Cycloadditions of Diarylgermylenes to a Diazabutadiene [1]

The reaction of tetrakis(2‐tert‐butyl‐4,5,6‐trimethylphenyl)digermene, which dissociates into the germylene molecules 2 in solution, with 1,4‐diisopropyl‐1,4‐diazabuta‐1,3‐diene ( 3 ) furnishes the [4+1] cycloaddition product of 2 to the nitrogen atoms of 3 . Under drastic conditions tetrakis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)digermene also forms the germylene molecules 6 which react with 3 in a similar fashion to afford the corresponding [4+1] cycloadduct.     

Peri-selective photocycloadditions of methyl 2-pyrone-5-carboxylate with unsaturated cyclic ethers

Photosensitized cycloaddition reaction of methyl 2-pyrone-5-carboxylate ( 1 ) with 2,3-dihydrofuran gave cis- exo- and cis-endo-[2 + 2] cycloadducts across the C₃-C₄ double bond in 1 , and a [4 + 2] cycloadduct which was different in addition-orientation from the Diels-Alder adducts. Each [2 + 2] cycloadduct was obtained by the use of sensitizers having different triplet energies. Photosensitized reactions of 1 with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrans afforded cis-endo-[2 + 2] cycloadducts, respectively. The photocycloaddition mechanism was also explained from the excited state of 1 calculated by means of MNDO-Cl method.     

1‐Phenyl‐1,2‐cyclohexadiene: Astoundingly High Enantioselectivities on Generation in a Doering–Moore–Skattebøl Reaction and Interception by Activated Olefins

The resolution of (1α,5α,6α)‐6‐bromo‐6‐fluoro‐1‐phenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane (rac‐ 5) provided the enantiomerically pure precursors (?)‐ 5 and (+)‐ 5 of 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐cyclohexadiene. On treatment of (?)‐ 5 with methyllithium in the presence of 2,5‐dimethylfuran, the pure (?)‐enantiomer of the [4+2] cycloadduct of 2,5‐dimethylfuran onto 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐cyclohexadiene was obtained exclusively. From this result, it is concluded that pure (M)‐1‐phenyl‐1,2‐cyclohexadiene ((M)‐ 7 ) emerged from (?)‐ 5 and was enantiospecifically intercepted to give the product. In the case of indene as trap for (M)‐ 7 , the (?)‐ and the (+)‐enantiomer of the [2+2] cycloadduct were formed in the ratio of 95:5. Highly surprising, remarkable enantioselectivities were also observed, when (M)‐ 7 was trapped with styrene to furnish two diastereomeric [2+2] cycloadducts. Hence, the achiral conformation of the diradical conceivable as intermediate cannot play a decisive part. The enantioselective generation of (M)‐ and (P)‐ 7 by the β‐elimination route was tested as well. Accordingly, 1‐bromo‐2‐phenylcyclohexene was exposed to the potassium salt of (?)‐menthol in the presence of 2,5‐dimethylfuran, and the enantiomeric [4+2] cycloadducts of the latter onto (M)‐ and (P)‐ 7 were produced in the ratio of 55:45.     

[2+3] Cycloadditions of ‘Thiocarbonyl Ylides’ (= (Alkylidenesulfonio)methanides) and diazoalkanes with N,N′-(thiocarbonyl)diimidazole (= 1,1′-(carbonothioyl)bis[1H-imidazole])

Heating of a mixture of N,N′-(thiocarbonyl)diimidazole (= 1,1′-(carbonothioyl)bis[1H-imidazole]; 1 ) and 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2a or 2b gave the 1,3-dithiolanes 4a and 4b , respectively, via a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the corresponding ‘thiocarbonyl methanides’ 3a , b onto the C?S group of 1 (Schemes 1 and 2). The adamantane derivative 4b was not stable in the presence of 1H-imidazole and during chromatographic workup. The isolated 1,3-dithiole 5 is the product of a base-catalyzed elimination of 1H-imidazole from the initial cycloadduct 4b . The formation of the S,N-acetal 6 can be rationalized by a protonation of the ‘thiocarbonyl ylide’ 3b followed by a nucleophilic addition of 1H-imidazole. With the diazo compounds 8a–e (Scheme 3) 1 underwent a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to give the corresponding 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 9 , which spontaneously eliminated 1H-imidazole to yield (1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 10 . The structures of 10a and 10d were established by X-ray crystallography. In the case of diazodiphenylmethane ( 8f ), the initial cycloadduct 9f decomposed via a ‘twofold extrusion’ of N₂ and S to give 1,1′-(2,2-diphenylethenylidene)bis[1H-imidazole] ( 11 ; Scheme 3).     

