Remarkably facile solvolyses of triflates via carbocationic processes in dimethyl sulfoxide

A number of triflates have been shown to undergo clean pseudo-first-order solvolysis reactions in DMSO-d(6) to give products derived from carbocationic intermediates. Thus, t-BuCH(OTf)CO-t-Bu (5) and t-BuCH(2)OTf (9) react readily in DMSO-d(6) at 25 degrees C to give a rearranged oxosulfonium salts, and subsequent alkene products where methyl migration to the incipient cationic center occurs. t-BuCH(OTf)CO(2)CH(3) (14) gives analogous rearranged products, and 1-methylcyclopropyl triflate (21) gives a ring-opened allylic oxosulfonium salt. These triflates react primarily via k(Delta) pathways. 6-Methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-6-yl triflate (23), bicyclo[2.2.1hept-1-yl triflate (24), 1,6-methano[10]annulen-11-yl triflate (25), (CH(3))(2)C(OTf)CO(2)CH(3) (26), and (CH(3))(2)CCN(OTf) (29) all react in DMSO-d(6) to give carbocation-derived products. PhCH(OTf)CF(3) (33) and substituted analogues also react readily in DMSO-d(6), and the Hammett rho(+) value is -3.7. This suggests a "borderline" mechanism where the transition state has substantial charge development. The primary feature of these solvolyses is the high reactivity of all of these triflates in DMSO-d(6). Thus, these triflates are all more reactive in DMSO-d(6) than in HOAc, and for most, rates are faster than in CF(3)CH(2)OH. Triflates 5, 21, 29, and 33 are 10(8)-10(9) times more reactive in DMSO-d(6) than the corresponding mesylates. It is suggested that the decreased need for electrophilic solvation of triflate anion, and the high cation solvating ability of DMSO, are the reasons for the high triflate reactivity in DMSO-d(6).     

Carbocation-forming reactions in ionic liquids

A number of trifluoroacetates, mesylates, and triflates have been studied in ionic liquids. Several lines of evidence indicate that all of these substrates react via ionization to give carbocationic intermediates. For example, cumyl trifluoroacetates give mainly the elimination products, but the Hammett rho+ value of -3.74 is consistent with a carbocationic process. The analogous exo-2-phenyl-endo-3-deutero-endo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl trifluoroacetate gives an elimination where loss of the exo-hydrogen occurs from a cationic intermediate. 1-Adamantyl mesylate and 2-adamantyl triflate react to give simple substitution products derived from capture of 1- and 2-adamantyl carbocations by the residual water in the ionic liquid. The triflate derivative of pivaloin, trans-2-phenylcyclopropylcarbinyl mesylate, 2,2-dimethoxycyclobutyl triflate, the mesylate derivative of diethyl (phenylhydroxymethyl)-thiophosphonate, and Z-1-phenyl-5-trimethylsilyl-3-penten-1-yl trifluoroacetate all give products derived carbocation rearrangements (kDelta processes). anti-7-Norbornenyl mesylate gives products with complete retention of configuration, indicative of involvement of the delocalized 7-norbornenyl cation. 1,6-Methano[10]annulen-11-yl triflate reacts in [BMIM][NTf2] to give 1,6-methano[10]annulen-11-ol, along with naphthalene, an oxidized product derived from loss of trifluoromethanesulfinate ion. Analogous loss of CF3SO2- can be seen in reaction of PhCH(CF3)OTf. Ionic liquids are therefore viable solvents for formation of carbocationic intermediates via kC and kDelta processes.     

Reaction of bis (2-oxocyclohexyl)methane with hydrogen selenide

Bis (2-oxocyclohexyl) methane reacts with hydrogen selenide in polar solvents without a catalyst to give a product of nucleophilic addition of hydrogen selenide at one of the carbonyl groups, which exists in the form of three equilibrium forms, viz., 2-hemolselenolcyclohexyl-2-cyclohexanonylmethane, perhydroselenoxanthene-11,13-diol, and perhydro-11-xanthenol-13-selenol. The latter under the influence of an alcohol solution of alkali form 2,3-tetramethylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonanon-9-ol, with hydrogen chloride; they react with hydrogen chloride to give sym-octahydroselenoxanthene, and trifluoroacetic acid converts them to a mixture of sym-octa-hydroselenoxanthylium trifluoroacetate and perhydroselenoxanthene. The trifluoroacetate reacts with perchloric acid to give sym-octahydroselenoxanthylium perchlorate.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 640–642, May, 1981.     

