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An expansion of methodologies aimed at the formation of versatile organonitriles, via the intramolecular aminocyanation of unactivated alkenes, is herein reported. Importantly, the need for a rigid tether in these reactions has been obviated. The ease-of-synthesis and viability of substrates bearing flexible backbones has permitted for diastereoselective variants as well. We demonstrated the utility of this methodology with the formation of pyrrolidones, piperidinones, isoindolinones, and sultams. Furthermore, subsequent transformation of these motifs into medicinally relevant molecules is also demonstrated. A double crossover 13C-labeling experiment is consistent with a fully intramolecular cyclization mechanism. Deuterium labeling experiments support a mechanism involving syn-addition across the alkene.

The cyclization of an alkene-bearing cyclopentanone to a [2.2.1]-norcamphor ring system is described. The reaction is catalyzed by a combination of rhodium and Bronsted acid. Control experiments indicate that both are needed for acceptable yield. Control experiments with bulky base additives show that rhodium promotes alkene isomerization, likely the first step of this cascade reaction, and that rhodium alone does not promote cyclization. Cyclization is promoted by Bronsted acid in a Prins-type cyclization and carbocation rearrangement process. Trace Bronsted acid present in commercial samples of Rh(cod)2OTf is likely responsible for the observed reaction. Indeed, the norcamphor product can be obtained simply with strong acid, presumably initiated by acid-promoted alkene isomerization. Since our initial motivation for this work was the development of rhodium catalysts for the activation of C–C bonds adjacent to ketones, this communication serves to identify other, perhaps less obvious, pathways for the reactions of unsaturated ketone compounds by the action of rhodium catalysts.

Alkene oxyacylation is a new strategy for the preparation of β-oxygenated ketones. Now, with Ir catalysis and low-cost salicylate esters, alkene oxyacylation can be promoted by simple and versatile hydroxyl directing groups. This paper discusses catalyst optimization, substituent effects, mechanistic experiments, and the challenges associated with asymmetric catalysis. Crossover experiments point to several key steps of the mechanism being reversible, including the most likely enantiodetermining steps. The oxyacylation products are also prone to racemization without catalyst when heated alone; however, crossover is not observed without catalyst. These observations account for the low levels of enantioinduction in alkene oxyacylation. The versatility of the hydroxyl directing group is highlighted by demonstrating further transformations of the products.

A metal-free, Lewis acid promoted intramolecular aminocyanation of alkenes was developed. B(C6F5)3 activates N-sulfonyl cyanamides, thus leading to a formal cleavage of the N-CN bonds in conjunction with vicinal addition of sulfonamide and nitrile groups across an alkene. This method enables atom-economical access to indolines and tetrahydroquinolines in excellent yields, and provides a complementary strategy for regioselective alkene difunctionalizations with sulfonamide and nitrile groups. Labeling experiments with (13)C suggest a fully intramolecular cyclization pattern due to the lack of label scrambling in double crossover experiments. Catalysis with Lewis acid is realized and the reaction can be conducted under air.

Alkene oxyacylation is a new strategy for the preparation of β-oxygenated ketones. Now, with Ir catalysis and low-cost salicylate esters, alkene oxyacylation can be promoted by simple and versatile hydroxyl directing groups. This paper discusses catalyst optimization, substituent effects, mechanistic experiments, and the challenges associated with asymmetric catalysis. Crossover experiments point to several key steps of the mechanism being reversible, including the most likely enantiodetermining steps. The oxyacylation products are also prone to racemization without catalyst when heated alone; however, crossover is not observed without catalyst. These observations account for the low levels of enantioinduction in alkene oxyacylation. The versatility of the hydroxyl directing group is highlighted by demonstrating further transformations of the products.

Geminal substitution of the alkene is required for the reaction since the allyl substrate does not react.