Zinc-mediated carbon radical addition to glyoxylic imines in aqueous media for the synthesis of alpha-amino acids

The addition of carbon radicals to glyoxylic imines was studied using zinc dust as a radical initiator. The zinc-mediated radical reaction of glyoxylic oxime ethers and hydrazones proceeded smoothly to give the alkylated products via a carbon-carbon bond-forming process in aqueous media. The reaction of the oxime ethers and hydrazones having an Oppolzer's camphorsultam group provided the corresponding alkylated products, which could be converted into enantiomerically pure alpha-amino acids. The diastereoselectivities observed in the reaction of hydrazones were better than those obtained in the reaction of oxime ethers.     

Solid-phase tandem radical addition-cyclization reaction: triethylborane-induced reaction of oxime ethers anchored to polymer support

Tandem radical addition-cyclization of oxime ethers anchored to polymer support was studied. The reaction of oxime ethers with stannyl radical proceeded effectively by the use of triethylborane as a radical initiator. The alkyl radical addition-cyclization reactions of oxime ether connected with alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl group proceeded under iodine atom-transfer reaction conditions to give the functionalized azacycles via two carbon-carbon bonds-forming process.     

C-Nitroso compounds—XXXV : Reaction of organometallic compounds with 1-chloro-1-nitroso-2,2,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexane

Reaction of Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds (RM) with the congested 1-chloro-1-nitroso-2,2,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexane 1 leads to the formation of significant amounts of the reduction product 2,2,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexanone oxime 3 (61–90%) together with the corresponding oxime O-R ether 4 (0–11%). Attack on nitrogen is unimportant as shown by very low yields of nitrone. Formation of the products is rationalised with a pathway involving transfer of an electron from RM to 1. This leads—after separation of MCI—to a radical pair consisting of R and the relatively stable iminoxy radical 2 (Schemes 1 and 2). Combination of these radicals explains formation of oxime ether 4 and nitrone 5, while reaction of iminoxy radical 2 with excess of RM can give oxime 3. Reactive radicals R (i.e. Me, Ph, and to a minor extent n-Bu) are furthermore capable of abstracting hydrogen from the solvent (diethyl ether, toluene, or cumene), and the solvent derived radicals can also combine with 2 on oxygen, under formation of oxime ether (26% of 6a). The corresponding benzyl- and cumyl ethers 6b and 6c are only formed in trace amounts because dimerisation of benzyl radicals (7%) and cumyl radicals (22%) is favoured.     

Sequenced cyclizations involving intramolecular capture of alkyl-oxyaminyl radicals. Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

A cascade radical cyclization process involving oxime ethers tethered to a brominated phenyl and an activated olefin moiety is described. The generated aryl radicals using tri-n-butyltin hydride react with the CN bond to yield neutral alkyl-oxyaminyl radicals, which were then simultaneously captured by the activated double bond to provide heterocyclic systems with a pyrrolidinic nucleus.     

Tandem carbon-carbon bond-forming radical addition-cyclization reaction of oxime ether and hydrazone

The novel tandem radical addition-cyclization of oxime ethers and hydrazones intramolecularly connected with the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl group is described. The radical reaction of oxime ethers 1, 2, and 4 connected with acryloyl and methacryloyl moieties proceeded smoothly to give the heterocycles via a tandem C-C bond-forming process. The tandem reaction of hydrazone 5 took place in the presence of Zn(OTf)(2) as a Lewis acid to give the trans-cyclic product 17 without the formation of the cis-isomer. The diastereoselective radical addition-cyclization reaction of chiral oxime ether 19 was also studied. The tandem reaction of 19 proceeded smoothly even in aqueous media, providing the novel method for asymmetric synthesis of gamma-butyrolactones and beta-amino acid derivatives.     

Stannyl radical addition-cyclization of oxime ethers connected with olefins

Stannyl radical addition-cyclization of oxime ethers connected with olefin moieties was studied. The radical reactions proceeded effectively by the use of triethylborane as a radical initiator to provide the functionalized pyrrolidines via a carbon-carbon bond-forming process.     

