Central core of uprolides D and E: a survey of some ring closing metathesis approaches

A preliminary study dealing with the feasibility of ring closing metathesis and ene-yne ring closing metathesis to construct the central bicyclic cores of uprolides D and E was investigated.     

Alkene metathesis approach to β-unsubstituted anti-allylic alcohols and their use in ene-yne metathesis

The synthesis of β-unsubstituted, anti-allylic alcohols using a catalytic Evans aldol reaction conjoined with a relay-type ring-closing alkene metathesis is reported. The metathesis step serves to remove a β-alkenyl group, which facilitated the aldol step. The β-substituted enals serve as acrolein surrogates. The products were employed in ene-yne cross metathesis.     

Biomimetic synthesis of (-)-longithorone A

An enantioseletive, biomimetic synthesis of (-)-longithorone A has been achieved using an intermolecular/transannular Diels-Alder sequence which provides some support for the proposed biosynthesis. The cycloaddition precursors were two [12]-paracyclophanes that were constructed with atropisomer control during ene-yne metathesis macrocyclizations.     

Combinatorial chemistry. Use of an intramolecular ruthenium catalyzed olefin/alkyne metathesis reaction in tandem with a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction to construct functionalized hexahydroisoindoles

We show here the first example of a ruthenium catalyzed ene-yne metathesis reaction in tandem with a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction to efficiently form highly substituted hexahydroisoindole ring systems on Wang resin. This approach was used to prepare a 4200 membered combinatorial library.     

Highly efficient Ru-pseudohalide catalysts for olefin metathesis

Ruthenium alkylidene complexes containing one aryloxide "pseudohalide" ligand catalyze ring-closing metathesis of diene and ene-yne substrates with exceptionally high efficiency. Chromatographic removal of Ru residues is unexpectedly facile, offering a convenient means of isolating pure organic products in high yields.     

Ene-yne metathesis of polyunsaturated norbornene derivatives

Norbornene derivatives bearing endo-substituents in the 5- and 6-positions were studied as substrates for ene-yne metathesis cascades. Substrates which contained an internal alkyne and a terminal alkene or alkyne in each sidechain were found to undergo a metathesis cascade leading to pentacyclic bis-dienes and bis-trienes. Attempts to extend the chemistry further to sidechains containing two internal alkynes or two internal alkynes and a terminal alkene were not successful with the first generation Grubbs' catalyst. However, the substrate containing two internal alkynes did react with the second generation Grubbs' catalyst to give a tetra-diene containing product.     

Atom economy in the metathesis cross-coupling of alkenes and alkynes

A cross ene-yne metathesis has been achieved at a nearly 1:1 stoichiometry of the unsaturated reactants. This allowed the use of more complex alkene reactants without sacrificing excess alkene reactant. In the alkene, different allylic oxygen protecting groups were explored. Interestingly, alkenes containing the allylic hydroxyl group proved to be the most reactive.     

Synthesis of the AB subunit of angelmicin B through a tandem alkoxy radical fragmentation-etherification sequence

The synthesis of the tricyclic enone 2, corresponding to the AB subunit of the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor angelmicin B, is described. The strategy centers on an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction on triene 4 to provide the complex decalin 3, which is elaborated to 2. Other key steps are the formation of the THF ring in 2 through a tandem alkoxy radical fragmentation-etherification on the lactol derived from 3, and the synthesis of 4 via a ring-closing ene-yne metathesis (RCEYM).     

Copper(II)salen catalysed, asymmetric synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amino acids

Cu(salen) complex 1 was found to be a versatile catalyst for the asymmetric alkylation of a range of enolates derived from α-amino acids, leading to α,α-disubstituted amino acids. The enantioselectivity of the process decreases as the size of the amino acid sidechain increases, but functionalized amino acids such as allylglycine and aspartic acid are substrates for the process. Benzylic bromides are found to be more enantioselective alkylating agents than propargylic bromides. As an example of the utility of this chemistry, an α-propargylic allylglycine derivative is prepared and subjected to ene-yne metathesis using Grubbs' catalyst to give a non-racemic cyclopentenyl amino acid.     

1,7-Octadiene-Assisted Tandem Multicomponent Cross-Enyne Metathesis (CEYM)-Diels-Alder Reactions: A Useful Alternative to Mori's Conditions

The use of 1,7-octadiene as an in situ source of ethylene led us to develop a novel multicomponent tandem cross-enyne metathesis (CEYM)-Diels-Alder reaction. The process can be considered a relay metathesis, in which the ethylene liberated in the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of 1,7-octadiene initiates the tandem sequence. Aliphatic, aromatic, and fluorinated alkynes and several dienophiles are compatible with the process, which is particularly efficient with aromatic alkynes. This methodology constitutes a useful variant of Mori's conditions in CEYM-related reactions.     

