An asymmetric approach to bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylates via a formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction enabled by organocatalysis

Osmapyridine and osmapyridinium from a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction.

Enantioselective formal synthesis of (-)-englerin A via a Rh-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction.

An enantioselective formal synthesis of (-)-englerin A (1) is reported. Key to the strategy is a Rh-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction between furan 10 and diazo ester 11 that, following an intramolecular aldol condensation, produces the tricyclic scaffold of englerin. This strategy also provides a rapid, efficient, and stereoselective access to the biologically significant core motif of ...

Benzene construction via organocatalytic formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction.

The benzene unit, in its substituted forms, is a most common scaffold in natural products, bioactive molecules and polymer materials. Nearly 80% of the 200 best selling small molecule drugs contain at least one benzene moiety. Not surprisingly, the synthesis of substituted benzenes receives constant attentions. At present, the dominant methods use pre-existing benzene framework to install subst...

α-Haloacrylates as acceptors in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with NaN3: an expedient approach to N-unsubstituted 1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylates.

An expedient synthesis of N-unsubstituted 1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylates has been demonstrated through [3 + 2] cycloaddition of sodium azide with α-haloacrylates. The process is highly reliable and exhibits an unusually wide scope with respect to α-fluoro-, α-chloro-, α-bromo-, and α-iodoacrylates. The potential of selected 1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylates in the preparation of 1,5-dihydro-4H-[1,2,...

Mechanochemistry assisted asymmetric organocatalysis: A sustainable approach

Ball-milling and pestle and mortar grinding have emerged as powerful methods for the development of environmentally benign chemical transformations. Recently, the use of these mechanochemical techniques in asymmetric organocatalysis has increased. This review highlights the progress in asymmetric organocatalytic reactions assisted by mechanochemical techniques.