Triphenylphosphine Mediated Efficient Synthesis of 4-Substituted-1-methyl-2,5-dioxo-3-imidazolines

Summary.  Stable crystalline phosphorus ylides are obtained in excellent yields from the 1:1:1 addition reaction between 1-methylparabanic acid (1-methylimidazoline-2,4,5-trione) and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of triphenylphosphine. These ylides exist in solution as a mixture of two geometric isomers. This is due to the restricted rotation around the carbon–carbon partial double bond resulting from conjugation of the ylide moiety with the adjacent carbonyl group. These ylides undergo smooth intramolecular Wittig reaction followed by an electrocyclic ring opening to produce dialkyl (E)-2-(1-methyl-2,5-dioxo-3-imidazolin-4-yl)-but-2-enedioates in good yields. Corresponding author. E-mail: isayavar@yahoo.com Received March 26, 2002; accepted (revised) April 24, 2002     

Photo- and thermoinduced generation of 1,3-diaryl carbonyl ylides from 2,3-diaryloxiranes 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to dipolarophiles

A group of symmetrically substituted 2,3-diaryloxiranes have been studied as photoprecursors for carbonyl ylides. The stereochemistry of the adducts obtained upon interception of these 4n pi-transient systems with a variety of dipolarophiles provides information on the mode(s) of electrocyclic opening of the oxiranes to carbonyl ylides, as well as the mechanism of the 4n + 2 cycloaddition process. The stereochemistry of the dipolarophiles is preserved in the cycloadducts, which is consistent with a concerted addition process; however, solvent effects, steric hindrance, and possibly secondary orbital overlap factors all may play a role in determining the product distribution.     

Thermisches Verhalten von Cyclopropa[c]chromenen

The Cyclopropa[c]chromenes 14 , trans-and cis- 15 , trans-and cis- 16 and 17 rearrange on heating > 200° in N, N-diethylaniline to give 2-alkyl-2H-chromenes 7, 8, 21, 22. The rate determining step of this rearrangement is the ‘homoelectrocyclic’ ring opening of the cyclopro-pa[c]chromenes to give ω-allyl-quinomethanes of type 4. These intermediates show fast [1,5s] and [1,7a] H-shifts, followed by electrocyclic ring closure. Deuterium labelling experiments are in agreement with this mechanism. The remarkable dependence of the rates of rearrangement with respect to the stereochemistry of the cyclopropa[c]chromenes (cf. table 2) suggests that in the first step only one of the two possible disrotatory modes of ring opening is involved.     

Exploring the substrate selectivity of human sEH and M. tuberculosis EHB using QM/MM

The mechanisms of human soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and the corresponding epoxide hydrolase enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (EHB) are studied computationally, using the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method. To do this, we modeled the alkylation and the hydrolysis steps of three substrates: trans-1,3-diphenylpropene oxide, trans-stilbene oxide and cis-stilbene oxide. Studying the regioselectivity for trans-1,3-diphenylpropene oxide, we determined that both enzymes prefer ring opening via attack on the benzylic carbon. In agreement with experimental studies, our computations show that the rate-limiting step is hydrolysis of the ester intermediate, with reaction barriers of approximately 13 to 18 kcal/mol. Using the barrier energies of this rate-limiting step, the three epoxides were ranked in order of reactivity. Though the reactivity order was correctly predicted for sEH, the predicted order for EHB did not correspond to experimental observations. Next, the electrostatic contributions of individual residues on the barrier height of the rate-limiting step were also studied. This revealed several residues important for catalysis. The secondary tritium kinetic isotope effect for the alkylation step was determined using a cluster model for the active site of sEH. The calculated value was 1.27, suggesting a late transition state for the rate-limiting step. Finally, we analyzed the reactivity trends using reactivity indicators from conceptual density functional theory, allowing us to identify ease of electron transfer as the primary driving force for the reaction.

     

Chemoselective Synthesis of Functionalized 2,5-Dihydro-2-thioxo-1H-imidazoles from 5,5-Diarylthiohydantoins and Activated Acetylenes

Stable crystalline phosphorus ylides are obtained in excellent yields from the 1:1:1 addition reaction between 5,5-diarylthiohydantoins and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of triphenylphosphine. These phosphoranes undergo a smooth intramolecular Wittig reaction followed by an electrocyclic ring opening to produce dialkyl 2-(2,5-dihydro-5,5-diaryl-2-thioxo-1H-imidazol-4-yl)but-2-enedioates in good yields.     

