Efficient conversion of sulfones into beta-keto sulfones by N-acylbenzotriazoles

Acyclic sulfones 4a-f and alicyclic sulfone 7 react with readily available N-acylbenzotriazoles 3a-g (derived from aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic carboxylic acids) to provide the corresponding beta-keto sulfones 5a-n and 8a-c, respectively, in good to excellent yields.     

Titanocene(II)-promoted multicomponent reactions utilizing alkynyl sulfones, alkenyl sulfones, and carbonyl compounds: a novel method for the synthesis of vinylallenes

Titanocene(II)-promoted cross coupling of alkynyl- and (Z)-alkenyl sulfones affords alpha-(phenylsulfonyl)alkenyltitanium species. Further treatment of these species with the titanocene(II) reagent generates titanium vinylvinylidene complexes, which react with carbonyl compounds in one pot to produce substituted vinylallenes with complete stereoselectivity. By using alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, 1,3,4,6-tetraenes are also obtained stereoselectively.     

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones: synthesis and palladium-catalyzed isomerization of functionalized 2-vinyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,3-benzofurans

A new C,O-cyclodialkylation of dilithiated cyclic beta-keto esters and beta-keto sulfones with 1,4-dibromo-2-butene is reported which results in regio- and diastereoselective formation of 2-vinyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,3-benzofurans. The products could be efficiently transformed into functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones by a palladium-catalyzed rearrangement reaction. In case of sulfone derivatives, this rearrangement proceeds with high stereospecifity to give exclusively the endo-configured diastereomers. The bicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton is present in a large number of pharmacologically important natural products.     

In- or In(I)-employed tailoring of the stereogenic centers in the Reformatsky-type reactions of simple ketones, alpha-alkoxy ketones, and beta-keto esters

[reactions: see text] Comprehensive studies were carried out on efficient In- or In(I)-based diastereoselective Reformatsky-type reactions of simple ketones, alpha-alkoxy ketones, and beta-keto esters. High anti selectivity was established in the addition of the branched alpha-halo ester derivatives to simple ketones using indium metal under THF-refluxing conditions. The stereochemistry undoubtedly indicated that the involvement of a cyclic transition state, formed from the ketone and stereochemically preferred transient E-enolate derived from the branched alpha-halo ester. Next, with the view of tailoring high degree of stereoselection, the concept of chelation-controlled addition of indium enolates was envisioned. In this line, marvelously syn selective additions to alpha-alkoxy ketones and beta-keto esters were established. Interestingly, these diastereoselective additions to alpha-alkoxy ketones and beta-keto esters require either In(I)X or In-InCl3 systems in toluene under ultrasonication, while very poor efficiency and diastereoselectivity were obtained using indium metal or THF as solvent. The stereochemistry of key products was unambiguously determined by the single-crystal X-ray structure analyses. On the basis of the observed astonishing diastereoselectivities due to strong chelation plausibly, a low-valent RIn(I)-type transient spices could be projected as very reactive spices in the Reformatsky-type reactions.     

Racemization in the use of N-(9-(9-phenylfluorenyl))serine-derived cyclic sulfamidates in the synthesis of delta-keto alpha-amino carboxylates and prolines

[reaction: see text]Ring opening of enantiopure N-(9-(9-phenylfluorenyl)serine-derived cyclic sulfamidates with beta-keto esters, beta-keto ketones, and dimethyl malonate gave a variety of gamma-substituted amino acid analogues in racemic form. Investigation of the mechanism for racemization revealed that beta-elimination occurred to form a dehydroalanine intermediate that underwent subsequent Michael addition.     

A novel multicomponent reaction of arynes, beta-keto sulfones, and michael-type acceptors: a direct synthesis of polysubstituted naphthols and naphthalenes

A novel multicomponent reaction of arynes, beta-keto sulfones, and Michael-type acceptors is presented, providing an efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted naphthols and polysubstituted naphthalenes. Further investigation suggests that the tandem reaction may proceed via a sequential nucleophilic attack to arynes, intramolecular nucleophilic substitution followed by a Michael addition, and a ring closure-elimination process.     

