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A multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between heterocyclic aldehydes, amino esters and dipolarophiles is efficiently promoted by silver acetate as catalyst, and depending on the nature of the heterocycle and its reactivity the reaction requires 70 °C or rt to complete. Selected pharmacophores anchored to a formyl group are chromone, 5-methoxyindole, pyridoxal surrogates and a very attractive uracyl derivative. The preference of each tested amino esters towards different dipolarophiles is discussed. At the end, a selective reduction of the ester group allows to obtain a very interesting dideoxiazanucleoside derivative.

An innovative and efficient monoalkylation and nonsymmetrical 3,3-dialkylation of oxindoles has been achieved. First, the monoalkylation of 3-acetyl-2-oxindoles can be performed in good yields under mild reaction conditions using alkyl halides and benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (Triton B) as base at room temperature. This methodology is applied to construct the synthetically challenging compound 1,3-dimethyl-2-oxindole. Subsequent deacylative alkylation (DaA) of the alkylated 3-acetyl-2-oxindoles with alkyl halides takes place efficiently using LiOEt or by conjugate addition with electron-deficient alkenes in the presence of Triton B at room temperature under argon, affording the corresponding unsymmetrically 3,3-disubstituted 2-oxindoles. This simple methodology has been applied to the synthesis of precursors of horsfiline, esermethole, physostigmine, and phenserine alkaloids.

The asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an imino ester 5 with tert-butyl acrylate is catalyzed by a dual chiral silver(I) complex formed from a chiral phosphoramidite 14 and the chiral silver(I) binolphosphate (R)-17. This reaction is selected to achieve the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched key structures to access the third generation of GSK HCV inhibitors. The scope of this dual chiral catalytic system is analyzed by employing different imino esters and dipolarophiles, and also compared with the same cycloaddition reactions performed with the chiral phosphoramidite 14·AgClO4 complex.

A versatile, facile and concise approach to access to highly substituted functionalized 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)thiazole ring system is accomplished. The efficient protocol proceeds by the reaction of corresponding racemic or enantiomerically enriched pyrrolidines and readily available benzoylisothiocyanate in acetonitrile followed by sequential reaction of readily available alpha-bromo ketones in acetone. The selectivity and good yield in the desired product is another important advantage of this reaction protocol. In a few cases, the resulting N-benzoylthiourea intermediate cyclizes spontaneously before reacting with the benzophenone component. Finally, a wide study of the biological scope of this new bisheterocyclic molecules is reported.

This review summarizes the trends in the formation of complex or not so complex heterocyclic structures through 1,3-dipolar cy­cloadditions of azomethine ylides. Diastereo- and enantioselective processes as well as non-asymmetric cycloadditions constitute very important synthetic tools for achieving these compounds. This review covers the literature from 2015 through 2016 and organizes the research in terms of biologically important heterocycles and natural products from cascade 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides to the simpler forms of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.

The synthesis of polyfunctionalized indolizidines from pipecolinic acid alkyl ester derivatives, aldehydes and a wide range of dipolarophiles by multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions is developed in a diastereoselective manner. The cycloadditions take place in toluene with short reaction times at 70 °C, giving good yields. The synthesis of these fused heterocycles is also studied starting from pipecolinic acid, generating the dipole through a decarboxylative route at 120 °C. The relative configuration of the resulting products as well as the mechanistic pathways are also explained.

The multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of different 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes with in-situ-generated azomethine ylides produces 1,2,4-triazepines or pyrrolidines by [3+4] or [3+2] cycloadditions, respectively. The regioselectivity is controlled by the electron-withdrawing group bound to the azo moiety of the 1,2-diaza-1,3-diene, which promotes exclusively the [3+4] cycloaddition. When the electron-withdrawing group is replaced with a phenyl group, only a [3+2] cycloaddition occurs.

2,2′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl (binap) and phosphoramidites are privileged chiral ligands that have been tested in the coinage-metal-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of metalloazomethine ylides and electrophilic alkenes. Silver(I), copper(II), and gold(I) salts have been evaluated in all of these reactions. Maleimides, acrylates, fumarates, 1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene, and enones reacted with imino esters to give the corresponding endo-prolinates, such as hepatitis C (HCV) inhibitors, in high diastereo- and enantioselectivity using either binap–silver and –gold(I) or phosphoramidite–silver complexes. In the case of nitroalkenes, exo-4-nitroprolinates were obtained using silver or copper(II) phosphoramidite complexes. Azlactones reacted with maleimides and acrylates to give pyrrolines only in the presence of binap–gold(I) complexes. The observed enantioselectivity and mechanism of these 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions were studied for the most relevant examples by means of DFT calculations.