Synthetic Applications of Carbonyl Ylides Generated via the Tandem Cyclization Cycloaddition Reaction of Rhodium Carbenoids

The author's chemical studies dealing with the generation of carbonyl ylides via the rhodium(II) induced cyclization of α-diazo alkanediones are summarized, Dipole formation occurs by reaction of a transient rhodium carbenoid intermediate with a neighboring carbonyl group. These cyclizations are performed under extremely mild conditions, typically at room temperature in a neutral organic solvent. Since these cycloadditions involve carbonyl ylides, the resulting products are oxabicycles of varying ring size. When the dipolarophile is intramolecularly tethered to the dipole, the subsequent cycloaddition affords complex oxapolycyclic systems with three (or more) component rings.     

Chiral Ruthenium-Oxo Complexes for Enantioselective Epoxidation of trans-Stilbene

Two oxoruthenium(IV) complexes containing C₂ symmetric 1,1′-biisoquinoline (biqn) and (R,R)-3,3′-(1,2-dimethylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (diopy*) were prepared, and both are active oxidants for alkene epoxidations. The oxidation of styrene and cis- and trans-β-methylstyrenes by [(Cn)(diopy*)-Ru^IV(O)](ClO₄)₂ did not proceed enantioselectively, but the same oxidant can attain a moderate enantioselectivity of 33%ee for the trans-stilbene oxidation to trans-stilbene oxide. A head-on approach model, where the C=C is directed from the top to the O=Ru moiety, is proposed to account for the facial differentiation of the trans-stilbene oxidation.     

Insight into 6π Electrocyclic Reactions of 1,8‐Dioxatetraene

A variety of benzofuranone‐based spiroisochromenes were originally designed and synthesized to gain insight into the oxa‐6π electrocyclic reaction of cis,cis‐1,8‐dioxatetraene for the first time. The stability of the 1,8‐dioxatetraene intermediate is governed by its steric congestion and can be fine‐tuned through modification of the backbone structure, leading to the reactivity differences in the 6π electrocyclic reaction and the emergence of photochromic properties.     

Loss of hydroxyl radical from cis- and trans-1-cyclohexyl 2-phenyl-3-benzoylaziridines: A unique eight-centered rearrangement elimination

Following electron impact ionization of the title compounds, a rapid electrocyclic ring opening of the [M]⁺˙ of both isomers occurs. A subsequent fragmentation of each is loss of hydroxyl which occurs by rearrangement to the carbonyl function. Properties of [M? OH]⁺ are in accord with a stable structure for this ion and therefore it is assigned as the 4-phenylisoquinium ion. The proposed mechanism and ion structures are supported by deuterium labeling and defocused metastable ion studies.     

Microwave-assisted asymmetric ring opening of meso-epoxides with aromatic amines catalyzed by a Ti-S-(−)-BINOL complex

Catalytic asymmetric ring opening of cyclohexene oxide and meso-stilbene oxide with anilines was catalyzed by a Ti-(S)-(−)-BINOL complex to afford β-amino alcohols in high yield (up to 95%) and good enantioselectivities (ee up to 55%) under microwave irradiation. The reaction using a microwave was found to be 10 times faster than traditional oil-bath heating with retention of enantioselectivity.     

Ultrafast Photo-ion Probing of the Ring-Opening Process in Trans-Stilbene Oxide

The ultrafast photo-induced ring opening of the oxirane derivative trans-stilbene oxide has been studied through the use of ultrafast UV/UV pump-probe spectroscopy by using photo-ion detection. Single- and multiphoton probe paths and final states were identified through comparisons between UV power studies and synchrotron-based vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) single-photon ionization studies. Three major time-dependent features of the parent ion (sub-450 fs decay, (1.5±0.2) ps, and >100 ps) were observed. These decays are discussed in conjunction with the primary ring-opening mechanism of stilbene oxide, which occurs through C−C dissociation in the oxirane ring. The appearance of fragments relating to the masses of dehydrogenated diphenylmethane (167 amu) and dehydrogenated methylbenzene (90 amu) were also investigated. The appearance of the 167 amu fragment could suggest an alternative ultrafast ring-opening pathway via the dissociation of one of the C−O bonds within the oxirane ring.     

