Diastereomer-differentiating photochemistry of beta-arylbutyrophenones: Yang cyclization versus type II elimination

The diastereomers of ketones 2 and 3 are shown to exhibit distinct photochemical reactivities due to conformational preferences; while the anti isomers of 2 and 3 undergo efficient Yang cyclization in 75-90% yields with a remarkable diastereoselectivity (> 90%), the syn isomers predominantly undergo Norrish Type II elimination. The differences in the product profiles of the diastereomers are consistent with a mechanistic picture involving the formation of precursor diastereomeric triplet 1,4-biradicals in which the substituents at alpha and beta-positions stabilize the cisoid (cyclization) or transoid (elimination) geometry. The fact that such a diastereomeric relationship does indeed ensue at the triplet-excited-state itself is demonstrated via the nanosecond laser-flash photolysis of model ketones 1. The diastereomeric discrimination in the product profiles observed for ketones 2 and 3 as well as in the triplet lifetimes observed for ketones 1 can both be mechanistically traced back to different conformational preferences of the ground-state diastereomeric ketones and the intermediary 1,4-biradicals. Additionally, it emerges from the present study that the syn and anti diastereomers of ketones 2 and 3 represent two extremes of a broad range of widely examined butyrophenones, which lead to varying degrees of Yang photocyclization depending on the alkyl substitution pattern.     

Diastereomeric discrimination in the lifetimes of Norrish Type II triplet 1,4-biradicals and stereocontrolled partitioning of their reactivity (Yang cyclization versus Type II fragmentation)

The stereochemistry at C2 and C3 carbons controls the partitioning of triplet 1,4-biradicals of ketones 2 among various pathways. Differences in the major reaction pathways, for example, cyclization (syn) and fragmentation (anti), adopted by the diastereomeric 1,4-radicals of ketones 2 have permitted unprecedented diastereomeric discrimination in their lifetimes to be observed by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. From quantum yield measurements and transient lifetime data, the absolute rate constants for cyclization and fragmentation of a pair of diastereomeric triplet 1,4-biradicals have been determined for the first time.     

Stereodifferentiation in the decay of triplets and biradicals involved in intramolecular hydrogen transfer from phenols or indoles to pi,pi aromatic ketones

Laser flash photolysis studies on (R,S) and (S,S) diastereoisomers of the bichromophoric compounds 1-6 have been used to investigate the possible chiral discrimination in the quenching of triplet excited ketones, resulting in formal hydrogen abstraction. Deuterium isotopic effects show that triplet deactivation in these bichromophores is dominated by hydrogen atom transfer. A remarkable stereodifferentiation is found in the intramolecular quenching of the ketone triplets of 1-3 and 5 by the phenolic or indolic moieties, either in methanol or acetonitrile as solvents. This indicates the existence of specific structural requirements for hydrogen transfer. On the other hand, the lifetimes of the generated biradicals show large solvent dependence; solvation appears to slow their reversion to the starting ketone. The considerable stereodifferentiation observed for the biradical lifetimes suggests that the kinetics of biradical decay is faster when the approach of the two radical termini becomes easier.     

Beta-phenyl quenching of triplet excited ketones: how critical is the geometry for deactivation?

The phenomenon of beta-phenyl quenching has been examined by laser-flash photolysis in a series of alpha- and/or beta-substituted ketones 4-8 with similar excited-state characteristics. It is found that alpha-substitution markedly increases the triplet lifetimes in contrast to beta-substitution. The force field calculations for the various staggered conformers of ketones 4-6 and 8-syn show that the lowest-energy conformation in all these ketones has the carbonyl group and the beta-phenyl ring gauche to each other. Despite this geometrical requirement, the longer lifetimes observed are interpreted as being due to the influence of the alpha-substituent on the rotational freedom of the planar benzoyl moiety as a whole. The experimental results are suggestive of the attainment of what appears to be a critical geometry for quenching. This scenario may be likened to Norrish type II reactions, where the alpha-substituent has long been known to suppress the elimination pathway and promote Yang cyclization. In addition, we have shown that the diastereomers of alpha,beta-disubstituted ketones exhibit distinct lifetimes.     

