Reaction of acylsilanes with α-sulfinyl carbanions: regioselective synthesis of silyl enol ethers

The reaction of acylsilanes with α-sulfinyl carbanions such as α-lithioalkyl sulfoxide is described. The reaction proceeds to give silyl enol ethers preferentially through the initial formation of the α-silyl alkoxide intermediates. In particular, the products derived from enolizable acylsilanes were the regio-defined silyl enol ethers that cannot be obtained by usual enolization of the corresponding unsymmetrical ketones with base.     

Chiral Zinc(II)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Tandem α‐Alkenyl Addition/Proton Shift Reaction of Silyl Enol Ethers with Ketimines

A new catalytic asymmetric tandem α‐alkenyl addition/proton shift reaction of silyl enol ethers with ketimines was serendipitously discovered in the presence of chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Zn^II complexes. The proton shift preferentially proceeded instead of a silyl shift after α‐alkenyl addition of silyl enol ether to the ketimine. A wide range of β‐amino silyl enol ethers were synthesized in high yields with good to excellent ee values. Control experiments suggest that the Mukaiyama–Mannich reaction and tandem α‐alkenyl addition/proton shift reaction are competitive reactions in the current catalytic system. The obtained β‐amino silyl enol ethers were easily transformed into β‐fluoroamines containing two vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon centers.     

A novel aminomethylation of silyl enol ethers with aminomethyl ethers catalyzed by iodotrimethylsilane or trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate

The iodotrimethylsilane-catalyzed reaction of silyl enol ethers with aminomethyl ethers in acetonitrile gives aminomethylation products of the corresponding ketones readily. The reaction can slso be catalyzed by trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate in dichloromethane.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cycloheptanone derivatives via an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction

[reaction: see text] A [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of a new five-carbon unit was developed on the basis of a dicobalt hexacarbonyl propargyl cation species. Under the influence of EtAlCl(2), [5-benzoyloxy-2-(triisopropylsiloxy)-1-penten-3-yne)]dicobalt hexacarbonyl reacted with enol triisopropylsilyl ethers to yield seven-membered dicobalt acetylene complexes in good yield. The reactions with cyclic enol silyl ethers as well as acyclic enol silyl ethers exhibited remarkably high diastereoselectivity. The cycloadducts can be easily converted into various kinds of cycloheptanone derivatives.     

New strategic reactions for organic synthesis: catalytic asymmetric C-H activation alpha to oxygen as a surrogate to the aldol reaction

The C-H activation of silyl ethers by means of rhodium carbenoid-induced C-H insertion represents a very direct method for the stereoselective synthesis of silyl-protected beta-hydroxy esters. The reaction can proceed with very high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity and represents a surrogate to the aldol reaction. The reaction is catalyzed by the rhodium prolinate complex Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4). A critical requirement for the high chemoselectivity is the use of donor/acceptor-substituted carbenoids such as those derived from methyl aryldiazoacetates. A range of silyl ethers may be used such as allyl silyl ethers, tetraalkoxysilanes, and even simple trimethylsilyl alkyl ethers. In general, C-H activation preferentially occurs at methylene sites, as the reactivity is controlled by a delicate balance between steric and electronic effects.     

New and efficient procedure for the preparation of unsymmetrical silaketals

[reaction: see text] A new and efficient procedure for the preparation of unsymmetrical silaketals via a three-step protocol without isolation of the intermediates is presented. The unsymmetrical silyl ethers and silanes can also be readily obtained via this sequence of reactions.     

Synthesis of biaryls by intramolecular radical aryl migration from silicon to carbon

A new method for the preparation of biaryls via intramolecular 1,5 aryl migration reaction from silicon in silyl ethers to aryl radicals is presented. Various readily available diphenylsilyl ethers can be used as substrates in this reaction. Functionalized aryl groups can also be transferred. The analogous 1,4 aryl migration reaction is less efficient.     

1-Phenylthio-3-vinyl-3-cyclohexenol, a new reagent for bis-annelation of silyl enol ethers

1-Phenylthio-3-vinyl-cyclohex-1-en-3-ol (2) has been synthesized and investigated as a new bis-annelation reagent for silyl enol ethers. Reagent 2 can be synthesized by a Grignard reaction of vinyl magnesium bromide with 3-phenylthiocyclohexenone. The reaction with silyl enol ethers takes place under Lewis acid catalysis and generally proceeds in good yields. The resulting phenylthiodienes can be hydrolyzed to enones, which have been cyclized in a homologous aldol reaction to polycyclic compounds.     