Do Antarafacial Cycloadditions Occur? Cycloaddition of Heptafulvalene with Tetracyanoethylene

The cycloaddition of heptafulvalene ( 1 ) with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) was previously described as an example of an antarafacial cycloaddition, a [π¹⁴_a+π²_s] process that afforded only the trans cycloadduct by virtue of the edge-to-face approach of TCNE, facilitated by the S shape of 1 . The reaction has been investigated in depth and found not to be a concerted antarafacial process. At low temperature, the reaction is observed to give a mixture of cis and trans cycloadducts as well as a [4+2] cycloadduct. The mixture of products is converted to the trans cycloadduct by equilibration upon warming to room temperature. Studies with diethyl 2,3-dicyanofumarate and -maleate confirmed the formation of cis cycloadducts. DFT studies at the M06-2X/6-311+G(2d,p) SCRF=acetone level of theory show that the originally proposed edge-to-face approach of TCNE to 1 is highly disfavored, whereas a stepwise mechanism involving the addition of TCNE at C2 to form a zwitterion followed by collapse at either C2′ or C7′ is energetically accessible. The Diels-Alder adduct is also formed in a stepwise reaction by competitive addition of TCNE at C4 of 1 . These studies suggest that edge-to-face interactions are prohibitive in even the most favorable cases.     

Tropone Is a Mere Ketone for Cycloadditions to Ketenes

Tropone ( 1 ) reacts with ketenes 2 to yield [8+2] cycloadducts, the γ‐lactones 3 . The concerted [8+2] cycloaddition path is formally symmetry‐allowed, but we established that it is unfavorable. Careful low‐temperature NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F) spectroscopies of the reaction of diphenyl ketene ( 2b ) or bis(trifluoromethyl) ketene ( 2c ) with tropone ( 1 ) allowed the direct detection of a β‐lactone intermediates 5b , c and novel norcaradiene species 6b , c in head‐to‐head configurations. The [2+2] cycloadducts 5b , c equilibrated with the norcaradienes 6b , c . The β‐lactones 5b and 5c were converted to the γ‐lactones 3b and 3c , respectively, in quantitative yields. The DFT calculations showed that the concerted [8+2] cycloaddition is unfavorable. The first step of the calculated reaction 1 + 2c is a cycloaddition which leads to a dioxetane intermediate. This initial [2+2] cycloadduct is isomerized to the β‐lactone 5c via the first zwitterionic intermediate. The β‐lactone 5c is further isomerized to the product γ‐lactone 3c via the second zwitterion intermediate. Thus, 3c is not formed via the well‐established two‐step mechanism including zwitterionic intermediates but via a five‐step mechanism composed of a [2+2] cycloaddition and subsequent isomerization (Scheme 12).     

Light-Induced Cycloaddition of Furan and addition of methanol to a 4-thiacyclohex-2-enone ( = 2,3-dihydro-4H-thiin-4-one) and a 4-thiacyclopent-2-enone ( = thiophen-3(2H)-one)

