CpRuCl(PPh3)2-catalyzed cyclopropanation of bicyclic alkenes with tertiary propargylic acetates

The electron-rich cyclopentadienylruthenium complex CpRuCl(PPh3)2 turns out to be an efficient catalyst for the regio- and stereoselective cyclopropanation of bicyclic alkenes with tertiary propargylic carboxylates. The reaction provides 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes in high yields as a single stereoisomer instead of the expected cyclobutenes via [2 + 2] cycloaddition. Functional groups such as ethers, esters, alcohols, phenols, ketones, esters, carboxylic anhydrides, nitriles, halides, sulfones, imides, carbamates, and azines are tolerated with the catalyzed reaction. An efficient cyclopropanation of cyclobutenes was also demonstrated, providing the strained bicyclo[2.1.0(1,3)]pentane framework.     

Studies of a Diazo Cyclopropanation Strategy for the Total Synthesis of (−)‐Lundurine A

The bioactive Kopsia alkaloids lundurines A–D are the only natural products known to contain indolylcyclopropane. Achieving their syntheses can provide important insights into their biogenesis, as well as novel synthetic routes for complex natural products. Asymmetric total synthesis of (?)‐lundurine A has previously been achieved through a Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation strategy. Here, the total synthesis of (?)‐lundurine A was carried out using a metal‐catalyzed diazo cyclopropanation strategy. In order to avoid a carbene C?H insertion side reaction during cyclopropanation of α‐diazo‐ carboxylates or cyanides, a one‐pot, copper‐catalyzed Bamford–Stevens diazotization/diazo decomposition/cyclopropanation cascade was developed, involving hydrazone. This approach simultaneously generates the C/D/E ring system and the two chiral quaternary centers at C2 and C7.     

Direct synthesis of per(poly)fluoroalkylmethyl-substituted electrophilic cyclopropane derivatives

A convenient and direct per(poly)fluoroalkylmethyl-mtroducing cyclopropanation reaction was described. In the presence of CrCl3/Fe, per(poly)fluoroalkyl iodides reacted with diethyl allylmalonate and its analogs to give per(poly)fluoroalkylmethyl-substituted electrophilic cyclopropane derivatives in high yields. This reaction was considered to proceed by two steps: radical addition followed by cyclopropanation.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of alkenes via (2-furyl)carbene complexes from 1-benzoyl-cis-1-buten-3-yne with transition metal compounds

The reaction of alkenes with conjugated ene-yne-ketones, such as 1-benzoyl-2-ethynylcycloalkenes, with a catalytic amount of Cr(CO)(5)(THF) gave 5-phenyl-2-furylcyclopropane derivatives in good yields. The key intermediate of this cyclopropanation is a (2-furyl)carbene complex generated by a nucleophilic attack of carbonyl oxygen to an internal alkyne carbon in pi-alkyne complex or sigma-vinyl cationic complex. A wide range of late transition metal compounds, such as [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2), [RhCl(cod)](2), [Rh(OAc)(2)](2), PdCl(2), and PtCl(2), also catalyzes the cyclopropanation of alkenes with ene-yne-ketones effectively. When the reactions were carried out with dienes as a carbene acceptor, the more substituted or more electron-rich alkene moiety was selectively cyclopropanated with the (2-furyl)carbenoid intermediate.     

Selenium‐Containing Heterocycles from Isoselenocyanates: Synthesis of 1,2,3‐Selenadiazole Derivatives

The reaction of aroyl chlorides 1 with KSeCN and ethyl diazoacetate ( 6 ) in acetone at room temperature yields ethyl 2‐aroyl‐5‐(aroylimino)‐2,5‐dihydro‐1,2,3‐selenadiazole‐4‐carboxylates 7 (Scheme 3). A reaction mechanism via the initial formation of the corresponding aroyl isoselenocyanates 2 followed by a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of the diazo compound with the C=Se bond to give ethyl 5‐(aroylimino)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,2,3‐selenadiazole‐4‐carboxylates of type D is proposed. Acylation of the latter at N(2) leads to the final products 7 . Deacetylation of 7 to give ethyl 5‐(aroylimino)‐1,2,3‐selenadiazole‐4‐carboxylates 10 is achieved by treatment of 7 with morpholine (Scheme 5). The intermediate isoselenocyanates 2 partially oligomerize to give two different oligomers. The symmetrical one reacts with morpholine to yield selenourea derivatives 12 (Scheme 6).     

