Synthesis of highly substituted indolines and indoles via intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides and conjugated enynes

Ynamides react with conjugated enynes in intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions to afford substituted indolines that undergo oxidation with o-chloranil to furnish the corresponding indoles. The cycloaddition substrates are easily assembled from derivatives of 3-butynylamine by Sonogashira coupling with alkenyl halides followed by copper-catalyzed N-alkynylation with acetylenic bromides. Diynamides participate as particularly reactive 2pi components in the cycloaddition, providing access to indolines with carbon substituents at the C-7 position. Enynamides serve as 4pi components in a complementary version of the cycloaddition strategy which provides access to indoles and indolines substituted with carbon substituents at C-4. These enyne cycloadditions take place upon heating the substrates at 110-210 degrees C in toluene or 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and in some cases can be achieved at 0 degrees C to room temperature in the presence of Lewis acids such as Me2AlCl.     

Dehydrogenative [4 + 2] cycloaddition of formamides with alkynes through double C-H activation

Formamides having 1-arylalkyl groups on nitrogen undergo an unprecedented dehydrogenative [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with alkynes via nickel/AlMe(3) cooperative catalysis to give highly substituted dihydropyridone derivatives in good yields. Notably, the transformation proceeds through double functionalization of C(sp(2))-H and C(sp(3))-H bonds in the formamides.     

Highly regio- and chemoselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of electron-deficient diynes with allenes catalyzed by nickel complexes: a novel entry to polysubstituted benzene derivatives

Diynes 1a-c [X(CH(2)Ctbd1;CCO(2)Me)(2): X = (CH(2))(2), 1a, X = CH(2), 1b and X = O, 1c] undergo [2 + 2 + 2] ene-diyne cycloaddition reactions with a variety of allenes (n-butylallene 2a, phenylallene 2b, (4-chlorophenyl)allene 2c, (4-bromophenyl)allene 2d, (3-methoxyphenyl)allene 2e, 1-naphthylallene 2f, cyclohexylallene 2g and cyclopentylallene 2h) in the presence of Ni(dppe)Br(2) and Zn powder in CH(3)CN at 80 degrees C for 8 h to give the corresponding polysubstituted benzene derivatives 4a-l in good to excellent yields. Under similar reaction conditions, unsymmetrical diynes 5a-c (HCtbd1;CCH(2)XCH(2)Ctbd1;CCO(2)Me) react with allenes 2 to afford exclusively the corresponding meta-isomers 6a-g in 73-86% yields. The catalytic reaction is highly regioselective and completely chemoselective. This synthetic method is compatible with many functional groups such as Cl, Br, and OMe on the phenyl group of the allene moiety and an ether linkage in a diyne moiety. In this catalytic reaction, allenes are synthetically equivalent to terminal alkynes. Interestingly, unsymmetrical diyne 7 (MeCtbd1;C(CH(2))(4)Ctbd1;CCO(2)Me) undergoes 2:1 cocyclotrimerization with allenes 2a and 2g to afford the corresponding polysubstituted benzene derivatives 9a,b in 87% and 82% yields, respectively. A plausible mechanism involving a nickelacycloheptadiene intermediate is proposed to account for this nickel-catalyzed reaction.     

Cobalt-catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of nitrilediynes: an efficient route to tetra- and pentacyclic pyridine derivatives

[reaction: see text] In this paper, we wish to report the intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclotrimerization of nitrilediynes catalyzed by the CoI2(dppe)/Zn system at 80 degrees C in CH3CN. Under these reaction conditions, various highly substituted nitrilediynes having steric conjunction at the alpha and beta positions to a nitrile group and a bulkier substitution at the terminal carbon of alkyne undergo [2 + 2 + 2] cocylotrimerization to afford tetra- and pentacyclic pyridine derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Mechanically facilitated retro [4+2] cycloadditions

Poly(methyl acrylate)s (PMAs) of varying molecular weights were grown from a [4+2] cycloaddition adduct of maleimide with furan containing two polymerization initiators. Subjecting the corresponding PMA (>30 kDa) chains to ultrasound at 0 °C resulted in a retro [4+2] cycloaddition reaction, as observed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and UV-vis spectroscopy, as well as labeling of the liberated maleimide and furan moieties with appropriate chromophores featuring complementary functional groups. Similar results were obtained by sonicating analogous polymers that were grown from a thermally robust [4+2] cycloaddition adduct of maleimide with anthracene. The generation of anthracenyl species from these latter adducts allowed for the rate of the corresponding mechanically activated retro [4+2] cycloaddition reaction to be measured. No reduction in the number average molecular weight (M(n)) or liberation of the maleimide, furan, or anthracene moieties was observed (i) for polymers containing the cycloaddition adducts with M(n) < 20 kDa, (ii) for high molecular weight PMAs (M(n) > 60 kDa) featuring terminal cycloaddition adducts, or (iii) when the cycloaddition adducts were not covalently linked to a high molecular weight PMA. Collectively, these results support the notion that the aforementioned retro [4+2] cycloaddition processes were derived from a vectorially opposed mechanical force applied to adducts embedded within the polymer chains.     