Irradiation of newly synthesized 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-thiin-4-one ( 1 ) in furan affords the two [4 + 2] cycloadducts 3 and 4 and the [2 + 2] cycloadduct 5 in a 5:4:1 ratio (Scheme 1). Irradiation of 1 in MeOH gives a 3:2 mixture of 5- and 6-methoxy-2,2-dimethylthian-4-ones 6 and 7 . Irradiation in CD₃OD affords the same (deuterated) adducts with the CD₃O and D groups trans to each other, results compatible with cis-addition of MeOH to a trans -configurated ground-state enone. Irradiation of the same enone in furan/MeOH 1:1 gives only the furan cycloadducts 3–5 and no MeOH adducts, suggesting that furan interacts with the (excited) triplet enone before the deactivation of this species to a ground-state (E)-cyclohexenone, which then reacts with MeOH. On irradiation in furan, the corresponding five-membered thiaenone, 2,2-dimethylthiophen-3(2H)-one ( 2 ) affords only one, cis-fused, [4 + 2] cycloadduct with ‘exo’-configuration, i.e. 8 , and 2 does not undergo solvent addition but rather cyclodimerization (→ 9 ) on irradiation in MeOH (Scheme 1).     

Generation and dienophilic properties of 1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyridazine-4,7-dione

1-Benzyl-5,6-dihydro-1H,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyridazine-4,7-dione ( 1 ) by oxidation with lead tetraacetate afforded the corresponding triazolopyridazine-4,7-dione 2 as the intermediate, which was trapped with several dienes giving the hetero-Diels-Alder adducts 3 in good yields. The structure of the cycloadduct 3a was determined by X-ray analysis.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Diazepino-β-lactams by [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of an ‘Evans-Sjogven’ Ketene with 1H-1,2-Diazepines

The ketene derivative of the chiral oxazolidinone 1 underwent non-concerted stereo specific [2 + 2] cycloadditions with the (Z)-imine moiety of diazepines 2 , leading thereby with good diastereoselection to the trans-β-lactam adducts 3 (major) and 4 (minor). The absolute configuration of the major cycloadduct 3a was determined by an X-ray analysis. Its formation is discussed in terms of minimisation of steric interaction in the two transition states which give sequencially the zwitterionic intermediates and the final cycloadducts.     

Diastereoselectivity-Switchable Gold-Catalyzed Formal [3+2]-Cycloadditions of N-2,2,2-Trifluoroethylisatin Ketimines with Yne−Enones

The unexpected gold-catalyzed formal [3+2]-cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines with 2-(1-Alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones is reported. Both diastereomers of the corresponding cycloadducts were formed in moderate to excellent yields with excellent diastereoselectivities by switching the catalytic system from mono-gold to gold/silver bimetallic catalytic system. The practicality of this protocol is demonstrated by scale-up reaction and the transformations of the cycloadduct.     

The crystal and molecular structure of the cycloadduct from an activated carbodiimide and methyl isothiocyanate

The crystal and molecular structures of the cycloadduct from isopropyl[α-(dimethylthio-carbamoyl)isopropyl]carbodiimide and methyl isothiocyanate were determined by single-crystal X-ray methods. The product was established to be 2-(1-isopropyl-3,5-dimethyl-4,6-dithioxo-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2-ylidenamino)-N,N-dimethylthioisoburyramide, in which contrary to expectations based on hybridisation the heterocyclic ring adopts a boat conformation.     

HPLC Method for the Determination of the Purity of K[Pt(NH3)Cl3], a Precursor of the Platinum Complexes with Cytostatic Activity

K[Pt(NH₃)Cl₃], a valuable precursor for the preparation of platinum complexes with cytostatic activity, e.g. satraplatin, picoplatin, LA-12 and cycloplatam, is currently prepared from cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] or K₂[PtCl₄] and these are the usual impurities in the final product. A simple, selective and sensitive HPLC-UV analytical method for the determination of the purity of K[Pt(NH₃)Cl₃] and the quantification of the impurities has been developed and validated. The platinum complexes present in the final product were separated on a strong base ion exchange column by the gradient elution with detection at 213 nm. Intra-assay precisions for the platinum complexes respective to their ions ([PtCl₄]^2?, [Pt(NH₃)Cl₃]^? and cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂]) were between 0.1 and 2.0% (relative standard deviation); intermediate precisions were between 1.4 and 2.0% and accuracies were between 98.6 and 101.4%. Limits of detection of [PtCl₄]^2?, [Pt(NH₃)Cl₃]^? and cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] were 6 µg · ml^?1, 13 mg · ml^?1 and 5 µg · ml^?1 respectively, limits of quantification of [PtCl₄]^2?, [Pt(NH₃)Cl₃]^? and cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] were 51 µg · ml^?1, 55 mg · ml^?1 and 20 µg · ml^?1 respectively.     

