Dual behavior of masked o-benzoquinones in intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions with acyclic dienes: a rapid entry to polyfunctionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-ones and cis-decalins

The potentiality of the masked o-benzoquinones, i.e., 6,6-dimethoxy-2,4-cyclohexadienones 5-8, to react both as dienes and dienophiles in their intermolecular reactions has been demonstrated. The masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 5-8 generated in situ from 2-methoxyphenols 1-4 underwent intermolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions with acyclic 1,3-dienes 9a-e to provide bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones 10a-f-13a-f along with cis-decalin derivatives 14a-f-17a-f with regio- and stereoselectivity, except in the case of MOB 8. The formation of cis-decalins in these Diels-Alder reactions illustrates the dienophilic character of MOBs, in addition to their general behavior as dienes. The ratio of the two cycloadducts obtained in each reaction as a result of the dual character of MOBs depends on the nature and/or position of the substituents on both the cyclohexadienone moiety and the added conjugated acyclic diene. All of the cycloadducts resulted from the diene property of MOBs in intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions smoothly underwent Cope rearrangement to furnish cis-decalins as sole products in excellent to quantitative yields.     

Domino retro Diels-Alder/Diels-Alder reaction: an efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones and bicyclo[2.2.2]octadienones

A novel and convenient approach, the domino retro Diels-Alder/Diels-Alder reaction sequence for highly stereo- and regioselective synthesis of various bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone and bicyclo[2.2.2]octadienone derivatives is presented. Thus, the masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 2a-e generated by the pyrolysis of the respective dimers 3a-e participated in this novel synthetic strategy with a variety of olefinic and acetylenic dienophiles at 220 degrees C to provide the title compounds in good to excellent yields.     

Intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of brominated masked o-benzoquinones. A detour method to synthesize highly functionalized oxatricyclic [m.3.1.0] ring systems from 2-methoxyphenols

Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions of masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 5a-d to 7a-d and 17a-d to 19a-d generated in situ from 2-methoxyphenols 2-4 and 14-16, respectively, in the presence of alkenols 1a-d, resulting in highly functionalized oxatricyclic [m.3.1.0] ring systems are described. The MOBs 5a-d to 7a-d underwent the IMDA reactions to furnish the adducts 8a-d, 10a-d, and 12a-d (direct method) in poor yields with the concomitant formation of considerable amounts of unexpected byproducts 9a-d, 11a-d, and 13a-d, respectively. To avoid the formation of byproducts and to improve the yields of the desired cycloadducts, a detour method comprising sequential bromination of 2-methoxyphenols 2-4, tandem oxidative acetalization-Diels-Alder reaction, and debromination has been developed. The oxidation of bromophenols 14-16 in the presence of alkenols 1a-d produced the corresponding MOBs 17a-d to 19a-d, which underwent cycloaddition to afford the cycloadducts 20a-d to 22a-d, respectively, as sole products in good to high yields in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. Treatment of the bromoadducts 20a-d to 22a-d with tributylammonium formate-palladium reagent produced the corresponding debrominated products 8a-d, 10a-d, and 12a-d in high to excellent yields. In general, the latter oxatricycles were obtained in higher overall yields via the detour method than those via the direct method.     

Diels-Alder reactions of halogenated masked o-benzoquinones: synthesis of halogen-substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones

Intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions of 4-halo masked o-benzoquinones generated from hypervalent iodine-mediated oxidation of 4-halo-2-methoxyphenols, with electron-deficient dienophiles—methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and methyl vinyl ketone—leading to halo-substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones, are described. The halo-benzoquinone monoketals can be isolated and characterized. The dimerization of these intermediates is not observed under the reaction conditions.     

Diels-Alder reactions of 4-triflyloxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-2,4-cyclohexadienone. An expedient methodology for the synthesis of bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-ones and bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-5,7-dien-2-ones

The synthesis of 4-triflyloxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-2,4-cyclohexadienone (13), bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones 1a-j and 15a-j, and bicyclo[2.2.2]octadienones 2a-f, 6a-d, and 11a-f is described. The 2,4-cyclohexadienones 4 and 13 were used for the first time as nondimerizing and easily accessible alternatives to 2,6,6-trimethyl-2,4-cyclohexadienone 12 in Diels-Alder reactions with acetylene derivatives 5a-d to prepare the adducts 6a-d and 11a-e in excellent yields. Compounds 11a-d were initially prepared by the alcoholysis of 6a-d to afford bicyclo[2.2.2]octene-2,5-diones 7a-dfollowed by treatment of 7a-d with N-phenyltriflimide in the presence of LHMDS at -78 degrees C. Diels-Alder reaction of 13 with an acetylene equivalent, phenyl vinyl sulfoxide, was also studied. A detailed study of the Diels-Alder reactions of various olefinic dienophiles 14a-j with 13 has been carried out to furnish cycloadducts 15a-j in high yields. Reductive removal of triflyloxy group of vinyl triflates 11a-f and 15a-j was performed in the presence of [Pd(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2)-Bu(3)N-HCO(2)H] to obtain the desired bicyclo[2.2.2]octadienones 2a-f and bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones 1a-j, respectively, in good overall yields.     