Different chiral bifunctional organocatalysts derived from trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine bearing different types of guanidine units able to form-hydrogen bonding activation have been designed. Conformational rigid 2-aminobenzimidazoles bearing a tertiary amino group have been used in enantioselective Michael type reactions of activated methylene compounds to nitroalkenes. The C2 symmetric bis(2-aminobenzimidazole) derivatives the appropriate organocatalyst for the conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to maleimides as well as for the SN1 reaction of benzylic alcohols with carbon nucleophiles. 2-Aminobenzimidazoles bearing a primary amino group have shown excellent catalytic activity in the Michael reaction of aldehydes to maleimides and nitroalkenes. Diastereomeric 2-aminopyrimidines bearing a prolinamide unit have been incorporated in the trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine scaffold and have been used for the inter- and intra-molecular direct aldol reaction under solvent-free conditions. For the Michael reaction of aldehydes with maleimides the primary amine 2-aminopyrimidine has shown excellent efficiency as organocatalyst. The bifunctional character of these organocatalysts has been demonstrated by means of DFT calculations.

The enantioselective Taniaphos·silver fluoride-catalyzed enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using 2,2-dimethoxyacetaldehyde derived imino esters and maleimides is described. The employment of this complex allows the reaction in the absence of an extra base giving high yields and ee of the corresponding endo-cycloadducts. Calculations performed at B3LYP/6-31G*&LANL2DZ level of theory predicted the expected absolute stereochemistry for both BINAP and Taniaphos·silver fluoride-mediated cycloadditions, as well as the enantioselectivity and mild conditions of the reaction.

The organocatalytic activities of highly substituted proline esters obtained through asymmetric [3+2] cycloadditions of azomethine ylides derived from glycine iminoesters have been analyzed by 19F NMR and through kinetic isotope effects. Kinetic rate constants have been determined for unnatural proline esters incorporating different substituents. It has been found that exo-L and endo-L unnatural proline methyl esters yield opposite enantiomers in aldol reactions between cyclic ketones and aromatic aldehydes. The combined results reported in this study show subtle and remote effects that determine the organocatalytic behavior of these synthetic but readily available amino acid derivatives. These data can be used as design criteria for the development of new pyrrolidine-based organocatalysts.

Azomethine imines are considered 1,3-dipoles of the aza-allyl type which are transient intermediates and should be generated in situ but can also be stable and isolable compounds. They react with electron-rich and electron-poor olefins as well as with acetylenic compounds and allenoates mainly by a [3 + 2] cycloaddition but they can also take part in [3 + 3], [4 + 3], [3 + 2 + 2] and [5 + 3] with different dipolarophiles. These 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions (1,3-DC) can be performed not only under thermal or microwave conditions but also using metallo- and organocatalytic systems. In recent years enantiocatalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions have been extensively considered and applied to the synthesis of a great variety of dinitrogenated heterocycles with biological activity. Acyclic azomethine imines derived from mono and disubstituted hydrazones could be generated by prototropy under heating or by using Lewis or Brønsted acids to give, after [3 + 2] cycloadditions, pyrazolidines and pyrazolines. Cyclic azomethine imines, incorporating a C–N bond in a ring, such as isoquinolinium imides are the most widely used dipoles in normal and inverse-electron demand 1,3-DC allowing the synthesis of tetrahydro-, dihydro- and unsaturated pyrazolo[1,5-a]isoquinolines in racemic and enantioenriched forms with interesting biological activity. Pyridinium and quinolinium imides give the corresponding pyrazolopyridines and indazolo[3,2-a]isoquinolines, respectively. In the case of cyclic azomethine imines with an N–N bond incorporated into a ring, N-alkylidene-3-oxo-pyrazolidinium ylides are the most popular stable and isolated dipoles able to form dinitrogen-fused saturated and unsaturated pyrazolopyrazolones as racemic or enantiomerically enriched compounds present in many pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other useful chemicals.

