Hiroki Tanimoto

Regioselective Rapid Synthesis of Fully Substituted 1,2,3-Triazoles Mediated by Propargyl Cations

Regioselective rapid triazole syntheses at low temperature are described. Organic azides and propargyl cations generated by acids gave fully substituted 1H-1,2,3-triazoles. Most reactions could be performed in 5 min at not only rt but also -90 °C. Both terminal and internal alkynes were acceptable, and the sterically bulky substituents could afford the products smoothly. Various types of three-component coupling reactions were demonstrated, and the presence of allenylaminodiazonium intermediates was indicated.

Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolinones through CO gas-free aminocarbonylation.

A highly efficient and accessible synthesis of chiral 3-substituted isoindolinone frameworks is described. The synthesis involved the Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric arylation of boronic acids to 2-halobenzaldimines and the subsequent Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular aminocarbonylation of the resulting 2-halobenzylamines using an aldehyde as the carbonyl source. The method tolerates a variety of functional groups, yielding isoindolinone derivatives in moderate to high yields with high ee-values. In addition, two Rh(I)-catalyzed transformations could be efficiently accomplished in a one-pot sequence to give chiral isoindolinones by the simple addition of a ligand and an aldehyde after the Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric arylation.

Diastereoselective [2+2] Photocycloaddition of a Chiral Cyclohexenone with Ethylene in a Continuous Flow Microcapillary Reactor

The diastereoselective [2+2] photocycloaddition of ethylene to a chiral cyclohexenone was studied in a continuous flow microcapillary reactor. In all cases examined, the microcapillary reactor gave higher conversions and selectivity than the batch system, even after shorter irradiation times. These findings were explained by the superior temperature control, favorable light penetration, and generation of a gas-liquid slug flow with improved mass transfer in the microreactor.

Synthesis of (−)‐Morphine: Application of Sequential Claisen/Claisen Rearrangement of an Allylic Vicinal Diol

A detailed exploration of the synthesis of (-)-morphine based on sequential [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements is described. The sequential Claisen/Claisen rearrangements of an allylic vicinal diol resulted in the stereoselective formation of the two contiguous carbon centers, including a sterically encumbered quaternary carbon, in a single operation. The two ethyl esters generated in this reaction were successfully differentiated during a subsequent Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization. The (-)-morphine double bond was introduced at a late stage in our first-generation synthesis, but was formed at an earlier stage in the second-generation synthesis, resulting in a more efficient route to the end product.

Total synthesis of (+)- and (-)-galanthamine

The stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-galanthamine [(+)-1], an antipode of the natural product, and (-)-galanthamine [(-)-1] starting from D -glucose is described. The cyclohexene unit in (+)-1 was prepared in an optically active form from D -glucose using Ferriers carbocyclization reaction, and the benzylic quaternary carbon was stereoselectively generated via chirality transfer by Johnson- or Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement. The dibenzofuran skeleton was effectively constructed by the bromonium ion-mediated intramolecular dealkylating etherification. After the introduction of a carbon-carbon double bond, the Pictet-Spengler type cyclization, followed by reduction of an amide function afforded (+)-1. Starting from D -glucose, (-)-galanthamine [(-)-1] was also totally synthesized.

Efficient Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Alkylimines Performed with Allyl Cations and Azides: Application to the Synthesis of an Ant Venom Alkaloid

An efficient synthesis of α,β-unsaturated alkylimines at low temperature using azides has been developed. Carbocations generated from allyl alcohols helped achieve a rapid conversion under mild conditions with azides to afford reactive α,β-unsaturated imines. Hydroxy or alkoxy groups are essential for these transformations, and utilizing readily accessible allyl alcohols gave a wide extension of substrates. The efficiency of this novel method is demonstrated in the total synthesis of an iminium ant venom alkaloid.

Fluorescence and phosphorescence study of germanium–acetylene polymers and germa[N]pericyclynes

Synthesis and optical properties of skipped polyynes comprising germanium–acetylene units are presented. The prepared germanium polymers were investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence, and phosphorescence spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The optical properties were compared to those of cyclic compounds, germa[N]pericyclynes. The unique fluorescence and phosphorescence behaviours of acyclic polymers were observed.

Synthesis of α-Substituted Enoximes with Nucleophiles via Nitrosoallenes

This paper reports nitrosoallene-mediated synthesis of α-substituted enoximes. Nucleophilic substitution of nitrosoallenes, a novel chemical species prepared from allenyl N-hydroxysulfonamides, afforded α-functionalized enoximes. Introduction of various nucleophiles proceeded smoothly to form C-N, C-O, C-S, C-F, and C-C bonds in the presence of azodicarboxylates.

Rh(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbonylative C-H/C-I Coupling of 2-Iodobiphenyls Using Furfural as a Carbonyl Source

Synthesis of fluoren-9-ones by a Rh-catalyzed intramolecular C-H/C-I carbonylative coupling of 2-iodobiphenyls using furfural as a carbonyl source is presented. The findings indicate that the rate-determining step is not a C-H bond cleavage but, rather, the oxidative addition of the C-I bond to a Rh(I) center.

Diastereodifferentiating [2+2] Photocycloaddition of a Chiral Cyclohexenone with Cyclopentene in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Using a Flow Microreactor

The diastereodifferentiating [2+2] photocycloaddition of a chiral cyclohexenone with cyclopentene was performed in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) using a flow microreactor. In all cases examined, the microreactor gave higher conversions than the batch system because of the very short path length of the microreactor. Additionally, by using the microreactor, accurate temperature control produced higher diastereoselectivity. These distinguished findings can be attributed to the synergistic effect of superior light penetration in the microreactor and the unique solvent property (clustering effect) of scCO2.