Copper-Hydride-Catalyzed Enantioselective Processes with Allenyl Boronates. Mechanistic Nuances, Scope, and Utility...

Synthesis of complex bioactive molecules is substantially facilitated by transformations that efficiently and stereoselectively generate polyfunctional compounds. Designing such processes is hardly straightforward, however, especially when the desired route runs counter to the inherently favored reactivity profiles. Furthermore, in addition to being efficient and stereoselective, it is crucial that the products generated can be easily and stereodivergently modified. Here, we introduce a catalytic process that delivers versatile and otherwise difficult-to-access organoboron entities by combining an allenylboronate, a hydride, and an allylic phosphate. Two unique selectivity problems had to be solved: avoiding rapid side reaction of a Cu-H complex with an allylic phosphate, while promoting its addition to an allenylboronate as opposed to the commonly utilized boron-copper exchange. The utility of the approach is demonstrated by applications to concise preparation of the linear fragment of pumiliotoxin B (myotonic, cardiotonic) and enantioselective synthesis and structure confirmation of netamine C, a member of a family of anti-tumor and anti-malarial natural products. Completion of the latter routes required the following noteworthy developments: (1) a two-step all-catalytic sequence for conversion of a terminal alkene to a monosubstituted alkyne; (2) a catalytic S_N2'- and enantioselective allylic substitution method involving a mild alkylzinc halide reagent; and (3) a diastereoselective [3+2]-cycloaddition to assemble the polycyclic structure of a guanidyl polycyclic natural product.