A novel synthesis of α-hydroxy- and α,α′-dihydroxyketone from α-iodo and α,α′-diiodo ketone using photoirradiation

A novel reaction of α-iodo ketone (α-iodocycloalkanone, α-iodo-β-alkoxy ester, and α-iodoacyclicketone) with irradiation under a high-pressure mercury lamp gave the corresponding α-hydroxyketone in good yields. In the case of α,α′-diiodo ketone, α,α′-dihydroxyketone which little has been reported until now was obtained. This reaction affords a new, clean and convenient synthetic method for α-hydroxy- and α,α′-dihydroxyketone.     

Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketone from α-iodo ketone using photoirradiation

Irradiation of α-iodo ketone in hexane under a nitrogen atmosphere with a high-pressure mercury lamp (λ>300nm) at room temperature afforded the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketones in good yield. This reaction affords a new, clean and convenient synthetic method for the α,β-unsaturated ketone.     

An efficient and convenient transformation of α-haloketones to α-hydroxyketones using cesium formate

A new safe and convenient transformation has been developed. In the presence of cesium formate in dry MeOH solution, α-haloketones underwent direct conversion reaction to afford α-hydroxyketone in excellent yields. Furthermore, this methodology can be extended and applied in 2-chloro-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)acetamide, 2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphen-yl)acetamide, 1-(bromomethylsulfonyl)benzene, and N-(bromomethyl)phthalimide to give the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields.     

Tandem epoxysilane rearrangement/Wittig-type reactions using γ-phosphinoyl- and γ-phosphonio-α,β-epoxysilane

Reaction of γ-phosphinoyl- and γ-phosphonio-α,β-epoxysilane with a base followed by addition of a ketone or an aldehyde afforded dienol silyl ether derivatives via a tandem process that involves base-induced ring opening of the epoxide, Brook rearrangement, and Wittig-type reaction.     

The clemmensen reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones

The deoxygenation of the α,β-unsaturated ketones (1) and (5) under the Clemmensen condition yielded the olefins (2) and (6) along with their respective dimers (3+4) and (8+9). The α , β-unsaturated ketone (13) under similar treatment yielded the olefin (14) in satisfactory yield but the dimer could not be characterized. The deoxygenation of the α,β-unsaturated ketones (10) and (16) under similar con- ditions afforded the olefins (12) and (15) respectively in satisfactory yield along with the rearranged olefins (11) and (17) respectively. Epox-idation of the olefin (17) followed by heating with p-toluenesulfonic acid yielded the ketone (18).     

Chlorotrimethylsilane promoted asymmetric Michael reaction of chiral enamines of α-alkyl β-keto esters

By the promotion of chlorotrimethylsilane, asymmetric Michael reaction of the chiral enamines (2) of α-alkyl β-keto esters (1) with methyl vinyl ketone and ethyl acrylate proceeded to afford, after hydrolysis, either enantiomer of the corresponding adducts (4) in a good enantioselectivity.     

Dual-activation protocol for tandem cross-aldol condensation: An easy and highly efficient synthesis of α,α′-bis(aryl/alkylmethylidene)ketones

Commercially available lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH·H₂O) was found to be a novel ‘dual activation’ catalyst for tandem cross-aldol condensation between cyclic/acyclic ketones and aromatic/heteroaromatic/styryl/alkyl aldehydes leading to an efficient and easy synthesis of α,α′-bis(aryl/alkylmethylidene)ketones at r.t. in short times. The reaction of aryl, heteroaryl, styryl and alkyl aldehydes with acyclic and five/six-membered cyclic ketones afforded excellent yields after 2 min to 1.25 h. The reaction conditions were compatible with various electron withdrawing and electron donating substituents, e.g. Cl, F, NO₂, OMe and NMe₂. The rate of the cross-aldol condensation was influenced by the nature of the ketone and electronic and steric factors associated with the aldehyde. The reaction took place at a faster rate for acyclic ketone (e.g., acetone) than that for cyclic ketone (e.g., cyclohexanone). In case of cycloalkanones, the rate of the reaction was dependent on the size of the ring of the cycloalkanone. The cross-aldol condensation of cyclopentanone was faster than that of cyclohexanone for a common aldehyde. In case of reactions involving aliphatic aldehyde having α-hydrogen atom no self-aldol condensation of the aldehyde took place.     

