Enhanced reactivity in radical cyclizations of hydrazones using the silicon-tethered 1-bromovinyl group

A silicon-tethered 1-bromovinyl group was shown to function as a radical precursor for tin-mediated vinyl additions to chiral α- or β-hydroxyhydrazone. In contrast to related thiyl-mediated methods, these vinyl bromides were not limited to the 5-exo cyclization mode. A series of Si-tethered 5-exo and 6-exo cyclizations formed the corresponding five- and six-membered exo-methylene-substituted oxasilacycles. Treatment with fluoride cleaved the Si-C and Si-O bonds to afford the corresponding allylic hydrazines. Diastereoselectivities ranged from 2:1 to 25:1 (anti:syn) for the 5-exo cyclizations, depending on the size of the exocyclic substituent, but 6-exo cyclization was not diastereoselective. A variant involving Tamao oxidation of the exo-methylene oxasilacyclopentane intermediate afforded a methyl ketone, a net process corresponding to addition of a radical acyl anion equivalent.     

Stereoselective construction of the 1,1,1-trifluoroisopropyl moiety by asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-(trifluoromethyl)allylic alcohols and its application to the synthesis of a trifluoromethylated amino diol

The asymmetric hydrogenation of a series of 2-(trifluoromethyl)allylic alcohols 1a-g catalyzed by a BINAP-Ru(II) diacetate complex gave the corresponding products 2a-g in high yield (>90% yield) and high diastereoselectivity (>95% de). The asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-(trifluoromethyl)allylic alcohols provided an efficient stereoselective method to construct the 1,1,1-trifluoroisopropyl moiety. Based on the asymmetric hydrogenation of the 2-(trifluoromethyl)allylic alcohol 5a prepared by the reaction of (R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxaldehyde with 3,3,3-trifluoroisopropenyllithium, (2R,3S,4R)-4-trifluoromethyl-1-aminopentane-2,3-diol 9 was synthesized in 36% overall yield over five steps.     

Titanium mediated alkylidenation of substituted cycloalkenones: scope and limitations

The conversion of the cyclopent-2-enone 5 and cyclohex-2-enones 11a, c-e into corresponding α′-exo-alkylidene compounds using Ti(IV) catalysis, with PPh₃ and an aldehyde, is described.     

Efficient intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkynes catalyzed by a zirconium(IV) complex

The neutral zirconium(IV) bis(thiophosphinic amidate) complex was demonstrated to be an effective precatalyst for 5-exo-, 6-exo-, and 7-exo-dig intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkynes, producing the cyclic imines in excellent yields (92-98%).     

Synthesis and structure of nitrones derived from 2-trifluoromethyl bornane 3-imines

Upon treatment with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (CF₃SiMe₃), 3-(N-alkyl or 3-N-aryl)imines of camphorquinone of type 1 smoothly undergo stereoselective conversion to yield 2-endo-trifluoromethylated 1:1 adducts 2, which, after subsequent desilylation with sodium borohydride in boiling alcoholic solutions, were converted into imino alcohols 3. Unexpectedly, oxidation of 3 with m-CPBA resulted in the formation of a new type of trifluoromethylated nitrones 5 (and not the expected oxaziridines) in a stereoselective manner. In the case of 5a, the (Z)-configuration of the CN double bond of the nitrone unit was unambiguously established by an X-ray crystal-structure determination. However, photolysis of 5a led to the exo,exo/exo,endo mixture of the isomeric oxaziridine 7; the two stereoisomers were separated chromatographically.     

Cu(I)/DTBM-BIPHEP-catalyzed exo-selective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with cis-trifluorocrotonate for asymmetric construction of trifluoromethylated pyrrolidines

A direct and facile access to highly substituted exo-pyrrolidines bearing a unique trifluoromethyl group is developed via Cu(I)/DTBM-BIPHEP-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with cis-4,4,4-trifluorocrotonate for the first time.     

