A Vinyl Cyclopropane Ring Expansion and Iridium‐Catalyzed Hydrogen Borrowing Cascade

A vinyl cyclopropane rearrangement embedded in an iridium‐catalyzed hydrogen borrowing reaction enabled the formation of substituted stereo‐defined cyclopentanes from Ph* methyl ketone and cyclopropyl alcohols. Mechanistic studies provide evidence for the ring‐expansion reaction being the result of a cascade based on oxidation of the cyclopropyl alcohols, followed by aldol condensation with the pentamethyl phenyl‐substituted ketone to form an enone containing the vinyl cyclopropane. Subsequent single electron transfer (SET) to this system initiates a rearrangement, and the catalytic cycle is completed by reduction of the new enone. This process allows for the efficient formation of diversely substituted cyclopentanes as well as the construction of complex bicyclic carbon skeletons containing up to four contiguous stereocentres, all with high diastereoselectivity.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of cis-2 and trans-2-(Indol-3-yl) Cyclopropyl Amines,Carboxylic Acids,and Esters

We report a general route for the synthesis of E and Z isomers of indol-3-yl cyclopropyl amines, carboylic acids, and esters. These cyclopropane containing molecules are of interest as conformationally constrained analogues of tryptamine and indole propionic acid, biologically active indoles. The route involves reaction of vinyl indole with ethyl diazoacetate, chromatographic separation of the E and Z stereoisomers of the resulting cyclopropane esters, hydrolysis to form the E and Z cyclopropane acids, and formation of amines by the Curtius reaction.     

The development of a facile tandem Wolff/Cope rearrangement for the synthesis of fused carbocyclic skeletons

A set of mild processes for the conversion of vinyl cyclopropyl diazo ketones to highly functionalized cycloheptadienones and vinyl cyclopentenones by use of a target-inspired tandem Wolff/Cope rearrangement sequence is described. A divergent reaction course of the vinyl cyclopropyl diazo ketone substrates under sono- or photochemical activation provides good to excellent yields (55-98%) of the product cycloheptadienones and vinyl cyclopentenones.     

Convenient access to bicyclic and tricyclic diazenes

Heating the tosylhydrazone of an omega-alkenyl ketone or aldehyde to reflux in toluene in the presence of K(2)CO(3) delivered the bicyclic diazene. Irradiation of the diazene converted it to the cyclopropane. This appears to be a generally useful method for the construction of substituted cyclopentanes and cyclohexanes.     

Mercuric triflate-catalyzed reaction of propargyl acetates with water leading vinyl ketones

[reaction: see text]. Reaction of propargyl acetate with water catalyzed by Hg(OTf)2 afforded vinyl ketone as the major product along with a dimeric vinyl mercuric product and normal hydration products in small amounts. The reaction is an alternative to the Meyer-Schuster and Rupe rearrangement applicable to primary alcohols, although the mechanism is entirely different.     

Transition-metal-mediated cascade reactions: the water-accelerated carboalumination-Claisen rearrangement-carbonyl addition reaction

[Chemical reaction: See text] A three-step cascade reaction involving a water-accelerated catalytic carboalumination, a Claisen rearrangement, and a nucleophilic carbonyl addition converts terminal alkynes and allyl vinyl ethers into allylic alcohols containing up to three contiguous asymmetric carbon centers. Stoichiometric quantities of water as an additive increase the rate of the [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement as well as the diastereoselectivity of the carbonyl addition process. Reaction products contain 1,6-diene functionalities that are readily cyclized to substituted cyclopentenes. An extension of this methodology to a sequence involving a [1,3] sigmatropic shift was feasible with a cyclopropylmethyl vinyl ether substrate.     

Formal homo-Nazarov and other cyclization reactions of activated cyclopropanes

The Nazarov cyclization of divinyl ketones gives access to cyclopentenones. Replacing one of the vinyl groups by a cyclopropane leads to a formal homo‐Nazarov process for the synthesis of cyclohexenones. In contrast to the Nazarov reaction, the cyclization of vinyl‐cyclopropyl ketones is a stepwise process, often requiring harsh conditions. Herein, we describe two different approaches for further polarization of the three‐membered ring of vinyl‐cyclopropyl ketones to allow the formal homo‐Nazarov reaction under mild catalytic conditions. In the first approach, the introduction of an ester group α to the carbonyl on the cyclopropane gave a more than tenfold increase in reaction rate, allowing us to extend the scope of the reaction to non‐electron‐rich aryl donor substituents in the β position to the carbonyl on the cyclopropane. In this case, a proof of principle for asymmetric induction could be achieved using chiral Lewis acid catalysts. In the second approach, heteroatoms, especially nitrogen, were introduced β to the carbonyl on the cyclopropane. In this case, the reaction was especially successful when the vinyl group was replaced by an indole heterocycle. With a free indole, the formal homo‐Nazarov cyclization on the C3 position of indole was observed using a copper catalyst. In contrast, a new cyclization reaction on the N1 position was observed with Brønsted acid catalysts. Both reactions were applied to the synthesis of natural alkaloids. Preliminary investigations on the rationalization of the observed regioselectivity are also reported.     

