Thermal disrotatory electrocyclic isomerization of cis-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene to cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadiene

[reaction: see text] The ratio of observed rate constants, k/k', for thermal isomerizations of cis-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene and its 2,2,5,5-d(4) analogue to cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadienes at 250 degrees C is 1.17, indicative of a secondary, not a primary, deuterium kinetic isotope effect. The reaction does not occur through a [1,5] hydrogen shift from the transient cis,trans-1,3-cyclooctadiene intermediate to form the observed cis,cis-diene product.     

Electrocyclic ring opening of cis-bicyclo[m.n.0]alkenes: the anti-Woodward-Hoffmann quest

The dubbed anti-Woodward-Hoffmann ring-opening reaction of cis-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene to yield cis,cis-cycloocta-1,3-diene has been intensively studied with robust, high-level computational methods. This reaction has been found to proceed through a conrotatory allowed pathway to afford cis,trans-cycloocta-1,3-diene followed by E to Z isomerization, instead of a disrotatory forbidden pathway, as suggested. Computational calculations of kinetic isotope effects are consistent with this interpretation and the experimental values. The study of lower bicyclic homologues with [3.2.0], [2.2.0] and [2.1.0] skeletons indicates the feasibility of a mechanistic change towards the anti-Woodward-Hoffmann disrotatory path. This is clearly favored for the ring opening of the highly strained cis-bicyclo[2.1.0]pent-2-ene and is highly competitive with the conrotatory path for cis-bicyclo[2.2.0]hex-2-ene. Therefore, the rearrangement of the smallest bicyclic cyclobutene is predicted computationally to be an anti-Woodward-Hoffmann disrotatory electrocyclic ring-opening reaction.     

Thermal reactions of 7-d- and 8-d-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-enes

The gas phase thermal reactions exhibited by bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene and 7-d and 8-d analogues at 300 degrees C have been followed kinetically through GC and 2H NMR spectroscopic analyses. In contrast to the pattern of transformations exhibited by bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene and deuterium-labeled analogues, no reactions initiated by C1-C6 bond cleavage are seen, epimerization at C8 is much faster than [1,3] shifts leading to bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene, and the ratio of rate constants for [1,3] carbon migration with inversion versus migration with retention is approximately 1.4. Homolysis of C1-C8 to give a conformationally flexible diradical intermediate having a relatively long lifetime and multiple options for further reaction (re-formation of C1-C8 with or without net epimerization, fragmentation to 1,3-cyclohexadiene and ethylene, migration to the original C3 with inversion or retention) accords well with the observations. Clearly, orbital symmetry control does not govern stereochemistry for the [1,3] sigmatropic carbon shifts.     

Thermal reactions of 8-methylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-enes: competitive diradical-mediated [1,3] sigmatropic, stereomutation, and fragmentation processes

[reaction: see text] At 275 degrees C, 8-exo-methylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene (1a) undergoes a [1,3] sigmatropic rearrangement to 5-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-enes, of which the orbital symmetry-allowed si product is only marginally favored over the forbidden sr product; that is, si/sr is 2.4. Accompanying the [1,3] shift are significant amounts of epimerization and fragmentation. The 8-endo epimer 1b, which yields no [1,3] product, experiences primarily direct fragmentation and secondarily epimerization. A diradical intermediate can account for all such observations.     

Synthesis and reactivity of trans-Tricyclo

The first synthesis of trans-tricyclo[4.2.0.0(1,3)]oct-4-ene (1), an ethenyl bridged spirohexane, was accomplished in four steps starting from Carpino et al. gem-dichloro ketone 6. An X-ray crystal structure of 1 with one substituent was obtained to provide geometry data on this novel ring system and to confirm the stereochemical assignment of the penultimate synthetic intermediate. Tricyclo[4.2.0. 0(1,3)]oct-4-ene is surprisingly stable. It reacts with glacial acetic acid but only slowly at 145 degrees C; the products were isolated and identified. A unimolecular rearrangement takes place at elevated temperatures (165 degrees C and higher), presumably, via a biradical intermediate to afford tricyclo[4.2.0.0(1,5)]oct-3-ene (23). The structure of this 1,5-bridged bicyclo[2.1.0]pentane derivative was established by NMR and an X-ray crystal structure of its Diels-Alder adduct with isobenzofuran. Tricyclo[4.2.0.0(1, 3)]oct-4-ene equilibrates with 23, so equilibrium constants and reaction rates were measured over a 20 degrees C temperature range from 180 degrees C to 200 degrees C. The difference in the heats of formation (DeltaDeltaH degrees (f) (23 - 1)) is -2.1 kcal/mol, which is in good agreement with ab initio (HF and MP2) calculations using the 6-31G(d) basis set (-1.9 (HF) and -1.4 (MP2) kcal/mol). Computations on trans-tricyclo[4.2.0.0(1,3)]octane and spirohexane also were carried out, and the structures and energies were compared.     