Temperature-Gradient-Directed NMR Monitoring of a [3 + 3]-Cyclocondensation Reaction Between Alkynone and Ethyl 2-Amino-1H-indole-3-carboxylate Toward the Synthesis of Pyrimido[1,2-a]indole Catalyzed by Cs2CO3

We describe a NMR strategy to resolve temperature-gradient-monitored real-time chemical reaction involving a [3 + 3]-cyclocondensation reaction between alkynone and ethyl 2-amino-1H-indole-3-carboxylate toward the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]indole catalyzed by Cs₂CO₃. The in situ NMR study clearly indicates that the reactant undergoes [3 + 3]-cyclocondensation reaction through a concerted mechanism, resulting in the product formation. The detailed NMR spectroscopic data led to the optimization of the reaction conditions and quantitative analysis of the product accurately and efficiently.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

2-Vinylcyclobutanones by Cycloaddition of Vinylketenes to Simple Olefins

Selected [2+2]-cycloadditions of three alkylvinylketenes 2 to one mono- and seven dialkyl-olefins 3 yielded eleven 2-alkyl-2-vinylcyclobutanones 4 (Tables 1 and 2). Three methods were compared, all involving in situ generation of the ketenes 2 by HCl-elimination from α,β-unsaturated acid chlorides 1 ; the most effective employed a large excess of olefin 3 and a high reaction temperature. The [2+2]-cycloadditions were fully regio- and stereoselective with respect to the olefin 3 , but less so with respect to the ketene 2 , so that - where possible - two stereoisomers of 4 resulted, namely A and B , whose configurations were determined from their ¹H-NMR, spectra, mechanistic considerations and, in one case, 4f , by chemical correlation with a previously known cycloadduct 8 .     

Synthesis of tricyclic phospholene oxides by cycloaddition of phosphorus halides with heterocyclic analogs of 1-vinyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalenes

Replacement of C-4 with a hetero substituent (NR,O,S) in the 1-vinyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene system has provided a new type of diene for participation in the McCormack cycloaddition reaction with P(III) halides. The tricyclic phospholene oxides so obtained are the first to bear an additional heteroatom in the ring system. 1,2-Dihydro-7-methoxy-1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-4-vinylquinoline is a stable solid that reacts with methylphosphonous dichloride to give, after hydrolysis of the cycloadduct, the 1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-phospholo-[2,3-c]quinoline ring system. The dihydroquinoline moiety was aromatized by detosylation with potassium t-butoxide. The tendency of 4-vinyl-2H-benzopyran to dimerize was a serious complication in its use, and the cycloaddition with methylphosphonous dichloride proceeded only in low yield. The product, a 2,3,3a,4-tetra-hydrobenzo[3,2-d]pyran derivative, was a stable, easily purified and characterized substance. 4-Vinyl-2H-benzo[b]thiopyran was more stable than the pyran, but the phospholo derivative from reaction with methylphosphonous dichloride was more difficult to purify. All products were characterized by ¹³C-nmr spectroscopy.     

The Iminoborane tBuB≡NtBu as a Dipolarphile in (2+3) Cycloadditions

The iminoborane tBuB≡NtBu and the diazomethane tBuCH=N₂ give the (2+3) cycloadduct [—HC(tBu)—N=N—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—] in a 1:1 reaction and the seven‐membered ring [—C(tBu)=N—NH—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—] in a 2:1 reaction. The (2+3) cycloadduct decomposes above 0 °C to give the seven‐membered ring, N₂, and HC(tBu)=N—N=CH(tBu) in the ratio 2:1:1. The borane tBuB≡NtBu and organic azides R″N₃ yield the (2+3) cycloadducts [—R″N—N=N—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—] (R″ = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, iBu, sBu, C₅H₁₁, c‐C₅H₉, c‐C₆H₁₁, Bzl, EtOOC).     