Mechanistic studies of the sensitized photoreduction of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) by phenylalkyl ketones

Bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) (Cu(acac)₂) interacts with both the triplet excited state and the triplet biradical of phenylalkyl ketones which undergo the Norrish type II reaction. Mechanistic studies by static quenching methods show that the triplet biradicals interact with the paramagnetic copper species, leading to the preferential formation of cyclobutanols without the formation of new products; in the presence of Ph₃P the former interaction causes the known reduction of Cu(acac)₂) to Cu(acac)(Ph₃P)₂, with a rate constant of about 6 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. It is shown that Ph₃P interacts with one reactive intermediate, the triplet excited state ketone. The results of extensive kinetic analysis strongly support the proposed reaction mechanism.     

Triplet reactivity and regio-/stereoselectivity in the macrocyclization of diastereomeric ketoprofen-quencher conjugates via remote hydrogen abstractions

Intramolecular excited triplet state interactions in diastereomeric compounds composed of a benzophenone chromophore (ketoprofen) and various hydrogen donor moieties (tetrahydrofuran, isopropylbenzene) have been investigated by laser flash photolysis. The rate constants for hydrogen abstraction by excited triplet benzophenone are in the order of 10(4)-10(5) s(-1), with the highest reactivity for the tetrahydrofuran residue. A remarkable diastereodifferentiation, expressed in the triplet lifetimes of the carbonyl chromophore (e.g., 1.6 versus 2.7 micros), has been found for these compounds. With an alkylaromatic moiety as donor, related effects have been observed, albeit strongly dependent on the length of the spacer. The reactivity trend for the initial hydrogen transfer step is paralleled by the quantum yields of the overall photoreaction. The biradicals, formed via remote hydrogen abstraction, undergo intramolecular recombination to macrocyclic ring systems. The new photoproducts have been isolated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The stereochemistry of the macrocycles, which contain up to four asymmetric carbons, has been unambiguously assigned on the basis of single-crystal structures and/or NOE effects. Interestingly, a highly regio- and stereoselective macrocyclization has been found for the ketoprofen-tetrahydrofuran conjugates, where hydrogen abstraction from the less substituted carbon is exclusive; cisoid ring junction is always preferred over the transoid junction. The photoreaction is less regioselective for compounds with an isopropylbenzene residue. The reactivity and selectivity trends have been rationalized by DFT (B3LYP/6-31G*) calculations.     

Type II photoreactions of α-alkyl β-oxoesters. Neighboring group effect on 1,4-biradical reactions and effective internal filter effect by the type II photoproduct

The α-alkyl β-oxoesters $\text{1}$ undergo type II photoreactions. The process of back hydrogen transfer in the 1,4-biradical intermediate to revert to the starting ester is suppressed because of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl and carboalkoxyl groups in the biradical intermediate. The hydrogen bonding determines the stereochemistry of 1,4-biradical cyclization. The cyclobutanols having the hydroxyl group cis to the carboalkoxyl group are formed exclusively from the α-alkyl β-oxoesters $\text{1}$. The enol form of the type II elimination product, the benzoylacetate $\text{2}$, acts as an effective internal filter for the photoreaction of the α-alkyl β-oxoester $\text{1}$.     

Intermolecular Photocyclizations of N‐(ω‐Hydroxyalkyl)tetrachlorophthalimide with Alkenes Leading to Medium‐ and Large‐Ring Heterocycles—Reaction Modes and Regio‐ and Stereoselectivity of the 1,n‐Biradicals

A new photocyclization strategy by using intermolecular tandem reactions between N‐(ω‐hydroxyalkyl)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrachlorophthalimides ( 1 , 2 , and 3 ) and a series of acyclic and cyclic alkenes is reported. Electron transfer of the triplet‐excited phthalimide with the alkene and regioselective trapping of the alkene cation radical by the hydroxyl group at the phthalimide side chain gives a triplet 1,n‐biradical, which after intersystem crossing (ISC) leads to regio‐ and diastereoselective synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles with an N,O‐containing medium to large ring. Regio‐ and diastereoselectivity in the cyclizations are clarified by unambiguous steric structure assignments of the products by X‐ray diffraction or extensive 2D NMR measurements. The diastereoselectivity is decided by the stereochemical course of the ISC process of the triplet 1,n‐biradicals. These intermolecular photoreactions also furnish a new strategy to generate triplet 1,n‐biradicals. Therefore, in photoreactions of 1 and 2 with phenylcyclohexene, the unprecedented stereoselective formation of products by intramolecular hydrogen‐atom transfer in the 1,n‐biradical intermediate was found ( 9 and 23 ). These facts provide direct verification to the reaction pathways of the 1,n‐biradicals and give a new insight into the factors deciding reaction‐pathway partitioning and stereoselectivity.     