Stereoselective Rhodium‐Catalysed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Linear Allene–Ene/Yne–Allene Substrates: Reactivity and Theoretical Mechanistic Studies

Allene–ene–allene ( 2 and 5 ) and allene–yne–allene ( 3 and 7 ) N‐tosyl and O‐linked substrates were satisfactorily synthesised. The [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction catalysed by the Wilkinson catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] was evaluated. Substrates 2 and 5 , which bear a double bond in the central position, gave a tricyclic structure in a reaction in which four contiguous stereogenic centres were formed as a single diastereomer. The reaction of substrates 3 and 7 , which bear a triple bond in the central position, gave a tricyclic structure with a cyclohexenic ring core, again in a diastereoselective manner. All cycloadducts were formed by a regioselective reaction of the inner allene double bond and, therefore, feature an exocyclic diene motif. A Diels–Alder reaction on N‐tosyl linked cycloadducts 8 and 10 allowed pentacyclic scaffolds to be diastereoselectively constructed. The reactivity of the allenes on [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions was studied for the first time by density functional theory calculations. This mechanistic study rationalizes the order in which the unsaturations take part in the catalytic cycle, the reactivity of the two double bonds of the allene towards the [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction, and the diastereoselectivity of the reaction.     

Au(PPh3)OPOF2-catalyzed intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of dienynes

Solvolysis of Au(PPh(3))PF(6) afforded Au(PPh(3))OPOF(2) which is an effective catalyst in the intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of unactivated dienynes bearing a terminal alkyne.     

Cobalt-mediated macrocyclizations. Facile synthesis of 2-oxo pyridinophanes via [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alpha, omega-diynes and isocyanates

[reaction: see text] Cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alpha,omega-diynes and isocyanates provides a direct approach to macrocyclic 2-oxopyridinophanes. This macrocyclization process, which proceeded most efficiently with aliphatic isocyanates, was conveniently performed at a moderate temperature (85 degrees C) without irradiation or syringe-pump addition.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [2+2] Cycloaddition between Alkynes and Allenes

An intermolecular [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between an alkyne and an allene is reported. In the presence of a cobalt(I)/diphosphine catalyst, a near equimolar mixture of the alkyne and allene is converted into a 3‐alkylidenecyclobutene derivative in good yield with high regioselectivity. The reaction tolerates a variety of internal alkynes and mono‐ or disubstituted allenes bearing various functional groups. The reaction is proposed to involve regioselective oxidative cyclization of the alkyne and allene to form a 4‐alkylidenecobaltacyclopentene intermediate, with subsequent C?C reductive elimination.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-alkoxycyclobutanones to aldehydes and ketones

Intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition between 3-alkoxycyclobutanones and aldehydes or ketones by the activation with boron trifluoride etherate is reported. The carbonyl compounds are inserted into the less substituted C2-C3 bond of the cyclobutanone ring of 6-alkyl-2-oxabicyclo[4.2.0]octan-7-ones to afford 1-alkyl-5,7-dioxabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-2-one derivatives regioselectively (>99:1) and diastereoselectively. On the other hand, [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-ethoxy-2,2-dialkylcyclobutanones at low temperature proceeds at the more substituted C2-C3 bond to yield 3,3-dialkyl-6-ethoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyran-4-one derivatives with high regioselectivities. This [4 + 2] cycloaddition is developed into a one-pot synthesis of tri- or tetrasubstituted dihydro-gamma-pyrones from 3-ethoxycyclobutanones which are readily prepared from acid chloride and ethyl vinyl ether. The two regioselectivities observed in ring-opening of cyclobutanones can ascribe to thermodynamic stabilities of zwitterionic intermediates generated from tetrahydropyran-fused cyclobutanones and 3-ethoxycyclobutanones.     

