Scope and mechanism of the Pd(II)-catalyzed arylation/carboalkoxylation of unactivated olefins with indoles

Treatment of 1-methyl-2-(4-pentenyl)indole (5) with a catalytic amount of [PdCl2(MeCN)2] (2; 5 mol %) and a stoichiometric amount of CuCl2 (3 equiv) in methanol under CO (1 atm) at room temperature for 30 min gives methyl (9-methyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-4-carbazolyl)acetate (6), which was isolated in 83% yield. A number of 2- and 3-alkenyl indoles undergo a similar palladium-catalyzed cyclization/carboalkoxylation to give the corresponding polycyclic indole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Under similar conditions, vinyl arenes undergo intermolecular arylation/carboalkoxylation with indoles to give 3-(1-aryl-2-carbomethoxyethyl) indoles in moderate yield with high regioselectivity. Stereochemical analyses of the palladium-catalyzed cyclization/carboalkoxylation of both 2- and 3-alkenyl indoles are in agreement with mechanisms involving outer-sphere attack of the indole on a palladium-olefin complex followed by alpha-migratory insertion of CO and methanolysis of the resulting acyl palladium intermediate. CuCl2 functions as the terminal oxidant in this palladium-catalyzed cyclization/carboalkoxylation of alkenyl indoles and also significantly increases the rate of reaction of 2 with the alkenyl indole to form the corresponding acyl palladium complex. Spectroscopic studies are in agreement with the intermediacy of a heterobimetallic Pd/Cu complex as the active catalyst in this reaction.     

Platinum-catalyzed intramolecular alkylation of indoles with unactivated olefins

Reaction of 1-methy-2-(4-pentenyl)indole (1) with a catalytic amount of PtCl2 (2 mol %) in dioxane that contained a trace of HCl (5 mol %) at 60 degrees C for 24 h led to the isolation of 4,9-dimethyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole (2) in 92% yield. Platinum-catalyzed cyclization of 2-(4-pentenyl)indoles tolerated substitution at each position of the 4-pentenyl chain. Furthermore, the protocol was applicable to the synthesis of tetrahydro-beta-carbolinones and was effective for cyclization of unprotected indoles. 2-(3-Butenyl)indoles underwent platinum-catalyzed cyclization with exclusive 6-endo-trig regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies established a mechanism for the platinum-catalyzed cyclization of 2-alkenyl indoles involving nucleophilic attack of the indole on a platinum-complexed olefin.     

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative alkylation of 4-pentenyl beta-dicarbonyl compounds

Reaction of 8-nonene-2,4-dione with a catalytic amount of [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] (2; 5 mol %) and a stoichiometric amount of CuCl2 (2.5 equiv) at room temperature for 3 h led to oxidative alkylation and formation of 2-acetyl-3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone in 80 % isolated yield. The oxidative alkylation of 4-pentenyl beta-diketones tolerated a number of terminal acyl groups and substitution at the C1 and C3 carbon atoms of the 4-pentenyl chain. Likewise, 4-pentenyl beta-keto esters that possessed geminal disubstitution at the C1, C2, or C3 carbon atom of the 4-pentenyl chain cyclized to form 2-carboalkoxy-2-cyclohexenones in moderate to good yield as the exclusive cyclized product. Deuterium-labeling experiments provided information regarding the mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed oxidative alkylation of 4-pentenyl beta-dicarbonyl compounds.     

Control of the regioselectivity of sulfonamidyl radical cyclization by vinylic halogen substitution

The radical cyclization reactions of unsaturated sulfonamides were investigated. The photolysis of N-(4-halo-4-pentenyl)sulfonamides (X=I, Br, or Cl) with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine at room temperature afforded exclusively the corresponding piperidines in 73-98% yield via 6-endo radical cyclization. On the other hand, the reactions of N-(5-halo-4-pentenyl)sulfonamides with DIB/I2 led to the only formation of the pyrrolidine products in 84-99% yield via 5-exo radical cyclization. The vinylic halogen substitution not only successfully inhibits the competing ionic iodocyclization process to allow the radical cyclization to proceed smoothly but also shows a remarkable effect in controlling the regioselectivity of cyclization.     

Ir-catalyzed allylic amination/ring-closing metathesis: a new route to enantioselective synthesis of cyclic beta-amino alcohol derivatives

Ir-catalyzed allylic aminations of (E)-4-benzyloxy-2-butenyl methyl carbonate with benzylamine using Feringa's (Sa,Sc,Sc)-phosphoramidite as a chiral ligand afforded linear-aminated achiral product N,O-dibenzyl-4-amino-2-buten-1-ol regioselectively (linear/branched = >99/1), whereas the (E)-5-benzyloxy-2-pentenyl methyl carbonate showed completely opposite regioselectivity (linear/branched = >1/99) and afforded the optically active (3R)-N,O-dibenzylated 3-amino-1-penten-5-ol with very high enantioselectivity (96% ee), which was used as a key intermediate for the effective synthesis of various cyclic beta-amino alcohol derivatives through ring-closing metathesis in high yields.     