Cationic tetrakis(nucleobase)complexes of PtII as metalloligands and potential building blocks for molecular architectures

Three cationic tetrakis(nucleobase) complexes of Pt(II) have been synthesized: [Pt(Hmhyp-N7)4](NO3)2.H2O 1, [Pt(Hegua-N7)4](NO3)2.2KNO(3).5H2O and trans-[Pt(Hmcyt-N3)2(Hegua-N7)2](NO3)2 3 (Hmhyp = 9-methylhypoxanthine, Hegua = 9-ethylguanine, Hmcyt = 1-methylcytosine). The X-ray crystal structure of has been determined. All three cationic compounds rapidly react with Hg(II), but gel formation prevented an adequate characterization of the products formed. However, a Cu(II) adduct of was isolated in crystalline form and characterized crystallographically. [{(H2O)Cu(Hmhyp)4Pt}2Cu(ClO4)4)](ClO4)2(NO3)4.6H2O crystallizes in a centrosymmetric Cu-Pt-Cu-Pt-Cu chain structure with Cu-Pt separations of 2.791(1)A(outside) and 3.8980(9)A(inside). Two of the three Cu(II) ions are bound via exocyclic O(6) sites of the Hmhyp nucleobases. At neutral and moderate alkaline pH both and form virtually insoluble precipitates, which redissolve at strongly alkaline pH to give eventually anionic [Pt(L)4]2- species (L = mhyp, egua). Finally, interacts with complementary Hmcyt to give Watson-Crick associates, as demonstrated by 1H NMR spectroscopy in DMSO-d(6).     

α-氰基苄基碳负离子钠盐与碳酸二乙酯的单电子转移反应动力学和机理

测定了α-氰基苄基碳负离子钠盐与碳酸二乙酯缩合反应产物的结构及其分布,反应中间体的EPR谱,反应过程中产物和溶剂的CIDNP效应和反应动力学,为这一缩合反应提出了单电子转移-负离子自由基分解-自由基偶合的非链式自由基机理     

Reaction of Zinc and Sodium Enolates of 3-Alkyl-6-aryl-5,5-dimethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydropyrane-2,4-diones with Acyl Chlorides or Benzyl Bromides

Zinc enolates of 3-alkyl-6-aryl-5,5-dimethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydropyrane-2,4-diones react with acyl chlorides to form O-acylation products, 4-acyloxy-3-alkyl-6-aryl-5,5-dimethyl-5,6-dihydropyrane-2-ones. Sodium enolates of these pyranediones react in DMSO with substituted benzyl bromides to give mainly C-alkylation products, 3-alkyl-6-aryl-3-(4-R-benzyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydropyrane-2,4-diones, as single geometric isomers. In some cases, O-alkylation products, 4-alkoxy-3-alkyl-6-aryl-5,5-dimethyl-5,6-dihydropyrane-2-ones, are formed as by-products (10-15%).     

