Synthesis of bridgehead hydroxy bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives

Two independent synthetic routes, starting from 1,3-cyclohexadione, toward the 4-hydroxy bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,6-dione derivative 3 are described.     

Synthesis of bicyclo[6.2.2] bridgehead dienes

Bicyclo[6.2.2]dodecadienes ($\text{2}$), ($\text{3a}$), and ($\text{3b}$) having two bridgehead double bonds were synthesized by the pyrolysis of the acetate ($\text{1}$).     

Intramolecular diels-alder reaction of bicyclo[6.4.0] dodeca-4,9,11-triene

cis-Bicyclo[6.4.0]dodeca-4,9,11-triene (5) has been synthesized and the kinetics of its intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction have been measured from 50–75°C     

Synthesis of bicyclo[4.n.1]alkanones

Cyclic beta-keto ester monoanions react with 1,4-dihalobutenes to give C-alkylated products which subsequently undergo a stereoselective SN2' O-alkylation reaction to yield functionalized enol ethers. When the starting material was ethyl cyclopentanone carboxylate, the C-alkylated product, treated with a base, directly afforded the functionalized bicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone. The enol ethers were submitted to a flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) reaction to readily afford functionalized bicyclo[4.n.1]alkanones (n = 3, 4). This reaction sequence was applied to the synthesis of a functionalized tricyclo[7.4.1.0(1,5)]tetradecanone, which represents an analogue to the tricyclic core of ingenol.     

Intramolecular [2 + 2]cycloadditions of dialkylketenes with alkenes. Regiochemistry of intramolecular [2+2]cycloadditions of ketenes with alkenes

Unsaturated dialkylketenes 7a, 7b and 7c undergo intramolecular [2 + 2]cycloadditions to give 8a (45%), 9b (23%) and 9c (45%). Intramolecular cycloadditions of dialkylketenes give higher yields than intramolecular cycloadditions of monoalkylketenes, even though dialkylketenes are less reactive than monoalkylketenes. An intramolecular competition experiment with ketene 17 establishes that trans-alkenes are approximately 33 times more reactive than cis-alkenes in intramolecular cycloadditions. Ketene 36 furnishes 22% of the expected bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanone 37 and 28% of bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanone 38.     

Oxidative decarboxylation of [n.2.2]propellane carboxylic acids with lead tetraacetate. rearrangement approach to bicyclo [n.2.2.]bridgehead alkenes.

Oxidative decarboxylation of [n.2.2]propellane carboxylic acids ($\text{1a}$-$\text{c}$) with lead tetraacetate gave the bicyclic acetates ($\text{2b}$, $\text{c}$) having a bridgehead double bond and/or the tricyclic acetates ($\text{3a}$, $\text{b}$) in good yields. Vapor phase thermolysis of $\text{3a}$ or $\text{3b}$ afforded the bridgehead olefin $\text{2a}$ or $\text{2b}$ quantatively.     

Intramolecular diels-alder cycloadditions of bis-diene substrates

Unique internal competition in the intramolecular cycloaddition of bis-diene substrates occurs with high stereoselectivity. Aqueous reaction conditions promote coiling of the lipophilic chain which alters the observed regioselectivity.     

Acid-catalyzed synthesis of bicyclo[3.n.1]alkenediones

An acid-catalyzed Dieckmann-type reaction has been developed to access functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]alkenediones. This methodology has been successfully extended to more substituted and larger ring homologues, providing a new and efficient route to the core of numerous attractive natural products and their analogues.     

Intramolecular diels-alder cycloadditions of substituted furfuryl E-2-(phenylsulfonyl)acrylates

Several substituted furfuryl E-2-(phenylsulfonyl)acrylates have been prepared by direct routes and cyclized in good yield under very mild conditions to give highly oxidized systems of potential use in natural products synthesis.     

Intramolecular titanium-mediated aminocyclopropanation of terminal alkenes: easy access to various substituted azabicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes

[reaction: see text] A variety of substituted azabicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes were synthesized by intramolecular titanium-mediated cyclopropanation of N-benzyl-N-(2-alkylalk-3-enyl)formamides and N-benzyl-N-alkadienylformamides. N-Benzylpyrroline upon treatment with Grignard reagents undergoes a titanium-mediated carbomagnesiation to yield N-benzyl-N-(2-alkylbut-3-enyl)amines.     

Synthesis of enantiomeric bridgehead substituted bisnoradamantane derivatives

The preparation of (+)- and (−)-12 by resolution of (±)-12 with (R)-N-phenylpantolactam, (R)-13, is described. From (+)- and (−)-12 a series of chiral bisnoradamantane derivatives, whose chirality stems from substitution at the bridgehead positions, have been obtained in both enantiomeric forms.     

Intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of alkenes incorporated in a carbohydrate template. Synthesis of enantiopure bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes and -[6.3.0]undecanes

Intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of alkenes with a furano sugar placed between them have been investigated under both copper(I)-catalyzed and sensitized conditions. The copper(I)-catalyzed photocycloaddition of the dienes 4a, 4b, and 4c led to unexpected formation of the thermodynamically less stable cis-syn-cis 4-5-5 tricyclic adducts 5a, 5b, and 5c, respectively. The sensitized photocycloaddition of the diene 14 also gave the cis-syn-cis adduct 15 showing that the copper(I) catalyst does not have any influence on the stereochemical course through coordination with the anomeric ring oxygen of the furano sugar. The identical stereochemical course observed under both catalyzed and sensitized photoaddition reactions have been attributed to be of steric origin. Bis(dienes) 25a and 25b, which gave an intractable mixture on copper(I)-catalyzed irradiation, underwent smooth photocycloaddition in the presence of benzophenone, and the resulting 1,2-divinyl cyclobutanes underwent spontaneous [3.3]-rearrangement at room temperature to produce bicyclo[6.3.0]undecanes 30a and 30b, respectively. This investigation provides an approach for the construction of enantiopure bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes and -[6.3.0]undecanes.     

Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes via directed bridgehead functionalization

Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) are increasingly valued as intermediates in ‘strain release’ chemistry for the synthesis of substituted four membered rings and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes, with applications including bioconjugation processes. Variation of the BCB bridgehead substituents can be challenging due to the inherent strain of the bicyclic scaffold, often necessitating linear syntheses of specific BCB targets. Here we report the first palladium catalyzed cross-coupling on pre-formed BCBs which enables a ‘late stage’ diversification of the bridgehead position, and the conversion of the resultant products into a range of useful small ring building blocks.

Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) are valuable precursors to four-membered rings and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes, and useful bioconjugation agents. We describe a versatile approach to access 1,3-disubstituted BCBs, which are otherwise challenging to prepare.     

Enantioselective synthesis of bridgehead hydroxyl bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives via asymmetric allylindation

A recent new strategy for the transformation of mono-dioxolane protected 1,3-cyclohexadione into bridgehead hydroxyl bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives, based on allylindation followed by ozonolysis and intramolecular aldol addition, was modified to include asymmetric allylindation. This enabled the first enantioselective synthesis of (1R,4R,6S)-endo-4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyloxy)-6-hydroxy-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one and (1S,4S,6R)-endo-4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyloxy)-6-hydroxy-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one in high enantiomeric excess. Issues concerning the non-reproducibility of the asymmetric allylindation were also addressed.     

Intramolecular [3+2] cycloadditions of functionalized azomethine ylides

The use of dithiane chemistry to synthesize functionalized azomethine ylides which are then employed in [3+2] cycloaddition chemistry is described. The advantages of this methodology as well as an approach to the lycorenine alkaloid system are presented.     

Conversion of 3,n-dithiabicyclo[n.3.1]alkatrienes to bicyclo[n.3.1]alkapentaenes

The application of the Ramberg-Backlund reaction in the conversion of several 3,n-dithiabicyclo[n.3.1]alkatrienes to the corresponding bicyclo[n.3.1]alkapentaenes is reported. Proton magnetic resonance and ultraviolet spectra were utilized in the overall characterization of bicyclo[8.3.1]tetradeca-2,8,10,12,1(14)-pentaene, bicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-2,9,11,1(15)-pentaene, and their precursors. The final step in the synthesis was a Ramberg-Backlund of bis-α,α′-chloro sulfone. The intermediate, 2-chloro-3-thiabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-9,11,13,1(15)-tetraene 3,3-dioxide, was isolated and characterized. The structure and stability of the bridged α,α′-dichloro sulfide intermediates were examined.     

Synthesis and properties of gem-(difluorocyclopropyl)amine derivatives of bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes

[reaction: see text] Generation of difluorocarbene(carbenoid) in the presence of enamines derived from cyclic ketones results in overall insertion of CF2 to produce bicyclic difluorocyclopropylamines. These adducts are very weakly basic, and their thermal stabilities vary markedly with their structures.     

Intramolecular photochemical dioxenone-alkene [2 + 2] cycloadditions as an approach to the bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane moiety of solanoeclepin A.

A synthesis of the bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane substructure of solanoeclepin A (1), the most active natural hatching agent of potato cyst nematodes, was approached via an intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition. Aldehyde 12 containing the dioxenone chromophore served as a useful starting material, allowing the synthesis of a variety of photocycloaddition substrates via Grignard addition or via a Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction. Photolysis of the unsubstituted alkene 14 led to the expected crossed cycloadduct bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 15 according to the so-called rule of five. However, several functionalized alkenes 18, 20, and 31 exhibited a complete reversal of cycloaddition regioselectivity, providing straight cycloadducts bicyclo[2.2.0]hexanes 21-26 and 4, respectively. Their structures were proved by a combination of extensive NMR measurements, X-ray analyses, and subsequent retro-aldol reactions. The latter de Mayo process allowed the formation of spiro-[3.5]nonane 35 and spiro[3.4]octane 36 as well as the cyclobutanes 37 and 38. Finally, the cyclization of the more rigid lactone precursor 28 occurred in high yield in the desired fashion with complete regio- and stereoselectivity to give 3 containing the core bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane skeleton of the natural product.     

Synthesis of novel spiro-cyclohexene bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives

A methodology for the synthesis of novel spiro-cyclohexene bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives, including Claisen rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as key synthetic steps, is described.