A New Synthesis of Benzofurans from Phenols via Claisen Rearrangement and Ring‐Closing Metathesis

Based on Claisen rearrangement, the double bond isomerization of O‐allyl function together with the formation of O‐vinyl function in one pot, and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), various phenols were transformed into various benzofurans in good yields.     

Synthesis of alkyl-substituted six-membered lactones through ring-closing metathesis of homoallyl acrylates. An easy route to pyran-2-ones, constituents of tobacco flavor

The ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of homoallylic acrylates bearing alkyl substituents on various positions of their skeleton afford the corresponding pentenolides in the presence of carbene ruthenium catalysts. For R3 = R4 = H, or R3 = Me, R4 = H, the reactions are catalyzed by complex [RuCl2(PCy3)2(=CHPh)], while a second-generation Grubbs catalyst is required when R3 = H and R4 = Me, R3 = R4 = Me, or R3 = i-Pr and R4 = H. Alkyl substitution at the homoallylic carbon (R1, R2) increases the yield of the reaction when both the acrylic and/or homoallylic double bonds are methyl-substituted. The interaction of the catalyst with the substrate in the initiation stage involves the homoallylic double bond rather than the acrylic moiety, and the resulting alkylidene species from the first-generation Grubbs catalyst can be observed by 1H and 31P NMR. The racemic tobacco constituents 4-isopropyl-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one and 4-isopropyltetrahydropyran-2-one are prepared via a short reaction sequence, involving the RCM reaction as the key transformation.     

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Homoallylic Alcohols: Application to the Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 5,6‐Dihydropyran‐2‐ones and δ‐Lactones

Dynamic kinetic resolution of various homoallylic alcohols with the use of Candida antarctica lipase B and ruthenium catalyst 2 afforded homoallylic acetates in high yields and with high enantioselectivity. These enantiopure acetates were further transformed into homoallylic acrylates after hydrolysis of the ester function and subsequent DMAP‐catalyzed esterification with acryloyl chloride. After ring‐closing metathesis 5,6‐dihydropyran‐2‐ones were obtained in good yields. Selective hydrogenation of the carbon? carbon double bond afforded the corresponding δ‐lactones without loss of chiral information.     

Ring‐Shaped Phosphinoamido‐Magnesium‐Hydride Complexes: Syntheses,Structures, Reactivity,and Catalysis

A series of magnesium(II) complexes bearing the sterically demanding phosphinoamide ligand, L^?=Ph₂PNDip^?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, including heteroleptic magnesium alkyl and hydride complexes are described. The ligand geometry enforces various novel ring and cluster geometries for the heteroleptic compounds. We have studied the stoichiometric reactivity of [(LMgH)₄] towards unsaturated substrates, and investigated catalytic hydroborations and hydrosilylations of ketones and pyridines. We found that hydroborations of two ketones with pinacolborane using various Mg precatalysts is very rapid at room temperature with very low catalyst loadings, and ketone hydrosilylation using phenylsilane is rapid at 70 °C. Our studies point to an insertion/σ‐bond metathesis catalytic cycle of an in situ formed “MgH₂” active species.     

Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Photo‐Fries Reaction for the Construction of the Ansamycin Antibiotic Kendomycin: Development of a Protecting Group Free Oxidative Endgame

Two convergent total syntheses of the ansa‐polyketide (?)‐kendomycin ( 1 ) are described. The syntheses benefit from the use of readily available and cheap starting materials. Highly complex diastereoselective Claisen–Ireland rearrangements were used to introduce the (E)‐double bond and the C16‐Me group. The ring closure of the strained ansa macrocycle was achieved by ring‐closing metathesis and a highly efficient combination of macrolactonization and photo‐Fries reaction. A protecting group free endgame via an unstable o‐quinone is presented. Additionally some unsuccessful synthetic efforts towards the total synthesis of 1 are described.     