Orbital control of stereochemistry in acid-catalysed addition reactions of endo -tricyclo[3.2.1.02,4]0ct-6-ene

The reaction of endo-tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]oct-6-ene 1 with methanol in the presence of catalytic amounts of toluene-p-sulphonic acid has been shown to give 2-exo- and endo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c) and (2d) and 2-endo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-ene (13). The formation of 2-exo- methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c), the major product of reaction, has been probed by deuterium labelling experiments and a series of 6-exo-7-exo- dideuterobicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-enes synthesised for ²H, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral analysis in order unambiguously to determine the stereochemistry of proton attack on endo-tricyclo[3.2.1 0^2,4]oct-6-ene (1). The formation of 2-exo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c) has been determined to involve corner protonation of the cyclopropyl moiety and skeletal rearrangement to an allylic cation with a small but measurable memory effect     

Photocrosslinkable polynorbornene-based block copolymers with enhanced dielectric and thermal properties

Block copolymers poly(endo-N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-norbornene-pyrrolidine)-block-poly(exo-N-(cinnamoyloxyethyl)-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide) (endo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI) and poly(exo-N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-norbornene-pyrrolidine)-block-poly(exo-N-(cinnamoyloxyethyl)-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide) (exo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI) were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The endo- or exo-PTNP served as the high dielectric functional chain, and exo-PCONBI acted as the crosslinking segment. The endo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI, in which endo-PTNP has a high content of trans double bond and adopts isotactic configuration, shows a dielectric constant (ε) of 15.5, whereas exo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI, in which exo-PTNP has 67% trans double bonds and atactic microstructure, displays relatively low ε of 7.1. The cinnamate groups in exo-PCONBI were crosslinked to form three-dimensional network by cycloaddition reaction under UV irradiation. Exposed to UV-light for 10 min, the cinnamate group in polymer films has a crosslinking conversion of 36%, as determined by UV-Vis absorption measurements. By photocrosslinking, the polymer film has an increased ε of 16.6, a dielectric loss of 0.03, an elevated glass-transition temperature of 137 °C, and an enhanced decomposition temperature of 405 °C, compared to those of polymer films without irradiation.     

Manganese(III)-mediated facile synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones: selectivity of the 6-endo and 5-exo cyclization

The 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones 2 were easily synthesized by the oxidative 6-endo-trig cyclization of 2-[2-(N-arylamino)-2-oxoethyl]malonates 1 with manganese(III) acetate in good to excellent yields. The same reaction of N-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-substituted malonate 1t exclusively produced the 5-exo-cyclized 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-azaspiro[4,5]deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione 5t instead of the corresponding dihydroquinolinone. The regioselectivity during the cyclization could be explained by the difference in the activation energy of the transition state of the 6-endo/5-exo cyclization.     

Regioselective synthesis of phthalans via Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed 5-exo-dig intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of 2-(ethynyl)benzyl alcohols

An efficient, regioselective Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed 5-exo-dig intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of 2-(ethynyl)benzyl alcohol, which provides a concise access to functionalized phthalan in high yields has been developed. A wide range of substrates possessing terminal, internal, and heteroaromatic alkynes can be efficiently transformed into the targeted phthalans. Substrates with primary, secondary, and tertiary benzyl alcohols also proceed well to produce the corresponding phthalans in good yields. Irrespective of the nature of the substrates, the cyclization follows highly selective 5-exo-dig regiochemistry when regioselectivity is an issue.     

Stereoselective synthesis of contiguous THF–THF and THF–THP units via Pd-catalyzed tandem reaction with 1,3-chirality transfer

The Pd^II-catalyzed tandem cyclization of chiral allylic alcohols possessing an internal epoxide and a terminal alcohol provided a contiguous THF–THP and THF–THP ring units stereospecifically. The cyclizations take place via a 5-exo-tet-5-exo-trig mode, however, the cyclization of methyl substituted epoxy diols proceeded via 6-endo-tet-6-exo-trig fashion in a part to construct the oxygen-fused THP–THP ring. The different reaction rates of precursors, which are different stereochemistry at allylic alcohol have been elucidated.     

