Asymmetric Construction of a Multi-Pharmacophore-Containing Dispirotriheterocyclic Scaffold and Identification of a Human Carboxylesterase 1 Inhibitor

A catalytic asymmetric [3 + 2] cyclization of novel 4-isothiocyanato pyrazolones and isatin-derived ketimines was developed, delivering a wide range of intriguing dispirotriheterocyclic products in high yield with excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. A chiral sulfoxide derivative of this dispirocyclic product was identified to be a promising hit of the human carboxylesterase 1 inhibitor, and the significant difference of the activity between two enantiomers emphasized the importance of this asymmetric process

An Organocatalytic Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts Addition/Fluorination Sequence: Construction of Oxindole–Pyrazolone Conjugates Bearing Vicinal Tetrasubstituted Stereocenters

A highly efficient and practical one-pot sequential process, consisting of an organocatalytic enantioselective Friedel–Crafts-type addition of 4-nonsubstituted pyrazolones to isatin-derived <i>N</i>-Boc ketimines and a subsequent diastereoselective fluorination of the pyrazolone moiety, is developed. This reaction sequence delivers novel oxindole–pyrazolone adducts featuring vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters with a 0.5 mol % catalyst loading in high yield with excellent enantio- and diastereocontrol. Notably, chloro, bromo, and thioether functionalities can be readily incorporated, rendering a broad diversity of the product

Enantioselective Synthesis of 2,3,3a,8a-Tetrahydrofuro[2,3‑<i>b</i>]benzofuran Scaffolds Enabled by Cu(II)/SPDO-Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of 2,3-Dihydrofuran and Quinone Esters

An asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of quinone esters with 2,3-dihydrofuran has been realized via a newly developed Cu(II)/SPDO complex. It provides straightforward access to 2,3,3a,8a-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]benzofurans (TFB) with high enantioselectivity (up to 97.5:2.5 er) and diastereoselectivity (all >20:1 dr). The resulting adducts contain two adjacent stereocenters and a continuously functionalized benzene ring. Additionally, this transformation could be easily performed on a gram scale, allowing for expedient synthesis of natural dihydroaflatoxin D2 and aflatoxin B2