Palladium-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of carbon dioxide and trimethylenemethane under mild conditions

Carbon dioxide undergoes a Pd-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition with trimethylenemethane (TMM) under mild conditions (1 atm, 75 degrees C, 30 min) to produce a gamma-butyrolactone product in 63% yield, when the Pd-TMM complex is generated from 2-(acetoxymethyl)-3-(trimethylsilyl)propene. The reaction reported here is more rapid than the all-carbon [3+2] cycloaddition, and only the gamma-butyrolactone is produced in a competition experiment. With substituted substrates, the reaction is completely regioselective, producing the product derived from the kinetic Pd-TMM complex.     

Catalytic [2+2+2] and thermal [4+2] cycloaddition of 1,2-bis(arylpropiolyl)benzenes

We have determined that a cationic rhodium(I)/Segphos complex catalyzes an enantio- and diastereoselective intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,2-bis(arylpropiolyl)benzenes with various monoalkynes at room temperature to give axially chiral 1,4-teraryls possessing an anthraquinone structure in good yields with good enantio- and diastereoselectivities. We have also determined that a thermal intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of 1,2-bis(arylpropiolyl)benzenes proceeds at 60 degrees C to give aryl-substituted naphthacenediones in moderate to good yields.     

Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reactions: see text] A rhodium complex of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been developed for intra- and intermolecular [4 + 2] and intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. This is the first use of a transition-metal NHC complex in a Diels-Alder-type reaction. For the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the dienynes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-99% yields within 10 min. Moreover, up to 1900 turnovers have been obtained for the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition at 15-20 degrees C. For the intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions, high yields (71-99%) of the corresponding cycloaddition products were obtained. The reaction time and yield were highly dependent upon the diene and the dienophile. For the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the alkyne vinylcyclopropanes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-98% yields within 10 min. However, the catalytic system was not effective for an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Mono and double polar [4 + 2(+)] Diels-Alder cycloaddition of acylium ions with O-heterodienes

Gas-phase reactions of acylium ions with alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were investigated using pentaquadrupole multiple-stage mass spectrometry. With acrolein and metacrolein, CH(3)-C(+)(double bond)O, CH(2)(double bond)CH-C(+)(double bond)O, C(6)H(5)-C(+)(double bond)O, and (CH(3))(2)N-C(+)(double bond)O react to variable extents by mono and double polar [4 + 2(+)] Diels-Alder cycloaddition. With ethyl vinyl ketone, CH(3)-C(+)(double bond)O reacts exclusively by proton transfer and C(6)H(5)-C(+)(double bond)O forms only the mono cycloadduct whereas CH(2)(double bond)CH-C(+)(double bond)O and (CH(3))(2)N-C(+)(double bond)O reacts to great extents by mono and double cycloaddition. The positively charged acylium ions are activated O-heterodienophiles, and mono cycloaddition occurs readily across their C(+)(double bond)O bonds to form resonance-stabilized 1,3-dioxinylium ions which, upon collisional activation, dissociate predominantly by retro-addition. The mono cycloadducts are also dienophiles activated by resonance-stabilized and chemically inert 1,3-dioxonium ion groups, hence they undergo a second cycloaddition across their polarized C(double bond)C ring double bonds. (18)O labeling and characteristic dissociations displayed by the double cycloadducts indicate the site and regioselectivity of double cycloaddition, which are corroborated by Becke3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations. Most double cycloadducts dissociate by the loss of a RCO(2)COR(1) molecule and by a pathway that reforms the acylium ion directly. The double cycloadduct of the thioacylium ion (CH(3))(2)N-C(+)(double bond)S with acrolein dissociates to (CH(3))(2)N-C(+)(double bond)O in a sulfur-by-oxygen replacement process intermediated by the cyclic monoadduct. The double cycloaddition can be viewed as a charge-remote type of polar [4 + 2(+)] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction.     

Ruthenium complexes of thiocinnamaldehydes: synthesis, structure, and [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions

Ruthenium hydrogensulfido complexes [CpRu(P-P)(SH)] ((P-P)=Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2) (dppm), Ph(2)PC(2)H(4)PPh(2) (dppe)) were obtained from the corresponding chloro complexes by Cl/SH exchange. Condensation with a range of cinnamaldehydes gave thiocinnamaldehyde complexes [CpRu(P-P)(S=CH-CR(2)=CHR(1))]PF(6) (R(1)=C(6)H(4)X, R(2)=H, Me, X=H, OMe, NMe(2), Cl, NO(2)) as highly-colored crystalline compounds. The thiocinnamaldehyde complexes undergo [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions with vinyl ethers CH(2)=CHOR(3) (R(3)=Et, Bu) and styrenes H(2)C=CHC(6)H(4)Y (Y=H, Me, OMe, Cl, Br, NO(2)) to give complexes of 2,4,5-trisubstituted 3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans as mixtures of two diastereoisomers. The rate of addition of para-substituted styrenes H(2)C=CHC(6)H(4)Y to [CpRu(dppm)(S=CH-CH=CHPh)]PF(6) increases in the series Y=NO(2), Br, Cl, H, Me, OMe, indicating that the cycloaddition is dominated by the HOMO(dienophile)-LUMO(diene) interaction. The strained dienophiles norbornadiene and norbornene also add, giving ruthenium complexes of 3-thia-tricyclo[6.2.1.0(2,7)]undeca-4,9-dienes and 3-thia-tricyclo[6.2.1.0(2,7)]undec-4-enes, respectively. Addition reactions with acrolein, methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone, acrylic ester, or ethyl propiolate finally yielded ruthenium complexes of 3,4-disubstituted 3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans and 4H-thiopyrans, respectively.     