Cyclic poly(ε‐caprolactone) synthesized by combination of ring‐opening polymerization with ring‐closing metathesis,ring closing enyne metathesis,or “click” reaction

This article described the synthesis of cyclic poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) via ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), ring closing enyne metathesis (RCEM), and “click” reaction of different difunctional linear PCL. Linear PCL precursors were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone in bulk using 10‐undecen‐1‐ol or propargyl alcohol as the initiator, followed by reacting with corresponding acyl chloride containing vinyl or azido end group. The subsequent end‐to‐end intramolecular coupling reactions were performed under high dilution conditions. The successful transformation of linear PCL precursor to cyclic PCL was confirmed by Gel permeation chromatography, ¹H NMR, and Fourier transform infrared measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3022–3033, 2009     

基于金属复分解闭环反应合成新型杯[4]冠醚衍生物

杯[4]芳烃的上端和下端通过金属复分解闭环反应以较高产率合成一系列新型杯[4]冠醚衍生物(8a-c),目标产物结构经元素分析、IR、MS、1H NMR及13C NMR证实。     

Ring‐Rearrangement Metathesis

Ring‐rearrangement metathesis (RRM) refers to the combination of several metathesis transformations into a domino process, in which an endocyclic double bond of a cycloolefin reacts with an exocyclic alkene. RRM has proven to be a powerful method for the rapid construction of complex structures. The extension of the basic ring‐opening–ring‐closing metathesis process by further metathesis steps as well as an examination of the driving forces, limits, scope, recent advantages, and future perspectives of these domino sequences is presented with various examples, thus reflecting the high efficiency and utility of RRM in organic synthesis.     

Facile synthesis of substituted 2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-azepines via ring-closing metathesis

A highly efficient synthesis based on inexpensive and readily available starting material towards the pharmacologically interesting class of substituted 2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-azepines via a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) approach employing Grubbs catalysts 1 and 2 is described. The influence of the substituents R¹ and R² on the outcome of the RCM reaction is discussed. The seemingly first example of an RCM approach towards seven-membered azacycles bearing a substituent at the alkene moiety utilizing Grubbs catalyst 1 is presented.     

From Syndiotactic Homopolymers to Chemically Tunable Alternating Copolymers: Highly Active Yttrium Complexes for Stereoselective Ring‐Opening Polymerization of β‐Malolactonates

Alternating copolymers constitute an attractive class of materials. It was shown previously that highly alternated poly(β‐hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) can be prepared by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of mixtures of two different enantiomerically pure 4‐alkyl‐β‐propiolactones. However, the approach could not be extended to PHAs with chemically tunable functional groups, which is highly desirable to access original advanced materials. Reported herein is the first highly syndioselective and controlled ROP of racemic allyl and benzyl β‐malolactonates (MLA^R; R=allyl, benzyl) using an yttrium complex supported by a tetradentate dichloro‐substituted bis(phenolate) ligand. This highly active catalyst allows the nearly perfect alternating copolymerization of MLA^Allyl and MLA^Benzyl. Hydrogenolysis of the benzyloxycarbonyl or functionalization of the allyl pendant groups opens a route towards a new class of functional alternating copolymers.     

Synthesis of Certain Benzoheterocyclic Compounds from 2‐Hydroxyacetophenone via Cyclization and Ring‐closing Metathesis

Synthesis of some benzoheterocyclic compounds like substituted benzofurans, 4‐methyl‐2H‐chromenes and 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b]oxepin‐5‐ones from 2‐hydroxyacetophenone via base induced cyclization and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) is described.     

[(NHC)(NHCewg)RuCl2(CHPh)] Complexes with Modified NHCewg Ligands for Efficient Ring‐Closing Metathesis Leading to Tetrasubstituted Olefins

Imidazolium salts (NHC_ewg ? HCl) with electronically variable substituents in the 4,5‐position (H,H or Cl,Cl or H,NO₂ or CN,CN) and sterically variable substituents in the 1,3‐position (Me,Me or Et,Et or iPr,iPr or Me,iPr) were synthesized and converted into the respective [AgI(NHC)_ewg] complexes. The reactions of [(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)(py)₂] with the [AgI(NHC_ewg)] complexes provide the respective [(NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] complexes in excellent yields. The catalytic activity of such complexes in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions leading to tetrasubstituted olefins was studied. To obtain quantitative substrate conversion, catalyst loadings of 0.2–0.5 mol % at 80 °C in toluene are sufficient. The complex with the best catalytic activity in such RCM reactions and the fastest initiation rate has an NHC_ewg group with 1,3‐Me,iPr and 4,5‐Cl,Cl substituents and can be synthesized in 95 % isolated yield from the ruthenium precursor. To learn which one of the two NHC ligands acts as the leaving group in olefin metathesis reactions two complexes, [(FL‐NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] and [(FL‐NHC_ewg)(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)], with a dansyl fluorophore (FL)‐tagged electron‐rich NHC ligand (FL‐NHC) and an electron‐deficient NHC ligand (FL‐NHC_ewg) were prepared. The fluorescence of the dansyl fluorophore is quenched as long as it is in close vicinity to ruthenium, but increases strongly upon dissociation of the respective fluorophore‐tagged ligand. In this manner, it was shown for ring‐opening metathesis ploymerization (ROMP) reactions at room temperature that the NHC_ewg ligand normally acts as the leaving group, whereas the other NHC ligand remains ligated to ruthenium.     

