Concerted Catalysis by Adjacent Palladium and Gold in Alloy Nanoparticles for the Versatile and Practical [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynes

A Pd‐Au alloy efficiently catalyzed the [2+2+2] cycloaddition of substituted alkynes. Whereas monometallic Pd and Au catalysts were totally ineffective, Pd‐Au alloy nanoparticle catalysts with a low Pd/Au molar ratio showed high activity to give the corresponding polysubstituted arenes in high yields. A variety of substituted alkynes participated in various modes of cycloaddition under Pd‐Au alloy catalysis. The Pd‐Au alloy catalysts exhibited high air tolerance and reusability.     

Chiral Silver Amides as Effective Catalysts for Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

Asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of α‐aminoester Schiff bases with substituted olefins is one of the most efficient methods for the preparation of chiral pyrrolidine derivatives in optically pure form. In spite of its potential utility, applicable substrates for this method have been limited to Schiff bases that bear relatively acidic α‐hydrogen atoms. Here we report a chiral silver amide complex for asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reactions. A silver complex prepared from silver bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (AgHMDS) and (R)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS worked well in asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of α‐aminoester Schiff bases with several olefins to afford the corresponding pyrrolidine derivatives in high yields with remarkable exo‐ and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, α‐aminophosphonate Schiff bases, which have less acidic α‐hydrogen atoms, also reacted with olefins with high exo‐ and enantioselectivities. The stereoselectivities of the [3+2] cycloadditions with maleate and fumarate suggested that the reaction proceeded by means of a concerted mechanism. An NMR spectroscopic study indicated that complexation of AgHMDS with the bisphosphine ligand was not complete, and that free AgHMDS, which did not show any significant catalytic activity, existed in the catalyst solution. This means that significant ligand acceleration occurred in the current reaction system.     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Novel Pyrrolidine or Pyrrolizine‐Fused Benzo‐δ‐sultams via 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions

The synthesis of novel pyrrolidine or pyrrolizine‐fused benzosultams is described. A number of (E)‐N‐(2‐formylphenyl)‐N‐alkyl‐2‐phenylethenesulfonamides derivatives were synthesized and subjected to intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition with azomethine ylides derived in situ from the reaction with sarcosine, phenylglycine, and L‐proline.     

Regioselectivity Switch in Palladium‐Catalyzed Allenylic Cycloadditions of Allenic Esters: [4+1] or [4+3] Cycloaddition/Cross‐Coupling

The first Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allenylic [4+1] cycloaddition was successfully developed. Alternatively, tuning the Pd catalyst switched the reactivity toward an unprecedented [4+3] cycloaddition/cross‐coupling. Ligands play a vital role in controlling the reaction pathway, allowing highly selective access to different products from identical substrates. Biological evaluation of the obtained compounds led to the discovery of new antitumor targets. A possible mechanism is proposed, suggesting two interesting catalytic cycles for the cycloaddition with palladium‐butadienyls. This study also demonstrated the potential and utility of allenic esters as 1,4‐biselectrophiles and C₄ synthons for participating in cycloaddition reactions.     

Development of catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition and [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions using chiral calcium complexes

Catalytic asymmetric 1,4-addition and [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions using chiral calcium species prepared from calcium isopropoxide and chiral bisoxazoline ligands have been developed. Glycine Schiff bases reacted with acrylic esters to afford 1,4-addition products, glutamic acid derivatives, in high yields with high enantioselectivities. During the investigation of the 1,4-addition reactions, we unexpectedly found that a [3 + 2] cycloaddition occurred in the reactions with crotonate derivatives, affording substituted pyrrolidine derivatives in high yields with high enantioselectivities. On the basis of this finding, we investigated asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloadditions, and it was revealed that several kinds of optically active substituted pyrrolidine derivatives containing contiguous stereogenic tertiary and quaternary carbon centers were obtained with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. In addition, optically active pyrrolidine cores of hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent polymerase inhibitors and potential effective antiviral agents have been synthesized using this [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. NMR spectroscopic analysis and observation of nonamplification of enantioselectivity in nonlinear effect experiments suggested that a monomeric calcium species with an anionic ligand was formed as an active catalyst. A stepwise mechanism of the [3 + 2] cycloaddition, consisting of 1,4-addition and successive intramolecular Mannich-type reaction was suggested. Furthermore, modification of the Schiff base structure resulted in a modification of the reaction course from a [3 + 2] cycloaddition to a 1,4-addition, affording 3-substituted glutamic acid derivatives with high diasterero- and enantioselectivities.     