Radical addition to oxime ethers for asymmetric synthesis of beta-amino acid derivatives

The diastereoselective alkyl radical addition to chiral oxime ethers was studied with a view to preparing enantiomerically pure alpha,beta-dialkyl-beta-amino acid derivatives. The phase transfer-catalyzed alkylation of Oppolzer's camphorsultam derivative of oxime ether proceeded smoothly to give the alkylated N-(beta-oximino)acyl derivatives. In the presence of BF3.OEt2, radical addition to the oxime ethers proceeded using triethylborane as the radical initiator to give alpha,beta-dialkyl-beta-amino acid derivatives with excellent diastereoselectivity.     

Reaction of di-t-butyliminoxy radicals with organometallic compounds

Reactions of the title iminoxy radical 1 with Grignard and organolithium reagents RM yield initially di-t-butyl ketoxime 2 (in salt form) together with the radical R-. This radical R- can combine with unreacted iminoxy radical on oxygen to give the oxime ether 3. For steric reasons attack on nitrogen is difficult and therefore nitrone 6 is not formed, or in trace amounts only. The even more hindered attack on carbon is never observed, i.e. there is no formation of (intermediary) nitroso compounds. The relatively reactive methyl and phenyl radicals can abstract hydrogen from the solvent (diethyl ether). In this way α-ethoxyethyl radicals are formed, which can combine with the iminoxy radical on oxygen, yielding the acetal-like oxime ether 7.     

Photochemical Oximesulfonylation of Alkenes Using Sulfonyl-Oxime-Ethers as Bifunctional Reagents

Utilization of oxime ethers as bifunctional reagents remains unknown. Herein, we present a mechanistically distinct strategy that enables oximesulfonylation of olefins using sulfonyl-oxime-ethers as bifunctional reagents under metal-free photochemical conditions. Via concomitant C−S and C−C bond formation, the process permits incorporation of oxime and sulfonyl groups into olefins in a complete atom-economic fashion, providing rapid access to multi-functionalized β-sulfonyl oxime ethers with good yields and stereoselectivity. The method is amenable to functionalization of complex bioactive molecules and is shown to be scalable. A radical chain mechanism initiated via photochemical Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) mediated N−O bond cleavage is suggested for the process, based on our results on mechanistic investigations.     

Trifluoroacetylation of Ketone O-Vinyloximes

Ketone oxime O-vinyl ethers having alkyl or phenyl radicals react with trifluoroacetic anhydride in ether in the presence of pyridine, yielding 43-54% of the corresponding ketone oxime O-(trans-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxo-1-butenyl) ethers with high stereoselectivity.     

Photochemical reactivity of 1-substituted-1-aza-1,4-dienes promoted by electron-acceptor sensitizers. Di-pi-methane rearrangements and alternative reactions via radical-cation intermediates

Irradiation of a series of beta,gamma-unsaturated imines, oxime acetates, and oxime methyl ethers, using 9,10-dicyanoanthrathene (DCA) or dicyanodurene (DCD) as electron acceptor sensitizers, affords the corresponding cyclopropanes resulting from 1-aza-di-pi-methane rearrangements via radical cations. In some cases, alternative reactions of these intermediates occur to yield nitriles, dihydroquinolines, dihydronaphthalene derivatives, and cycloaddition products. Some of these products result from reactions via alkene radical-cation intermediates while others arise by pathways involving imine radical-cation intermediates. The yields of products formed in these processes were significantly higher when DCD was used as electron-acceptor sensitizer instead of DCA.     

Decarbonylative Radical Coupling of α‐Aminoacyl Tellurides: Single‐Step Preparation of γ‐Amino and α,β‐Diamino Acids and Rapid Synthesis of Gabapentin and Manzacidin A

A new radical‐based coupling method has been developed for the single‐step generation of various γ‐amino acids and α,β‐diamino acids from α‐aminoacyl tellurides. Upon activation by Et₃B and O₂ at ambient temperature, α‐aminoacyl tellurides were readily converted into α‐amino carbon radicals through facile decarbonylation, which then reacted intermolecularly with acrylates or glyoxylic oxime ethers. This mild and powerful method was effectively incorporated into expeditious synthetic routes to the pharmaceutical agent gabapentin and the natural product (?)‐manzacidin A.     