Helicenes Built from Silacyclopentadienes via Ring‐by‐Ring Knitting of the Helical Framework

Despite the apparent diversity of the protocols developed for the synthesis of helicenes, they essentially follow the same strategy: the closure of one, or several, internal rings in a key step. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new family of the heterohelicenes consisting of fused silacyclopentadiene rings formed via a facile and novel process. The treatment of oligo(alkynilydenesilylene) precursors of type H₂C=CH?(SiMe₂?C≡C)_n?R (n=3–7), bearing a vinyl group on the terminal silicon atom, with 9‐borabicyclononane leads first to 1,2‐hydroboration of the terminal double bond which then continues with a cascade of intramolecular 1,1‐carboboration reactions accompanied with the closure of a new silole ring after each step affording the target silahelicenes with, currently, up to seven condensed silole rings and with excellent yields. According XRD analysis, the seven fused silole rings of the heptacyclic compound 11 b form an almost complete turn of a helix. The presented one‐pot sequence of reactions is the first example of ring‐by‐ring knitting of a helical framework starting from easily available linear precursors.     

Functional carbo‐Butadienes: Nonaromatic Conjugation Effects through a 14‐Carbon, 24‐π‐Electron Backbone

A systematic study of carbo‐butadiene motifs not embedded in an aromatic carbo‐benzene ring is described. Dibutatrienylacetylene (DBA) targets R¹?C(R)?C?C?C(Ph)?C≡C?C(Ph)?C?C?C(R)?R² are devised, in which R is C≡CSiiPr₃ and R¹ and R² are R, H, or 4‐X‐C₆H₄, with the latter including three known representatives (X: H, NMe₂, or NH₂). The synthesis method is based on the SnCl₂‐mediated reduction of pentaynediols prepared by early or late divergent strategies; the latter allows access to a OMe–NO₂ push–pull diaryl‐DBA. If R¹ and R² are H, an over‐reduced dialkynylbutatriene (DAB) with two allenyl caps was isolated instead of the unsubstituted DBA. If R¹=R²=R, the tetraalkynyl‐DBA target was obtained, along with an over‐reduced DBA product with a 12‐membered 1,2‐alkylidene‐1H₂,2H₂‐carbo‐cyclobutadiene ring. X‐ray crystallography shows that all of the acyclic DBAs adopt a planar trans–transoid–trans configuration. The maximum UV/Vis absorption wavelength is found to vary consistently with the overall π‐conjugation extent and, more intriguingly, with the π‐donor character of the aryl X substituents, which varies consistently with the first (reversible) reduction potential and first (irreversible) oxidation peak, as determined by voltammetry.     

Synthesis of 3‐Aryl‐2,5‐Dihydro‐1‐Benzoxepines from Phenol via Ring‐Closing Metathesis

In this paper, the synthesis of 3‐aryl‐2,5‐dihydro‐1‐benzoxepines is described. While the reaction was started from phenol and based on the sequential reactions such as Claisen rearrangement, O‐alkylation, Wittig reaction, and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), a series of new 3‐aryl‐1‐benzoxepines were prepared in good overall yields.     

