Carbocyclization of aromatic iodides, bicyclic alkenes, and benzynes involving a palladium-catalyzed C-H bond activation as a key step

A facile palladium-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction of aromatic iodides, bicyclic alkenes (norbornadiene, norbornene and oxabenzonorbornadiene), and benzynes to furnish various annulated 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives is described. The carbocyclization products from oxabenzonorbornadiene were further converted to polyaromatic hydrocarbons via a Lewis acid mediated deoxyaromatization reaction. [reaction: see text].     

Cobalt-catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of nitrilediynes: an efficient route to tetra- and pentacyclic pyridine derivatives

[reaction: see text] In this paper, we wish to report the intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of nitrilediynes catalyzed by the CoI2(dppe)/Zn system at 80 degrees C in CH3CN. Under these reaction conditions, various highly substituted nitrilediynes having steric conjunction at the alpha and beta positions to a nitrile group and a bulkier substitution at the terminal carbon of alkyne undergo [2 + 2 + 2] cocylotrimerization to afford tetra- and pentacyclic pyridine derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Nickel-catalyzed cocyclotrimerization of arynes with diynes; a novel method for synthesis of naphthalene derivatives

The NiBr2(dppe)-Zn system effectively catalyzes the [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of arynes with diynes, leading to substituted naphthalene derivatives in moderate to good yields. This cocyclotrimerization reaction shows excellent tolerance of functional groups and leads to products of 5- to 7-membered fused-ring sizes.     

Highly regio- and chemoselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of electron-deficient diynes with allenes catalyzed by nickel complexes: a novel entry to polysubstituted benzene derivatives

Diynes 1a-c [X(CH(2)Ctbd1;CCO(2)Me)(2): X = (CH(2))(2), 1a, X = CH(2), 1b and X = O, 1c] undergo [2 + 2 + 2] ene-diyne cycloaddition reactions with a variety of allenes (n-butylallene 2a, phenylallene 2b, (4-chlorophenyl)allene 2c, (4-bromophenyl)allene 2d, (3-methoxyphenyl)allene 2e, 1-naphthylallene 2f, cyclohexylallene 2g and cyclopentylallene 2h) in the presence of Ni(dppe)Br(2) and Zn powder in CH(3)CN at 80 degrees C for 8 h to give the corresponding polysubstituted benzene derivatives 4a-l in good to excellent yields. Under similar reaction conditions, unsymmetrical diynes 5a-c (HCtbd1;CCH(2)XCH(2)Ctbd1;CCO(2)Me) react with allenes 2 to afford exclusively the corresponding meta-isomers 6a-g in 73-86% yields. The catalytic reaction is highly regioselective and completely chemoselective. This synthetic method is compatible with many functional groups such as Cl, Br, and OMe on the phenyl group of the allene moiety and an ether linkage in a diyne moiety. In this catalytic reaction, allenes are synthetically equivalent to terminal alkynes. Interestingly, unsymmetrical diyne 7 (MeCtbd1;C(CH(2))(4)Ctbd1;CCO(2)Me) undergoes 2:1 cocyclotrimerization with allenes 2a and 2g to afford the corresponding polysubstituted benzene derivatives 9a,b in 87% and 82% yields, respectively. A plausible mechanism involving a nickelacycloheptadiene intermediate is proposed to account for this nickel-catalyzed reaction.     

Nickel-catalyzed highly chemoselective cocyclotrimerization of arynes with allenes: a novel method for 10-methylene-9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes

The NiBr(2)(dppe)-Zn system effectively catalyzes the [2+2+2] cocyclotrimerization of arynes with allenes, leading to 10-methylene-9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes in moderate to good yields. The cocyclotrimerization is highly selective with only the internal double bond of the allenes being involved in the reaction.     

