A short synthesis of 3-oxa- and 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from α,β-unsaturated esters based on the 1,5-CH insertion reaction of cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids

1-Chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides bearing an alkoxymethyl group at the 2-position were easily prepared from α,β-unsaturated esters with dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide and alkylhalides in three steps in good overall yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl resulted in the formation of 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes in up to 89% yield as a single diastereomer via the 1,5-CH insertion reaction of the generated cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoid intermediates. This procedure provides a good way for the synthesis of 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from α,β-unsaturated esters in only four steps. 3-Aza- and 3-thiabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes were also obtained from the corresponding precursors via the 1,5-CH insertion reaction of the cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoid intermediates, though the yields were low to moderate.     

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.     

The first example for the asymmetric synthesis of allenes by the Doering-LaFlamme allene synthesis with enantiopure cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids

The reaction of lithium α-sulfinyl carbanion of enantiopure dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds gave optically active 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides having a carbonyl group with high asymmetric induction from the sulfur chiral center. Reduction of the carbonyl group followed by treatment with Grignard reagent, the 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides resulted in the formation of enantiopure allenic alcohols via the Doering-LaFlamme-type rearrangement of enantiopure cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoid intermediates. This is the first example for the asymmetric synthesis of allenes by the Doering-LaFlamme allene synthesis.     

A short synthesis of α-allenic alcohols from α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide

The reaction of the α-sulfinyl carbanion of dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds gave 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides having a carbonyl group in good to high yields. The carbonyl groups in the products were reduced or treated with alkylmetals to give alcohols. Finally, the alcohols were treated with Grignard reagent to give α-allenic alcohols via the rearrangement of the cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoid intermediates, which were generated by the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction, in good to high yields. This procedure provides a new method for a short synthesis of various α-allenic alcohols in two or three steps from relatively easily available α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.     

Synthesis of 2-azabicyclo[2.1.0]pentanes by the intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids with magnesium anilide

A variety of 2-azabicyclo[2.1.0]pentanes were synthesized by the intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids with magnesium anilide. The 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides possessing an N-aryl-substituted aminomethyl group were prepared from dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters, and anilines in four steps. The deprotonation of the amine with t-BuMgCl followed by sulfoxide/magnesium exchange of the sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl led to the generation of the cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids possessing a magnesium anilide moiety. Subsequent intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of the cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids occurred in a 4-exo-tet manner to give the 2-azabicyclo[2.1.0]pentanes. The optically active 2-azabicyclo[2.1.0]pentane was synthesized using a p-tolylsulfinyl group as a chiral auxiliary.     

Thermolysis of 6-Aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes in the Presence of N-Arylmaleimides

Heating of 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes in the presence of N-arylmaleimides gives rise to 2,9-diarylperhydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-1,3-diones. It is presumed that thermal cleavage of the C-N bond in the diaziridine fragment of the 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes results in formation of labile azomethinimines that react with N-arylmaleimides to afford the products of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The rate of accumulation thereof depends only on the character of substituents in the aromatic ring of the 1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and is independent of maleimide. The thermal isomerization of 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes without 1,3-dipolarophiles yields the corresponding 2-pyrazolines.     

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.     

Asymmetric synthesis of bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes by the enantioselective 1,3-CH insertion reaction of chiral magnesium carbenoids

Treatment of enantiomerically pure 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from cyclic ketones and (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with the lithium enolate of tert-butyl carboxylates gave adducts in quantitative yields as single diastereomers. The adducts were treated with i-PrMgCl in toluene to afford optically active bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes bearing a tert-butyl carboxylate moiety in up to 99% enantiomeric excess through the enantioselective 1,3-CH insertion reaction of the generated chiral magnesium carbenoids. This is the first example of the enantioselective 1,3-CH insertion reaction of magnesium carbenoid.     

1,5-Diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and 1,6-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes: a new method for the synthesis,quantum-chemical calculations,and X-ray diffraction study

A new method was developed for the synthesis of 6-substituted 1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and 7-substituted 1,6-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes by condensation of N-monohalotrimethylene- and N-monohalotetramethylenediamines with carbonyl compounds in the presence of bases. X-ray diffraction studies and quantum-chemical B3LYP/6-31G* calculations demonstrated that the conformations of the resulting bicyclic systems are stabilized by stereoelectronic interactions. As a result, a boat conformation prevails in 1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes, whereas the energies of chair, half-chair, and boat conformations of 1,6-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes are equalized.     

Stereochemical assignments of the 6-phenyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes

Preparation and stereochemical assignments of the 6-phenyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes are reported. The stereochemical assignments are based on chemical as well as nmr data.     

Stereoselectivity in the Addition of 1,3-Dipolarophiles to 6-Aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes

Thermolysis of 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes in the presence of N-arylmaleimides having a substituent in the ortho position of the aromatic ring leads to predominant formation of the corresponding trans-9-arylperhydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-1,3-diones. 6-Aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes react with fumaric acid derivatives in a stereoselective fashion, affording perhydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazoles with a trans,trans configuration.     

