Highly enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions of Danishefsky type dienes with electron-deficient alkenes catalyzed by Yb(III)-BINAMIDE complexes

1-Methoxy-3-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene (Danishefsky's diene) is recognized as a synthetically useful diene due to its high reactivity in the Diels-Alder reaction with electron-deficient alkenes to give oxygen-functionalyzed cyclohexenes and substituted cyclohexenones, which are important building blocks for the total synthesis of natural products. However, the development of catalytic enantioselective versions of Diels-Alder reactions using Danishefsky type dienes with electron-deficient alkenes has been difficult because of the instability of the dienes under Lewis acidic conditions. Only highly reactive CO and CN double bonds are employed in a hetero-Diels-Alder reaction which proceeds under catalysis of chiral Lewis acids. We have developed a new chiral ligand, BINAMIDE, which is easily prepared from 1,1'-binaphtyl-2,2'-diamine by acylation. The highly diastereo- and enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky type dienes with electron-deficient alkenes in the presence of an Yb(III)-BINAMIDE complex has been developed. The reaction proceeded in an exoselective mode and gave chiral highly functionalized cyclohexene derivatives in good yields.     

Highly selective hydrogenation of multiple carbon-carbon bonds promoted by nickel(0) nanoparticles

A new method for the highly stereoselective cis semihydrogenation of internal alkynes, semihydrogenation of terminal alkynes, reduction of dienes to alkenes, and reduction of alkynes and alkenes to alkanes is described based on in situ generated both Ni(0) nanoparticles and molecular hydrogen.     

Oxygen-promoted palladium(II) catalysis: facile C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond formation via cross-coupling of alkenylboronic compounds and olefins

[reaction: see text] Oxygen-promoted Pd(II) catalysis facilitated the synthesis of conjugated dienes by cross-coupling of alkenylboronic compounds and various olefins including highly substituted alkenes and cyclohexenone. Under mild conditions, these versatile reactions were efficient and highly stereoselective.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed dehydrogenative olefination of vinylic C-H bonds with allylic esters: general and selective access to linear 1,3-butadienes

This work demonstrates a general and efficient method to prepare conjugated dienes by Pd(II)-catalyzed direct olefination of unactivated alkenes with allylic esters and acrylates via vinylic C-H activation. Various aryl and heteroaryl alkenes as well as aliphatic alkenes all give the desired linear 1,3-butadienes with retention of the traditional leaving groups such as OAc and other carboxylic acid ester groups.     

Addition of carboxyalkyl radicals to alkenes through a catalytic process,using a Mn(II)/Co(II)/O2 redox system

A novel strategy for production of mono- and dicarboxylic acids by the addition of carboxyalkyl radicals to alkenes and dienes, respectively, was successfully developed through a catalytic process with use of Mn(II)/Co(II)/O(2) system. Thus, a variety of carboxylic acids were prepared by the reaction of alkenes and dienes with acid anhydrides in the presence of a very small amount of Mn(OAc)(2) (0.5 mol %) and Co(OAc)(2) (0.1 mol %) under dilute dioxygen.     

3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl sulfones in the direct Julia-Kocienski olefination

3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (BTFP) sulfones 7 have been employed in the Julia-Kocienski olefination reaction with carbonyl compounds. Sulfones 7 are readily prepared in high yields (64-97%) from commercially available 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)thiophenol through an alkylation/oxidation two-step sequence. The stability of metalated BTFP sulfones has been studied and compared with heteroaryl benzothiazol-2-yl (BT), 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl (PT), and 1-tert-butyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl (TBT) sulfones 9-11 under different reaction conditions. The Julia-Kocienski olefination between alkyl BTFP sulfones 7 and a wide variety of aldehydes affords the corresponding 1,2-disubstituted alkenes and dienes in good yields and stereoselectivities. This one-pot protocol can be performed using KOH at room temperature or the phosphazene bases P2-Et and P4-t-Bu at -78 degrees C or rt and has been successfully used in a high-yielding and stereoselective synthesis of various methoxylated stilbenes such as trimethylated resveratrol. These new reaction conditions for the Julia-Kocienski olefination reaction have been also studied with BT, PT, and TBT sulfones, giving poorer results. Methylenation of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, ketones, and 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds is carried out through the modified Julia olefination using BTFP methyl sulfone 7d to give terminal alkenes and dienes. Mechanistic studies of the olefination reaction between benzyl BTFP sulfone 7a and aromatic aldehydes performed by KOH-induced Smiles rearrangement of stereodefined syn- and anti-beta-hydroxyalkyl BTFP sulfones indicate that the stereocontrol of the reaction is determined in the elimination step.     