Photochemical studies on aromatic γ,δ-epoxy ketones: efficient synthesis of benzocyclobutanones and indanones

Irradiation of terminal aromatic γ,δ-epoxy ketones with a 450 W UV lamp led to Norrish type II cyclization/semi-pinacol rearrangement cascade reaction which formed the benzocyclobutanones containing a full-carbon quaternary center, whereas irradiation of substituted aromatic γ,δ-epoxy ketones led to the indanones through a photochemical epoxy rearrangement and 1,5-biradicals cyclization tandem reaction.     

Addition of the carbonyl oxygen to the ipso- or ortho-carbon atoms of the beta-phenyl ring followed by intersystem crossing and rapid relaxation to the ground-state ketones: a mechanism for beta-phenyl quenching of the first triplet excited states of derivatives of beta-phenylpropiophenone

The first triplet excited states of beta-phenylpropiophenone 1a and derivatives are known to have unusually short triplet lifetimes. On the basis of pronounced substituent and solvent effects observed in the case of 4-methoxy-beta-phenylpropiophenone 1b, a mechanism involving substantial electron transfer has been assumed to be operative. This contribution outlines an alternative mechanism involving addition of the excited carbonyl moiety at the ipso (preferred) or ortho positions of the beta-phenyl ring. The triplet biradicals thus formed may undergo rapid intersystem crossing to the singlet manifold. On the singlet hypersurface, the biradicals are not predicted to be minima, relaxing to the singlet ground-state ketones. Overall, this addition, intersystem crossing, elimination sequence provides a plausible reaction pathway for beta-phenyl quenching. Calculated activation enthalpies and substituent effects are in agreement with experimental data published in the literature.     

1,4-hydroxybiradical behavior revealed through crystal structure-solid-state reactivity correlations

Structure-reactivity correlations for triplet 1,4-hydroxybiradicals in solution are made difficult by the presence of multiple reactive conformers and the possibility of conformation-dependent intersystem crossing. These problems can be overcome by working in the crystalline state, where the conformations of the 1,4-hydroxybiradicals are fixed and determinable by X-ray crystallography of the parent ketones, assuming that hydrogen atom abstraction occurs with little or no change in conformation. This approach is applied to 15 bi- and tricyclic ketones designed to have slightly different biradical conformations, so that the effect of small and incremental changes in geometry on biradical behavior can be tested. The results indicate that, while geometry does have a strong influence on 1,4-hydroxybiradical partitioning between cyclization, cleavage, and reverse hydrogen transfer, a full understanding of the results requires that the strain involved in forming the cyclization products be taken into account.     

Enantioselective Preparation of (2R)- and (2S)-Azetidine-2-carboxylic Acids

The enantiomerically pure amino ketones 13 and 31 were prepared starting from the commercially available amino diol 9 and D -serine ( 21 ), respectively. Irradiation afforded highly functionalized azetidinols 15 and 33 in a fully stereoselective manner and in high yields, whereas N-phenacylglycine 5 gave only the secondary products of a Norrish-Type-II cleavage. Compounds 15 and 33 were converted into (2R)- and (2S)-azetidine-2-carboxylic acids 20 and 37 , respectively, in several steps. The influence of H-bonds on efficiency, chemo-, and stereoselectivity of the photochemical cyclization of 5 , 13 , and 31 was discussed. It was shown that conformational analysis of corresponding triplet biradicals is often valuable in understanding the photochemistry of amino ketones.     

