Casi M. Schienebeck

Rhodium-catalyzed acyloxy migration of propargylic esters in cycloadditions, inspiration from the recent "gold rush".

Transition metal-catalyzed acyloxy migration of propargylic esters offers versatile entries to allene and vinyl carbene intermediates for various fascinating subsequent transformations. Most π-acidic metals (e.g. gold and platinum) are capable of facilitating these acyloxy migration events. However, very few of these processes involve redox chemistry, which are well-known for most other transition metals such as rhodium. The coupling of acyloxy migration of propargylic esters with oxidative addition, migratory insertion, and reductive elimination may lead to ample new opportunities for the design of new reactions. This tutorial review summarizes recent developments in Rh-catalyzed 1,3- and 1,2-acyloxy migration of propargylic esters in a number of cycloaddition reactions. Related Au- and Pt-catalyzed cycloadditions involving acyloxy migration are also discussed.

Catalytic enantioselective halolactonization of enynes and alkenes.

New organocatalysts have been developed for the enantioselective halolactonization of (Z)-1,3-enynes and 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. In the case of 1,3-enynes, the carboxylate nucleophile and halogen electrophile were added to the conjugated π-system from the same face. Up to 99% ee was achieved for the 1,4-syn-bromolactonization of conjugated (Z)-1,3-enynes. Based on the results from the enyne halolactonization, a second generation of catalysts was designed for simple olefins. Up to 91% ee was observed for chlorolactonization of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. The catalysts developed for the enantioselective halolactonization of both enynes and alkenes are composed of a cinchona alkaloid skeleton tethered to a urea group.

Rhodium-catalyzed intra- and intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enyne and alkyne with concomitant 1,2-acyloxy migration.

A new type of rhodium-catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition was developed for the synthesis of seven-membered rings with diverse functionalities. The ring formation was accompanied by a 1,2-acyloxy migration event. The five- and two-carbon components of the cycloaddition are 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes (ACEs) and alkynes, respectively. Cationic rhodium(I) catalysts worked most efficiently for the intramolecular cycloaddition, while only neutral rhodium(I) complexes could facilitate the intermolecular reaction. In both cases, electron-poor phosphite or phosphine ligands often improved the efficiency of the cycloadditions. The scope of ACEs and alkynes was investigated in both the intra- and intermolecular reactions. The resulting seven-membered-ring products have three double bonds that could be selectively functionalized.

Enantioselective intermolecular bromoesterification of allylic sulfonamides

Highly enantioselective intermolecular bromoesterification of alkenes was achieved for the first time. Both C–O and C–Br bonds were introduced enantioselectively in this olefin addition reaction. The sulfonamide NH directing group is important for both the reactivity and enantioselectivity.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Carbonylation of 3-Acyloxy-1,4-enynes for the Synthesis of Cyclopentenones

Functionalized cyclopentenones were synthesized by a Rh-catalyzed carbonylation of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes, derived from alkynes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The reaction involved a Saucy-Marbet 1,3-acyloxy migration of propargyl esters and a [4 + 1] cycloaddition of the resulting acyloxy substituted vinylallene with CO.

Transfer of Chirality in the Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular [5+2] Cycloaddition of 3‐Acyloxy‐1,4‐enynes (ACEs) and Alkynes: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Bicyclo[5.3.0]decatrienes

Chiral bicycles: Enantioenriched bicyclo[5.3.0]decatrienes were prepared from readily available chiral 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes (ACEs) for the first time. In most cases, the chirality of the ACEs could be transferred to the bicyclic products with high efficiency. Inversion of the configuration was observed, thus confirming the predictions of previous computational studies.

Effect of ester on rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular [5+2] cycloaddition of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes and alkynes.

We systematically examined the effect of different esters on the rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular [5+2] cycloaddition of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes and alkynes with a concomitant 1,2-acyloxy migration. Significant rate acceleration was observed for benzoate substrates bearing an electron-donating substituent. The cycloaddition can now be conducted under much more practical conditions for most terminal alkynes.

3-Acyloxy-1,4-enyne: a New Five-carbon Synthon for Rhodium-Catalyzed (5+2) Cycloadditions.

Abstract Seven-membered rings are ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceutical agents, and their syntheses continue to stimulate the development of novel synthetic methods. The [5 + 2] cycloaddition is one of the most efficient ways to access seven-membered rings since the two-carbon components (alkenes, alkynes, or allenes) are readily available. Prior to our study, however, there was only one type of transition-metal-catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition: the reaction between vinylcyclopropanes and alkenes, alkynes, or allenes. We recently developed a new type of transition-metal-catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition, where the five-carbon building block is 3-acyloxy-1,4-enyne (ACE). Our recent progress on Rh-catalyzed intra- and intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloadditions of ACEs and alkynes is summarized in this article. Using chiral propargylic esters, bicyclic products were prepared in high optical purity by the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloadditions. Monocyclic seven-membered rings were synthesized by intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition of ACEs and alkynes. Kinetic studies indicated that the rate of this intermolecular cycloaddition was significantly accelerated when the acetate was replaced by dimethylaminobenzoate. DFT calculations suggested that novel metallacycles were generated by a Rh-promoted oxidative cycloaddition of 1,4-enynes accompanied by a 1,2-acyloxy migration of propargylic esters.

Novel analogs targeting histone deacetylase suppress aggressive thyroid cancer cell growth and induce re-differentiation.

To develop novel therapies for aggressive thyroid cancers, we have synthesized a collection of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor analogs named AB1 to AB13, which have different linkers between a metal chelating group and a hydrophobic cap. The purpose of this study was to screen out the most effective compounds and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. AB2, AB3 and AB10 demonstrated the lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in one metastatic follicular and two anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines. Treatment with each of the three ABs resulted in an increase in apoptosis markers, including cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) and cleaved caspase 3. Additionally, the expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins p21WAF1 and p27Kip1 increased with the treatment of ABs while cyclin D1 decreased. Furthermore, AB2, AB3 and AB10 were able to induce thyrocyte-specific genes in the three thyroid cancer cell lines indicated by increased expression levels of sodium iodide symporter, paired box gene 8, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1), TTF2 and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors. AB2, AB3 and AB10 suppress thyroid cancer cell growth via cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. They also induce cell re-differentiation, which could make aggressive cancer cells more susceptible to radioactive iodine therapy.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Stereoselective Intramolecular [5 + 2] Cycloaddition of 3-Acyloxy 1,4-Enyne and Alkene

The first rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-acyloxy 1,4-enyne and alkene was developed. The cycloaddition is highly diastereoselective in most cases. Various cis-fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decadienes were prepared stereoselectively. The chirality in the propargylic ester starting materials could be transferred to the bicyclic products with high efficiency. Electron-deficient phosphine ligand greatly facilitated the cycloaddition. Up to three new stereogenic centers could be generated. The resulting diene in the products could be hydrolyzed to enones, which allowed the introduction of more functional groups to the seven-membered ring.