The addition of methyllithium to 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutan-1-one-3-thione. The generation and capture of a bishomoenolate anion.

Methyllithium added to 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutan-1-one-3-thione to produce lithium 3-methylthio-2,2,4,4-tetramethylbicyclo[1.1.0]but-1-oxide. This bishomoenolate was alkylated on carbon by methyl iodide, but retained the bicyclo[1.1.0]butane skeleton when silated with chlorotrimethylsilane. The ease of oxidation of a series of 1,3-diheteroatom substituted bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes was determined.     

9,9-Dimethyl-8,10-dioxapentacyclo[5.3.0.0.0.0]decane and naphthotetracyclo[5.1.0.0.0]oct-3-ene: new substituted [1.1.1]propellanes as precursors to 1,2,3,4-tetrafunctionalized bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes

Two new substituted [1.1.1]propellanes have been generated from the corresponding bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes in either single-step (1a) or four-step procedures (1b). The observed degree of double lithiation of the bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes is discussed in the context of DFT computational results. Addition reactions across the central C(1)-C(3) bonds of the propellanes were studied. Only the propellane 1b gave the biacetyl addition product.     

Photochemical Strain‐Release‐Driven Cyclobutylation of C(sp3)‐Centered Radicals

A new photoredox‐catalyzed decarboxylative radical addition approach to functionalized cyclobutanes is described. The reaction involves an unprecedented formal Giese‐type addition of C(sp³)‐centered radicals to highly strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. The mild photoredox conditions, which make use of a readily available and bench stable phenyl sulfonyl bicyclo[1.1.0]butane, proved to be amenable to a diverse range of α‐amino and α‐oxy carboxylic acids, providing a concise route to 1,3‐disubstituted cyclobutanes. Furthermore, kinetic studies and DFT calculations unveiled mechanistic details on bicyclo[1.1.0]butane reactivity relative to the corresponding olefin system.     

Photochemical Strain-Release-Driven Cyclobutylation of C(sp3)-Centered Radicals

A new photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative radical addition approach to functionalized cyclobutanes is described. The reaction involves an unprecedented formal Giese-type addition of C(sp³)-centered radicals to highly strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. The mild photoredox conditions, which make use of a readily available and bench stable phenyl sulfonyl bicyclo[1.1.0]butane, proved to be amenable to a diverse range of α-amino and α-oxy carboxylic acids, providing a concise route to 1,3-disubstituted cyclobutanes. Furthermore, kinetic studies and DFT calculations unveiled mechanistic details on bicyclo[1.1.0]butane reactivity relative to the corresponding olefin system.     

From a Si3‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane to a Si3S‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S2‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane: Back‐and‐Forth,and In‐Between

Compact and highly reactive bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes constitute one of the most fascinating classes of organic compounds. Furthermore, interplay of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with their valence isomers, such as buta‐1,3‐dienes and cyclobutenes, is among the fundamental pericyclic transformations in organic chemistry. Herein we report the back‐and‐forth interconversion between the cyclotrisilenes and thiatrisilabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes, allowing for the synthesis of novel representatives of such classes of highly reactive organometallics. The peculiar structural and bonding features of the newly synthesized compounds, as well as the mechanism of their isomerization, were verified both experimentally and computationally.     

From a Si3‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane to a Si3S‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S2‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane: Back‐and‐Forth,and In‐Between

Compact and highly reactive bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes constitute one of the most fascinating classes of organic compounds. Furthermore, interplay of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with their valence isomers, such as buta‐1,3‐dienes and cyclobutenes, is among the fundamental pericyclic transformations in organic chemistry. Herein we report the back‐and‐forth interconversion between the cyclotrisilenes and thiatrisilabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes, allowing for the synthesis of novel representatives of such classes of highly reactive organometallics. The peculiar structural and bonding features of the newly synthesized compounds, as well as the mechanism of their isomerization, were verified both experimentally and computationally.     

