Asymmetric intermolecular C-H activation,using immobilized dirhodium tetrakis((S)-N-(dodecylbenzenesulfonyl)- prolinate) as a recoverable catalyst

[reaction: see text] Heterogenization of dirhodium tetrakis((S)-N-dodecylbenzenesulfonyl)prolinate) (Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4)) can be readily achieved on a pyridine functionalized highly cross-linked polystyrene resin. The immobilized complex is readily recycled and exhibits excellent catalytic activity for asymmetric intermolecular C-H activation by means of rhodium carbenoid induced C-H insertion.     

A new route to hindered tertiary amines

The Rh(2)(OAc)(4)-stabilized carbenoid derived from dimethyl diazomalonate has been found to insert into the N-H bond of sterically hindered secondary aliphatic amines to afford hindered tertiary aliphatic amines in quite satisfactory yields. For example dimethyl 2-(dicyclohexylamino)propanedioate was formed in 85% yield from dicyclohexylamine, and the severely hindered dimethyl 2-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyl)propanedioate was formed in 38% yield from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. The Rh(2)(OAc)(4) - dimethyl diazomalonate reaction was found to work also for arylalkylamines and diarylamines. In these cases, small amounts of products resulting from formal insertion of the carbenoid into an aromatic C-H bond were detected. Substitution at ortho positions caused the yield of C-H insertion products to increase. Other diazo compounds, viz. ethyl diazoacetoacetate, 2-diazocyclohexane-1,3-dione, and 2-diazo-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione, performed satisfactorily in Rh(2)(OAc)(4)-catalyzed reactions with arylalkylamines and diarylamines, but led to complicated reaction mixtures with dialkylamines.     

Dirhodium tetracarboxylate derived from adamantylglycine as a chiral catalyst for carbenoid reactions

[reaction: see text] The dirhodium tetracarboxylate, Rh2(S-PTAD)4, derived from adamantylglycine, is a very effective chiral catalyst for carbenoid reactions. High asymmetric induction was obtained in Rh2(S-PTAD)4-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion (94% ee), intermolecular cyclopropanation (99% ee), and intermolecular C-H insertion (92% ee).     

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

The asymmetric C-H activation reactions of methyl aryldiazoacetates are readily induced by the rhodium prolinate catalyst Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4) (1) or the bridged prolinate catalysts Rh(2)(S-biDOSP)(2) (2a) and Rh(2)(S-biTISP)(2) (2b). The C-H activation of N-Boc-protected cyclic amines demonstrates that the donor/acceptor-substituted carbenoids display remarkable chemoselectivity, which allows for highly regioselective, diastereoselective, and enantioselective reactions to be achieved. Furthermore, the reactions can display high levels of double stereodifferentiation and kinetic resolution. The C-H activation is caused by a rhodium carbenoid induced C-H insertion. The potential of this chemistry is demonstrated by a very direct synthesis of threo-methylphenidate.     

Anomalous intramolecular C-H insertion reactions of rhodium carbenoids: factors influencing the reaction course and mechanistic implications

The intramolecular insertion of rhodium carbenoids into the alpha-C-H bonds of allylic ethers to give 3(2H)-furanones has been explored. Cyclopropanation is favored irrespective of the complex used for carbenoid generation or the substitution pattern of the allylic ether, unless a substituent is placed on the tether connecting the ether to the alpha-diazo ketone. Unusual acetal products resulting from an anomalous C-H insertion process are obtained in addition to the expected 3(2H)-furanones formed by conventional carbenoid C-H insertion. These acetals are the favored C-H insertion products in certain circumstances and particularly in cases where carbenoid generation is effected using an electron-deficient rhodium complex. Experiments with simple deuterium labeled substrates reveal that anomalous C-H insertion products arise by a mechanism that is distinct from that leading to the formation of conventional C-H insertion products. The formation of acetal products and the outcome of reactions performed using deuterium-labeled substrates suggest that a mechanism involving hydride migration to the rhodium center of the carbenoid is operative.     

Catalytic asymmetric reactions for organic synthesis: the combined C-H activation/siloxy-cope rearrangement

Tetrakis(N-[4-dodecylbenzenesulfonyl]-(L)-prolinate) dirhodium [Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4)]-catalyzed decomposition of vinyldiazoacetates in the presence of allyl silyl ethers results in the formation of the direct C-H insertion product and the product derived from a combined C-H activation/siloxy-Cope rearrangement. Both products are formed with very high diastereoselectivity (>94% de) and high enantioselectvity (78-93% ee). Under thermal or microwave conditions, the direct C-H insertion product undergoes a siloxy-Cope rearrangement in a stereoselective manner.     

