Cycloisomerization of enynes via rhodium vinylidene-mediated catalysis

A novel rhodium-catalyzed cycloisomerization has been developed which converts various acyclic enynes to their cyclic diene isomers with endoselectivity. Both [RhCl(COD)]2/P(4-FC6H4)3 and RhCl(PPh3)3 catalyst systems are effective in promoting the C-C bond-forming cyclization of enynes to furnish carbo- and heterocycles in good to excellent yield. Deuterium labeling studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through the formation of a rhodium vinylidene followed by subsequent [2 + 2] cycloaddition with the alkene and ring-opening of the resulting rhodacyclobutane. These mechanistic studies reevaluate a previously proposed reaction pathway and lead to the discovery of a new cycloisomerization reaction that involves migration of silyl and selenyl substituents at the alkyne of enyne substrates upon cyclization.     

Heterocumulenes reactions with organometallic reagents: XV. Quantum-chemical investigatiom of skeleton rearrangements of 2-methyl-6-methoxy-3H-azepine originating from valence tautomerism

In the framework of quantum-chemical simulation (DFT) the structure was explored of six potentially probable tautomeric forms of 2-methyl-6-methoxy-3H-azepine and their relative thermodynamic stability was evaluated. In the tautomers obtained the preferred gradient channels are localized of [1,n]-H shifts capable of initiating their tautomerism. The most probable typical concerted reactions were analyzed of the formation of valence isomers, fused three-/six- and four-/five-membered carbo- and heterocycles, azabicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-2,4-dienes (azanorcaradienes) and azabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-dienes respectively.     

Structural elucidation of nitro-substituted five-membered aromatic heterocycles utilizing GIAO DFT calculations

The GIAO (Gauge Including Atomic Orbitals) DFT (Density Functional Theory) method is applied at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), B3LYP/6-311+G (2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory for the calculation of proton and carbon chemicals shifts and coupling constants for 25 nitro-substituted five-membered heterocycles. Difference (1D NOE) spectra in combination with long-range gHMBC experiments were used as tools for the structural elucidation of nitro-substituted five-membered heterocycles. The assigned NMR data (chemical shifts and coupling constants) for all compounds were found to be in good agreement with theoretical calculations using the GIAO DFT method. The magnitudes of one-bond (1JCH) and long-range (nJCH, n>1) coupling constants were utilized for unambiguous differentiation between regioisomers of nitro-substituted five-membered heterocycles.     

Aliphatic aldehydes in the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles. Part I. Synthesis of three-, four-, and five-membered rings

Data on the use of aliphatic aldehydes in the synthesis of three-, four-, and five-membered carbo- and heterocycles, published over the past 12 years, were summarized and systematized. Biological activity and synthetic utility of the resulting compounds was noted. The given data are classed according to the type of the ring formed.     

Intermolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions using dicobalthexacarbonyl complexed acetylenic acetals

An intermolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction using dicobalthexacarbonyl complexed acetylenic acetals as the electrophile is reported. Employing BF₃-OEt₂ as the Lewis acid with a sulfide as the Lewis base MBH adducts were obtained.     

Diastereoselective rhodium-catalyzed ene-cycloisomerization reactions of alkenylidenecyclopropanes: total synthesis of (-)-α-kainic acid

The rhodium-catalyzed ene-cycloisomerization of alkenylidenecyclopropanes provides an atom-economical approach to five-membered carbo- and heterocycles that contain two new stereogenic centers. A key and striking feature of this protocol is that the alkene geometry does not impact the efficiency and diastereocontrol, which provides excellent synthetic versatility. For instance, (E)- and (Z)-allylic alcohols furnish the corresponding aldehydes with similar efficiency and selectivity. This process facilitates the construction of a key intermediate in an eight-step total synthesis of (-)-α-kainic acid.     