Alpha-gamma hybrid peptides that contain the conformationally constrained gabapentin residue: characterization of mimetics of chain reversals

The crystal structures of four dipeptides that contain the stereochemically constrained gamma-amino acid residue gabapentin (1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid Gpn) are described. The molecular conformation of Piv-Pro-Gpn-OH (1), reveals a beta-turn mimetic conformation, stabilized by a ten atom C[bond]H...O hydrogen bond between the Piv CO group and the pro S hydrogen of the Gpn CH(2)[bond]CO group. The peptides Boc-Gly-Gpn-OH (2), Boc-Aib-Gpn-OH (3), and Boc-Aib-Gpn-OMe (4) form compact, folded structures, in which a distinct reversal of polypeptide chain direction is observed. In all cases, the Gpn residue adopts a gauche,gauche (g,g) conformation about the C(gamma)[bond]C(beta) (theta(1)) and C(beta)[bond]C(alpha) (theta(2)) bonds. Two distinct Gpn conformational families are observed. In peptides 1 and 3, the average backbone torsion angle values for the Gpn residue are phi=98 degrees, theta(1)=-62 degrees, theta(2)=-73 degrees, and psi=79 degrees, while in peptide 2 and 4 the average values are phi=-103 degrees, theta(1)=-46 degrees, theta(2)=-49 degrees, and psi=-92 degrees. In the case of 1 and 3, an intramolecular nine-membered O[bond]H...O hydrogen bond is formed between the C[double bond]O of the preceding residue and the terminal carboxylic acid OH group. All four alpha-gamma dipeptide sequences yield compact folded backbone conformations; this suggests that the Gpn residue may be employed successfully in the design of novel folded structures.     

Iron-catalyzed [2pi + 2pi] cycloaddition of alpha,omega-dienes: the importance of redox-active supporting ligands

The bis(imino)pyridine iron bis(dinitrogen) complex, (iPrPDI)Fe(N2)2 (iPrPDI = 2,6-(2,6-iPr2C6H3NCR)2C5H3N), serves as an efficient precursor for the catalytic [2pi + 2pi] cycloaddition of alpha,omega-dienes to yield the corresponding bicycles. For amine substrates, the rate of catalytic turnover increases with the size of the nitrogen substituents, demonstrating competing heterocycle coordination and product inhibition. In one case, a bis(imino)pyridine iron azobicycloheptane product was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Preliminary mechanistic studies highlight the importance of the redox activity of the bis(imino)pyridine ligand to maintain the ferrous oxidation state throughout the catalytic cycle.     

Highly regio- and stereoselective acylboration, acylsilation, and acylstannation of allenes catalyzed by phosphine-free palladium complexes: an efficient route to a new class of 2-acylallylmetal reagents

A new method for the synthesis of substituted 2-acylallylmetal reagents in a highly regio- and stereoselective fashion involving a three-component assembly of allenes, acyl chlorides, and bimetallic reagents (B-B, Si-Si, and Sn-Sn) catalyzed by phosphine-free palladium complexes is described. Treatment of various allenes (CR(2)R(3)=C=CH(2)) with acyl chlorides (R(1)COCl) and bispinacolatodiboron in the presence of PdCl(2)(CH(3)CN)(2) in toluene at 80 degrees C gave 2-acylallylboronates in moderate to good yields. The acylsilation of allenes with acid chlorides and hexamethyldisilane (5) proceeded successfully in the presence of Pd(dba)(2) in CH(3)CN affording the corresponding allylsilanes (CR(2)R(3)=C(COR(1))CH(2)SiMe(3)) in good to moderate yields. Several chloroformates (R(4)OCOCl) also react with 1,1-dimethylallene (2a) and 5 to afford allylsilanes (CR(2)R(3)=C(COOR(4))CH(2)SiMe(3)) in 66-70% yields. Acylstannation of allenes could also be achieved by slow addition of hexabutylditin (10) to the reaction mixture of acyl chloride (or chloroformate) and allene 2a in CH(3)CN in the presence of Pd(dba)(2) at 60 degrees C; the corresponding 2-substituted allylstannanes were isolated in moderate to good yields. The above catalytic reactions are completely regioselective and highly stereoselective. A mechanism is proposed to account for the catalytic reactions and the stereochemistry.     