Copper-mediated aerobic synthesis of 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-enes and 4-carbonylpyrroles from N-allyl/propargyl enamine carboxylates

Synthetic methods for 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-enes and 4-carbonylpyrroles have been developed that use copper-mediated/catalyzed reactions of N-allyl/propargyl enamine carboxylates under an O(2) atmosphere and involve intramolecular cyclopropanation and carbooxygenation, respectively. These methodologies take advantage of orthogonal modes of chemical reactivity of readily available N-allyl/propargyl enamine carboxylates; the complementary pathways can be accessed by slight modification of the reaction conditions.     

Transition metal-catalyzed cyclopropanation of alkenes in water: catalyst efficiency and in situ generation of the diazo reagent

[reaction: see text] A cyclopropanation reaction involving ethyl diazoacetate and olefins proceeds with surprisingly high efficiency in aqueous media using Rh(II) carboxylates. Nishiyama's Ru(II) Py-box and Katsuki's Co(II) Salen complexes that allow for highly enantioselective cyclopropanations in organic solvents can also be applied to aqueous cyclopropanations with similar results. In situ generation of ethyl diazoacetate and cyclopropanation also proceeds efficiently. A chemoselective O-H insertion is also possible in water when hydrophobic catalysts and alcohols are used.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangement of Substituted 2-Silylaryl Triflates via 1,5-C−Pd/C−Si Bond Exchange

A palladium-catalyzed skeletal rearrangement of 2-(2-allylarylsilyl)aryl triflates has been developed to give highly fused tetrahydrophenanthrosilole derivatives via unprecedented 1,5-C−Pd/C−Si bond exchange. The reaction pathways can be switched toward 4-membered ring-forming C(sp²)−H alkylation by tuning the reaction conditions to give completely different products, fused dihydrodibenzosilepin derivatives, from the same starting materials. The inspection of the reaction conditions revealed the importance of carboxylates in promoting the C−Pd/C−Si bond exchange.     

PtCl2-mediated cycloisomerization of unsaturated propargylic carboxylates

The PtCl₂-mediated cycloisomerization of unsaturated propargylic carboxylates yields differently functionalized bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane enol esters from moderate to good yield, in a very diastereoselective manner. We have prepared and submitted to PtCl₂-catalyzed cycloisomerization a series of differently substituted hept-1-en-6-ynes with different O-acyl (acetyl, trichloroacetyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl, etc.) protecting groups at propargylic positions, investigating also the effect of the geometry at the double bond, as well as the effect of the number of substituents at the alkene moiety. As a result, we have found that the O-acetyl migrating group is the best one in terms of simplicity and chemical yields. In this reaction we have isolated mixtures of compounds formed by minor 1-acetoxy-allenes and major bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane derivatives. Major products are the result of a sequential process involving steps of cycloisomerization plus cyclopropanation, followed by acyl migration. The basic methanolysis (K₂CO₃, MeOH) of these intermediates gave mixtures of cis and trans-caran-2-ones. This two-step protocol (cycloisomerization plus basic methanolysis) for the syntheses of α,β-unsaturated cyclopropyl ketones constitutes a synthetic alternative to the usual unfriendly, intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated α-diazocarbonyl derivatives. The formation of these bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane derivatives is a simple, but efficient entry into the skeleton of the ‘carane’ family of natural products.     

A new ruthenium-catalyzed cyclopropanation of alkenes using propargylic acetates as a precursor of vinylcarbenoids

[RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂ catalyzes intermolecular cyclopropanation of various alkenes with propargylic acetates to give vinylcycloropanes in good yields. The key intermediate of this reaction is a vinylcarbene complex generated by nucleophilic attack of the carbonyl oxygen of the acetate to an internal carbon of alkyne activated by the ruthenium complex.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective cyclopropanation with chromium fischer carbene complexes: alkenyl oxazolines as useful achiral and chiral substrates.