Palladium and bimetallic Pd–Ni nanoparticles (NPs) protected by polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared by the reduction-by-solvent method and deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The catalytic activity of these NPs to carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions was studied by using 0.1 mol % Pd loading, at 120 °C for 1 h and water as a solvent under ligand-free conditions. The Suzuki–Miyaura reaction took place quantitatively for the cross-coupling of 4-bromoanisole with phenylboronic acid, better than those obtained with potassium phenyltrifluoroborate, with Pd50Ni50/MWCNTs as a catalyst and K2CO3 as a base and TBAB as an additive, with good recyclability during 4 cycles with some Ni leaching. The Hiyama reaction of 4-iodoanisole with trimethoxyphenylsilane, under fluoride-free conditions using 50 % aqueous NaOH solution, was performed with Pd/MWCNTs as a catalyst in 83 % yield with low recyclability. For the Mizoroki-Heck reaction 4-iodoanisole and styrene gave the corresponding 4-methoxystilbene quantitatively with Pd50Ni50/MWCNTs using K2CO3 as a base and TBAB as an additive although the recycle failed. In the case of the Sonogashira-Hagihara reaction, Pd/MWCNTs had to be used as a catalyst and pyrrolidine as a base for the coupling of 4-iodoanisole with phenylacetylene under copper-free conditions. The corresponding 4-methoxytolane was quantitatively obtained allowing the recycling of the catalyst during 3 cycles.

Chiral L-prolinamides 2 containing the (R,R)- and (S,S)-trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine scaffold and a 2-pyrimidinyl unit are synthesized and used as general organocatalysts for intermolecular and intramolecular aldol reactions with 1,6-hexanedioic acid as a co-catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The intermolecular reaction between ketone–aldehyde and aldehyde–aldehyde must be performed under wet conditions with catalyst (S,S)-2b at 10 °C, which affords anti-aldols with high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities. For the Hajos–Parrish–Eder–Sauer–Wiechert reaction, both diastereomers of catalyst 2 give similar results at room temperature in the absence of water to give the corresponding Wieland–Miescher ketone and derivatives. Both types of reactions were scaled up to 1 g, and the organocatalysts were recovered by extractive workup and reused without any appreciable loss in activity. DFT calculations support the stereochemical results of the intermolecular process and the bifunctional role played by the organocatalyst by providing a computational comparison of the H-bonding networks occurring with catalysts 2a and 2b.

This review highlights the biological importance of many polysubstituted nitro-prolines and -pyrrolidines. Their preparation using asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides with nitroalkenes using diastereoselective and enantioselective strategies is described remarking the scope and main features of each one.

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between glycine-derived azlactones with maleimides is efficiently catalyzed by the dimeric chiral complex [(Sa)-Binap·AuTFA]2. The alanine-derived oxazolone only reacts with tert-butyl acrylate giving anomalous regiochemistry, which is explained and supported by Natural Resonance Theory and Nucleus Independent Chemical Shifts calculations. The origin of the high enantiodiscrimination observed with maleimides and tert-butyl acrylate is analyzed using DFT computed at M06/Lanl2dz//ONIOM(b3lyp/Lanl2dz:UFF) level. Several applications of these cycloadducts in the synthesis of new proline derivatives with a 2,5-trans-arrangement and in the preparation of complex fused polycyclic molecules are described.

The synthesis of unnatural pyrrolizidines has been studied using a multicomponent-domino process involving proline or 4-hydroxyproline esters, an aldehyde and a dipolarophile. The formation of the iminium salt promotes the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition affording highly substituted pyrrolizidines under mild conditions and high regio- and diastereoselectivities.

Chiral complexes formed by phosphoramidites such as (Sa,R,R)-9 and Cu(OTf)2 are excellent catalysts for the general 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and nitroalkenes affording the corresponding tetrasubstituted proline esters mainly as exo-cycloadducts in high er at room temperature. The exo-cycloadducts can be obtained in enantiomerically pure form just after simple recrystallization. DFT calculations support the stereochemical results.

En esta comunicación se pondrán en común las experiencias de distintos docentes del Departamento que han impartido asignaturas de Química Orgánica tanto en la antigua Licenciatura como en el nuevo Grado de Químicas. Las asignaturas en que se focaliza el estudio, debido a que son de obligada realización, son: Química Orgánica, Estereoquímica Orgánica, Determinación Estructural de Compuestos Orgánicos y Química Orgánica Avanzada. El objetivo de este estudio permitirá evaluar los cambios que se han llevado a cabo desde el punto de vista de las nuevas metodologías docentes que se han debido aplicar así como de los cambios de contenido que han sufrido las asignaturas. También se pretende evaluar los resultados obtenidos por los alumnos resaltando y comparando las ventajas e inconvenientes encontradas en el nuevo plan de estudios. Además, como fin último este estudio pretende poner en común aquellas estrategias que mejor resultado hayan dado desde distintos ámbitos docentes para aplicarlas en futuros cursos.

Binap-AgSbF6 catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions between azomethine ylides and electrophilic alkenes are described and compared with analogous transformations mediated by other Binap-silver(I) salt complexes. Maleimides and 1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene are suitable dipolarophiles for obtaining very good enantioselectivities, even better values are generated by a multicomponent version. There are some very interesting applications of the disulfonylated cycloadducts in the total synthesis of cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines, precursors of natural products, or valuable intermediates in the synthesis of antiviral compounds.

