A novel synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones based on the reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with acetonitrile and its homologues

Reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide and ketones in high overall yields, with cyanomethyllithium (lithium α-carbanion of acetonitrile) gave adducts in high to quantitative yields. The adducts were treated with LDA followed by lithium α-carbanion of the homologues of acetonitrile to give 3,5,5-trisubstituted enaminonitriles in good to high yields. Hydrolysis of the enaminonitriles under acidic conditions gave 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones in good yields. By using the optically active chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide and unsymmetrical ketones, this procedure gave the optically pure 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones. The scope and limitations of this method and the mechanism of the reactions are also discussed. These procedures offer a new and effective method for the synthesis of 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones from four components, ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, and its homologues.     

A novel synthesis of 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones by consecutive reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with acetonitrile and its homologues

1-Chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides were synthesized from several kinds of ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in high overall yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyanomethyllithium (lithium α-carbanion of acetonitrile) at low temperature gave the adducts in almost quantitative yields. The adducts were then treated with LDA followed by excess lithium α-carbanion of the homologues of acetonitrile to afford 3,5,5-trisubstituted cyclopentadienyl enaminonitriles, which were hydrolyzed and heated under acidic conditions to give 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones in good overall yields.     

A versatile synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes from cyclic ketones via the magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion as a key reaction

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from various cyclic ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps, in high yields, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate or its homologues gave the adducts in quantitative yields. The adducts were treated with isopropylmagnesium chloride in ether in dry toluene as the reaction solvent to afford bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes in high to quantitative yields via magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion. When this method was carried out starting from unsymmetrical cyclic ketones and (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, an asymmetric synthesis of bicyclo[n.1.0]alkane was realized.     

A novel synthesis of bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones from cyclobutanones through [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes with ring expansion

Treatment of [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes, which were synthesized from cyclobutanones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in high overall yields, with excess cyanomethyllithium gave enaminonitriles in high yields. Heating of these enaminonitriles with H₃PO₄ in acetic acid gave 2-cyanobicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones in good yield. On the other hand, treatment of the [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes with cyanomethyllithium followed by lithium carbanion of the homologues of acetonitrile afforded enaminonitriles having a substituent at the 3-position. Heating of the enaminonitriles with H₃PO₄ in acetic acid gave 2-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones in good to high yields. This method offers a novel and versatile procedure for synthesis of 2-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones from cyclobutanones in good overall yields.     

A novel route to fully substituted cyanoallenes from three components, ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and nitriles, via α-bromocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in high yields, with lithium α-carbanion of nitriles gave the adducts in quantitative yields. The adducts were converted to α-bromocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides in two steps in good yields. Finally, the sulfoxides were treated with excess lithium carbanion of isobutyronitrile to afford fully substituted cyanoallenes in high to quantitative yields via sulfoxide-lithium exchange reaction. This procedure offers a novel synthetic method for fully substituted cyanoallenes with coupling of three components (ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and nitriles) in good overall yields.     

A new synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of alkylidenecyclopropanes by 1,2-CC insertion of cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoides as the key reaction

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of carboxylic acid tert-butyl esters gave adducts in high yields. The adducts were converted to 1-chlorocyclobutyl p-tolyl sulfoxides in four steps in high overall yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorocyclobutyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyclopentylmagnesium chloride in THF at −40 °C resulted in the formation of cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoids. The magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place smoothly from the cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoids to afford alkylidenecyclopropanes in good to high yields. An asymmetric synthesis of optically active alkylidenecyclopropane was successfully achieved starting from optically active 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxide.     

Synthesis,including asymmetric synthesis,of 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes by the 1,5-CH insertion of cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids as the key reaction

The addition reactions of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in the presence of NaHMDS or LDA resulted in the formation of adducts, 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides bearing a carbonyl group at the 2-position, in almost quantitative yields. The carbonyl group of the adducts was transformed to various ether groups to give 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides bearing an ether functional group at the 2-position in short steps. Treatment of these products with i-PrMgCl at low temperature afforded cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. 1,5-Carbon–hydrogen insertion (1,5-CH insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates took place to give 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes or bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes bearing an ether group at the 4-position in moderate to good yields. When this procedure was carried out starting with enantiopure dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, enantiopure 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes were obtained in good overall yields. These procedures provide a good way for the synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of multisubstituted 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in short steps.     

