Gui-Ling Zhao

Bio: Gui-Ling Zhao is an academic researcher from Stockholm University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Enantioselective synthesis & Organocatalysis. The author has an hindex of 32, co-authored 83 publications receiving 2830 citations.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Aziridination of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Abstract: The ability of amino acids and amino acid derivatives to mediate various organocatalytic asymmetric transformations has been investigated and applied in the development of various reactions. This work describes the development of a direct catalytic asymmetric α-aminomethylation of ketones and aldehydes, a catalytic asymmetric aziridination, hydrophosphination and amination of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.

Catalytic Enantioselective Domino Oxa‐Michael/Aldol Condensations: Asymmetric Synthesis of Benzopyran Derivatives

Abstract: Catalytic enantioselective domino oxa-Michael/aldol condensations: asymmetric synthesis of benzopyran derivatives : -

A Simple Organocatalytic Enantioselective Cyclopropanation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Abstract: A highly chemo- and enantioselective organocatalytic cyclopropanation of ?,?-unsaturated aldehydes with bromomalonate and 2-bromoacetoacetate esters is presented. The reaction is catalyzed by chiral amines and gives access to 2-formylcyclopropanes in high yields and up to 99?% ee.

One-Pot Organocatalytic Domino Michael/α-Alkylation Reactions: Direct Catalytic Enantioselective Cyclopropanation and Cyclopentanation Reactions

Abstract: The development of one-pot organocatalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions between bromomalonates or bromoacetoacetate esters and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is presented. The chiral-amine-catalyzed reactions with bromomalonates as substrates give access to the corresponding 2-formylcyclopropane derivatives in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity and up to 99 % ee. The catalytic domino Michael/alpha-alkylation reactions between 4-bromo-acetoacetate and enals provide a route for the synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanones in good to high yields with 93-99 % ee. The products from the organocatalytic reactions were also reduced with high diastereoselectivity to the corresponding cyclopropanols and cyclopentanols, respectively. Moreover, one-pot combinations of amine and heterocyclic carbene catalysis (AHCC) enabled the highly enantioselective synthesis of beta-malonate esters (91-97 % ee) from the reaction between bromomalonates and enals. The tandem catalysis included the catalytic domino reaction followed by catalytic in situ chemoselective ring-opening of the 2-formylcyclopropane intermediates.

Dual Catalysis Strategies in Photochemical Synthesis

Abstract: The interaction between an electronically excited photocatalyst and an organic molecule can result in the genertion of a diverse array of reactive intermediates that can be manipulated in a variety of ways to result in synthetically useful bond constructions. This Review summarizes dual-catalyst strategies that have been applied to synthetic photochemistry. Mechanistically distinct modes of photocatalysis are discussed, including photoinduced electron transfer, hydrogen atom transfer, and energy transfer. We focus upon the cooperative interactions of photocatalysts with redox mediators, Lewis and Bronsted acids, organocatalysts, enzymes, and transition metal complexes.

Asymmetric organocatalytic domino reactions.

Abstract: The current status of organic synthesis is hampered by costly protecting-group strategies and lengthy purification procedures after each synthetic step. To circumvent these problems, the synthetic potential of multicomponent domino reactions has been utilized for the efficient and stereoselective construction of complex molecules from simple precursors in a single process. In particular, domino reactions mediated by organocatalysts are in a way biomimetic, as this principle is used very efficiently in the biosynthesis of complex natural products starting from simple precursors. In this Minireview, we discuss the current development of this fast-growing field.

Organocatalytic cascade reactions as a new tool in total synthesis

Abstract: The total synthesis of natural products and biologically active compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, has reached an extraordinary level of sophistication. We are, however, still far away from the 'ideal synthesis' and the state of the art is still frequently hampered by lengthy protecting-group strategies and costly purification procedures derived from the step-by-step protocols. In recent years several new criteria have been brought forward to solve these problems and to improve total synthesis: atom, step and redox economy or protecting-group-free synthesis. Over the past decade the research area of organocatalysis has rapidly grown to become a third pillar of asymmetric catalysis standing next to metal and biocatalysis, thus paving the way for a new and powerful strategy that can help to address these issues - organocatalytic cascade reactions. In this Review we present the first applications of such asymmetric organocascade reactions to the total synthesis of natural products.

Organocatalysis--after the gold rush.

Abstract: The use of secondary amines as asymmetric catalysts in transformations of carbonyl compounds has seen tremendous development in recent years. Going from sporadic reports of selected reactions, aminocatalysis can now be considered as one of the methods of choice for many asymmetric functionalizations of carbonyl compounds—primarily of aldehydes and ketones. These functionalizations have been published at a breathtaking pace over the last few years—during the “golden age” and “gold rush” of organocatalysis. This tutorial review will firstly sketch the basic developments in organocatalysis, focussing especially on the use of secondary amines as catalysts for the functionalization of aldehydes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, with emphasis on the mechanisms of the transformations and, secondly, outline recent trends within central areas of this research topic. Lastly, we will present our guesses as to where new developments might take organocatalysis in the years to come.