Diastereoselective cascade synthesis of azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from acyclic precursors

The diastereoselective synthesis of azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes bearing different substituents on all positions of the cyclopropane ring has been achieved in moderate to good yields.     

Enantioselective synthesis of bicyclo[6.1.0]nonane-9-carboxylic acids via Me2AlOTf-promoted intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation of arenes with the gamma-lactone moiety of 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ones

A strategy to rapidly assemble enantiomerically pure bicyclo[6.1.0]nonane-9-carboxylic acids via Me2AlOTf-promoted intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation of tethered pi-nucleophiles with the gamma-lactone moiety of 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ones is described. The approach begins with the enantioselective synthesis of 3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ones bearing a tethered pi-nucleophile at the 6-position by intramolecular Rh(II)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of allylic diazoacetates, prepared from the corresponding (Z)-allylic alcohols. Me2AlOTf-induced intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclization provides medium-sized carbocycles and heterocycles in high yields without requiring high-dilution or slow substrate addition techniques. The scope and limitations of this synthetic methodology are presented.     

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 new synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of spiro[4.n]alkenones from three components: cyclic ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and acetonitrile; and a formal total synthesis of racemic acorone

1-Chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides were synthesized from several kinds of cyclic ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in good yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyanomethyllithium at −78°C to room temperature gave spirocyclic enaminonitriles in high yields. Acidic treatment of the enaminonitriles afforded spiro[4.n]alkenones in good yields. By using an unsymmetrical cyclic ketone, α-tetralone, and optically active chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, this procedure afforded enantiomerically pure spiro[4.5]decenone in good yield with excellent asymmetric induction from the sulfoxide chiral center. By using this method a formal total synthesis of a racemic spirocyclic sesquiterpene, acorone, was realized.     

Generation and metathesis of azomethine imines in reaction of 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes with het(aryl)methylidenemalononitriles

A new metathesis reaction of azomethine imines is found. Catalytic or thermal diaziridine ring opening of 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes leads to azomethine imines reacting further with het(aryl)methylidenemalononitriles to give in situ new azomethine imines inaccessible by common synthetic methods. New azomethine imines are detected as pyrazolines formed via a 1,4-H shift and trapped by the [3+2] cycloaddition with various dipolarophiles to yield 1,5-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivatives bearing pharmacophoric heterocycles, e.g. furan, nitrofuran, thiophene, and indole. The best results are achieved in the Et₂O·BF₃-catalyzed reactions in ionic liquids.     

Insertion of cyclopropanes between a carbonyl carbon and an α-carbon of carbonyl compounds with cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids

The reaction of the lithium enolates of α-aryl carbonyl compounds with cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids, derived from 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl at low temperature, resulted in the formation of β-aryl carbonyl compounds bearing a cyclopropane ring at the α-position with one-carbon homologation in variable yields. The reaction was found to be highly stereospecific with respect to the stereochemistry of the cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids. Mechanism and origin of the stereospecificity of the reaction are also discussed. This is the first example for the insertion of cyclopropanes in between a carbonyl carbon and an α-carbon of carbonyl compounds.     

Alkenylation of thiophenes and furans at the 2-position and a synthesis of allenes conjugated with α,β-unsaturated ester with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids

The reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with i-PrMgCl at −78 °C gave magnesium alkylidene carbenoids. Treatment of the magnesium carbenoids with 2-lithiothiophenes and 2-lithiofurans resulted in the formation of 2-alkenylated thiophenes and furans, respectively, in good to high yields. The intermediates of these reactions were found to be alkenylmagnesium, which could be trapped with several electrophiles to afford thiophenes and furans bearing a fully substituted alkene at the 2-position. Treatment of the magnesium alkylidene carbenoids with 2-lithio-5-methoxyfuran afforded allenes conjugated with α,β-unsaturated methyl ester in moderate yields. These procedures offer a new and versatile one-pot synthesis of 2-alkenylthiophenes, 2-alkenylfurans, and allenes conjugated with α,β-unsaturated methyl ester from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cis and trans 2-substituted 1-phenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes

The Stereoselective synthesis of cis and trans 2-methyl-1-phenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and 1,2-diphen-yl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from 2-oxo-1-phenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane is described. The relative stereochemistry of the products was established by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular modeling studies.     

The conformations of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives by 1H and 13C NMR

The ¹H and ¹³C spectra of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and thujanes have been recorded and assigned. Application of the Karplus equation has yielded dihedral angles, and a computer calculation of the angle of ring buckle as a function of the main dihedral angles has been carried out. The calculated angles of ring buckle agree well with known values in the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes, but for 1-methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and thujanes the results are not self consistent. It is suggested that the bridgehead substituent causes the boat to twist, although the twist can be reduced by an axial methyl substituent on C-4.