Iron in the service of chromium: the ortho-benzannulation of trans,trans-dienyl Fischer carbene complexes

Chromium Fischer carbene complexes with trans,trans-dienyl substituents on the carbene carbon will react with diiron nonacarbonyl to give 2-alkoxycyclohexa-2,4-dienone iron tricarbonyl complexes and/or 2-alkoxyphenols in excellent yields. In the presence of silica gel or base, the cyclohexadienone complex will suffer loss of the iron and aromatization to give 2-alkoxyphenols. The formation of 2-alkoxyphenols from dienyl chromium carbene complexes is a known process (ortho-benzannulation) that only occurs with certain cis,trans-dienyl complexes. Control experiments show that trans,trans-dienyl chromium carbene complexes do not undergo conversion to 2-alkoxyphenols in the absence of an iron source. The process most likely occurs either via coordination of the dienyl unit in the chromium carbene complex to an iron tricarbonyl group and then loss of the chromium or via direct trans-metalation of the carbene ligand to give an iron carbene complex and then internal coordination to the dienyl unit such that cis to trans isomerization of the alpha,beta-double bond occurs.     

Reactions of nickel—carbene complexes generated from nickelacycle complexes

Nickel carbene species, generated from nickelacyclobutane complexes, reacted with hydrogen and carbon monoxide to give methane and ketene, respectively.     

Unusual reaction of aryldiazoacetates with enamines: highly effective synthesis of γ-ketoesters

The reaction of aryldiazoacetates with enamines catalyzed by copper and rhodium complexes provided γ-ketoesters in good yields. Careful analysis of the crude reaction mixture revealed a substituted enamine as the primary product, which was hydrolyzed over silica gel to give a γ-ketoester as the final product. A reaction mechanism involving nucleophilic addition of an enamine to a metal carbene and subsequent hydrogen transfer was proposed.     

Unexpected reaction pathways in the reaction of alkoxyalkynylchromium(0) carbenes with aromatic dinucleophiles

Thermal- or SiO(2)-induced reactions of the Michael adducts of 1,2-aromatic dinucleophiles and alkynylchromium(0) carbene complexes, compounds 7-10, form different products in good yields depending on the nature of the aromatic dinucleophile used. Thus, 1,2-diaminobenzene derivatives 7 and 8 rearrange to pentacarbonylchromium(0) isocyanide complexes 11, 12, 14, and 15 in a process that occurs through bicyclic intermediates 24. Adducts 9 derived from o-aminophenol give 2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzoxazepine derivatives 17 by intramolecular 1,2-addition, followed by protonation at the chromium center and reductive elimination. In contrast, base-promoted addition of the phenolic hydroxy group in compound 9 a affords 3-ethoxy-5-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzoxazocin-2-one (18), together with the expected adduct 17 a. Compound 18 is formed by a nucleophilic addition to a CO ligand in a preformed carbene complex. This is a new example of the rare attack of a nucleophile on a CO ligand in a Fischer carbene complex. Adducts 10 form seven-membered-ring carbene complexes 19 and 20 by intramolecular aminolysis. In contrast, reaction of alkynyl carbene complexes with 1,8-diaminonaphthalene under very mild conditions leads to 2-substituted perimidines 33 together with the corresponding ethoxymethylmetal carbene complex 32 through an unprecedented fragmentation process in a formal retro-Aumann reaction.     

Chromene chromium carbene complexes in the syntheses of naphthopyran and naphthopyrandione units present in photochromic materials and biologically active natural products

The carbene complex 5-(2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromene)methoxylmethylene chromium pentacarbonyl will undergo a benzannulation reaction with phenylacetylene, 1-pentyne, 3-hexyne, and trimethylsilylacetylene to give 7-hydroxy-10-methoxy-3H-naphtho[2.1-b]pyrans as the primary product. These compounds are difficult to obtain pure due to their sensitivity to air. If the benzannulation reaction is performed in conjunction with protection of the phenol function at C-7, then good to excellent yields of 7-alkoxy-10-methoxy-3H-naphtho[2.1-b]pyrans are afforded. If the 7-hydroxy products are captured by triflic anhydride, then the resulting aryl triflate can be used to access 3H-naphtho[2.1-b]pyrans bearing C-7 carbon substituents. The 7-hydroxy products can be oxidized to 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran-7,10-diones which are stable. The chromenyl carbene complex reacts with 1,6-bis(triisopropylsilyl)-1,3,5-hexatriyne to give a 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzo[de]chromene, a product type that has not been seen before in the reaction of Fischer carbene complexes with alkynes. A mechanism is proposed for this process that involves alpha,beta-hydride elimination from a chromacyclobutane intermediate. Chromenyl tungsten complexes react with alkynes to give products that result from cyclization without CO insertion.     

