5‐exo versus 6‐endo Thiyl‐Radical Cyclizations in Organic Synthesis

Since the discovery of the radical mediated thiol‐ene and thiol‐yne reactions, these reactions have been employed in an intramolecular manner for the synthesis of sulfur‐containing heterocycles. Although closely related on a mechanistic basis, the thiol‐ene and thiol‐yne cyclization can differ greatly in regioselectivity and product distribution, with the thiol‐ene process being more predictable and thus attracting greater utilization. Herein, we review intramolecular thiyl‐radical addition reactions and the factors leading to the observed regioselectivity in examples in which both the 5‐exo and 6‐endo mode of cyclization are feasible. We highlight the applications of these important reactions for organic synthesis in the recent literature.     

Reaction Mechanism for the Dual Gold‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Dibenzopentalene: A DFT Study

A wide range of gold‐catalyzed reactions based on a dual activation mechanism has recently been reported in the literature. Herein, we present a computational investigation of the mechanism for the formation of dibenzopentalenes from 1‐ethynyl‐2‐(phenylethynyl)benzene. Transition states have been found, which substantiate the dual activation mechanism previously published and furthermore point towards a continuous presence of two gold moieties throughout the mechanistic cycle, an observation of high importance for all reactions in the field of dual activation. The initial activation of the diyne has been shown to proceed via an intermolecular transfer of a cationic gold catalyst from the thermodynamically preferred geminal‐σ,π‐acetylide complex to the active non‐geminal analogue. Furthermore, the regioselectivity of a 5‐endo versus a 6‐endo cyclization has been addressed, and the 5‐endo cyclization was found to be most favorable both thermodynamically and with regard to the activation barrier.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations and Alkoxycyclizations of ortho‐(Alkynyl)styrenes

Indenes and related polycyclic structures have been efficiently synthesized by gold(I)‐catalyzed cycloisomerizations of appropriate ortho‐(alkynyl)styrenes. Disubstitution at the terminal position of the olefin was demonstrated to be essential to obtain products originating from a formal 5‐endo‐dig cyclization. Interestingly, a complete switch in the selectivity of the cyclization of o‐(alkynyl)‐α‐methylstyrenes from 6‐endo to 5‐endo was observed by adding an alcohol to the reaction media. This allowed the synthesis of interesting indenes bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center at C1. Moreover, dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes can be obtained from substrates bearing a secondary alkyl group at the β‐position of the styrene moiety by a tandem cycloisomerization/1,2‐hydride migration process. In addition, diverse polycyclic compounds were obtained by an intramolecular gold‐catalyzed alkoxycyclization of o‐(alkynyl)styrenes bearing a nucleophile in their structure. Finally, the use of a chiral gold complex allowed access to elusive chiral 1H‐indenes in good enantioselectivities.     

Titanocene(III)‐Catalyzed 6‐exo Versus 7‐endo Cyclizations of Epoxypolyprenes: Efficient Control and Synthesis of Versatile Terpenic Building Blocks

In this article, a complete study on the selectivity of titanocene(III) cyclization of epoxypolyprenes is presented. The requirements for the formation of six‐ or seven‐membered rings during these cyclizations are determined, taking into account the different substitution pattern in the epoxypolyprene precursor. Thus, a complete selectivity to 6‐exo or 7‐endo cyclization process has been achieved, yielding mono‐, bi‐, and even tricyclic compounds, constituting a new and efficient access to this type of derivative. Additionally, this procedure opens the possibility to prepare excellent building blocks for the synthesis of polycyclic compounds with a trisubstituted oxygenated function, which is present in several natural terpenes.     

Stereoselective Cyclopropanation of 2‐[(S)‐(4‐Methylphenyl)sulfinyl]cyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one with Sulfur Ylides and α‐Halo Carbanions. Preliminary Communication

The cyclopropanation of the title compound (S)‐ 2 with various sulfur ylides has been examined. The reaction with methylenesulfonium ylides gave the corresponding cyclopropanes 4 with low diastereoselectivity. The formation of the second product 5 arising from the subsequent methylenation of the CO group was also observed. A clean cyclopropanation of (S)‐ 2 took place with ethyl (dimethylsulfanylidene)acetate affording the cyclopropanes 6 , with high π‐facial selectivity, but low endo/exo ratio. A high endo/exo selectivity, but low π‐facial selectivity was observed in the reaction of (S)‐ 2 with (2‐ethoxy‐2‐oxoethyl)(diphenyl)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate. The use of α‐bromoacetate carbanion as the cyclopropanation reagent resulted in the formation of 6 with very high facial and endo/exo‐selectivity. In a proposed explanation of the stereochemical outcome of the cyclopropanations investigated, the ground‐state conformation of the sulfoxide 2 and the transition‐state structure of the initial addition step were taken into account.     

cis‐1,4‐Selective Copolymerization of Ethylene and Butadiene: A Compromise between Two Mechanisms

Introducing ethylene units into polybutadiene backbones is an approach to synthesize advanced rubber materials, which has been a research challenge because of distinct polymerization mechanisms of the two monomers. To date, only trans ‐1,4‐ and 1,2‐regulated copolymers have been obtained. Herein, we reported the unprecedented cis ‐1,4 selective copolymerization of ethylene and butadiene by using the thiophene‐fused cyclopentadienyl‐ligated scandium complexes. The effects of the sterics and electronics of the catalytic precursors as well as the monomer loading mode on the activity and selectivity as well as the sequence lengths were investigated, and the mechanism was elucidated. Thus a novel ethylene‐based rubber material possessing a high molecular weight, 80 % cis ‐1,4 regularity and a T _g=−94 °C without an obvious melting point owing to short polyethylene sequences even at its content up to 45 mol %, was isolated. This new rubber material exhibited excellent anti‐flowing performance and strong tensile strength.     

Influence of Backbone Chlorination on the Electronic Properties of Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐Based Dimers

Chlorination of π‐conjugated backbones is garnering great interest because of fine‐tuning electronic properties of conjugated materials for organic devices. Herein we report a synthesis of thiophene‐based diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) dimers and their chlorinated counterparts by introducing a chlorine atom in the outer thiophene ring to investigate the influence of the chlorination on charge transport. The backbone chlorination lowers both the HOMO and the LUMO of the dimers and leads to a blue‐shift of maximum absorption in compared to unsubstituted counterparts. X‐ray analysis reveals that the chlorine atom prompts the outer thiophene ring out of the planarity of the backbone with a relatively large torsional angle. The chlorinated dimers exhibit slipped one‐dimensional packing decorated with multiple intermolecular interactions, because of a combination of a negative inductive effect and a positive mesomeric effect of the halogen atom, which might facilitate charge transport within the oligomeric backbones. The mobility in the single‐crystal OFET devices of the chlorinated dimers is up to 1.5 cm² V^?1 s^?1, which is two times higher than that of the non‐chlorinated DPP dimers. Our results indicate that the chlorine atom plays a key role in directing non‐covalent interactions to lock the slipped stacks, enabling electronic coupling between adjacent molecules for efficient charge transport. In addition, our results also demonstrate that these DPP dimers with straight n‐octyl chains exhibit higher mobilities than the dimers with branched 2‐ethylhexyl chains.     

3,4‐Di­hydro‐6‐methyl‐3‐β‐d‐ribo­furan­osyl‐4,5′‐cyclo‐9H‐imidazo[1,2‐a]­purin‐9‐one hydrate

In the title compound, C₁₃H₁₃N₅O₄·H₂O (4,5′‐cyclo­wyosine·H₂O), the cyclization forces a syn arrangement of the aglycon with respect to the sugar moiety. The ribo­furan­ose part of the mol­ecule displays a β‐d configuration with an envelope C1′‐endo pucker. The mol­ecules are arranged in columns along the short a axis and are linked to water mol­ecules through O—H?O and O—H?N hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis of trans‐dihydrodiol derivatives of phenanthro[3,4‐b]‐thiophene and phenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene

The present study describes the synthesis of phenanthro[3,4‐b]thiophene (3) , phenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene (4) and its potential dihydrodiol metabolites, trans‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐6,7‐dihydrophenanthro[3,4‐b]thiophene (5) and trans‐8,9‐dihydroxy‐8,9‐dihydrophenanthro[3,4‐b]thiophene (6) , trans–6,7‐dihydroxy‐6,7‐dihydro‐phenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene (7) and trans‐8,9‐dihydroxy‐8,9‐dihydrophenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene (8) from Suzuki coupled intermediates. The UV spectra of these dihydrodiols are presented. These spectra are useful tools for identifying these dihydrodiols among unknown metabolites of 1 and 2 produced in vitro or in vivo.     

Photon‐Quantitative 6π‐Electrocyclization of a Diarylbenzo[b]thiophene in Polar Medium

The high reactivity of 6π‐electrocyclization in polar solvents has remained one of the important challenges for diarylethenes because of the emergence of a twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state at the excited state in such polar media, which usually quenches the photocyclization reaction. Herein we report on the preparation and highly efficient photocyclization of 2,3‐diarylbenzo[b]thiophenes with nonsymmetric side‐aryl units in a polar solvent. While the dithiazolylbenzo[b]thiophene showed a suppressed quantum yield of 6π‐electrocyclization of 54 % in methanol, the replacement of a thiazole unit with a thiophene ring led to a photon‐quantitative 6π‐cyclization reaction. The nonsymmetrical modification into the side‐aryl units was considered to enhance the CH/π interactions between side‐aryl units to support a photoreactive conformation in methanol. The stabilization of the photochromic reactive conformation is expected to suppress the formation of the TICT state at the excited state, leading to highly efficient photoreactivity.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Polycyclic Indolic Architectures through Pd0‐Catalyzed Tandem Deprotection/Cyclization of Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines on Allenes

Enantioenriched N‐allyl tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines were prepared by chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reactions. The compounds undergo Pd⁰‐catalyzed cyclizations through a tandem deprotection/cyclization process. The regioselectivity of the attack is controlled by the chain length and by the substitution pattern of the allene function. Products resulting from 5‐exo‐ or 6‐exo‐attack were obtained with diastereoisomeric ratio up to 95:5. Azepinopyrrido[3,4‐b]indoles were obtained by 7‐endo‐cyclizations.     

Chiral 2‐endo‐Substituted 9‐Oxabispidines: Novel Ligands for Enantioselective Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Henry Reactions

A flexible approach, applicable on a gram scale, to chiral 2‐endo‐substituted 9‐oxabispidines was developed. The key intermediate, a cis‐configured 6‐aminomethylmorpholine‐2‐carbonitrile, was prepared from (R)‐3‐aminopropane‐1,2‐diol and 2‐chloroacrylonitrile. The 2‐endo substituent was introduced by Grignard addition, cyclization, and exo‐selective reduction, thus furnishing the enantiomerically pure bi‐ and tricyclic 9‐oxabispidines in 19–59 % yield. The CuCl₂ complex of the tricyclic 9‐oxabispidine, which carries an 2‐endo,N‐anellated piperidine ring, is an excellent catalyst for enantioselective Henry reactions giving the S‐configured β‐nitro alcohols in 91–98 % ee (13 examples). Surprisingly, the analogous copper complexes of the bicyclic 9‐oxabispidines delivered the enantiocomplementary R‐configured products in 33–57 % ee. The respective transition states were discussed.     

A Cascade Synthesis of Hetero‐arylated Triarylmethanes Through a Double 5‐endo‐dig Cyclization Sequence

A sequential two‐step method for the synthesis of hetero‐arylated triarylmethanes through a Ag‐catalyzed sequential double cyclization–nucleophilic addition cascade is described. This methodology basically involves an initial 5‐endo‐dig cyclization of o‐alkynyl anilines to provide 2‐substituted indole derivatives, which then react with 2‐(2‐enynyl)‐pyridines to afford indolizine‐containing unsymmetrical triarylmethanes through another 5‐endo‐dig cyclization.     

Chemoselectivity Control: Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 6,7‐Dihydrobenzofuran‐4(5H)‐ones and Benzofurans from 1‐(Alkynyl)‐7‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan‐2‐ones

New and chemoselective gold(I)‐catalyzed transformations of 1‐(arylethynyl)‐7‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]‐ heptan‐2‐ones were developed. Two completely different products—6,7‐dihydrobenzofuran‐4(5H)‐ones and benzofurans—could be obtained from the same starting material. The selectivity is determined by the ligand of the gold catalyst: triphenylphosphine delivers 6,7‐dihydrobenzofuran‐4(5H)‐ones, and 1,3‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene leads to benzofurans. Eleven examples of each case are provided. The mechanistic suggestions for the pathways to both product types are supported by isotope labeling experiments.     

Ligand‐Controlled Regiodivergent Nickel‐Catalyzed Annulation of Pyridones

The 1,6‐annulated 2‐pyridone motif is found in many biologically active compounds and its close relation to the indolizidine and quinolizidine alkaloid core makes it an attractive building block. A nickel‐catalyzed C? H functionalization of 2‐pyridones and subsequent cyclization affords 1,6‐annulated 2‐pyridones by selective intramolecular olefin hydroarylation. The switch between the exo‐ and endo‐cyclization modes is controlled by two complementary sets of ligands. Irrespective of the ring size, the regioselectivity during the cyclization is under full catalyst control. Simple cyclooctadiene promotes an exo‐selective cyclization, whereas a bulky N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand results in an endo‐selective mode. The method was further applied in the synthesis of the lupin alkaloid cytisine.     