Radiation Chemistry of Organic Molecules in Solid Rare Gas Matrices: 2. Selective Deprotonation of the Primary Radical Cations upon Irradiation of Oxygen-Containing Molecules in Xenon Matrices

The composition of radical products trapped after irradiation of various ethers (dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, methylal, 1,3-dioxolane) or acetaldehyde in xenon matrices at 15–17 K in the presence of electron scavengers was studied by an ESR technique. It was shown that the primary radical cations give corresponding deprotonation products (carbon-centered radicals), rather than stabilize in xenon, under the given experimental conditions. The deprotonation process is characterized by extremely high selectivity; i.e., the only type of radicals resulting from deprotonation at maximum spin density position was observed in each of the cases. The possible mechanism of the reactions and the nature of their selectivity are discussed.     

The application of intramolecular radical cyclizations of acylsilanes in the regiospecific formation of cyclic silyl enol ethers.

Acylsilanes with terminal alpha-stannyl bromide or xanthate functionalities are prepared. Alpha-stannyl radicals generated from these acylsilanes undergo intramolecular cyclizations to give cyclic silyl enol ethers regiospecifically. The radical processes involve radical cyclization, Brook rearrangement, and beta-fragmentation in sequence. A tributylstannyl group serves as the radical leaving group. The newly formed sigma-bond and pi-bond are located between the same two carbon atoms. This approach is limited to the formation of five-membered rings. In another route, omega-bromo-alpha-phenylsulfonylacylsilanes are synthesized. The radical cyclizations of these alpha-sulfonylacylsilanes also give cyclic silyl enol ethers. The phenylsulfonyl moiety is the radical leaving group in this system. Furthermore, the newly formed sigma-bond and pi-bond are located at adjacent positions sharing a single carbon atom. The latter approach is effective for both five- and six-membered ring formation.     

A free radical Mannich type reaction: selective α-CH aminomethylation of ethers by Ti(III)/t-BuOOH system under aqueous acidic conditions

tert-Butoxy radical, generated by Ti(III)-one electron reduction of tert-butylhydroperoxide, selectively abstracts an α-H atom from ethers. The resulting α-ethereal radicals add to the C-atom of methylene iminium salts, formed in situ under aqueous acidic conditions, leading to a one-pot aminomethylation of ethers at room temperature. The aminoalkylation of ethers is also considered and the role of the metal ion is discussed.     

Radical addition to 1,4-benzoquinones: addition at O- versus C-atom

Addition of alkyl radicals generated from B-alkylcatecholboranes onto 1,4-benzoquinones leads to substituted hydroquinones in good overall yields. Formation of aryl ethers via a unique radical addition to the oxygen atom of the enone system is the main reaction when bulky secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals are used. Less hindered secondary and primary radicals give the expected 1,4-conjugate addition products. [reaction: see text]     

Thermal decomposition of O-benzyl ketoximes; role of reverse radical disproportionation

Thermolyses of seven dialkyl, two alkyl-aryl and two diaryl O-benzyl ketoxime ethers, R(1)R(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]NOCH(2)Ph, have been examined in three hydrogen donor solvents: tetralin, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, and 9,10-dihydroanthracene. All the oxime ethers gave the products expected from homolytic scission of both the O-C bond (viz., R(1)R(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH and PhCH(3)) and N-O bond (viz., R(1)R(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]NH and PhCH(2)OH). The yields of these products depended on which solvent was used and the rates of decomposition of the O-benzyl oxime ethers were greater in 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and 9,10-dihydroanthracene than in tetralin. These results indicated that a reverse radical disproportionation reaction in which a hydrogen atom was transferred from the solvent to the oxime ether, followed by [small beta]-scission of the resultant aminoalkyl radical, must be important in the latter two solvents. Benzaldehyde was found to be an additional product from thermolyses conducted in tetralin. This, and other evidence, indicated that another induced decomposition mode involving abstraction of a benzylic hydrogen atom, followed by [small beta]-scission of the resulting benzyl radical, became important for some substrates. Participation by minor amounts of enamine tautomers of the oxime ethers was shown to be negligible by comparison of thermolysis data for the O-benzyloxime of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one, which cannot give an enamine tautomer, with that of the O-benzyloxime of cyclohexanone.     

