Comprehensive Mechanistic Scenario for the Cu-Mediated Asymmetric Propargylic Sulfonylation Forging Tertiary Carbon Stereocenters

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society 2023-03, Vol.145 (11), p.6442-6452
• Main Authors: Garcia-Roca, Aleria, Pérez-Soto, Raúl, Stoica, Georgiana, Benet-Buchholz, Jordi, Maseras, Feliu, Kleij, Arjan W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00188

Metal-catalyzed propargylic transformations represent a powerful tool in organic synthesis to achieve new carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds. However, detailed know­ledge about the mechanistic intricacies related to the asymmetric formation of propargylic products featuring challenging hetero­atom-substituted tertiary stereocenters is scarce and therefore provides an inspiring challenge. Here, we present a meticulous mechanistic analysis of a propargylic sulfonylation reaction promoted by a chiral Cu catalyst through a combination of experimental techniques and computational studies. Surprisingly, the enantio-discriminating step is not the coupling between the nucleophile and the propargylic precursor but rather the following proto-demetalation step, a scenario further validated by computing enantio-induction levels under other previously reported experimental conditions. A full mechanistic scenario for this propargylic substitution reaction is provided, including a catalyst pre-activation stage, a productive catalytic cycle, and an unanticipated non-linear effect at the Cu­(I) oxidation level.