Alkoxy radical cyclizations onto silyl enol ethers relative to alkene cyclization, hydrogen atom transfer, and fragmentation reactions

This study examines the chemoselectivity of alkoxy radical cyclizations onto silyl enol ethers compared to competing cyclizations, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfers (1,5-HATs), and β-fragmentations. Cyclization onto silyl enol ethers in a 5-exo mode is greatly preferred over cyclization onto a terminal alkene. The selectivity decreases when any alkyl substitution is present on the competing alkene radical acceptor. Alkoxy radical 5-exo cyclizations displayed excellent chemoselectivity over competing β-fragmentations. Alkoxy radical 5-exo cyclizations onto silyl enol ether also outcompeted 1,5-HATs, even for activated benzylic hydrogen atoms. In tetrahydropyran synthesis, where 1,5-HAT has plagued alkoxy radical cyclization methodologies, 6-exo cyclizations were the dominant mode of reactivity. β-Fragmentation still remains a challenge for tetrahydropyran synthesis when an aryl group is present in the β position.     

Stereocontrol at the steady state in radical cyclizations of acyclic dihalides

The first examples of manipulating stereocontrol solely by reaction topography in radical cyclizations starting from acyclic precursors are reported. The kinetic model for acyclic compound stereoselection is verified experimentally by conducting a series of radical cyclizations of 1,3-dihalo-2-(1-phenyl-3-butynyl)propanes with triphenyltin hydride and measuring the ratios of the products. Monohalide intermediates are observed for the first time, and evidence that bromide- and iodide-substituted radicals have different cyclization rate constants is provided.     

Mn(III)-based oxidative free-radical cyclizations of substituted allyl alpha-methyl-beta-ketoesters: syntheses,DFT calculations,and mechanistic studies

The cyclizations of the substituted allyl alpha-methyl-beta-ketoester radicals 11, 14, and 18 were studied by the DFT method at the UB3LYP/6-31G level; the results show that the cis cyclization is easier than the corresponding trans cyclization, but the generated cis radicals are not necessarily more stable than the corresponding generated trans radicals after the cyclizations. The free-radical cyclizations of 11, 14, and 18 in the presence of Mn(OAc)(3) in acetic acid or acetonitrile are all reversible and operate under thermodynamic control, and stereoselectivity of the cyclizations depends on relative stability of the cyclization-generated radicals. Therefore, the oxidative free-radical cyclization of allyl alpha-methyl-beta-ketoester 5a with Mn(OAc)(3) gives a cis product as a major product, while the same oxidative free-radical cyclizations of substituted allyl alpha-methyl-beta-ketoesters 5b and 5c with Mn(OAc)(3) produce trans products as major products.     

Domino reaction of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes with oxalyl chloride: general and stereoselective synthesis of gamma-alkylidenebutenolides

The Lewis acid catalyzed cyclization of oxalyl chloride with 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes 3, derived from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 1, provides a new and general approach for the synthesis of gamma-alkylidenebutenolides 4, a pharmacologically and synthetically important class of substances. A variety of butenolides were efficiently prepared in good yields and with very good regio- and stereoselectivities. An up-scaling of the reaction was possible. The use of the Lewis acid trimethylsilyl-trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) proved to be superior to other activation conditions. Sterically undemanding gamma-alkylidenebutenolides could be prepared alternatively by reaction of the corresponding 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with N,N'-dimethoxy-N,N'-dimethylethanediamide (2d). In contrast to the dianion method, the Lewis acid catalyzed reaction also facilitated the cyclization of sterically hindered, base-labile, cyclic and functionalized substrates. From a methodology viewpoint, the dianion reaction represents the first cyclization of a bis-Weinreb amide and the first cyclization of an oxalic acid-synthon with an ambident dianion. The TMSOTf-catalyzed reactions are both the first cyclizations of 1,3bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes with a C2 dielectrophile and the first cyclizations of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-dienes with a carboxylic acid dichloride or a related dielectrophile.     

Oxidative cyclization of β-stannyl hydrazones

Oxidation of β-stannyl hydrazones gave the corresponding azocyclopropanes in high yields. Homolytic cyclization involving hydrazonyl radicals ( π-iminamino radicals ) was postulated.     

