Damien Bonne

Stereoselective Multiple Bond‐Forming Transformations (MBFTs): The Power of 1,2‐ and 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds

Although long known, 1,2- and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds have recently come more and more to prevalence as ideal substrates for the invention of new stereoselective multiple bond-forming transformations (MBFTs). Herein, a critical appraisal is presented of some of the most spectacular of these MBFTs, which allow the formation from three up to six bonds in highly step- and atom-economical processes.

Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition of α-Ketoamides to Nitroalkenes

The first organocatalytic enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate addition of α-ketoamides to nitroalkenes has been achieved using a bifunctional amino thiourea catalyst. In this new approach, the substrate amide proton plays a critical role in the formation of the Michael anti-adducts in high yields and high stereoselectivities. To illustrate the high synthetic potential of this methodology, the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of a hexasubstituted cyclohexane via a Michael-Michael-Henry cascade reaction is described.

Exploiting the Divergent Reactivity of α‐Isocyanoacetate: Multicomponent Synthesis of 5‐Alkoxyoxazoles and Related Heterocycles

A novel multicomponent synthesis of 5-alkoxyoxazoles, based on a new reactivity profile of α-isocyanoacetates, is described. Thus, simply heating a solution of amine, aldehyde, and α-(EWG-phenyl)-α-isocyanoacetate or α-(4-pyridyl)-α-isocyanoacetate (EWG=electron-withdrawing group) in toluene provided 5-alkoxyoxazoles in good to excellent yields. Reaction of the 5-alkoxyoxazoles with various α,β-unsaturated acyl chlorides led to the formation of epoxytetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones by a domino N-acylation/Diels-Alder cycloaddition sequence. Subsequent fragmentation under basic conditions provided 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones. A four-component synthesis of the pyridin-5-one compounds, without isolation of the 5-alkoxyoxazole, was subsequently developed.

Sequential organocatalyzed Michael addition/[3 + 2]-heterocyclization for the stereoselective synthesis of fused-isoxazoline precursors of enantiopure cyclopentanoids.

We propose an asymmetric synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanoids bearing up to four stereogenic centers from easily accessible nitroalkenes and unsaturated aldehydes. The overall sequence includes an enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition and a [3 + 2]-heterocyclization between an in situ generated silylnitronate and the unactivated double bond. Finally, the fused isoxazoline can be further transformed to various cyclopentanoids.

Asymmetric organocascades involving the formation of two C–heteroatom bonds from two distinct heteroatoms

In the vast and expanding world of enantioselective organocascades, the ones in which two C-heteroatom bonds are created from two distinct heteroatoms are rare. These fascinating domino processes constitutes real synthetic challenges and allow very convenient syntheses of diverse optically active heterocycles and also highly functionalised acyclic derivatives.

Michael Addition Initiated Carbocyclization Sequences with Nitroolefins for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Heterocyclic and Carbocyclic Systems

The synthesis of various heterocycles and carbocycles (tetrahydrofurans, pyrrolidines, cyclopentanes) has been achieved by using new and efficient ionic addition/cyclization sequences. Nitroolefins play an important role in the Michael addition induced ring-closing reactions (MIRC) reported in the present article, with various substituted alcohols, amines, Grignard reactants, or malonate derivatives acting as the nucleophile partner. The optimized cascade reactions were high yielding in most cases and highly stereoselective, creating up to three stereogenic centers starting from achiral substrates.

α,β‐Unsaturated Acyl Cyanides as New Bis‐Electrophiles for Enantioselective Organocatalyzed Formal [3+3]Spiroannulation

α,β-Unsaturated acyl cyanides are key bis-electrophile substrates for successful domino enantioselective organocatalyzed Michael-intramolecular acylation domino sequences. This new reactivity has been applied to the synthesis of enantioenriched azaspiro[4,5]decanone ring systems by a formal [3+3]spiroannulation, constituting a rare example of synthesis of glutarimides in an optically active form.

Michael Addition-initiated Sequential Reactions from 1,3-dicarbonyls for the Synthesis of Polycyclic Heterocycles

This review aims to highlight the most significant recent developments on synthetic strategies involving consecutive, domino and multicomponent reactions featuring a Michael addition-initiating step for the synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles from 1,3-dicarbonyls. These original sequences constitute more efficient and eco-compatible alternatives to known synthetic approaches to heterocyclic compounds allowing for an even faster and highly desirable generation of molecular diversity and complexity.

Temporary Intramolecular Generation of Pyridine Carbenes in Metal‐Free Three‐Component CH Bond Functionalisation/Aryl‐Transfer Reactions

Nucleophilic addition of pyridines to benzyne generates zwitterionic adducts that evolve by a rapid intramolecular proton shift to produce the corresponding pyridine carbenes, N-phenyl pyrid-2-ylidenes. In the presence of electrophilic ketones (isatin derivatives), the pyridylidenes can further react by an original bis-arylation reaction of the carbonyl compounds involving a formal pyridine C-H bond functionalisation. The overall transformation is an unprecedented three-component reaction featuring a carbene intermediate. The mechanism of this transformation was examined in detail by using both experimental and theoretical approaches. It was found that the generation of N-phenyl pyrid-2-ylidene from pyridine and benzyne is energetically favoured, and that the corresponding carbene dimer can also form easily. Under the three-component reaction conditions, the pyridylidene preferentially adds to the ketone group of the isatin derivative to produce a zwitterionic adduct amenable to an intramolecular aryl transfer reaction by a concerted nucleophilic aromatic substitution. This peculiar reactivity for a carbene was compared to possibly competitive known reactions of stable carbenes with carbonyl compounds, and the reaction was found to be under thermodynamic control. The reported method of generation of N-phenyl pyrid-2-ylidenes and their reactivity with carbonyl compounds unlock new perspectives in organic synthesis.

One-pot asymmetric cyclocarbohydroxylation sequence for the enantioselective synthesis of functionalised cyclopentanes

A new method has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalised cyclopentanes bearing up to three stereogenic centres with very high stereoselectivity. This one-pot process combines an enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition with a highly diastereoselective [3+2]-cycloaddition-fragmentation step.