordinated to chiral ligands. As it does for enzymes, hydrogen bonding not only organizes TADDOL into a well defined conformation, but, functioning as a Brønsted acid catalyst, it also activates the dienophile toward reaction with the diene. The gross structure of the TADDOL has been found to have a profound influence on both the rate and the enantioselectivity of the cycloadditions. These structure–function effects are rationalized by evaluating the conformation adopted by the TADDOLs in the crystal state. It is suggested that π,π-stacking plays an central role in the overall catalytic cycle, in particular, the enantioselective step.

Described is a concise synthesis of the 20,21-dihydro analog of N-methylwelwitindolinone B isothiocyanate, wherein a cationic homoallyl to cyclopropylmethyl rearrangement is circumvented by hydrogenation of the offending double bond.

Hydrogen bond catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reactions of α-ketoesters proceed in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities, giving products possessing two chiral centers, of which one is a tertiary alcohol.

Chiral squaramides are highly enantioselective catalysts for Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles with N-tosyl imines, affording 3-indolyl methanamine products in 85–96% yields and 84–96% ees.