A Simple Approach to Azoieues

Recently, we demonstrated that the reaction of certain 2-phenylbicyclo-[1.1.0]butanes with rhoium dicrbonyl chloride dimer produced dihydroazulenes, which, on oxidation, were converted to azulenes.³. The utility of this process for the preparation of azulene derivatives was limited by the availability of the phenyl substituted bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. Although the C-H insertion reaction, developed by Moore and coworkers⁴ for the preparation of 2-phenylbicyelo[1.1.0]butanes from dibromocyclopropanes, works very well, the required absence of cyclopropyl hydrogans, and the problems inherent in the preparation of the hexasubstituted dibromocyclopropane intermediates made the overall synthesis of azulenes by this route rather tedious. We now wish to report a simplified approach to the synthesis of azulenes whis has as one of the critical steps, the transition metal complex promoted rearrangement of a 2-phenylbicyclo[1.1.0]butane.     

1-Bromobicyclo[1.1.0]butanes and strong bases: products and mechanism

Treatment of the bromobicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (=4)(=a) - (=c) with LDA led to the formation of the 1,2,3-butatrienes (=6) which were isomerized by excess base to the alkynes (=8). Reaction of [1-¹²-C](=4)(=c) with LDA afforded [3-¹²-C](=8)(=d), indicating that bicyclo[1.1.0]but-1(3)-ene (=5) was not an intermediate.     

A Tetrasilicon Analogue of Bicyclo[1.1.0]but‐1(3)‐ene Containing a Si=Si Double Bond with an Inverted Geometry

Bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasil‐1(3)‐ene 1 , a tetrasilicon analogue of bicyclo[1.1.0]but‐1(3)‐ene that contains a formal double bond between bridgehead silicon atoms in an inverted geometry, was synthesized and isolated in the form of thermally stable orange crystals. The distance between the bridgehead Si atoms in 1 is much longer than those in typical Si=Si bonds, but still shorter than that of a previously reported pentasila[1.1.1]propellane. DFT calculations suggest that the bridgehead bond in 1 comprises a σ bond with an inverted geometry and a π bond. This notion is supported by the UV/Vis spectrum of 1 , which exhibits several absorption bands in the UV/Vis region. While 1 is stable toward typical trapping agents for Si=Si double bonds, 1 reacts with carbon tetrachloride to furnish a hexachlorotetrasilane.     

Sterically crowded bicyclo[1.1.0]butane radical cations

The variability of carbon-carbon single bonds by steric and electronic effects is probed by DFT calculations of sterically crowded bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes and their radical cations. The interplay of sterics and electronics on the gradual weakening and breaking of bonds was studied by investigating bridgehead substitution in 1,3-di-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.0]butane and 2,2',4,4'-tetramethyl-1,3-di-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.0]butane and geminal substitution in 2,2'-di-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.0]butane and 2,2',4,4'-tetra-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.0]butane. Bridgehead substitution leads to a lengthening of the central bond, whereas bisubstitution on the geminal carbon leads to a shortening of this bond due to a Thorpe-Ingold effect. Although the character of the central bond can be modulated by substitution and electron transfer over a range of 0.35 A, the state forbidden ring planarization does not occur. Sterically crowded bicyclo[1.1.0]butane radical cations are therefore promising candidates for the investigation of extremely long carbon-carbon single bonds.     

Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes via directed bridgehead functionalization

Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) are increasingly valued as intermediates in ‘strain release’ chemistry for the synthesis of substituted four membered rings and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes, with applications including bioconjugation processes. Variation of the BCB bridgehead substituents can be challenging due to the inherent strain of the bicyclic scaffold, often necessitating linear syntheses of specific BCB targets. Here we report the first palladium catalyzed cross-coupling on pre-formed BCBs which enables a ‘late stage’ diversification of the bridgehead position, and the conversion of the resultant products into a range of useful small ring building blocks.

Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) are valuable precursors to four-membered rings and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes, and useful bioconjugation agents. We describe a versatile approach to access 1,3-disubstituted BCBs, which are otherwise challenging to prepare.     

