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In this short review definition, mechanism, and recent developments of the Stetter reaction, in the period last ten years from 2011 to 2021 are presented. This reaction comprises N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed umpolung of aldehydes followed by their capturing with activated carbon-carbon double bonds (Michael acceptors). This work includes also progresses in the inter-molecular and intra-molecular versions and enantioselective transformations. Underscoring the recent advances in the applications of Stetter reaction in the synthesis of various heterocyclic systems and total synthesis of natural products have been also introduced.

In the biosynthesis of menaquinone in bacteria, the thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzyme MenD catalyzes the decarboxylative carboligation of alpha-ketoglutarate and isochorismate to (1R,2S,5S,6S)-2-succinyl-5-enolpyruvyl-6-hydroxycyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylate (SEPHCHC). The regioisomer of SEPHCHC, namely (1R,5S,6S)-2-succinyl-5-enolpyruvyl-6-hydroxycyclohex-2-ene-1-carboxylate (iso-SEPHCHC), has been considered as a possible product, however, its existence has been doubtful due to a spontaneous elimination of pyruvate from SEPHCHC to 2-succinyl-6-hydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylate (SHCHC). In this work, the regioisomer iso-SEPHCHC was distinguished from SEPHCHC by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Iso-SEPHCHC was purified and identified by NMR spectroscopy. Just as SEPHCHC remained hidden as a MenD product for more than two decades, its regioisomer iso-SEPHCHC has remained until now., ChemBioChem, 23 (18), ISSN:1439-4227, ISSN:1439-7633

Funding: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant Number(s): EP/E03795X/1, EP/S019359/1). Mechanistic studies of the triazolium ion‐catalyzed intramolecular Stetter reaction using initial rates analysis in NEt3/NEt3. HCl buffered methanol showed the reaction to be first order in catalyst and zero order in aldehyde over a broad range of aldehyde concentrations. The observed reaction rate is higher for catalysts bearing N‐aryl substituents with electron‐withdrawing groups. A concurrent, NHC‐independent substrate isomerization was also observed and found to demonstrate a first order dependence on aldehyde concentration. The reported data are consistent with deprotonation to form the Breslow intermediate being turnover‐limiting in this process. Publisher PDF

The nucleophilic addition of a cyanide anion to a carbonyl group is the basis for several cyanide-catalyzed organic reactions, which are summarized in this review. Since cyanide is also a good leaving group, it is an excellent catalyst for transacylation reactions. As an electron-withdrawing group, it also stabilizes a negative charge in its α-position, thus allowing the umpolung of aldehydes to formyl anion equivalents. The two leading examples are the benzoin condensation and the Michael–Stetter reaction furnishing α-hydroxy ketones and 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds, which are both catalyzed by cyanides. The review also covers variants like the silyl-benzoin coupling, the aldimine coupling and the imino-Stetter reaction. Moreover, some cyanide-catalyzed heterocyclic syntheses are reviewed.1 Introduction2 Nucleophilic Additions2.1 Cyanohydrin Formation2.2 Corey–Gilman–Ganem and Related Oxidation Reactions2.3 Conjugate Addition2.4 Intramolecular Carbocyanation3 Transacylation Reactions3.1 Ester Hydrolysis and Transesterification3.2 Formation of Amides3.3 Ketones from Esters3.4 Esters from Ketones4 Transformations Involving an Umpolung4.1 Benzoin Condensation4.2 Aldimine Coupling4.3 Michael–Stetter Reaction4.4 Imino-Stetter Reaction5 Formation of Heterocycles5.1 Oxazolines from Isocyanoacetates5.2 Imidazoles from TosMIC via Oxazolines5.3 Bargellini Reaction6 Conclusion

The reliable design and prediction of enzyme promiscuity to access transformations not observed in nature remains a long-standing challenge. Herein, we present the first example of an intramolecular stereoselective Stetter reaction catalyzed by benzaldehyde lyase, guided by the rational structure screening of various ThDP-dependent enzymes using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. After optimization, high productivity (up to 99 %) and stereoselectivity (up to 99:1 e.r.) for this novel enzyme function was achieved.

The first global method for the preparation of 3-phosphorylated-pyrroles, -furans, -thiophenes, and 4-phosphorylated 2,5-dihydropyridazines is reported. To achieve this, the first protocol for the direct synthesis of α-phosphorylated 1,4-diketones has been developed through a carbene-catalyzed Stetter reaction of vinylphosphonates and aldehydes. This is the first synthetic method for accessing 4-phosphorylated 2,5-dihydropyridazines. This process is metal-free and produces multifunctionalized heterocycles.

The total synthesis of iheyamine A from readily available ethyl 2-aminocinnamate and 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxaldehyde is described. The cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction of an aldimine derived from ethyl 2-aminocinnamate and 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxaldehyde provided the desired unsymmetrical 2,2'-bisindole-3-acetic acid derivative. The subsequent introduction of an amino group at the C-3' position, followed by the formation of the azepine ring, completed the total synthesis of iheyamine A.

Stetter reaction between aromatic aldehydes and acrylonitrile/ethyl acrylate performing in [Bmim]Br in the presence of NaOH is described. N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) generates in situ is shown to be an efficient catalyst. Benzoin condensation also occured as side reaction.

The catalytic umpolung of imines remains an underdeveloped approach to reaction discovery. Herein we report an enantioselective aza-Stetter reaction that proceeds via imine umpolung using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. The reaction proceeds with high levels of enantioselectivity (all ≥96:4 er) and good generality (21 examples). Mechanistic studies are reported and are consistent with turnover-limiting addition of the NHC to the imine.

A new protocol to access benzo[a]carbazole derivatives was developed, via the cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction/Friedel–Crafts reaction sequence. The cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction of aldimines derived from 2-aminochalcones and aromatic aldehydes provided the corresponding 2-aryl-3-arenacylindole derivatives, which could be converted to benzo[a]carbazoles via intramolecular Friedel–Crafts ractions. Various 2-aminochalcones and aldehydes were applicable to this protocol, affording the desired benzo[a]carbazoles in good to high yields. Furthermore, we also developed a sequential protocol for the construction of benzo[a]carbazoles from 2-aminochalcones and aldehydes, without isolating any intermediates.

International audience; The first bio-inspired N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-catalyzed Stetter reaction in aqueous medium is reported with benzaldehyde and chalcone as model substrates. A screening of azolium salts as precatalysts revealed the remarkable efficiency of synthetic thiazolium salt 8 (up to 90% conversion in pure water at 75°C). The reaction was successfully extended to various simple aldehyde substrates. The effect of temperature was also investigated in order to extend the reaction at lower temperature allowing a potential application to sensitive biomolecules. This study highlighted the influence of both solvent and temperature onto 1,4 diketone 3/benzoin 4 ratio. New precatalysts 26 and 27 were designed and synthesized to explore a possible compartmentalization of the reaction in aqueous conditions. Owing to the use of inexpensive metal-free Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) as bioinspired catalyst, we anticipate that this green strategy in aqueous conditions will be attractive for bioconjugation of many biomolecule-type aldehydes and enones derivatives.

We report a visible‐light‐mediated organocatalytic strategy for the enantioselective acyl radical conjugate addition to enals, leading to valuable 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds. The process capitalizes upon the excited‐state reactivity of 4‐acyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines that, upon visible‐light absorption, can trigger the generation of acyl radicals. By means of a chiral amine catalyst, iminium ion activation of enals ensures a stereoselective radical trap. We also demonstrate how the combination of this acylation process with a second catalyst‐controlled bond‐forming event allows to selectively access the full matrix of all possible stereoisomers of the resulting 2,3‐substituted 1,4‐dicarbonyl products.

The N-heterocycle carbene (NHC)-catalyzed dual Stetter cascade reaction is discovered through coupling of β-nitrostyrene with phthalaldehyde under mild conditions to furnish valuable aryl-naphthoquinones. The generality of the new reaction is validated through the development of a C-C and O-C bond forming Stetter cascade reaction using salicylaldehydes to obtain functionalized dihydroisoflavanones. The mild NHC organocatalysis is successfully employed for the construction of optically pure sugar-based naphthoquinones and dihydroisoflavanones. Herein, NHC is found as a unique and powerful organocatalyst to construct homoatomic C-C cross-coupling, heteroatomic O-C bond formation, and cascade cyclization utilizing NO2 as a leaving group at ambient temperature. A mechanistic pathway of the new metal-free catalysis is predicted on the basis of our ESI-MS study of the ongoing reaction and literature.

A novel organocatalytic approach to γ,γ-disubstituted butenolides is described. It is based on a fully site-selective functionalization of 5-alkylidenefuran-2(5H)-ones via trienamine-mediated [4+2]-cycloaddition with α,β,γ,δ-diunsaturated aldehydes. The developed methodology proceeds with excellent stereocontrol and constitutes a unique example of trienamine chemistry with vinylogous dienophiles. Importantly, the reaction has very broad scope and allows for the introduction of substituents also in the α- or the β-position of the butenolide ring. Usefulness of the products obtained has been confirmed in the intramolecular Stetter reaction leading to polycyclic product.

Oxazolium salts were successfully employed for the first time as organocatalysts for benzoin, Stetter, and redox esterification reactions. An N-mesityl oxazolium salt catalyzed homobenzoin reaction of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic aldehydes delivered α-hydroxy ketones in high yields. This new type of catalyst proved remarkably effective for the Stetter reaction of challenging substrates such as β-alkyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones and electron-rich aromatic aldehydes in comparison to common thiazolium and triazolium salts.

An efficient synthesis of bisbenzopyrones by a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroacylation-Stetter reaction cascade has been developed. A series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical bisbenzopyrones were obtained with good to excellent yields. Bisbenzopyran-4-ol was synthesized efficiently.

An intermolecular Stetter reaction of aromatic aldehydes with maleimides has been developed using thiazolylidene salt derived Isa‒NHC as an efficient organocatalyst. The synthesized Stetter products “3‒aroylsuccinimides” are important building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and bioactive compounds. The reaction conditions are mild, and various substituents on aromatic aldehyde and maleimide nitrogen were tolerated.

The Stetter reaction, a conjugate umpolung reaction, is well known for cyanide-catalyzed transformations of mostly aromatic aldehydes. Enzymatic Stetter reactions, however, have been largely unexplored, especially with respect to preparative transformations. We have investigated the kinetics of the MenD-catalyzed 1,4-addition of α-ketoglutaric acid to acrylonitrile which has shown that acrylonitrile, while an interesting candidate, is a poor substrate for MenD due to low affinity of the enzyme for this substrate. The kinetic model of the reaction was simplified to double substrate Michaelis–Menten kinetics where the reaction rate linearly depends on acrylonitrile concentration. Experiments at different initial concentrations of acrylonitrile under batch, repetitive batch, and fed-batch reactor conditions were carried out to validate the developed mathematical model. Thiamine diphosphate dependent MenD proved to be quite a robust enzyme; nevertheless, enzyme operational stability decay occurs in the reactor. The spontaneous reactivity of acrylonitrile towards polymerization was also taken into account during mathematical modeling. Almost quantitative conversion of acrylonitrile was achieved in all batch reactor experiments, while the yield of the desired product was dependent on initial acrylonitrile concentration (i.e., the concentration of the stabilizer additive). Using the optimized reactor parameters, it was possible to synthesize the product, 6-cyano-4-oxohexanoic acid, in a concentration of 250 mM. The highest concentration of product was achieved in a repetitive batch reactor experiment. A fed-batch reactor experiment also delivered promising results, especially regarding the short reaction time needed to achieve a 200 mM concentration of product. Hence, the enzymatic Stetter reaction with a highly reactive acceptor substrate can be performed on a preparative scale, which should enable similar transformations with acrylate, methacrylate, and methyl vinyl ketone.

A strategy toward tetrapetalones was explored including a site-selective ethylenation of the silyl enol ether A to afford a quaternary stereocenter that serves in a stereogenic capacity. Regio- and diastereoselective reactions were observed in conjunction with the oxidative formation of cation B, which included subsequent selective formation of either carbon-oxygen or carbon-carbon bonds at the δ or ζ position on the seven-membered ring. The fourth ring was formed using a Stetter reaction.

Recent developments of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)- catalyzed acyl-anion equivalent (Stetter reaction), homoenolate and enolate reactions with reactive nitroalkene as a Michael acceptor are described. Systematically, a unique strategy for NHC-catalyzed C-C bond formation reactions using nitroalkenes for the synthesis of synthons are presented, particularly in asymmetric approach. Advances in the single-electron-transfer (SET) reaction merging with NHC as an organocatalyst are also discussed with nitroalkenes as important coupling partners. This review attracts both the accomplishments and the future works needed in this important area.

An N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed intermolecular Stetter reaction of aromatic aldehydes with N-substituted itaconimides has been developed. A delicate balance between the Stetter reaction and the competing isomerization of the itaconimide double bond has been achieved in this operationally simple reaction to afford valuable new succinimide derivatives containing 1,4 and 1,5 dicarbonyl scaffolds in good to excellent yields. The reaction tolerates variable substituents on both aldehydes and N-substituted itaconimides.

Thiazolium carbene-catalyzed reactions of 1,2-diketones and 1,2,3-triketones with enones and ynones have been investigated. The diketones gave α,β-double acylation products via unique Breslow intermediates isolable as acid salts, whereas the triketones formed stable adducts with the NHC instead of the coupling products.

4-Ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-buten-2-one (ETFBO) serves as a trifluoromethyl-containing building block for the preparation of trifluoromethyl-substituted thiophenes, furans, pyrrols, and piperazines. Key steps are an addition–elimination reaction to ETFBO followed by the thiazolium-catalyzed Stetter reaction. The scope of this chemistry was demonstrated in a new synthetic approach towards the COX-2 selective, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Celebrex® (celecoxib).

Highly concise total syntheses of paullone and kenpaullone were developed. Cyanide-catalyzed intramolecular imino-Stetter reaction of aldimines derived from methyl 2-aminocinnamate derivatives and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde provided 2-(2′-nitrophenyl)indole-3-acetic acid derivatives. Subsequent reduction of the nitro group with zinc under acidic conditions to an amino group followed by spontaneous lactam formation allowed for the total syntheses of paullone and kenpaullone to be completed in two steps starting from commercially available materials. The direct use of a nitro group as the precursor of an amino group present in the phenyl ring at the 2-position in the indole ring significantly streamlined the total syntheses of these target molecules.

We reported herein an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-mediated intermolecular Stetter reaction between oxidized Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) adducts and a variety of aldehydes. This protocol allows the synthesis of highly functionalized 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds. The reaction is an alternative approach to these compounds using commercially available starting materials. This metal-free process exhibits a wide substrate scope, excellent atom economy, compatibility with functionalized substrates and mild reaction conditions. The 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds were prepared in two steps via MBH reactions with overall yields up to 99 %. This protocol is easily scalable. The synthetic usefulness of this method was demonstrated in a high yield synthesis of a tri-substituted pyrrole used as an advanced intermediate in the total synthesis of kinase inhibitors as well as in the synthesis of another heterocycles.

N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysis allows the rapid formation of functionalized carbon–carbon bonds. Our group has spent the previous decade focusing on broadening practical applications of this type of catalysis. The design and discovery of novel reactivities and catalysts in our group can best be divided into work focusing on the Stetter, ring-expansion, and cross-benzoin reactions. Along with our expansion of the reaction scope, our introduction of novel bis(amino)cyclopropenylidene catalysts for the Stetter reaction successfully suppresses formation of side products, increasing synthetic utility. Concurrent work on ring-expansion reactions allows access to functionalized lactones and lactams. In addition to expanding the scope of the cross-benzoin reaction through use of α-ketoesters and α-amino aldehydes, the introduction of a new triazolylidene catalyst has allowed access to general chemoselective cross-benzoin reactions between aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. 1 Introduction 2 Stetter Reactions 2.1 Domino Stetter Reactions 3 Ring-Expansion Reactions 4 Cross-Benzoin Reactions 5 Summary and Outlook

The microwave-assisted coupling-isomerization reaction is a practical entry to 1-thienyl-substituted 3-(hetero)arylpropenones, which can be transformed, either stepwise or in a one-pot fashion, via Stetter reaction into thienyl-substituted 1,4-diketones. The terminal Paal–Knorr condensation with Lawesson's reagent gives rise to the formation of bi- or terthiophenes in good yield. The title compounds show substantial blue to blue-green fluorescence upon excitation with UV light.

