An Asymmetric Aerobic Aza-Wacker-Type Cyclization: Synthesis of Isoindolinones Bearing Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters

Organolanthanides are highly efficient catalysts for inter- and intramolecular hydroamination of various C-C unsaturations such as alkenes, alkynes, allenes, and dienes. Attractive features of organolanthanide catalysts include very high turnover frequencies and excellent stereoselectivities, rendering this methodology applicable to concise synthesis of naturally occurring alkaloids and other polycyclic azacycles. The general hydroamination mechanism involves turnover-limiting C-C multiple bond insertion into the Ln-N bond, followed by rapid protonolysis by other amine substrates. Sterically less encumbered ligand designs have been developed to improve reaction rates, and metallocene and nonmetallocene chiral lanthanide complexes have been synthesized for enantioselective hydroamination.