Diasteroselective synthesis of oxazolidines and imidazolidines via the Lewis acid catalyzed C-C cleavage of aziridines

In this work, cis-2,5-disubstitutedoxazolidines were efficiently constructed via a regioselective C-C bond cleavage of N-tosylaziridine 2,2-dicaboxylates and a subsequent [3+2] cycloaddition with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of Zn(OTf)₂. The reactions were highly diastereoselective to form oxazolidines in cis configurations. trans-2,5-Disubstituted imidazolidines were also diastereoselectively synthesized in the similar manner using imines as substrates and AgOTf as catalyst. Based on the detailed investigation of the substrate diversity for both reactions, including the electronic effects and the steric effects of the substituted groups on the aziridines, aldehydes, and imines, a stepwise mechanism was postulated for the diastereoselective formation of cis-2,5-disubstitutedoxazolidines and trans-2,5-disubstituted imidazolines.     

Synthesis of derivatives of cyclobuteno[c]thiophen and attempts to synthesise thiophen analogues of biphenylene

Starting from 2,5-dichlorothiophen many new 3,4-disubstituted thiophens have been made including the dialdehyde. Treatment of this with phosphorus pentabromide could be made to give 2,5-dichloro-3- dibromomethylthiophen-4-aldehyde, 2,5-dichloro- or 2-bromo-5-chloro-3,4-bisdibromomethylthiophen. the latter two compounds reacted with sodium iodide to give the corresponding cis- and trans-3,4-dibromo cyclobuteno[c]thiophen derivatives (18–21). Reaction of trans-3,4-dibromo-2,5-dichlorocyclobuteno[c]thiophen with N-bromosuccinimide resulted in fission of the 4-membered ring regenerating 2,5-dichloro-3,4-bisdibromomethylthiophen.When 2,5-dichloro-3,4-di-iodothiophen was treated with butyl-lithium followed by dimethylsulphate it gave 2,5- dichloro-3,4-dimethylthiophen together with a low yield of a red compound which is considered to be a dichloro dimethyl derivative (11) of bisthiophenindigo.Several unsuccessful approaches to the synthesis of dithiophen analogues of biphenylene are outlined. These included heating various 3,4-di-iodothiophens and 4,4′-di-iodo-3,3′-bithienyls with copper as well as the flash vacuum pyrolysis of the latter compounds, of thiophen-3,4-dicar?ylic anhydrides and of 2,5-dichloro-3-iodothiophen-4-car?ylic acid.     

trans-2,5-Dialkylpyrrolidinyl-containing phosphinamines. Synthetic and mechanistic studies in Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation

The preparation of new phosphinamine ligands possessing an enantiopure trans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidinyl unit linked by a rigid o-phenylene bridge to a diphenylphosphine is described. Only that route forming the trans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidine in the final step from (2-aminophenyl)diphenylphosphine proved successful. The cyclocondensation proceeded in 48% and 27% yields, respectively, for the dimethyl- and diethyl-analogues. Their palladium complexes were prepared and applied to the test of enantioselective alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate in high chemical yields but with moderate enantioselectivities of up to 34% ee.¹H NMR spectra of the η³-allyl Pd complexes of four trans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidine-containing ligands were analysed in an attempt to explain the results obtained. In the cases of the 1,3-diphenylallyl complexes, two diastereomers were observed for all four ligands and their configurations were assigned with the aid of COSY and NOESY experiments. The catalytic results obtained are best interpreted by the reaction proceeding with nucleophilic attack on the allyl trans to the phosphorus donor atom of the major diastereomer.     

Enantiopure cis- and trans-2,5-disubstituted-2,5-dihydrofurans from d-allal- and d-galactal-derived vinyl epoxides

Upon treatment with the metal enolates of methylene active compounds (dimethyl malonate and dibenzoylmethane) (C-nucleophiles) and benzyl carbamate (N-nucleophile), d-allal- and d-galactal-derived vinyl epoxides are stereoselectively transformed, in a single step, into diastereoisomeric, highly functionalized, enantiopure cis- and trans-2,5-disubstituted-2,5-dihydrofurans.     

A convenient method for the assignment of the absolute configuration to cyclic amines

We have assigned the absolute configuration to trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidine and trans-2,6-dimethyl-piperidine through radical chlorination in ω-1 position of optically active amines, 2 and 5, of known absolute configuration, followed by cyclization. CD curves of 1f and 4g derivatives indicate that the reaction is stereospecific. The absolute configuration of trans-2,5-dimethyl-Δ³-pyrròline has also been determined.     

Synthesis of 2,5-diethynyl substituted oxepins from trans-1,4-diethynylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diols

Reaction of trans-1,4-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diol with n-BuLi followed by methanesulfonyl chloride resulted in the formation of a dark red solid, which was identified as 2,5-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)oxepin. Deprotection of the silyl groups resulted in the formation of 2,5-diethynyloxepin, a red, shock sensitive solid. Reaction of a differentially substituted cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diol gave a mixture of 2,5-diethynyl substituted oxepins.     