Photochemical myers-saito and C2-C6 cyclizations of enyne-allenes: direct detection of intermediates in solution

Several examples of the photochemical Myers-Saito and C2-C6 cyclization of enyne-allenes are described. The presence of a triplet sensitizing unit at the allene terminus and laser flash photolysis results suggest that the cyclization proceeds along the triplet manifold. An intermediate with tau = 33 +/- 5 mus was tentatively assigned to a singlet biradical.     

Laser flash photolysis of [3,n]paracyclophan-2-ones. Direct observation and chemical behavior of 4,4'-(1,n-alkanediyl)bisbenzyl biradicals

The 4,4'-(1,n-alkanediyl)bisbenzyl biradicals (2b-d) have been generated from the Norrish type-I reaction of [3,n]paracyclophan-2-ones (1b-d) giving the paracyclophanes 3b-d as the only reaction products. The behavior of biradicals 2b-d has been studied in detail and compared with the previously reported biradical 2a. The lifetimes increase as the chain length decreases and are affected by the solvent viscosity, thus showing the effect of the length of the chain on the conformations of the biradicals. Quenching with persistent radicals such as TEMPO resulted in length-dependent rate constants. Finally, the study of the magnetic field effects on the biradical lifetimes suggest that ISC control determines biradical lifetimes for long-chain systems.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-aminocyclobutanols via photocyclization of alpha-amido alkylaryl ketones: mechanistic implications for the Norrish/Yang reaction.

A series of chiral N-acylated alpha-amino p-methylbutyrophenone derivatives 1a-1h was synthesized from alpha-amino acids via a three-step procedure. These substrates were photolyzed in benzene and gave Norrish II and Norrish I cleavage products as well as the N-acylated 2-aminocyclobutanols that derive from gamma-hydrogen abstraction and 1,4-triplet biradical combination (Yang cyclization). The products were formed with characteristic Yang/cleavage ratios. The quantum yields for the photodecomposition of the N-acetyl-protected substrates 1b,e,f were moderate (12-26%); the diastereoselectivities of the cyclobutanol formation were remarkably high for all substrates. High diastereospecificity was observed for the isoleucine derivatives (2S,3S)-1g and allo-(2S,3R)-1g; the Yang reaction dominated the photochemistry of allo-1g, whereas 1ggave preferentially Norrish II cleavage. The role of hydrogen bonding as one of the stereodirecting effects was demonstrated by comparison of the cyclization efficiency of the valine derivative 1e with 1h,i,j. Also, aromatic beta-keto esters gave the Yang cyclization products in low yields. The diastereoselectivity of the cyclobutanol formation was rationalized by a three-step mechanism where every step is connected with one distinct stereochemical induction mechanism: (a) diastereoselective hydrogen abstraction, (b) conformational equilibration of the 1,4-tetramethylene biradicals (as calculated by semiempiric methods) controlled by hydrogen bonding, and (c) diastereoselective biradical combination (versus cleavage) influenced by spin-orbit coupling controlled intersystem crossing geometries.     

Substituent effects on the stereochemistry in the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction of homobenzoquinone derivative with variously substituted alkenes and alkynes

Irradiation of a homobenzoquinone derivative with variously substituted alkenes and alkynes gave the [2 + 2] photocycloadducts, tricyclic diones, almost quantitatively as a mixture of regio- and stereoisomers. The preferred regioisomer for all reactions is attributed to the more stable 1,4-biradical intermediate (major addition mode), and the minor isomer is attributed to the less stable biradical (minor addition mode). A radical trapping experiment using benzeneselenol proved the generation of these two regioisomeric biradicals, reflecting the regioselectivity in selenol-free photoreaction. Both biradicals tended to preferentially yield the endo-isomer for the alkenes with smaller substituents such as ethoxy, cyano, and acetoxy groups, but the exo-isomer for the alkenes with larger substituents such as phenyl, carbazolyl, and tert-butyl groups. The logarithmic exo/endo ratios were well correlated with a combination of Taft's steric factor E(s) and the energy gain (DeltaE') associated with the orbital interactions between the spin centers of 1,4-biradicals. These results were interpreted in terms of Griesbeck's SOC mechanism as well as the possible bond rotation around the armed radical chain. Therefore, it is concluded that a balance of repulsive steric hindrance and the attractive FMO interaction determines the stereochemical course of the [2 + 2] photoaddition of homobenzoquinone derivative with variously substituted alkenes.     

