Ligand- and Additive-Controlled Pd-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation of Alkynes with Aminophenols: Highly Chemo- and Regioselective Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Amides

This work describes the chemo- and regioselective direct aminocarbonylation of alkynes and aminophenols to form hydroxy-substituted α,β-unsaturated amides in good to excellent yields. The latter are valuable compounds in pharmaceuticals and natural products. By a simple choice of different ligands and additives, branched or linear isomers could be selectively formed in excellent regioselectivity. Using a combination of boronic acid and 5-chlorosalicylic acid (“BCSA”) as the additives, linear amides were obtained in high yields and selectivities using 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)benzene (DTBPMB) as the ligand. On the other hand, branched amides could be approached by introducing 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane as the ligand and p-TsOH·H2O as the additive. In addition to the hydroxyl group, other functional substituents, such as carboxyl and vinyl groups, could also be tolerated using this method. As an application of this strategy, the natural product avenanthramide A could be synthesized direct...