Synthesis of Enantioenriched Tetra-ortho-3,3′-substituted Biaryls by Small-Molecule-Catalyzed Noncanonical Polyketide Cyclizations

The arene-forming aldol condensation is a fundamental reaction in the biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides. Precisely controlled by the polyketide synthases, the highly reactive poly-β-carbonyl substrates are diverged into numerous aromatic natural products by selective cyclization reactions; a fascinating biosynthetic strategy that sparked our interest to investigate atroposelective aldol condensations. In this Account, we contextualize and highlight the ability of small-molecule catalysts to selectively convert noncanonical hexacarbonyl substrates in a double arene-forming aldol condensation resulting in the atroposelective synthesis of tetra-ortho-3,3′-substituted biaryls. The hexacarbonyl substrates were obtained by a fourfold ozonolysis enabling a late-stage introduction of all carbonyl functions in one step. Secondary amine catalysts capable of forming an extended hydrogen-bonding network triggered the noncanonical polyketide cyclization in order to form valuable biaryls in high yields and with stereocontrol of up to 98:2 er

Atroposelective synthesis of tetra-ortho-substituted biaryls by catalyst-controlled non-canonical polyketide cyclizations

The cyclization of poly-β-carbonyl-substrates controlled by polyketide synthases intricately governs the biosynthesis of a wide range of aromatic polyketides. Analogous small-molecule-catalysed processes would conceivably induce selective cyclizations of non-canonical polycarbonyl substrates to provide products distinct from natural polyketides. Here, we report a secondary amine-catalysed twofold cyclization of non-canonical hexacarbonyl substrates, furnishing enantioenriched tetra-ortho-substituted binaphthalenes. The substrates were prepared by a fourfold ozonolysis of dicinnamyl biindenes and converted under catalyst control with high atroposelectivity. Privileged catalysts, helicenes and ligands are readily accessible from the binaphthalene products stemming from the non-canonical polyketide cyclizations

Catalytic Arene-forming Aldol Condensation: Stereoselective Synthesis of Rotationally Restricted Aromatic Compounds

By taking inspiration from the fascinating biosynthetic machinery that creates aromatic polyketides, our group investigates analogous reactions catalyzed by small molecules. We are particularly captivated by the prospects of intramolecular aldol condensation reactions to generate different rotationally restricted aromatic compounds. In a first project of our independent research group, a highly stereoselective amine catalyzed synthesis of axially chiral biaryls, tertiary aromatic amides and oligo-1,2-naphthylenes has been developed. In this article, we outline the twists and turns for our escape from the aromatic flatland to structurally intriguing chiral arene scaffolds relevant for various fields of application

Catalyst-Control over Sixfold Stereogenicity

Governing higher-order stereogenicity is a long-standing goal in stereoselective catalysis, because it allows to achieve selectivity for more than a twofold number of stereoisomers per stereogenic unit. Current methods warrant control over the power of two stereoisomers and the configurations are routinely assigned using the descriptors ( R ) and ( S ), or related binary codes. In contrast, conformational analysis ranges beyond this dualistic treatment of stereoisomerism, which constitutes an unmet challenge for catalyst stereocontrolled processes. Herein, we now report that sixfold stereogenicity can be governed by stereoselective catalysis. By controlling a configurationally stable stereogenic axis with six large rotational barriers, a catalytic [2+2+2]-cyclotrimerization selectively governs the formation of one out of six stereoisomers with up to 0:0:2:98:0:0 stereocontrol. The underpinnings of conformational analysis and stereoselective catalysis are thereby conceptually reunited. Novel molecular architectures featuring distinct chemical topologies and unexplored chemical designs are anticipated from catalystcontrol over higher-order stereogenicitie

Catalyst-Control over Sixfold Stereogenicity

Governing higher-order stereogenicity is a long-standing goal in stereoselective catalysis, because it allows to achieve selectivity for more than a twofold number of stereoisomers per stereogenic unit. Current methods warrant control over the power of two stereoisomers and the configurations are routinely assigned using the descriptors ( R ) and ( S ), or related binary codes. In contrast, conformational analysis ranges beyond this dualistic treatment of stereoisomerism, which constitutes an unmet challenge for catalyst stereocontrolled processes. Herein, we now report that sixfold stereogenicity can be governed by stereoselective catalysis. By controlling a configurationally stable stereogenic axis with six large rotational barriers, a catalytic [2+2+2]-cyclotrimerization selectively governs the formation of one out of six stereoisomers with up to 0:0:2:98:0:0 stereocontrol. The underpinnings of conformational analysis and stereoselective catalysis are thereby conceptually reunited. Novel molecular architectures featuring distinct chemical topologies and unexplored chemical designs are anticipated from catalystcontrol over higher-order stereogenicitie

Catalytic Cascade Reactions Inspired by Polyketide Biosynthesis

Aldol reactions belong to the most important methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and are also involved in one of the most astonishing biosynthetic processes: the biosynthesis of polyketides governed by an extraordinarily sophisticated enzymatic machinery. In contrast to the typical linear or convergent strategies followed in chemical synthesis, this late-stage catalysis concept allows Nature to assemble intermediates that are diversified into a broad range of scaffolds, which assume various crucial biological functions. To transfer this concept to small-molecule catalysis to access products beyond the natural systems, a stepwise approach to differentiate increasingly complex substrates was followed by investigating arene-forming polyketide cyclizations. An outline of our efforts to develop and apply these concepts are presented herein