Xanthate-mediated synthesis of functional bis(γ-thiolactones)

A new methodology for the synthesis of bis(γ-thiolactones) including two different routes was developed. Both strategies are based on xanthate-mediated synthesis involving free radical addition to an unsaturated compound followed by thermolysis and thiolactonization steps. The first approach is based on the addition of a xanthate to different dienes whereas the second one uses the addition of a bis(xanthate) to various functional alkenes. These two different pathways led to a series of bis(γ-thiolactones) bearing phosphonated, hydroxy, bromide or boronate groups. This shows great promise for broader access to functional bis(γ-thiolactones) which can be envisioned as high potential building blocks for step-growth polymerization.     

(Z)-tamoxifen and tetrasubstituted alkenes and dienes via a regio- and stereospecific three-component magnesium carbometalation palladium(0) cross-coupling strategy

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of various tetrasubstituted alkenes and dienes in a regio- and stereocontrolled manner is described. This three-component coupling strategy involves the addition of Grignard reagents to propargyl alcohols followed by palladium(0)-mediated cross-coupling with aryl or vinyl halides. This protocol has been applied to the synthesis of (Z)-Tamoxifen and related mimics.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed intermolecular hydroarylation of alkenes with indoles under thermal and microwave-assisted conditions

An efficient method for intermolecular hydroarylation of aryl and aliphatic alkenes with indoles using a combination of [(PR(3))AuCl]/AgOTf as catalyst under thermal and microwave-assisted conditions has been developed. The gold(I)-catalyzed reactions of indoles with aryl alkenes were achieved in toluene at 85 degrees C over a reaction time of 1-3 h with 2 mol% of [(PR(3))AuCl]/AgOTf as catalyst. This method works for a variety of styrenes bearing electron-deficient, electron-rich, and sterically bulky substituents to give the corresponding products in good to high yields (60-95%). Under microwave irradiation, coupling of unactivated aliphatic alkenes with indoles gave the corresponding adducts in up to 90% yield. Selective hydroarylation of terminal C=C bond of conjugated dienes with indoles gave good product yields (62-81%). On the basis of deuterium-labeling experiments, a reaction mechanism involving nucleophilic attack of Au(I)-coordinated alkenes by indoles is proposed.     

Metal-catalyzed additions of H-P(O) bonds to carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds

In this short review, we briefly summarize our studies on metal-catalyzed additions of H-P(O) bonds to carbon-carbon unsaturated compounds (alkynes, alkenes, allenes, dienes and related). These new reactions provide regio- and stereoselective ways for the preparation of a variety of organophosphorus compounds. Mechanistic aspects related to the catalytic processes are discussed.     

Ligand tuning in asymmetric hydrovinylation of 1,3-dienes: a stereoselective route to either steroid-C20 (S) or -C20 (R) derivatives

1,3-Dienes derived from steroidal D-ring C 17-ketones undergo Ni(II)-catalyzed hydrovinylation to give 1,2- or 1,4-addition of ethylene. Using finely tuned phosphoramidite ligands, it is possible to synthesize either the C 20 ( R)- or ( S)-derivatives without mutual contamination. The proportion of the 1,4-adduct, which is also formed stereoselectively, can be minimized by optimizing the reaction conditions. Because the two alkenes in the resultant dienes have differing steric demands for many potential reactions, and are ideally juxtaposed for further D-ring functionalization, these intermediates could be useful for the preparation of biologically important compounds such as vitamin D analogs and various antitumor steroidal glycosides.     