Controlling the regiochemistry of radical cyclizations

This review describes the results of our recent studies on the control of the regiochemistry of radical cyclizations. N-vinylic alpha-chloroacetamides generally cyclized in a 5-endo-trig manner to give five-membered lactams, whereas 4-exo-trig cyclization occurred when the cyclized radical intermediates were highly stabilized by an adjacent phenyl or phenylthio group to afford beta-lactams. The 5-exo or 6-exo cyclization of aryl radicals onto the alkenic bond of enamides could be shifted to the corresponding 6-endo or 7-endo mode of cyclization by a positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides. The 6-endo- and 7-endo-selective aryl radical cyclizations were applied to radical cascades for the synthesis of alkaloids such as phenanthroindolizidine, cephalotaxine skeleton, and lennoxamine. The 5-exo-trig cyclization of an alkyl radical onto the alkenyl bond of enamides could also be shifted to the 6-endo mode by a positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides. The 6-endo- selective cyclization was applied to the radical cascade to afford a cylindricine skeleton. Other examples of controlling the regiochemistry of radical cyclizations and their applications to the synthesis of natural products are also discussed.     

Ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclizations of enynes via a ruthenacyclopentene intermediate: Development of three novel cyclizations controlled by a substituent on alkyne of enyne

Three novel ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclizations of enynes were developed. In each cyclization, a ruthenacyclopentene derived from enyne and Cp*RuCl(cod) is a common intermediate. When an enyne having an alkyl, an ester, or a formyl group on an alkyne was reacted with Cp*RuCl(cod) under ethylene gas, ethylene was inserted into the ruthenium‐sp² carbon bond of ruthenacyclopentene to afford ruthenacycloheptene, and β‐hydrogen elimination followed by reductive elimination occurred to give a cyclic compound having a 1,3‐diene moiety. When an acyl group was placed on the alkyne, the carbonyl oxygen coordinated to the ruthenium metal of ruthenacyclopentene to produce a ruthenium carbene complex, which reacted with ethylene to give a cyclic compound having a cyclopropane ring on the substituent. On the other hand, when the substituent on the alkyne was pent‐4‐enyl, insertion of an alkene part into ruthenacyclopentene followed by reductive elimination gave a tricyclic compound by a ruthenium‐catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cyclization of diene and an alkyne. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201100003     

Hydroxy-Directed, SmI(2)-Induced Conversion of Carbohydrates into Carbocycles

Polyoxygenated six-membered carbocycles were derived from carbohydrates with complete stereocontrol through hydroxy-directed coupling cyclization induced by SmI(2). For example, the cis-1,3-cyclohexanediol 3 is obtained from the D-glucopyranoside derivative 1 in excellent yield. The coupling cyclization is initiated by single-electron transfer from SmI(2) to the formyl group of the delta-hydroxy aldehyde 2 generated in an equilibrium process.     

A silicon tether approach for addition of functionalized radicals to chiral alpha-hydroxyhydrazones: diastereoselective additions of hydroxymethyl and vinyl synthons

Stereocontrolled additions of hydroxymethyl and vinyl groups to chiral alpha-hydroxyhydrazones can be achieved by radical cyclizations using bromomethyl or vinyl radical precursors tethered via a temporary silicon connection. Tin-mediated 5-exo radical cyclization of alpha-hydroxyhydrazones using a silicon-tethered bromomethyl group, followed by oxidative removal of the tether, provides anti-2-hydrazino 1,3-diols in good yield. Tandem thiyl radical addition-cyclization of alpha-hydroxyhydrazones using a silicon-tethered vinyl group, followed by treatment with potassium fluoride, affords acyclic allylic anti-hydrazino alcohols in good yield. The thiyl addition-cyclization method has been successfully extended to the use of alpha,beta-dihydroxyhydrazones without prior protection or hydroxyl differentiation. Diastereoselection in both reaction types increases with increasing A values of the appended groups, consistent with prediction by the Beckwith-Houk model for stereocontrol in 5-hexenyl radical cyclizations.     

Consecutive carbon-carbon bond formation approach in tandem cyclization reactions

The conventional tandem cyclization reactions involve the formation of alternating carbon-carbon bonds, whereas the newly developed cyclization reactions involve the formation of consecutive carbon-carbon bonds, in which N-aziridinylimines have been utilized as geminal radical acceptor and donor equivalents in a single operation. This unprecedented tandem cyclization approach becomes feasible by the successful generation of 5- and 6-membered ring radicals by radical cyclizations of N-aziridinylimines. The same notion can be applied to the anionic cyclizations of N-aziridinylimines, thereby allowing anionic consecutive carbon-carbon bond formation. This approach has great synthetic potential, particularly for the construction of quaternary carbon centers, and it provides highly efficient routes for the synthesis of natural products.     