Ketenimines from Isocyanides and Allyl Carbonates: Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of β,γ‐Unsaturated Amides and Tetrazoles

The reaction of allyl ethyl carbonates with isocyanides in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ provided ketenimines through β‐hydride elimination of the allyl imidoylpalladium intermediates. The insertion of the isocyanide into the π‐allyl Pd complex proceeded via an unusual η¹‐allyl Pd species. The resulting ketenimines were hydrolyzed to β,γ‐unsaturated carboxamides during purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel or converted in situ into 1,5‐disubstituted tetrazoles by [3+2] cycloaddition with hydrazoic acid or trimethylsilyl azide.     

Organocatalytic Triazole Formation,Followed by Oxidative Aromatization: Regioselective Metal‐Free Synthesis of Benzotriazoles

Herein we report on our studies on the sequential one‐pot combinations of amine‐catalyzed multicomponent reactions (MCRs). We have developed the copper‐free synthesis of functionalized bicyclic N‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazole and N‐arylbenzotriazole products 4 and 5 from the simple unmodified starting materials through [3+2]‐cycloaddition ([3+2]‐CA) and oxidative aromatization reactions in one pot under amine catalysis. The sequential one‐pot reaction proceeds in good yields with high selectivity by using pyrrolidine as the catalyst from the simple unmodified substrates of enones, aryl azides, and 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ). Furthermore, we have demonstrated the medicinal applications of products 4 and 5 through simple organic reactions.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-kainic acid. Regio- and stereoselective lithiation of pyrrolidine ring with the (+)-sparteine surrogate

[reaction: see text] A stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-kainic acid is described. cis-3,4-Disubstituted pyrrolidine ring was constructed by [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylide with chiral butenolide. The crucial introduction of carboxyl group at the C-2 position was executed by regio- and stereoselective lithiation of the pyrrolidine ring in the presence of a (+)-sparteine surrogate followed by trapping with carbon dioxide.     

Lewis Acid or Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Reactions of Vinylidene Cyclopropanes with Activated Carbon–Nitrogen,Nitrogen–Nitrogen,and Iodine–Nitrogen Double‐Bond‐Containing Compounds

Lewis acid or Brønsted acid catalyzed reactions of vinylidene cyclopropanes (VDCPs), 1 , with activated carbon–nitrogen, nitrogen–nitrogen, and iodine–nitrogen double‐bond‐containing compounds have been thoroughly investigated. We found that pyrrolidine and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline derivatives can be formed in good yields in the reactions of VDCPs 1 with ethyl (arylimino)acetates 2 by a [3+2] cycloaddition or intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction pathway. Based on these results, we found that activated carbon–nitrogen and nitrogen–nitrogen double‐bond‐containing compounds, such as N‐toluene‐4‐sulfonyl (N‐Ts) imines 5 and diisopropylazodicarboxylate ( 7 ), can also react with VDCPs 1 to give [3+2] cycloaddition products in moderate to good yields in the presence of a Lewis acid. When N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl aldimine 9 was used as the substrate, six‐membered cycloaddition products 10 and 11 were formed in moderate yields in the presence of a Brønsted acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH). The reactions of VDCPs 1 with N‐Ts‐iminophenyliodinane ( 12 ) were also carried out in the presence of (CuOTf)₂ ? C₆H₆ and it was found that nitrogen‐containing indene derivatives 13 were obtained, rather than the aziridination products. Plausible mechanisms for all of these transformations are discussed, based on the obtained results.     