The reactivity of phosphagermaallene Tip(t-Bu)Ge=C=PMes* with doubly and triply bonded nitrogen compounds

Phosphagermaallene Tip(t-Bu)Ge=C=PMes* (1; Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl, Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) gives, with N-benzylidenemethylamine and pivalonitrile, [2+2] cycloadditions between the Ge=C double bond and the C=N and C≡N unsaturations, leading to the formation of the corresponding four-membered heterocycles 2 and 9. With N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone and benzonitrile oxide, [2+3] cycloadditions occur to form the five-membered ring derivatives 6 and 7. By treatment of 1 with derivatives which possess weak acidic hydrogens in α of the C=N or C≡N multiple bond, two types of reactions were observed: an ene reaction with methyl(benzylideneamino)acetate and a 1,2 addition with acetonitrile to afford azadienyl(germyl)ether (4) and 3-germa-1-phosphapropene (8), respectively. In the case of benzonitrile, phosphagermaallene 1 behaves as a 1,3-dipole, to give, via a cyclic phosphagermacarbene intermediate, the tricyclic derivative 10.     

Acylation of five-membered N-heteroaromatic compounds by ruthenium carbonyl-catalyzed direct carbonylation at a C-H bond

The ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylation at the C-H bond of five-membered N-heteroaromatic compounds is described. The reaction of imidazoles with CO and olefins in toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ru(3)(CO)(12) results in carbonylation of the C-H bond at the 4-position (adjacent to the sp(2)-nitrogen) of the imidazole ring to give acylated imidazoles in good to high yields. A wide range of olefins can be utilized in the carbonylation reaction, and a variety of functional groups are compatible under the reaction conditions. Other five-membered N-heteroaromatic compounds, such as pyrazoles, oxazoles, and thiazoles, can also be used for the carbonylation reaction, and in all cases, carbonylation takes place exclusively at a C-H bond alpha to the sp(2) nitrogen. The reactivity of the five-membered heterocycles corresponds to the pK(a) of the conjugate acid of these heterocycles. The higher the pK(a) of the substrate, the higher is the reactivity. This indicates that the pK(a) values are related to the ability of the nitrogen atom in the substrates to coordinate to a ruthenium center. The coordination of the substrates to the ruthenium center in the catalyst complex is a necessary prerequisite for the carbonylation to proceed.     

Exploring reactivity of a bis-sulfonium zirconocene-ate dimer: Synthesis of various zwitterionic phosphonium anionic zirconocene complexes

Formal [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between the bis-sulfonium zirconocene-ate dimer 1a and methylpropiolate, benzaldehyde and carbon disulfide afforded stable zwitterionic phosphonium zirconocene-ate complexes 2-4, respectively, with two orthocondensed five-membered heterocycles. X-ray crystal structure of 4 has been determined. Elemental chalcogens (S, Se, Te) gave rise also to a new variety of five-coordinate zirconium(IV) complexes (5-7) by a formal [3+1] cycloaddition reaction. In these bicyclic zirconates, sulfur is included in a five-membered ring while the second chalcogen is in a four-membered one.     

Photochemistry of hydrogen bonded heterocycles probed by photodissociation experiments and ab initio methods

In this perspective article, we focus on the photochemistry of five-membered nitrogen containing heterocycles (pyrrole, imidazole and pyrazole) in clusters. These heterocycles represent paradigmatic structures for larger biologically active heterocyclic molecules and complexes. The dimers of the three molecules are also archetypes of different bonding patterns: N-H···π interaction, N-H···N hydrogen bond and double hydrogen bond. We briefly review available data on photochemistry of the title molecules in the gas phase, but primarily we focus on the new reaction channels opened upon the complexation with other heterocycles or solvent molecules. Based on ab initio calculations we discuss various possible reactions in the excited states of the clusters: (1) hydrogen dissociation, (2) hydrogen transfer between the heterocyclic units, (3) molecular ring distortion, and (4) coupled electron-proton transfer. The increasing photostability with complexity of the system can be inferred from experiments with photodissociation in these clusters. A unified view on photoinduced processes in five-membered N-heterocycles is provided. We show that even though different deactivation channels are energetically possible for the complexed heterocycles, in most cases the major result is a fast reconstruction of the ground state. The complexed or solvated heterocycles are thus inherently photostable although the stability can in principle be achieved via different reaction routes.     