Phosphonates containing sulfur and selenium. Synthesis of vinylphosphonates bearing α-sulfenyl, α-selenenyl, α-sulfinyl and α-seleninyl moieties and studies on nucleophilic addition

The selenenylation of racemic and optically active α-phosphoryl sulfoxides is a key step leading efficiently to α-phosphorylvinyl sulfoxides or α-phosphorylvinyl selenides depending on the reaction conditions. Oxidation of α-phosphorylvinyl selenides and subsequent thermolysis of selenoxides afford alkynylphosphonates. Studies of the stereochemical course of nucleophilic addition to α-phosphoryl sulfoxides show high facial stereoselectivity of the reaction, however, epimerisation at the α-carbon atom leads to mixtures of diastereomers.     

Syntheses of methyl α-dl-mycaminoside, methyl α-dl-oleandroside, methyl β-dl-cymaroside, methyl α-dl-tyveloside and methyl α-dl-chromoside C

Five rare hexoses, which are components of antibiotics or cardiac glycosides, have been synthesized as methyl glycosides through a common intermediate methyl 2,3-dehydro-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-dl glucopyranoside (7). Epoxidation and subsequent treatment with dimethylamine of7 afforded methyl α-dl-mycaminoside (9). The addition reaction of MeOH to12 gave methyl α-dl-oleandroside (15) and methyl β-dl-cymaroside (17). The hydroxymercuration and subsequent reduction of12 afforded methyl α-dl-chromoside C (19) and methyl β-dl-tyveloside (25).     

Regioselective SN′ allylic substitution versus 1,4-addition: Synthesis of α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters

The reaction of the higher order organocuprate reagents R₂Cu(CN)Li₂-BF₃ with γ-bromo α,β-unsaturated esters gives with very high selectivity α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters arising from a SN′ allylic substitution. This reaction allows an easy access to α-silyl β,γ-unsaturated esters.     

A novel ring contraction: 3β-methyl-A-nor-5β-cholestan-5-ol-6-one from 3β-tosyloxy-5α-cholestane-5,6β-diol through an ene reaction of an unsaturated acyloin

A by-product of the reaction of 3β-tosyloxy-5α-cholestane-5,6β-diol with , 3β-methyl-A-nor-5β-cholestan-5-ol-6-one, is believed to arise from the intramolecular ene reaction of 4,5-seco-cholest-3-en-6β-ol-5-one.     

Chlorination of α-sulfonyl carbanions with hexachloroethane: A novel preparation of α-halosulfones

The cyclic sulfones1,2, and3 are lithiated in benzene with n-butyllithium. Lithiation is demonstrated to lead to α-mono, α,α′-di and/or α,α-di and α,α,α′ trimetallation. The lithiated sulfones are chlorinated with hexachloroethane (HCE). Some mechanistic aspects of the reaction of the lithiosulfones with vicinal dihalides are discussed.     

Asymmetric reduction of acetophenone using α,α-disubstituted aziridinemethanols and borane

A series of α,α-disubstituted aziridinemethanols have been designed and synthesized as chiral auxiliaries for the enantioselective reduction of acetophenone. Some of them catalyzed the reduction with excellent ee (up to 97%) under more facile reaction conditions. Furthermore, the results showed that α,α-disubstituted aziridinemethanols with electron-withdrawing groups led to much higher enantioselectivity than those with electron-donating groups, which allowed the rational modification of catalyst structure to achieve optimal enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis of 1-phenylbut-3-ene-1,2-dione and its attempted radical polymerization

