Intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions of yne-ene-yne and yne-yne-ene enediynes catalysed by Rh(I): experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies

N-tosyl-linked open-chain yne-ene-yne enediynes 1 and 2 and yne-yne-ene enediynes 3 and 4 have been satisfactorily synthesised. The [2+2+2] cycloaddition process catalysed by the Wilkinson catalyst [RhCl(PPh(3))(3)] was tested with the above-mentioned substrates resulting in the production of high yields of the cycloadducts. Enediynes 1 and 2 gave standard [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions whereas enediynes 3 and 4 suffered β-hydride elimination followed by reductive elimination of the Wilkinson catalyst to give cycloadducts, which are isomers of those that would be obtained by standard [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions. The different reactivities of these two types of enediyne have been rationalised by density functional theory calculations.     

[2+2]环加成反应机理的理论研究

[2+2]环加成反应是有机化学中非常重要的一类反应,其机理的研究一直是实验和理论工作者关注的课题之一。本文从理论的角度综述了三类[2+2]环加成反应的反应机理,即简单烯烃或炔烃参与的环加成反应、累积双键体系参与的环加成反应以及稀土钍化合物参与的环加成反应, 得出对于简单的烯烃或炔烃之间的环加成反应一般是按双自由基机理进行,而其他两类反应主要按协同或两性离子方式进行,并且从前线分子轨道作用理论角度分析了产生不同反应机理的原因。     

Synthesis of strained tricyclic beta-lactams by intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of 2-azetidinone-tethered enallenols: control of regioselectivity by selective alkene substitution

A convenient metal-free methodology for the preparation of structurally novel, strained tricyclic beta-lactams containing a cyclobutane ring has been developed. The first examples accounting for the intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition reactions in beta-lactams have been achieved by the thermolysis of 2-azetidinone-tethered enallenols, which have been prepared in aqueous media by regio- and diastereoselective indium-mediated carbonyl allenylation of 4-oxoazetidine-2-carbaldehydes. Notably, the regioselectivity of the cycloaddition can be tuned in the allene component just by a subtle variation in the substitution pattern of the alkene component.     

Synthesis of Fluorine‐Containing Multisubstituted Phenanthridines by Rhodium‐Catalyzed Alkyne [2+2+2] Cycloaddition and Tandem sp2 C?H Difluoromethylenation

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of fluorine‐containing multisubstituted phenanthridines through Rh‐catalyzed alkyne [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions has been developed. This method exhibits excellent functional‐group compatibility. When a bromodifluoromethyl group, rather than a trifluoromethyl group, was employed in the cycloaddition reaction, more‐complicated polycyclic compounds were obtained through tandem Rh‐catalyzed cycloaddition/C? H difluoromethylenation. This route provides convenient access to fluorine‐containing polycyclic compounds.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2+2] and [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Two Alkynes with Cyclopropylideneacetamides

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/H₈‐binap complex catalyzes the [3+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6‐diynes with cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce cycloheptadiene derivatives through cleavage of cyclopropane rings. In contrast, a cationic rhodium(I)/(S)‐binap complex catalyzes the enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes, acetylenedicarboxylates, and cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce spiro‐cyclohexadiene derivatives which retain the cyclopropane rings.     

Accessing substituted pyrrolidines via formal [3+2] cycloaddition of 1,3,5-triazinanes and donor-acceptor cyclopropanes

The formal [3+2] cycloaddition of 1,3,5-triaryl-1,3,5-triazinanes with donor-acceptor cyclopropanes has been found to provide pyrrolidines in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Preliminary mechanistic investigation indicates that this formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction proceeds through competing S_N1 and S_N2 pathways.     

Pseudo-bimolecular [2+2] cycloaddition studied by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

The first study of pseudo‐bimolecular cycloaddition reaction dynamics in the gas phase is presented. We used femtosecond time‐resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) to study the [2+2] photocycloaddition in the model system pseudo‐gem‐divinyl[2.2]paracyclophane. From X‐ray crystal diffraction measurements we found that the ground‐state molecule can exist in two conformers; a reactive one in which the vinyl groups are immediately situated for [2+2] cycloaddition and a nonreactive conformer in which they point in opposite directions. From the measured S₁ lifetimes we assigned a clear relation between the conformation and the excited‐state reactivity; the reactive conformer has a lifetime of 13 ps, populating the ground state through a conical intersection leading to [2+2] cycloaddition, whereas the nonreactive conformer has a lifetime of 400 ps. Ab initio calculations were performed to locate the relevant conical intersection (CI) and calculate an excited‐state [2+2] cycloaddition reaction path. The interpretation of the results is supported by experimental results on the similar but nonreactive pseudo‐para‐divinyl[2.2]paracyclophane, which has a lifetime of more than 500 ps in the S₁ state.     