Ambident reactivities of pyridone anions

The kinetics of the reactions of the ambident 2- and 4-pyridone anions with benzhydrylium ions (diarylcarbenium ions) and structurally related Michael acceptors have been studied in DMSO, CH(3)CN, and water. No significant changes of the rate constants were found when the counterion was varied (Li(+), K(+), NBu(4)(+)) or the solvent was changed from DMSO to CH(3)CN, whereas a large decrease of nucleophilicity was observed in aqueous solution. The second-order rate constants (log k(2)) correlated linearly with the electrophilicity parameters E of the electrophiles according to the correlation log k(2) = s(N + E) (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1994, 33, 938-957), allowing us to determine the nucleophilicity parameters N and s for the pyridone anions. The reactions of the 2- and 4-pyridone anions with stabilized amino-substituted benzhydrylium ions and Michael acceptors are reversible and yield the thermodynamically more stable N-substituted pyridones exclusively. In contrast, highly reactive benzhydrylium ions (4,4'-dimethylbenzhydrylium ion), which react with diffusion control, give mixtures arising from N- and O-attack with the 2-pyridone anion and only O-substituted products with the 4-pyridone anion. For some reactions, rate and equilibrium constants were determined in DMSO, which showed that the 2-pyridone anion is a 2-4 times stronger nucleophile, but a 100 times stronger Lewis base than the 4-pyridone anion. Quantum chemical calculations at MP2/6-311+G(2d,p) level of theory showed that N-attack is thermodynamically favored over O-attack, but the attack at oxygen is intrinsically favored. Marcus theory was employed to develop a consistent scheme which rationalizes the manifold of regioselectivities previously reported for the reactions of these anions with electrophiles. In particular, Kornblum's rationalization of the silver ion effect, one of the main pillars of the hard and soft acid/base concept of ambident reactivity, has been revised. Ag(+) does not reverse the regioselectivity of the attack at the 2-pyridone anion by increasing the positive charge of the electrophile but by blocking the nitrogen atom of the 2-pyridone anion.     

Intra- and intermolecular reactions of indoles with alkynes catalyzed by gold

Indoles react intramolecularly with alkynes in the presence of gold catalysts to give from six- to eight-membered-ring annulated compounds. The cationic Au(I) complex [Au(P{C(6)H(4)(o-Ph)}(tBu)(2))(NCMe)]SbF(6) is the best catalyst for the formation of six- and seven-membered rings by 6-endo-dig, 6-exo-dig, and 7-exo-dig cyclizations. Indoloazocines are selectively obtained with AuCl(3) as catalyst in a rare 8-endo-dig process. In this process allenes or tetracyclic annulated derivatives are also formed as a result of an initial fragmentation reaction. The intermolecular reaction of indoles with alkynes proceeds to form 3-alkenylated intermediates that react with a second equivalent of indole to give bisindolyl derivatives. Indoles that are substituted at the 3-position react intermolecularly with alkynes to give 2-alkenylated intermediates that can be trapped intramolecularly with the appropriate nucleophiles.     

Aqueous ferryl(IV) ion: kinetics of oxygen atom transfer to substrates and oxo exchange with solvent water

The aqueous iron(IV) ion, Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+), generated from O(3) and Fe(aq)(2+), reacts rapidly with various oxygen atom acceptors (sulfoxides, a water-soluble triarylphosphine, and a thiolatocobalt complex). In each case, Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+) is reduced to Fe(aq)(2+), and the substrate is oxidized to a product expected for oxygen atom transfer. Competition methods were used to determine the kinetics of these reactions, some of which have rate constants in excess of 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). Oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has k = 1.26 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and shows no deuterium kinetic isotope effect, k(DMSO-d(6)) = 1.23 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). The Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+)/sulfoxide reaction is the product-forming step in a very efficient Fe(aq)(2+)-catalyzed oxidation of sulfoxides by ozone. This catalytic cycle, combined with labeling experiments in H(2)(18)O, was used to determine the rate constant for the oxo-group exchange between Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+) and solvent water under acidic conditions, k(exch) = 1.4 x 10(3) s(-1).     

Reaction of inorganic cyanates with halides. II. Reactions of chlorohydrins

The reaction of ethylene and trimethylene chlorohydrins with cyanate ion in anhydrous dimethylformamide (DMF) forms 2-oxazolidinone and tetrahydro-2H-1, 3-oxazin-2-one, respectively. These are the major products over a wide concentration range, and at initial chlorohydrin concentration of 1 M and lower, the yields are high enough to make the reaction useful for synthesis of oxazine and oxazolidine derivatives. The corresponding reaction with tetramethylene chlorohydrin gave tetrahydrofuran as the major product with the by-products being polymeric. Pentamethylene and hexamethylene chlorohydrins yield linear polyurethanes when allowed to react with cyanate in DMF. Examination of the relative rates of reaction of these chlorohydrins indicate that the mechanism by which urethanes are formed (both cyclic and polymeric) is an S_N2 displacement of chloride by cyanate ion to give an isocyanate intermediate which then reacts with an alcohol group to form urethane.     