A synthesis of bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes having tert-butyl carboxylate or acetamide moiety via the intramolecular 1,3-CH insertion of magnesium carbenoids

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from various cyclic ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of carboxylic acid tert-butyl esters or N,N-dimethylacetamide gave adducts in high yields. The adducts were treated with ether solution of isopropylmagnesium chloride in dry toluene to give bicyclo[n.1.0]alkane derivatives having tert-butyl carboxylate or acetamide moiety on the bridgehead carbon in high to quantitative yields via magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion reaction. The 1,3-CH insertion reaction proved to be regioselective and stereospecific. The reaction mechanism and origin of the selectivity and specificity are discussed.     

A synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of α-quaternary α-amino aldehydes from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide via sulfinylaziridines

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, prepared from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with N-lithio arylamines resulted in the formation of sulfinylaziridines in good to high yields. The sulfinylaziridines were treated with N-lithio aniline or N-lithio p-chloroaniline to afford α-quaternary α-amino aldehydes in good yields. From α-quaternary α-amino aldehydes, α-quaternary α-amino acid esters and β-quaternary β-amino alcohols were obtained. When optically active chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide was used in this procedure, a method for the synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino aldehydes was realized. The reaction mechanism, including asymmetric induction, for the formation of the sulfinylaziridines is described.     

A novel synthesis of cyclic α-amino aldehydes, amino alcohols, and α-amino acid methyl esters from cyclic ketones through sulfinylaziridines

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from cyclic ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in good yields, with N-lithio arylamines gave sulfinylaziridines in high yields. On treatment with N-lithio aniline or N-lithio p-chloroaniline, the sulfinylaziridines gave α-amino aldehydes in high yields. The α-amino aldehydes were converted to amino alcohols and α-amino acid methyl esters in moderate to good yields. This procedure offers an efficient method for synthesis of cyclic α-quaternary α-amino aldehydes, amino alcohols, and α-amino acid derivatives from cyclic ketones.     

New synthesis of multi-substituted α-chlorocyclobutanones from 1-chloro-3-cyanoalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides by 4-Exo-Dig nucleophilic ring closure of magnesium carbenoids to nitrile group as the key reaction

1-Chloro-3-cyanoalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides were easily prepared from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from carbonyl compounds and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium α-cyano carbanion of acetonitrile derivatives in good yields. Treatment of these sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl resulted in the formation of multi-substituted α-chlorocyclobutanones in good to high yields via the 4-Exo-Dig nucleophilic ring closure of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates to the nitrile group. This procedure provides a new and good way for the synthesis of multi-substituted α-chlorocyclobutanones from carbonyl compounds and substituted acetonitriles with formation of three carbon–carbon bonds in relatively short steps.     

Synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of 1-substituted cyclopentenes from cyclobutanones with one-carbon ring-expansion by 1,2-carbon-carbon insertion of magnesium carbenoids

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from cyclobutanones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl carboxylates, amides, lithium α-sulfonyl carbanions, and lithium α-carbanion of acetonitrile gave adducts in high to quantitative yields. The adducts were treated with Grignard regents, such as i-PrMgCl and EtMgCl in toluene to afford 1-substituted cyclopentenes in good to high yields with one-carbon ring-expansion via 1,2-carbon-carbon (1,2-CC) insertion reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates. The magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion was found to be highly stereospecific. When optically pure chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide was used in this procedure, optically active 1-substituted cyclopentenes were obtained in high optical purity.     

A synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino acids and esters by assembling three components, ketones, (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and sodium azide, via sulfinyloxiranes

Treatment of lithium α-sulfinyl carbanion of chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with ketones at low temperature afforded adducts in almost quantitative yields, which were exposed to t-BuOK to give sulfinyloxiranes in high yields. The sulfinyloxirane was reacted with benzylamine to give α-amino aldehyde, which was oxidized with iodine in methanol to afford α-amino carboxylic ester in moderate yield. The sulfinyloxiranes were treated with sodium azide to afford α-azido aldehydes in good yields. Oxidation with NaClO₂ followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the azido group of the α-azido aldehydes gave α-quaternary α-amino acids in good overall yields. The oxidation of the azido aldehydes with iodine in methanol in the presence of KOH followed by the catalytic hydrogenation resulted in α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters in good yields. When these reactions were carried out starting from unsymmetrical ketones and optically pure (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, a new method for a synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino acids and esters in good overall yields was realized.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes by assembly of three components, ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and acetylenes, with the magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

The reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoids by the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. 1,2-Carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoids took place to afford conjugated enynes in good to high yields. This procedure provides a good method for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes.     

