Application of Molecular-Modeling, Scaffold-Hopping, and Bioisosteric Approaches to the Discovery of New Heterocyclic Picolinamides.

Macrocyclic natural products and their derivatives are a valuable source for biologically active crop protection products and have had significant impact on the development of conventional agrochemicals. However, they can be challenging starting points for lead-generation efforts because of their size, structural complexity, and developability. Using molecular modeling and electrostatic analysis, alternative bicyclic isosteres were identified as replacements for the antifungal nine-membered macrocycle UK-2A.

Expanding the scope of Metal-Free enantioselective allylic substitutions: Anthrones.

The highly enantioselective asymmetric allylic alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with anthrones is presented. The reaction is simply catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid derivatives affording the final alkylated products in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of spiropyrazolones.

We report a highly diastereoselective synthesis of spiropyrazolones catalyzed by secondary amines. The reported Michael-Aldol cascade reaction affords the desired spiropyrazolones bearing four chiral centers as a single diastereomer in excellent yields.

Synergistic catalysis: enantioselective addition of alkylbenzoxazoles to enals.

A novel catalytic enantioselective methodology based on synergistic catalysis is reported. The strategy involves: 1) the metal-Lewis-acid activation of alkylazaarenes, and 2) the secondary-amine activation of enals. Consequently, highly functionalized chiral alkylazaarenes were obtained in good yields and with reasonable stereoselectivity.

Synergistic catalysis: highly diastereoselective benzoxazole addition to Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates.

An expedited method has been developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized alkyl-azaarene systems with good yields and high diastereoselectivities (>15 : 1 dr). The methodology includes a synergistic catalysis event involving organometallic (10 mol% AgOAc) activation of an alkyl azaarene and Lewis base (10 mol% DABCO) activation of a Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonate. The structure and relative configuration of a representative product were confirmed by X-ray analysis.

Enantioselective organocatalytic asymmetric allylic alkylation. Bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane addition to MBH carbonates.

The highly enantioselective asymmetric allylic alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane is presented. The reaction is simply catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid derivatives affording the final alkylated products in good yields and enantioselectivities.