Synthesis of Phosphabenzenes by an Iron‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Diynes with Phosphaalkynes

A method for the synthesis of phosphabenzenes under iron catalysis is described. Thus, the FeI₂‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynes with phosphaalkynes in m‐xylene gave a variety of phosphabenzenes in good to high yields (up to 87 % yield).     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Annulation of Allenoates with Trifluoromethylketones

In contrast with the reported phosphine‐ and DABCO‐catalyzed [3+2] and [2+2] annulation of allenoates with trifluoromethylketone, the [2+2+2] annulation of allenoates and two molecules of trifluoromethylketone was found under the condition of N‐heterocyclic carbene catalysis.     

RhII‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of 2 H‐Azirines with N‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐Triazoles

Rh^II‐catalyzed intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of 2 H‐azirines with N‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles is disclosed, in which a series of fully functionalized pyrroles is produced via rhodium azavinyl carbene intermediates. A distinct feature of this reaction is that the azavinyl carbene serves as a [2 C] equivalent, instead of as [1 C] or aza‐[3 C] synthons, which have been reported previously in cyclopropanations and [3+n] cycloadditions. Moreover, this methodology has also been successfully applied in the total synthesis of URB447 as well as the formal synthesis of Atorvastatin (Lipitor).     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐Aryl‐1,2‐dihydropyridines by [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Imines with Alkynes through T‐Shaped 14‐Electron Aza‐Nickelacycle Key Intermediates

Despite there being a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 1,2‐dihydropyridines, the transition‐metal‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of imines with alkynes has been achieved only with imines containing an N‐sulfonyl or ‐pyridyl group. Considering the importance of 1,2‐dihydropyridines as useful intermediates in the preparation of a wide range of valuable organic molecules, it would be very worthwhile to provide novel strategies to expand the scope of imines. Herein we report a successful expansion of the scope of imines in nickel‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. In the presence of a nickel(0)/PCy₃ catalyst, a reaction with N‐benzylidene‐P,P‐diphenylphosphinic amide was developed. Moreover, an application of N‐aryl imines to the reaction was also achieved by adopting N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands. The isolation of an (η²‐N‐aryl imine)nickel(0) complex containing a 14‐electron nickel(0) center and a T‐shaped 14‐electron five‐membered aza‐nickelacycle is shown. These would be considered as key intermediates of the reaction. The structure of these complexes was unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray analyses.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of α,α′‐Dichloro‐ortho‐Xylenes with Alkynes

A formal [4+2] cycloaddition of α,α′‐dichloro‐ortho‐xylenes with various alkynes has been developed using a low‐valent cobalt catalyst. The transformation has a wide substrate scope and high functional‐group tolerance and led to 1,4‐dihydronaphthalenes. The formed cycloadducts were easily aromatized with MnO₂ under air. A mechanistic investigation suggests that the transformation proceeds through a benzyl cobaltation of alkyne, not the classical Diels–Alder reaction of ortho‐quinodimethanes. This methodology provides a straightforward and streamlined access to linearly expanded π‐conjugated aromatics.     

One Stone for Three Birds‐Rhodium‐Catalyzed Highly Diastereoselective Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition of Optically Active Allene‐1,3‐dienes

RhCl(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed [4+2] intramolecular cycloaddition of optically active axially chiral allene‐dienes afforded cis‐fused [3.4.0]‐bicyclic products with three chiral centers in good yields with an excellent chemo‐ and diastereoselectivity. A pair of enantiomers of such products was generated highly selectively from both enantiomers of starting allene‐dienes, indicating that the axial chirality dictated the absolute configurations of the three in situ generated chiral centers with a very high efficiency of chirality transfer.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Generation of the Two Components of a Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction for the Synthesis of Tetracyclic Pyrano[2,3,4‐de]chromenes

Ortho‐Alkynylbenzaldehydes have been widely used to generate isochromenylium derivatives through gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization. These isochromenylium derivatives have been exploited as formal diene derivatives for reactions with different dienophiles. Herein, we describe the behavior of ortho‐alkynylsalicylaldehydes, a particular case of ortho‐alkynylbenzaldehydes. The gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of ortho‐alkynylsalicylaldehydes delivers an unusual heterodiene derivative that reacts with electron‐rich alkenes through a formal [4+2] cycloaddition. In this reaction, both the diene and dienophile are generated in situ through gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of appropriate alkynamines or alkynols. This reaction was used to synthesize complex tetracyclic pyrano[2,3,4‐de]chromenes from two very simple starting materials (an ortho‐alkynylsalicylaldehyde and an alkynamine or alkynol) with complete atom economy and with selective formation of bonds, cycles, and stereocenters.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of [9]‐ and [11]Helicene‐like Molecules: Double Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