Recent advances in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions

The [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an elegant, atom-efficient and group tolerant process for the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles, mostly aromatic, involving the formation of several C-C bonds in a single step. Cyclotrimerisation is catalyzed by a variety of organometallic complexes, including more than 15 different metals. The aim of this tutorial review is to point out the most recent advances in this field and to encourage the use of this reaction enroute to complex molecules. After summarizing the most common catalysts and reaction conditions generally used, we survey the mechanistic features currently accepted for this reaction. Section 4 covers the scope of the different [2+2+2] cycloaddition versions starting with the cyclotrimerisation of three triple bonds, including nitriles, with especial emphasis on asymmetric reactions that create central, axial or planar chirality. Then, reactions that use double bonds are addressed. Finally, the most outstanding examples of natural products synthesis using [2+2+2] cycloadditions as a key step reported recently are shown.     

4 + 2]-annulations of chiral organosilanes: Application to the total synthesis of leucascandrolide A

Complete details of an asymmetric synthesis of leucascandrolide A (1) are described. The synthesis highlights the use of two diastereoselective [4 + 2]-annulations for the assembly of the functionalized bispyranyl macrolide 3. An efficient assembly and union of the oxazole-containing side chain 4 with macrolide 3 was carried out using a Mitsunobu reaction. A convergent route to the oxazole side chain was developed using a Sonogashira cross-coupling between 2-trifloyloxazole 16 and alkyne 17, which allowed for the installation of the C9'-C10' (Z)-olefin.     

Sigma-complex formation and oxidative nucleophilic aromatic substitution in 4-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles

The feasibility of carrying out nucleophilic displacement of hydrogen from highly electron-deficient heteroaromatics has been addressed through a detailed investigation of the interaction of a series of nitrobenzofuroxans 3a-i and two related heterocycles 5 and 6, with the 2-nitropropenide anion. Although this series corresponds to a large modulation in the electrophilic properties of the six-membered ring, all reactions first lead to the quantitative formation of the sigma-adducts C-3a-i, C-5 and C-6 arising from covalent addition of the nucleophile to the C-7 carbon. With the exception of the 4-aza substituted member C-5, all the adducts have been isolated as pure and very stable alkali salts. Measurements of the oxidation potentials by cyclic voltammetry reveal that the ease of subsequent hydrogen substitution at carbon-7 strongly decreases with increasing electron deficient character of the six-membered ring. The measured E0 values are in the range 0.5-0.6 V (vs. SCE) for the 4-nitro-benzofuroxan and -benzofurazan adducts (C-3e, C-3i) but they go up to 1.20-1.33 V for the 4,6-dinitro- and 4-nitro-6-trifluoromethanesulfonylbenzofuroxan adducts (C-3a,d) in acetonitrile. Consistently with these E0 values, only very powerful oxidants such as the Ce4+/Ce3+ or the MnO4-/Mn2+ couples can successfully oxidize the adducts leading to the expected substitution products in moderate to good yields (35-72%). Interestingly, the rearomatization of the 4-nitro substituted benzofuroxan adducts proceeds with a partial Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement of the resulting products. Another noteworthy result is that the 4-nitrobenzofuroxan and 4-nitrobenzofurazan molecules suffer competitive addition of the (CH3)2C-NO2- anion to the 5- and 7- positions under some experimental conditions. This represents the first well-defined example of isomeric addition of a carbon nucleophile to these heterocycles.     

Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Amine-Boranes using Geminal Phosphino-Boranes

The reaction of the intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) tBu₂PCH₂BPh₂ with the amine-boranes NH₃ · BH₃ and Me₂NH · BH₃ leads to the formation of the corresponding FLP-H₂ adducts as well as novel five-membered heterocycles that result from capturing the in situ formed amino-borane by a second equivalent of FLP. The sterically more demanding tBu₂PCH₂BMes₂ does not form such a five-membered heterocycle when reacted with Me₂NH · BH₃ and its H₂ adduct liberates dihydrogen at elevated temperatures, promoting the metal-free catalytic dehydrogenation of amine-boranes.     