A bimetallic catalyst and dual role catalyst: synthesis of N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles from 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates

3-allyl-N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles are synthesized via the reaction of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates and allyl carbonates in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4) (1 mol %) and CuCl (4 mol %) bimetallic catalyst. It is most probable that Pd(0) acts as a catalyst for the formation of a pi-allylpalladium alkoxide intermediate and Cu(I) behaves as a Lewis acid to activate the isocyanate, and the cyclization step proceeds with a cooperative catalytic activity of Pd and Cu. On the other hand, N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles are produced via the reaction of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates and alcohols under a catalytic amount of Na(2)PdCl(4) (5 mol %) or PtCl(2) (5 mol %). Pd(II) or Pt(II) catalyst exhibits dual roles; it acts as a Lewis acid to accelerate the addition of alcohols to isocyanates and as a typical transition-metal catalyst to activate the alkyne for the subsequent cyclization.     

Regioselective unusual formation of spirocyclic 4-{2'-benzo(2',3'-dihydro)furo}- 9-methyl-2,3,9-trihydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]indole by 4-exo-trig aryl radical cyclization and rearrangement

4-(2'-Bromoaryloxymethylene)-9-methyl-2,3,9-trihydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]indoles under tri-n-butyltin hydride mediated aryl radical cyclization furnished exclusively the 4-{2'-benzo(2',3'-dihydro)furo}-9-methyl-2,3,9-trihydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]indoles in excellent yield (75-80%) via 4-exo-trig cyclization, opening of the oxetene ring, and 5-endo-trig cyclization.     

Asymmetric cyclization of 2-alkenylphenols. A comparative study on the use of palladium(II) and titanium(IV) complexes

The oxidative cyclization of 2-(3-pentenyl)phenol catalyzed by [(η³-pinene)PdOAc]₂ gives optically active (+)-2-vinylchroman (25% e.e.), while (−)-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)chroman (56% e.e.) is formed as a single diastereomer upon treatment with t-BuOOH in the presence of Ti(OⁱPr)₄ and -(+)-diethyl tartrate. 2-(2-Butenyl)phenol also undergoes the Ti-promoted asymmetric cyclization to give (2S,1′R)-(−)-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (29% e.e.).     

Platinum-catalyzed intramolecular asymmetric hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes with indoles

[reaction: see text] A 1:1 mixture of the platinum bis(phosphine) complex [(S)-4]PtCl2 [(S)-4 = (S)-3,5-t-Bu-4-MeO-MeOBIPHEP] catalyzes the intramolecular asymmetric hydroarylation of 2-(4-pentenyl)indoles in moderate to good yield with up to 90% ee.     

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkylation of alkenyl-beta-keto esters, alpha-aryl ketones, and alkyl ketones in the presence of Me3SiCl or HCl

Reaction of 3-butenyl beta-keto esters or 3-butenyl alpha-aryl ketones with a catalytic amount of [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] (2) and a stoichiometric amount of Me3SiCl or Me3SiCl/CuCl2 in dioxane at 25-70 degrees C formed 2-substituted cyclohexanones in good yield with high regioselectivity. This protocol tolerated a number of ester and aryl groups and tolerated substitution at the allylic, enolic, and cis and trans terminal olefinic positions. In situ NMR experiments indicated that the chlorosilane was not directly involved in palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation, but rather served as a source of HCl, which presumably catalyzes enolization of the ketone. Identification of HCl as the active promoter of palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation led to the development of an effective protocol for the hydroalkylation of alkyl 3-butenyl ketones that employed sub-stoichiometric amounts of 2, HCl, and CuCl2 in a sealed tube at 70 degrees C.     

Enantioselective diene Cyclization/Hydrosilylation catalyzed by optically active palladium bisoxazoline and pyridine-oxazoline complexes