Conversion of methyl ketones and methyl sulfones into α-deutero-α,α-difluoromethyl ketones and α-deutero-α,α-difluoromethyl sulfones in three synthetic steps

Deuterodifluoromethyl ketones and sulfones were assembled in three synthetic steps from methyl ketones and sulfones, respectively. The key synthetic transformation is the deuteration of the difluorocarbanion generated by the release of trifluoroacetate from highly α-fluorinated gem-diols. High levels of deuterium on the “CF₂D” group were routinely observed. This strategy is mild and versatile and it can be applied to both ketones and sulfones without additional concerns of over- or under-fluorination. Additional examples address issues of over-deuteration when compounds with other acidic protons are subjected to the reaction conditions. This process not only demonstrates a new method to install a “CF₂D” group but also extends the scope of trifluoroacetate release to sulfones.     

Studies on hydrozirconation of 1-alkynyl sulfoxides or sulfones and the application for the synthesis of stereodefined vinyl sulfoxides or sulfones

The hydrozirconation reaction of 1-alkynyl sulfoxides or sulfones with Cp2Zr(H)Cl in THF at room temperature predominantly gave Z-beta-zirconated vinyl sulfoxides or sulfones with excellent regioselectivity. Compared with 1-alkynyl sulfoxides, the hydrozirconation reaction of 1-alkynyl sulfones exhibits great synthetic potential, leading to the efficient preparation of Z-beta-halovinyl sulfones, Z-beta-sulfonyl alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, and Z-beta-alkynyl vinyl sulfones. Although the reaction mechanisms are still not clear, the neighboring group participation of the sulfinyl or sulfonyl group may be playing an important role in this unique hydrozirconation reaction.     

A facile stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-α-arylsulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones

Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannylation of acetylenic sulfones 1 in benzene at room temperature gives highly regio- and stereoselectively (E)-α-stannylvinyl sulfones 2 in high yields. (E)-α-Stannylvinyl sulfones 2 are new difunctional group reagents which undergo Stille coupling reactions with acyl chlorides 3 to afford stereoselectively (Z)-α-arylsulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones 4 in good yields. A one-pot stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-α-arylsulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones 4 has also been achieved by tandem hydrostannylation-Stille coupling reaction of acetylenic sulfones 1 under mild conditions.     

An unusual dianion equivalent from acylsilanes for the synthesis of substituted beta-keto esters

The reaction of lithiated diazo esters with acylsilanes generates a remarkable intermediate en route to highly substituted beta-keto esters.     

An effective synthesis of medium-ring ketones

Medium-ring ketones (8–12 membered ketones) were synthesized based on the intramolecular cyclization of large-ring lactam sulfoxides or sulfones.     

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral sulfones by Rh-catalyzed asymmetric addition of boronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridyl sulfones

A general and efficient method for the rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective catalytic conjugate addition of organoboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones is described. The success of the process relies on the use of alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridyl sulfones as key metal-coordinating substrates; typical sulfones such as vinyl phenyl sulfones are inert under the reaction conditions. Among a variety of chiral ligands, Chiraphos provided the best asymmetric induction. This rhodium [Rh(acac)(C2H4)2]/Chiraphos catalyst system has a broad scope, being applicable to the addition of both aryl and alkenyl boronic acids to cis and trans alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-pyridyl sulfones. In most cases, especially in the addition of aryl boronic acids, the reactions take place cleanly and with high enantioselectivity, affording chiral beta-substituted 2-pyridyl sulfones in good yields and enantioselectivities (70-92% ee). The sense and magnitude of this enantioselectivity have been studied by DFT theoretical calculations of the aryl-rhodium insertion step. These calculations strongly support the formation of a five-membered pyridyl-rhodium chelated species as the most stable complex after the insertion into the C=C bond. These highly enantioenriched chiral sulfones are very appealing building blocks in enantioselective synthesis. For instance, the straightforward elimination of the 2-pyridylsulfonyl group by either Julia-Kociensky olefination or alkylation/desulfonylation sequences provides a variety of functionalized chiral compounds, such as allylic substituted alkenes or beta-substituted ketones and esters.     

Intramolecular Mannich reaction in the asymmetric synthesis of polysubstituted piperidines: concise synthesis of the dendrobate alkaloid (+)-241D and its C-4 epimer

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Mannich reaction of delta-amino beta-keto esters with aldehydes and ketones is a new methodology for the synthesis of polysubstituted piperidines and is illustrated by the concise asymmetric synthesis of the dendrobate alkaloid (+)-241D and its C-4 epimer.     