Ruthenium catalysts for carbenoid intramolecular C-H insertion of 2-diazoacetoacetamides and diazomalonic ester amides

The intramolecular carbenoid C-H insertion of 2-diazoacetoacetamides, leading to γ- and/or β-lactams, is catalyzed effectively by dinuclear Ru(I,I) complexes of the type [Ru₂(μ-L¹)₂(CO)₄L²₂], where L¹ is a bidentate bridging acetate, calix[4]arenedicarboxylate, saccharinate or 6-chloropyridin-2-olate ligand. By comparison with rhodium catalysts, namely dirhodium tetraacetate and dirhodium calix[4]arenedicarboxylate complexes, product yields are similarly high and the regioselectivity of the insertion reaction is the same. Surprisingly, even the ruthenium(0) cluster Ru₃(CO)₁₂ was found to be an effective catalyst for carbenoid C-H insertion of 2-diazoacetoacetamides and also of some diazoacetamides. In terms of diastereoselectivity, trans-isomers of β- and γ-lactams are obtained. However, the β-lactam obtained from diazomalonic ester amide 2 yields the cis-isomer stereoselectively, which slowly rearranges to the trans-isomer.     

Ruthenium(II) porphyrin catalyzed formation of (Z)-4-alkyloxycarbonyl- methylidene-1,3-dioxolanes from gamma-alkoxy-alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters

[reaction: see text] Ruthenum(II) porphyrins and dirhodium(II) acetate catalyze cyclization of gamma-alkoxy-alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters to (Z)-4-(alkyloxycarbonylmethylidene)-1,3-dioxolanes selectively (ca. 68% yield) with no formation of 3(2H)-furanones. Reacting a diazo ketoester with [Ru(II)(TTP)(CO)] [H(2)TTP = meso-tetrakis(p-tolyl) porphyrin] in toluene afforded a ruthenium carbenoid complex, which has been isolated and spectroscopically characterized. A mechanism involving hydrogen atom migration from the C-H bond to the ruthenium carbenoid is proposed.     

Ligand effects in the Rh(II) catalyzed reaction of α-diazo ketoamides

The rhodium(II) catalyzed decomposition of several α-diazo ketoamides resulted in either formation of a push-pull carbonyl ylide intermediate followed by intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition across the tethered π-bond or C-H insertion of the initially formed rhodium carbenoid into the C₅-position of the lactam ring followed by a carboethoxy-decarboxylation reaction. The chemoselectivity exhibited by the rhodium carbenoid intermediate was found to be markedly dependent on the metal ligands employed.     

Rhodium(II)-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction of alpha-diazo carbonyls with tethered unsaturation

o-Alkynyl-substituted alpha-diazoketones undergo internal cyclization to produce indenone derivatives upon treatment with catalytic quantities of Rh(II)-carboxylates. A variety of structural influences were encountered by varying the nature of the substituent group attached to the diazo center. The cyclization reaction involves addition of a rhodium-stabilized carbenoid onto the acetylenic pi-bond to generate a cycloalkenone carbenoid. The cyclized carbenoid was found to undergo both aromatic and aliphatic C-H insertion as well as cyclopropanation across a tethered pi-bond. Subjection of diazo phenyl acetic acid 3-phenylprop-2-ynyl ester to Rh(II) catalysis furnished 8-phenyl-1, 8-dihydro-2-oxacyclopenta[a]indenone in high yield. The formation of this compound involves cyclization of the initially formed carbenoid onto the alkyne to produce a butenolide which then undergoes C-H insertion into the neighboring aromatic system. When a vinyl ether is added, the initially formed rhodium carbenoid intermediate can be intercepted by the electron-rich pi-bond prior to cyclization. Different rhodium catalysts were shown to result in significant variation in the product ratios. The competition between bimolecular cyclopropanation, 1,2-hydrogen migration, and internal cyclization was probed using several enol ethers as well as diazoesters which possess different substituent groups on the ester backbone. The specific path followed was found to depend on electronic, steric, and conformational factors.     

D2-symmetric dirhodium catalyst derived from a 1,2,2-triarylcyclopropanecarboxylate ligand: design, synthesis and application

Dirhodium tetrakis-(R)-(1-(4-bromophenyl)-2,2-diphenylcyclopropanecarboxylate) (Rh(2)(R-BTPCP)(4)) was found to be an effective chiral catalyst for enantioselective reactions of aryl- and styryldiazoacetates. Highly enantioselective cyclopropanations, tandem cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangements and a combined C-H functionalization/Cope rearrangement were achieved using Rh(2)(R-BTPCP)(4) as catalyst. The advantages of Rh(2)(R-BTPCP)(4) include its ease of synthesis, its tolerance to the size of the ester group in the styryldiazoacetates, and its compatibility with dichloromethane as solvent. Computational studies suggest that the catalyst adopts a D(2)-symmetric arrangement, but when the carbenoid binds to the catalyst, two of the p-bromophenyl groups on the ligands rotate outward to make room for the carbenoid and the approach of the substrate to the carbenoid.     