Two Reaction Mechanisms via Iminium Ion Intermediates: The Different Reactivities of Diphenylprolinol Silyl Ether and Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Diarylprolinol Silyl Ether

The reactions of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with cyclopentadiene in the presence of diarylprolinol silyl ethers as catalyst proceed via iminium cations as intermediates, and can be divided into two types; one involving a Michael‐type reaction (type A) and one involving a cycloaddition (type B). Diphenylprolinol silyl ethers and trifluoromethyl‐substituted diarylprolinol silyl ethers, which are widely used proline‐type organocatalysts, have been investigated in this study. As the LUMO of the iminium ion derived from trifluoromethyl‐substituted diarylprolinol silyl ether is lower in energy than that derived from diphenylprolinol silyl ether, as supported by ab initio calculations, the trifluoromethyl‐substituted catalyst is more reactive in a type B reaction. The iminium ion from an α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde is generated more quickly with diphenylprolinol silyl ether than with the trifluoromethyl‐substituted diarylprolinol silyl ether. When the generation of the iminium ion is the rate‐determining step, the diphenylprolinol silyl ether catalyst is the more reactive. Because acid accelerates the generation of iminium ions and reduces the generation of anionic nucleophiles in the Michael‐type reaction (type A), it is necessary to select the appropriate acid for specific reactions. In general, diphenylprolinol silyl ether is a superior catalyst for type A reactions, whereas the trifluoromethyl‐substituted diarylprolinol silyl ether catalyst is preferred for type B reactions.     

Lewis base activation of Lewis acids: catalytic, enantioselective addition of silyl ketene acetals to aldehydes

The concept of Lewis base activation of Lewis acids has been reduced to practice for catalysis of the aldol reaction of silyl ketene acetals and silyl dienol ethers with aldehydes. The weakly acidic species, silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), can be activated by binding of a strongly Lewis basic chiral phosphoramide, leading to in situ formation of a chiral Lewis acid. This species has proven to be a competent catalyst for the aldol addition of acetate-, propanoate-, and isobutyrate-derived silyl ketene acetals to conjugated and nonconjugated aldehydes. Furthermore, vinylogous aldol reactions of silyl dienol ethers are also demonstrated. The high levels of regio-, anti diastereo-, and enantioselectivity observed in these reactions can be rationalized through consideration of an open transition structure where steric interactions between the silyl cation complex and the approaching nucleophile are dominant.     

DIRECT CONVERSION OF SILYL ETHERS OR TETRAHYDROPYRANYL ETHERS INTO THE CORRESPONDING DIPHENYLMETHYL ETHERS

Direct conversion of alcohol silyl ethers into the corresponding diphenylmethyl (DPM) ethers can be easily performed by the reaction with diphenylmethyl formate in the presence of a catalytic amount of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. By the additional use of triethylsilane, tetrahydropyranyl ethers can be also converted into the corresponding DPM ethers.     

Direct transformation of silyl enol ethers into functionalized allenes

The first elimination reactions of silyl enol ethers to lithiated allenes are reported. These reactions allow a direct transformation of readily available silyl enol ethers into functionalized allenes. The action of three to four equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) on silyl enol ethers results in the formation of lithiated allenes by initial allylic lithiation, subsequent elimination of a lithium silanolate, and finally, lithiation of the allene thus formed. Starting with amide-derived silyl imino ethers, lithiated ketenimines are obtained. A variety of reactions of the lithiated allenes with electrophiles (chlorosilanes, trimethylchlorostannane, dimethyl sulfate and ethanol) were carried out. Elimination of silanolate is observed only for substrates that contain the hindered SiMe2tBu or Si(iPr)3 moiety, but not for the SiMe3 group. The reaction of 1,1-dilithio-3,3-diphenylallene with ketones provides a convenient access to novel 1,1-di(hydroxymethyl)allenes which undergo a domino Nazarov-Friedel-Crafts reaction upon treatment with p-toluenesulfonic acid.     

A mild and efficient method for the selective deprotection of silyl ethers using KF in the presence of tetraethylene glycol

A mild and efficient protocol for the deprotection of silyl ethers using KF in tetraethylene glycol is reported. A wide range of alcoholic silyl ethers can be selectively cleaved in high yield in the presence of certain acid- and base-labile functional groups. Moreover, the phenolic silyl ethers were cleaved exclusively, without affecting the alcoholic silyl ethers, at room temperature.     

W(CO)5-amine catalyzed exo- and endo-selective cyclizations of omega-alkynyl silyl enol ethers: a highly useful method for the construction of polycyclic compounds

[reaction: see text] A highly useful method for the construction of polycyclic compounds based on the amine-controlled exo- and endo-selective cyclizations of omega-alkynyl silyl enol ethers catalyzed by W(CO)5L is reported. When bis-alkynyl silyl enol ethers were treated with a catalytic amount of W(CO)6, DABCO, and water under photoirradiation, synthetically useful tricyclic ketones were obtained in good yield.     

