Convenient ‘one-pot’ synthesis of 3,4-substituted tetrahydrothiophenes through tandem Michael-Henry and Michael-Michael reactions

In situ generated nitro alkenes underwent tandem Michael-Henry and Michael-Michael sequences leading to the ‘one-pot’ formation of 3,4-substituted tetrahydrothiophenes using the commercially available 1,4-dithiane-2,5-diol (the dimer of mercaptoacetaldehyde) or its 4-mercapto-2-butenoates derivatives as suitable bifunctional partners, respectively.     

Synthesis of Highly Substituted Cyclobutane Fused‐Ring Systems from N‐Vinyl β‐Lactams through a One‐Pot Domino Process

In this contribution, aminocyclobutanes, as well as eight‐membered enamide rings, have been made from N‐vinyl β‐lactams. The eight‐membered products have been formed by a [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement, whereas the aminocyclobutanes have been derived from a domino [3,3]‐rearrangement/6π‐electrocyclisation process. The aminocyclobutanes have been obtained in a highly diastereoselective fashion. The cyclobutane ring system tolerates fusion even if adjacent quaternary centres are present. Systems containing up to four fused rings are readily accessible. The reaction profile has been investigated by using Gaussian 03. This study suggests that two reaction pathways for aminocyclobutane formation are possible. In one pathway the [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement is the rate‐limiting step and in the second pathway the electrocyclisation is rate limiting. Taken together, these reactions should facilitate the construction of fused heterocycles.     

Radical and Radical–Ionic Multicomponent Processes

All in one pot! Radical, radical–ionic, and radical–organometallic MCR are highly convergent processes, representing a useful pathway to molecular and structural diversity (see scheme). This concept article highlights recent developments in the field and shows the potential of the strategy for the economical elaboration of various kinds of organic substrates.

     

Transmetallierung von Zinn(II) in [Sn(μ3‐PSitBu3)]4 durch Barium – von Sn4P4‐Heterocuban‐Strukturen zu heterobinuklearen Käfigverbindungen mit einem zentralen BanSn4−nP4‐Heterocuban‐Polyeder (n = 1, 2 und 3)

Transmetallation of Tin(II) in [Sn(μ₃‐PSitBu₃)]₄ by Barium – from Sn₄P₄ Heterocubane Structures to Heterobinuclear Cage Compounds with a Central Ba_nSn_4?nP₄ Heterocubane Polyhedron (n = 1, 2 and 3) For the preparation of compounds of the type [Ba_nSn_4?n(PSitBu₃)₄] (n = 1 ( 2 ), 2 ( 3 ) and 3 ( 4 )) two synthetic routes are applicable: in the transmetallation reaction homometallic [Sn₄(PSitBu₃)₄] ( 1 ) reacts with barium metal and in a deprotonation reaction (metallation) tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphane reacts simultaneously with (thf)₂Ba[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂. During the transmetallation reaction mixtures of the heterobimetallic cage compounds 2 to 4 are obtained, however, analytically pure compounds 2 and 3 are accessible by the metallation reaction. Compound 4 is formed as a minor product together with 3 . Due to the larger Ba‐P bond lengths compared to the Sn‐P values the substitution of tin by barium leads to strong distortions of the heterocubane moiety. With NMR‐spectroscopic experiments one could show that all the above mentioned compounds form Ba_nSn_4?nP₄ heterocubane cage structures.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free Multicomponent Approach to Stereoenriched Cyclopentyl‐isoxazoles through C−C Bond Cleavage

An efficient multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of stereoenriched cyclopentyl‐isoxazoles from camphor‐derived α‐oximes, alkynes, and MeOH is reported. Our method involved a series of cascade transformations, including the in situ generation of an I^III catalyst, which catalyzed the addition of MeOH to a sterically hindered ketone. Oxidation of the oxime, and rearrangement of the α‐hydroxyiminium ion generated a nitrile oxide in situ, which, upon [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with an alkyne, delivered the regioselective product. This reaction was very selective for the syn‐oxime. This multicomponent approach was also extended to the synthesis of a new glycoconjugate, camphoric ester‐isoxazole C‐galactoside.     

Tandem Three‐Component Synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐Diol Derivatives

The development of efficient methods for stereocontrolled synthesis of polyol derivatives has been of continuing interest for the synthetic community. We describe herein tandem olefin cross‐metathesis/hemiacetalization/intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition of allylic/homoallylic alcohols, α,β‐unsaturated ketones, and aldehydes, which enabled the synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐diol derivatives in a step‐economical manner. A series of differentially protected polyol derivatives could be obtained in subsequent transformations via chemoselective/regioselective cleavage of the acetal moiety of the tandem reaction products.     

The First One‐Pot,Solvent‐Free,Microwave‐Accelerated,Three‐Component Synthesis of Spirothiazolidin‐4‐ones via Staudinger/Aza‐Wittig Coupling/Cyclization

An efficient and rapid, solvent‐free, microwave‐accelerated, one‐pot, three‐component protocol for the synthesis of spirothiazolidin‐4‐ones from organic azides is reported for the first time via Staudinger/aza‐Wittig coupling/cyclization. The solvent‐free approach overcomes the limitations associated with the prevailing solution‐phase methodologies in the case of amines. In particular, its novelty is that it eradicates the vital limitation, i.e., the accumulation of H₂O (by‐product), which is known to affect the yield and rate of the reaction, thus affording the spirothiazolidin‐4‐ones in short reaction times in excellent yields.     

Synthesis of A2B6‐Type [36]Octaphyrins: Copper(II)‐Metalation‐Induced Fragmentation Reactions to Porphyrins and N‐Fusion Reactions of meso‐(3‐Thienyl) Substituents

5,10,15‐Tris(pentafluorophenyl)tetrapyrromethane was efficiently prepared through a route involving stepwise diaroylation of 5‐pentafluorophenyldipyrromethane. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins were prepared by the cross condensation of the tetrapyrromethane with aryl aldehydes in moderate yields. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins bearing 2,4,6‐trifluorophenyl, 2,6‐dichlorophenyl, and phenyl substituents underwent Cu^II‐metalation‐induced fragmentation to give two molecules of AB₃‐type Cu^II porphyrins. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrin bearing 3‐thienyl substituents underwent thermal N‐thienyl fusion reactions to provide a modestly aromatic [38]octaphyrin, which, upon treatment with MnO₂, underwent further N‐thienyl fusion and subsequent oxidation to give a nonaromatic doubly N‐thienyl fused [36]octaphyrin.     

Novel Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of 5‐Halo‐4‐Sulfur‐Substituted 5,6‐Dihydro‐2‐Pyridones

The title compounds ( 3 , 8 , 9 and 10 ) were efficiently synthesized, and their substitution reactions with various nucleophiles were carried out. The effects of leaving group, sulfur‐substituent, solvent, reaction temperature, and the nature of the nucleophiles on the reactivity and S_N2/S_N2′ regioselectivity were studied and rationalized with semi‐empirical calculations.     

Arginine‐Facilitated α‐ and π‐Radical Migrations in Glycylarginyltryptophan Radical Cations

We have used model tripeptides GXW (with X being one of the amino acid residues glycine (G), alanine (A), leucine (L), phenylalanine (F), glutamic acid (E), histidine (H), lysine (K), or arginine (R)) to study the effects of the basicity of the amino acid residue on the radical migrations and dissociations of odd‐electron molecular peptide radical cations M^.+ in the gas phase. Low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) experiments revealed that the interconvertibility of the isomers [G^.XW]⁺ (radical centered on the N‐terminal α‐carbon atom) and [GXW]^.+ (radical centered on the π system of the indolyl ring) generally increased upon increasing the proton affinity of residue X. When X was arginine, the most basic amino acid, the two isomers were fully interconvertible and produced almost identical CID spectra despite the different locations of their initial radical sites. The presence of the very basic arginine residue allowed radical migrations to proceed readily among the [G^.RW]⁺ and [GRW]^.+ isomers prior to their dissociations. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the energy barriers for isomerizations among the α‐carbon‐centered radical [G^.RW]⁺, the π‐centered radical [GRW]^.+, and the β‐carbon‐centered radical [GRW_β^.]⁺ (ca. 32–36 kcal mol⁻¹) were comparable with those for their dissociations (ca. 32–34 kcal mol⁻¹). The arginine residue in these GRW radical cations tightly sequesters the proton, thereby resulting in minimal changes in the chemical environment during the radical migrations, in contrast to the situation for the analogous GGW system, in which the proton is inefficiently stabilized during the course of radical migration.     

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Allenes by Point‐to‐Axial Chirality Transfer

An enantiodivergent method for the synthesis of multiply substituted allenes is described. Highly enantioenriched, point‐chiral boronic esters were synthesized by homologation of α‐seleno alkenyl boronic esters with lithiated carbamates and eliminated to form axially chiral allene products. By employing either oxidative or alkylative conditions, both syn and anti elimination could be achieved with complete stereospecificity. The process enables the synthesis of either M or P allenes from a single isomer of a point‐chiral precursor and can be employed for the enantioselective assembly of di‐, tri‐, and tetrasubstituted allenes.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Three‐ or Four‐Component Coupling of Aryl Iodides,Alkynes, and Amines through CN Bond Cleavage: Efficient Synthesis of Indole Derivatives

An efficient synthesis of N‐substituted indole derivatives was realized by combining the Pd‐catalyzed one‐pot multicomponent coupling approach with cleavage of the C(sp³)?N bonds. Three or four components of aryl iodides, alkynes, and amines were involved in this coupling process. The cyclopentadiene–phosphine ligand showed high efficiency. A variety of aryl iodides, including cyclic and acyclic tertiary amino aryl iodides, and substituted 1‐bromo‐2‐iodobenzene derivatives could be used. Both symmetric and unsymmetric alkynes substituted with alkyl, aryl, or trimethylsilyl groups could be applied. Cyclic secondary amines such as piperidine, morpholine, 4‐methylpiperidine, 1‐methylpiperazine, 2‐methylpiperidine, and acyclic amines including secondary and primary amines all showed good reactivity. Further application of the resulting indole derivatives was demonstrated by the synthesis of benzosilolo[2,3‐b]indole.     

Synthese und Molekülstrukturen von N‐substituierten Diethylgallium‐2‐pyridylmethylamiden

Synthesis and Molekular Structures of N‐substituted Diethylgallium‐2‐pyridylmethylamides (2‐Pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amine ( 1a ) and (2‐pyridylmethyl)‐di(tert‐butyl)silylamine ( 1b ) form with triethylgallane the corresponding red adducts 2a and 2b via an additional nitrogen‐gallium bond. These oily compounds decompose during distillation. Heating under reflux in toluene leads to the elimination of ethane and the formation of the red oils of [(2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amido]diethylgallane ( 3a ) and [(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐di(tert‐butyl)silylamido]diethylgallane ( 3b ). In order to investigate the thermal stability solvent‐free 3a is heated up to 400 °C. The elimination of ethane is observed again and the C‐C coupling product N, N′‐Bis(diethylgallyl)‐1, 2‐dipyridyl‐1, 2‐bis(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amido]ethan ( 4 ) is found in the residue. Substitution of the silyl substituents by another 2‐pyridylmethyl group and the reaction of this bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with GaEt₃ yield triethylgallane‐diethylgallium‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 5 ). The metalation product adds immediately another equivalent of triethylgallane regardless of the stoichiometry. The reaction of GaEt₃ with 2‐pyridylmethanol gives quantitatively colorless 2‐pyridylmethanolato diethylgallane ( 6 ).     

Stereo‐ and Chemodivergent NHC‐Promoted Functionalisation of Arylalkylketenes with Chloral

Stereo‐ and chemodivergent enantioselective reaction pathways are observed upon treatment of alkylarylketenes and trichloroacetaldehyde (chloral) with N‐heterocyclic carbenes, giving selectively either β‐lactones (up to 88:12 dr, up to 94 % ee) or α‐chloroesters (up to 94 % ee). Either 2‐arylsubstitution or an α‐branched iPr alkyl substituent within the ketene favours the chlorination pathway, allowing chloral to be used as an electrophilic chlorinating reagent in asymmetric catalysis.     

Photofragmentation of 2‐Deoxy‐D‐Ribose Molecules in the Gas Phase

We have measured the synchrotron‐induced photofragmentation of isolated 2‐deoxy‐D ‐ribose molecules (C₅H₁₀O₄) at four photon energies, namely, 23.0, 15.7, 14.6, and 13.8 eV. At all photon energies above the molecule′s ionization threshold we observe the formation of a large variety of molecular cation fragments, including CH₃⁺, OH⁺, H₃O⁺, C₂H₃⁺, C₂H₄⁺, CH_xO⁺ (x=1,2,3), C₂H_xO⁺ (x=1–5), C₃H_xO⁺ (x=3–5), C₂H₄O₂⁺, C₃H_xO₂⁺ (x=1,2,4–6), C₄H₅O₂⁺, C₄H_xO₃⁺ (x=6,7), C₅H₇O₃⁺, and C₅H₈O₃⁺. The formation of these fragments shows a strong propensity of the DNA sugar to dissociate upon absorption of vacuum ultraviolet photons. The yields of particular fragments at various excitation photon energies in the range between 10 and 28 eV are also measured and their appearance thresholds determined. At all photon energies, the most intense relative yield is recorded for the m/q=57 fragment (C₃H₅O⁺), whereas a general intensity decrease is observed for all other fragments— relative to the m/q=57 fragment—with decreasing excitation energy. Thus, bond cleavage depends on the photon energy deposited in the molecule. All fragments up to m/q=75 are observed at all photon energies above their respective threshold values. Most notably, several fragmentation products, for example, CH₃⁺, H₃O⁺, C₂H₄⁺, CH₃O⁺, and C₂H₅O⁺, involve significant bond rearrangements and nuclear motion during the dissociation time. Multibond fragmentation of the sugar moiety in the sugar–phosphate backbone of DNA results in complex strand lesions and, most likely, in subsequent reactions of the neutral or charged fragments with the surrounding DNA molecules.     

Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis: Direct Synthesis of Sulfonated Oxindoles from N‐Arylacrylamides and Arylsulfinic Acids by Means of a Cascade C−S/C−C Formation Process

A novel photocatalytic synthesis of sulfonated oxindoles from N‐arylacrylamides and arylsulfinic acids was developed by means of a cascade C?S/C?C bond‐formation process. This method provides mild, efficient, and atom‐economical access to various sulfonated oxindoles in water.     

Preparations of Saturated N‐P‐N Type Secondary Phosphine Oxides and their Applications in Cross‐Coupling Reactions

A series of cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine ( 3a – 3d ) and benzene‐1,2‐diamine derivatives ( 3e – 3h ) were pre‐ pared. Followed by hydrolysis, the reaction of 3a – 3c with PCl₃ successfully led to the formation of cor‐ responding metastable saturated heteroatom‐substituted secondary phosphine oxides (HASPO 4a – 4c ), a tautomer of the saturated heteroatom‐substituted phosphinous acid (HAPA). Whereas ambient‐stable diamine‐coordinated palladium complexes were obtained, HAPA‐coordinated palladium complexes were not successfully synthesized. The molecular structures of HASPO 4c , Pd(OAc)₂(3a) , PdBr₂(3b) and Pd(OAc)₂(3c) and [Cu(NO₃)(3d)⁺][NO₃ ^? ] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Catalysis of in‐situ Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions for aryl bromides and phenylboronic acid using diamine 3a as ancillary ligand showed that the optimized reaction condition at 60 °C is the combination of 2 mmol % 3a /3.0 mmol KOH/1.0 mL 1,4‐dioxane/1 mmol % Pd(OAc)₂. Moreover, moderate reactivity was observed when using aryl chlorides as substrates (supporting infor‐ mation). When diamine 3d was employed in Heck reaction, good tolerance of functional groups of aryl bromides were observed while using 4‐bromoanisole and styrene as substrates. The optimized condi‐ tion for Heck reaction at 100 °C is 3 mmol % 3d /3.0 mmol CsF/1.0 mL toluene/3 mmol % Pd(OAc)₂. In general, cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine derivatives exhibited better catalytic properties than those of benzene‐1,2‐diamines.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Activated Alkynes by Radical Oxidation–Tandem Cyclization/Dearomatization to Synthesize 3‐Trifluoromethyl Spiro[4.5]trienones

A copper‐catalyzed difunctionalizing trifluoromethylation of activated alkynes with the cheap reagent sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (NaSO₂CF₃ or Langlois’ reagent) has been developed incorporating a tandem cyclization/dearomatization process. This strategy affords a straightforward route to synthesis of 3‐(trifluoromethyl)‐spiro[4.5]trienones, and presents an example of difunctionalization of alkynes for simultaneous formation of two carbon–carbon single bonds and one carbon–oxygen double bond.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Cascade Cyclization Reaction of Bisallenes with Propargylic Carbonates and Organoboronic Acids: Efficient Construction of cis‐Fused Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenes

A bicycle built for two : The title reaction affords cis‐fused bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenes from readily available 1,5‐bisallenes with structurally diverse propargylic carbonates and arylboronic acids (see scheme; X=NTs, C(E¹)₂ with E¹=CO₂Bn, SO₂Ph, dba=trans,trans‐dibenzylidenacetone). The reaction may involve a sequential oxidative addition, two different types of three carbopalladations, and a Suzuki‐type coupling.

     

Catalytic Michael/Ring‐Closure Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated Pyrazoleamides with Amidomalonates: Asymmetric Synthesis of (−)‐Paroxetine

A highly enantioselective tandem Michael/ring‐closure reaction of α,β‐unsaturated pyrazoleamides and amidomalonates has been accomplished in the presence of a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Yb(OTf)₃ complex (Tf: trifluoromethanesulfonyl) to give various substituted chiral glutarimides with high yields and diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Moreover, this methodology could be used for gram‐scale manipulation and was successfully applied to the synthesis of (?)‐paroxetine. Further nonlinear and HRMS studies revealed that the real catalytically active species was a monomeric L ‐PMe₂ –Yb³⁺ complex. A plausible transition state was proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.