A new strategy applicable to the synthesis of indoloquinolizine natural products has been developed. A cyanide-catalyzed intramolecular imino-Stetter reaction of aldimines, derived from 2-aminocinnamic acid derivatives and 2-pyridinecarboxaldehydes, provided indole-3-acetic acid derivatives bearing a pyridyl ring at the 2-position. Reduction of the carboxylic acid moiety to an alcohol followed by activation of the resulting alcohol with Tf2O or TsCl generated indoloquinolizinium salts, which were utilized as precursors for indoloquinolizine natural products. The advantage of this protocol was successfully demonstrated in the total syntheses of arborescidine A and nauclefidine.

A general and efficient method for the synthesis of tricyclic spirocarbocycles is described. Various cyclic enal-enones were reacted with an N-heterocyclic carbene, and an intramolecular Stetter reaction proceeded smoothly to give various tricyclic spiro-1,4-diketones in 31–72% yields. The ring size of the spiro compounds can be easily controlled using different cyclic enals and enones or by altering the length of the carbon tether.

Various benzaldehyde tethers with a cyclic enone were prepared from commercially available 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes via a three-step sequence involving triflate formation, Sonogashira cross-coupling, and regioselective hydrogenation. These substrates were then exposed to an N-heterocyclic carbene, whereupon intramolecular Stetter reaction proceeded smoothly to give various spirofused tricyclic 1,4-diketones in 30-87% yields. Furaldehyde and nicotinaldehyde derivatives also participated in the reaction under the Stetter conditions.

The α-regioselective asymmetric [3 + 2] annulation reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates from isatins and activated ortho-vinylbenzaldehyses was developed by the catalysis of a chiral tertiary amine. The sequential N-heterocyclic carbene-mediated intramolecular Stetter reaction was conducted to finally furnish the bridged 5,8-methanobenzo[7]annulen-9-one architectures incorporating a spirooxindole motif with excellent stereoselectivity.

Radical developments: Photochemical/secondary amine dual catalysis has proven to be an efficient strategy for radical umpolung reactions. Two new processes provide an elegant solution to a long-standing chemoselectivity problem for the synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds.

Two novel chiral verbenone-derived triazolium salts have been synthesized from readily available (&minus, )-verbenone and found to be efficient for the enantioselective intramolecular Stetter reaction. The approach, based on the intramolecular annulation between acyl anion equivalents and Michael acceptors, benefits from broad substrate scope, high chemical and stereochemical efficiency, and operational simplicity. Mono-, and disubstituded chromanone derivatives have been obtained in excellent yields and in a highly stereochemical manner.

The intermolecular or intramolecular asymmetric benzoin reaction was catalyzed by a small amount of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) (0.2-1 mol %) under solvent-free conditions. The solvent-free intramolecular asymmetric Stetter reaction also proceeded efficiently with NHC (0.2-1 mol %). In some cases, even solid-to-solid or solid-to-liquid conversions took place with low catalyst loading (0.2-1 mol %).

A short and concise formal synthesis of enantiopure dihydroartemisinic acid from (R)-citronellal is described in this article. Intramolecular version of asymmetric Stetter reaction using Rovis aminoindane based NHC catalyst was explored to access the core substituted cyclohexanone framework which on functional group manipulation and late stage ring closing metathesis (RCM) reaction afforded an advanced intermediate for dihydroartemisinic acid.

A series of novel chiral triazolium salts derived from (−)-β-pinene were synthesized and found to be highly efficient precatalysts for the enantioselective intramolecular Stetter reaction. The triazolium salts prepared from a single precursor, (−)-β-pinene, react with antipodal enantiofacial selectivity in the Stetter reaction to afford mono-, di-, and trisubstituted chromanones in excellent yields with excellent stereoselectivity.

Intermolecular Stetter reaction of aromatic aldehydes with (E)-(2-nitrovinyl)cyclohexane catalyzed by thiazolium A has been developed. The reaction rate and efficiency are profoundly impacted by the presence of thiourea B. The reaction affords moderate to good yields of the Stetter product. Some factors influencing yield were discussed.