Striking reactivity of ylide-like germylene toward terminal alkynes: [4+2] cycloaddition versus C-H bond activation

The isolable ylide-like N-heterocyclic germylene LGe: (2) {L = CH[(C=CH(2))CMe][N(aryl)](2), aryl = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)} shows an unprecedented dual reactivity toward terminal alkynes: its reaction with acetylene leads via [4+2] cycloaddition to the novel intramolecular donor stabilised germylene 3, while conversion of phenylacetylene furnishes the analogous cycloadduct 4 along with a C-H bond activation product, the novel N-donor stabilised alkynyl germylene 5.     

2 + 3] cycloaddition of nitrones to platinum-bound organonitriles: effect of metal oxidation state and of nitrile substituent

The ligated benzonitriles in the platinum(II) complex [PtCl2(PhCN)2] undergo metal-mediated [2 + 3] cycloaddition with nitrones -ON+(R3)=C(R1)(R2) [R1/R2/R3 = H/Ph/Me, H/p-MeC6H4/Me, H/Ph/CH2Ph] to give delta 4-1,2,4-oxadiazoline complexes, [PtCl2(N=C(Ph)O-N(R3)-C(R1)(R2))2] (2a, 4a, 6a), as a 1:1 mixture of two diastereoisomers, in 60-75% yields, while [PtCl2(MeCN)2] is inactive toward the addition. However, a strong activation of acetonitrile was reached by application of the platinum(IV) complex [PtCl4(MeCN)2] and both [PtCl4(RCN)2] (R = Me, Ph) react smoothly with various nitrones to give [PtCl4(N=C(R)O-N(R3)-C(R1)(R2))2] (1b-6b). The latter were reduced to the corresponding platinum(II) complexes [PtCl2(N=C(R)O-N(R3)-C(R1)(R2))2] (1a-6a) by treatment with PhCH2NHOH, while the reverse reaction, i.e. conversion of 1a-6a to 1b-6b, was achieved by chlorination with Cl2. The diastereoisomers of [PtCl2(N=C(R)O-N(R3)-C(R1)(R2))2] (1a-6a) exhibit different kinetic labilities, and liberation of the delta 4-1,2,4-oxadiazolines by substitution with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) in CDCl3 proceeds at different reaction rates to give free N=C(R)O-N(R3)-C(R1)(R2) and [PtCl2(dppe)] in almost quantitative NMR yield. All prepared compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, FAB mass spectrometry, and IR and 1H, 13C(1H), and 195Pt (metal complexes) NMR spectroscopies; X-ray structure determination of the first (delta 4-1,2,4-oxadiazoline)Pt(II) complexes was performed for (S,S)/(R,R)-rac-[PtCl2(N=C(Me)O-N(Me)-C(H)Ph)2] (1a) (a = 9.3562(4), b = 9.8046(3), c = 13.1146(5) A; alpha = 76.155(2), beta = 83.421(2), gamma = 73.285(2) degrees; V = 1117.39(7) A3; triclinic, P1, Z = 2), (R,S)-meso-[PtCl2(N=C(Ph)O-N(Me)-C(H)Ph)2] (2a) (a = 8.9689(9), b = 9.1365(5), c = 10.1846(10) A; alpha = 64.328(6), beta = 72.532(4), gamma = 67.744(6) degrees; V = 686.82(11) A3; triclinic, P1, Z = 1), (S,S)/(R,R)-rac-[PtCl2(N=C(Me)O-N(Me)-C(H)(p-C6H4Me))2] (3a) (a = 11.6378(2), b = 19.0767(7), c = 11.5782(4) A; beta = 111.062(2) degrees; V = 2398.76(13) A3; monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4), and (S,S)/(R,R)-rac-[PtCl2(N=C(Me)O-N(CH2Ph)-C(H)Ph2] (5a) (a = 10.664(2), b = 10.879(2), c = 14.388(3) A; alpha = 73.11(3), beta = 78.30(3), gamma = 88.88(3) degrees; V = 1562.6(6) A3; triclinic, P1, Z = 2).