David R. Carbery

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a Helicenoidal DMAP Lewis Base Catalyst

The design, synthesis, and study of a helical dialkylaminopyridine Lewis base catalyst is reported. Helical DMAP analogue 4 is based upon a helicenoid structure and displays good to excellent levels of selectivity (S ≤ 116) in the kinetic resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. Catalyst 4 displays excellent reactivity with exceptionally low loadings of 0.05 mol % effecting practical levels of selectivity in kinetic resolutions.

Stereoselective double Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with divinyl ketones

A tandem double Friedel-Crafts reaction of indoles and nonsymmetrical divinyl ketones has been achieved. The tandem reaction forms complex [6-5-7]-tricyclic indoles in excellent yields. The reaction is completely regioselective and offers high levels of syn diastereoselectivity. The reaction is also seen to be sensitive to substrate structure and catalyst.

Biomimetic Flavin-Catalyzed Aldehyde Oxidation

The oxidation of alkyl and aryl aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids has been achieved through the action of a biomimetic bridged flavin catalyst. The reaction uses readily available 35% aqueous hydrogen peroxide and is operationally simple. The oxidation is a green and sustainable reaction, obviating chlorinated solvents with minimal byproducts.

Studies toward the photochemical synthesis of functionalized [5]- and [6]carbohelicenes.

An efficient route to nonsymmetrical helical menthyl esters by means of an oxidative photocyclization reaction of dissymmetric bis-stilbenes is reported. The developed route allows the introduction of functionality on rings A, E, or F, and the influence of the substituent pattern on the photochemical reaction has been examined. Diastereoselectivity is observed when a double chiral induction strategy with dimenthyl helicene esters synthesized in a 70:30 ratio of isomers is used.

Point-to-helical chirality transfer for a scalable and resolution-free synthesis of a helicenoidal DMAP organocatalyst.

The synthesis of a second-generation [6]-helicenoidal DMAP organocatalyst is reported. The synthesis is reliant upon a highly diastereoselective Rh-catalysed [2 + 2 + 2] triyne cycloisomerization, using an existing stereocentre to control the sense of forming helicity. Taken together, a scalable (>1 g), resolution-free entry to a helical DMAP with the capacity for subsequent functionalization, has been achieved.

One-Pot o-Nitrobenzenesulfonylhydrazide (NBSH) Formation-Diimide Alkene Reduction Protocol

A one-pot protocol for the formation of 2-nitrobenzenesulfonylhydrazide (NBSH) from commercial reagents and subsequent alkene reduction is presented. The transformation is operationally simple and generally efficient for effecting diimide alkene reductions. A range of 16 substrates have been reduced, highlighting the unique chemoselectivity of diimide as a reduction system.

Preparation of Stereoregular Isotactic Poly(mandelic acid) through Organocatalytic Ring‐Opening Polymerization of a Cyclic O‐Carboxyanhydride

Poly(mandelic acid) (PMA) is an aryl analogue of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a biodegradable analogue of polystyrene. The preparation of stereoregular PMA was realized using a pyridine/mandelic acid adduct (Py⋅MA) as an organocatalyst for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the cyclic O-carboxyanhydride (manOCA). Polymers with a narrow polydispersity index and excellent molecular-weight control were prepared at ambient temperature. These highly isotactic chiral polymers exhibit an enhancement of the glass-transition temperature (T(g)) of 15 °C compared to the racemic polymer, suggesting potential future application as high-performance commodity and biomedical materials.

Stereoselective synthesis of cyclohexanones via phase transfer catalyzed double addition of nucleophiles to divinyl ketones.

Functionalized cyclohexanones are formed in excellent yield and diastereoselectivity from a phase transfer catalyzed double addition of active methylene pronucleophiles to nonsymmetrical divinyl ketones.

Gold-catalysed cascade rearrangements of ynamide propargyl esters

The Au(I)-catalysed rearrangement of propargylic esters formed from an ynamide has been studied. The reaction is facile, and when conducted in the presence of a reactive indole nucleophile, leads to a cascade process whereby γ-indolyl α-acyloxyenamides are formed in good yield and excellent E-stereoselectivity.

An Ireland-Claisen approach to beta-alkoxy alpha-amino acids.

A diastereoselective Ireland-Claisen approach to beta-alkoxy alpha-amino acid esters is reported. Amino acid esters of enol ethereal allylic alcohols undergo facile syn-selective [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement via silyl ketene acetals. Substrate synthesis, rearrangement development, stereoselectivity, and product elaboration are discussed.