Additionsreaktion von 1,3-Thiazol-5(4H)-thionen und inaminen; Bildung von Thioamiden und Thioketonen

Addition Reaction of 1,3-Thiazole-5(4H)-thiones and Ynamines; Formation of Thioamides and Thioketones Ynamines and 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thiones of type 1 undergo an addition reaction on heating in toluene yielding mainly α,β-unsaturated 2-(4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-5-yliden)thioamides of type 7 (Scheme 2 and Table). In some cases, 1-diethylamino-1-(4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-5-yliden)-2-alkanethiones 8 have been isolated as minor products. In analogy to other reactions of ynamines with C?O and C?S bonds, a [2 + 2] cycloaddition to thiete intermediates, followed by an electrocyclic ring opening is suggested as reaction mechanism.     

Umlagerung von α-Halogen- in α′-Halogen-cyclobutanone,Schlüsselstufe einer variationsreichen Synthese von Pyrethroiden

Rearrangement of α-Halogen- to α′-Halogen-cyclobutanones, Key Step of a Highly Versatile Synthesis of Pyrethroids α-Halogenocyclobutanones, which are readily available by [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of haloketenes to terminal olefins (e. g. 5 → 6 ), undergo an efficient and stereoselective cine-rearrangement to α′-halogenocyclobutanones in the presence of catalysts such as tertiary amines, HX acids or quaternary ammonium salts (e. g. 6 → 7 , Table 1). Preparative as well as mechanistic aspects of the cine-rearrangement are discussed. The 2,4-cis-disubstituted cyclobutanones 7–32 thus formed represent valuable intermediates in a new synthesis of pyrethroids 1 . The X-ray structure of 2-chloro-4-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclobutanone ( 7 ), the most important precursor of cis- 3 (X = Cl) shows the following features: a puckered cyclobutanone ring (dihedral angle 31°), 2,4-cis-di-pseudoequatorial arrangement of the chloro and trichloroethyl substituents, and an endo-deviation (0.225 Å; 11°) of the carbonyl O-atom from the plane formed by C(1), C(2) and C(4) (Fig. 2).     

All-electron SCF LCAO MO calculations on various conformations of cis- and trans-stilbene

Ab initio SCF calculations of cis- and trans-stilbene at different conformations were performed using two program systems. Minimal energy is obtained for cis-stilbene when the phenyl rings are rotated by 52 ° out of the molecular plane. The deviation from planarity due to steric hindrance is smaller for the trans isomer yielding a rotational angle of 19 °. The trans isomer is calculated to be more stable by 5.7 kcal/mole than the cis isomer, confirming the experimental estimate according to which the energy of isomerization is about 3 kcal/mole. This is an improvement over semiempirical calculations which predict a lower energy for the trans configuration.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-2′,5′-disubstituted N-arylpyrrolo[3′,4′:1,9](C60-I h )[5,6]fullerenes by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides from dialkyl aziridinedicarboxylates to fullerene C60

A stereoselective method for the synthesis of 2′,5′-disubstituted N-arylpyrrolofullerenes from anilines, alkyl glyoxylates, alkyl diazoacetates, and fullerene C₆₀ was proposed. The key step of the synthesis is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of fullerene with azomethine ylides generated by heating of dialkyl aziridinedicarboxylates. The thermal opening of the aziridine ring to azomethine ylide and the cycloaddition of the latter to C₆₀ at 100 °C are nearly completely stereoselective: only trans-adducts are formed from cis-aziridines, whereas trans-aziridines give exclusively cis-adducts.     

Kinetics of the reactions of cyclopropane derivatives. V. The gas-phase unimolecular reactions of 1 α-chloro-2α,3α-dimethylcyclopropane and 1α-chloro-2α,3β-dimethylcyclopropane

