One-carbon homologation of alkenes

Abstract

One-carbon homologs are structurally-related and functionally-identical organic molecules, whose chain-lengths differ by a single methylene (–CH₂–) unit¹. Across many classes of molecule–including pharmaceutical agents, natural products, agrochemicals, fragrances and petroleum products–the physicochemical characteristics displayed by members of a homologous series subtly differ from one compound to another, which can impart remarkable differences to their function². The efficient generation of homologs is, therefore, an important strategy in molecular discovery programs^3,4. Despite the availability of homologation strategies for several functional groups^5,6, direct and general methods for one-carbon chain extension in alkenes remain an unmet synthetic need^7,8. We report a catalytic one-carbon homologation process that is effective for many classes of alkene in simple and complex molecules. By leveraging the intrinsic reactivity of a novel multifaceted allyl-sulfone reagent, a streamlined one-pot process, involving cross-metathesis and a fragmentation/retro-ene cascade, formally inserts a single methylene unit to the alkene chain. Amongst applications of this process to several structurally and functionally complex molecules, we demonstrate how this practical transformation generates previously unexplored homologs of Cyclosporine-A⁹. These homologs show modulated pharmacological and biological properties and could provide promising leads as cyclophilin inhibitors, a target that has great potential in many disease areas¹⁰.