Bifunctional Iminophosphorane-Catalyzed Enantioselective Sulfa-Michael Addition to Unactivated α,β-Unsaturated Amides

Daniel Rozsar, Michele Formica, Ken Yamazaki, Trevor A. Hamlin, Darren J. Dixon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The first metal-free catalytic intermolecular enantioselective Michael addition to unactivated α,β-unsaturated amides is described. Consistently high enantiomeric excesses and yields were obtained over a wide range of alkyl thiol pronucleophiles and electrophiles under mild reaction conditions, enabled by a novel squaramide-based bifunctional iminophosphorane catalyst. Low catalyst loadings (2.0 mol %) were achieved on a decagram scale, demonstrating the scalability of the reaction. Computational analysis revealed the origin of the high enantiofacial selectivity via analysis of relevant transition structures and provided substantial support for specific noncovalent activation of the carbonyl group of the α,β-unsaturated amide by the catalyst.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1006-1015
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume144
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 19 2022
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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