Silas P. Cook

A Concise Synthesis of (+)-Artemisinin

Malaria represents one of the most medically and economically debilitating diseases present in the world today. Fortunately, there exists a highly effective treatment based on the natural product artemisinin. Despite the development of several synthetic approaches to the natural product, a streamlined synthesis that utilizes low-cost chemical inputs has yet to materialize. Here we report an efficient, cost-effective approach to artemisinin. Key to the success of the strategy was the development of mild, complexity-building reaction cascades that allowed the use of readily available, affordable cyclohexenone as the key starting material.

A Unified Strategy for Iron-Catalyzed ortho-Alkylation of Carboxamides

Using 8-aminoquinoline-based aryl carboxamides, the direct ortho-alkylation can be achieved in high yields in the presence of an iron source, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and phenylmagnesium bromide. The reactions proceed without overalkylation and provide high levels of regioselectivity. The benzylation reactions can be performed in air with reagent-grade THF, while the alkylation works well with unactivated secondary bromides and iodides in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. Moreover, the reactions only require 5-10 min.

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Alkyl Grignards with Aryl Sulfamates and Tosylates

The iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl sulfamates and tosylates has been achieved with primary and secondary alkyl Grignards. This study of iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions also examines the isomerization and β-hydride elimination problems that are associated with the use of isopropyl nucleophiles. While a variety of iron sources were competent in the reaction, the use of FeF(3)•3H(2)O was critical to minimize nucleophile isomerization.

A Reductive-Heck Approach to the Hydroazulene Ring System: A Formal Synthesis of the Englerins

The reduction of a palladium enolate prior to β-hydride elimination provides a unique reaction for the synthesis of the hydroazulene ring system. When combined with a transannular epoxide rearrangement cascade, the reductive-Heck reaction allows rapid entry to the oxo-bridged guaiane core of the englerins.

Manganese-Catalyzed Borylation of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides

The use of low-cost manganese(II) bromide (MnBr2) and tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) catalyzes the cross coupling of (bis)pinacolatodiboron with a wide range of alkyl halides, demonstrating the first manganese-catalyzed coupling with alkyl electrophiles. This method allows access to primary, secondary, and tertiary boronic esters from the parent chlorides, which were previously inaccessible as coupling partners. The reaction proceeds in high yield with as little as 1000 ppm catalyst loading, while 5 mol % can provide high yields in as little as 30 min. Finally, radical-clock experiments revealed that at 0 °C direct borylation outcompetes alternative radical processes, thereby providing synthetically useful, temperature-controlled reaction outcomes.

Iron-Catalyzed Coupling of Aryl Sulfamates and Aryl/Vinyl Tosylates with Aryl Grignards

The iron-catalyzed coupling of aryl sulfamates and tosylates with aryl Grignard reagents is reported for the first time. The methodology employs air-stable, low-cost FeF3·3H2O and the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand IPr·HCl as the preligand to form a long-lived catalyst upon treatment with aryl Grignards. The reaction provides a range of cross-coupled products in good-to-excellent yields. In contrast to previous reports with aryl chlorides, these reactions proceed with low levels of Grignard homocoupling regardless of the iron source.

Wacker-Type Oxidation of Internal Alkenes using Pd(Quinox) and TBHP

The Pd-catalyzed TBHP-mediated Wacker-type oxidation of internal alkenes is reported. The reaction uses 2-(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolyl)quinoline (Quinox) as ligand and TBHP(aq) as oxidant to deliver single ketone constitutional isomer products in a predictable fashion from electronically biased olefins. This methodology is showcased through its application on an advanced intermediate in the total synthesis of the antimalarial drug artemisinin.

Iron-catalyzed arene alkylation reactions with unactivated secondary alcohols.

A simple, iron-based catalytic system allows for the inter- and intramolecular arylation of unactivated secondary alcohols. This transformation expands the substrate scope beyond the previously required activated alcohols and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, tolerating air and moisture. Furthermore, the use of an enantioenriched secondary alcohol provides an enantioenriched product for the intramolecular reaction, thereby offering a convenient approach to nonracemic products.

A simple, nontoxic iron system for the allylation of zinc enolates.

Diiron nonacarbonyl in combination with triphenylphosphine has been identified as a low-cost and environmentally benign catalyst system for the allylation of zinc enolates generated in situ from copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition reactions. The catalyst system provides the allylated product in modest to good yields at room temperature with unprecedented diastereoselectivity in cyclic enone systems. While triphenylphosphine was uniquely effective among the investigated ligands, the exact nature of the active catalytic species remains unknown.

Palladium-catalyzed alkyne insertion/reduction route to trisubstituted olefins.

A new route to trisubstituted olefins through a palladium-catalyzed alkyne insertion/reduction reaction with unactivated alkyl iodides is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and tolerates a range of functional groups and substitution patterns. Preliminary mechanistic inquiry suggests that the transformation may proceed through a hybrid radical/organometallic pathway.