On carbonyl participation in solvolyses of α-keto mesylates

α-Amido mesylates generally solvolyze giving α-keto cations, bypassing cyclic ions derived from carbonyl (kΔ) participation. A possible exception is the N,N-dimethylamido mesylate derived from (S)- mandelic acid in trifluoroacetic acid which gives a small amount (9%) of retained product.     

Rearrangement of 3-membered 1,1,2-trifluorobromonium and iodonium ions and comparison of trifluorochloronium to fluorocarbenium ions

Reactions of chlorine (Cl(2)) with 4-halo-1,1,2-trifluorobut-1-enes (1, 2, or 3) give open-ion intermediates A and E that are in equilibrium. The open-chloronium ions (E) rearrange to a five-membered-ring halonium ion during ionic chlorination of 3 when the number-4 halo-substituent is iodine. Three-membered-ring bromonium and iodonium ions from alkenes 1, 2, or 3 are rather symmetrical and similar in structure. Quantum chemical calculations show that five-membered-ring halonium ion intermediates are 11 to 27 kcal/mol more stable than the three-membered-ring halonium ions or the open-ions A and E. The five-membered-ring intermediates lead to rearranged products. Rearranged products increase as the number-4 halogen (Z) becomes more nucleophilic (Z: Cl < Br < I). Open chloronium ions from ionic chlorination of terminal fluorovinyl alkenes are compared to the open ions generated by protons to similar alkenes.     

Synthesis and Ritter Reaction of 3-exo-Hydroxymethyl-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one

3-exo-Hydroxymethyl-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one was prepared by treatment of isocamphanone with Paraform in the presence of alkali in DMF. The product reacts with acetonitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid (Ritter reaction) to form a mixture of 2-(acetylamino)-3-(acetylaminomethyl)-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and 2,2-bis(acetylamino)-3-(acetylaminomethyl)-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane in a 1:1 ratio. Attempted hydroxymethylation of isocamphanone in DMSO gave bis(isocamphanon-3-endo-yl)methane.     

Dimethylsulfoxide as a ligand for RhI and IrI complexes--isolation, structure, and reactivity towards X-H bonds (X=H, OH, OCH3)

Novel neutral and cationic Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes that contain only DMSO molecules as dative ligands with S-, O-, and bridging S,O-binding modes were isolated and characterized. The neutral derivatives [RhCl(DMSO)(3)] (1) and [IrCl(DMSO)(3)] (2) were synthesized from the dimeric precursors [M(2)Cl(2)(coe)(4)] (M=Rh, Ir; COE=cyclooctene). The dimeric Ir(I) compound [Ir(2)Cl(2)(DMSO)(4)] (3) was obtained from 2. The first example of a square-planar complex with a bidentate S,O-bridging DMSO ligand, [(coe)(DMSO)Rh(micro-Cl)(micro-DMSO)RhCl(DMSO)] (4), was obtained by treating [Rh(2)Cl(2)(coe)(4)] with three equivalents of DMSO. The mixed DMSO-olefin complex [IrCl(cod)(DMSO)] (5, COD=cyclooctadiene) was generated from [Ir(2)Cl(2)(cod)(2)]. Substitution reactions of these neutral systems afforded the complexes [RhCl(py)(DMSO)(2)] (6), [IrCl(py)(DMSO)(2)] (7), [IrCl(iPr(3)P)(DMSO)(2)] (8), [RhCl(dmbpy)(DMSO)] (9, dmbpy=4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), and [IrCl(dmbpy)(DMSO)] (10). The cationic O-bound complex [Rh(cod)(DMSO)(2)]BF(4) (11) was synthesized from [Rh(cod)(2)]BF(4). Treatment of the cationic complexes [M(coe)(2)(O=CMe(2))(2)]PF(6) (M=Rh, Ir) with DMSO gave the mixed S- and O-bound DMSO complexes [M(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (Rh=12; Ir=in situ characterization). Substitution of the O-bound DMSO ligands with dmbpy or pyridine resulted in the isolation of [Rh(dmbpy)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (13) and [Ir(py)(2)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (14). Oxidative addition of hydrogen to [IrCl(DMSO)(3)] (2) gave the kinetic product fac-[Ir(H)(2)Cl(DMSO)(3)] (15) which was then easily converted to the more thermodynamically stable product mer-[Ir(H)(2)Cl(DMSO)(3)] (16). Oxidative addition of water to both neutral and cationic Ir(I) DMSO complexes gave the corresponding hydrido-hydroxo addition products syn-[(DMSO)(2)HIr(micro-OH)(2)(micro-Cl)IrH(DMSO)(2)][IrCl(2)(DMSO)(2)] (17) and anti-[(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)HIr(micro-OH)(2)IrH(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)][PF(6)](2) (18). The cationic [Ir(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) complex (formed in situ from [Ir(coe)(2)(O=CMe(2))(2)]PF(6)) also reacts with methanol to give the hydrido-alkoxo complex syn-[(DMSO)(2)HIr(micro-OCH(3))(3)IrH(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (19). Complexes 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, and 19 were characterized by crystallography.     