The Clemmensen Reduction of α, β-Unsaturated Ketones

Eleven structurally different α, β-unsaturated ketones were subjected to the Clemmensen reduction under anhydrous conditions using amalgamated zinc, hydrogen chloride in a solution of ethyl ether, and acetic anhydride. In all cases but one the formation of cyclopropyl acetates was observed. 4-Methyl-3-penten-2-one, methyl vinyl ketone, 2-isopropylidene-1-cyclopentanone, and 2-cyclohepten-1-one led to substituted cyclopropyl acetates. Stereospecific reactions were found with 2-ethylidene-1-cyclopentanone, 2-benzylidene-1-cyclohexanone, and methyl 1-cyclohexenyl ketone, whereas 3-penten-2-one, 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one, and 2-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one afforded mixtures of the isomeric cyclopropyl acetates. These results are interpreted in terms of the intital formation of an allylic anion which undergoes electrocyclic closure. A stereospecific course is followed when geometric constraints permitted. Exceptions are discussed.     

Direct enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl ketones catalyzed by chiral amines

Chiral amines such as (S)-2-[bis(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl]pyrrolidine and the C(2)-symmetric (2S,5S)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine can catalyze the direct enantioselective Michael addition of simple aldehydes to vinyl ketones. The conditions for this organocatalytic reaction have been optimized and it has been found that the chiral amines catalyze the formation of optically active substituted 5-keto aldehydes in good yields and enantioselectivities, using aldehydes and, e.g., methyl vinyl ketone as starting compounds. Taking into account that the chiral amine can activate the aldehyde and/or the enone, the mechanism for the reaction has been investigated. On the basis of intermediate synthesis, nonlinear effect, and theoretical investigations, the mechanism for the catalytic direct enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to vinyl ketones is discussed.     

Aryl vinyl cyclopropane Cope rearrangements

While the divinyl cyclopropane Cope rearrangement is well-known, and has been broadly applied in synthesis, examples of the aryl vinyl cyclopropane Cope rearrangement are less common and generally limited in scope or reaction yield. The aryl vinyl cyclopropane Cope rearrangement gives access to the benzocycloheptene scaffold, which is present in a variety of naturally occurring and medicinally relevant products. Herein we report a method to obtain either of two regioisomeric benzocycloheptene products via an aryl vinyl cyclopropane Cope rearrangement, featuring additive-controlled regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies indicate a dynamic equilibration of cyclopropane stereoisomers, followed by rearrangement of the cis diastereomer.     

Allylsilane-interrupted homo-Nazarov cyclization and synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones

The combination of homo-Nazarov cyclization of 2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilylmethyl)cyclopropyl vinyl ketone leading to oxyallyl cation and its subsequent [3+2] capture by allylsilane has been demonstrated as an useful strategy for the construction of functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones. The [3+2] capture proceeds exclusively in the exo mode to make the overall reaction diastereoselective. The less substituted end of the oxyallyl cation was found to react nearly two times faster than the more substituted end.     

Design of a cyclopropyl quinone methide reductive alkylating agent. 2

A cyclopropyl quinone methide is formed by elimination of a leaving group from an appropriately functionalized hydroquinone. The presence of a carbon spacer results in the formation of a fused ring rather than the classic methide species. Discussed herein is cyclopropyl quinone methide formation from a pyrido[1,2-a]indole ring system. Both nucleophilic and electrophilic attack on the fused cyclopropane ring results in pyrido[1,2-a]indole and azepino[1,2-a]indole products. The stereoelectronic effect plays less a role in the relatively flexible pyrido[1,2-a]indole system compared to its role in the pyrrolo[1,2-a]-indole system. A 13C label on the fused cyclopropane ring permitted the rapid identification of complex rearrangement products observed in this study.     

5-Exocyclic products, 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans via Prins-type cyclization

[reaction: see text] 5-Exocyclic products, 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans, were synthesized from homopropargylic alcohols with terminally substituted alkynes and various aldehydes via Prins-type cyclization. It is of interest that the exocyclic vinyl cation generated as a result of Prins-type cyclization could be trapped as a vinyl triflate when CH2Cl2 was used as a solvent, whereas in ethereal solution the vinyl cation underwent hydrolysis to give the corresponding ketone product.     

Gold- and silver-catalyzed reactions of propargylic alcohols in the presence of protic additives

A wide range of primary, secondary and tertiary propargylic alcohols undergo a Meyer-Schuster rearrangement to give enones at room temperature in the presence of a gold(I) catalyst and small quantities of MeOH or 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid. The syntheses of the enone natural products isoegomaketone and daphenone were achieved using this reaction as the key step. The rearrangement of primary propargylic alcohols can readily be combined in a one-pot procedure with the addition of a nucleophile to the resulting terminal enone, to give β-aryl, β-alkoxy, β-amino or β-sulfido ketones. Propargylic alcohols bearing an adjacent electron-rich aryl group can also undergo silver-catalyzed substitution of the alcohol with oxygen, nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles. This latter reaction was initially observed with a batch of gold catalyst that was probably contaminated with small quantities of silver salt.     