Reductive displacement of allylic acetates by hydride transfer via catalytic activation by palladium(0) complexes

Allylic acetates are reduced to alkenes by reductive displacement by hydride reagents via catalytic activation with Pd(0) complexes. In the absence of hydrides, allylic acetates afford conjugated dienes in DMSO solvent.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of (Aza)indolines via Dehydrogenative [3+2] Annulation: Application to Total Synthesis of (±)‐Hinckdentine A

An electrochemical synthesis of functionalized (aza)indolines through dehydrogenative [3+2] annulation of arylamines with tethered alkenes has been developed. Previous reported syntheses through similar inter‐ and intramolecular annulation reactions required noble‐metal catalysts and are mostly limited to terminal alkenes or 1,3‐dienes. The electrosynthesis employs the easily available and inexpensive ferrocene as the molecular catalyst and is compatible with di‐, tri‐ and even tetrasubstituted alkenes to construct indolines as well as the more challenging azaindolines. Employing the newly developed electrosynthesis as a key step, the total synthesis of marine alkaloid (±)‐hinckdentine A has been achieved in 12 steps (longest linear sequence) from commercially available materials.     

Structural identification of alkene isomers by photodissociation–photoionization mass spectrometry

Photodissociation-photoionization, mass spectrometry (PDPI/MS) is used to probe the neutral dissociation chemistry of branched alkenes and dienes. Molecules are photodissociated with an ultraviolet laser and the resulting neutral fragments are subsequently photoionized with coherent vacuum ultraviolet radiation. The neutral fragmen tation observed is useful for characterizing compounds which isomerize prior to ionic fragmentation. Unimolecular photodissociation of dienes and branched alkenes is dominated by cleavage of the β C? C bond. In a few cases, α-cleavage is also observed. When two isomers produce isomass primary products, secondary fragmentation can be used to distinguish the structures. The primary and secondary product distributions are predictable and usually occur without iomerization. As a result, PDPI/MS can be used to determine the sites of branching and unsaturation in small (C₅–C₈) aliphatic compounds.     

A 2,6‐Bis(phenylamino)pyridinato Titanium Catalyst for the Highly Regioselective Hydroaminoalkylation of Styrenes and 1,3‐Butadienes

The C? C bond forming catalytic hydroaminoalkylation of terminal alkenes, 1,3‐dienes, or styrenes allows a direct and highly atom efficient (100 %) synthesis of amines which can result in the formation of two regioisomers, the linear and the branched product. We present a new titanium catalyst with 2,6‐bis(phenylamino)pyridinato ligands for intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation reactions of styrenes and 1‐phenyl‐1,3‐butadienes that delivers the corresponding linear hydroaminoalkylation products with excellent regioselectivities.     

Titanocene-catalyzed carbosilylation of alkenes and dienes using alkyl halides and chlorosilanes

A new method for regioselective carbosilylation of alkenes and dienes has been developed by the use of a titanocene catalyst. This reaction proceeds efficiently at 0 degrees C in THF in the presence of Grignard reagents by the combined use of alkyl halides (R'-X, X = Br or Cl) and chlorotrialkylsilanes (R3'Si-Cl) as the alkylating and silylating reagents, respectively. Terminal alkenes having aryl or silyl substituents (YRC=CH2, Y = Ar or Me3Si, R = H or Me) afford addition products YRC-(SiR'3)-CH2R' in good yields, whereas 1-octene and internal alkenes were sluggish. When 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes were used instead of alkenes, alkyl and silyl units are introduced at the 1- and 4-positions giving rise to allylsilanes in high yields under similar conditions. The present reaction involves (i) addition of alkyl radicals toward alkenes or dienes, and (ii) electrophilic trapping of benzyl- or allylmagnesium halides with chlorosilanes. The titanocene catalyst plays important roles in generation of these active species, i.e., alkyl radicals and benzyl- or allylmagnesium halides.     

Addition of the phenoxathiin cation radical to alkenes and nonconjugated dienes. Formation of (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes and (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)dienes on basic alumina

