Abstract: The first copper-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative [4 + 1] cycloaddition of propargylic carbamates and sulfur ylides was successfully developed. This strategy led to a series of chiral indolines with synthetically flexible alkyne groups in good yields and with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities (up to 99% yield, 98% ee, and >95:5 dr). A possible mechanism and stereoinduction mode with copper-allenylidenes were proposed as the possible dipolar intermediate.

Abstract: Here, we present an unprecedented formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of para-quinone methides with vinyl epoxides/cyclopropanes to deliver a wide range of spiro[4.5]decanes in high efficiency and stereoselectivity. The commercial availability of the catalysts and reagents, together with the convenient procedure, makes it an attractive method in asymmetric synthesis.

Abstract: Regulating both the chemo- and diastereoselectivity, divergently, of a reaction is highly attractive but extremely challenging. Presented herein is a catalyst-controlled switch in the chemo- and diastereodivergent annulation reactions of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates, derived from isatins and 2-alkylidene-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-diones, in exclusive α-regioselectivity. α-Isocupreine efficiently catalyzed [2+1] reactions to access cyclopropane derivatives, and the diastereodivergent [3+2] annulations were accomplished by employing either a chiral phosphine or a DMAP-type molecule. All reactions exhibited excellent chemoselectivities, and good to remarkable stereoselectivities were furnished, thus leading to a collection of compounds with skeletal and stereogenic diversity. Moreover, DFT computational calculations elucidated the catalyst-based switch in mechanism.

Abstract: A strategy for the NHC-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of spirobenzazepinones, spiro-1,2-diazepinones, and spiro-1,2-oxazepinones has been developed via [3+4]-cycloaddition reactions of isatin-derived enals (3C component) with in-situ-generated aza-o-quinone methides, azoalkenes, and nitrosoalkenes (4atom components). The [3+4] annulation strategy leads to the seven-membered target spiro heterocycles bearing an oxindole moiety in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities with a wide variety of substrates. Notably, the benzazepinone synthesis is atroposelective and an all-carbon spiro stereocenter is generated.

Abstract: The redox-neutral annulation of alkynes by differently decorated nitrones set the stage for a step-economical access to indoles with ample substrate scope. The redox-neutral C–H/N–O functionalization process proceeded through kinetically relevant C–H activation by carboxylate assistance, and displayed an excellent site- and regio-selectivity with unsymmetrical nitrones and alkynes.

Abstract: A highly diastereoselective method for the synthesis of dihydroepoxybenzofluorenone derivatives from aromatic/vinylic amides and bicyclic alkenes is described. This new transformation proceeds through cobalt-catalyzed C-H activation and intramolecular nucleophilic addition to the amide functional group. Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H activation reactions of secondary amides with alkenes usually lead to [4+2] or [4+1] annulation; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a [3+2] cycloaddition is described in this context. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and tolerates a wide range of functional groups. Mechanistic studies imply that the C-H bond cleavage may be the rate-limiting step.

Abstract: Phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective annulation reactions involving ketimines are a daunting synthetic challenge owing to the intrinsic low reactivity of ketimine substrates. A highly enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reaction that makes use of isatin-derived ketimines as reaction partners was developed. Notably, both simple and γ-substituted allenoates could be utilized, and various 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl spirooxindoles with a tetrasubstituted stereocenter were obtained in excellent yields and with nearly perfect enantioselectivity (>98 % ee in all cases).

Abstract: A new cobalt-catalyzed phenolic OH-assisted C–H functionalization of 2-vinylphenols with allenes to give various 2H-chromenes is described. It is the first time that allenes are used as the coupling partners in the cobalt-catalyzed C–H activation reactions. In most cases, cobalt-catalyzed oxidative annulation of arenes with alkenes or alkynes via C–H activation gave [4 + 2] or [3 + 2] cyclization products, but the present catalytic reaction afforded an oxidative [5 + 1] cyclization products with the allenes acting as a one-carbon coupling partner. The catalytic reaction is proposed to proceed via the C–H activation of the vinyl group, allene insertion, and an unusual intramolecular regioselective phenoxide addition.

Abstract: Chiral spirocyclic sultams are a valuable compound class in organic and medicinal chemistry. A rapid entry to this structural motif involves a [3+2] annulation of an N-sulfonyl ketimine and an alkyne. Although the directing-group properties of the imino group for C-H activation have been exploited, the developments of related asymmetric variants have remained very challenging. The use of rhodium(III) complexes equipped with a suitable atropchiral cyclopentadienyl ligand, in conjunction with a carboxylic acid additive, enables an enantioselective and high yielding access to such spirocyclic sultams.

