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Catalytic asymmetric Mannich reactions of β-ketocarbonyl derivatives (such as β-ketoesters and (2-oxopropyl)phosphonate), resulting in the formation of a C-C bond at the γ-position of the β-ketocarbonyl derivatives with high enantioselectivities, are reported. The bond formation at the α-position of the β-ketoester was reversible, and the γ-position-reacted product δ-amino β-ketoester derivative was kinetically formed and was stable. The dynamic kinetic process was key for the direct access to the γ-position-reacted products from β-ketocarbonyls under catalytic conditions.

This account describes the strategies for the synthesis of functionalized spirooxindole polycycles, including enantiomerically enriched forms, that we have developed and reported. The syntheses of these complex molecules were accomplished in a few steps starting from relatively simple oxindole derivatives and other reactants. Organocatalytic reactions involved in kinetic resolution or in dynamic kinetic transformation led to the formation of products with high diastereo- and/or enantioselectivities. Cyclic 1,3-diones, such as 1,3-cyclohexanedione, were used as reactants to provide two reaction sites for the construction of polycyclic ring systems. To tune the reaction conditions, 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione was employed. The developed methods enabled the synthesis of complex functionalized spirooxindole polycycles bearing up to seven stereogenic centers, and will be useful for the synthesis of potentially bioactive molecules.1 Introduction2 Formal (4+1) Cycloaddition and Enantioselective Michael/Henry Cascade Reactions3 Dynamic Stereoselective Aldol/Oxacyclization Cascade Reactions4 Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation: Diastereo- and Enantioconvergent Michael/Henry Reactions5 Dimerization Reactions6 Conclusion

We have developed and investigated a catalytic desymmetrization reaction strategy that affords functionalized decalin derivatives with high enantioselectivities from C2-symmetric derivatives through aldol–aldol annulation. We identified the structural moieties of the catalyst necessary for the formation of the decalin derivative with high enantioselectivity. We elucidated the mechanisms of the catalyzed reactions: the first aldol reaction step was reversible, and the second aldol step was rate-limiting and stereochemistry-determining and was enantioselective. Using theoretical calculations guided by the experimental results, we identified the interactions between the catalyst and the transition state that led to the major enantiomer. The information obtained in this study will be useful for the development of catalysts and chemical transformations.

Enantioselective Mannich reactions of pyruvates catalyzed by amine-based catalyst systems, in which pyruvates act as nucleophiles, are reported. The reactions of pyruvates and cyclic sulfonylimines afforded the desired Mannich products, including those bearing tetrasubstituted carbon centers, in high yields with high enantioselectivities in most cases. The selection of the acid used in the amine-based catalyst system was key for the formation of the Mannich products with high enantioselectivities.

Mannich-type reactions of cyclohexanone and related six-membered-ring ketones with N-p-methoxyphenyl-protected imines of arylaldehydes catalyzed by 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid in the presence of K2CO3 that afford anti-isomers of the Mannich products with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities are reported. Addition of K2CO3 improved the enantioselectivities of the reactions catalyzed by 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid while retaining the anti-selectivity of the reaction. Thus, the use of K2CO3 expands the scope of these organocatalytic reactions for providing the products with high enantioselectivities.

Michael, Michael-annulation, and oxa-Diels-Alder reactions of carbohydrate derivatives that afford polyoxy-functionalized piperidine derivatives bearing tetrasubstituted carbon at the 3-position of the piperidine ring are reported. Iminium ions generated from carbohydrate derivatives with amines were converted to enamines in situ, which acted as nucleophiles. As a result, substituents were introduced at the 3-position or both 2- and 3-positions of the piperidines bearing polyoxy groups. This strategy will be useful in drug discovery efforts.

Natural aldolase enzymes and created retro-aldolase protein catalysts often catalyze both aldol and retro-aldol reactions depending on the concentrations of the reactants and the products. Here, we report that the directionality of protein catalysts can be altered by replacing one amino acid. The protein catalyst derived from a scaffold of a previously reported retro-aldolase catalyst, catalyzed aldol reactions more efficiently than the previously reported retro-aldolase catalyst. The retro-aldolase catalyst efficiently catalyzed the retro-aldol reaction but was less efficient in catalyzing the aldol reaction. The results indicate that protein catalysts with varying levels of directionality in usually reversibly catalyzed aldol and retro-aldol reactions can be generated from the same protein scaffold.

