Synthesis 2020; 52(20): 2922-2939
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1707207
short review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Unconventional Transformations of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Adducts

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Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy   Email: xavier.companyo@unipd.it
› Author Affiliations
This work was supported by the University of Padova and the GREEN C-C Supporting TAlent in ReSearch (STARS) starting grant (XC).
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 17 May 2020

Accepted after revision: 15 June 2020

Publication Date:
29 July 2020 (online)


Dedicated to Professor Albert Moyano on the occasion of his 65th birthday

Abstract

Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) adducts are versatile starting materials widely employed in Lewis base catalysis. A myriad of different transformations have been reported based on either allylic alkylations with stabilised nucleophiles or annulations with diverse dipolarophiles. Apart from these two conventional types of reactivity, MBH adducts have recently been implemented in alternative and complementary catalytic strategies, including: (i) one-pot and cascade transformations, where additional chemical bonds are formed following the asymmetric allylic alkylation event in a single synthetic operation; (ii) regioselective α-allylations for the synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes; and (iii) dual activation strategies, involving Lewis base catalysis together with transition metal complexes or light, enabling allylic alkylations with nonstabilised nucleophiles and cascade processes. The present Short Review summarises the most significant unconventional catalytic transformations of racemic MBH adducts reported within the last decade.

1 Introduction

2 Multi-Step Single-Vessel Transformations (path iii)

2.1 One-Pot Transformations

2.2 Cascade Transformations

3 α-Allylations (path iv)

3.1 SN2′ Mechanism

3.2 SN2′–SN2 Mechanism

3.3 Miscellaneous Mechanisms

4 Dual Activation (path v)

4.1 MBH Adduct as Electrophile

4.2 MBH Adduct as Nucleophile

5 Summary and Outlook