Carbonylation of lithium enolates with carbon monoxide mediated by selenium

[reaction: see text] Lithium enolates of ketones and aldehydes undergo carbonylation with carbon monoxide with the aid of selenium under mild conditions to yield beta-keto and beta-formyl selenol esters after trapping with alkyl iodides. This reaction proceeds via a unique carbonylation mechanism comprised of O-carbonylation and subsequent migration of the SeCO moiety to the alpha-carbon.     

Radical-mediated thiodesulfonylation of the vinyl sulfones: access to (α-fluoro)vinyl sulfides

Radical-mediated thiodesulfonylation of the vinyl and (α-fluoro)vinyl sulfones, derived from aldehydes and ketones, with aryl thiols in organic or aqueous medium provided access to vinyl and (α-fluoro)vinyl sulfides. The vinyl sulfides were formed predominantly with E stereochemistry independent of the stereochemistry of the starting vinyl sulfones.     

Facile and efficient one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-4-ones from beta-keto epsilon-xanthyl phosphonates

The one-pot synthesis of various functionalized thieno[2,3- b]thiopyran-4-ones from readily available beta-keto epsilon-xanthyl phosphonates has been accomplished by combining a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination with a base-induced intramolecular domino cyclization/thio-Michael addition. The use of cyclic ketones in this transformation allowed a facile access to novel spiro-type thieno[2,3- b]thiopyran structures.     

Highly stereoselective three-component reactions of phenylselenomagnesium bromide,acetylenic sulfones,and saturated aldehydes/ketones or alpha,beta-unsaturated enals or enones

beta-Phenylseleno-alpha-tolylsulfonyl-substituted alkenes were synthesized via the three-component conjugate-nucleophilic addition of acetylenic sulfones, phenylselenomagnesium bromide, and carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes, aliphatic ketones, or alpha,beta-unsaturated enals or enones. The reaction is highly regio- and stereoselective with moderate to good yields. Functionalized allylic alcohols were obtained in the case of aldehydes and aliphatic ketones. In the case of alpha,beta-unsaturated enones, functionalized allylic alcohols or functionalized gamma,delta-unsaturated ketones were obtained, depending on the structures of the ketones.     

A new, practical and efficient sulfone-mediated synthesis of trifluoromethyl ketones from alkyl and alkenyl bromides

We report herein a new and efficient method to prepare trifluoromethyl ketones from the corresponding bromides through sulfones in good yields.     

Organic syntheses with sulfones noxxxvi: conversion of sulfones into aldehydes and ketones.

Alkyl and allyl sulfones can be converted into boronic esters, oxidation of which leads to aldehydes or ketones.     

Reaction of arylsulfonylhydrazones of aldehydes with alpha-magnesio sulfones. A novel olefin synthesis

Reactions of representative tosylhydrazones of aldehydes and ketones with alpha-metalated sulfones were examined in order to develop a practical olefination method. Treatment of aldehyde tosylhydrazone 2 with an excess of alpha-lithiated methyl phenyl or dimethyl sulfones yielded 3a. The reaction of 2 with sterically unhindered lithiated alkyl sulfones gave mixtures of the respective olefination products 3b-d along with the Shapiro fragmentation product 4. Sterically hindered lithiated sulfones afforded Shapiro products exclusively. In contrast, aldehyde tosylhydrazones 2 or 6 in reactions with a variety of alpha-magnesio primary or secondary alkyl sulfones gave olefination products 3a-j and 7a-c in high yields (Tables 1 and 2). beta-Branched alkyl sulfones afforded predominantly (E)-alkenes, whereas unhindered primary sulfones gave mixtures of (E)- and (Z)-alkenes with low selectivity. Reaction of the 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonylhydrazone (trisylhydrazone) of cyclodecanone 11c with alpha-magnesio methyl phenyl sulfone afforded the methylidene derivative 12a contaminated with the Shapiro product 13. Tosylhydrazone 2 resisted reaction with i-PrMgCl and gave only a small amount of the addition product in reaction with Bu(2)Mg. Some mechanistic aspects of the reaction of tosylhydrazones with organomagnesium compounds are discussed.