Ru(II)-Catalyzed Carboamination of Olefins with α-Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides

J Org Chem. 2024 Apr 19;89(8):5382-5391. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02788. Epub 2024 Mar 31.

Abstract

The first ruthenium-catalyzed carboamination of olefins with α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides is reported. The utilization of an inexpensive ruthenium catalyst enables the concise synthesis of pharmaceutically important isoindolin-1-ones, which possess both a stereogenic center and β-carbonyl side chain. This method is mild, efficient, and scalable and allows for the coupling of a wide range of aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkenyl-, and alkyl-substituted sulfoxonium ylides. Moreover, the carbonyl side chain in the resulting product provides a good handle for downstream transformations. For mechanistic studies, a ruthacyle complex is obtained and proven to be the key intermediate in both catalytic and stoichiometric reactions.