Collective synthesis of acetylenic pharmaceuticals via enantioselective Nickel/Lewis acid-catalyzed propargylic alkylation

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 12;12(1):299. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20644-9.

Abstract

Chiral acetylenic derivatives are found in many bioactive compounds and are versatile functional groups in organic chemistry. Here, we describe an enantioselective nickel/Lewis acid-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution reaction from simple achiral materials under mild condition. The introduction of a Lewis acid cocatalyst is crucial to the efficiency of the transformation. Notably, we investigate this asymmetric propargylic substitution reaction for the development of a range of structurally diverse natural products. The power of this strategy is highlighted by the collective synthesis of seven biologically active compounds: (-)-Thiohexital, (+)-Thiopental, (+)-Pentobarbital, (-)-AMG 837, (+)-Phenoxanol, (+)-Citralis, and (-)-Citralis Nitrile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Alkynes / chemical synthesis*
  • Catalysis
  • Esters / chemistry
  • Lewis Acids / chemistry*
  • Malonates / chemistry
  • Nickel / chemistry*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemical synthesis*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Esters
  • Lewis Acids
  • Malonates
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Nickel
  • malonic acid