A 1:1 mixture of (N-N)Pd(Me)Cl ?N-N = (S,S)-4,4'-dibenzyl-4,5,4', 5'-tetrahydro-2,2'-bisoxazoline (S,S-4a) and NaBAr(4) ?Ar = 3, 5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2) (5 mol %) catalyzed the asymmetric cyclization/hydrosilylation of dimethyl diallylmalonate (2) and triethylsilane at -30 degrees C for 48 h to form an 8.1:1 mixture of the silylated carbocycle (S,S)-trans-1, 1-dicarbomethoxy-4-methyl-3-?(triethylsilyl)methylcyclop ent ane (S, S-3) (95% de, 72% ee) and dimethyl 3,4-dimethylcyclopentane-1, 1-dicarboxylate (S,S-6) in 64% combined yield. In comparison, a 1:1 mixture of the palladium pyridine-oxazoline complex (N-N)Pd(Me)Cl ?N-N = (R)-(+)-4-isopropyl-2-(2-pyridinyl)-2-oxazoline (R-5b) and NaBAr(4) (5 mol %) catalyzed the asymmetric cyclization/hydrosilylation of 2 and triethylsilane at -32 degrees C for 24 h to form carbocycle S,S-3 in 82% yield (>95% de, 87% ee) as the exclusive product. Asymmetric diene cyclization catalyzed by complex R-5b was compatible with a range of functional groups and produced carbocycles with up to 91% ee. The procedure also tolerated substitution at a terminal olefinic position and at the allylic position of the diene.     

Highly active Au(I) catalyst for the intramolecular exo-hydrofunctionalization of allenes with carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen nucleophiles

Reaction of benzyl (2,2-diphenyl-4,5-hexadienyl)carbamate (4) with a catalytic 1:1 mixture of Au[P(t-Bu)2(o-biphenyl)]Cl (2) and AgOTf (5 mol %) in dioxane at 25 degrees C for 45 min led to isolation of benzyl 4,4-diphenyl-2-vinylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (5) in 95% yield. The Au(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of N-allenyl carbamates tolerated substitution at the alkyl and allenyl carbon atoms and was effective for the formation of piperidine derivatives. gamma-Hydroxy and delta-hydroxy allenes also underwent Au-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation within minutes at room temperature to form the corresponding oxygen heterocycles in good yield with high exo-selectivity. 2-Allenyl indoles underwent Au-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation within minutes at room temperature to form 4-vinyl tetrahydrocarbazoles in good yield. Au-catalyzed cyclization of N-allenyl carbamates, allenyl alcohols, and 2-allenyl indoles that possessed an axially chiral allenyl moiety occurred with transfer of chirality from the allenyl moiety to the newly formed stereogenic tetrahedral carbon atom.     

Development of highly regioselective amidyl radical cyclization based on lone pair-lone pair repulsion

The substituent effect on the reactivity and regioselectivity of N-(4-pentenyl)amidyl radical cyclization was investigated. Exclusive 6- endo cyclization was observed for N-(4-pentenyl)amidyl radicals with internal vinylic heteroatom substitution (Cl, Br, I, OMe, SEt). The substituent on the carbonyl group also showed a significant influence on the reactivity of amidyl radicals, which increases in the order of Ph < Me < OEt. As a result, the photostimulated reactions of N-(4-halopent-4-enyl)amides and carbamates (X = Cl, Br, I) with DIB/I 2 or Pb(OAc) 4/I 2 led to the efficient and exclusive formation of the corresponding piperidines while those of N-(5-halopent-4-enyl)amides afforded the pyrrolidine products only. The halogen-substitution effect also allowed the 6- exo and 7- endo amidyl radical cyclization to proceed in a highly regioselective manner. The above experimental results, in combination with theoretical analyses, revealed that the lone pair-lone pair repulsion between the nitrogen radical and the vinylic heteroatom played an important role in controlling the regioselectivity of cyclization.     

New method for the annelation of a pyridine ring on derivatives of imidazole and benzimidazole

The interaction of (Z)-1,3-diaryl-4-bromo-2-buten-1-ones with 1-substituted (benz)imidazoles in benzene gave (Z)-1-R-3-(2,4-diaryl-4-oxo-2-butenyl)-1H-imidazolium bromides and (Z)-1-R-3-(2,4-diaryl-4-oxo-2-butenyl)-1H-benzimidazolium bromides which readily cyclize in the presence of base to form derivatives of 7,9-diarylpyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole and 6,8-diarylpyrimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine. The effects of the nature of substituents in the benzene ring of the diarylbutenones and the substituent at N(1) in the (benz)imidazoles on the alkylation and cyclization reactions has been studied. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of the 5-R-4-hydroxy-2,4-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]benz-imidazol-10-ium, 5-R-2,4-diaryl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-10-ium, and 5-R-2,4-diaryl-5H-pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-10-ium have been found.     