The cyclopropanation reaction of chromium Fischer carbene complexes with alkenyl oxazolines has been studied in both racemic and enantioselective fashions. The oxazolinyl group acts as both electron-acceptor substituent and chiral auxiliary. Achiral (4,4-dimethyloxazolin-2-yl)alkenes derived from trans-crotonic and trans-cinnamic acids 2a,b undergo the cyclopropanation reaction to give 4a-d,g with excellent diastereoselectivity (trans/cis ratio between 93:7 and >97:3), while those derived from acrylic and metacrylic acids 2c,d give the cyclopropanes 4e,f,h with much lower selectivity (trans/cis ratio between 68:32 and 83:17). The homogeneous catalytic hydrogenolysis of 4 leads in a selective manner to 5 or 6, depending on the nature of the R3 substituent. The removal of the oxazoline moiety is achieved by carboxybenzylation/hydrolysis and ester reduction, yielding monoprotected 1,4- and 1,3-diols 9 and 11, respectively. The alkenes derived from enantiopure (S)-valinol and (S)-tert-leucinol 3 led to cyclopropanes trans-12 with high relative and absolute stereocontrol. Using tert-leucinol as the auxiliary permits attaining total facial stereoselectivity (>98% ee). Reductive cleavage of the cyclopropane ring and removal of the auxiliary afford the enriched alcohols (3S,4S)-9 and (S)-11. The stereochemical outcome of the cyclopropanation reaction is rationalized by a trans approach of the s-cis conformer of the alkenyl oxazoline to the carbene complex involving the less hindered face of the oxazoline auxiliary and the re-face of the carbene complex.     

Synthesis of gem-dialkoxycarbonylcyclopropane derivatives from olefins by the reaction with dibromomalonic esters and copper in dimethyl sulphoxide

A novel method for the synthesis of gem-dialkoxycarbonylcyclopropane derivatives is reported which involves the reaction of olefins with dibromomalonic esters and Cu in dimethyl sulphoxide. The reaction was applicable to a wide range of olefins and proceeded smoothly at moderate temperature to give the cyclopropane derivatives often in good yields. Cu was converted to Cu(II) bromide during the reaction. The reaction was weakly electrophilic and proceeded non-stereospecifically, and a stepwise mechanism involving addition and elimination appeared favourable for the reaction. In contrast, in the previously reported examples of the cyclopropanation of olefins by organic gem-dihalides and Cu in an aromatic hydrocarbon, Cu was converted to Cu(I) halides and a concerted cycloaddition of carbenoid intermediates appeared favourable.     

Doubly activated cyclopropanes as synthetic precursors for the preparation of 4-nitro- and 4-cyano-dihydropyrroles and pyrroles

[reaction: see text] 1-Nitro- and 1-cyano-cyclopropyl ketones have been prepared in an expedient manner from cyclopropanation reactions of alkenes by diazo compounds or in situ-generated phenyliodonium ylides catalyzed by Rh(II) carboxylates. The doubly activated cyclopropanes were used as synthetic precursors for the regiospecific synthesis of 4-nitro- and 4-cyano-dihydropyrroles upon treatment with primary amines. Oxidation of the dihydropyrroles with DDQ allows rapid access to densely functionalized pyrroles.     

Density functional theory study of the mechanism and origins of stereoselectivity in the asymmetric Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation with Charette chiral dioxaborolane ligand

Asymmetric Simmons-Smith reaction using Charette chiral dioxaborolane ligand is a widely applied method for the construction of enantiomerically enriched cyclopropanes. The detailed mechanism and the origins of stereoselectivity of this important reaction were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our computational studies suggest that, in the traditional Simmons-Smith reaction conditions, the monomeric iodomethylzinc allyloxide generated in situ from the allylic alcohol and the zinc reagent has a strong tendency to form a dimer or a tetramer. The tetramer can easily undergo an intramolecular cyclopropanation to give the racemic cyclopropane product. However, when a stoichiometric amount of Charette chiral dioxaborolane ligand is employed, monomeric iodomethylzinc allyloxide is converted into an energetically more stable four-coordinated chiral zinc/ligand complex. The chiral complex has the zinc bonded to the CH(2)I group and coordinated by three oxygen atoms (one from the allylic alcohol and the other two oxygen atoms from the carbonyl oxygen and the ether oxygen in the dioxaborolane ligand), and it can undergo the cyclopropanation reaction easily. Three key factors influencing the enantioselectivity have been identified through examining the cyclopropanation transition states: (1) the torsional strain along the forming C-C bond, (2) the 1,3-allylic strain caused by the chain conformation, and (3) the ring strain generated in the transition states. In addition, the origin of the high anti diastereoselectivity for the substituent on the zinc reagent and the hydroxymethyl group of the allylic alcohol has been rationalized through analyzing the steric repulsion and the ring strain in the cyclopropanation transition states.     