A novel synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters from ketones via sulfinyloxiranes

Sulfinyloxiranes were synthesized from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in two steps in almost quantitative yields. The sulfinyloxiranes were treated with NaN₃ in the presence of NH₄Cl to afford α-azido aldehydes, which were oxidized with iodine in the presence of KOH in methanol to give α-azido methyl esters in good overall yields. Catalytic hydrogenation of the α-azido esters afforded α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters in quantitative yields. Starting from β-tetralone and optically pure (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, an asymmetric synthesis of optically pure (R)-(+)-methyl 2-aminotetraline-2-carboxylate was realized in good overall yields.     

Development of new synthetic methods with aryl 1-chlorovinyl sulfoxides

Aryl 1-chlorovinyl sulfoxides were easily synthesized from ketones and aldehydes with aryl chloromethyl sulfoxide in three-steps with high overall yields. Low-temperature treatment of the aryl 1-chlorovinyl sulfoxides with alkyllithium or a Grignard reagent gave alkylidene carbenoids via a sulfoxide-metal exchange reaction. From the alkylidene carbenoids, acetylenic compounds, tetra-substituted olefins, and allenes were synthesized. Enolization of alpha-chloro alpha-sulfinyl ketones, which were synthesized from methyl esters and chloromethyl phenyl sulfoxide, is another method for the generation of aryl 1-chloroalkyl sulfoxides. Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl phenyl sulfoxides so generated with t-BuLi followed by some nucleophiles having an acidic hydrogen gave one-carbon elongated carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Conjugate addition of some carbanions with 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides was found to have taken place. For example, reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyanomethyllithium gave high yields of cyclic enaminonitriles. Acidic treatment of the enaminonitriles afforded good yields of 4,4-disubstituted 2-cyclopentenones. By using unsymmetrical ketones and optically pure chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, this procedure suggests a good method for an asymmetric synthesis of optically pure 4,4-disubstituted 2-cyclopentenones. This method achieved an asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-alpha-cuparenone starting from methyl 4-methylphenyl ketone and (R)-(-)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide. A novel synthesis of 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones is also successful using cyanomethyllithium and its homologues. Conjugate addition of the lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate and its homologues gave high yields of the adduct, 3,3-disubstituted esters. Synthesis of various kinds of carboxylic acids and their derivatives and lactones was realized from the adducts.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes from ketones and aldehydes by 1,2-CC insertion and 1,2-CH insertion of carbenoids as the key reactions

The addition reactions of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of conjugated enynes in good to high yields via the 1,2-carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates. On the other hand, the addition reactions of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides derived from aldehydes with lithium acetylides directly gave conjugated enynes bearing a p-tolyl sulfinyl group at the 1-position through the 1,2-carbon-hydrogen insertion (1,2-CH insertion) reaction of the generated lithium carbenoid intermediates. These procedures provide a good way for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes from ketones and aldehydes.     

Direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids and some theoretical studies of the reactions

1-Chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides were synthesized from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in high yields. Treatment of the sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene gave magnesium alkylidene carbenoids (α-chloro alkenylmagnesium chlorides), which were treated with N-lithio arylamines to afford ortho-alkenylated arylamines in moderate yields. The reaction, in some cases, proceeded in a highly stereospecific manner at the carbon bearing the chlorine and the sulfinyl group. The structures of the α-chloro alkenylmagnesium chlorides and the reactivity of the N-lithio meta-substituted anilines were studied at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory with the 6-31(+)G* basis set. This reaction offers a quite novel and direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position of the aromatic ring.     

A new synthesis of amides and γ-lactones based on the conjugate addition of lithium enolate of amides to 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides

Reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide and ketones or aldehydes, with lithium enolate of N,N-dimethylacetamide gave the adducts in good to quantitative yields. The adducts were converted to several kinds of amides in high overall yields. Treatment of the adducts with trifluoroacetic anhydride in the presence of NaI resulted in the formation of γ-tolylsulfanylated γ-lactones in high yields. The scope and limitations of this method and the mechanism of the reactions are also discussed. These procedures offer a new and effective method for the synthesis of amides and γ-lactones having substituents on the β-carbon from N,N-dimethylacetamide with carbon elongation.     

Synthesis of cyclopropane-fused α-chlorolactones utilizing the nucleophilicity of cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids

A novel method for the synthesis of cyclopropane-fused α-chloro-γ-lactones was developed utilizing the nucleophilicity of cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids. Cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids were generated from i-PrMgCl and 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with a [(phenoxycarbonyl)oxy]methyl group at the 2-position of the cyclopropane ring. The resulting cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids reacted with an intramolecular carbonate unit to give 1-chloro-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ones in moderate to good yields. The asymmetric synthesis of 1-chloro-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one was achieved using optically active dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide as a starting material.