Reaction of tertiary cyclopropyl silyl ethers with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride: the effects of substituents on the cleavage of the cyclopropane ring

The reaction of tertiary cyclopropanol silyl ethers with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride usually causes ring opening to produce allylic fluorides. However, cyclopropyl silyl ethers bearing a strong electron-donating substituent at C1 or an electron-withdrawing substituent at C2 do not afford allylic fluorides but fluorocyclopropanes. It has also been proved that an electron-donating substituent at C2 of the tertiary cyclopropanol silyl ethers promotes ring opening in the reaction with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride.     

The aldol reaction of silyl enol ethers within a micro reactor

We have demonstrated the use of silyl enol ethers in the aldol reaction within a micro reactor. Quantitative conversion of the silyl enol ether to a beta-hydroxyketone was observed in a 20 min period compared to traditional batch systems, where quantitative yields were only obtained when extended reaction times of 24 h were employed.     

Zn-mediated rhodium-catalyzed α-trifluoromethylation of ketones via silyl enol ethers

The treatment of silyl enol ethers of ketones with CF₃-I and Et₂Zn in the presence of RhCl(PPh₃)₃ in DME gave α-trifluoromethyl ketones in good yields. The reaction can be widely applicable to silyl enol ethers derived from aliphatic or aromatic ketones. In the absence of the rhodium catalyst, the reaction was very slow and the yields were quite poor.     

Mechanistic studies of Ce(IV)-mediated oxidation of beta-dicarbonyls: solvent-dependent behavior of radical cation intermediates

The Ce(IV)-initiated oxidation of synthetically relevant beta-diketones and beta-keto silyl enol ethers was explored in three solvents: acetonitrile, methylene chloride, and methanol. The studies presented herein show that the rate of reaction between Ce(IV) and the substrates is dependent upon the polarity of the solvent. Thermochemical studies and analysis are interpreted to be consistent with transition state stabilization by solvent being primarily responsible for the rate of substrate oxidation. Kinetic investigation of radical cations obtained from oxidations of beta-diketones reveals that a more ordered transition state for the radical cation decay is achieved through the direct involvement of methanol in the deprotonation of the intermediate. In the case of radical cations derived from beta-keto silyl enol ethers, experimental data support a mechanism involving unimolecular decay of the intermediate. Remarkably, radical cations derived from beta-diketones and beta-keto silyl enol ethers are surprisingly stable in methylene chloride.     

A Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Effects of Silyl Substituents in Enantioselective Reactions Catalyzed by Diphenylprolinol Silyl Ether

The effect of silyl substituents in diphenylprolinol silyl ether catalysts was investigated. Mechanistically, reactions catalyzed by diphenylprolinol silyl ether can be categorized into three types: two that involve an iminium ion intermediate, such as for the Michael‐type reaction (type A) and the cycloaddition reaction (type B), and one that proceeds via an enamine intermediate (type C). In the Michael‐type reaction via iminium ions (type A), excellent enantioselectivity is realized when the catalyst with a bulky silyl moiety is employed, in which efficient shielding of a diastereotopic face of the iminium ion is directed by the bulky silyl moiety. In the cycloaddition reaction of iminium ions (type B) and reactions via enamines (type C), excellent enantioselectivity is obtained even when the silyl group is less bulky and, in this case, too much bulk reduces the reaction rate. In other cases, the yield increases when diphenylprolinol silyl ethers with bulky substituents are employed, presumably by suppressing side reactions between the nucleophilic catalyst and the reagent. The conformational behaviors of the iminium and enamine species have been determined by theoretical calculations. These data explain the effect of the bulkiness of the silyl substituent on the enantioselectivity and reactivity of the catalysts.     

Enantioselective Addition of Cyclic Enol Silyl Ethers to 2-Alkenoyl-Pyridine-N-Oxides Catalysed by Cu(II) -Bis(oxazoline) Complexes

Asymmetric reactions involving (E)-3-aryl-1-(pyridin-2-yl-N-oxide)prop-2-en-1-ones and cyclic enol silyl ethers show good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.9?% ee) when catalysed by bis(oxazoline)-Cu(II) complexes. Different reaction pathways can be followed by different enol silyl ethers: with 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan, a Mukaiyama-Michael adduct is obtained, whereas a hetero Diels-Alder cycloadduct was formed by using (1,2-dihydronaphthalen-4-yloxy)trimethylsilane. In the latter reaction, the absolute configuration of the product is consistent with a reagent approach to the less hindered Re face of the coordinated substrate in the reactive complex.