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The Boekelheide rearrangement is often employed for the oxy-functionalization of alkyl groups in the 2-position of pyridines, yet the corresponding alkylation reaction has so far not been realized since 1954. N -Alkenoxypyridinium functionalization has been widely applied to synthesize various carbonyl compounds by only using the carbonyl unit. Herein, we describe a simple yet efficient alkylation of N -alkenoxypyridiniums through the Boekelheide reaction for the synthesis of β-2-pyridyl alkyl ketones.

An unprecedented N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed annulation of isatin-derived enals and o-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-quinone methides as bifunctional reagents has been discovered. The new protocol involves a 1,6-addition of the homoenolate equivalent intermediates to the hydroxy donor-1,6-Michael acceptors and leads to spirocyclic oxindole-ε-lactones in high yields and very good stereoselectivities.

An efficient and highly stereoselective one-pot, four-component synthesis of functionalized tricyclic chromanes has been achieved through an organocatalyzed quadruple domino reaction. The reaction sequence involves an oxa-Michael/Michael/Michael/aldol condensation between alcohols, 2 equiv of acrolein, and nitrochromenes to generate the pharmaceutically important tricyclic chromanes bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers including a chiral tetrasubstituted carbon center in good domino yields (30-70%) and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (>20:1 dr and >99% ee).

The Plakortin polyketides represent a structurally and biologically fascinating class of marine natural products. Herein, we report a unified strategy that enables the divergent syntheses of various Plakortin polyketides with high step-economy and overall efficiency. As proof-of-concept cases, the enantioselective total syntheses of (+)-hippolachnin A, (+)-gracilioether A, (-)-gracilioether E, and (-)-gracilioether F have been accomplished based on a series of bio-inspired, rationally designed, or serendipitously discovered transformations, which include (1) an organocatalytic asymmetric 1,4-conjugate addition to assemble the common chiral γ-butenolide intermediate enroute to all of the aforementioned targets, (2) a challenging biomimetic [2+2] photocycloaddition to forge the oxacyclobutapentalene core of (+)-hippolachnin A, (3) a [2+2] photocycloaddition followed by one-pot oxidative cleavage of methyl ether/Baeyer-Villiger rearrangement to access (-)-gracilioether F, and (4) an unprecedented hydrogen-atom-transfer-triggered oxygenation of vinylcyclobutane to afford (+)-gracilioether A and (-)-gracilioether E in one pot.

In the last two decades, organocatalysis has emerged as an intensively investigated and rapidly growing area of research facilitating many known and many new transformations to provide efficient novel entries to complex molecules of high stereochemical purity. The organocatalysts have not only shown their efficiency for catalyzing the reactions in which one bond is formed, but they have also been effectively exploited in various versions of one-pot reactions. Domino reactions are one of the most important classes of one-pot reactions, where the target structure can be obtained in one pot without changing any reaction conditions while each reaction occurs as a consequence of the intermediates generated in previous steps. Owing to the synthetic importance and operational advantages associated with the use of organocatalysts and the development of domino reactions, various asymmetric transformations leading to a complex structure of choice have been explored. The early era of organocatalysis exhibits a limited growth in the development of asymmetric domino reactions with special emphasis on two reactions occurring one after the other. In 2006, our group made a step forward to develop more complex domino reactions catalyzed by a secondary amine organocatalyst, wherein three reactions take place in one pot to provide cyclohexene carbaldehydes bearing four stereogenic centers with excellent stereocontrol. This triggered our interest to develop new organocatalytic domino sequences, especially for multiple domino reactions. After our seminal contribution, domino reactions catalyzed by secondary amine organocatalysts not only became more popular, but they also could be catalyzed by other classes of organocatalysts, such as bifunctional hydrogen bonding catalysts, chiral Brønsted acids, and N-heterocyclic carbenes. The mode of activation in this triple domino reaction relied on the sequential generation of enamine and iminium intermediates using a proline-based chiral secondary amine organocatalyst. By employing this strategy, we have developed several triple domino reactions leading to the formation of carbo- and heterocyclic structures bearing multiple stereogenic centers with excellent levels of stereoselectivities. The applications of the secondary amine organocatalysts have been further extended to more complex quadruple domino sequences. Moreover, these multiple domino sequences have been combined successfully with other transformations in one pot to create densely functionalized polycyclic compounds. This Account gives an overview of our research in the area of organocatalytic asymmetric multiple domino reactions with special emphasis on the secondary amine catalyzed triple and quadruple domino reactions via a sequential generation of enamine and iminium intermediates. The multiple cascade reactions assisted by di- and tri-iminium and -enamine species as well as other types of organocatalysts have been excluded from the scope of this Account.

