Enantioselective Desymmetrization of <i>para</i>-Quinamines through an Aminocatalyzed Aza-Michael/Cyclization Cascade Reaction

An unprecedented organocatalytic asymmetric desymmetrization of <i>para</i>-quinamines leading to functionalized hydroindoles, a common motif in many alkaloids, has been reported. The ability of diarylprolinol silyl ethers to promote iminium and enamine activation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in one catalytic cycle is the centerpiece of the strategy involving a challenging aza-Michael/intramolecular cyclization cascade reaction. A range of prochiral <i>para</i>-quinamines and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes were investigated to afford 16 examples of hydroindoles possessing four contiguous stereocenters including one quaternary carbon. The hydroindole structures include multiple orthogonal functionalities, which underwent various transformations

Synthesis of Enantioenriched Aza-Proline Derivatives through Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cyclization of Chiral α‑Hydrazino Esters

A selective gold­(I)-catalyzed synthesis of chiral aza-proline derivatives has been developed by ring closure of enantioenriched α-hydrazino esters bearing an alkyne group. These are easily prepared through a synthetic strategy involving two key steps: organocatalyzed electrophilic amination of pent-4-ynal with dialkyl azodicarboxylate promoted by l-proline and functionalization of the triple bond by Sonogashira cross-coupling. This strategy allowed the preparation of a range of enantioenriched α-hydrazino esters that underwent ring closure by using Ph₃PAuCl/AgBF₄ as a catalytic system. Under these conditions, 5-<i>exo</i>-<i>dig</i> cyclization was favored over 6-<i>endo</i><i>-dig</i> and aza-proline derivatives were obtained in good yields without epimerization at the stereogenic center. Influence of the catalytic system, hydrazine protecting group and alkyne substitution on the cyclization step has also been investigated

Dearomatization of Pyridines: Photochemical Skeletal Enlargement for the Synthesis of 1,2-Diazepines

In this report, we developed a unified and standardized one-pot sequence that converts pyridine derivatives into 1,2-diazepines by inserting a nitrogen atom. This skeletal transformation capitalizes on the in situ generation of 1-aminopyridinium ylides, which rearrange under UV light irradiation. A thorough evaluation of the key parameters (wavelength, reaction conditions, activating agent) allowed us to elaborate on a simple, mild, and user-friendly protocol. The model reaction was extrapolated to more than 40 examples, including drug derivatives, affording unique 7-membered structures. Mechanistic evidence supports the transient presence of a diazanorcaradiene species. Finally, pertinent transformations of the products, including ring contraction reactions to form pyrazoles, were conducted and paved the way to a broad application of the developed protocol

Asymmetric Synthesis of Fused Polycyclic Indazoles through Aminocatalyzed Aza-Michael Addition/Intramolecular Cyclization

The first example of an asymmetric aminocatalyzed aza-Michael addition of 1<i>H</i>-indazole derivatives to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is described. The iminium/enamine cascade process lies at the heart of our strategy, leading to enantioenriched fused polycyclic indazole architectures. Variations on both the α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and the indazole-7-carbaldehyde heterocycles were studied in order to broaden the scope of the transformation in synthetically interesting directions. The fused polycyclic indazoles exhibit fluorescence properties and can undergo synthetic transformations

Asymmetric Synthesis of Fused Polycyclic Indazoles through Aminocatalyzed Aza-Michael Addition/Intramolecular Cyclization

The first example of an asymmetric aminocatalyzed aza-Michael addition of 1<i>H</i>-indazole derivatives to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is described. The iminium/enamine cascade process lies at the heart of our strategy, leading to enantioenriched fused polycyclic indazole architectures. Variations on both the α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and the indazole-7-carbaldehyde heterocycles were studied in order to broaden the scope of the transformation in synthetically interesting directions. The fused polycyclic indazoles exhibit fluorescence properties and can undergo synthetic transformations

Merging Oxidative Dearomatization and Aminocatalysis: One-Pot Enantioselective Synthesis of Tricyclic Architectures

The combination of oxidative dearomatization and trienamine/enamine activation in a single vessel is described. Under these conditions, a three-bond forming process generates functionalized tricyclic architectures with up to six contiguous stereocenters with excellent stereoselectivities from readily available planar substrates

Solvent- and Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Bicycles through Hemiaminal Formation/Diastereoselective Hetero-Diels–Alder Reaction with Diazenes

A solvent- and catalyst-free synthesis of nitrogen-containing bicyclic derivatives through a three-bond forming process is reported. Starting from dienals and readily available diazenes, the strategy involving the hemiaminal formation/hetero-Diels–Alder reaction affords the bicyclic products in a highly diastereoselective manner. This simple and green procedure has been applied to a selection of substrates, giving rise to 12 examples of nitrogen-containing bicyclic architectures. These products underwent various synthetic transformations. A sequence involving the cleavage of the hydrazine allowed the preparation of a hydantoin motif bearing an aminopropyl side chain, which is a structure found in natural products. A mechanism has also been suggested to explain the observed selectivities