Reactivity of 13,13-dibromo-2,4,9,11-tetraoxadispiro[5.0.5.1]tridecane toward organolithiums: remarkable resistance to the DMS rearrangement

Reactions of dibromocyclopropane 2a, containing two spiro-fused 1,3-dioxane rings, with MeLi gave only the methylation products 8 and 9 even at elevated temperatures. In contrast, the cyclohexane analogue 2b treated with MeLi underwent a smooth rearrangement to bicyclo[1.1.0]butane 11b at -78, -10, or +35 degrees C. Treatment of 2a with PhLi gave the alpha-Ph anion 13 as the only product, which underwent smooth methylation with MeI to give 14. Under the same conditions, 2b with PhLi gave bicyclo[1.1.0]butane 11b accompanied by bromophenyl derivative 8b. Treatment of either dibromide with t-BuLi gave a mixture of products including debrominated cyclopropanes 12. Experimental results were augmented with DFT calculations for salts 23 and MP2//DFT-level calculations for carbenes 22. They demonstrated a higher stability of the dioxane alpha-bromo anion with respect to alpha-elimination by 4.8 kcal/mol and also a lower tendency of the carbene 22a to undergo rearrangement by 4.0 kcal/mol than the cyclohexane analogues. These differences have been attributed to the inductive effect of the four oxygen atoms, which results in lower LUMO energy, the higher positive charge at the carbenic center, and the overall more electrophilic character of carbene 22a as compared to the cyclohexane derivative 22b. The rearrangement of carbenes 22 to the corresponding allenes 1, the thermodynamic products, requires a higher activation energy DeltaG(double dagger)(298) by 4.2 kcal/mol for dioxane and 6.4 kcal/mol for cyclohexane derivatives than for the formation of the bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes 11. The DeltaG(double dagger)(298) for intramolecular insertions to the CH bond is low and calculated as 6.0 kcal/mol for dioxane 22a and 2.0 kcal/mol for the formation of cyclohexane 22b.     

New synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.0]butane hydrocarbons

Conclusions A new general synthesis is proposed for bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes, by 1,3-cyclization of 1-bromo-chloromethylcyclopropanes, and a two-step synthesis of the latter from available allyl chlorides has been developed.Deceased.Translated from Izvestlya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2043–2047, September, 1985.     

Microwave spectrum,dipole moment,and a proposed structure for 1-cyanobicyclo[1.1.0]butane

The microwave spectra of the normal and the 2-¹³C isotopic species of 1-cyanobicyclo[1.1.0]butane have been observed and assigned, leading to the following rotational constants: (normal), A=8807.202 ± 0.004, B=2924.334 ± 0.002, C=2509.322 ± 0.002 and (isotope), A=8608.85 ± 0.85, B=2902.88 ± 0.02, and C=2478.56 ± 0.02 MHz. Measurements of the second-order Stark effect led to _T=4.08 ± 0.01 D. Based on the available microwave data coupled with geometryoptimizedab initio molecular orbital structures for cyanocyclopropane and 1-cyanobicyclo[1.1.0]-butane, a molecular structure for the latter molecule is proposed. Analysis of the dipole moments of these molecules and of bicyclo[1.1.0]butane has led to the conclusion that the bicyclobutyl group is a better electron donor than is cyclopropyl. In addition, a simple frontier molecular orbital model is not sufficient for explaining all of the structural changes that occur on substituting cyano at the bridgehead of bicyclo[1.1.0]butane.     

Transition-metal-mediated cascade reactions: C,C-dicyclopropylmethylamines by way of double C,C-sigma-bond insertion into bicyclobutanes

The organometallic multicomponent reaction of alkenyl zirconocene, alkynyl imine, and zinc carbenoid in the presence of dimethylzinc leads to novel C,C-dicyclopropylmethylamines. The formation of intermediate bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes represents the first synthetically useful example of a double C,C-sigma-bond insertion, and the increase in structural complexity from starting materials is highlighted by the formation of nine new C,C-bonds in the final product.     

Strained-Ring and Double-Bond Systems Consisting of the Group 14 Elements Si,Ge, and Sn

The organometallic chemistry of the Group 14 elements E = Si, Ge, Sn in the 1980's is highlighted by the successful construction and characterization of three systems previously thought to be too reactive to exists: (1) three-membered ring compounds including cyclotrisilane, cyclotrigermane, and cyclotristannane, (2) molecules containing E? E double bonds including disilene, digermene, and distannene, and (3) strained polycycles containing a skeleton of Group 14 elements, such as bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilane, hexagemaprismane, and octasilacubane. The majority of these numerous compounds now available are fully substituted with bulky ligands to suppress the reactivity intrinsic to the systems. These compounds permit examinations of (1) the variation of physical and chemical properties of a system with these elements and also with the ligands and (2) how two systems are interrelated thermally and photochemically with the intermediacy of the divalent (carbene-like) species. Theoretical calculations on virtually all of the parent compounds discussed in this review are evaluated alongside the experimental results. Some polycycles may constitute a stepping-stone on the way to compounds with a triple bond.     