1,2-Diketone moiety-bearing monomer 1-phenylbut-3-ene-1,2-dione, an analogue of phenyl vinyl ketone, was synthesized from 4-chlorobutyryl chloride in a 29 % overall yield in five steps. Following acylation of benzene with 4-chlorobutyryl chloride, the resulting α-methylene group was oxidized to 1,2-diketone in three steps: successive bromination, substitution with lithium hydroxide, and oxidation of α-hydroxyketone with potassium dichromate. The final step was dehydrochlorination of 4-chloro-1-phenyl-butane-1,2-dione. The attempted copolymerization of this monomer with styrene, using AIBN as the initiator, was unsuccessful.     

Synthesis of novel α,α′,β-trisubstituted β-lactones

A concise and efficient synthesis of α,α′,β-trisubstituted β-lactones is presented. These novel lactones are easily obtained in five steps and will be dedicated to anionic ring opening polymerization.     

Synthese stereoselective d'esters α,β- ethyleniques α-methyles Z ou E par la reaction de wittig-horner a partir de phosphonates ou d'oxydes de phosphine

The reaction of α-branched aldehydes with diethyl 1-carbomethoxyethyl phosphonate 1b in THF/nBuLi at low temperature leads stereoselectively to Z α-methyl α,β-unsaturated esters. From a linear aldehyde, the reaction is less stereoselective, while from α,β-unsaturated ones, the E isomers are predominantly formed in good yields. From diphenyl 1-carbomethoxyethyl phosphine oxide 2b, E α-methyl α,β-unsaturated esters are stereoselectively formed either in DMF/tBuOK or in phase transfer conditions, whatever the starting aldehyde is, also in good yields. This reagent can thus advantageously replace the corresponding P-ylid. In all cases, the reaction conditions are determined so that by-products formation is minimized.     

Synthesis of α-cyanoenamines : Isolation and characterization of both tautomeric isomers: α-cyanoenamines and imidoylcyanides

α-Cyanoenamines have been prepared in high yield by the reaction of α-chloroaldimines with potassium cyanide in methanol. On gas chromatographic analysis, the α-cyanoenamines were partially isomerized to the tautomeric imidoylcyanides. Both isomers have been isolated and spectroscopically characterized.     

TiO2 as a new and reusable catalyst for one-pot three-component syntheses of α-aminophosphonates in solvent-free conditions

Commercially available titania (TiO₂) is reported as an extremely efficient catalyst for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates. A three-component reaction of an amine, an aldehyde or a ketone and a dialkyl phosphite (Kabachnik–Fields reaction) took place in one-pot, under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in high yields and short times. The TiO₂ catalyzed α-aminophosphonate synthesis in the present study perhaps represents a true three-component reaction as no intermediate formation of either an imine or α-hydroxyphosphonate was observed that indicated the simultaneous involvement of the carbonyl compound, the amine and the phosphite in the transition state. Furthermore, the catalyst can be reused for several times without any significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid imidazolides and amides by lanthanide–BINOL complexes

Highly enantioselective catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid imidazolides and simple amides was developed. In the presence of 5–10 mol% of lanthanide–BINOL complexes, the reaction proceeded smoothly with high substrate generality. In particular, in the cases of α,β-unsaturated amides, there was nearly perfect enantioselectivity (>99% ee). The corresponding epoxides were successfully transformed into many types of useful chiral compounds such as α,β-epoxy esters, α,β-epoxy amides, α,β-epoxy aldehydes, α,β-epoxy β-keto ester, and α- and β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds. B3LYP density functional studies were performed to predict substrate reactivity.     

Enantioselective synthesis of β,β-dialkyl α-hydroxy γ-butyrolactones

An ephedrine-derived morpholine dione is employed in the synthesis of chiral alkylidene morpholinones that are efficiently converted to β-substituted α,γ-dihydroxy butyramides, precursors of the corresponding butyrolactones. Enantioselective synthesis of a spiro analog of pantolactone as well as a naturally occurring pantolactone homolog is achieved with this protocol.