Gold‐ and Silver‐Catalyzed Reactions of Propargylic Alcohols in the Presence of Protic Additives

A wide range of primary, secondary and tertiary propargylic alcohols undergo a Meyer–Schuster rearrangement to give enones at room temperature in the presence of a gold(I) catalyst and small quantities of MeOH or 4‐methoxyphenylboronic acid. The syntheses of the enone natural products isoegomaketone and daphenone were achieved using this reaction as the key step. The rearrangement of primary propargylic alcohols can readily be combined in a one‐pot procedure with the addition of a nucleophile to the resulting terminal enone, to give β‐aryl, β‐alkoxy, β‐amino or β‐sulfido ketones. Propargylic alcohols bearing an adjacent electron‐rich aryl group can also undergo silver‐catalyzed substitution of the alcohol with oxygen, nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles. This latter reaction was initially observed with a batch of gold catalyst that was probably contaminated with small quantities of silver salt.     

Domino carbocationic rearrangement of aryl-2-(1-N-methyl/benzyl-3-indolyl)cyclopropyl ketones: a serendipitous route to 1H-cyclopenta[c]carbazole framework

Aryl-2-(N-methyl/benzyl-3-indolyl)cyclopropyl ketones 2a-m are shown to undergo a novel unexpected domino carbocationic rearrangement in the presence of SnCl(4)/CH(3)NO(2) yielding 2-aroyl-3-aryl-1H-cyclopenta[c]carbazoles 3a-m in good yields. The possible mechanistic pathway for this interesting transformation involves a series of cascade events, (a) electrophilic ring opening of cyclopropyl ketone, (b) intermolecular enol capture of the resulting zwitterionic intermediate, (c) electrophilic dimerization of indole moieties to give tetrahydrocarbazole intermediate and its subsequent aromatization by elimination of an indole moiety and dehydrogenation, and (d) intramolecular aldol condensation of the side chain to give a cyclopentene ring. The overall transformation involves formation of three carbon-carbon bonds along with a fused benzene and a substituted cyclopentene ring in one-pot operation from simple indole precursors.     

Rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of terminal alkynes to vinyl ketones

The metal complex Rh(acac)(CO)₂ in the presence of an eqimolar amount of tris(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphine provides a useful catalyst system for the 1,4-addition of alkynes to unsubstituted vinyl ketones. Best yields are obtained when the transformation is performed in benzene at reflux with an excess of vinyl ketone. Both aryl and alkyl substituted alkynes participate in the reaction. Primary alcohols and alkyl chlorides are well tolerated under these reaction conditions. The reaction also proceeds in aqueous solvent mixtures, unlike most organometallic addition reactions.     

CAN-mediated highly regio- and stereoselective oxidation of vinylidenecyclopropanes: a novel method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical divinyl ketone and functional enone derivatives

CAN-mediated oxidative rearrangement of various vinylidenecyclopropanes under mild conditions generates unsymmetrical divinyl ketone and functional enone derivatives in moderate to good yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivities. The reaction mechanism was investigated on the basis of an oxygen-18 tracer experiment.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed propargyl Claisen rearrangement

Homoallenic alcohols are prepared from propargyl vinyl ethers using a trinuclear gold(I)-oxo complex, [(Ph3PAu)3O]BF4, as a catalyst for propargyl Claisen rearrangement at room temperature. The gold(I)-catalyzed reaction is effective for a diverse collection of propargyl vinyl ethers, including substrates containing aryl and alkyl groups at the propargylic position, and hydrogen, aryl, and alkyl substituents at the alkyne terminus. Tertiary propargyl vinyl ethers can be employed in the reaction, at slightly elevated temperatures, to afford tetrasubstituted allenes. Importantly, the rearrangement of 1,2-disubstituted vinyl ethers proceeds with excellent diastereoselectivity, and the rearrangement of chiral nonracemic propargyl vinyl ethers proceeds with excellent chirality transfer to furnish enantioenriched allenes.     

Development of Molecular Mechanics Torsion Parameters for alpha,beta-Cyclopropyl Ketones and Conformational Analysis of Bicyclo[m.1.0]alkan-2-ones

Conformations of cyclopropyl methyl ketone have been studied using ab initio methods in an effort to quantify the effects of conjugative overlap between the cyclopropane ring and an adjacent ketone carbonyl. Results were comparable with previous experimental and theoretical studies. Cyclopropyl methyl ketone exhibits a global energy minimum in the s-cis conformer and a local energy minimum near the s-trans conformer. The potential energy curve obtained was used to derive torsion parameters which were employed in molecular mechanics studies of the conformations of the set of bicyclo[m.1.0]alkan-2-ones having larger ring sizes from five- to 16-membered. Similar conformations for the cyclopropyl ketone substructure are observed for all the medium and large ring systems examined. Possible synthetic ramifications of local conformational anchoring by this functional group array are discussed.