Tris(acetonitrile)tricarbonylchromium(0) catalyzed 1,4-addition of hydrogen to 1,3-dienes

The Cr(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃ complex is found to catalyze the 1,4-addition of hydrogen to 1,3-dienes such as 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, trans-1,3-pentadiene, and trans, trans-2,4-hexadiene at low temperature (40°) and low H₂ pressure (20 psi). For trans, trans-2,4-hexadiene the only product obtained when D₂ is used is 2,5-dideuterio-cis-3-hexene. The catalytic 1,4-hydrogenation can be carried out in neat dienes, and turnover numbers for the catalyst of greater than 3000 have been observed.     

Synthesis and structure of 3-(hydroxycarbamoyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydropyrrol-1-oxyl

Hydroxyamination of 3-chlorocarbonyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydropyrrol-1-oxyl gave previously unknown 3-(hydroxycarbamoyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydropyrrol-1-oxyl whose structure was determined by X-ray analysis. The hydroxamic acid fragment has cis configuration, and the carbonyl group occupies distorted trans position with respect to the double bond in the planar dihydropyrrole ring.     

An efficient and highly stereoselective approach to trans-2,5-disubstituted-tetrahydrofuran and trans-2,6-disubstituted-tetrahydropyran derivatives

Bis-epoxides were converted into trans-2,5-disubstituted-tetrahydrofuran and trans-2,6-disubstituted-tetrahydropyran derivatives using a kinetic resolution followed by cyclization, in an efficient and highly enantio- and diastereoselective manner.     

Alkali metal,alkaline and acidic decomposition of silacyclopentadienes

1,1-Dimethyl-2,5-diphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene and 1,1-dimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene (X) are cleaved by sodium hydroxide as well as by hydrochloric acid to give trans, trans-1,4-diphenylbutadiene and cis, cis-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylbutadiene, respectively. Compound X, hexaphenylsilacyclopentadiene and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4,5-pentaphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene, on treatment with potassium in 1,2-dimethoxyethane gave intensely red colored dianions which on quenching in moist tetrahydrofuran gave rise to α,α′-dibenzylstilbene. A pathway for the reaction is suggested.     

Marine natural products—XV : Polyhalogenated cyclic monoterpenes from the red alga plocamium cartilagineum of antarctica

Examination of the red alga Plocamium cartilagineum (L.) Dixon collected along the Antarctic Peninsula yielded several new cyclic halogenated monoterpenes. The structures of a 2,4-dichloro-trans-1-chloro-vinyl-1-methyl-5-methylene-cyclohexane, a 2-chloro-4-bromo-trans-1-chlorovinyl-1-methyl-5-methylene-cyclohexane, a 2-chloro-trans-1-chlorovinyl-1-methyl-5-chloromethyl-4-cyclohexene, and a 2,5-dichloro-4-bromo-trans-1-chlorovinyl-1-methyl-5-bromomethyl-cyclohexane are described. The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and chemically related to the halogenated monoterpene violacene.     

Heptacarbonyl-μ-(2,5:2–5-η-2,4-hexadien-2,5-diyl)dimangan,synthese und molekülstruktur eines zweikernigen manganacyclopentadien-komplexes

The photochemical reaction of Mn₂(CO)₁₀ with cis-,trans-2,4-hexadiene yields three tetracarbonyl-η³-enyl-manganese complexes with E-2,4-hexadien-1-yl, EE-3-hexen-2-yl EZ-3-hexen-2-yl ligands. In an unexpected side-reaction, heptacarbonyl-μ-(2,5:2–5-η-2,4-hexadiene-2,5-diyl)dimanganese is formed. This novel dinuclear manganacyclopentadiene complex was characterized by C and H elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and by X-ray structure analysis.     

Synthesis and structure of 1-metallacyclopent-3-yne complexes of group 4 metals

Five-membered metallacyclic alkyne complexes of titanium and hafnium, 1,1-bis(cyclopentadienyl)-1-titanacyclopent-3-yne (2) and trans-1,1-bis(cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-trimethylsilyl-1-hafnacyclopent-3-yne (6), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The structural analysis of titanium complex 2 implied a larger contribution of an η⁴-π,π-coordinated structure. The hafnium compound 6 has a similar structure to the corresponding zirconium analogue (1a), although slight differences in the bond lengths and angles were observed. A novel 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne complex, 1,1-bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne (5), was also prepared and the structure of the trans-isomer was determined.     

Enantioselective synthesis of Fmoc-l-3-(2-benzothienyl)alanine (2-BtAla) via diastereoselective alkylation of a glycine equivalent

Stereoselective alkylation of the anion derived from (2R)-2,5-dihydro-3,6-dimethoxy-2-isopropylpyrazine with 2-chloromethylbenzothiophene afforded the corresponding trans-monosubstituted product, (2S,5R)-2-((1-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)methyl)-3,6-dimethoxy-5-(propan-2-yl)-2,5-dihyropyrazine in 88% yield. Hydrolysis of the alkylated product using 40% TFA/H₂O at 0?°C and subsequent protection of the α-amino functional group with Fmoc-OSu afforded Fmoc-l-3-(2-benzothienyl)alanine methyl ester in 88% yield. Hydrolysis of the methyl ester with aqueous LiOH gave Fmoc-l-3-(2-benzothienyl)alanine in 62% overall yield.     

A concise and divergent approach to radicamine B and hyacinthacine A3 based on a step-economic transformation

Based on our recently developed step-economic methodology of reductive alkylation of lactams/amides, we have developed a two-step synthesis of azasugar radicamine B (2a) and a four-step synthesis of azasugar hyacinthacine A₃ (5) from the common chiral building block 12. Hantzsch ester (HEH) was used as a milder hydride donor in the one-pot stereoselective reductive alkylation of lactam 12. The Wacker oxidation of fully substituted pyrrolidine derivative 2,5-trans-17 led to the synthesis of hyacinthacine A₃ (5). Compound 2,5-trans-17 could also serve as a plausible key intermediate for the synthesis of broussonetine sub-class of azasugars.     

Studies on the mechanism for stereoisomerization of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds

The stereoisomerization of 2,5-disubstituted 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds, stable five-membered cycloalkynes, has been studied with regard to the mechanism. The bimetallic complex of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)butatriene was synthesized and structurally characterized, although it seems unimportant for the stereoisomerization reactions. The isomerization of trans-1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne 2a into the cis-form in benzene-d₆ solution were observed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 50 °C in various concentrations. The reaction was first order with respect to trans-2a. This ruled out the possibility that a bimetallic complex was responsible for the isomerization. A kinetic isotope effect was observed (k_H/k_D = 1.8), suggesting that C–H activation is involved in the rate-determining step. A mechanism via hydrogen elimination from the complex of η⁴-π,π-coordination mode is proposed.     

Reactions of urocanic acid (UCA) methyl esters with singlet oxygen and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD)

Singlet oxygen adds to the imidazole ring of cis- and trans-methyl urocanate (MUC) to yield the corresponding 2,5-endoperoxides, which are modestly stable at low temperature but decompose upon warming to form complex reaction mixtures. MTAD, a singlet oxygen mimic, reacts with cis- and trans-MUC to yield stereospecific [4+2] reaction products involving the olefinic side chain and the C₄-C₅ double bond of the imidazole ring. trans-MUC forms a 1:2 MTAD adduct while the cis isomer yields only the 1:1 adduct at 25 °C. The stereospecificity and absence of MeOH trapping adducts indicate that these reactions may not involve open or trappable dipolar intermediates.     

Studies on the mechanism for stereoisomerization of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds

The stereoisomerization of 2,5-disubstituted 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds, stable five-membered cycloalkynes, has been studied with regard to the mechanism. The bimetallic complex of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)butatriene was synthesized and structurally characterized, although it seems unimportant for the stereoisomerization reactions. The isomerization of trans-1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne 2a into the cis-form in benzene-d₆ solution were observed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 50 °C in various concentrations. The reaction was first order with respect to trans-2a. This ruled out the possibility that a bimetallic complex was responsible for the isomerization. A kinetic isotope effect was observed (k_H/k_D = 1.8), suggesting that C–H activation is involved in the rate-determining step. A mechanism via hydrogen elimination from the complex of η⁴-π,π-coordination mode is proposed.     

Katsuki-Jacobsen oxidation-epoxidation of α-silyloxy sulfinyl dienes: application to the formal synthesis of (6S,7S,9R,10R)-6,9-epoxynonadec-18-ene-7,10-diol

The Katsuki-Jacobsen oxidation-epoxidation of acyclic α-silyloxy sulfinyl dienes, followed by acid-promoted cyclization, leads to 2,5-trans sulfonyl dihydrofurans with good selectivities. As an application, the formal synthesis of (6S,7S,9R,10R)-6,9-epoxynonadec-18-ene-7,10-diol is reported.     

Cationic and alkynyl complexes of the trans(mesityl)bis(phenyldimethylphosphine)nickel(II) moiety

A cationic complex, trans-[(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂(NCMe)]ClO₄ (IIa), has been prepared rom trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂Br and silver perchlorate in acetone/acetonitrile. IIa reacts with several neutral ligands to give trans-[(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂L]ClO₄ (L = 2-pic, 3-pic, 3,4-lut, 2,5-lut, methyl isonicotinate, N-ethyl imidazole, PPhMe₂, P(Ome)₃), with halide anions to give trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂X (X = Cl, NNN), and with terminal alkynes in the presence of triethylamine to give trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCR (R = H, Me, CH₂CH₂Oh, Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p). Some related alkynyl complexes trans-CCl₂CClNi(PPhMe₂)₂CCR (R = H, Me, Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p) and trans-{(o-MeO)₂C₆H₃}Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCr (R = H, Ph) also have been prepared from the corresponding trans-R′Ni(PPhMe₂)₂Cl, silver perchlorate and HCCR in acetonitrile-triethylamine. trans-(Mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCH reacts with methanol in the presence of perchloric acid to give a cationic carbne complex, trans-[(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂{C(OMe)Me}]ClO₄.