[2 + 2]-Cycloadditions to Strained Bridgehead Olefins. II. Diphenylketene

The strained bridgehead olefins bicyclo [3.3.1]non-1-ene ( 1 ), bicyclo [4.2.1 ]non-1(8)-ene ( 2 ), and bicyclo [4.2.1]non-1-ene (3), and the comparable monocyclic (E)-1-methylcyclooctene ( 4 ) react with diphenylketene ( 6 ) to give a single cycloadduct 7 , 8 , 9 and 10 , respectively, in which the diphenyl-substituted C-atom is bound to the bridgehead. The structure of the cyclobutanone 8 has been determined by X-ray analysis of a twin crystal obtained by crystallization with spontaneous enrichment of enantiomers.     

Isophosphindole p-oxide : A reactive intermediate and its reaction as a Diels-Alder diene

2-Phenylisophosphindole 2-oxide (3) was generated as a reactive intermediate by the dehydrobromination of r-1-bromo-t-2-phenylisophosphindoline 2-oxide. The existence of 3 was confirmed by trapping with various dienophiles as the Diels-Alder adducts. The stereochemistry of the [4 + 2]π cycloaddition was found to be stereospecific giving endo products with the phosphoryl group syn to the approaching dienophile. When the dienophile was an alkyne, the cycloadduct decomposed under the reaction conditions to give β-substituted naphthalene as the final product.     

1,3-Dipolare Cycloadditionen eines Carbonyl-ylids mit 1,3-Thiazol-5(4H)-thionen und Thioketonen

1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions of a Carhonyl-ylide with 1,3-Thiazole-5(4H)-thiones and Thioketones Inp-xylene at 150°, 3-phenyloxirane-2,2-dicarbonitrile ( 4b ) and 2-phenyl-3-thia-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-1-ene-4-thione ( 1a ) gave the three 1:1 adduets trans- 3a , cis- 3a , and 13a in 61, 21, and 3% yield, respectively (Scheme 3). The stereoisomers trans- 3a and cis- 3a are the products of a regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of carbonylylide 2b , generated thermally by an electrocyclic ring opening of 4b (Scheme 6), and the C?S group of 1a . Surprisingly, 13a proved not to be a regioisomeric cycloadduct of 1a and 2b , but an isomer formed via cleavage of the O? C(3) bond of the oxirane 4b . A reaction mechanism rationalizing the formation of 13a is proposed in Scheme 6. Analogous results were obtained from the reaction of 4b and 4,4-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazole-5 (4H)-thione ( 1b , Scheme 3). The thermolysis of 4b in p-xylene at 130° in the presence of adamantine–thione ( 10 ) led to two isomeric 1:1 adducts 15 and 16 in a ratio of ca. 2:1, however, in low yield (Scheme 4). Most likely the products are again formed viathe two competing reaction mechanisms depicted in Scheme 6. The analogous reactions of 4b with 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-thione ( 11 ) and 9H-xanthene-9-thione ( 12 ) yielded a single 1:1 adduct in each case (Schemes). In the former case, spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolane 17 , the product of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with 2a corresponding to 3a , was isolated in only 11 % yield. It is remarkable that no 2:1 adduct was formed even in the presence of an excess of 4b. In contrast, 4b and 12 reacted smoothly to give 18 in 81 % yield; no cycloadduct of the carbonylylide 2a could be detected. The structures of cis- 3a , 13a , 15 , and 18 , as well as the structure of 14 , which is a derivative of trans- 3a , have been established by X-ray crystallography (Figs. 1–3, Table).     

Reactions of Diazo Compounds with Imines. Preliminary communication

The [Rh₂(OAc)₄]-catalyzed addition of methyl diazoacetate to N-benzylideneaniline ( 1a ) afforded the imine cis- 2 in 35% yield. Under catalysis by chiral Rh^II catalysts, however, only racemic 1a was produced, and the yield was low. In the presence of dimethyl maleate, aziridine formation was suppressed, and an intermediate ylide 6 was trapped as cycloadduct 7 . No aziridines were obtained, however, from 1b, 1c , and 3 . The iminium salt 8 reacted with (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane in the absence of [Rh₂(OAc)₄] via dipolar cycloaddition followed by extrusion of N₂ to 10 .