Selective Synthesis by Use of Lewis Acids in the Presence of Organocopper and Related Reagents. New Synthetic Methods (61)

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Abstract
Organometallic compounds with pronounced nucleophilicity such as organocopper and organolithium compounds, and powerful electrophiles, such as BF3 and AlCl3, are generally thought to be incompatible under normal, homogeneous reaction conditions. As a matter of course, it is anticipated that the two species cannot coexist and undergo transmetalation reactions. To our surprise, however, RCu and BF3 are compatible at low temperature. RCu·BF3 and related organocopper‐Lewis acid reagents exhibit new and unique reactivities and selectivities: in conjugate additions, e.g., not only activation but also high regio‐, stereo‐, and chemo‐selectivity as well as very high asymmetric induction is observed; allylic derivatives are alkylated regioselectively, and reaction towards carbonyl groups, imines, epoxides, aziridines, ethers, acetals, orthoformates, and pyridinium salts is in each case found to be selective. RLi·BF3 and related organolithium‐Lewis acid reagents also exhibit noteworthy selectivities and reactivities. These complex reagents are utilized in the key steps of the total synthesis of many important natural products, such as certain terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids.

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