Novel synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines via radical addition-ionic cyclization reaction of oxime ethers

We have developed a novel synthetic route to nitrogen-containing heterocycles via radical addition-ionic cyclization reaction. Treatment of oxime ethers carrying the tosyloxy group with Et₃B and alkyl iodide in the presence of Lewis acid gave the substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines. The reaction of oxime ethers carrying the methoxycarbonyl group proceeded under the same conditions to give the amino esters, which were easily converted into the corresponding lactams by the treatment with concd HCl. On the other hand, the oxime ether bearing the phenoxycarbonyl group afforded directly alkylated lactams under the radical reaction conditions. The utility of this domino reaction was demonstrated by the synthesis of (±)-bgugaine and the formal synthesis of 5,8-disubstituted indolizidine alkaloids.     

Mechanistic aspects of the formation of aldehydes and nitriles in photosensitized reactions of aldoxime ethers

The photooxidation of a series of aldoxime ethers was studied by laser flash photolysis and steady-state (product studies) methods. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis studies have shown that chloranil (CA)-sensitized reactions of the O-methyl (1), O-ethyl (2), O-benzyl (3), and O-tert-butyl (4) benzaldehyde oximes result in the formation of the corresponding radical cations. In polar non-nucleophilic solvents such as acetonitrile, there are several follow-up pathways available depending on the structure of the aldoxime ether and the energetics of the reaction pathway. When the free energy of electron transfer (DeltaGET) becomes endothermic, syn-anti isomerization is the dominant pathway. This isomerization pathway is a result of triplet energy transfer from CA to the aldoxime ether. For substrates with alpha-protons (aldoxime ethers 1-3), the follow-up reactions involve deprotonation at the alpha-position followed by beta-scission to form the benziminyl radical (and an aldehyde). The benziminyl radical reacts to give benzaldehyde, the major product under these conditions. A small amount of benzonitrile is also observed. In the absence of alpha-hydrogens (aldoxime ether 4), the major product is benzonitrile, which is thought to occur via reaction of the excited (triplet) sensitizer with the aldoxime ether. Abstraction of the iminyl hydrogen yields an imidoyl radical, which undergoes a beta-scission to yield benzonitrile. An alternative pathway involving electron transfer followed by removal of the iminyl proton was not deemed viable based on charge densities obtained from DFT (B3LYP/6-31G*) calculations. Similarly, a rearrangement pathway involving an intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer process was ruled out through experiments with a deuterium-labeled benzaldehyde oxime ether. Studies involving nucleophilic solvents have shown that all aldoxime ethers reacted with MeOH by clean second-order kinetics with rate constants of 0.7 to 1.2 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), which suggests that there is only a small steric effect in these reactions. The steady-state experiments demonstrated that under these conditions no nitrile is formed. This is explained by a mechanistic scheme involving nucleophilic attack on the nitrogen of the aldoxime ether radical cation, followed by solvent-assisted [1,3]-proton transfer and elimination of an alcohol, similar to the results obtained for a series of acetophenone oxime ethers.     

Die photolytische α-spaltung von benzoinalkyläthern in sauerstoffhaltigem methanol

The primary step in the photolytical α-cleavage of benzoin alkyl ether in oxygen saturated methanol at room temperature is the formation of a benzoyl (1) and an α-alkoxybenzyl radical (2), which react via their peroxi radicals 3 und 4 to the final products yielding perbenzoic acid (5), alkyl benzoate (7), benzaldehyde (11), benzaldehyde dimethylacetal (10) and benzil to 100%. Product analysis of the final products of the photolysis of specifically deuterated benzoin methyl ethers shows that methyl benzoate, benzaldehyde and benzaldehyde dimethylacetal are formed via the α-methoxybenzyl radical (2) while the perbenzoic acid results from the benzoyl radical (1). Both the peroxi radicals 3 and 4 have an independent reaction pathway to the final products. Hydrogen abstraction of 3 and 4 from the solvent methanol give rise to hydroxy methyl radicals which yields formic acid, hydrogen peroxide, performic acid and formaldehyde via their hydroxy methyl peroxi radicals. The reaction pathway of the primary radicals is discussed.