Synthesis of (+)-didemniserinolipid B: application of a 2-allyl-4-fluorophenyl auxiliary for relay ring-closing metathesis

The synthesis of didemniserinolipid B utilizing a ketalization/ring-closing metathesis (K/RCM) strategy is described. In the course of this work, a novel 2-allyl-4-fluorophenyl auxiliary for relay ring-closing metathesis (RRCM) was developed, which increased the yield of the RCM. The resulting 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octene core was selectively functionalized by complimentary dihydroxylation and epoxidation routes to install the C10 axial alcohol. This bicyclic ketal core was further functionalized by etherification and an alkene cross metathesis with an unsaturated alpha-phenylselenyl ester en route to completing the total synthesis.     

1,7‐Octadiene‐Assisted Tandem Multicomponent Cross‐Enyne Metathesis (CEYM)‐Diels–Alder Reactions: A Useful Alternative to Mori’s Conditions

The use of 1,7‐octadiene as an in situ source of ethylene led us to develop a novel multicomponent tandem cross‐enyne metathesis (CEYM)‐Diels–Alder reaction. The process can be considered a relay metathesis, in which the ethylene liberated in the ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of 1,7‐octadiene initiates the tandem sequence. Aliphatic, aromatic, and fluorinated alkynes and several dienophiles are compatible with the process, which is particularly efficient with aromatic alkynes. This methodology constitutes a useful variant of Mori’s conditions in CEYM‐related reactions.     

Synthesis of the cyclohexane core of phomactins and a new route to the bicyclo[9.3.1]pentadecane diterpenoid skeleton

Conjugate reduction of an enone accompanied by in situ intramolecular aldol condensation was used to construct the tetrasubstituted cyclohexane nucleus of phomactins. Subsequent relay ring-closing metathesis completed the nine-membered ansa bridge of the diterpenoid framework.     

Total synthesis of penostatin B

The first total synthesis of penostatin B has been accomplished by using a highly diastereoselective Pauson-Khand reaction and an efficient relay ring-closing metathesis for the construction of the basic carbon skeleton of the natural product as the key steps.     

Total synthesis of (-)-callipeltoside A

A total synthesis of (-)-callipeltoside A (1) has been achieved. The core macrocycle was made via a dual macrolactonization/pyran hemiketal formation reaction, developed to circumvent issues related to the reversible nature of acylketene formation from β-keto lactone substrates. Initial approaches to the core of the natural product that revolved around ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and relay ring-closing metathesis (RRCM) reactions are also described.     

Ene-yne tetrahydrofurans from the sponge Xestospongia muta. exploiting a weak CD effect for assignment of configuration

Seven new brominated ene-yne tetrahydrofurans (THFs), mutafurans A-G, were isolated from the Bahamian sponge Xestospongia muta. The absolute configuration of the natural products was assigned as (5R,8S) by interpretation of the Cotton effect arising from weak perturbation of an ene-yne chromophore by a propargylic THF ring.     

Stereoconvergent Synthesis of Z-1,3-Disubstituted-1,3-Dienes by Uphill Photocatalysis

A variety of 1-aryl-1,3-dienes were isomerized from E to Z isomers by photocatalysis using Ru(bpy)₃[PF₆]₂ and blue LED light. Enrichment of the Z-isomer is thought to occur by selective triplet energy transfer from the photocatalyst to the stereoisomeric mixture. The 1,3-diene starting materials are easily made by catalytic ene-yne metathesis (EYM). To access 1,3-diene Z-stereoisomers directly, a one pot procedure was developed. Additional 1,3-dienes were investigated for both isomerization and Z-enrichment. The combination of cross EYM with photocatalysis allows for the stereoconvergent synthesis of Z-1,3-dienes.     

Group-selective ring-closing enyne metathesis

The ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of dienynes represents a powerful methodology for the construction of mono- and bicyclic systems containing 1,3-diene functionality. Despite its synthetic potential, the utility of dienyne RCM is significantly reduced due to poor group selectivity. To circumvent this shortcoming, several strategies utilizing steric hindrance, electronic variation, relay metathesis and ring-closure kinetics have been implemented to exert control over the reaction pathways. This article highlights a variety of methods to achieve group-selective enyne RCM of dienynes.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Metathesis Cascade Reactions in Natural Products Synthesis

In this account, we provide a brief summary of recent developments in ruthenium‐catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions towards the total synthesis of natural products. We also highlight recent progress from our own laboratory regarding the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, which has resulted in the development of novel ruthenium‐catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions. Inspired and guided by the pioneering and elegant research conducted in this area, we developed a regio‐controlled relay dienyne metathesis cascade reaction and a cyclobutene‐promoted RCM/ROM/RCM cascade reaction for the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, respectively.     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative alkynylation of alkenes via C-C bond bleavage under oxygen atmosphere

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative alkynylation of alkenes using tert-propargylic alcohols as alkynylation reagents via C-C bond cleavage under an oxygen atmosphere affords the corresponding ene-yne compounds.