Asymmetric Intermolecular Tandem Reactions

For clarification, individual transformations of independent functionalities in one molecule - also forming several bonds under the same reaction conditions -are not classified as domino reactions. The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-chlorothricolide 0-4, as performed by Roush and coworkers [8], is a good example of tandem and domino processes (Scheme 0.1). I n the reaction of the acyclic substrate 0-1 in the presence of the chiral dienophile 0-2, intra- and intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions take place to give 0-3 as the main product. Unfortunately, the two reaction sites are independent from each other and the transformation cannot therefore be classified as a domino process. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful tandem reaction that allows the establishment of seven asymmetric centers in a single operation. 

The stereoselection in the cyclization of each diastereomer was examined independently. The stereochemical outcome of the cyclization should be predictable based on our assumption regarding the relationship between enolate stereochemistry and cyclopropane stereochemistry, the principles of asymmetric, intermolecular alkylation of optically active amides (9-13) and the assumption that the mechanism of cyclopropane formation involves a straightforward back-side, %2 reaction. In the case of the major diastereomer, the natural tendency of the enolate to produce the cis-cyclopropane will oppose the facial preference for the alkylation of the chiral enolate. Consequently, poorer stereochemical control would be ejected in the ring closure. In the minor diastereomer these two farces are working in tandem, and high degrees of stereocontrol should result. 

Recent applications of the Nazarov reaction, the cyclization of a 3-hydroxyphenyl-penta-l,4-dienyl cation, were reviewed.142 Tandem processes and asymmetric cycliza-tions were a particular focus of attention. Irradiation of (40) in aqueous base results in regioselective and stereoselective formation of (42).143 The allylic cation (41) is proposed as the key intermediate. A computational investigation was performed into the cofacial intermolecular n-n orbital interaction between n-conjugated main chains (C H +2) and allylic cations C3H54".144... 

Almost at the same time, Liu and Che published a cascade intermolecular hydroamination/asymmetric reduction sequence, which included achiral Au complex-catalyzed hydroamination of aryl amines and chiral phosphoric acid-promoted Hantzsch ester reduction to afford secondary aryl amines [70], More recently, the same group reported a tandem one-pot assembly of functionalized tetrahydroquino-lines from amino aldehyde and alkynes by combining Au and chiral phosphoric acid catalysis [71], The reaction was initiated by Au-promotedquinololine 210 generation, followed by an enantioselective HEH-incorporated transfer hydrogenation process (Scheme 9.67). 

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