Addition of phenoxathiin cation radical (PO*+) to acyclic alkenes in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution occurred stereospecifically to form bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkane adducts. Stereospecific trans addition is ascribed to the intermediacy of an episulfonium cation radical. The alkenes used were cis- and trans-2-butene, cis- and trans-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-methyl-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-octene, trans-3-hexene, trans-3-octene, trans-5-decene, cis-2-hexene, and cis-2-heptene. The erythro bisadducts (compounds 6) were obtained with trans-alkenes, while threo bisadducts (compounds 7) were obtained with cis-alkenes. The assigned structures of 6 and 7 were consistent with their NMR spectra and, in one case, 6c (the adduct of trans-4-methyl-2-pentene) was confirmed with X-ray crystallography. Additions of PO*+ to 1,4-hexa-, 1,5-hexa-, 1,6-hepta-, and 1,7-octadiene gave bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes (compounds 8), the assigned structures of which were consistent with their NMR spectra. Each of these adducts lost a proton and phenoxathiin (PO) when treated with basic alumina in MeCN solution. Compounds 6 (from trans-alkenes) gave mixtures of (Z)- (9) and (E)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes (10) in which the (Z)-isomers (9) were dominant. On the other hand, compounds 7 (from cis-alkenes) gave mixtures of 9 and 10 in which, with one exception (the adduct 7c of cis-4-methyl-2-pentene), compounds 10 were dominant. The path to elimination is discussed. The alkenes 9 and 10 were characterized with NMR spectroscopy and, in one case (9a), with X-ray crystallography. Reactions of 8b-d with basic alumina gave mixtures of (E)- (13) and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)dienes (14), in which compounds 13 were dominant. The configuration of the product from 8a (the adduct of 1,4-hexadiene) could not be settled. Noteworthy features in the coupling patterns and chemical shifts in the NMR spectra of some of the adducts and their products are discussed and related to adduct conformations.     

Triplet energy transfer insight in coordination of unsaturated hydrocarbons by d(0) bent metallocenes (Zr, Hf)

For a class of pi-complexes as energy donors, with the use of highly emissive d(0) metallocenes Cp(2)MCl(2) where M = Zr and Hf, it is shown that radiationless triplet energy transfer to unsaturated hydrocarbons in a rigid nonpolar methylcyclohexane (MCH) matrix (where molecular diffusion is absent) obeys the Perrin equation, occurs at radii R(0), being close to the diameter of interacting molecules, and is well described by an electron-exchange resonant (Dexter) mechanism of interaction. Principle correlation between values of the critical radius and a number of C atoms in a linear alpha-olefin is for the first time reported, viz. R(0) (Angstrom) = -2.47 + 1.35n (obtained for systems [Cp(2)HfCl(2) + CnH(2)n + MCH] at 77 K). Pronounced blue shifts (up to 1000 cm(-1)) of low-temperature emission spectra of Cp(2)ZrCl(2) in MCH in the presence of dienes, possessing nonconjugated C=C bonds, are observed, thus suggesting inner-sphere diene coordination. In view of the experimental data, inner- and outer-sphere coordinative interaction between the components of catalytic systems for polymerization (d(0) metallocene precatalysts and alkenes and dienes) is rationalized.     

Photoinitiated ambient temperature copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and cyclization (ATRC) reactions in the presence of free-radical diazo initiator (AIBN)

The use of UV light in copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and cyclization (ATRC) reactions of various (poly)halogenated compounds to highly active alkenes in the presence of AIBN is reported. Radicals generated from photodecomposition of AIBN efficiently regenerated the copper(I) complex at ambient temperature enabling ATRA of CCl(4) and CBr(4) with catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol-%. The desired monoadduct was obtained in lower yields in the ATRA of less active halogenated compounds, which was mostly due to incomplete alkene conversions. Ambient temperature ATRA of CCl(4) to various 1,6-dienes followed by sequential ATRC was also performed in the presence of UV light using [Cu(II)(TPMA)Cl][Cl] complex and AIBN. High yields of the 5-exo-trig cyclic product were obtained for all dienes with preferential formation of the cis isomer.     

Titanocene-catalyzed regioselective carbomagnesation of alkenes and dienes

A new method for regioselective carbomagnesation of alkenes and dienes has been developed by the use of a titanocene catalyst. This reaction proceeds efficiently at 0 degrees C in THF in the presence of Cp(2)TiCl(2) by the combined use of organic halides (R-X; R = alkyl, aryl and vinyl) and n-BuMgCl to afford benzyl, alpha-silylalkyl, or allyl Grignard reagents, which were trapped with various electrophiles. The present reaction involves (i) addition of carbon radicals toward alkenes or dienes in the carbon-carbon bond-forming step and (ii) transmetalation on Ti of benzyl-, alpha-silylalkyl-, or allyltitanocene with n-BuMgCl in the carbon-magnesium bond-forming step. The scope and limitations of this reaction have also been examined.