8‐Aza‐7‐deaza‐2′‐de­oxy‐2‐(methyl­sulfan­yl)adenosine

In the title compound, 4‐amino‐1‐(2‐de­oxy‐β‐d ‐erythro‐pentofuranos­yl)‐6‐methyl­sulfanyl‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine, C₁₁H₁₆N₅O₃S, the conformation of the glycosidic bond is between anti and high anti. The 2′‐deoxy­ribofuranosyl moiety adopts the C3′‐exo–C4′‐endo conformation (₃T⁴, S‐type sugar pucker), and the conformation at the exocyclic C—C bond is +sc (+gauche). The exocyclic 6‐amine group and the 2‐methyl­sulfanyl group lie on different sides of the heterocyclic ring system. The mol­ecules form a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network that is stabilized by O—H⋯N, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.     

2,2′‐Anhydro‐1‐(3′,5′‐di‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)uracil,a cyclouridine nucleoside with a C4′‐endo furanosyl conformation

2,2′‐Anhydro‐1‐(3′,5′‐di‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)uracil, C₁₃H₁₄N₂O₇, was obtained by refluxing 2′,3′‐O‐(methoxymethylene)uridine in acetic anhydride. The structure exhibits a nearly perfect C4′‐endo (⁴E) conformation. The best four‐atom plane of the five‐membered furanose ring is O—C—C—C, involving the C atoms of the fused five‐membered oxazolidine ring, and the torsion angle is only −0.4 (2)°. The oxazolidine ring is essentially coplanar with the six‐membered uracil ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 (5) Å and dihedral angle = −3.2 (3)°]. The conformation at the exocyclic C—C bond is gauche–trans which is stabilized by various C—H...π and C—O...π interactions.     

8‐Aza‐7‐deaza‐7‐propynyladenosine methanol solvate

In the title compound, 4‐amino‐3‐propynyl‐1‐(β‐d ‐ribofur­anosyl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine methanol solvate, C₁₃H₁₅N₅O₄·CH₃OH, the torsion angle of the N‐glycosylic bond is between anti and high‐anti [χ = −101.8 (5)°]. The ribofuranose moiety adopts the C3′‐endo (³T₂) sugar conformation (N‐type) and the conformation at the exocyclic C—C bond is +sc (gauche, gauche). The propynyl group is out of the plane of the nucleobase and is bent. The compound forms a three‐dimensional network which is stabilized by several hydrogen bonds (O—H·O and O—H·N). The nucleobases are stacked head‐to‐tail. The methanol solvent mol­ecule forms hydrogen bonds with both the nucleobase and the sugar moiety.     

Mechanism of the Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Bromo‐Alkynes Revisited: Hydrogen versus Bromine Migration

A comprehensive mechanistic study of the InCl₃‐, AuCl‐, and PtCl₂‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of the 2‐(haloethynyl)biphenyl derivatives of Fürstner et al. was carried out by DFT/M06 calculations to uncover the catalyst‐dependent selectivity of the reactions. The results revealed that the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization is the most favorable pathway in both InCl₃‐ and AuCl‐catalyzed reactions. When AuCl is used, the 9‐bromophenanthrene product could be formed by consecutive 1,2‐H/1,2‐Br migrations from the Wheland‐type intermediate of the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization. However, in the InCl₃‐catalyzed reactions, the chloride‐assisted intermolecular H‐migrations between two Wheland‐type intermediates are more favorable. These Cl‐assisted H‐migrations would eventually lead to 10‐bromophenanthrene through proto‐demetalation of the aryl indium intermediate with HCl. The cause of the poor selectivity of the PtCl₂ catalyst in the experiments by the Fürstner group was predicted. It was found that both the PtCl₂‐catalyzed alkyne–vinylidene rearrangement and the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization pathways have very close activation energies. Further calculations found the former pathway would lead eventually to both 9‐ and 10‐bromophenanthrene products, as a result of the Cl‐assisted H‐migrations after the cyclization of the Pt–vinylidene intermediate. Alternatively, the intermediate from the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization would be transformed into a relatively stable Pt–carbene intermediate irreversibly, which could give rise to the 9‐alkylidene fluorene product through a 1,2‐H shift with a 28.1 kcal mol^?1 activation barrier. These findings shed new light on the complex product mixtures of the PtCl₂‐catalyzed reaction.     

7‐Deaza‐2,8‐diaza­adenosine

In the title compound [systematic name: 4‐amino‐7‐(β‐d ‐ribofuranos­yl)‐7H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d][1,2,3]triazine], C₉H₁₂N₆O₄, the torsion angle of the N‐glycosylic bond is high anti [χ = −83.2 (3)°]. The ribofuran­ose moiety adopts the C2′‐endo–C1′‐exo (²T₁) sugar conformation (S‐type sugar pucker), with P = 152.4° and τ_m = 35.0°. The conformation at the C4′—C5′ bond is +sc (gauche,gauche), with the torsion angle γ = 52.0 (3)°. The compound forms a three‐dimensional network that is stabilized by several hydrogen bonds (N—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O).