Organocatalytic Reactions Enabled by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes.

Catalytic reactions promoted by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have exploded in popularity since 2004 when several reports described new fundamental reactions that extended beyond the long-studied generation of acyl anion equivalents. These new NHC-catalyzed reactions allow chemists to generate unique reactive species from otherwise inert starting materials, all under simple, mild reaction conditions and with exceptional selectivities. In analogy to transition metal catalysis, the use of NHCs has introduced a new set of elementary steps that operate via discrete reactive species, including acyl anion, homoenolate, and enolate equivalents, usually generated by oxidation state reorganization ("redox neutral" reactions). Nearly all NHC-catalyzed reactions offer operationally simple reactions, proceed at room temperature without the need for stringent exclusion of air, and do not generate reaction byproducts. Variation of the catalyst or reaction conditions can profoundly influence reaction outcomes, and researchers can tune the desired selectivities through careful choice of NHC precursor and base. The catalytically generated homoenolate and enolate equivalents are nucleophilic species. In contrast, the catalytically generated acyl azolium and α,β-unsaturated acyl azoliums are electrophilic cationic species with unique and unprecedented chemistry. For example, when generated catalytically, these species transformed an α-functionalized aldehyde to an ester under redox neutral conditions without coupling reagents or waste. In addition to providing new approaches to catalytic esterifications, acyl azoliums offer unique reactivities that chemists can exploit for selective reactions. This Account focuses on the discovery and mechanistic investigation of the catalytic generation of acyl azoliums and α,β-unsaturated acyl azoliums. These chemical species are fascinating, and their catalytic generation is an important development. Studies of their unusual chemistry, however, date back to the intense investigation of thiamine-dependent enzymatic processes in the 1960s. Acyl azoliums are remarkably reactive in acylation chemistry and are unusually chemoselective. These two properties have led to a new wave of reactions such as redox esterification reaction (1) and the catalytic kinetic resolution of challenging substrates (i.e., 3). Our group and others have also developed methods to generate and exploit α,β-unsaturated acyl azoliums, which have facilitated new C-C bond-forming annulations, including a catalytic, enantioselective variant of the Claisen rearrangement (2). From essentially one class of catalysts, the N-mesityl derived triazolium salts, researchers can easily prepare highly enantioenriched dihydropyranones and dihydropyridinones. Although this field is now one of the most explored areas of enantioselective C-C bond forming reactions, many mechanistic details remained unsolved and in dispute. In this Account, we address the mechanistic inquiries about the characterization of the unsaturated acyl triazolium species and its kinetic profile under catalytically relevant conditions. We also provide explanations for the requirement and effect of the N-mesityl group in NHC catalysis based on detailed experimental data within given specific reactions or conditions. We hope that our studies provide a roadmap for catalyst design/selection and new reaction discovery based on a fundamental understanding of the mechanistic course of NHC reactions.

On the Mechanism of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Reactions Involving Acyl Azoliums

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has emerged as a powerful stratagem in organic synthesis to construct complex molecules primarily by polarity reversal (umpolung) approaches. These unique Lewis bases have been used to generate acyl anions, enolates, and homoenolates in catalytic fashion. Recently, a new strategy has emerged that dramatically expands the synthetic utility of carbene catalysis by leveraging additional activation modes: cooperative catalysis. The careful selection and balance of cocatalysts have led to enhanced reactivity, increased yields, and improved stereoselectivity. In certain cases, these catalytic additives have changed the regioselectivity or diastereoselectivity. This Minireview highlights new advances in NHC cooperative catalysis and surveys the evolution of this field.

Cooperative Catalysis and Activation with N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of spirooxindoles: recent developments

First reported less than a decade ago, the α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium has emerged as a central reactive intermediate for reaction discovery using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. In this Perspective, an introduction to the four main reactivity patterns accessible from this intermediate is provided. The Perspective is handled in a largely chronological fashion, with an emphasis on alternate approaches to the key intermediate and first-in-class reaction cascades. Finally, a brief discussion of emerging trends in this field of catalysis is presented. Although not exhaustive, the Perspective provides an overview of this active area of research and serves as a guide for future investigations.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis via the α,β-Unsaturated Acyl Azolium

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Three-Component Domino Reaction of Alkynyl Aldehydes with Oxindoles

A stereoselective synthetic approach to spirooxindole γ-butyrolactams is developed via N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] annulation of α-bromoenals with 3-aminooxindoles. An enantioselective variant of this methodology is also investigated resulting in good substrate tolerance and high enantioselectivities.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [3 + 2] Annulation of α-Bromoenals with 3-Aminooxindoles: A Stereoselective Synthesis of Spirooxindole γ-Butyrolactams

A novel and regioselective umpolung synthesis of spirooxindoles has been developed by cooperative NHC–Lewis acid-mediated formal [3 + 2] annulations of alkynyl aldehydes with isatins. In most cases, the reactions proceeded via a3–d3 umpolung of alkynyl aldehydes resulting in spirooxindole butenolides. In a few cases, spirooxindole furan-3(2H)-ones were formed as the major products via an a1–d1 umpolung process by controlling the reaction temperature. These newly formed spirooxindoles could provide promising candidates for chemical biology and drug lead discovery.

Cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–Lewis acid-mediated regioselective umpolung formal [3 + 2] annulations of alkynyl aldehydes with isatins

Enal and ynal-derived α,β-unsaturated acylazoliums under N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis have been applied for annulations with indolin-3-ones. The two reactions offer a direct and efficient access to functionalized 3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-b]indol-2-ones in moderate to high yields, which may provide promising candidates for drug discovery.

Ding Du

Papers

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Three-Component Domino Reaction of Alkynyl Aldehydes with Oxindoles

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [3 + 2] Annulation of α-Bromoenals with 3-Aminooxindoles: A Stereoselective Synthesis of Spirooxindole γ-Butyrolactams

Cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–Lewis acid-mediated regioselective umpolung formal [3 + 2] annulations of alkynyl aldehydes with isatins

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Annulations of Enals and Ynals with Indolin-3-ones: Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrano[3,2-b]indol-2-ones

Formal [3 + 4] Annulation of α,β-Unsaturated Acyl Azoliums: Access to Enantioenriched N-H-Free 1,5-Benzothiazepines.