Formal Synthesis of Solanoeclepin A: Enantioselective Allene Diboration and Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition for the Construction of the Tricyclic Core

An enantioselective synthesis of an intermediate in the Tanino total synthesis of solanoeclepin A has been developed. The key step was an intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition, which led to the tricyclo[5.2.1.0^{1, 6}]decane core in six steps. The first photosubstrate, prepared through an indium‐mediated Barbier‐type reaction, gave an excellent [2+2] cycloaddition, but it could not be obtained in sufficient enantiopurity. The second photosubstrate, prepared through an asymmetric allene diborylation in high enantiomeric excess, gave the [2+2] cycloaddition product in high yield on irradiation at 365 nm on 20 g scale in a flow system. Other important steps were the replacement of a boronate group at the quaternary carbon by a vinyl group and diastereoselective cyclopropanation of an allylic alcohol.     

Control of the Stereochemical Course of [4+2] Cycloaddition during trans‐Decalin Formation by Fsa2‐Family Enzymes

Enzyme‐catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition has been proposed to be a key transformation process in various natural product biosynthetic pathways. Recently Fsa2 was found to be involved in stereospecific trans‐decalin formation during the biosynthesis of equisetin, a potent HIV‐1 integrase inhibitor. To understand the mechanisms by which fsa2 determines the stereochemistry of reaction products, we sought an fsa2 homologue that is involved in trans‐decalin formation in the biosynthetic pathway of an enantiomerically opposite analogue, and we found phm7, which is involved in the biosynthesis of phomasetin. A decalin skeleton with an unnatural configuration was successfully constructed by gene replacement of phm7 with fsa2, thus demonstrating enzymatic control of all stereochemistry in the [4+2] cycloaddition. Our findings highlight enzyme‐catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition as a stereochemically divergent step in natural product biosynthetic pathways and open new avenues for generating derivatives with different stereochemistry.     

Metal‐Free Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyridines by Formal [2+2+2] Cycloaddition under Mild Conditions

The synthesis of pyridines through direct intermolecular cycloaddition of alkynes and nitriles is a contemporary challenge in organic synthesis. A Brønsted acid mediated formal [2+2+2] cycloaddition of heteroalkynes and nitriles was developed that proceeds under mild conditions. This constitutes a modular approach to highly substituted pyridine cores.     

Synthesis of spiro pyrrolidines via formal [3+2] cycloaddition of unusual enones and cis-3-benzoyl-1-cyclohexyl-2-phenylaziridine

The synthesis of a new class of spiro[tetrahydronaphthalen-one/butenolide]pyrrolidines has been accomplished by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide generated by thermal ring opening of cis-3-benzoyl-1-cyclohexyl-2-phenylaziridine with (E)-2-arylidene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-ones and (E)-3-arylidene-5-phenyl-Δ^4,5-butenolides. The structures of the products were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques as well as single crystal X-ray analysis of one of the products.     

Catalytic Enantioselective and Regioselective [3+3] Cycloadditions Using 2‐Indolylmethanols as 3 C Building Blocks

The first catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition using 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks has been established by a chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective and regioselective [3+3] cycloaddition of 2‐indolylmethanols with azomethine ylides, which constructed biologically important tetrahydro‐γ‐carboline frameworks in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 83 % yield, 99:1 e.r.). This reaction not only represents the first application of 2‐indolylmethanols as 3C building blocks in catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions, but also has established an abnormal regioselectivity in indolylmethanol‐involved transformations.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed [2+1+2+1] Cycloaddition of Benzoic Acids with Diynes through Decarboxylation and C≡C Triple Bond Cleavage

It has been established that an electron-deficient cyclopentadienyl rhodium(III) (Cp^ERh^III) complex catalyzes the oxidative and decarboxylative [2+1+2+1] cycloaddition of benzoic acids with diynes through C≡C triple bond cleavage, leading to fused naphthalenes. This cyclotrimerization is initiated by directed ortho C−H bond cleavage of a benzoic acid, and the subsequent regioselective alkyne insertion and decarboxylation produce a five-membered rhodacycle. The electron-deficient nature of the Cp^ERh^III complex promotes reductive elimination giving a cyclobutadiene–rhodium(I) complex rather than the second intermolecular alkyne insertion. The oxidative addition of the thus generated cyclobutadiene to rhodium(I) (formal C≡C triple bond cleavage) followed by the second intramolecular alkyne insertion and reductive elimination give the corresponding [2+1+2+1] cycloaddition product. The synthetic utility of the present [2+1+2+1] cycloaddition was demonstrated in the facile synthesis of a donor–acceptor [5]helicene and a hemi-hexabenzocoronene by a combination with the chemoselective Scholl reaction.     