Asymmetric intramolecular C_H insertions of aryldiazoacetates

[reaction: see text] The enantioselectivity of Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4) catalyzed C-H insertion of aryldiazoacetates is very dependent on the site of the C-H insertion. The highest enantioselectivity is obtained for insertion into methine C-H bonds.     

Tandem Cyclization of Alkynylmetals Bearing a Remote Leaving Group via Cycloalkylidene Carbenes

Treatment of terminal alkynes bearing a remote leaving group with MNR(2) (M = Li, Na, K) gives bicyclo[n.3.0]-1-alkenes (n = 3, 4). The tandem cyclization proceeds through a mechanism involving exo-cyclization of an alkynylmetal intermediate and intramolecular C-H insertion of the resulting carbenoid.     

Highly regioselective rhodium(II)-catalysed carbenoid insertion reaction into sp CH bond: a general method for the synthesis of 3,3a-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-1,4-dione ring system

A simple and high yielding general method for the synthesis of 3,3a-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-1,4-dione derivatives through a highly regioselective rhodium(II)-catalysed carbenoid sp² C-H insertion reaction on suitably substituted γ-lactam diazocarbonyl compounds is described.     

Transition-metal-catalyzed group transfer reactions for selective C-H bond functionalization of artemisinin

Three types of novel artemisinin derivatives have been synthesized through transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular carbenoid and nitrenoid C-H bond insertion reactions. With rhodium complexes as catalysts, lactone 11 was synthesized via carbene insertion reaction at the C16 position in 90% yield; oxazolidinone 13 was synthesized via nitrene insertion reaction at the C10 position in 87% yield based on 77% conversion; and sulfamidate 14 was synthesized via nitrene insertion reaction at the C8 position in 87% yield.     

Ruthenium porphyrin catalyzed intramolecular carbenoid C[bond]H insertion. Stereoselective synthesis of cis-disubstituted oxygen and nitrogen heterocycles

[reaction: see text] A ruthenium porphyrin-catalyzed stereoselective intramolecular carbenoid C[bond]H insertion is described. Using [Ru(II)(TTP)(CO)] as catalyst, aryl tosylhydrazones are converted to 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, 2,3-dihydroindoles, and beta-lactams in good yields and remarkable cis selectivity (up to 99%). Enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans is also achieved with [Ru(II)(D(4)-Por*)(CO)] as catalyst, and up to 96% ee is attained.     

Enantiospecific total synthesis of (-)-4-thiocyanatoneopupukeanane

Enantiospecific synthesis of the natural enantiomer of the marine sesquiterpene (-)-4-thiocyanatoneopupukeanane (6) is described. The bicyclo[2.2.2]octanecarboxylate 14, obtained from (R)-carvone via Michael-Michael reaction, was transformed into neopupukeananedione 12 by employing rhodium acetate catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion of the diazo ketones 16 or 19 as the key reaction. Regioselective deoxygenation of the C-2 ketone transformed the dione 12 into neopupukean-4-one 10. Alternately, the keto ester 18 was also transformed into neopupukean-4-one 10 via regioselective deoxygenation of the ketone in 18 followed by intramolecular rhodium carbenoid C-H insertion of the diazo ketone 31. Finally, neopupukean-4-one 10 was transformed into (-)-4-thiocyanatoneopupukeanane 6 via the alcohol 32 and the mesylate 33.     

Enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropylphosphonates containing quaternary stereocenters using a D2-symmetric chiral catalyst Rh2(S-biTISP)2

[reaction: see text] Rh(2)(S-biTISP)(2)-catalyzed reactions of dimethyl aryldiazomethylphosphonates generate donor/acceptor-substituted rhodium carbenoid intermediates capable of cyclopropanation of styrenes in high yields (85-96%), diastereoselectivity (> or =98% de), and enantioselectivity (76-92% ee).     

Rh(II)-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion of diazo substrates in water: scope and limitations

Preferential Rh(II) carbenoid intramolecular C-H versus O-H insertion derived from alpha-diazo-acetamides can be achieved in water by using an appropriate combination of the catalyst and amide groups, which creates a larger hydrophobic environment around the reactive carbenoid center.