Chelation-control in the formal [3+3] cyclization of 1,3-bis-(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with 1-hydroxy-5-silyloxy-hex-4-en-3-ones. One-pot synthesis of 3-aryl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins

The [3+3] cyclization of 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with 1-hydroxy-5-silyloxy-hex-4-en-3-ones resulted in the one-pot formation of 3-aryl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins. The reactions proceeded by regioselective cyclization to give 6-(2-aryl-2-chloroethyl)salicylates, which underwent a silica gel-mediated lactonization. The cyclizations of protected 1-amino-5-silyloxy-hex-4-en-3-ones proved to be not regioselective.     

On the regioselectivity of the cyclization of enyne-ketenes: a computational investigation and comparison with the Myers-Saito and Schmittel reaction

The Moore (C(2)-C(7)) cyclization and the alternative C(2)-C(6) cyclization of enyne-ketenes belong to the family of biradical cyclization reactions such as the Bergman reaction of ene-diynes, both the cyclizations of enyne-allenes and enyne-cumulenes. The latter garnered substantial interest due to their antitumor efficacy. The mechanisms of both cyclization modes of enyne-ketenes are still unclear, but as the enyne-ketenes can formally be regarded as heteroanalogues of enyne-allenes, both cyclizations are expected to react via biradical routes. Nevertheless, as shown recently for cyclic allenes, the substitution of a methylene group by oxygen can lead to different energetic ordering of the electronic states of the key intermediates. To elucidate the mechanism, the present work investigates the course of both cyclization modes for various model compounds. To reveal general motifs for the large family of biradical cyclizations, a comparison with enyne-allenes is performed.     

Kinetic results implicating a polar radical reaction pathway in the rearrangement catalyzed by alpha-methyleneglutarate mutase

alpha-Methyleneglutarate mutase (MGM) catalyzes the rearrangement of 2-methyleneglutarate to 3-methylitaconate (2-methylene-3-methylsuccinate). A putative mechanism for the MGM-catalyzed reaction involves 3-exo cyclization of the 2-methyleneglutaric acid-4-yl radical to a cyclopropylcarbinyl radical intermediate that ring opens to the 3-hydroxycarbonyl-2-methylenebutanoic acid-4-yl radical (3-methylitaconic acid radical). Model reactions for this mechanism were studied by laser flash photolysis kinetic methods. alpha-Ester radicals were produced by 266 nm photolysis of alpha-phenylselenyl ester derivatives. Rate constants for cyclizations of the (Z)-1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)-3-buten-1-yl radical ((Z)-8a) and (E)- and (Z)-1,3-di(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)-3-buten-1-yl radicals ((E)- and (Z)-8b) were determined. The ester group in (Z)-8a accelerates the 3-exo cyclization in comparison to the parent radical lacking an ester group by a factor of 3, an effect ascribed to a polarized transition state. The ester groups at C3 in radicals 8b slow the 3-exo cyclization reaction by a factor of 50. The rate constant for cyclization of the 2-methyleneglutaric acid-4-yl radical is estimated to be k approximately 2000 s(-1) at ambient temperature. When coupled with the estimated partitioning of the intermediate cyclopropylcarbinyl radical, the overall rate constant for the conversion is estimated to be k approximately equal to 1 x 10(-3) s(-1), which is much too small for any radical reaction and several orders of magnitude too small for kinetic competence for the MGM-catalyzed process. The possibility that the radical reaction in nature involves an unusual mechanism in which polar effects are important is discussed.     

Regioselective synthesis of functionalized ferrocenylphenols based on cyclocondensation reactions of free and masked 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions

Highly functionalized ferrocenyl-substituted phenols were prepared by cyclization of masked or free dianions with 1,3-dielectrophilic 1-η5-ferrocenyl-3,3-bis(methylthio)prop-2-en-1-ones. While the cyclizations of 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes (masked dianions) proceed by initial 1,2-addition, the reactions of free 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions proceed by initial 1,4-addition. Therefore, both regioisomeric ferrocenylphenols are available from one and the same electrophile dependent on the type of nucleophile and reaction conditions employed. The reactions reported represent the first examples of the application of formal [3 + 3] cyclizations to the synthesis of organometallic compounds.     

Efficient synthesis of furan-2-ylacetates, 7-(alkoxycarbonyl)benzofurans, and 7-(alkoxycarbonyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans based on cyclization reactions of free and masked dianions: a "cyclization/dehydrogenation" strategy

[reaction: see text] A variety of furan-2-ylacetates have been prepared by dehydrogenation of monocyclic 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans, which are readily available by cyclizations of open-chained 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1-bromo-2-chloroethane. 5'H-[2,3']Bifuranyl-2'-ones are available based on sequential "cyclization/dehydrogenation" reactions of alpha-acetyl-gamma-butyrolactones. A variety of 7-(alkoxycarbonyl)benzofurans and 7-(alkoxycarbonyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans were prepared by a cyclization/dehydrogenation strategy. These reactions rely on cyclizations of 2-oxocycloalkane-1-carboxylate-derived 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions ("free dianions") or 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers ("masked dianions") with various 1,2-dielectrophiles.     