Binuclear biscarbene complexes of furan

Carbene complexes of chromium and tungsten with a bridging furan substituent were synthesized from lithiated furan precursors and metal hexacarbonyls. The binuclear biscarbene complexes [(CO)5M{C(OEt)-C4H2O-C(OEt)}M'(CO)5](M = M'= Cr (3), W (4)) were obtained as well as the corresponding monocarbene complexes [M{C(OEt)-C(4)H3O}(CO)5](M = Cr (1), W (2)). A method of protecting the carbene moiety during the metal acylate stage was used to increase not only the yields of the binuclear Fischer biscarbene complexes 3 and 4 but to establish a method to synthesize analogous mixed heterobinuclear carbene complexes (M = W, M'= Cr (5)) in high yields. The binuclear biscarbene complexes 3 and 5 were reacted with 3-hexyne and yielded the corresponding benzannulated monocarbene complexes [M{C(OEt)-C14H17O3}(CO)5](M = Cr (6), W(7)). Complex 5 reacted regioselectively with the benzannulation reaction occurring at the chromium-carbene centre. The major products from refluxing 3 in the presence of [Pd(PPh3)4] were a monocarbene-ester complex [Cr{C(OEt)-C4H2O-C(O)OEt}(CO)5](8), the 2,5-diester of furan (9) and a carbene-carbene coupled olefin EtOC(O)-C4H2O-C(OEt)=C(OEt)-C4H2O-C(O)OEt (10). X-Ray structure analysis of 4 and 6 confirmed the molecular structures of the compounds in the solid state and aspects of electron conjugation between the transition metals and the furan substituents in the carbene ligands were investigated.     

Catalytic asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to isatins using C2-symmetric cationic N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) Pd2+ diaqua complexes as catalysts

A catalytic asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to isatins has been achieved by using chiral cationic C(2)-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd(2+) diaqua complexes as the catalysts. The reaction can be performed under convenient conditions to give the corresponding adducts in good to high yields (79-94%) and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) in the presence of LiOAr as the promoter which was generated in situ.     

Palladium-phosphine complex catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl-magnesium bromide and -zinc chloride with organic halides

1-Methyl-2-pyrrolyl-magnesium bromide and -zinc chloride, which were prepared from 1-methyl-2-pyrrolyllithium with MgBr₂ and ZnCl₂ respectively, reacted with aryl- and heteroaromatic halides to give the corresponding 2-substituted pyrroles in good to excellent yields in the presence of palladium-phosphine complexes as catalysts.     

Rhodium-benzimidazolidin-2-ylidene catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to aldehydes

Six rhodium–carbene complexes (2a–f) have been prepared and the new compounds characterized by C, H, N analyses, ¹H-n.m.r. and ¹³C-n.m.r. Phenylboronic acid reacts with aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of rhodium(I)–carbene complex, RhCl(COD)(1,3-dialkylbenzimidazolidin-2-ylidene), (2a–f), to give the corresponding aryl secondary alcohols in good yields.     

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed cyanation reaction of carbonyl compounds with ethyl cyanoformate and acetyl cyanide

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been employed as an efficient catalyst for cyanation reaction of carbonyl compounds. Under catalysis of 1 mol % NHCs, various aldehydes and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone coupled with ethyl cyanoformate in THF to provide cyanohydrins ethyl carbonates in excellent yields. While in the presence of 10 mol % catalyst, different types of aldehydes and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone reacted with acetyl cyanide in dichloroethane to give acylated cyanohydrins in moderate to high yields.     

Remote stereocontrol of intramolecular rhodium carbene addition driven by a small and flexible chiral 2,4-pentanediol tether

Intramolecular rhodium carbenoid additions were studied using 2,4-pentanidiol as a chiral tether between a diazo group, a precursor of the carbene, and an aromatic group to be reacted with the carbene. The reaction was designed to perform the addition at a remote position, conserving the original high stereoselectivity appeared at additions near the tether, in addition to high regioselectivity and sufficient reaction efficiency. Substitution on the near reaction sites, the carbene carbon and aromatic group, in the reactant was effective to relegate the reaction site to a remote position. In the present study, two remote reactions, one dealing with C–H insertion and the other classified in Büchner reaction, were found to give sole products in high yields.     

Cu(I)-carbenoid- and Ag(I)-Lewis acid-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular insertion of alpha-diazo compounds into N-H bonds

Chiral Cu(I)-bisoxazoline- and Cu(I)-PN-complexes were found to catalyze the intermolecular insertion of alpha-diazo compounds into N-H bonds. The insertion reactions proceed with enantioselectivities of up to 28% ee for the different alpha-diazo acetates into one of the N-H bonds of different amines. Analogous chiral Ag(I) complexes were found to give higher enantioselectivities of up to 48% ee, however, lower yields were obtained. There are indications, that the Ag(I)-mediated reactions follow a different reaction mechanism compared to the Cu(I)-catalyzed insertions. It is demonstrated that different alpha-amino acid derivatives can be obtained via this approach in good yields and with low to moderate enantioselectivities. However, the results obtained are the highest asymmetric inductions obtained for an intermolecular N-H insertion via chiral carbene complexes or chiral Lewis acid catalysis.     