Formal and standard ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,6-diynes to alkenes: a mechanistic density functional study

"Formal" and standard Ru(II)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes 1 to alkenes gave bicyclic 1,3-cyclohexadienes in relatively good yields. The neutral Ru(II) catalyst was formed in situ by mixing equimolecular amounts of [Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3]PF6 and Et4NCl. Two isomeric bicyclic 1,3-cyclohexadienes 3 and 8 were obtained depending on the cyclic or acyclic nature of the alkene partner. Mechanistic studies on the Ru catalytic cycle revealed a clue for this difference: (a) when acyclic alkenes were used, linear coupling of 1,6-diynes with alkenes was observed giving 1,3,5-trienes 6 as the only initial reaction products, which after a thermal disrotatory 6e-pi electrocyclization led to the final 1,3-cyclohexadienes 3 as probed by NMR studies. This cascade process behaved as a formal Ru-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition. (b) With cyclic alkenes, the standard Ru-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition occurred, giving the bicyclic 1,3-cyclohexadienes 8 as reaction products. A complete catalytic cycle for the formal and standard Ru-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of acetylene and cyclic and acyclic alkenes with the Cp*RuCl fragment has been proposed and discussed based on DFT/B3LYP calculations. The most likely mechanism for these processes would involve the formation of ruthenacycloheptadiene intermediates XXIII or XXVII depending on the alkene nature. From these complexes, two alternatives could be envisioned: (a) a reductive elimination in the case of cyclic alkenes 7 and (b) a beta-elimination followed by reductive elimination to give 1,3,5-hexatrienes 6 in the case of acyclic alkenes. Final 6e-pi electrocyclization of 6 gave 1,3-cyclohexadienes 3.     

Synthesis of dihydrobenzisoxazoles by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of arynes and oxaziridines

Dihydrobenzisoxazoles are readily prepared in good yields by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of oxaziridines and arynes. The reaction involves an unusual cleavage of the C-O bond of the oxaziridine and tolerates a variety of substituents on the oxaziridine and the o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflate to form aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkyl-, and naphthyl-substituted dihydrobenzisoxazoles. The resulting halogen-substituted dihydrobenzisoxazoles are readily elaborated to more complex products using palladium-catalyzed crossing-coupling processes.     

Reactions of [2+2+1]-cycloaddition with the participation of cyclopropenes and dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes of acetylenes

The reaction of dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes of acetylene and its phenyl and dimethyl derivatives with the methyl ester of 1-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)-1-cyclopropene-3-carboxylic acid with adsorption on a silica gel or NaX zeolite surface leads to the formation of a mixture of bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-en-4-one and tricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,4]heptan-5-one derivatives, whereby the yields and the composition of products are dependent on the type of the adsorbent. It has been found that under the reaction conditions partial isomerization of the bicyclo-[3.1.0]hex-2-en-4-one derivatives into substituted phenols occurs. Action of anhydrous KF and crown-ether in acetonitrile on the bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-en-4-one derivatives in acetonitrile leads to protodesilylation.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2565–2571, November, 1991.     

Prins Cyclization Catalyzed by a FeIII/Trimethylsilyl Halide System: The Oxocarbenium Ion Pathway versus the [2+2] Cycloaddition

The different factors that control the alkene Prins cyclization catalyzed by iron(III) salts have been explored by means of a joint experimental–computational study. The iron(III) salt/trimethylsilyl halide system has proved to be an excellent promoter in the synthesis of crossed all‐cis disubstituted tetrahydropyrans, minimizing the formation of products derived from side‐chain exchange. In this iron(III)‐catalyzed Prins cyclization reaction between homoallylic alcohols and non‐activated alkenes, two mechanistic pathways can be envisaged, namely the classical oxocarbenium route and the alternative [2+2] cycloaddition‐based pathway. It is found that the [2+2] pathway is disfavored for those alcohols having non‐activated and non‐substituted alkenes. In these cases, the classical pathway, via the key oxocarbenium ion, is preferred. In addition, the final product distribution strongly depends upon the nature of the substituent adjacent to the hydroxy group in the homoallylic alcohol, which can favor or hamper a side 2‐oxonia‐Cope rearrangement.     