Hexafluoroantimonic Acid Catalysis: Formal [3+2+2] Cycloaddition of Aziridines with Two Alkynes

A practical method for the synthesis of azepine derivatives, a typical seven‐membered heterocyclic ring system, was developed and involves the use of hexafluoroantimonic acid to catalyze a formal [3+2+2] cycloaddition of aziridines with two alkynes. This method was applicable to two of the same or different terminal alkynes for the [3+2+2] cycloaddition with unactivated aziridines, and furnished the corresponding azepine derivatives in good yields with good levels of chemo‐ and regioselectivity. The mechanism was also discussed according to the results of the in situ HRMS and ¹H NMR analysis.     

1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of arylnitrile oxides and 2-diazopropane with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives

The reactions of arylnitrile oxides 2 and 2-diazopropane 5 with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives 1 have been studied. 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of arylnitrile oxides and 2-diazopropane with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives is taking place regiospecifically. The asymmetric induction expected by the chiral centre of the 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives was very effective, diastereoisomers 3 and 4 were formed in an approximate 90:10 ratio. The stereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the 2-diazopropane with the 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives are investigated. The attack of the 1,3-dipole occurred from the less hindered face of the dipolarophile, giving the isomer 6.     

铱催化环加成反应的研究进展

过渡金属催化环加成反应是合成单环及多环化合物的重要方法,也是有机化学的研究热点之一.综述了近年来铱催化环加成反应的研究进展,主要包括了[2+2+1],[2+2+2],[4+2],1,3-偶极环加成反应等,及少量关于[3+2+2],[3+2],[5+1]环加成反应的报道,并讨论了部分铱催化环加成反应机理.     

Synthesis of Enantiopure Benzo Fused Cyclic Sulfoximines Through Stereoselective [3+2] Cycloaddition between N-tert-Butanesulfinyl [(2-Pyridyl)sulfonyl]-difluoromethyl Ketimines and Arynes

The previously developed stereoselective [3+2] cycloaddition between N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines and arynes has been extended to the synthesis of enantiopure [(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl]difluoromethylated cyclic sulfoximines. The use of 2-PySO₂CF₂ as the facilitating group offers new opportunities for the elaboration of the [3+2] cycloaddition products by virtue of the diverse relativity of 2-pyridyl sulfones.     

Stereoselective Construction of 1,3‐Disilylcyclopentane Derivatives by Scandium‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Allylsilanes to β‐Silylenones

The Sc(OTf)₃‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of allylsilanes to β‐silyl‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones (β‐silylenones) has been developed to form five‐membered syn‐1,3‐disilylketones diastereoselectively through the rearrangement of the silicon substituents on the allylsilane. Stabilization of the carbocation intermediates by a double silicon effect plays a key role in directing the course of the reaction to favor the [3+2] cycloaddition pathway over simple allylation.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Silicon‐Stereogenic Dibenzosiloles by Enantioselective [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

A rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of silicon‐stereogenic dibenzosiloles has been developed through a [2+2+2] cycloaddition of silicon‐containing prochiral triynes with internal alkynes. High yields and enantioselectivities have been achieved by employing an axially chiral monophosphine ligand, and the present catalysis is also applicable to the asymmetric synthesis of a germanium‐stereogenic dibenzogermole. Preliminary studies on the optical properties of these compounds are also described.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Methylidenetrimethylene Carbonate with Alkenes: Access to Chiral Tetrahydropyran-Fused Spirocyclic Scaffolds

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-methylidenetrimethylene carbonate with alkenes derived from pyrazolones, indandione, or barbiturate has been successfully developed, affording pharmacologically interesting chiral tetrahydropyran-fused spirocyclic scaffolds. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled up, and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of other useful chiral spiropyrazolone and spiroindandione derivatives.