Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Troponoids

We report a rhodium(II)‐catalyzed highly enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between the carbonyl moiety of tropone and carbonyl ylides to afford troponoids in good to high yields with excellent enantioselectivity. We demonstrate that α‐diazoketone‐derived carbonyl ylides, in contrast to carbonyl ylides derived from diazodiketoesters, undergo [6+3] cycloaddition reactions with tropone to yield the corresponding bridged heterocycles with excellent stereoselectivity.     

Highly Efficient and Regioselective Platinum(II)‐Catalyzed Tandem Synthesis of Multiply Substituted Indolines and Tetrahydroquinolines

A special advantage : The platinum(II)‐catalyzed tandem cyclization of aminoalkynes with 1,3‐diketones offers a new and highly efficient method for the synthesis of indolines and tetrahydroquinolines (see scheme; M.S.=molecular sieves). This transformation affords good to excellent product yields with high regio‐ and chemoselectivity under mild reaction conditions.

     

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Englerin A Using An Intermolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Platinum‐Containing Carbonyl Ylide

Total synthesis of (±)‐Englerin A has been achieved starting from γ,δ‐ynone 5 in 14 steps. The key feature of this synthesis is the highly efficient and stereoselective preparation of 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivative 6 , a core skeleton of Englerin A, based on an inverse electron‐demand [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of the platinum‐containing carbonyl ylide, which was developed in our laboratory.     

Isolation of a Cationic Platinum(II) σ‐Silane Complex

The platinum complex [Pt(I^tBuⁱPr′)(I^tBuⁱPr)][BAr^F] interacts with tertiary silanes to form stable (<0 °C) mononuclear Pt^II σ‐SiH complexes [Pt(I^tBuⁱPr′)(I^tBuⁱPr)(η¹‐HSiR₃)][BAr^F]. These compounds have been fully characterized, including X‐ray diffraction methods, as the first examples for platinum. DFT calculations (including electronic topological analysis) support the interpretation of the coordination as an unusual η¹‐SiH. However, the energies required for achieving a η²‐SiH mode are rather low, and is consistent with the propensity of these derivatives to undergo Si?H cleavage leading to the more stable silyl species [Pt(SiR₃)(I^tBuⁱPr)₂][BAr^F] at room temperature.     

Meeting the Challenge of Intermolecular Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloadditions of Alkynes and Allenes

The development of gold(I)‐catalyzed intermolecular carbo‐ and hetero‐cycloadditions of alkynes and allenes has been more challenging than their intramolecular counterparts. Here we review, with a mechanistic perspective, the most fundamental intermolecular cycloadditions of alkynes and allenes with alkenes.     

Hydroarylation of 2‐Aryloxybut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via Pd/Acid‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Activation: A Concise Synthesis of 2,3‐Bismethylene‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans

An intramolecular exo ‐hydroarylation of 2‐aryloxy‐1,4‐disilylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via ortho ‐C−H bond activation under palladium(0) and acid catalysis was found to give 2,3‐bis(silylmethylidene)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans. The two silyl groups present probably promoted the reaction and played a key role in stabilizing the diene moiety in the product. The products readily led to functionalized condensed cycles by a Diels–Alder reaction.     

Cationic Platinum(II) σ‐SiH Complexes in Carbon Dioxide Hydrosilation

The low‐electron‐count cationic platinum complex [Pt(ItBu’)(ItBu)][BAr^F], 1 , interacts with primary and secondary silanes to form the corresponding σ‐SiH complexes. According to DFT calculations, the most stable coordination mode is the uncommon η¹‐SiH. The reaction of 1 with Et₂SiH₂ leads to the X‐ray structurally characterized 14‐electron Pt^II species [Pt(SiEt₂H)(ItBu)₂][BAr^F], 2 , which is stabilized by an agostic interaction. Complexes 1 , 2 , and the hydride [Pt(H)(ItBu)₂][BAr^F], 3 , catalyze the hydrosilation of CO₂, leading to the exclusive formation of the corresponding silyl formates at room temperature.     

Chemo‐ and Regioselective Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Allenynes with Alkynes

A highly chemo‐ and regioselective partially intramolecular rhodium(I)‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of allenynes with alkynes is described. A range of diverse polysubstituted benzene derivatives could be synthesized in good to excellent yields, in which the allenynes served as synthetic equivalent to the diynes. A high regioselectivity could be observed when allenynes were treated with unsymmetrical alkynes.     

Iron(III)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations of Acetal–Vinylidenecyclopropanes: An Efficient Synthetic Route to 1,2‐Disubstituted Cyclobutenes

A novel iron(III)‐catalyzed intramolecular cycloisomerization of acetal–vinylidenecyclopropanes to afford a series of halogenated 1,2‐disubstituted cyclobutenes tethered with a tetrahydropyrrole has been developed. The reaction is thought to proceed through a formal iron‐catalyzed Prins cyclization followed by a ring‐enlarging rearrangement of the methylenecyclopropane carbocation. The present protocol provides an alternative route to functionalized disubstituted cyclobutenes and the corresponding products could be successfully transformed into eight‐membered oxacyclic products.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of 1,6‐Enynes and Unactivated Alkynes: Access to Ring‐Fused Cyclohexadienes

The [2+2+2] intermolecular carbocyclization reactions between 1,6‐enynes and alkynes catalyzed by [RuCl(cod)(Cp*)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) are reported to provide bicyclohexa‐1,3‐dienes. The presented reaction conditions are compatible with internal and terminal alkynes and the chemo‐ and regioselectivity issues are controlled by the presence of substituents at the propargyl carbon center of the alkyne(s) partner(s).     

Synthesis of Tricyclic Fused 3‐Aminopyridines through Intramolecular CoI‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition between Ynamides,Nitriles, and Alkynes

Three‐ring circus : An expedient route to tricyclic fused 2‐trimethylsilyl‐3‐aminopyridines exhibiting unprecedented skeletons is described. The key step is a very efficient cobalt‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of a polyunsaturated compound displaying an ynamide, an alkyne, and a nitrile functionality (see picture).

     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Divergence in the Preparation of Bicyclic Enol Esters: From Exclusively [3C+2C]‐Cycloaddition Reactions to Exclusive Formation of Vinylcyclopropanes

With the use of benzonitrile‐stabilized Au^I catalyst [Au(IPr)(NCPh)]SbF₆ ( Ic ; IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene), a spectrum of reactivity is observed for propargyl ester 4 a with cyclic vinyl ethers, ranging from exclusively [3C+2C] cycloaddition reactions to exclusively cyclopropanation depending only on the structure of the substrate. Some initially formed cyclopropanation products rearrange into the corresponding formally [3C+2C] cycloaddition products after treatment with fresh Au^I complex at 80 °C. Vinylcyclopropanes formed from dihydrofuran and dihydropyran resisted such rearrangement, even in the presence of fresh Au^I catalyst at elevated temperature. This study addresses an important mechanistic question concerning whether the five‐membered‐ring products were produced by a direct [3C+2C] cycloaddition reaction or by a sequential cyclopropanation/ring‐expansion reaction. A dual pathway is proposed for the Au^I‐catalyzed reactions between propargyl esters and cyclic vinyl ethers. The different behavior among vinyl cyclic ethers is attributed to the difference in the polarization of the π bond. Highly polarized bonds appear to undergo the cycloaddition reaction whereas less polar π‐bonds produce cyclopropanes.