The reaction of acetic acid 2‐selenoxo‐2H‐pyridin‐1‐yl esters with benzynes: A convenient route to Benzo[b]seleno[2,3‐b]pyridines

Benzyne and its 3,4,5,6‐tetraphenyl, 3‐ and 4‐methyl, 3‐methoxy and 4,5‐difluoro derivatives react with acetic acid 2‐selenoxo‐2H‐pyridin‐1‐yl esters 4a‐e to give benzo[b]seleno[2,3‐b]pyridines 10–15 in modest yields. The benzynes were generated by one or more of the following methods: diazotization of anthranilic acids 5a‐g with isoamyl nitrate; mild thermal decomposition of 2‐diazoniobenzenecarboxylate hydrochlorides 6a‐d treatment of (phenyl)[o‐(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]iodonium triflate (7) with tetrabutylammonium fluoride; and treatment of 2‐trimethylsilylphenyl triflates 8a‐c with cesium fluoride. In all the reactions, the corresponding 2‐(methylselenenyl)pyridines 16a‐d were also obtained suggesting that these reactions may involve selenium addition to benzyne via a SET (single electron transfer).     

Synthesis of extended triphenylenes by palladium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of triphenylynes

The synthesis of ortho-(trimethylsilyl)triphenylenyl triflates 7 is described. Fluoride-induced decomposition of these triflates leads to the generation of didehydrotriphenylenes (triphenylynes) 6. These arynes undergo [4+2] cycloadditions with dienes to afford the corresponding Diels-Alder adducts or palladium-catalyzed formal [2+2+2] cycloadditions to afford extended triphenylenes.     

Intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of six- and seven-membered cyclic N-allyl-C-arylethynyl iminium salts

N-Allyl-2-(het)arylethynyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridinium triflates 1c,d,e and N-allyl-2-(het)aryl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3H-azepinium triflates 1g,h undergo a thermal isomerization reaction leading to derivatives of [a,f]-annulated isoindolium salts 2 in good yields. Similarly, N-allyl-2-phenylethynyl-pyridinium triflate 4 is transformed into the condensed pyridinium salt 5. An intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, in which the (het)arylethynyl moiety acts as the 4pi component, is considered as the key step of this transformation. In contrast, the related N-allyl-4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrrolium salts 1a,b and N-homoallyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridinium salt 1f undergo unspecific decomposition under thermal impact.     

Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐substituted Nitriles and 2‐Aryl‐3‐keto Nitriles via Benzyne Reaction

2‐Aryl‐substituted nitriles were prepared in good to excellent yields in a one‐pot reaction by the reaction of benzyne, generated using neutral conditions from (phenyl)[o‐(trimethylsilyl)‐phenyl]iodonium triflate, and 2‐lithionitriles. 3‐Keto nitriles substituted at the 2‐position were obtained in good yields when these reactions were trapped with acid chlorides. The mechanism of the benzyne reaction in terms of a N‐lithiobenzocyclobutanimine intermediate is discussed.     

Preparation,structure, and unique thermal [2+2], [4+2], and [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of 4-vinylideneoxazolidin-2-one

The terminal allene C(alpha)=C(beta) bonds of 4vinylidene-2-oxazolidinone (2) readily undergo [2+2] cycloaddition with a wide variety of terminal alkynes, alkenes, and 1,3-dienes irrespective of their electronic nature under strictly thermal activation conditions (70-100 degrees C) and provide 3substituted (Z)-methylenecyclobutenes 6, 3substituted methylenecyclobutanes 7 and 8, and 3vinylmethylenecyclobutanes 9, respectively, in good to excellent yields. Alkenes react with 2 with complete retention of configuration. The [2+2] cycloaddition is concluded to proceed via a concerted [(pi(2s)+pi(2s))(allene) + pi(2s)] Hückel transition state on the basis of experimental evidences and quantum mechanical methods. Some highly polarized enones and nitrile oxide, on the other hand, react with 2 selectively at the internal C(4)=C(alpha) double bonds and give spiro compounds 10 and 11, respectively. The bent allene bonds (173-176 degrees) and the unique reactivity associated with 2 are attributed to a low-lying LUMO (C(alpha)=C(beta)) that is substantiated by a through-space sigma*(N-SO(2))-pi*(C(alpha)=C(beta)) orbital interaction.     