Thermal chemistry of bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-enes

At 300 degrees C, bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene (1) isomerizes to bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (2) via a formal [1,3] sigmatropic carbon migration. Deuterium labels at C7 and C8 were employed to probe for two-centered stereomutation resulting from C1-C6 cleavage and for one-centered stereomutation resulting from C1-C8 cleavage, respectively. In addition, deuterium labeling allowed for the elucidation of the stereochemical preference of the [1,3] migration of 1 to 2. The two possible [1,3] carbon shift outcomes reflect a slight preference for migration with inversion rather than retention of stereochemistry; the si/sr product ratio is approximately 1.4. One-centered stereomutation is the dominant process in the thermal manifold of 1, with lesser amounts of fragmentation and [1,3] carbon migration processes being observed. All of these observations are consistent with a long-lived, conformationally promiscuous diradical intermediate.     

Computational study and analysis of the kinetic isotope effects of the rearrangement of cis-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene to cis,cis-cycloocta-1,3-diene

[reaction: see text] On the basis of KIE experiments, the ring opening of cis-bicyclo[4.2.0.]oct-7-ene has been suggested as an anti-Woodward-Hoffmann reaction candidate. We hereby report the results of a high-level computational study of the alternate reaction pathways which proves that the energy profiles show a clear preference for the conrotatory (W-H allowed) ring opening followed by double-bond isomerization. Computed KIE values for the aforementioned mechanism are in good agreement with the experimental values.     

Chlorosulfonyl isocyanate reactions with N-(alkoxycarbonyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.0]hex-5-enes. Regiospecific two-atom insertion pathways

Addition of the uniparticulate electrophile chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to the nitrogen atom of N-(alkoxycarbonyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.0]hex-5-enes 1 is followed by ring cleavage and recombination. The parent 4-methyl, 5-methyl, 5-bromo, and 5-phenyl azabicycles 1a-f afforded novel 2,4-diaza-3-oxo-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-enes 10a-f. The 3-endo-phenyl azabicycle 1g rearranged to a 6-styryl-1,3-diaza-2-oxo-cyclohex-4-ene 12.     

Thermal isomerization of tricyclo[4.1.0.0(2,7)]heptane and bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene through the (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene intermediate

The thermal isomerization of tricyclo[4.1.0.0(2,7)]heptane and bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene was studied using ab initio methods at the multiconfiguration self-consistent field level. The lowest-energy pathway for thermolysis of both structures proceeds through the (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene intermediate. Ten transition states were located, which connect these three structures to the final product, (Z,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene. Three reaction channels were investigated, which included the conrotatory and disrotatory ring opening of tricyclo[4.1.0.0(2,7)]heptane and bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene and trans double bond rotation of (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene. The activation barrier for the conrotatory ring opening of tricyclo[4.1.0.0(2,7)]heptane to (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene was found to be 40 kcal mol(-1), while the disrotatory pathway to (Z,Z)-1,3-cyclohetpadiene was calculated to be 55 kcal mol(-1). The thermolysis of bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene via a conrotatory pathway to (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene had a 35 kcal mol(-1) barrier, while the disrotatory pathway to (Z,Z)-1,3-cyclohetpadiene had a barrier of 48 kcal mol(-1). The barrier for the isomerization of (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene to bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene was found to be 12 kcal mol(-1), while that directly to (Z,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene was 20 kcal mol(-1).     

Effect of a methoxy substituent on the vinylcyclobutane carbon migration

Over the temperature range 250-300 degrees C, 8-exo-methoxybicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene (1a) undergoes a [1,3] sigmatropic rearrangement to 5-exo- and 5-endo-methoxybicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-enes, 2a and 2b, respectively, with a clear preference for the si product: si/sr = 3.2. Both 1a and its 8-endo epimer 1b experience appreciable epimerization and fragmentation. A long-lived intermediate with weakly interacting diradical centers, one of which is stabilized by a methoxy substituent, can account for all such observations.     

Titanium(IV) chloride-mediated intramolecular ring enlargement of methylenecyclopropanes with propargylic esters: a concise synthesis of bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-5-ene derivatives

Titanium(IV) chloride-mediated intramolecular ring enlargement of methylenecyclopropanes with propargylic esters has been described in this context, affording the corresponding chlorinated bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-5-ene derivatives in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. The E- and Z-methylenecyclopropanes could all be converted to the corresponding bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-5-enes with moderate to high diastereoselectivities.     

Novel transformations of two kinds of chlorinated photo [2 + 2] cycloadducts of 2-pyrone-5-carboxylate

Novel reactions of 7,7-dichloro- and 7,7,8-trichloro-3-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4-ene-6-carboxylates 5 with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in alcohol gave pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-2,5-diones 8 via (Z)-(2H-pyran-2-on-3-yl)butenoates 7. On the other hand, the same treatment of 7,7,8-trichloro-2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo-[4.2.0]oct-4-ene-5-carboxylate 6b afforded 2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4,7-diene-5-carboxylate 14 via cyclobutene formation and S_N2′ displacement by attack of the alkoxy anion.     

Density functional theory study of the mechanism of the BF(3)-catalyzed rearrangement of 2,3,3-trimethyl-1,2-epoxybutane to 2,3,3-trimethylbutanal

The potential energy surface for the rearrangement of BF(3)-coordinated 2,3,3-trimethyl-1,2-epoxybutane to 2,3, 3-trimethylbutanal has been investigated at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory. SCRF(SCI-PCM) solvent calculations and theoretical primary and secondary kinetic isotope effects at the same level of theory provide support for a two-step process with ring opening of the BF(3)-coordinated epoxide to a tertiary carbocation intermediate followed by hydride/deuteride migration to give aldehyde. The experimentally measured primary isotope effect (k(H)(D)/k(D)(H)) requires a correction for an appropriate secondary isotope effect to give a true isotope effect k(H)(H)/k(D)(H). For the lowest energy pathway for hydride migration, the calculated secondary kinetic isotope effect is 0.92, which when applied to the experimentally measured isotope effect of k(H)(D)/k(D)(H) = 1.73 gives a revised "true" primary kinetic isotope effect of k(H)(H)/k(D)(H) = 1.59. This compares with a calculated value of 2.01. From intermediate 15, migration of the C1-H(a) proton via 19 is energetically favored over C1-H(b) migration via 18 and this result is consistent with the experimental results in which hydride migration of the proton cis to the methyl is favored.     

Mechanism of the

Stereochemical studies on [2 + 2] photoaddition of cis-/trans-4-propenylanisole (cis-1 and trans-1) and cis-1-(p-methoxyphenyl)ethylene-2-d(1) (cis-3-d(1)) to C(60) exhibit stereospecificity in favor of the trans-2 cycloadduct in the former case and nonstereoselectivity in the latter. The observed stereoselectivity in favor of the cis-6-d(3) [2 + 2] diastereomer by 12% in the case of the photochemical addition of (E)-1-(p-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-prop-1-ene-3,3,3-d(3) (trans-5-d(3)) to C(60) is attributed to a steric kinetic isotope effect (k(H)/k(D) = 0.78). The loss of stereochemistry in the cyclobutane ring excludes a concerted addition and is consistent with a stepwise mechanism. Intermolecular secondary kinetic isotope effects of the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of 3-d(0) vs 3-d(1), and 3-d(6) as well as 5-d(0) vs 5-d(1), and 5-d(6) to C(60) were also measured. The intermolecular competition due to deuterium substitution of both vinylic hydrogens at the beta-carbon of 3 exhibits a substantial inverse alpha-secondary isotope effect k(H)/k(D) = 0.83 (per deuterium). Substitution with deuterium at both vinylic methyl groups of 5 yields a small inverse k(H)/k(D) = 0. 94. These results are consistent with the formation of an open intermediate in the rate-determining step.     

Reactions of sterically congested 1,5-hexadienes: Ab initio and DFT calculations on the competition between cope rearrangements and disrotatory cyclobutene ring-opening reactions of bridged syn-tricyclo[4.2.0.0(2,5)]octa-3,7-dienes

The thermolytic behavior of four syn-tricyclo[4.2.0.0(2,5)]octa-3,7-dienes, each spanned by four propano bridges (13, 14, 21, and 26), has been investigated by means of calculations at the UB3LYP/ 6-31G* and CASPT2/6-31G levels. These calculations predict that 13 should undergo a degenerate Cope rearrangement (E(A) = 19.6 kcal/mol), whereas the other three C(20)H(24) isomers should prefer a necessarily disrotatory cyclobutene ring-opening reaction. In the case of 14, the ring-opening reaction (E(A) = 27.2 kcal/mol) is concerted and leads directly to 15, a 4-fold bridged cyclooctatetraene. In the ring opening of 21, the 1,6-bridge in the 4-fold bridged bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4,7-triene 31 prevents formation of the corresponding cyclooctatetraene. In the ring opening of 26, the 4-fold bridged bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4,7-triene derivative 36 is predicted to form the corresponding bridged cyclooctatetraene 38, which should undergo bond shift. The results of these calculations are found to be in very good agreement with the results of experiments on these hydrocarbons.     

Highly selective Diels-Alder reactions of dienophiles with 1, 3-cyclohexadiene mediated by Yb(OTf)(3).2H(2)O and ultrahigh pressures

[reaction: see text] Ultrahigh pressures and catalytic Yb(OTf)(3).2H(2)O were found to mediate Diels-Alder reactions of various electron-deficient dienophiles with 1,3-cyclohexadiene to produce endo-bicyclo[2.2. 2]oct-2-enes in moderate to excellent yield and selectivity. The proposed total synthesis of hapalindole Q based on bicyclo[2.2. 2]oct-2-ene construction by Diels-Alder reaction and subsequent olefin cleavage is outlined. Preliminary results demonstrating the viability of this strategy are presented.     

Contraction de cycle a partir de la tosyloxy-8 bicyclo[4.2.0]octanone-7 cis

Cis 8-endo tosyloxybicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-en-7-one treated with H₄AlLi undergoes a stereospecific ring contraction to give endo 7-formyl bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene and endo 7-hydroxymethyl bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ène. On the contrary, the same compound treated with MeONa in ether or methanol (conditions of the Favorski rearrangement) gives, beside solvolysis products when CH₃OH is solvent, the two epimeric esters 7-endo and 7-exo carbomethoxybicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ène. Several pathways are postulated for the rearrangement.     

Diels-alder reaction of 2-chloro-2-nitrosopropane with 1,3-cyclohexadiene

3-(2-Chloropropyl)-2-oxa-3-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene and 2-oxa-3-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene hydrochloride have been prepared by cycloaddition of 2-chloro-2-nitrosopropane to 1,3-cyclohexadiene and their structure determined by nmr, using a ¹H nmr shift reagent.     

Chemistry of trimethylene oxide

Summary The cis and trans modifications of 7-oxabicyclo[4.2.0]octane were prepared. The structures of both isomers were proved on the basis of infrared spectrum investigations and of derivatives obtained as a result of ring opening under the action of p-toluenesulfonic acid.     

Heteropolynuclear palladium complexes with pyrazolate and its 3-tert-butyl derivatives: the effect of heterometal ions on the rate of isomerization

The heteropolynuclear complexes [Pd(2)M'(2)(mu-pz)(6)] (M'=Ag (1), Au (2); pzH=pyrazole), HT-[Pd(2)M'(2)(mu-3-tBupz)(6)] (M'=Ag (3 a), Au (4 a); 3-tBupzH=3-tert-butylpyrazole), and HH-[Pd(2)Au(2)(mu-3-tBupz)(6)] (4 b) have been prepared and some of them were structurally characterized. When 3-tert-butylpyrazolate was employed as a bridging ligand, two linkage isomers (head-to-tail (HT) and head-to-head (HH)) arise from the difference in orientation of the substituent groups on the pyrazolate bridges between the two Pd atoms. (1)H NMR spectroscopy has been used to identify and to follow the reversible stereochemical rearrangement of the HH isomer of [Pd(2)Ag(2)(mu-3-tBupz)(6)] (3 b) to form the HT isomer 3 a in CDCl(3) and the HT isomer of [Pd(2)Au(2)(mu-3-tBupz)(6)] (4 a) to form the HH isomer 4 b in C(6)D(6). Kinetic studies of the reaction have established the rate law to be -d(HH)/dt=d(HT)/dt=k(2)[HH]-k(1)[HT] for 3 b and -d(HT)/dt=d(HH)/dt=k(1)[HT]-k(2)[HH] for 4 a, where k(1) and k(2) denote the rate of isomerization from the HT to the HH isomer and that from the HH to the HT isomer, respectively. For typical runs at 50 degrees C in C(6)D(6), k(1)=13.8x10(-5) s(-1), k(2)=18.6x10(-5) s(-1), and K(eq)=k(2)/k(1)=1.24 for 3 b, and k(1)=1.26x10(-5) s(-1), k(2)=3.52x10(-5) s(-1), and K(eq)=k(1)/k(2)=0.36 for 4 a. Temperature-dependent rate measurements reveal DeltaH(not equal) and DeltaS(not equal) to be 100(1) kJ mol(-1) and 0(3) J mol(-1) K(-1) for 3 b and 112(5) kJ mol(-1) and 20(17) J mol(-1) K(-1) for 4 a, respectively. The rate of isomerization is essentially unaffected by the concentration of the complex or by the presence of neutral bridging ligands. These data and observations imply that the isomerization involves an intramolecular exchange process.