苯偶姻单酯无溶剂微波加热合成2-取代-4,5-二芳基咪唑衍生物

以醛为原料,在维生素B1作用下,经安息香缩合反应制得相应的苯偶姻衍生物,进而以此为原料与不同的酰化试剂酯化生成苯偶姻单酯.苯偶姻单酯与醋酸铵附着在固载体酸性氧化铝上,在无溶剂条件下微波加热合成了17种2-取代-4,5-二芳基咪唑,其中7种未见文献报道.该方法具有反应条件温和、反应时间短,且无需有机溶剂,是一种节能环保、易操作的合成方法.另外,所合成化合物的结构通过IR、高分辨质谱和核磁共振谱进行了确认.     

Synthesis of α‐Nitro‐α‐diazocarbonyl Derivatives and Their Applications in the Cyclopropanation of Alkenes and in O?H Insertion Reactions

A facile and highly efficient method for the preparation of α‐nitro‐α‐diazocarbonyl derivatives by a diazo‐transfer reaction involving (trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl azide has been developed. These substrates undergo a rhodium‐catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction with a variety of alkenes. A systematic study of the reaction indicated that the diastereoselectivity of the cyclopropanation could be effectively controlled through the modification of the steric bulk of the diazo reagent. A novel O? H insertion reaction of the metal? carbene complex derived from the α‐nitro‐α‐diazocarbonyl reagent afforded the corresponding novel α‐nitro‐α‐alkoxy carbonyl derivatives.     

W(CO)5(L)-catalyzed tandem intramolecular cyclopropanation/cope rearrangement for the stereoselective construction of bicyclo[5.3.0]decane framework

Utilizing the biscarbene character of electrophilically activated alkynes, a novel tandem intramolecular cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement of 3-siloxy-1,3,9-trien-7-ynes catalyzed by W(CO)5(L) for the stereoselective construction of bicyclo[5.3.0]decane framework is achieved. When 3-siloxy-1,3,9-trien-7-ynes were treated with a catalytic amount of W(CO)6 under photoirradiation, bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes were obtained in good yield stereoselectively. In this reaction, the Cope rearrangement of the divinylcyclopropane intermediates, generated by the intramolecular cyclopropanation of 3-siloxy-1,3,9-trien-7-ynes based on the W(CO)5(L)-catalyzed electrophilic activation of alkynes, occurs to give synthetically useful functionalized bicyclo[5.3.0]decane derivatives stereoselectively.     

Copper(I)-promoted dechlorinative Surzur-Tanner rearrangement of 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carboxylates

[reaction: see text] 2,2,2-Trichloroethyl carboxylates undergo highly efficient dechlorinative Surzur-Tanner rearrangement with 2 equiv of a 1:1 molar mixture of CuCl and bpy in boiling DCE to give 1-chloroethenyl carboxylates in which copper appears to play an important role, probably by coordinating the initial radical or as a Lewis acid catalyst.     

Radical cyclization–fragmentation of ω-haloalkyl cyclobutanones: a modular approach to medium-sized carbocycles

A facile radical cyclization–fragmentation sequence of ω-haloalkyl-tethered spirocyclobutanones, which are readily available by the Kulinkovich cyclopropanation of cycloalkene carboxylates and subsequent electrophilic addition to haloalkyl acetals, provides a convenient method for appending seven- and eight-membered rings onto cycloalkene carboxylates. An enantioselective preparation of a medium-sized carbocycle is possible by the use of a non-racemic, C₂-symmetric acetal.     

Substituent effects on rates of rhodium-catalyzed allene cyclopropanation

Rates of cyclopropanation for mono- and disubstituted allenes have been measured relative to standard substrates in reaction with aryldiazoacetate esters catalyzed by Rh₂(S-DOSP)₄. Phenylallene derivatives exhibited a linear correlation of rate with σ⁺ coefficients, indicating a resonance-based effect, though the magnitude of the effect for allenes is less than that reported for other cyclopropanations. Relative reaction rates for aliphatic allenes were found to be similar to those for aryl-substituted allenes, but silicon substitution was found to give a 5- to 14-fold rate increase. The rate enhancement effect for 1-silyl allenes can partially make up for loss of rate and regioselectivity, with 1-trimethylsilyl-1,2-butadiene exhibiting high levels of enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity in reaction with the chiral catalyst.