Synthesis of novel axially chiral Rh-NHC complexes derived from BINAM and application in the enantioselective hydrosilylation of methyl ketones

Novel axially chiral Rh N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were prepared from axially dissymmetric 1,1'-binaphthalenyl-2,2'-diamine and applied in the Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrosilylation of methyl ketones. The corresponding sec-alcohols can be obtained in high yields with good to excellent ee.     

Microwave-assisted solid-phase Dötz benzannulation reaction: a facile synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted-1,4-naphthoquinones

A microwave-assisted solid-supported Dötz benzannulation of chromium carbene complexes with various alkynes has been developed. The oxidative cleavage of the resulting resin-bound 1,4-naphthols affords 2,3-disubstituted-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives in good to moderate yields with high purities.     

Asymmetric alkylation of carbonyl compounds with lithium or sodium tetraalkylaluminates modified by chiral aminoalcohols

Asymmetric alkylation of benzaldehyde and acetophenone by modified aluminium “ate” complexes are reported. LiAlMe₄, NaAlEt₄, LiAln-Bu₄, NaAln-Bu₄ modified by either (?)-N-methylphedrin or (+)cinchonine or (?)quinine were used.Using hydrocarbon solvents and sometimes under nickel catalysis the treatment of carbonyl compounds by modified “ate· complexes produced chiral alcohols with both chemical and optical good yields. NaAlEt₄ modified by (?)-N-methylephedrin reacted with benzaldehyde to give S(?)1-phenyl-1 propanol in 20% enantiomeric excess. The same reagent reacted with acetophenone to give S(?)2-phenyl-2 butanol in 33% e.e. NaAln-Bu₄ modified by (?)-N-methylephedrin reacted with benzaldehyde to give S(?)1-phenyl-1-pentanol in 27% e.e. or with acetophenone to give (?)2-phenyl-2-hexanol in 44% e.e.Since a wide range of new asymmetric alkylating reagents has been obtained from aluminium “ate” complexes and chiral compounds, it can be assumed that the method described could be useful to synthetise chiral alcohols with high optical yield.     

The use of chiral BINAM NHC-Rh(III) complexes in enantioselective hydrosilylation of 3-oxo-3-arylpropionic acid methyl or ethyl esters

Axially chiral BINAM N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-Rh(III) complexes were applied in the enantioselective hydrosilylation of 3-oxo-3-arylpropionic acid methyl or ethyl esters. The reduction products 3-hydroxy-3-arylpropionic acid methyl or ethyl esters could be obtained in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities under mild conditions.     

Indol-2-ylidene (IdY): Ambiphilic N-Heterocyclic Carbene Derived from Indole**

The synthesis of ambiphilic N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, indol-2-ylidene (IdY, A ), is described. A series of indolenium precursors ( 2 a – f ) were prepared on a gram scale in good yields. Trapping experiments with elemental selenium, [RhCl(cod)]₂ and CuCl provided the expected carbene adducts. Further computational and spectroscopic studies supported the ambiphilicity of IdY, which lies between cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAAC-5) and cyclic (amino)(aryl)carbene (CAArC). The copper complexes ( 6 ) show high percent buried volume (% V_bur = 58.1) and allow for carboboration of terminal alkynes within 30 minutes in a demonstration of synthetic utility with good yields and high regioselectivity.     

Approaching ambient temperatures in 1,2-DCE to deliver efficient intermolecular Dötz benzannulation processes

Conditions have been developed that enable intermolecular Dötz benzannulations to be carried out under extremely mild conditions, using 1,2-DCE as the reaction solvent and without the requirement for any additional reaction promoters. The new protocols, at temperatures close to ambient, have been applied successfully to a range of internal and terminal alkynes with a series of aryl and alkenyl carbene complexes, resulting in good to high yields of the benzannulation products. The developed conditions did, however, return lower benzannulation yields when utilised with the traditionally more troublesome 2-furyl carbene complex. It was found that increased reaction temperatures in 1,2-DCE did deliver high yields for the processes with this heteroaryl species.     

Haloamidation of alkynes and related reactions using zirconacycles and isocyanates

Zirconacyclopentenes reacted with isocyanates to give aza- or oxazirconacycles which were conveniently coverted into the corresponding haloamidation products of alkynes after halogenation. 1,4-Bistrimethylsilyl substituted zirconacyclopentadiene afforded a low yield of iodoamidation product, whereas zirconium-alkyne complexes stabilized with phosphine gave the iodoamidation products in moderate yields. On the other hand, zirconacyclopentanes reacted with isocyanates to give trimerization products of isocyanate, isocyanurates.     

Alumina supported potassium fluoride promoted reaction of nitroalkanes with electrophilic alkenes : synthesis of 4,5-dihydro furans and isoxazoline n-oxides

The reaction of secondary nitro alkanes 1 with α,β-unsaturated ketones 2 in the presence of alumina-supported potassium fluoride in acetonitrile gave 4,5-dihydrofurans 3 in high yields ; 1-nitropropane reacted with 2 to give a mixture of 4,5-dihydrofurans and furans. Nitroalkenes 17 reacted with nitroalkanes to give isoxazoline N-oxides 18 and 19 in good overall yields.