Dual behavior of masked o-benzoquinones in intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions. Expedient synthesis of highly functionalized cis-decalins from 2-methoxyphenols

[Reaction: see text]. The potential dual behavior as dienes and dienophiles of the diene moieties of masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 10a-e-12a-e, generated upon oxidation of 2-methoxyphenols 1-3 with BTIB in the presence of appropriate dienols, in their intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions has been examined. The IMDA reactions of MOBs 10a-d, 11a,b,d, and 12a,b,d resulted in highly functionalized oxatricyclic compounds 18a-d, 19a,b,d, and 20a,b,d, respectively, with concomitant formation of cis-decalin derivatives 21a-d, 22a,b,d, and 23a,b,d in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. However, the MOBs 10e-12e provided exclusively oxatricyclic compounds 18e-20e. The formation of cis-decalins in these IMDA reactions illustrates the dienophilic character of MOBs, in addition to their behavior as dienes. The ratio of the two cycloadducts obtained in each reaction as a result of the dual character of MOBs depends on the nature and/or position of the substituents on both the cyclohexadienone moiety and the added 2,4-dienol. The majority of the cycloadducts resulted from the diene property of MOBs in intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions smoothly underwent Cope rearrangement to furnish cis-decalins as sole products in excellent to quantitative yields that provides a short and efficient entry to polyfunctionized cis-decalins from 2-methoxyphenols. Furthermore, the variation of dienophilic and diene characters of MOBs in the IMDA reactions with the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituent of both cyclohexadienone moiety and the added conjugated acyclic diene or 2,4-dienol has been studied in detail.     

Diels-Alder reaction of 4-halogenated masked o-benzoquinones with electron-rich dienophiles

Inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction of masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) ensuing from the corresponding 4-halo-2-methoxyphenols with styrene, dihydrofuran and ethyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, phenyl vinyl sulfide and vinyl acetate to afford the highly functionalized halogen substituted bicylclo[2.2.2]octenones are described.     

Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones with acrylonitrile

Regioselective Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 2a-i derived from the corresponding 2-methoxyphenols 1a-i with acrylonitrile leading to highly functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone derivatives in high yields are described.     

Highly functionalized Bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone-fused [60]fullerenes from masked o-benzoquinones and C(60)

[reaction: see text] The Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) with [60]fullerene, affording novel and highly functionalized bicyclo[2.2. 2]octenone-fused [60]fullerene derivatives, are described.     

Facile preparation of bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone derivatives via Diels-Alder cycloadditions of in situ-generated masked o-benzoquinones

Diels-Alder cycloadditions of in situ-generated, substituted 2,2-dimethoxycyclohexa-3,5-dienones with olefinic dienophiles resulted in the development of an efficient method for the preparation of highly functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-ones with good to excellent yields.     

Studies on photochemical rearrangement of non-oxygenated bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones and mono-oxygenated bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones from masked o-benzoquinones: Access to protoilludane and marasmane skeletons

In this work, we described flexible approaches to protoilludane-like (5,6,4-tricyclic ring) and marasmane-like (5,6,3-tricyclic ring) skeletons with naturally occurring cis/anti/cis stereochemistry using photochemical rearrangement of bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones and Diels-Alder reaction of masked o-benzoquinones as the key steps.     

Synthesis of 6,9-Dipropyl-1,4-Dioxaspiro[4.5] Deca-6,8-Diene-2,10-Dione and its Diels-Alder Reactions with Substituted Acetylenes

The title compound, a masked 3,6-di-n-propyl-o-benzoquinone, was synthesized from 3,6-di-n-propylcatechol in 82% yield. Its Diels-Alder reactions with methyl propiolate, phenylacetylene, 1-octyne, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, diphenylacetylene and 3-hexyne were studied. The yields of the adducts were excellent except for the last two cases in which the unimolecular decomposition of the title compound to generate 3,6-di-n-propylcatechol methylene ether predominates. The regiochemistry of the adducts derived from monosubstituted acetylenes were determined by the correlation of ¹³C chemical shifts of the adducts and the corresponding bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-5,7-diene-2,3-diones obtained from the hydrolysis of the spirolactone ring of the Diels-Alder adducts. Photolysis of these α-diketones gave the corresponding aromatic compounds in high yields. These synthetic sequences provide an effective entry to bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-5,7-diene-2,3-diones and polysubstituted benzene derivatives.     

Cycloaddition of Cyclohexa-2,4-dienones with Nitroolefins: An Unusual Regioselectivity and Expeditious Entry into Nitro-bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones

Cycloaddition of electron-deficient cyclohexa-2,4-dienones with nitroolefins leading to functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones with nitro groups is reported. A highly unusual regioselectivity was observed. Crystal structure of one of adducts has also been reported.     

An experimental and computational investigation of the Diels-Alder cycloadditions of halogen-substituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones

[reaction: see text] Diels-Alder reactions of 3- and 5-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones with both electron-rich and electron-deficient dienophiles afford stable and readily isolable bridged bicyclic lactone cycloadducts. These cycloadditions proceed with excellent regioselectivity and very good stereoselectivity. In contrast, Diels-Alder reactions of 4-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones afford cycloadducts which are very prone to loss of bridging CO(2) and the subsequent formation of barrelenes ([2.2.2]cyclooctenes). Furthermore, these cycloadditions proceed with only moderate regio- and stereoselectivity. For both series of the 3- and 5-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones and 4-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones, the reactivity patterns do not significantly change between the halogens. The regio- and stereochemical preferences of the cycloadditions of halo-substituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones are investigated computationally. Calculations were carried out on the transition states leading to the four possible regio- and stereoisomeric cycloadducts by using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G). These studies allow prediction of the regio- and stereoselectivity in these reactions which are broadly in line with experimental observations.     

Highly diastereoselective and asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones with chiral racemic and homochiral furans. Synthesis of optically active tricyclic gamma-lactones

[reaction: see text] The first examples of highly diastereoselective and asymmetric Diels-Alder cycloadditions of in situ generated masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) with chiral racemic and homochiral furans bearing a chiral center in the alpha-position leading to highly functionalized diastereomeric/enantioselective tricyclic heterocycles and chiral tricyclic gamma-lactones are described.     

Oxidative Dearomatization: Synthesis of Functionalized Bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones,Sigmatropic Shift in Excited State,and Radical-Induced Cleavage of Cyclopropane Ring

Synthesis of novel bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones endowed with a β,γ-enone system in which γ-carbon is substituted with an electron-withdrawing group from simple aromatics is described. Oxa-di-pi-methane reaction of bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones to functionalized bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes and their transformation to bicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework are also presented.     

Diels-Alder reactions of fused pyran-2-ones with maleimides: efficient syntheses of benz[e]isoindoles and related systems

[reaction: see text] The Diels-Alder reaction of some substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones (1a-f) with N-substituted maleimides (2a-c) leading to fused isoindole derivatives (5a-n, 7) or, in a few cases, to bridged double cycloadducts (fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octene derivatives) (6a-f) is presented. When X = CO, the first efficient, substituent-driven aromatization of an intermediary-formed cycloadduct was observed, resulting in substituted benz[e]isoindoles (5a-k). The same type of aromatization can also be achieved in an unprecedented catalysis with Rh/C.     

The hetero Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones with nitroso compounds

The first examples of hetero Diels-Alder reaction of masked o-benzoquinones with nitroso dienophiles leading to novel and highly functionalized heterocycles, which are potential intermediates for nitrogenous natural products are reported.     

A novel and facile stereocontrolled synthetic method for polyhydro-quinolines and pyridopyridazines via a diene-transmissive Diels-Alder reaction involving inverse electron-demand hetero Diels-Alder cycloaddition of cross-conjugated azatrienes

Cross-conjugated azatrienes bearing an electron-withdrawing sulfonyl or benzoyl group on the nitrogen atom underwent, on heating or in the presence of a Lewis acid (TMSOTf), an initial inverse electron-demand hetero Diels-Alder reaction with electron-rich dienophiles (vinyl ether, vinyl thioether, and allenyl ether) to produce 1:1 cycloadducts with high endo selectivity. The initial cycloadducts thus obtained underwent a second Diels-Alder reaction stereoselectively on the newly formed diene unit with electron-deficient dienophiles to give the crossed bis-cycloadducts, octahydroquinolines, with high diastereo-π-facial selectivity. The N-sulfonylazatrienes tethering an ortho-cinnamyloxyphenyl dienophile at the triene terminal underwent an initial intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reaction of the inverse electron-demand type. The subsequent second Diels-Alder reaction of the formed mono-cycloadducts completed the diene-transmissive hetero Diels-Alder protocol to give benzopyrano[3,4-c]quinolines in a highly stereoselective manner.     

Autocatalytic domino Michael reaction leading to bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,5-dione derivatives

In the presence of a catalytic amount of lithium amide, the reaction of oxophorone with electron-deficient olefins afforded bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,5-dione derivatives in high yields. The reaction proceeds autocatalytically by an enolate of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,5-dione, generated by an initial domino Michael reaction.