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and alkenes is efficiently catalysed by [{(Sa)-Binap-Au(tfa)}2] (Binap=2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl; tfa=trifluoroacetyl). Maleimides, 1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene, chalcone and nitrostyrene were suitable dipolarophiles even when using sterically hindered 1,3-dipole precursors. The results obtained in these transformations improve the analogous ones obtained in the same reactions catalysed by [Binap–Ag(tfa)]. In addition, computational studies have also been carried out to demonstrate both the high enantioselectivity exhibited by the chiral gold(I) complex, and the non-linear effect observed in this transformation.

The enantioselective titanium(IV)-catalyzed cyanobenzoylation of aldehydes using 1:1 BINOLAM/Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures as a precatalyst gave O-aroyl cyanohydrins 4 with good enantiomeric excesses. The standard optimization set carried out on the assumption of Curtin–Hammett behavior, led to no amelioration. Extensive experimental and computational studies were carried out with the purpose of identifying the key mechanistic aspects governing enantioselectivity. HCN and isopropyl benzoate were detected in the reacting mixtures. This as well as the reaction response to the presence of an exogenous base, and the failure to react in the presence of Binol/Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures, led us to propose, not a direct but an indirect process involving an enantioselective hydrocyanation step followed by O-benzoylation. Computational work carried out with mononuclear monomeric MM and dinuclear mixed dimer DlMD as catalysts support this mechanistic proposal. On the other hand, cyanobenzoylations carried out with 1:2 or higher 1:n (up to 1:5) BINOLAM/Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures appear to involve a reversal of the enantioselection. This, together with the fact that the benzoylation of the ligated iPrOH is a slow reaction, has led us to conclude that these cyanobenzoylations do not fit within the standard Curtin–Hammett kinetic scheme. Instead, such BINOLAM/Ti(OiPr)4 -catalyzed cyanobenzoylations of aldehydes rather behave as non-Curtin–Hammett kinetic schemes. Further computational analysis is needed in order to make a clear distinction between Curtin–Hammett and non-Curtin–Hammett kinetic frameworks.

Extensive experimental and computational studies have been carried out on the enantioselective titanium(IV)-catalyzed cyanobenzoylation of aldehydes using 1:n Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures as precatalysts, with the purpose of identifying the key mechanistic aspects governing enantioselectivity. HCN and isopropyl benzoate were detected in the reacting mixtures. This, as well as the reaction’s response to the presence of an exogenous base, and the failure to react in the presence of Binol:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures, led us to propose not a direct cyanobenzoylation but an indirect process involving enantioselective hydrocyanation followed by O-benzoylation. Computational work provided positive evidence for the intervention of both indirect and direct cyanobenzoylation routes, the former being faster. However, the standard Curtin–Hammett-based optimization search ended with unsatisfactory results. Experimental and computational DFT studies (B3LYP/6-31G*) led us to conclude that: (1) the overall cyanobenzoylation of aldehydes catalyzed by 1:n Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures involves an enantioselective hydrocyanation followed by an stereochemically inert O-benzoylation; (2) the initial complexes prevailing in a 1:1 Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixture are the solvated mononuclear monomer 5·2(iPrOH) and solvated dinuclear dimer 9·2(iPrOH), whereas 9·2(iPrOH) is the major component in a 1:2 or higher 1:n mixture; (3) since the slowest step is that of benzoylation of ligated iPrOH which yields the actual catalysts 5–9, the catalytic system fits into a non-Curtin–Hammett framework, the final products deriving from a kinetic quench of the competing routes; and (4) accordingly, catalysis by 1:1 Binolam:Ti(OiPr)4 mixtures should involve cyanobenzoylations promoted by mononuclear 5, contaminated with those promoted by some dinuclear open dimer 9, whereas cyanobenzoylations catalyzed by a 1:2 and higher 1:n mixtures should be the result of catalysis promoted by the large amounts of dinuclear open dimer 9.

Research devoted to the synthesis of highly substituted prolines, which are hepatitis C virus inhibitors, using 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions (1,3-DC) of azomethine ylides is described. In the first part, a diastereoselective approach using an inexpensive lactate-derived acrylate as dipolarophile is described. In the second part, our efforts using simple and easily accessible chiral silver(I) and gold(I) complexes as catalysts for enantioselective synthesis of proline derivatives are reviewed. In this case, chiral phosphoramidites and binap have been used as privileged ligands. Parallel to these experimental results, considerable effort was dedicated to run semiempirical density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explain and justify the stereoselectivity of each process.