Stereoselective synthesis and antioxidant activity of azabicycloadducts derived from 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone

A facile synthesis of sprio{1‐aza‐bicyclo‐[3,3,0]‐6‐octene‐8,1′ ‐phenanthrene}‐2′‐ones has been accomplished by [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylide (amy) generated from 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone and different secondary cyclic amino acids, namely, thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid, L‐pyrrolidine‐2‐carboxylic acid (L‐proline), and piperidine‐2‐carboxylic acid (pipecolinic acid) with electron‐deficient dipolarophiles in 67%–79% yield. AM1 calculations have been performed to understand the stereochemical course of the cycloaddition. The products have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques, namely IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies as well as mass spectrometry. Some of the synthesized cycloadducts showed moderate antioxidant activity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:379–392, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20562     

Lewis acid-promoted carbon-carbon bond cleavage of aziridines: divergent cycloaddition pathways of the derived ylides

Lewis acids are shown to cleave the carbon-carbon bond of activated aziridines at ambient temperature. The derived metal-coordinated azomethine ylides undergo cycloaddition reactions with electron-rich alkenes. Cyclic alkenes afford products that are formally [4+2] adducts most likely derived from a Mannich-type addition to the ylide, followed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation. Alternatively, acyclic alkenes undergo [3+2] cycloaddition to give new pyrrolidine products.     

Synthesis of Chiral Tetrasubstituted Azetidines from Donor–Acceptor Azetines via Asymmetric Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Imido‐Ylide [3+1]‐Cycloaddition with Metallo‐Enolcarbenes

The all‐cis stereoisomers of tetrasubstituted azetidine‐2‐carboxylic acids and derivatives that possess three chiral centers have been prepared in high yield and stereocontrol from silyl‐protected Z‐γ‐substituted enoldiazoacetates and imido‐sulfur ylides by asymmetric [3+1]‐cycloaddition using chiral sabox copper(I) catalysis followed by Pd/C catalytic hydrogenation. Hydrogenation of the chiral p‐methoxybenzyl azetine‐2‐carboxylates occurs with both hydrogen addition to the C=C bond and hydrogenolysis of the ester.     

Intramolecular Huisgen [3+2] cycloaddition in water: synthesis of fused pyrrolidine–triazoles

The intramolecular alkyne–azide Huisgen [3+2] cycloaddition reaction as a ‘click-chemistry’ reaction without a metal catalyst has been studied under aerobic conditions. The synthesis of various pyrrolidine–triazole hybrid compounds has also been achieved by using this intramolecular cycloaddition reaction in water with complete 1,5-regioselectivity.     

One‐pot four component condensation for the synthesis of novel dispirooxindole pyrrolidine linked 1,2,3‐triazoles via stereo‐ and regioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction in PEG‐400

A one‐pot four component condensation of isatin, sarcosine, 2‐[2‐oxo‐1‐(prop‐2‐ynyl)indolin‐3‐ylidene]malononitrile and aryl azides has been reported for the synthesis of novel dispirooxindole pyrrolidine linked 1,2,3‐triazole conjugates using Cu(I) as a catalyst in PEG‐400 by stereoselective [3 + 2] azide‐alkyne cycloaddition followed by [3 + 2] azomethine ylide and alkene cycloaddition. Structures have been confirmed by spectral and X‐ray studies. Crystal packing of 5a has also been reported. Rapid reaction, easy work‐up and high yields are the salient features of the present protocol.     

Unexpected Course of the Reaction of 2‐Unsubstituted 1H‐Imidazole 3‐Oxides with Ethyl Acrylate

The attempted ethenylation at C(2) of 2‐unsubstituted 1H‐imidazole N‐oxides with ethyl acrylate (=prop‐2‐enoate) in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂ does not occur. In contrast to the other aromatic N‐oxides, the [2+3] cycloaddition of imidazole N‐oxides predominates, and 3‐hydroxyacrylates, isomeric with the cycloadducts, are key products for the subsequent reaction. The final products were identified as dehydrated 2+1 adducts of 1H‐imidazole N‐oxide and ethyl acrylate. The role of the catalyst is limited to the dehydration of the intermediate 3‐hydroxypropanoates to give 1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl‐substituted acrylates.     