The Beckmann fragmentation of quadricyclanone oxime

The attempted O-tosylation of tetracyclo[3.2.0.0^2,7.0^4,6]heptan-3-one (quadricyclanone) oxime with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine/DMAP or pyridine resulted in the Beckmann fragmentation to give a mixture of 4-exo-/4-endo-tosyloxy- and 4-exo-/4-endo-chlorobicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-endo-carbonitriles in 90% overall yield. Solvolysis of all four products in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol afforded the corresponding 4-exo-trifluoroethoxy derivative as the sole product. Quadricyclanone itself undergoes the fragmentation reaction with hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid, selectively affording the 4-exo-hydroxy-6-endo-nitrile in 90% isolated yield.     

The influence of electronic factors on Pd-mediated cycloisomerization: a systematic investigation of competitive 6-exo-dig versus 7-endo-dig cyclizations of sugar alkynols

Pd-mediated cycloisomerization of 3-C-propargyl-ribo- and allofuranose derivatives was investigated in detail to understand the influence of electronic factors on the regioselectivity (6-exo- vs 7-endo) of alkynol cycloisomerization leading either to a six- or seven-membered ring. In general, the 6-exo-dig mode of cyclization is facile and is independent of electronic factors. With some of the alkynols, a regioselective (7-endo?) hydration of the alkyne unit was observed and this has been attributed to the participation of C(3)-OH. When the C(3)-OH was protected as its benzyl ether, cycloisomerization of these alkynols occurred exclusively in a 6-exo-dig mode resulting in the corresponding [3.2.1]-bicyclic ketals. Additional control experiments conducted were in support of the participation of C(3)-OH in regioselective alkyne hydration.     

On the scope of diastereoselective epoxidation of various chiral auxiliaries derived enones: the conformational analysis of camphor derived N- and O-enones

Various camphor derived N- and O-enones were treated with selected oxidants to provide the corresponding epoxides in a wide range of diastereoselectivity. For camphorsultam derived activated alkenes, high to excellent stereoselectivities were obtained when the s-trans enones were treated with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane. On the other hand, for exo-10,10-diphenyl-2,10-camphanediol (3) and exo-10,10-diphenyl-10-methoxy-2-camphanol (4) derived alkenes, the use of s-cis enones gave the desired epoxide with excellent diastereoselectivity under the same reaction conditions. The stereoselectivity was highly dependent on the geometry of the auxiliaries derived enones and the stereochemical induction is discussed.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed cyclization of 3-en-1-ynyl imines with nucleophiles via tandem 5-exo-dig cyclization and nucleophilic addition

Treatment of 3-en-1-ynyl imines with TpRuPPh₃(CH₃CN)₂PF₆ catalyst (1 mol %) in DCE (50 °C, 6 h) effected catalytic cyclization with suitable nucleophiles and gave functionalized pyrroles in good yields. The reaction mechanism is proposed to proceed via (2-pyrrolyl)carbenoid intermediates derived from 5-exo-dig cyclization. This catalytic reaction works well with various nucleophiles, including water, alcohols and anilines.     

Reactions of polyfluorinated thietanes: Selective synthesis of 4-R-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane-1-S-oxides and 2-substituted 5-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydrothiophenes

Oxidation of 4-substituted 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietanes by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid results in selective formation of the corresponding S-oxides in 65-86% yield. Oxidation of 4-C₂H₅S-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane under mild conditions led to selective formation of 4-C₂H₅SO₂-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane, which under more rigorous conditions was selectively converted into trans-4-C₂H₅SO₂-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane-1-S-oxide. Reaction of 4-substituted 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietanes with activated aluminum powder results in a highly selective ring expansion process, producing the corresponding 5-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-alkoxythiophenes in 58-93% yield. These compounds were also prepared in 61-85% yield using a “one-pot” procedure, starting from sulfur, hexafluoropropene and the corresponding vinyl ether without isolation of any intermediates. Both 2-i-C₃H₇O- and 2-t-C₄H₉O- 5-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydrothiophenes were converted into 2-fluoro-3-trifluormethylthiophene by reaction with P₂O₅.     