A new series of N-Boc ketimines derived from pyrazolin-5-ones have been used as electrophiles in asymmetric Mannich reactions with pyrazolones. The amino-bis-pyrazolone products are obtained in excellent yields and stereoselectivities by employing a very low loading of 1 mol % of a bifunctional squaramide organocatalyst. Depending on the substitution at position 4 of the pyrazolones, the new protocol allows for the generation of one or two tetrasubstituted stereocenters, including a one-pot version combing the Mannich reaction with a base-mediated halogenation.

A highly stereoselective triple domino reaction for the synthesis of functionalized tricyclic chromane scaffolds has been developed. A secondary amine-catalyzed domino Michael/Michael/aldol condensation reaction between aliphatic aldehydes, nitro-chromenes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes leads to the formation of synthetically important tricyclic chromanes bearing four contiguous stereogenic centers including a tetrasubstituted carbon in good yields (20-66%) and excellent stereoselectivities (>20:1 dr and >99% ee).

N-Heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), the alkylidene derivatives of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), have recently emerged as a new family of promising organocatalysts with strong nucleophilicity and Brønsted basicity. The development of a novel method is shown using NHOs as efficient promoters for the direct dehydrogenative silylation of alcohols or hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds. Preliminary results of the first NHO-promoted asymmetric synthesis are also discussed.

A novel method to utilize N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), the alkylidene derivatives of N-heterocycic carbenes, as organocatalysts to promote transesterification reactions has been developed. Because of their strong Brønsted/Lewis basicity, NHOs can enhance the nucleophilicity of alcohols for their acylation reactions with carboxylic esters. This transformation can be employed in industrially relevant processes such as the production of biodiesel, the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from plastic bottles for recycling purposes, and the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters to form biodegradable polymers such as polylactide (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL).

A low loading of a quinine-derived squaramide efficiently catalyzes the triple-domino Michael/aza-Henry/cyclization reaction between 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, β-nitroolefins, and aldimines to provide tetrahydropyridines bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers in good yields, excellent enantiomeric excesses, and up to high diastereomeric ratios.

A highly stereoselective one-pot procedure for the synthesis of five-membered annulated hydroxycoumarins has been developed. By merging primary amine catalysis with silver catalysis, a series of functionalized coumarin derivatives were obtained in good yields (up to 91%) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) via a Michael addition/hydroalkoxylation reaction. Depending on the substituents on the enynone, the synthesis of annulated six-membered rings is also feasible.

A diastereo- and enantioselective Michael/Henry/ketalization sequence to functionalized tetrahydropyrans is described. The multicomponent cascade reaction uses acetylacetone or β-keto esters, β-nitrostyrenes, and alkynyl aldehydes as substrates affording tetrahydropyrans with five contiguous stereocenters. Employing a bifunctional quinine-based squaramide organocatalyst, the title compounds are obtained in moderate to good yields (27-80%), excellent enantiomeric excesses (93-99% ee), and high diastereomeric ratios (dr > 20:1) after one crystallization.

A highly stereoselective one-pot procedure for the synthesis of spiropyrazolone derivatives bearing six contiguous stereogenic centers including two tetrasubstituted carbons has been developed. Under sequential catalysis by two organocatalysts, a cinchona-derived aminosquaramide and DBU, a series of diversely functionalized spiropyrazolones are obtained in good yields (47-62%) and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >25:1 dr and 98-99% ee). The opposite enantiomers of the spiropyrazolones are also accessible by employing a pseudoenantiomeric aminosquaramide catalyst.