Abstract: A green atom-economical method for the synthesis of highly functionalized 1-amino and 1-carbon substituted isoquinolines from the reaction of N′-hydroxybenzimidamides and aryl ketoximes, respectively, with alkynes via pentamethylcyclopentadienylcobalt(III)-catalyzed CH/NO bond activation is described. The external oxidant-free annulation reaction uses the =NOH moiety in N′-hydroxybenzimidamides or N-aromatic ketone oximes as the directing group and internal oxidant. This first row transition metal-catalyzed annulation serves as an efficient alternative for the synthesis of isoquinolines, as water is the only by-product and expensive noble metals such as rhodium(III), iridium(III), palladium(II), and ruthenium(II) are not required. The reaction proceeds via CH activation, alkyne insertion, reductive elimination, and NO activation.

Abstract: Cp*-free cobalt-catalyzed alkyne annulations by C-H/N-H functionalizations were accomplished with molecular O2 as the sole oxidant. The user-friendly oxidase strategy proved viable with various internal and terminal alkynes through kinetically relevant C-H cobaltation, providing among others step-economical access to the anticancer topoisomerase-I inhibitor 21,22-dimethoxyrosettacin. DFT calculations suggest that electronic effects control the regioselectivity of the alkyne insertion step.

Abstract: The cyclization of substituted N-methoxy benzamides with alkynes in the presence of an easily affordable cobalt complex and NaOAc provides isoquinolone derivatives in good to excellent yields. The cyclization reaction is compatible with a range of functional group-substituted benzamides, as well as ester- and alcohol-substituted alkynes. The cobalt complex [Co(III) Cp*(OR)2 ] (R=Me or Ac) serves as an efficient catalyst for the cyclization reaction. Later, isoquinolone derivatives were converted into 1-chloro and 1-bromo substituted isoquinoline derivatives in excellent yields in the presence of POCl3 or PBr3 .

Abstract: Described herein is a catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-actinophyllic acid, with the key step being a chiral phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation between an imine and an allenoate to form a pyrroline intermediate in 99% yield and 94% ee. The synthesis also features CuI-catalyzed coupling between a ketoester and a 2-iodoindole to shape the tetrahydroazocine ring; intramolecular alkylative lactonization; SmI2-mediated intramolecular pinacol coupling between ketone and lactone subunits to assemble the complex skeleton of (-)-actinophyllic acid; and an unprecedented regioselective dehydroxylation.

Abstract: Catalytic addition of chiral phosphine, that is, (R)- or (S)-SITCP, to an α-substituted allene ester generated a zwitterionic dipole. Under optimized reaction conditions, this dipole could engage isatine-derived N-Boc-ketimines in a novel mode of [3+2] annulation reaction. Pyrrolinyl spirooxindoles are thus afforded in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. The unprecedented annulation reaction successfully facilitated the construction of sp(3) -rich and highly substituted 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl spirooxindoles supporting many chiral centers.

Abstract: 1,2,3-Trisubstituted closo-dodecaborates with B−O, B−N, and B−C bonds as well as a fused borane oxazole ring have been synthesized by rhodium-catalyzed direct cage B−H alkenylation and annulation of ureido boranes in the first reported example of regioselective B−H bond functionalization of the [B12H12]2− cage by transition-metal catalysis. This reaction proceeded at room temperature under ambient conditions and exhibited excellent selectivity for efficient monoalkenylation with good functional-group tolerance. The urea moiety enabled B−H activation by acting as a directing group, was incorporated in the oxazole ring in situ, and also avoided multiple alkenylation. A possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of the isolation of a rhodium agostic intermediate and control experiments.

Abstract: A highly stereoselective sequential annulation reaction between γ-substituted allenoates and ketimines was reported. By using bifunctional N-acyl aminophosphine catalysts, poly-heterocycle rings were obtained with high stereocontrol in good to excellent yields. The desired products have four contiguous stereogenic centers (one quaternary and three tertiary carbon centers), and only one isomer was obtained in all reactions.

Abstract: A unique cobalt(I)-diphosphine catalytic system has been identified for the coupling of salicylaldehyde (SA) and an internal alkyne affording a dehydrogenative annulation product (chromone) or a reductive annulation product (4-chromanone) depending on the alkyne substituents. Distinct from related rhodium(I)- and rhodium(III)-catalyzed reactions of SA and alkynes, these annulation reactions feature aldehyde C-H oxidative addition of SA and subsequent hydrometalation of the C=O bond of another SA molecule as common key steps. The reductive annulation to 4-chromanones also involves the action of Zn as a stoichiometric reductant. In addition to these mechanistic features, the Co(I) catalysis described herein is complementary to the Rh(I) - and Rh(III) -catalyzed reactions of SA and internal alkynes, particularly in the context of chromone synthesis.