Guobi Chai

Electronic Effect Directed Au(I)-Catalyzed Cyclic C2–H Bond Functionalization of 3-Allenylindoles

Gold-catalyzed cyclization reactions of indoles with an electron-deficient allene at the 3-position led to formation of dihydrocyclopenta[b]indole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields via C2-H bond functionalization of the indole unit. The presence of the electron-withdrawing alkoxycarbonyl, dialkoxyphosphono, or phenyl is crutial for this transformation. The potential synthetic dihydrocyclopenta[b]indole with the electron-withdrawing group has been demonstrated by applying a [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction to construct the tretracycloskeleton.

Efficient assembly of chromone skeleton from 2,3-allenoic acids and benzynes.

Chromone derivatives were synthesized from 2,3-allenoic acids and benzynes in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. Instead of the cyclic conjugate addition of the intermediate A formed by the nucleophilic addition of allenoic acid with benzyne, this intermediate undergoes 1,2-addition with the carbonyl group, which was followed by the ring opening, conjugate addition, and protonolysis to afford chromone derivatives. This protocol allows the diversity due to the substituent-loading capability of 2,3-allenoic acids as well as benzynes.

A Straightforward Synthesis of Cyclobutenones via a Tandem Michael Addition/Cyclization Reaction of 2,3-Allenoates with Organozincs

An efficient method for synthesis of polysubstituted cyclobutenones, which are not readily available from traditional methods due to the intrinsic ring strain, is described. The reaction of 2,3-allenoates and organozinc reagents proceeds via a tandem Michael addition/cyclic 1,2-addition/elimination mechanism with the functional groups from the organozinc reagents being introduced to the 3-position of the cyclobutenone products regiospecifically in moderate to excellent yields. Application to the synthesis of stereodefined β,γ-unsaturated enones is demonstrated.

An Efficient Double 1,2-Addition Reaction of 2,3-Allenoates with Allyl Magnesium Chloride

In this paper, it was reported that double 1,2-addition reaction of 2,3-allenoates with allyl magnesium chloride at room temperature in the absence of any transition metal catalyst provides an efficient method for the synthesis of tertiary alpha-allenols. The optically active allenol could be prepared from the reaction of the optically active 2,3-allenoate without obvious racemization of the axial chirality. Under different reaction conditions, cyclization reactions of alpha-allenol 2i prepared have been studied for the synthesis of different 2,5-dihydrofuran derivatives.

Controllable Highly Stereoselective Reaction of in situ Generated Magnesium Dienolate Intermediates with Different Electrophiles

In this paper, we have described an efficient controllable stereoselective alpha-acylation and -allylation reaction of the magnesium dienolate intermediates generated in situ from the Fe(III)-catalyzed reaction between 2,3-allenoates and Grignard reagents with different electrophiles to afford 2-acylated or allylated 3( Z)- or ( E)-alkenoates depending on the nature of the electrophiles and reaction conditions. The distinct stereoselectivity may be caused by the isomerization of metallic Z-1,3-dienoate to E-1,3-dienoate via the intermediacy of anti-allylic MgCl and syn-metallic species.

A Practical Solution to Stereodefined Tetrasubstituted Olefins

Olefins, compounds with a carbon-carbon double bond, are of fundamental importance, and stereodefined construction of tetrasubstituted carbon-carbon double bond is a significant challenge. Here we show a unique and practical method for the preparation of stereodefined, fully substituted olefins via conjugate addition of organozinc reagents to readily available 2,3-allenals. Through mechanistic studies, it is confirmed that the geometry of the newly formed double bond is controlled by unique regiospecific oxygen-protonation of the enolate intermediates, generating 1,3-alkadienols. Such alkadienols would undergo a concerted 1,5-H-transfer reaction via a six-membered transition state to ensure the configuration of the carbon-carbon double bond in the final products. Using the readily available organozinc reagents and 2,3-allenals provides a very rapid access to a wide range of tetrasubstituted olefins with defined stereochemistry, bearing an extremely versatile aldehyde functionality.

Iron-catalyzed unexpected easy access to stereodefined trimethylsilyl vinyl ketenes.

Stereodefined trimethylsilyl vinyl ketenes with polysubstitution have been synthesized highly regio- and stereoselectively via an iron-catalyzed reaction of 2-trimethylsilyl-2,3-allenoates with Grignard reagents in good to excellent yields. The reaction was believed to proceed via a conjugate addition and elimination mechanism. Applications of the products for the synthesis of stereodefined α-silyl-β,γ-unsaturated enones, a stereodefined triene, and polysubstituted phenols have been carefully demonstrated.