The enantioselective synthesis of completely ortho‐fused [9]‐ and [11]helicene‐like molecules has been achieved through a rhodium‐mediated, intramolecular, double [2+2+2] cycloaddition of phenol‐ or 2‐naphthol‐linked hexaynes. Crystal structures and photophysical properties of these [9]‐ and [11]helicene‐like molecules have also been disclosed.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Oxidative [3+2] Annulation of Arenes and Azabicyclic Olefins through Twofold C−H Activation

C?H bond activation is mostly limited to ortho selectivity. Activation of both ortho and meta C?H bonds constitutes a particularly important strategy for annulation, but has rarely been studied in enantioselective systems. Reported herein is rhodium(III)‐catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] transannulation of arenes with 7‐azabenzonorbornadienes. Two distinct classes of arenes have been identified as substrates, and the coupling proceeded with high enantioselectivity and excellent diastereoselectivity through sequential activation of ortho and meta C?H bonds.     

Formal [4+1] Cycloaddition of o‐Aminobenzyl Chlorides with Isocyanides: Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐3‐Substituted Indoles

Reaction of substituted o‐aminobenzyl chlorides with isocyanides in the presence of a weak base (NaHCO₃) at room temperature afforded the diversely functionalized 2‐aminoindoles in good to excellent yields. A formal [4+1] cycloaddition of the in situ generated aza‐ortho‐xylylenes with isocyanides accounted for the reaction outcome.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C−C Bond Cleavage of 2H‐Azirines: A Formal [3+2+2] Cycloaddition to Fused Azepine Skeletons

2H‐azirines can serve as three‐atom synthons by C?C bond cleavage, however, it involves a high energy barrier under thermal conditions (>50.0 kcal mol^?1). Reported is a ruthenium‐catalyzed [3+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2H‐azirines with diynes, thus leading to the formation of fused azepine skeletons. This approach features an unprecedented metal‐catalyzed C?C bond cleavage of 2H‐azirines at room temperature, and the challenging construction of aza‐seven‐membered rings from diynes. The results of this study provide a new reaction pattern for constructing nitrogen‐containing seven‐membered rings and may find applications in the synthesis of other complex heterocycles.     

Control of the Stereochemical Course of [4+2] Cycloaddition during trans‐Decalin Formation by Fsa2‐Family Enzymes

Enzyme‐catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition has been proposed to be a key transformation process in various natural product biosynthetic pathways. Recently Fsa2 was found to be involved in stereospecific trans‐decalin formation during the biosynthesis of equisetin, a potent HIV‐1 integrase inhibitor. To understand the mechanisms by which fsa2 determines the stereochemistry of reaction products, we sought an fsa2 homologue that is involved in trans‐decalin formation in the biosynthetic pathway of an enantiomerically opposite analogue, and we found phm7, which is involved in the biosynthesis of phomasetin. A decalin skeleton with an unnatural configuration was successfully constructed by gene replacement of phm7 with fsa2, thus demonstrating enzymatic control of all stereochemistry in the [4+2] cycloaddition. Our findings highlight enzyme‐catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition as a stereochemically divergent step in natural product biosynthetic pathways and open new avenues for generating derivatives with different stereochemistry.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2]‐Cycloaddition of α‐Substituted Iminoesters with α‐Trifluoromethyl α,β‐Unsaturated Esters

Reported herein is an example of highly regio‐, diastereo‐ and enantioselective Cu(I)‐catalyzed intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of α‐substituted iminoesters with α‐trifluoromethyl α,β‐unsaturated esters. This novel strategy provided a facile access to pyrrolidines with two skipped (aza)quaternary stereocenters including a CF₃ all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter. A broad substrate scope was observed and high yields (up to 94%) with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to >20 : 1 d.r.) and enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) were obtained.     

Rh‐Catalyzed [5+1] and [4+1] Cycloaddition Reactions of 1,4‐Enyne Esters with CO: A Shortcut to Functionalized Resorcinols and Cyclopentenones

We have developed novel Rh‐catalyzed [n+1]‐type cycloadditions of 1,4‐enyne esters, which involve an acyloxy migration as a key step. The efficient preparation of functionalized resorcinols, including biaryl derivatives, from readily available 1,4‐enyne esters and CO was achieved by Rh‐catalyzed [5+1] cycloaddition accompanied by 1,2‐acyloxy migration. When enyne esters had an internal alkyne moiety, the reaction proceeded by a [4+1]‐type cycloaddition involving 1,3‐acyloxy migration, leading to cyclopentenones.     

Gadolinium Photocatalysis: Dearomative [2+2] Cycloaddition/Ring‐Expansion Sequence with Indoles

Lanthanide photocatalysts are much less investigated in synthetic chemistry than rare and expensive late transition metals. We herein introduce Gd^III photocatalysis of a highly regioselective, intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition/ring‐expansion sequence with indoles, which could provide divergent access to cyclopenta[b]indoles and indolines. A simple and commercially available Gd(OTf)₃ salt is sufficient for this visible‐violet‐light‐induced transformation. The reaction proceeds either through a transient or start‐to‐end dearomatization cascade and shows excellent regioselectivity (usually >95:5 r.r.), broad scope (59 examples), good functional group tolerance and facile scale‐up under mild, direct visible‐light‐excitation conditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that direct excitation of the Gd(OTf)₃/indole mixture gives an excited state intermediate, which undergoes the subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition and cyclobutane‐expansion cascade.     

A Catalytic Diastereoselective Formal [5+2] Cycloaddition Approach to Azepino[1,2‐a]indoles: Putative Donor–Acceptor Cyclobutanes as Reactive Intermediates

A catalytic formal [5+2] cycloaddition approach to the diastereoselective synthesis of azepino[1,2‐a]indoles is reported. The reaction presumably proceeds through a Lewis acid catalyzed formal [2+2] cycloaddition of an alkene with an N‐indolyl alkylidene β‐amide ester to form a donor–acceptor cyclobutane intermediate, which subsequently undergoes an intramolecular ring‐opening cyclization. Azepine products are formed in up to 92 % yield with high degrees of diastereoselectivity (up to 34:1 d.r.).     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [4+2] Cycloadditions of Vinylcarbenes with Dienes

The reaction of 2‐siloxycyclo‐1,3‐dienes with E‐vinyldiazoacetates in the presence of the bulky chiral dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalyst, Rh₂(R‐p‐PhTPCP)₄ results in an enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition, in which three new stereogenic centers are formed. The [4+2] cycloadducts are generated as single diastereomers with high enantiocontrol (95–98 % ee). When the diene contains an additional stereogenic center, effective kinetic resolution can be achieved.     

Stereochemistry of [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of Perfluorinated Selenocarbonyls to 1, 3‐Dienes

In completely stereospecific [4+2] cycloadditions, the perfluorinated selenocarbonyls 1 and 2 react both with trans‐trans‐2, 4‐hexadiene and cis‐trans‐2, 4‐hexadiene to yield 3, 6‐dihydro‐cis‐3, 6‐dimethyl‐2H‐selenapyrans 3 , 4a and 4b . The observed stereoselectivity leads to the conclusion, that the [4+2] cycloaddition of perfluorinated selenocarbonyls follows a concerted pathway. An identical mixture of isomers was isolated when using the precursor for 2 , trimethylstannyl (pentafluoroethyl)selane, which reacts with both 1, 3‐dienes over several weeks to form a mixture of syn‐2‐fluoro‐3, 6‐dihydro‐cis‐3, 6‐dimethyl‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐2H‐selenapyran ( 4a ) and anti‐2‐fluoro‐3, 6‐dihydro‐cis‐3, 6‐dimethyl‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐2H‐selenapyran ( 4b ) in the same ratio as found for 2 , thus proving the intermediate formation of Se=C(F)CF₃ ( 2 ). Complex 2D NMR experiments were used to distinguish the isomers 4a and 4b and to assign the ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR data of the selenaheterocycles.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [3+2]/[5+2] Annulation of 4‐Aryl 1,2,3‐Triazoles with Internal Alkynes through Dual C(sp2)H Functionalization

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed [3+2]/[5+2] annulation of 4‐aryl 1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with internal alkynes is presented. This transformation provides straightforward access to indeno[1,7‐cd]azepine architectures through a sequence involving the formation of a rhodium(III) azavinyl carbene, dual C(sp²)? H functionalization, and [3+2]/[5+2] annulation.     

ortho‐Oxygenative 1,2‐Difunctionalization of Diarylalkynes under Merged Gold/Organophotoredox Relay Catalysis

Reported herein is an ortho‐oxygenative 1,2‐difunctionalization of diarylalkynes under merged gold/organophotoredox catalysis to access highly functionalized 2‐(2‐hydroxyaryl)‐2‐alkoxy‐1‐arylethan‐1‐ones. Detailed mechanistic studies suggested a relay process, initiating with gold‐catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of alkynes, to generate enol‐ether followed by a key formal [4+2]‐cycloaddition reaction. The successful application of the present methodology was also shown for the synthesis of benzofurans.