Synfacts 2010(6): 0709-0709  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220005
Organo- and Biocatalysis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Organocatalytic Carbocyclizations

Contributor(s):Benjamin List, Ilija Čorić
first article: S. Rendler, D. W. C. MacMillan*, second article: R. R. Knowles, S. Lin, E. N. Jacobsen*
Princeton University, USA and Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
Enantioselective Polyene Cyclization via Organo-SOMO Catalysis
Enantioselective Thiourea-Catalyzed Cationic Polycyclizations
J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2010,  132:  5027-5029;   J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2010,  132:  5030-5032  
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 May 2010 (online)


Significance

The research groups of MacMillan and Jacobsen have developed examples of organocatalytic carbocyclizations. Rendler and MacMillan employed organo-SOMO catalysis for cyclizations of polyene aldehydes (e.g., 3). Poly­cycles (e.g., 4) were obtained in good yields and enantioselectivity with 30 mol% of secondary amine catalyst 1. Jacobsen and co-workers developed thiourea catalyst 2 which effects poly­cyclization of hydroxylactams (e.g., 5). Polycycles (e.g., 6) were obtained in moderate to good yields and enantiomeric ratios up to 97:3.

Comment

The biosynthesis of complex cyclic terpenes from polyene precursors has inspired the development of biomimetic polyene cycli­zations (R. A. Yoder, J. N. Johnston Chem. Rev. 2005, 105, 4730). An enantioselective polyene cycli­zation induced by Lewis acid assisted chiral ­Brønsted acid has been developed recently (H. Ishibashi, K. Ishihara, H. Yamamoto J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 11122). The cationic polycyclization reported by Jacobsen is initiated by the formation of a catalyst-bound iminium-chloride ion pair. As the enantioselectivity of the reaction is highly dependent on the size of the arene substituent in 2, stabilizing cation-π-interactions were proposed. Rendler and MacMillan have accomplished radical polycyclization of polyenals using the previously established organo-SOMO catalysis concept.