Cascade cycloaddition reactions involving dimethylhydrazones of α-substituted acroleins

Unusual cascade cycloaddition reactions with dimethylhydrazones of -trimethylsilyloxyalkylacroleins acting as azadienes were found. Depending on the nature of the dienophile, the reactions give either fused heterocyclic compounds (when two consecutive Diels—Alder reactions take place) or azabicyclic compounds, resulting from the [2+4]- and [2+3]-cycloaddition cascade.     

Switch From Pauli-Lowering to LUMO-Lowering Catalysis in Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Aza-Diels-Alder Reactions

Brønsted acid-catalyzed inverse-electron demand (IED) aza-Diels-Alder reactions between 2-aza-dienes and ethylene were studied using quantum chemical calculations. The computed activation energy systematically decreases as the basic sites of the diene progressively become protonated. Our activation strain and Kohn-Sham molecular orbital analyses traced the origin of this enhanced reactivity to i) “Pauli-lowering catalysis” for mono-protonated 2-aza-dienes due to the induction of an asynchronous, but still concerted, reaction pathway that reduces the Pauli repulsion between the reactants; and ii) “LUMO-lowering catalysis” for multi-protonated 2-aza-dienes due to their highly stabilized LUMO(s) and more concerted synchronous reaction path that facilitates more efficient orbital overlaps in IED interactions. In all, we illustrate how the novel concept of “Pauli-lowering catalysis” can be overruled by the traditional concept of “LUMO-lowering catalysis” when the degree of LUMO stabilization is extreme as in the case of multi-protonated 2-aza-dienes.     

Aza-Wittig reaction of N-phosphorylalkyl phosphazenes with carbonyl compounds and phenylisocyanate. Synthesis of 4-amino-3-phosphoryl-2-azadienes and pyrazine-phosphonates

Simple and functionalized N-phosphorylalkyl imines and N-phosphorylalkyl-N′-phenyl-carbodiimides are obtained by aza-Wittig reaction of phosphazenes derived from aminophosphonates with carbonyl compounds and phenyl isocyanate. The reaction with dimethylformamide diethyl acetal (DMF-DEA) of these functionalized imines leads to the synthesis of 4-amino-3-phosphoryl-2-azadienes. N-Phosphorylmethyl imine derived from benzaldehyde can be used for the preparation of substituted pyrrole-phosphonates, while acid treatment of 4-dimethylamino-3-diethylphosphoryl-1-phenyl-2-azadiene gives diethyl 5-diethylphosphorylpyrazin-2-ylphosphonate.     

Sodium Salts of Anionic Chiral Cobalt(III) Complexes as Catalysts of the Enantioselective Povarov Reaction

The sodium salts of anionic chiral cobalt(III) complexes (CCC^?Na⁺) have been found to be efficient catalysts of the asymmetric Povarov reaction of easily accessible dienophiles, such as 2,3‐dihydrofuran, ethyl vinyl ether, and an N‐protected 2,3‐dihydropyrrole, with 2‐azadienes. Ring‐fused tetrahydroquinolines with up to three contiguous stereogenic centers were thus obtained in high yields, excellent diastereoselectivities (endo/exo up to >20:1), and high enantioselectivities (up to 95:5 e.r.).     

Synthesis and cycloaddition reactions of α-substituted acrolein dimethylhydrazones containing an acetal group

A series of new -substituted acrolein dimethylhydrazones containing an acetal group were synthesized. These hydrazones react with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate according to the Diels—Alder reaction pattern to give substituted tetrahydropyridines. An unusual [2+4]- and [2+3]-cycloaddition cascade reaction involving -diethoxymethylacrolein dimethylhydrazone was discovered.     

Switch From Pauli‐Lowering to LUMO‐Lowering Catalysis in Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Aza‐Diels‐Alder Reactions

Brønsted acid‐catalyzed inverse‐electron demand (IED) aza‐Diels‐Alder reactions between 2‐aza‐dienes and ethylene were studied using quantum chemical calculations. The computed activation energy systematically decreases as the basic sites of the diene progressively become protonated. Our activation strain and Kohn‐Sham molecular orbital analyses traced the origin of this enhanced reactivity to i) “Pauli‐lowering catalysis” for mono‐protonated 2‐aza‐dienes due to the induction of an asynchronous, but still concerted, reaction pathway that reduces the Pauli repulsion between the reactants; and ii) “LUMO‐lowering catalysis” for multi‐protonated 2‐aza‐dienes due to their highly stabilized LUMO(s) and more concerted synchronous reaction path that facilitates more efficient orbital overlaps in IED interactions. In all, we illustrate how the novel concept of “Pauli‐lowering catalysis” can be overruled by the traditional concept of “LUMO‐lowering catalysis” when the degree of LUMO stabilization is extreme as in the case of multi‐protonated 2‐aza‐dienes.     

氮杂二烯的Diels-Alder反应研究进展

本文简述了氮杂二烯分子内和分子间的Diels-Alder反应的近期研究结果。     

Copper-Catalyzed 1,4-Addition of a Silicon Nucleophile to Azadienes

Copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition of a silicon nucleophile to azadienes is reported. This method facilely provided a wide variety of dibenzylic silane derivatives in good to excellent yields. The important practical features are the use of a cheap catalytic system, mild reaction conditions, and broad substrate scope.