Synthesis of Carbazole Alkaloids by Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Ring Rearrangement–Aromatization

Aprocess for the assembly of carbazole alkaloids has been developed on the basis of ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) and ringrearrangement–aromatization (RRA) as the key steps. This method is based on allyl Grignard addition to isatin derivatives to provide smooth access to 2,2‐diallyl 3‐oxindole derivatives through a 1,2‐allyl shift. The diallyl derivatives were used as RCM precursors to afford a novel class of spirocyclopentene‐3‐oxindole derivatives, which underwent a novel RRA reaction to afford carbazole derivatives. The synthetic sequence to carbazoles was shortened by combining the RCM and RRA steps in an orthogonal tandem catalytic process. The utility of this methodology was further demonstrated by the straightforward synthesis of carbazole alkaloids, including amukonal derivative, girinimbilol, heptaphylline, and bis(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylcarbazole).     

Synthesis of novel simplified sarcodictyin/eleutherobin analogs with potent microtubule-stabilizing activity, using ring closing metathesis as the key-step

The synthesis of a number of novel simplified eleutheside analogs with potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties is described, using ring closing metathesis as the key-step for obtaining the 6-10 fused bicyclic ring system. The RCM precursors were synthesized starting from aldehyde 3 [prepared in 6 steps on a multigram scale from R-(−)-carvone in 30% overall yield] via multiple stereoselective Brown allylations. Second generation RCM catalyst 13 gave the desired ring closed 10-membered carbocycles as single Z stereoisomers in good yields. The RCM stereochemical course (100% Z) likely reflects thermodynamic control. The crucial role of the protecting groups of the homoallylic and allylic substituents for the efficiency of the RCM reactions is discussed. These simplified analogs of the natural product (lacking inter alia the C-4/C-7 ether bridge) retain potent microtubule-stabilizing activity. However, the cytotoxicity tests did not parallel the potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties: limited cytotoxicity was observed against three common tumor cell lines (human ovarian carcinoma and human colon carcinoma cell lines, IC₅₀ in the μM range given in Table 2), three orders of magnitude less than paclitaxel (IC₅₀ in the nM range).     

Platinum‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Ring‐opening Reaction of Oxabenzonorbornadiene with Terminal Alkynes

A novel platinum‐catalyzed asymmetric ring‐opening reaction of oxabenzonorbornadiene with terminal alkynes is described. The reaction affords optically active cis‐2‐alkynyl‐1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐1‐ols in moderate yields with good enantioselectivity in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pt(COD)Cl₂/(S)‐BINAP and an excess of zinc powder. The products were obtained exclusively with the relative cis‐configuration of the ring substituents and the prevalent (1R,2S)‐configuration of the stereocenters, as determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Inter‐ and Intramolecular Aryl Thioether Metathesis by Reversible Arylation

A nickel‐catalyzed aryl thioether metathesis has been developed to access high‐value thioethers. 1,2‐Bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane (dcype) is essential to promote this highly functional‐group‐tolerant reaction. Furthermore, synthetically challenging macrocycles could be obtained in good yield in an unusual example of ring‐closing metathesis that does not involve alkene bonds. In‐depth organometallic studies support a reversible Ni⁰/Ni^II pathway to product formation. Overall, this work not only provides a more sustainable alternative to previous catalytic systems based on Pd, but also presents new applications and mechanistic information that are highly relevant to the further development and application of unusual single‐bond metathesis reactions.     

Studies on Electronic Effects in O‐, N‐ and S‐Chelated Ruthenium Olefin‐Metathesis Catalysts

A short overview on the structural design of the Hoveyda–Grubbs‐type ruthenium initiators chelated through oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms is presented. Our aim was to compare and contrast O‐, N‐ and S‐chelated ruthenium complexes to better understand the impact of electron‐withdrawing and ‐donating substituents on the geometry and activity of the ruthenium complexes and to gain further insight into the trans–cis isomerisation process of the S‐chelated complexes. To evaluate the different effects of chelating heteroatoms and to probe electronic effects on sulfur‐ and nitrogen‐chelated latent catalysts, we synthesised a series of novel complexes. These catalysts were compared against two well‐known oxygen‐chelated initiators and a sulfoxide‐chelated complex. The structures of the new complexes have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and analysed to search for correlations between the structural features and activity. The replacement of the oxygen‐chelating atom by a sulfur or nitrogen atom resulted in catalysts that were inert at room temperature for typical ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) and cross‐metathesis reactions and showed catalytic activity only at higher temperatures. Furthermore, one nitrogen‐chelated initiator demonstrated thermo‐switchable behaviour in RCM reactions, similar to its sulfur‐chelated counterparts.