Thermolysis of the “all-cis” compound 1α-chloro-2α,3α-dimethylcyclopropane (A) at 550–607 K and 6–115 torr is a first-order homogeneous non-radical-chain process giving penta-1,3-diene (PD) and HCl as products. The Arrhenius parameters are log₁₀A(sec^?1) = 13.92 ± 0.08 and E = 199.6 ± 0.9 kJ/mol. The isomer with trans-methyl groups, 1α-chloro-2α,3β-dimethylcyclopropane (B) reacts by two parallel first-order processes giving as observed products trans-4-chloropent-2-ene (4CP) and PD + HCl, with log₁₀A(sec^?1) = 14.6 and 13.8, respectively, and E = 199.5 and 190.2 kJ/mol, respectively. The 4CP undergoes secondary decomposition to PD + HCl (as investigated previously). Comparison of the results for compounds (A) and (B) with those for other gas-phase and solution reactions leads to the conclusion that the gas-phase thermolyses proceed by rate-determining ring opening to form olefins which may decompose further by thermal or chemically activated reactions, and that the ring opening is a semiionic electrocyclic reaction in which alkyl groups in the 2,3-positions trans to the migrating chlorine semianion move apart, with appropriate consequences for the rate of reaction and the stereochemistry of the products.     

Competitive Formation of Ylide and Carbene Intermediates from 1π,π*-Excited α,β-Unsaturated γ,δ-Epoxyketones

Laser flash photolyses (λ = 265mm) of the γ,λ-epoxyenones 1–3, 7 and 8 , the α,β-unsaturated γ,δ-epoxy ester 6 , and the epoxytriene 9 at ambient temperature produced short-lived transients with broad absorption maxima in the visible region, which are identified as carbonyl ylides. Comparison of the rather long-wavelength absorption maxima with the results of standard PPP SCF SCI calculations suggests that some degree of twisting is present in all the ylides studied. The lifetimes of the order of hundreds of ns of these intermediates and Stern-Volmer analysis of the trapping of the carbonyl ylide derived from 2 with CH₃COOH provide conclusive evidence that the carbene products are not formed via the carbonyl-ylide intermediate (Scheme 3).     

Photoinduced electron transfer ring opening of α-epoxyketones using 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ)

Photoinduced electron transfer ring opening of α-epoxyketones using 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) in methanol and acetic acid solutions resulted in the formation of diastereomeric products, hydroxy ethers and hydroxy esters, respectively. However, the formation of cis-1,3-dioxolanes and cis-spirodioxolanes has been observed on reaction in acetone and cyclohexanone solutions, respectively. The effect of the electron donating character of the substituent influenced the rate of the ring opening. Quantum computational studies explain the mechanism of the addition.     

Thermolysis of 1-phthalimidoaziridine-2-carbonitriles in the presence of dipolarophiles

Thermolysis of trans-3-phenyl-1-phthalimidoaziridine-2-carbonitrile and trans-1-phthalimidoaziridine-2,3-dicarbonitrile in the presence of several dipolarophiles involves 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to intermediate azomethine ylides and leads to 1-phthalimidopyrrolidine derivatives with good yields and high stereoselectivity. Thermally induced opening of the three-membered ring in trans-2,3-disubstituted 1-phthalimidoaziridines occurs in conrotatory mode to produce the corresponding cis-azomethine ylides in keeping with the orbital symmetry conservation rules. The relative configuration of substituents in the dipolarophiles is retained, which implies concerted mechanism of the addition.     

Criteria for pericyclic and pseudopericyclic character of electrocyclization of (Z)-1,2,4,6-heptatetraene and (2Z)-2,4,5-hexatriene-1-imine

The electrocyclic reaction mechanisms of (Z)-1,2,4,6-heptatetraene and (2Z)-2,4,5-hexatriene-1-imine were studied by ab initio MO methods. The activation energy barrier height of the electrocyclic reaction of (Z)-1,2,4,6-heptatetraene is extremely a low energy barrier of 8.58 kcal/mol by a MRMP method. The activation energy barrier height of the electrocyclic ring closure of the trans-type of (2Z)-2,4,5-hexatriene-1-imine is lower by 3.18 kcal/mol than that of (Z)-1,2,4,6-heptatetraene. These low energy barriers come from some orbital interactions relating to allene group. For the reaction of (Z)-1,2,4,6-heptatetraene, the interactions of the vertical and side π orbitals of the allene group with another terminal π orbital are important at the transition state. The interaction of the vertical π orbital of allene group with a lone pair orbital of N atom is dominant at the transition state of the reaction of the trans-type of (2Z)-2,4,5- hexatriene-1-imine. The electrocyclic mechanism of the cis-type of (2Z)-2,4,5-hexatriene-1-imine was also discussed. Contribution of the Mark S. Gordon 65th Birthday Festschrift issue.