Alkaline hydrolysis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[4,5-f] and -[4,5-h]quinolines

2-(Trifluoromethyl)imidazo[4,5-$\text{f}$] and -[4,5-$\text{h}$]quinoline have been prepared from 5(6),acetamido-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole and 7,8-diaminoquinoline respectively. These (trifluoromethyl)- quinolines like 2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazoles but unlike 2-(trifluoromethyl) benzimidazoles, undergo hydrolysis in dilute sodium hydroxide to give ultimately the corresponding imidazo[4,5-$\text{f}$] and -[4,5-$\text{h}$]- quinoline, respectively.     

Azabrendanes IV. Synthesis and characterization of N-(alkyl- and benzylsulfonyl)-exo-2-hydroxy-4-azatricyclo[4.2.1.0]nonanes

exo- and endo-5-Aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes have been obtained from stereoisomeric exo- and endo-5-cyanobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes and the corresponding sulfonamides were obtained through reaction of amines with methyl-, n-propyl-, n-butyl-, benzyl-, and cyclohexylsulfonyl chlorides. From the stereoisomeric sulfonamides with peroxy acids, various products were obtained: exo-sulfonamides were transformed into epoxy derivatives, and, in contrast, most of the endo-stereoisomers underwent heterocyclization resulting in substituted exo-2-hydroxy-4-azatricyclo[4.2.1.0^3,7]nonanes. The type of the products obtained did not depend on the type of peroxy acid used (peroxyacetic, peroxyphthalic, and m-chloroperoxybenzoic one). In contrast to other endo-sulfonamides, N-(cyclohexylsulfonyl)-endo-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene in reaction with peroxyacetic acid did not undergo heterocyclization, probably, due to steric factors. The structure and stereochemical homogeneity of the sulfonamides and the structure of the products of their oxidation with peroxy acids were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of N-(cyclohexylsulfonyl)-endo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptane was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanism of the intramolecular heterocyclization reaction of N-substituted endo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes was studied at the BHandHLYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.     

The use of (−)-8-phenylisoneomenthol and (−)-8-phenylmenthol in the enantioselective synthesis of 3-functionalized 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives via aza-Diels-Alder reaction

The asymmetric aza-Diels-Alder reaction of the (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl or (1R)-8-phenylisoneomenthyl glyoxylate-derived N-benzylimine with cyclopentadiene resulted in the enantioselective synthesis of the corresponding pure [(1S,3-exo)-2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene]-3-carboxylates (80 or 69% yield, respectively). Reduction of these cycloadducts with LiAlH₄ afforded pure (−)-[(1S,3-exo)-2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-yl]methanol. Furthermore, a reaction sequence based on Barbier-Wieland degradation of both (1S,3-exo)-adducts afforded pure (+)-(1R)-2-benzoyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one. In the course of the two transformation sequences referred, the chiral auxiliaries were recovered in a virtually quantitative way.     

Synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles using exo- and endo-selective radical cyclizations onto enamides

The effect of positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides on Bu₃SnH-mediated alkyl radical cyclization leading to five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles was examined. A 5-exo cyclization is generally preferred over a 6-endo ring closure in systems having an alkyl radical center on the enamide-acyl side chain, whereas enamides having an alkyl radical center opposite to the acyl side chain predominantly gave 6-endo cyclization products. These results suggest that the exo or endo selectivity of radical cyclization onto the alkenic bond of enamides can be controlled by positional change of the carbonyl group. For an understanding of these selectivities, heat of formation for each transition state was calculated. 6-endo-Selective radical cyclization was applied to the radical cascade, enabling a concise synthesis of a cylindricine skeleton. A 7- or 8-endo alkyl radical cyclization, however, predominated over a corresponding 6- or 7-exo ring closure regardless of the positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides.