Recent advances in carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions involving homoenolates generated by NHC catalysis

Homoenolate, a species containing anionic carbon β to a carbonyl group or a moiety that can be transformed into a carbonyl group, is a potential three carbon synthon. Recent introduction of a protocol for the generation of homoenolate directly from enals by NHC (nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene) catalysis has made it possible to explore the synthetic utility of this unique reactive intermediate. The versatility of NHC-bound homoenolate is illustrated by its annulation with various carbonyl compounds leading to γ-butyrolactones, spiro-γ-butyrolactones, and δ-lactones. Interception of homoenolate with imines afforded γ-lactams and bicyclic β-lactams. Formation of cyclopentenes and spirocyclopentanones respectively by reaction with enones and dienones is also noteworthy. This tutorial review focuses on these and other types of reactions which attest to the synthetic potential of NHC-bound homoenolates in organic synthesis

Stereoselective synthesis of spirocyclopentanones via N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed reactions of enals and dienones

Homoenolates generated from enals by nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis undergo a conjugate addition/cyclization sequence with cyclic dienones, culminating in the efficient synthesis of spirocyclopentanones

Carbon-nitrogen bond-forming reactions of dialkyl azodicarboxylate: a promising synthetic strategy

Azodicarboxylates have found applications in electrophilic amination reactions and in pericyclic reactions. The nucleophilic trigger in Mitsunobu reactions, that is, the zwitterion formed from triphenylphosphine and dialkyl azodicarboxylate, has been utilized recently in various heterocyclic constructions. This Focus Review summarizes the potential utility of azodicarboxylates in various carbon-nitrogen bond-forming reactions

A novel multicomponent reaction involving isoquinoline, allenoate and cyanoacrylates

Transient zwitterion generated from allenoate and isoquinoline was successfully intercepted with cyanoacrylates and arylidenemalononitriles to devise a novel multicomponent reaction under mild conditions