Intermolecular Formal Cycloaddition of Indoles with Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes by Lewis Acid Catalysis

Herein, we develop a new approach to directly access architecturally complex polycyclic indolines from readily available indoles and bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) through formal cycloaddition promoted by commercially available Lewis acids. The reaction proceeded through a stepwise pathway involving a nucleophilic addition of indoles to BCBs followed by an intramolecular Mannich reaction to form rigid indoline-fused polycyclic structures, which resemble polycyclic indole alkaloids. This new reaction tolerated a wide range of indoles and BCBs, thereby allowing the one-step construction of various rigid indoline polycycles containing up to four contiguous quaternary carbon centers.     

Catalytic Formal [2π+2σ] Cycloaddition of Aldehydes with Bicyclobutanes: Expedient Access to Polysubstituted 2-Oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes

Synthesis of bicyclic scaffolds has attracted tremendous attention because they are playing an important role as saturated bioisosteres of benzenoids in modern drug discovery. Here, we report a BF₃-catalyzed [2π+2σ] cycloaddition of aldehydes with bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) to access polysubstituted 2-oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes. A new kind of BCB containing an acyl pyrazole group was invented, which not only significantly facilitates the reactions, but can also serve as a handle for diverse downstream transformations. Furthermore, aryl and vinyl epoxides can also be utilized as substrates which undergo cycloaddition with BCBs after in situ rearrangement to aldehydes. We anticipate that our results will promote access to challenging sp³-rich bicyclic frameworks and the exploration of BCB-based cycloaddition chemistry.     

Unsubstituted bicyclo[1.1.0]but-2-ylcarbinyl cations

A synthesis for the unsubstituted bicyclo[1.1.0]but-2-ylmethanols (endo- and exo-9) from 1,3-butadiene has been developed. Solvolyses of their sulfonates 10 and 11 took entirely different courses, as the endo compound 10 gave rise exclusively to rearranged products such as cyclopent-3-en-1-ol (14), while the exo compound 11 underwent only the substitution of the tosylate group with complete retention of the exo-bicyclo[1.1.0]but-2-ylmethyl skeleton. Under solvolytic conditions, 10 reacted at very similar rates to the corresponding monocyclic substrate, that is, cyclopropylcarbinyl mesylate (19); in contrast, 11 reacted only three times as fast as n-butyl tosylate and about 1000-fold slower than 10. The nature of the bicyclo[1.1.0]but-2-ylcarbinyl cations has been probed by quantum chemical calculations. Whereas, the exo isomer (exo-18) corresponds to a local energy minimum, the endo isomer is only a transition state [endo-18(TS)] for an automerization of the nonclassical cyclopent-3-en-1-yl cation (13) and converts into 13 by a Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement. The most favorable isomerization of exo-18 also leads to 13 but via a transition state resembling the 2-vinylcycloprop-1-yl cation [25(TS)]. On the introduction of methyl groups at positions 1 and 3 of exo-18, the cation is no longer an energy minimum and it becomes a transition state [27(TS)] for an automerization of the nonclassical 1,3-dimethylcyclopent-3-en-1-yl cation (28). The large effect of the methyl substitution rationalizes the puzzling results of the previous product and rate studies, which utilized various substituted derivatives of bicyclo[1.1.0]but-2-ylcarbinyl sulfonates as substrates.     

Novel products from thermolysis of 5,5-dimethyl-2, 2-diphenoxy-Delta(3)-1,3,4- oxadiazoline in the presence of DMAD

Thermolysis of 1 at 110 degrees C in benzene containing DMAD (dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate) leads to triester 2 and bicyclo[1. 1.0]butanes, 3 and 4.