Synthesis of dispiro[oxindole‐pyrrolidine]‐thiazolo[3,2‐a][1,3,5]triazines by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide generated by a decarboxylative route from sarcosine and isatin to 7‐arylmethylidene‐3‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐thiazolo[3,2‐a][1,3,5]triazin‐6(7H)‐ones afforded novel dispiro[oxindole‐pyrrolidine]‐thiazolo[3,2‐a][1,3,5]triazines in moderate yields. The structures of the products were determined and characterized thoroughly by NMR, MS, IR, and elemental analysis. The results of experiment indicated that this 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition proceeded with high stereoselectivity and regioselectivity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Synthesis of 1,4‐Cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid and 1,2‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylates from Formaldehyde,Crotonaldehyde and Acrylate/Fumarate

Valuable polyester monomers and plasticizers—1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (CHDA), and 1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylates—have been prepared by a new strategy. The synthetic processes involve a proline‐catalyzed formal [3+1+2] cycloaddition of formaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and acrylate (or fumarate). CHDM is produced after a subsequent hydrogenation step over a commercially available Cu/Zn/Al catalyst and a one‐pot hydrogenation/oxidation/hydrolysis process yields CHDA, whereas 1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate is obtained by a Pd/C‐catalyzed tandem decarbonylation/hydrogenation step.     

Synthesis of 1,4‐Cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid and 1,2‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylates from Formaldehyde,Crotonaldehyde and Acrylate/Fumarate

Valuable polyester monomers and plasticizers—1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (CHDA), and 1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylates—have been prepared by a new strategy. The synthetic processes involve a proline‐catalyzed formal [3+1+2] cycloaddition of formaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and acrylate (or fumarate). CHDM is produced after a subsequent hydrogenation step over a commercially available Cu/Zn/Al catalyst and a one‐pot hydrogenation/oxidation/hydrolysis process yields CHDA, whereas 1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate is obtained by a Pd/C‐catalyzed tandem decarbonylation/hydrogenation step.     

Microwave‐assisted One‐pot,Three‐component Regiospecific and Sterospecific Synthesis of Spiro Indanone Pyrrolidine/Piperidine Fused Nitrochromene Derivatives Through 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions

A simple, straightforward, and versatile protocol for the synthesis of spiro indanone pyrrolidine/piperidine fused nitrochromene derivatives is described. The synthesis of a new series of spirocyclic molecules has been expediently accomplished via a one‐pot, three component 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction. 2‐Phenyl‐nitrochromene dipolarophiles were reacted with azomethine ylides, generated in situ by the condensation of dicarbonyl compound indane‐1,3‐dione and secondary amino acid (L‐proline/pipecolic acid), to produce the corresponding cycloadducts in good yields (85–90%) under classical as well as under microwave irradiation. The cycloaddition reaction was found to be highly regiospecific and diasterospecific. The regiochemical and sterochemical outcome of the cycloaddition reaction is ascertained by 2D NMR (COSY and NOESY) studies.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [8+2] Dipolar Cycloadditions of Vinyl Carbamates and Photogenerated Ketenes

Higher‐order cycloadditions, particularly [8+2] cycloadditions, are a straightforward and efficient strategy for constructing significant medium‐sized architectures. Typically, configuration‐restrained conjugated systems are utilized as 8π‐components for higher‐order concerted cycloadditions. However, for this reason, 10‐membered monocyclic skeletons have never been constructed via catalytic asymmetric [8+2] cycloaddition with high peri‐ and stereoselectivity. Here, we accomplished an enantioselective [8+2] dipolar cycloaddition via the merger of visible‐light activation and asymmetric palladium catalysis. This protocol provides a new route to 10‐membered monocyclic architectures bearing chiral quaternary stereocenters with high chemo‐, peri‐, and enantioselectivity. The success of this strategy relied on the facile in situ generation of Pd‐containing 1,8‐dipoles and their enantioselective trapping by ketene dipolarophiles, which were formed in situ via a photo‐Wolff rearrangement.