The synthesis of condensed 1,3,5-triazinium perchlorates from diazaiminium intermediates

The known azaiminium intermediate, 1-chloro-1,3-bis(dimethylamino)-3-phenyl-2-azaprop-2-en-1-ylium perchlorate 1 [1], reacts with 2-aminothiazole to yield the fully conjugated condensed 1,3,5-triazinium salt 7 . Various suitably substituted heterocyclic compounds react similarly to afford the corresponding condensed 1,3,5-triazinium salts. The diazaiminium intermediates 2–5 obtained from several secondary amides give identical products when treated with the same starting compounds. The procedure appears to be of wide application.     

Mono- and polynuclear complexes of the model nucleobase 1-methylcytosine. Synthesis and characterization of cis-[(PMe2Ph)2Pt{(1-MeCy(-H)}]3(NO3)3 and cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}(1-MeCy)]NO3

The hydroxo complex cis-[L2Pt(mu-OH)]2(NO3)2 (L = PMe2Ph), in various solvents, reacts with 1-methylcytosine (1-MeCy) to give as the final product the cyclic species cis-[L2Pt{1-MeCy(-H),N 3N 4}]3(NO3)3 (1) in high or quantitative yield. X-ray analysis of 1 evidences a trinuclear species with the NH(2)-deprotonated nucleobases bridging symmetrically the metal centers through the N3 and N4 donors. A multinuclear NMR study of the reaction in DMSO-d6 reveals the initial formation of the dinuclear species cis-[L2Pt{1-MeCy(-H),N 3N 4}]2(2+) (2), which quantitatively converts into 1 following a first-order kinetic law (at 50 degrees C, t(1/2) = 5 h). In chlorinated solvents, the deprotonation of the nucleobase affords as the major product (60-70%) the linkage isomer of 1, cis-[L2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}]3(3+) (3), in which three cytosinate ligands bridge unsymmetrically three cis-L2Pt(2+) units. In solution, 3 slowly converts quantitatively into the thermodynamically more stable isomer 1. No polynuclear adducts were obtained with the hydroxo complex stabilized by PPh3. cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(mu-OH)]2(NO3)2 reacts with 1-MeCy, in DMSO or CH2Cl2, to give the mononuclear species cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}(1-MeCy)](NO3) (4) containing one neutral and one NH2-deprotonated 1-MeCy molecule, coordinated to the same metal center at the N3 and N4 sites, respectively. X-ray analysis and NMR studies show an intramolecular H bond between the N4 amino group and the uncoordinated N3 atom of the two nucleobases.     

The rearrangement route to 2-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes. Solvent and electrophile control of neighboring group participation

The reactions of N-(alkoxycarbonyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.0]hex-5-enes 5 with halonium ion electrophiles were studied in polar and nonpolar aprotic solvents and also in protic media with the aim of controlling nitrogen neighboring group participation. Specifically, for bromonium ions nitrogen participation is facilitated by the polar aprotic solvent nitromethane and by the poorly nucleophilic protic solvent acetic acid. Alkene 5b and bromine/nitromethane afford only the rearranged anti,anti-5,6-dibromo-2-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 6b, and NBS/acetic acid gives an 8:1 mixture favoring rearranged 5-bromo-6-acetate 6f. Conversely, pyridinium bromide perbromide/CH(2)Cl(2) is selective for only unrearranged 5,6-dibromide 7. Iodonium and phenylselenonium ions react with alkenes 5 to give only unrearranged 1,2-addition products 9 and 10, regardless of solvent. Chloronium and fluoronium ions react with alkenes 5 to give 4-aminomethyl-3-hydroxycyclobutene 11, derived by ring cleavage.     