An efficient one pot asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles has been developed. This class of biologically active heterocycles can be obtained via a secondary amine catalyzed asymmetric Michael/Wittig/oxa-Michael reaction sequence. Remarkably, the title compounds were accessible in good to very good yields and very good to excellent enantioselectivities after a single purification step.

Control over and understanding of single-molecule covalent coatings becomes increasingly important in tailoring surfaces during the fabrication of nanoscale electrical or optical elements, such as organic field-effect transistors and light-emitting devices as well as microelectromechanical systems as the relevant feature sizes decrease. In this work, we develop a model based on IR spectra from public databases and DFT calculations that can be used to semiquantitatively assess the level of double bonds in monolayer coatings. We use the model to show the enhancement of the C=C vibrational mode due to silicon substitution and also from additional unsaturated bonds. Simple models for other functional groups in organic monolayers could be produced similarly.

Alpha-amino nitriles, easily prepared from aldehydes, KCN, and an enantiopure secondary amine auxiliary, are metalated and used as nucleophiles in asymmetric Michael additions to nitroalkenes to afford the Michael adducts in good yields and good to excellent diastereoselectivities. After chromatographic purification, the diastereomerically pure 1,4-adducts are cleaved under acidic conditions to give the beta-nitro ketones in good yields and with two exceptions in good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (ee = 86-99%). The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray structure analysis.

Nature utilizes simple C2 and C3 building blocks, such as dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and the "active aldehyde" in various enzyme-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formations to efficiently build up complex organic molecules. In this Perspective, we describe the transition from using enantiopure chemical synthetic equivalents of these building blocks, employing our SAMP/RAMP hydrazone methodology and metalated chiral alpha-amino nitriles, to the asymmetric organocatalytic versions developed in our laboratory. Following this biomimetic strategy, the DHAP equivalent 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one (dioxanone) has been used in the proline-catalyzed synthesis of carbohydrates, aminosugars, carbasugars, polyoxamic acid, and various sphingosines. Proline-catalyzed aldol reactions involving a PEP-like equivalent have also allowed for the asymmetric synthesis of ulosonic acid precursors. By mimicking the "active aldehyde" nucleophilic acylations in Nature catalyzed by the thiamine-dependent enzyme, transketolase, enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed benzoin and Stetter reactions have been developed. Finally, based on Nature's use of domino reactions to convert simple building blocks into complex and highly functionalized molecules, we report on our development of biomimetic asymmetric multicomponent domino reactions which couple enamine and iminium catalysis.

The adsorption and desorption of Au nanoparticles (AuNP) in colloidal D2O suspension on the (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane treated SiO2/Si surface was investigated by in situ attenuated total reflection surface enhanced infrared absorption (ATR-SEIRA) spectroscopy with a liquid flow cell. With increasing surface density of AuNP, the absorption of the vibrational modes of D2O and of the citrate molecules covering the AuNP increases due to SEIRA. Repulsive electrostatic Coulomb forces between the AuNP lead to the saturation of the AuNP surface density at submonolayer coverage. We show that the adsorption kinetics can be investigated by monitoring in situ the molecular vibrational modes of D2O and the citrate molecules. Furthermore, we clarify that the adsorption process can be described very well by a diffusion-limited first-order Langmuir kinetics model. When exposing a saturated AuNP submonolayer to 2-aminoethanethiol (AET)/D2O solution, the AuNP are removed from the surface and the IR absorption of the D2O vibrational modes become weaker again. Taking into account the time dependencies of the OD and the CH peaks, we propose a microscopic model where the AET molecules quickly adsorb on the AuNP by replacing most of the precovering citrate molecules exposed to the AET solution. As this takes place, the AuNP agglomerate-as we could detect with scanning electron microscopy-and are finally removed from the surface.

[reaction: see text] A new concept of simultaneous covalent anchoring of a N-heterocyclic carbene palladium/ionic liquid matrix on the silica surface and the application of the resulting catalyst in the Heck reaction of a variety of different haloarenes is described. The catalyst shows high thermal stability (up to 280 degrees C) and could be recovered and reused for four reaction cycles, giving a total TON congruent with 36 600. Furthermore, TEM coupled with EDX analysis indicate the formation of Pd nanoparticles within the immobilized IL layer.