Tetrahydropyran derivatives are found in bioactives, and introduction of the trifluoromethyl group into molecules often improves biofunctions. Here we report diastereo- and enantioselective oxa-hetero-Diels–Alder reactions catalyzed by amine-based catalyst systems that afford trifluoromethyl-substituted tetrahydropyranones. Catalyst systems and conditions suitable for the reactions to provide the desired diastereomer products with high enantioselectivities were identified, and various trifluoromethyl-substituted tetrahydropyranones were synthesized with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Mechanistic investigation suggested that the reactions involve a [4 + 2] cycloaddition pathway, in which the enamine of the enone acts as the diene and the ketone carbonyl group of the aryl trifluoromethyl ketone acts as the dienophile. In this study, tetrahydropyran derivatives with the desired stereochemistry that are difficult to synthesize by previously reported methods were concisely obtained, and the range of tetrahydropyran derivatives that can be synthesized was expanded.

Carbonyl transformations involving enolates and/or enamines have been used for various types of bond-forming reactions. In this account, catalysts and catalyst systems that have amino acids or primary, secondary, and/or tertiary amines as key catalytic functional groups that we have developed to accelerate chemical transformations, including regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective reactions, are discussed. Our chemical transformation strategies and methods that use amine derivatives as catalysts are also discussed. As amines can have different functions depending on protonation and on the species formed during the catalysis (such as enamines and iminium ions), dynamics and kinetic controls are the keys for understanding the catalysis. Further, strategies that harness dynamic steps and kinetic control in amine-catalyzed reactions have enabled the synthesis of complex molecules in stereocontrolled manners. Understanding the dynamic features and the kinetic controls of the catalysis will further the design of the catalysts and the development of chemical transformation strategies and methods.

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) reactions of racemic diastereomer mixtures that afford the products as essentially single diastereomers with high enantioselectivities are described. We demonstrated the DYKAT in the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindoles bearing furan-fused rings. The starting materials of the DYKAT, dihydrobenzofuranone derivatives, were synthesized in racemic diastereomer mixtures, and these were transformed to the spirooxindole derivatives in high yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities through Michael–Henry cascade reactions with nitrostyrenes under organocatalytic conditions. In the reactions, regardless the stereochemistry of the starting materials, all the four isomers were transformed to single diastereomers with high enantioselectivities, and four new chiral centers were created.

Direct asymmetric synthesis of δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters was accomplished via regio- and enantioselective aldol reactions of β-ketoesters with isatins catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid thiourea derivatives. The C-C bond formation of the reactions occurred only at the γ-position of the β-ketoesters. Reaction progress monitoring and product stability analyses under the conditions that included the catalyst indicated that the γ-position reaction products were formed kinetically. Various δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters bearing 3-alkyl-3-hydroxyoxindole cores relevant to the development of bioactive molecules were synthesized.

Control of chemical reactions is necessary to obtain designer chemical transformation products and for preventing decomposition and isomerization reactions of compounds of interest. For the control of chemical events in aqueous solutions, the use of aqueous buffers is a common practice. However, no molecules that buffer non-aqueous solutions were commonly used. Herein, we demonstrate that 1,3-cyclohexanedione derivatives have buffering functions in non-aqueous solutions. It was also shown that these molecules can be utilized to alter and control chemical reactions. 1,3-Cyclohexanedione derivatives inhibited both acid- and base-catalyzed isomerizations and decompositions in organic solvents. The reaction products obtained in the presence of the buffering molecule 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione differed from those obtained in the absence of the buffering molecule. The use of buffering molecules that work in organic solvents provides a strategy to control chemical reactions and expands the range of compounds that can be synthesized.

Acid-catalyzed intramolecular vinylogous Mannich reactions and intramolecular Michael reactions affording pyrrolizinone-fused N-heterocycles from hydroxylactam derivatives bearing enals have been developed. Depending on the substituent on the hydroxylactam, the enal moiety acted either as a nucleophile (i.e., as an enol/enolate) or as an electrophile to react with the N-acyliminium ion or enamide generated from the hydroxylactam moiety, respectively. The reactions were demonstrated in the construction of fused N-heterocycles with 5- to 8-membered rings.

Mannich reactions of carbohydrate derivatives with ketones that afford polyoxy-functionalized piperidines are reported. Ketone nucleophiles (enamines/enolates) were generated in the presence of the amines used for the formation of the iminium ions of sugar derivatives with or without an additive. Conditions to preferentially generate piperidine derivatives rather than tetrahydrofurans were identified. Products from the reactions of allyl ketones were readily transformed to bicyclic piperidines.

Acid-catalyzed intramolecular reactions of isoindolinone-derived hydroxylactam derivatives bearing enones or enals that afford spiro isoindolinone derivatives and related molecules have been developed. From the hydroxylactam moieties, N-acylenamides were generated in situ and reacted with the enone and the enal moieties via formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions to construct cyclohexanone- and dihydropyran-fused ring systems and the spiro ring systems.

Mannich-type reactions of cyclohexanone and related six-membered-ring ketones with

The decalin structure is found in bioactive molecules. We have developed catalytic enantioselective formal (4+2) cycloaddition reactions via aldol-aldol cascade reactions between pyruvate-derived diketoester derivatives and cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives that afford highly functionalized decalin derivatives. The reactions were performed using a quinidine-derived catalyst under mild conditions. Decalin derivatives bearing up to six chiral carbon centers including tetrasubstituted carbon centers were synthesized with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Five to six stereogenic centers were generated from achiral molecules with the formation of two C-C bonds in a single transformation resulting in the formation of the decalin system.

Reactions of unprotected aldopentoses with ketones catalyzed by proline and triethylamine that afford C-glycoside derivatives are described.

C-Glycoside derivatives are found in pharmaceuticals, glycoconjugates, probes, and other functional molecules. Thus, C-glycosidation of unprotected carbohydrates is of interest. Here the development of C-glycosidation reactions of unprotected di- and trisaccharide aldopyranoses with various ketones is reported. The reactions were performed using catalyst systems composed of pyrrolidine and boric acid under mild conditions. Carbohydrates used for the C-glycosidation included lactose, maltose, cellobiose, 3'-sialyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose, and maltotriose. Using ketones with functional groups, C-glycosides ketones bearing the functional groups were obtained. The pyrolidine-boric acid catalysis conditions did not alter the stereochemistry of non-C-C bond formation positions of the carbohydrates and led to the formation of the C-glycosidation products with high diastereoselectivity. For the C-glycosidation of the carbohydrates under the pyrrolidine-boric acid-catalysis, the hydroxy group at the 6-position of the reacting aldopyranose was necessary to afford the product. Our analyses suggest that the carbohydrates form iminium ions with pyrrolidine and that boric acid forms B-O covalent bonds with the carbohydrates during the catalysis to forward the C-C bond formation.

To provide insight into aldol reaction catalysis, the relative frequencies of carbanion formation at each α-position of ketones under catalysis by DBU, proline, β-proline, and related catalysts were determined through the deuteration of the ketones in the presence of these catalysts. For selected cases, the deuteration rate was compared with the aldol reaction rate and whether the generated enolate/enamine resulted in return to the ketone or product formation was estimated.

A 1H NMR analysis method that detects enantiomers of molecules bearing a primary amino group has been developed. The method uses a β-keto ester-derived probe that forms enamines with the amines and is able to discriminate enantiomers of functionalized amines and amines that have chiral centers at positions remote from the amine group.

Spiro polycyclic compounds bearing pyran ring systems are found in bioactive molecules, and we recently reported the construction of spirooxindole all-carbon polycycles. Here we show the development of catalytic stereoselective annulation reactions that afford spirooxindole pyran polycycles. Oxindole-derived spiro[4,5]decanes are reacted with arylglyoxal to construct a pyran ring via the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-oxygen bonds through dynamic aldol-oxa-cyclization cascade reactions, leading to the formation of spirooxindole pyran polycycles bearing six stereogenic centers as single diastereomers. During the reaction, the starting material is isomerized to the diastereomer, and this is key to afford the product. Taking advantage of this isomerization, highly enantiomerically enriched single diastereomers of spirooxindole pyran polycycles are obtained. The reactions generating the spiro pyran polycycles show stereoselectivities distinct from those previously observed in the construction of all-carbon polycycles. Spirooxindoles are synthetic targets of wide interest. Here a diastereoselective aldol-oxa-cyclisation cascade affords spirocyclic pyrans with high stereoselectivity.

Diastereo- and enantioselective oxa-hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of enones with aryl trifluoromethyl ketones that afford tetrahydropyranone derivatives catalyzed by an amine-based catalyst system are reported. The major diastereomers of the tetrahydropyranone products obtained in these reactions had the relative stereochemistry different from that of the previously synthesized tetrahydropyranone derivatives.

The development of oxa-hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of enones with aryl trifluoromethyl ketones to afford tetrahydropyranones bearing trifluoromethyl-substituted tetrasubstituted carbon centers is reported. The reactions were catalyzed by an amine-based catalyst system and afforded the products with er values up to 97 : 3.

Spirooxindole derivatives are found in bioactive natural products and are used in drug discovery and related research. Here, acid-catalyzed diastereoselective intramolecular oxa-Michael cyclization reactions of β-hydroxyenones generated from enones and isatin derivatives that afford spirooxindole tetrahydropyranes are reported. The major diastereomers of the products of these reactions were previously difficult to access by the amine-catalyzed hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of enones with isatins. With the use of enantiomerically enriched forms of the starting materials in the reactions, enantiomerically enriched spirooxindole tetrahydropyranes that retained the enantiopurities of the starting materials were obtained.

Correction for ‘Synthesis of pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives via asymmetric Michael addition reactions of carboxylate-substituted enones’ by Feng Yin et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 15, 6089–6092.

Molecules bearing aryl- and trifluoromethyl-substituted tertiary alcohol moieties are important as bioactive molecules, enantiomer-discriminating reagents, and their synthons and building blocks. To concisely synthesize these molecules, we have developed aldol reactions of ketone donors with aryl trifluoromethyl ketone acceptors catalyzed by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU). The reactions were relatively fast, and the products were obtained in good to high yields under mild conditions. The CC bonds of the aldol reactions formed in perfect regioselectivities at the methyl group of the alkyl methyl ketones, at the γ-position of the β-keto esters, and at the methyl group of the β-methyl-substituted cyclic enones. For the aldol products from the reactions of β-keto esters, the enantiomerically pure forms were obtained by resolution of the enamines of the aldol products with a homochiral amine. Our methods provide a concise, fast access to molecules with tetrasubstituted carbon centers with trifluoromethyl-substituted alcohol moieties.

Molecules with furanose units are often bioactive. To concisely synthesize these molecules, we have developed aldol reactions of 1,2-diketones that afford furanose derivatives in one pot. For these reactions with the use of N,N′-diisopropylethylamine as catalyst, aldol products were obtained via C–C bond formation at the internal methylene carbon of the acetyl alkyl ketone derivatives. Regioselectivities of the reactions depended on the catalyst. The aldol products from the reactions with aldehydes in which the C–C bond formation occurred at the internal methylene carbon of the acetyl alkyl ketone derivatives were easily air-oxidized to afford the corresponding 2-hydroxy-2H-furanone derivatives.

To concisely synthesize highly enantiomerically enriched 5-alkyl-substituted pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acids, organocatalytic enantioselective Michael addition reactions of 4-alkyl-substituted 4-oxo-2-enoates with nitroalkanes have been developed. Using the developed reaction method, 5-methylpyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with 97% ee was obtained in two steps.

Spiro[4,5]decanes and polycyclic compounds bearing spiro[4,5]decane systems are important biofunctional molecules. Described are diastereoselective formal (4+1) cycloaddition reactions to afford oxindole‐functionalized spiro[4,5]decanes and organocatalytic enantioselective Michael–Henry cascade reactions of the (4+1) cycloaddition products to generate spirooxindole polycyclic derivatives bearing the spiro[4,5]decane system. Spiro[4,5]decanes bearing oxindoles containing three stereogenic centers and spirooxindole polycycles having seven stereogenic centers, including two all‐carbon chiral quaternary centers and one tetrasubstituted chiral carbon center, were obtained with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities.

Spirooxindoles are important compounds as they are often found in bioactive molecules. Thus, the development of new spirooxindoles and of synthetic routes to spirooxindoles is a great interest to discover new biofunctional molecules and therapeutic leads. We developed a concise method for the synthesis of spirooxindoles bearing a furanose unit. 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) was used for an aldol reaction of a pyruvic aldehyde derivative with isatin; reduction of the ketone group was followed by treatment with acid to generate the spirofuranose unit. A set of furanose spirooxindoles were obtained in good to high yields.

Fluorogenic aldehydes or probes for monitoring of the progress of aldol reactions have been developed. Fluorescence of benzaldehydes conjugated with aryl groups via a double or triple bond and of their aldol products was evaluated in aqueous solutions. Based on the fluorescence, fluorogenic aldol reaction substrates and retro-aldol reaction substrates were identified. Use of the probe system with optimal fluorescence properties for aldol reactions was demonstrated in assays with purified protein catalysts and with overproduced crude protein catalysts in cell lysates.

Effects of substituents on transformations of 4-(phenylethynyl)benzaldehydes and related benzaldehydes were analyzed in aldol and thiazolidine formation reactions. The aldol reaction of 4-cyanobenzaldehyde was 54-fold faster than that of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. In contrast, the aldol reaction of 4-(4-cyanophenylethynyl)benzaldehyde was only 1.4-fold faster than that of 4-(4-methoxyphenylethynyl)benzaldehyde. Electronic features of substituents are significantly less influential in a diphenylacetylene system than in a simple benzene system.

Organocatalytic formal hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of enones with isatins, which gave highly enantiomerically enriched functionalized spirooxindole tetrahydropyranones via an enamine-based mechanism, were developed. The catalyst systems were identified by a screen of combinations of amines, acids, and additives. With the identified catalyst systems, various spirooxindole tetrahydropyranones were synthesized in high yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (see scheme).

Synthesis of new functionalized molecules and identification of biofunctional molecules can lead to the development of therapeutic leads and molecular tools for biomedical research. We have recently reported oxa-hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of enones with isatins to provide functionalized spirooxindole tetrahydropyran derivatives. Twenty-one compounds from the spirooxindole tetrahydropyran derivatives and related molecules were screened for inhibition of sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT) isozymes SOAT1 and SOAT2. Three racemic derivatives inhibited the SOAT2 isozyme with three-fold or better selectivity for SOAT2 than for SOAT1. The enantiomerically enriched forms of the most efficient racemic inhibitor of SOAT2 were further evaluated; one enantiomer inhibited SOAT2 with an IC50 of 1.5μM and was 10-fold more selective for SOAT2 than SOAT1.

The development of concise methods for the synthesis of functionalized small molecules is important in the search for new bioactive molecules. To contribute to this, we have developed oxa-hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of enones with isatins catalyzed by amine-based catalyst systems. Various spirooxindole tetrahydropyranones were synthesized either in enantiomerically enriched forms or as racemic forms depending on the catalyst system. The reaction products were further transformed at the ketone carbonyl group and the indole nitrogen. Using these reactions, functionalized spirooxindole tetrahydropyran derivatives with functional groups in four directions in a three-dimensional space were concisely obtained. From these synthesized compounds, an inhibitor of human ion channel Nav1.7 with μM-level activity was identified, indicating that the developed reaction methods are useful for providing molecules for the discovery of new biofunctional molecules.

Molecules bearing aryl- and trifluoromethyl-substituted tertiary alcohol moieties are important as bioactive molecules, enantiomer-discriminating reagents, and their synthons and building blocks. To concisely synthesize these molecules, we have developed aldol reactions of ketone donors with aryl trifluoromethyl ketone acceptors catalyzed by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU). The reactions were relatively fast, and the products were obtained in good to high yields under mild conditions. The CC bonds of the aldol reactions formed in perfect regioselectivities at the methyl group of the alkyl methyl ketones, at the γ-position of the β-keto esters, and at the methyl group of the β-methyl-substituted cyclic enones. For the aldol products from the reactions of β-keto esters, the enantiomerically pure forms were obtained by resolution of the enamines of the aldol products with a homochiral amine. Our methods provide a concise, fast access to molecules with tetrasubstituted carbon centers with trifluoromethyl-substituted alcohol moieties.