Kinetic evidence for the copper peroxide intermediate with two copper ions in proximity

The decomposition of caroate (peroxomonosulfate, PMS) is catalyzed by Cu(II) ions even at 5 × 10^?5 M in aqueous alkaline solution. The rate is second order in copper(II) ions concentrations and first order in [PMS]. The rate constant values are found to decrease with increase in hydroxide ion concentrations. The turnover number for the reaction is estimated as >1000. The experimental results suggest that the formation of peroxide type intermediate with two copper(II) ions is the rate‐determining step. This peroxide intermediate reacts with another molecule of PMS to give the products oxygen, SO and copper ions. The overall entropy of activation is positive with a value of ～20 cals/mol/K. The very high turnover number suggests that Cu(II) ion is one of the best catalysts for the decomposition of caroate ions in alkaline medium. The reaction also represents a system in which metal ion catalyzed decomposition of caroate does not involve radical intermediates. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 439–443, 2006     

The Behaviors of Metal Acetylides with Dinitrogen Tetroxide

Lithium phenylacetylide ( 1a ) and N₂O₄ ( 2 ) at −78° yield diphenylbutadiyne ( 6a ) by oxidative coupling, phenylacetylene ( 7a ) by oxidation and then solvent H‐abstraction, and benzoyl cyanide ( 8 ) by dimerizative‐rearrangement of nitroso(phenyl)acetylene ( 23 ). Nitro(phenyl)acetylene ( 3 , R=Ph) is not obtained. Benzonitrile ( 9 ), a further product, possibly results from hydrolytic decomposition of nitroso(phenyl)ketene ( 27 ) generated from phenylacetylenyl nitrite ( 26 ). Phenylacetylene ( 7a ) and 2 give, along with (E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐dinitrostyrenes ( 34 and 35 , resp.), 3‐benzoyl‐5‐phenylisoxazole ( 10 ), presumably as formed by cycloaddition of benzoyl nitrile oxide ( 40 ) to 7a . Further, 2 reacts with other lithium acetylides ( 1b – 1e ), and with sodium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and copper lithium phenylacetylides, 1f – 1l , to yield diacetylenes 6a – 6c and monoacetylenes 7a – 7c . Conversions of metallo acetylide aggregates to diacetylenes are proposed to involve generation and addition reactions of metallo acetylide radical cationic intermediates in cage, further oxidation, and total loss of metal ion. Loss of metal ions from metallo acetylide radical cations and H‐abstraction by non‐caged acetylenyl radicals will give terminal acetylenes. The principal reactions (75–100%) of heavy metal acetylides phenyl(trimethylstannyl)acetylene ( 44 ) and bis(phenylacetylenyl)mercury ( 47 ) with 2 are directed nitrosative additions (NO⁺) and loss of metal ions to give nitroso(phenyl)ketene ( 27 ), which converts to benzoyl cyanide ( 8 ).     

An unusual bicyclic aziridine, 1-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one, and its reaction with nucleophiles

Unexpected reaction pathways have been unravelled that are involved in the generation of 2,2,5,5-substituted tetrahydrofurans from the mesylate of 5-hydroxy-5-methyl-6-oxo-2-phenyl-2-piperidinemethanol (7). Upon treatment of 7 with amines under controlled conditions two reactive intermediates could be isolated. The first is a strained aziridine-fused lactam, 1-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one 10, which reacts further with amines or methoxide at the lactam carbonyl group to form γ-hydroxyalkylaziridines. Final N-acylation results in internal OH attack to give the hydrofuran products. Reaction of 10 with some other nucleophiles led to 3,3,6,6-substituted 2-piperidinones.