Stereocontrolled Preparation of Spirocyclic Ethers by Intramolecular Trapping of Oxonium Ions with Allylsilanes

The stereoselectivity of the spontaneous intramolecular cyclization of 2-(benzenesulfonyl)-2-(4-((trimethylsilyl)methyl)-4-pentenyl)tetrahydropyrans substituted by alkyl groups at various ring positions has been examined. For the 4- and 6-methyl derivatives, formation of the spirocyclic center occurs exclusively anti to the methyl. The outcome in the 5-methyl example is a 3.7:1 syn/anti split. For the trans-4,6-dimethyl derivative, the substituents act in a reinforcing manner and direct cyclization uniquely in one direction. Both the cis and trans bicyclic ethers ring close on that pi-surface of the intermediate oxonium ion syn to the angular hydrogen. The results are rationalized in terms of the predilection of the associated oxonium ions for nucleophilic capture via a chairlike or twist-boat transition state.     

Investigation of bis(tributyltin)-initiated free radical cyclization reactions of 4-pentenyl iodoacetates

Bis(tributyltin)-initiated atom transfer cyclization reactions of 4-pentenyl iodoacetates (1) at 80 degrees C led to the formations of 5-(3-iodopropyl)-substituted dihydro-2(3H)-furanones (3) in high yield. With BF3*Et2O as the catalyst, the reactions were run at room temperature to afford the corresponding gamma-iodoheptanolactones (2), which could be further transformed into 3-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)propanoic acids (6) upon treatment with aqueous NaHCO3. The reaction mechanism was postulated to be the 8-endo free radical cyclization to generate gamma-iodoheptanolactones which easily underwent intramolecular nucleophilic substitution to form bicyclic acylium species (7) as the key intermediate. Subsequent attack by iodide ion furnished gamma-lactones while attack by hydroxide ion gave the tetrahydrofuran derivatives.     

A one-pot synthesis of 4-aryl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-γ-carbolines from 5-aryloxazolidines and indoles via a Mannich/Friedel–Crafts sequence

Benzaldehydes react smoothly with the nonstabilized azomethine ylide derived from sarcosine and formaldehyde to form 5-aryloxazolidines, which undergo ring-opening to give 2-(indol-3-ylmethylamino)-1-arylethanols in 69–79% yields on reaction with indoles in acetic acid. Their subsequent acid-catalyzed cyclization into 4-aryl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-γ-carbolines was performed in polyphosphoric acid in moderate yields. The latter can also be prepared directly from 5-aryloxazolidines and indoles in polyphosphoric acid.     

Indole synthesis by radical cyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isocyanides and its application to the total synthesis of natural products

Development of indole synthesis by tin-mediated radical cyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide is described. Upon heating o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide in the presence of tri-n-butyltin hydride and AIBN, 2-stannyl-3-substituted indole was formed via 5-exo-trig cyclization of the imidoyl radical intermediate. After acidic workup, 3-substituted indoles were isolated. For substrates bearing simple alkyl groups, a substantial amount of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives were generated through 6-endo-trig cyclization. This undesired cyclization was suppressed by using an excess amount (five equivalents based on o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide) of ethanethiol instead of tri-n-butyltin hydride. The 2-stannylindole intermediates proved to be a suitable substrate for Stille coupling, giving 2,3-disubstituted indoles in a one-pot procedure. In addition, the 2-stannylindole intermediates could be converted to 2-iodoindoles by treatment with iodine or N-iodosuccinimide. The 2-iodoindoles thus obtained served as good substrates for Heck reactions, Stille couplings, Suzuki couplings, and palladium-mediated carbonylations, to afford a variety of 2,3-disubstituted indoles. The utility of this protocol was demonstrated by application to synthetic studies on gelsemine and discorhabdin A, and the total synthesis of an aspidosperma alkaloid, (-)-vindoline.     

Reactions of N- and C-Alkenylanilines: III. Synthesis and Cyclization of Substituted 2-(1-Methyl-2-butenyl)anilines

Reactions of substituted 2-(1-methyl-2-butenyl)anilines with iodine result in cyclization and formation of 3-iodo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines; N-methylsulfonyl-2-(1-methyl-2-butenyl)anilines give rise exclusively to the corresponding 2-(1-iodoethyl)-3-methyl-2,3-dihydroindoles.     

Synthesis of carbobicyclic compounds via palladium-catalyzed cyclization/hydrosilylation: evidence for reversible silylpalladation

Cyclization/hydrosilylation of substituted 1-vinyl-1-(3-butenyl)cycloalkanes catalyzed by a 1:1 mixture of (phen)Pd(Me)Cl (1) and NaBAr(4) [phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)] formed silylated spirocycles in high yield with excellent regio and diastereoselectivity. Cyclization/hydrosilylation of substituted 3-(3-butenyl)cycloalkenes or 2,3-diallyl-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-hydroquinone diacetate (16) formed silylated fused bicyclic complexes in good yield. Reaction of substituted 1,6,11-nonatrienes with silane catalyzed by 1/NaBAr(4) led to cascade cyclization with hydrosilylation. This latter procedure was employed in the synthesis of silylated bicyclopentanes and a linear triquinane.