[structure: see text] The unusual [5.3.2]-bicyclic structure of the insecticidal Amaryllidaceae alkaloids cripowellin A (1) and B (2) has been synthesized for the first time via a sequence of Sharpless dihydroxylation, ring-closing metathesis, and intramolecular Heck reaction. The asymmetric synthesis of the 1-epi-aglycon 82 proceeds with virtually complete diastereo- and enantioselectivity (de, ee > or = 98%) in 13 steps and an overall yield of 5.6%. In addition, three alternative approaches toward the aglycon 3 are also described focusing on (1) the alkylation of the 2-benzazepinedithianes 35 and 36 with the electrophile 11, (2) a radical cyclization of the precursor (R/S,S,S)-39, and (3) an intramolecular arylation reaction of the aryl ketone 47.

[Reaction: see text]. The enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of tetrahydropalmatine (2) (ee = 98%), a natural alkaloid belonging to the tetrahydroprotoberberine family, is described. The key step of this total synthesis is based on our tandem 1,2-addition/ring-closure methodology employing lithiated methylbenzamide and benzaldehyde SAMP or RAMP hydrazones as substrates. An initial route was investigated for the formation of N- and 3-substituted dihydroisoquinolones starting from 2-substituted benzaldehyde SAMP hydrazones, but although high diastereoselectivity was achieved, only disappointing yields were obtained. In our subsequent synthetic strategy, 2,3-dimethoxy-6-methylbenzamide 6 and 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde SAMP or RAMP hydrazone 19 gave the dihydroisoquinolones 20 in high diastereomeric purity (de > or = 96%) and reasonable yield (54-55%), taking into account the complex functionalities established in one step. Cleavage of the N-N bond of the chiral auxiliary and reduction of the carbonyl group of the amide moiety were performed in the same step, and the resulting tetrahydroisoquinolines 22 (ee = 99%) were N-functionalized by treatment with various electrophiles to investigate the ring closure by Pummerer, Friedel-Crafts, and Pomeranz-Fritsch reactions. The Pummerer cyclization led to the formation of (S)-(-)-2 with slight racemization (ee = 89%), whereas the Friedel-Crafts reaction proved to be unsuccessful. Finally, Pomeranz-Fritsch-type cyclization afforded the desired title compound (R)-(+)-2 in excellent enantioselectivity in 9% overall yield over seven steps and after optimization of the last step (S)-(-)-2 in 17% overall yield.

The coenzyme thiamine (vitamin B1), a natural thiazolium salt, is involved in many enzymatic catalyses. Since it has been proposed that the catalytically active species of these reactions is a nucleophilic carbene, many chemists have tried to perform enzyme mimetic asymmetric carbene catalysis. After a long and difficult search, stable carbenes are finally isolated, characterized, and in the chemist's hands. The experiments of decades have finally resulted in successful enantioselective benzoin condensations and enantioselective intramolecular Stetter reactions as important examples of carbene catalyzed asymmetric nucleophilic acylation processes.

The nucleophilic Michael addition of 2-(diphenylmethoxymethyl)-1-methyleneamino pyrrolidine 1Dto prochiral aliphatic and aromatic alkylidene malonates 2 takes place in the presence of MgI(2) to afford the corresponding Michael adducts 3 in excellent yields and good selectivities. In the aromatic series, optically pure (de > 98%) major diastereomers (S,S)-3 were isolated in good yields (77-93%) after chromatographic separation. Direct, racemization-free BF(3).OEt(2)-catalyzed thiolysis of compounds 3 afforded dithioacetals 7. These compounds were transformed into malonates 8 and succinic semialdehyde derivatives 9 by Raney Nickel mediated desulfuration or decarboxylation, respectively.

The efficient esterification of various sulfonic acids and sulfonates using polymer-bound triazenes based on the triazene T2 linker is described. Esterification of enantiopure alpha-substituted sodium sulfonates was performed in the presence of an alkylating resin without racemization. Racemization is a serious drawback in the esterification route via sulfonyl chlorides because of intermediate sulfene formation. To demonstrate the versatility of this protocol, phosphoric and phosphinic acids have been converted into the corresponding esters as well. All products were obtained in good yield and excellent purities without any further purification steps.

