James J. Douglas

Isothiourea-mediated asymmetric Michael-lactonisation of trifluoromethylenones: a synthetic and mechanistic study

HBTM-2.1 promotes the catalytic asymmetric intermolecular Michael-lactonisation of arylacetic acids and trifluoromethylenones in the presence of pivaloyl chloride, giving C(6)-trifluoromethyldihydropyranones with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol (up to 95 : 5 dr and >99% ee) that are readily derivatised to diverse synthetic building blocks containing trifluoromethyl-stereogenicity. Kinetic studies indicate the reaction is first order with respect to both in situ formed mixed anhydride and catalyst concentration, with a primary kinetic isotope effect observed using α,α-di-deuterio 4-fluorophenylacetic acid, consistent with rate determining deprotonation of an intermediate acyl isothiouronium ion.

Isothiourea-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams and β-amino esters from arylacetic acid derivatives and N-sulfonylaldimines

The isothiourea HBTM-2.1 (5 mol %) catalyzes the asymmetric formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of both arylacetic acids (following activation with tosyl chloride) and preformed 2-arylacetic anhydrides with N-sulfonylaldimines, generating stereodefined 2,3-diaryl-β-amino esters (after ring-opening) and 3,4-diaryl-anti-β-lactams, respectively, with high diastereocontrol (up to >95:5 dr) and good to excellent enantiocontrol. Deprotection of the N-tosyl substituent within the β-lactam framework was possible without racemization by treatment with SmI2.

Stereospecific Asymmetric N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-Catalyzed Redox Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl Dihydropyranones and Mechanistic Insights

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed redox asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of α-aroyloxyaldehydes with β-trifluoromethyl enones generates synthetically useful dihydropyranones containing a stereogenic trifluoromethyl substituent in good yields (up to 81%) and excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity (up to >95:5 dr and >99% ee). The process is stereospecific, with use of either (E)- or (Z)-β-trifluoromethyl enones forming syn- or anti-dihydropyranone products, respectively. Mechanistic studies through in situ kinetic analysis of the reaction reveal key differences in reactivity between chiral NHC precursor 1 and an achiral NHC precursor.

Photochemical Perfluoroalkylation with Pyridine N-Oxides: Mechanistic Insights and Performance on a Kilogram Scale

The direct trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes is a process of high importance to the pharmaceutical industry. Many reagents exist for this purpose and have found widespread use in discovery efforts; however, the step-intensive preparation of these reagents and their corresponding cost have resulted in minimal use of these methods in large-scale applications. For the ready transition of direct trifluoromethylation methodologies to large-scale application, the further development of processes utilizing inexpensive CF3 sources available on a metric ton scale is highly desirable. We report the use of pyridine N-oxide derivatives in concert with trifluoroacetic anhydride to promote a high-yielding and scalable trifluoromethylation reaction. Key mechanistic insights include the observation of electron donor-acceptor complexes in solution as well as a high dependence on photon flux. These observations have culminated in the application of this chemistry on a kilogram scale, demonstrating the utility of this reagent combination for preparative applications.

NHC-promoted asymmetric β-lactone formation from arylalkylketenes and electron-deficient benzaldehydes or pyridinecarboxaldehydes.

A chiral NHC catalyzes the asymmetric formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkylarylketenes with both electron-deficient benzaldehydes and 2- and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehydes to generate stereodefined β-lactones. In the benzaldehyde series, optimal product diastereo- and enantiocontrol is observed using 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (up to 93:7 dr (syn:anti) and 93% ee). Substituted 2- and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehydes are also tolerated in this process, generating the corresponding β-lactones in good yield and enantioselectivity, although the diastereocontrol in these processes is highly dependent upon the aldehyde substitution. These processes are readily scalable, allowing multigram quantities of the β-lactone products to be prepared. Derivatization of these products, either through ring opening into the corresponding stereodefined β-hydroxy and β-amino acid derivatives without loss of stereochemical integrity or via cross-coupling, is demonstrated.

Photoinduced Remote Functionalisations by Iminyl Radical Promoted C−C and C−H Bond Cleavage Cascades

Abstract A photoinduced cascade strategy leading to a variety of differentially functionalised nitriles and ketones has been developed. These reactions rely on the oxidative generation of iminyl radicals from simple oximes. Radical transposition by C(sp3)−(sp3) and C(sp3)−H bond cleavage gives access to distal carbon radicals that undergo SH2 functionalisations. These mild, visible‐light‐mediated procedures can be used for remote fluorination, chlorination, and azidation, and were applied to the modification of bioactive and structurally complex molecules.

α-Ketophosphonates as ester surrogates: isothiourea-catalyzed asymmetric diester and lactone synthesis.

Isothiourea HBTM-2.1 catalyzes the asymmetric Michael addition/lactonization of aryl- and alkenylacetic acids using α-keto-β,γ-unsaturated phosphonates as α,β-unsaturated ester surrogates, giving access to a diverse range of stereodefined lactones or enantioenriched functionalized diesters upon ring-opening.

Visible-light-mediated generation of nitrile oxides for the photoredox synthesis of isoxazolines and isoxazoles

Visible-light photoredox catalysis enables the synthesis of biologically relevant isoxazolines and isoxazoles from hydroxyimino acids. The process shows broad functional group compatibility and mechanistic and computational studies support a visible-light-mediated generation of nitrile oxides by two sequential oxidative single electron transfer processes.

Hydroxylamine Derivatives as Nitrogen-Radical Precursors in Visible-Light Photochemistry

In recent years, hydroxylamines derivatives have been exploited as nitrogen-radical precursors in visible-light photochemistry. Their ability to serve as electrophores in redox chemistry has propelled the development of many novel transformations. Fundamental mechanistic aspects as well as the importance in the preparation of nitrogen-containing molecules will be highlighted.

Stereo‐ and Chemodivergent NHC‐Promoted Functionalisation of Arylalkylketenes with Chloral

Stereo- and chemodivergent enantioselective reaction pathways are observed upon treatment of alkylarylketenes and trichloroacetaldehyde (chloral) with N-heterocyclic carbenes, giving selectively either β-lactones (up to 88:12 dr, up to 94 % ee) or α-chloroesters (up to 94 % ee). Either 2-arylsubstitution or an α-branched iPr alkyl substituent within the ketene favours the chlorination pathway, allowing chloral to be used as an electrophilic chlorinating reagent in asymmetric catalysis.