An aerobic [2 + 2 + 2] cyclization via chloropalladation: from 1,6-diynes and acrylates to substituted aromatic carbocycles

A Pd-catalyzed aerobic [2 + 2 + 2] cyclization of 1,6-diynes and acrylates proceeding through a chloropalladation process has been developed. Polysubstituted five-membered aromatic carbocycles/heterocycles were obtained in good to excellent yields. The results of the mechanistic study are consistent with the proposed reaction mechanism.     

Parts-per-Million-Level,Catalytic [3+2]-Annulations for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Methanobenzo[7]annulenes

3-Alkyl-lawsones selectively reacted with α-alkyl-nitroethylenes under 500 parts-per-million (ppm) quinine-NH-thiourea-catalysis to furnish the chiral methanobenzo[7]annulenes in up to >99 % ee with >20 : 1 dr and TON up to 1820 through tandem Michael/Henry [3+2]-annulations. These asymmetric ppm-level, catalytic tandem [3+2]-annulations would be highly inspirational for the design of many more ppm-level organocatalytic reactions, and at the same time these final molecules are basic skeletons of antibiotics.     

Thiourea-catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

Here, we describe our studies on the thiourea-catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction. Chemoselective activation of carbonyl compounds via hydrogen bonding to thiourea as a catalyst is the key to drastic rate acceleration of this reaction. The application of chiral bis-thiourea-type organocatalysts, which can form a chiral double hydrogen-bonding network, is effective for enantioselective MBH reaction. A cooperative system of bis-thiourea compounds, synthesized from 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, and a Lewis base effectively promotes the MBH reaction at lower temperature, affording the MBH adducts in 33-95% yield with 44-90% ee. A plausible transition state model of the enantioselective MBH reaction is presented.     

New Reactions of Amino-Functionalized 3-Vinyl-1H-indoles and Tetrahydropyridin-4-yl Analogues with Dienophiles

Reactions of 3-[2-(morpholin-4-yl)vinyl]-1H-indole ( 1 ), the 1,2-dihydro-9H-carbazole 2 , as well as the 3-(tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indoles 3a and 3b with some carbo- and heterodienophiles are described. The scope and limitations of the synthetic utility of these amino- (or homoamino)-functionalized 3-vinyl-1H-indoles are reported and some MO calculations for the qualitative prediction of their reactivities are presented. The reactions gave rise to substitution products, redox products, Diels-Alder adducts, ene adducts, and Michael-type adducts (Schemes 2 and 3).     

A semiempirical study of heterocycle oligomers and polymers in different dielectric media

Four common five-membered heterocycles—pyrrole, phosphole, thiophene, and furan—and their oligomers with the chain length of 2, 4, 6, and 10 units have been studied quantum chemically using the semiempirical PM 3 parameterization. The oligomers of pyrrole and phosphole with the homolytically dissociated N? H bond and P? H bond, respectively, and oligomers of thiophene and furan with one electron removed per monomer unit (4n + 2 π-electron bipolaron systems) have also been studied. The electronic properties of the respective polymers were extrapolated from the oligomer data. Bulk polymer effects on the electronic structure were modeled using the self-consistent reaction field theory in the multicavity approximation (MC a SCRF ). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Advancements in Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions to Access Carbocycles and Heterocycles: An Overview

This review summarizes recent developments (from 2006 to 2022) in numerous important and efficient carbo- and heterocycle generations using gold-catalyzed cascade protocols. Herein, methodologies involve selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of product formation being controlled by the ligand as well as the counter anion, catalyst, substrate, and reaction conditions. Gold-catalyzed cascade reactions covered different strategies through the compilation of various approaches such as cyclization, hydroarylation, intermolecular and intramolecular cascade reactions, etc. This entitled reaction is also useful for the synthesis of spiro, fused, bridged carbo- and heterocycles.