Liquid-phase studies concerning the solid-phase synthesis of monocyclic beta-lactams via the ester-enolate imine condensation route have been conducted utilizing triazene esters 1 and 2 as model compounds. Esters were attached to benzylamine resin 6 by a triazene linker employing the respective diazonium salts. Immobilized ester-enolates 8 and 10 were reacted with various imines and imine precursors to give polymer-bound beta-lactams 14 and 17 in different substitution patterns. Traceless cleavage from the triazene linker yields the desired beta-lactams 16 and 19.

[structure: see text] The asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-callystatin A has been achieved. The key steps generating the stereogenic centers rely on the asymmetric alpha-alkylation of aldehydes or ketones exploiting the SAMP/RAMP hydrazone alkylation methodology, as well as an enzymatic enantioselective reduction of a 3,5-dioxocarboxylate. For the construction of the alkene moieties, highly selective Wittig or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions were employed.

[reaction: see text]. The first asymmetric P-C bond formation under heterogeneous conditions was achieved via a Fe2O3-mediated conjugate addition of a chiral phosphite to alkylidene malonates. The easy cleavage of the chiral auxiliary from the addition products leads to optically active beta-substituted beta-phosphono malonates in good yields and high enantiomeric excesses.

[reaction: see text] beta-Amino ketones and substituted 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones have been synthesized utilizing polymer-bound and carbamate-linked alpha-alkoxycarbonylamino sulfones. Key steps in the synthesis are the immobilization of the N-acylimine precursor, the Mannich-type addition of various nucleophiles, and the diastereoselective reduction of the resin-bound ketone.

[reaction: see text] An efficient asymmetric synthesis of alpha-trifluoromethyl-substituted primary amines via nucleophilic 1,2-addition of alkyllithium reagents to trifluoroacetaldehyde SAMP- or RAMP-hydrazone followed by benzoylation and SmI(2)-promoted nitrogen-nitrogen single bond cleavage is described.

[reaction: see text]. Two novel chiral hydrazine resins for asymmetric solid-phase synthesis have been developed. The enantiopure beta-methoxyamino auxiliaries, derived from trans-4-hydroxy-(S)-proline and (R)-leucine, were attached to Merrifield resin and transformed into their corresponding hydrazines. Immobilization of various aldehydes, followed by 1,2-addition of organolithium reagents to the resulting enantiopure hydrazones and reductive cleavage from the solid support, furnished alpha-branched amines, which were isolated as their corresponding amides in good overall yields and enantiomeric excesses of up to 86%.

A novel hydrazine linker resin for solid-phase organic synthesis has been developed. Starting from Merrifield resin, the new N-butyl-N-methylpolystyrene-hydrazine linker is prepared in three steps. Polymer-supported hydrazones, readily prepared from aldehydes and the hydrazine resin, react with alkyl- and arylorganolithium reagents under 1,2-addition to the C-N double bond to afford the corresponding hydrazines. Release from solid support was achieved by reductive N-N bond cleavage using the borane-tetrahydrofuran complex. The resulting alpha-branched primary amines were protected as their amides or carbamates, respectively, and, after purification, were obtained in good overall yields and in high purity (12 examples).

The ester enolate-imine condensation route to beta-lactams via an immobilized ester enolate has been achieved for the first time. The key reaction in the synthesis is the cyclization of the resin bound ester dianion and an imine. Traceless cleavage from the T1-triazene linker system yields the desired beta-lactams.

Deprotonation of enantiomerically pure hydrazones and subsequent trapping with suitable electrophiles generates new stereogenic centers with excellent stereoselectivity. To liberate the original carbonyl functionality in the final products, it is necessary to cleave the hydrazone moiety. In recent years, many reagents have been developed to regenerate carbonyl compounds from the corresponding dialkylhydrazones which are compatible with a wide range of functionalities. This has allowed the use of hydrazones in the total synthesis of complex natural products. This Account is meant to be an overview of methods which are classified as oxidative, hydrolytic, and reductive cleavage procedures.