Does intersystem crossing in triplet biradicals generate singlets with conformational memory?

The effect of temperature, concentration, external magnetic fields and paramagnetic quenchers on the lifetime of biradicals produced in the Norrish Type II reaction has been examined. Analysis of this data and that available from earlier reports leads to the conclusion that in addition to controlling the biradical lifetimes, intersystem crossing in triplet-derived biradicals plays a critical role in determining the behaviour and products which result from singlet biradical reactions. The effect is attributed to conformational memory in the singlet biradical which reflects its short lifetime.     

The Photorearrangements of a Naphthobarrelene-like System. Dependence on excited-state spin multiplicity and electronic configuration,and evidence for biradical intermediates. Preliminary communication

8-Benzoyl-9-deuterio-naphtho [de-2.3.4]bicyclo [3.2.2]nona-2,6,8-triene ( 1 ) rearranged quantitatively in a photochemical di-π-methane-type process to 2-, 6-, and 9-deuteriated 1-benzoyl-naphtho [de-2.3.4]tricyclo [4.3.0.0^2,9]nona-2, 6-diene ( 8a–c ). The phenylhydroxymethyl analogue 2 underwent a similar regioselective rearrangement to 9a–c . The rearrangement 1 → 8a–c is proposed to proceed along three reaction paths evolving from two primary photochemical processes of naphthylvinyl and vinyl-vinyl bonding ( 1 → 3 + 6 ). Evidence for a competition between several paths and involvement of biradical intermediates derives from changes in the isotopomeric composition with temperature, and from laser flash detection (λ_exc 353 nm) of a transient. The dependence of the quantum yield for product formation from 1 on excitation wavelength and sensitizer triplet energy leads to the conclusion that reaction to the primary biradicals occurs directly from the S₁ (n, π*) and T₂ (n, π* ) states, and that reaction from T₁ (π, π*) and from S₂ (π, π*) proceed either directly or via T₂.     

Polycyclic aromatic compounds via radical cyclizations of benzannulated enyne-allenes derived from Ireland-Claisen rearrangement

A new synthetic sequence involving the use of Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of propargylic acetates to form the corresponding benzannulated enyne-allenes followed by Schmittel cyclization to generate benzofulvene biradicals for radical cyclizations leading to polycyclic aromatic compounds was established. Treatment of 9-fluorenone (8) with the lithium acetylide 9 followed by acetic anhydride produced the propargylic acetate 10. A sequence of reactions occurred after 10 was converted to the corresponding silyl ketene acetal 11. An initial Ireland-Claisen rearrangement produced the benzannulated enyne-allene 12, which then underwent a Schmittel cyclization reaction to generate the benzofulvene biradical 13. A subsequent intramolecular radical-radical coupling then produced the formal Diels-Alder adduct 14, which in turn underwent a prototropic rearrangement to give the silyl ester 15 and, after hydrolysis, the carboxylic acid 16 in 57% overall yield from 10 in a single operation. An intramolecular acylation reaction of 16 produced the ketone 17. The carboxylic acids 24-26 were likewise prepared from the diaryl ketones 18-20, respectively. However, the intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of the benzannulated enyne-allene 33 having a tert-butyl group at the allenic terminus occurred preferentially, producing the 1H-cyclobut[a]indenyl acetic acid 35 as the predominant product.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 82. Mitteilung. Zur Photochemie der α,β-Epoxylketone: γ-Wasserstoffabstraktion versus Epoxyketon-Umlagerung

Photochemistry of α,β-epoxyketones: γ-H-abstraction versus epoxyketone-rearrangement. The photochemical behaviour of conformationally mobile α,β-epoxyketones that could undergo competing reactions has been studied. The UV.-irradiation of 5 yields the stereoisomeric cyclobutanols 9 and 10 as well as the fragmentation product 11 . Irradiation of 6 gives only the cyclobutanols 12 and 13 , whereas 4 and 8 in inert solvents yielded only intractable gums. The non-occurrence of the typical isomerization of α,β-epoxylketones to the corresponding β-diketones is attributed to steric factors.