Recent advances in "formal" ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions of diynes to alkenes

"Formal" and standard RuII-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes to alkenes gave bicyclic 1,3-cyclohexadienes in relatively good yields. When terminal 1,6-diynes 1 were used, two isomeric bicyclic 1,3-cyclohexadienes 4 or 6 were obtained, depending on the acyclic or cyclic nature of the alkene partner. When unsymmetrical substituted 1,6-diynes 7 were used, the reaction with acyclic alkenes took place regio- and stereoselectively to afford bicyclic 1,3-cyclohexadienes 8. A cascade process that behaves as a "formal" RuII-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition explained these results. Initially, a Ru-catalyzed linear coupling of 1,6-diynes 1 and 7 with acyclic alkenes occurs to give open 1,3,5-trienes of type 3, which after a thermal disrotatory 6e(-) pi-electrocyclization led to the final 1,3-cyclohexadienes 4 and 8. When disubstituted 1,6-diyne 10 was used with electron-deficient alkenes, new exo-methylene cyclohexadienes 12 arose from a competitive reaction pathway.     

[2+3]Cycloaddition reaction of a kinetically stabilized distibene with a nitrile oxide leading to the formation of a unique heterocyclic compound

The synthesis of a 1-oxa-5-aza-2,3-distibacyclopent-4-ene derivative by the [2+3]cycloaddition reaction of a kinetically stabilized distibene, BbtSb=SbBbt (Bbt = 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris-(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl), with MesCNO (Mes = mesityl) has been performed. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. E. Lukevics on the occasion of his 70th birthday __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 12, pp. 1880–1887, December, 2006.     

Efficient generation and trapping of acylbenzynes from hypervalent iodine compounds

[5-Acyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]iodonium triflates were prepared for the generation of benzynes bearing ketone function. Treatment of the iodonium triflates with Bu₄NF in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of furan at room temperature gave 6-acyl-1,4-epoxy-1,4-dihydronaphthalenes in high yields. The mild conditions and the tolerance of the ketone function on benzyne generation are attributable to the advantage of hypervalent iodine compounds.     

Enantioselective Template‐Directed [2+2] Photocycloadditions of Isoquinolones: Scope,Mechanism and Synthetic Applications

A strategy for the enantioselective [2+2] photocycloaddition of isoquinolones with alkenes is presented, in which the formation of a supramolecular complex between a chiral template and the substrate ensures high enantioface differentiation by shielding one face of the substrate. Fifteen different electron‐deficient alkenes and ten different substituted isoquinolones undergo efficient photocycloaddition, yielding the cyclobutane products in excellent yields and with outstanding regio‐, diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). The mechanism of the reaction is investigated by means of triplet sensitization/quenching and radical clock experiments, the results of which are consistent with the involvement of a triplet excited state and a 1,4‐biradical intermediate. The variety of functionalized cyclobutanes obtained using this approach can be further increased by straightforward synthetic transformations of the photoadducts, allowing rapid access to libraries of compounds for various applications.     

One-pot synthesis of benzolactones and lactams via a cobalt-catalyzed regioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of alkynyl alcohols and amines with propiolates

An efficient method for the synthesis of benzolactones and benzolactams via a cobalt-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of alkynyl alcohols and alkynyl amines with propiolates is described.     

A smooth access to benzotriazoles via azide-benzyne cycloaddition

A facile synthesis of 1-alkyl benzotriazoles is achieved through fluoride triggered azide-benzyne cycloaddition. Various alkyl azides were treated with 2-(trimethylsilyl) phenyl triflate in the presence of CsF in acetonitrile to afford the corresponding substituted benzotriazoles in good yield.