Ugi Reaction
Ugi Reaction
Ugi Reaction
Ketone
Carboxylic Amine Isocyanide
or Aldehyde
acid
-H2O
Bis-amide
Ugi Reaction
Major advances in the scope of the Ugi reaction have occurred only within
the last 20 years, mainly because of the limited availability of isocyanides
and poor stereocontrol.
In the mid 1900’s, only a few isocyanides were available.
Today, about 380 isocyanides are commercially available.
Development of stereocontrol has been difficult due to incomplete
knowledge of the reaction mechanism.
Ugi Reaction
The Ugi reaction is exothermic and usually complete within minutes of
adding the isocyanide.
High concentration (0.5M - 2.0M) of reactants give the highest yields.
The reaction is usually conducted in a polar protic solvent such as
methanol, and some success in water has recently been shown
Usually, non-polar halogenated solvents prove detrimental, as most amines
are insoluble
Ugi Reaction
Mechanism
Step 1 (Formation of Imine)
The first step involves condensation of aldehyde 1 and amine 2 to convert into
respective imine
Ugi Reaction
Step 2 (protonation of Imine)
The Second step imine is protonated with carboxylic acid and that lead to generation of
carboxylate ions and electron deficient center on imine carbon
Ugi Reaction
Step 3 (Addition of isocyanide)
The third step addition of isocyanide is takes place on electron deficient center on
imine’s carbon
Ugi Reaction
Step 4 (Attach of carboxylate)
The fourth step attach of carboxylate is takes place on electron deficient center on
isocyanides carbon
Ugi Reaction
Step 5 (Rearrangement)
In last step nitrogen of isocyanide abstract proton from amine and generates a
nucleophilic amine and later nucleophilic amine attach on carbon of carboxylic acid and
then the C-O bond between the carbon of isocyanide and carboxylic acid carbon is
breaks and that lead formation of diamides
Lewis Acid Catalysts and Chiral Auxiliaries
Techniques used in attempts to control enantioselectivity in the Ugi reaction have
included Lewis acid catalysts and chiral auxiliaries