N-Alkenyl-2-aziridinylmethyl radicals and N-alkenylaminyl radicals in cascade cyclizations to pyrrolizidines and indolizidines

[reaction: see text] The radical cascade cyclizations of N-alkenyl-2-aziridinylmethyl radicals to pyrrolizidines and indolizidines were examined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A large preference for cyclization to pyrrolizidines was found. These predictions corroborated very well with experimental results, leading to an efficient synthesis of pyrrolizidines. No radical cascade cyclization to indolizidines could be performed in practice as only ring opening of N-alkenyl-2-aziridinylmethyl radicals to N-allyl-N-alkenylamines occurred.     

Synthesis of 3,4-benzo-7-hydroxy-2,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-enes by cyclization of 1,3-bis(silyl enol ethers) with quinazolines

A variety of functionalized 3,4-benzo-7-hydroxy-2,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-enes were prepared by one-pot cyclizations of 1,3-bis(silyl enol ethers) with quinazolines. The mechanism of the cyclization was studied by B3LYP/6-31G(d) density functional theory computations. The products could be functionalized by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The reaction of 1,3-bis(silyl enol ethers) with phthalazine afforded open-chain rather than cyclization products.     

On the mechanism and kinetics of radical reactions of epoxyketones and epoxynitriles induced by titanocene chloride

The reactions of a series of epoxynitriles and epoxyketones induced by titanocene chloride have been studied. The kinetics of the decyanogenation of beta,gamma-epoxynitriles with Ti(III) corresponds to a radical reaction (k25 approximately 106 s-1), as demonstrated by competition experiments with H-transfer from 1,4-cyclohexadiene (1,4-CHD) or PhSH or conjugate addition to acrylonitrile. The 5-exo cyclization onto nitrile induced by Ti(III) is a radical reaction (k25 approximately 107 s-1) as seen in competition experiments with H-transfer from PhSH or the titanocene-water complex. The iminyl or alkoxyl radicals generated by 5-exo cyclization onto nitriles or ketones only undergo a reduction with Ti(III). This reaction overwhelms any alternative process, such as tandem cyclization onto alkenes or beta-scission. Iminyl radicals generated by 4-exo cyclizations onto nitriles undergo reduction with Ti(III) and beta-scission reaction in a ratio of 96:4 when the alpha-substituent is CN. Alkoxyl radicals from 4-exo cyclizations onto ketone carbonyls undergo reduction with Ti(III) and beta-scission in a ratio of 60:40 when the alpha-substituent is COOR. In nearly all the reactions studied, the role of Ti(III) is triple: a radical initiator (homolytic cleavage of oxirane), a Lewis acid (coordination to CN or C=O), and a terminator (reduction of iminyl or alkoxyl radicals).     

Theoretical study of free-radical-mediated 5-exo-trig cyclizations of chiral 3-substituted hepta-1,6-dienes

Free radical-mediated 5-exo-trig cyclizations of hepta-1,6-dienes incorporating allylsilane, alkyl and alkoxy analogues are modeled using correlated ab initio calculations. The structural, electronic and thermochemical properties of reactants, products and transition species involved in the key step of the radical cyclization process are analyzed and compared with those predicted by the Beckwith-Houk transition models. The product ratios are calculated from the Gibbs energy differences between the possible transition structures following the Curtin-Hammet principle and compared to experimental values.     

The application of intramolecular radical cyclizations of acylsilanes in the regiospecific formation of cyclic silyl enol ethers.

Acylsilanes with terminal alpha-stannyl bromide or xanthate functionalities are prepared. Alpha-stannyl radicals generated from these acylsilanes undergo intramolecular cyclizations to give cyclic silyl enol ethers regiospecifically. The radical processes involve radical cyclization, Brook rearrangement, and beta-fragmentation in sequence. A tributylstannyl group serves as the radical leaving group. The newly formed sigma-bond and pi-bond are located between the same two carbon atoms. This approach is limited to the formation of five-membered rings. In another route, omega-bromo-alpha-phenylsulfonylacylsilanes are synthesized. The radical cyclizations of these alpha-sulfonylacylsilanes also give cyclic silyl enol ethers. The phenylsulfonyl moiety is the radical leaving group in this system. Furthermore, the newly formed sigma-bond and pi-bond are located at adjacent positions sharing a single carbon atom. The latter approach is effective for both five- and six-membered ring formation.