Jun’ichi Uenishi

Gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of planar chiral arene chromium complexes.

Gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-2-alkynylbenzene chromium complexes gave planar chiral isochromene chromium complexes with high enantioselectivity. Enantiomeric excess of the cyclization products was largely affected by a combination of axially chiral diphosphine(AuCl)(2) precatalysts and silver salts. A system of segphos(AuCl)(2) with AgBF(4) resulted in the formation of the corresponding antipode.

Total Synthesis of (−)-Zampanolide and Questionable Existence of (−)-Dactylolide as the Elusive Biosynthetic Precursor of (−)-Zampanolide in an Okinawan Sponge

A new and concise total synthesis of (-)-zampanolide, (-)-1, and (-)-dactylolide, (-)-2, is described. Synthetic highlights include (i) a mild Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction providing the seco acid, (ii) an unusual stepwise cross-coupling reaction of a 1,1-dibromodiene with inversion of olefin geometry, and (iii) specific O-Michael reaction conditions using catalytic LHMDS with TMEDA for the synthesis of functionalized 2,6-cis-tetrahydropyran. A marine sponge extract was analyzed for the presence of (-)-2 as the biosynthetic precursor of (-)-zampanolide.

An Efficient Synthesis of 2- and 2,6-Substituted Piperidines Using PdII-Catalyzed 1,3-Chirality Transfer Reaction

An efficient and general method for 2- and 2,6-substituted piperidine syntheses using Pd(II)-catalyzed 1,3-chirality transfer reaction has been developed. The various N-protected zeta-amino allylic alcohols cyclize in the presence of PdCl2(CH3CN)2 to give substituted piperidines with high stereoselectivities. The syntheses of (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-coniine were achieved in 3 steps from the optically pure allylic alcohols (S)-14c and (R)-14c, respectively. Although the rates of reactions were significantly accelerated in CH2Cl2, THF gave the highest stereoselectivity. PdCl2(CH3CN)2 was found to be the best catalyst for this transformation. A plausible reaction pathway involving the formation of the Pd pi-complex directed by the chiral secondary allylic alcohol followed by syn-azapalladation, and subsequent syn-elimination of PdCl(OH) is proposed.

Studies on stereoselective Sonogashira coupling of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkene

Abstract The stereoselective Sonogashira coupling of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkene was described. The use of PdCl 2 (dppf) as a catalyst with trialkylsilylacetylene in benzene selectively gave the ( Z )-bromoenyne ( 2a ) along with small amounts of the enediyne ( 3a ). Based on the experimental results, a mechanism of the selectivity was proposed. The bromoenyne was coupled with some electrophiles to give the substituted ( Z )-bromoenynes after deprotection of the terminal silyl group.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of branched enyne by stepwise cross-coupling reactions of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes

Abstract Geometrically pure alkynyl, alkenyl and alkyl substituted branched enynes were prepared by the Sonogashira coupling followed by Sonogashira, Suzuki–Miyaura, and Kumada–Tamao–Corriu coupling reactions.

Stereochemistry and Mechanistic Study of Intramolecular PdII-Catalyzed Oxypalladation and 1,3-Chirality-Transfer Reactions

Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclizations of chiral epsilon-, zeta-, and eta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated alcohols are described. The reactions took place stereospecifically to give chiral 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans, 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans, and 2,7-disubstituted oxepanes, respectively. The chirality of the carbon center of the chiral allylic alcohol is transferred stereospecifically to the carbon center of the newly generated oxacyclic ring. A plausible reaction mechanism involves 1) chiral-allylic-alcohol-induced syn facioselective formation of a Pd pi-complex, 2) syn oxypalladation, and 3) syn elimination of PdCl(OH), which provide a rational account for the stereochemical results.

Total Synthesis of (−)-Apicularen A

A convergent total synthesis of (-)-apicularen A, a highly cytostatic 12-membered macrolide, has been accomplished. The key steps include assembling of iodoalkene 8 and aldehyde 9 by Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi (NHK) coupling, stereospecific construction of 2,6-trans-disubstituted dihydropyran by Pd(II)-catalyzed 1,3-chirality transfer reaction, and Yamaguchi macrolactonization. Introduction of the (2Z,4Z)-heptadienamide moiety in the side chain by an efficient Cu(I)-mediated coupling completed the total synthesis.

Preparation of new chiral pyridine–phosphine ligands and their Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations

Enantiomerically pure 2-(diphenylphosphino)methyl-N-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]pyrrolidines 1 and 2 have been prepared by the stereospecific substitution of enantiomerically pure 1-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl methanesulfonate 6 with enantiomerically pure 2-(diphenylphosphino)methylpyrrolidine. Asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate 11 with dimethyl malonate sodium salt using the (S,S)-ligand 1 affords the (R)-product 12 with up to 86% e.e. in good yield.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Induction of Planar Chirality by Intramolecular Nucleophilic Addition to Chromium-Complexed Alkynylarenes: Asymmetric Synthesis of Planar Chiral (1H-Isochromene and 1,2-Dihydroisoquinoline)chromium Complexes

Gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular cyclization of prochiral 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-2-alkynylbenzene or 1,3-bis(carbamate)-2-alkynylbenzene tricarbonylchromium complexes with axially chiral diphosphine ligand gave planar chiral tricarbonylchromium complexes of 1H-isochromene or 1,2-dihydroisoquinoline with high enantioselectivity. An enantiomeric excess of the planar chiral arene chromium complexes was largely affected by a combination of axially chiral diphosphine(AuCl)2 precatalysts and silver salts. In the case of 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-2-alkynylbenzene chromium complexes, a system of segphos(AuCl)2 with AgBF4 resulted in the formation of the corresponding antipode.

Pd(II)-Catalyzed Alkylation of Tertiary Carbon via Directing-Group-Mediated C(sp3)–H Activation: Synthesis of Chiral 1,1,2-Trialkyl Substituted Cyclopropanes

A Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed alkylation reaction of the tertiary carbon of chiral cyclopropane substrates with alkyl iodides and bromides via C(sp(3))-H activation has been developed. This is an elusive example of a C-H activation-mediated alkylation of tertiary carbon to effectively construct a quaternary carbon center. The alkylation proceeded with various alkyl halides, including those of functional groups, to provide a variety of chiral cis- and trans-1,1,2,-trialkyl substituted cyclopropanes of medicinal chemical importance.