Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative dimeric cyclization-coupling reaction of 2,3-allenoic acids: an efficient synthesis of bibutenolide derivatives

Three sets of convenient catalytic systems have been developed for the oxidative dimeric cyclization coupling of differently substituted 2,3-allenoic acids catalyzed by Pd(II), affording bibutenolides that are not otherwise readily available. The advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed. Although the diastereoselectivity for the bicyclization of racemic 2,3-allenoic acids is low, excellent diastereoselectivity was realized in the bicyclization reaction of optically active 2,3-allenoic acids, leading to the optically active bibutenolides in high yields and ee. Based on a mechanistic study, it is believed that the reaction may proceed by means of a double oxypalladation and reductive elimination to yield butenolide 3 and Pd(0) species, which may be reoxidized to the catalytically active Pd(II) species in the presence of alkyl iodide/air, metallic iodide/air, or benzoquinone.     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed intramolecular [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerizations with electron-deficient diynes and triynes

In the presence of 2.5 mol % of [Pd(2)(dba)(3)] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and 5 mol % of PPh(3), nearly equimolar amounts of dimethyl nona-2,7-diyne-1,9-dioate derivatives (diyne diesters) and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates were allowed to react in toluene at 110 degrees C to afford [2+2+2] cycloadducts in moderate-to-good yields. Similarly, dimethyl trideca-2,7,12-triyne-1,13-dioate derivatives (triyne diesters) were catalytically transformed into phthalic acid ester analogues in excellent yields. To gain insight into the mechanism of these intramolecular alkyne cyclotrimerizations, stoichiometric reactions of [Pd(2)(dba)(3)] with a diyne diester and a triyne diester bearing ether tethers were conducted in acetone at room temperature to furnish an oligomeric bicyclopalladacyclopentadiene and a Pd(0) triyne complex, respectively. The structures of these novel complexes were unequivocally determined by Xray structure analysis. The isolated triyne complex was heated at 50 degrees C or treated with PPh(3) in acetone at room temperature to afford the arene product. Furthermore, the same complex catalyzed the triyne cyclization with or without PPh(3).     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of functionalized 1,5-hexadienes

Scope and limitations of the Pd(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of functionalized 1,5-hexadienes have been studied. In situ NMR experiments indicate a challenging competition between various reaction pathways. A careful balance between substrate structure, nature of the precatalyst, and reaction conditions was required to gain access to a useful building block for sesquiterpene total synthesis.     

Research on Au(I)-catalyzed ene-yne cycloisomerization for construction of quassinoid scaffold

Compounds that undergo Au(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerizations affording tetracyclic products that can be converted into compounds with the skeleton of bruceantin are described. The Au(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerizations reported herein are hindered by a 1,3-diaxial interaction between the substituent and the methyl group in the transition state. The use of small substituents was found to increase the yield of the desired product, while the reaction of substrates with large substituents afford undesired constitutional isomers.     

Substituent effect on the reaction pathway of Au(I)-catalyzed ene-yne cycloisomerization

The Au(I)-catalyzed ene-yne cycloisomerization pathway which is highly dependent on the substrate structures is described. The steric and electronic effects of substrate substituents could be important factors inducing the formation of the desired and undesired products. Comparison between the Au(I)-catalyzed reactions of substrates bearing the substituted phenyl moiety with and without methoxy group suggests that the methoxy group would direct the formation of undesired products through a cationic intermediate. This intermediate could be formed via aryl moiety attack presumably induced by the methoxy group at the para position. The use of nitrile groups instead of ester groups in the substrate effectively leads to the preferential formation of the desired product. This is probably because 1,3-diaxial interactions in the transition state of the Au(I)-catalyzed ene-yne cycloisomerization would be reduced by the use of the relatively small nitrile group. This steric effect is different from the electronic effect of the methoxy group of the aryl moiety, which makes the undesired reaction pathway favorable.     

Versatile synthesis of (Z)-1-alkylidene-1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans and 1H-isochromenes by palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 2-alkynylbenzyl alcohols

An easy synthesis of (Z)-1-alkylidene-1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans and 1H-isochromenes by palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of readily available 2-alkynylbenzyl alcohols under neutral conditions is reported. Reactions were carried out at 70-100°C in the presence of catalytic amounts (1-2%) of PdI₂ in conjunction with 2 equiv. of KI for 1.5-24 h. The preference towards the 5-exo-dig cyclization mode (leading to 1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans) or the 6-endo-dig cyclization mode (leading to isochromenes) turned out to be dependent on the substitution pattern of the substrate as well as reaction conditions. In several cases, by properly adjusting the reaction conditions, the same substrate could be selectively converted into either the dihydroisobenzofuran or the 1H-isochromene derivative.     

An Exclusively trans‐Selective Chlorocarbamoylation of Alkynes Enabled by a Palladium/Phosphaadamantane Catalyst

Pharmaceutically relevant methylene oxindoles are synthesized by a palladium(0)‐catalyzed intramolecular chlorocarbamoylation reaction of alkynes. A relatively underexplored class of caged phosphine ligands is uniquely suited for this transformation, enabling high levels of reactivity and exquisite trans selectivity. This report entails the first transition‐metal‐catalyzed atom‐economic addition of a carbamoyl chloride across an alkyne.