Synthesis of bicyclo[4.n.1]alkanones

Cyclic beta-keto ester monoanions react with 1,4-dihalobutenes to give C-alkylated products which subsequently undergo a stereoselective SN2' O-alkylation reaction to yield functionalized enol ethers. When the starting material was ethyl cyclopentanone carboxylate, the C-alkylated product, treated with a base, directly afforded the functionalized bicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone. The enol ethers were submitted to a flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) reaction to readily afford functionalized bicyclo[4.n.1]alkanones (n = 3, 4). This reaction sequence was applied to the synthesis of a functionalized tricyclo[7.4.1.0(1,5)]tetradecanone, which represents an analogue to the tricyclic core of ingenol.     

Drastic conversion of bicyclo[m,n,0]alkane rings to spirocyclic skeletons

Under acetalization conditions (BF₃/ethylene glycol), bicyclo[m.n.0]alkanones with the carbonyl function at 3′ or 4′-position of the C₁-side chain undergo the ring cleavage to build up the spirocyclic skeletons.     

Synthesis of highly functionalized bicyclo[m.n.1]alkanones via a cationic reaction cascade

[reaction: see text] The acid-mediated Prins/pinacol and the triple domino reactions Diels-Alder/Prins/pinacol were used to construct highly functionalized bicyclo[m.n.1]alkanones 19-29 and 33a-c possessing various ring sizes from ketals 8-18 and 31a-c in 44-96% yields. This approach proves to be highly efficient and reliable to generate high molecular complexity in a single step.     

Dimethylformamide Catalyzed Synthesis of Novel Heterocycles—Their Characterization and Antimicrobial Evaluation

Indandione 1 was brominated to yield 2‐bromoIndandione 2 , which further reacted with substituted thiocarbamides, carbamides, 2‐aminothiophenols, 2‐aminophenol, and triazole to furnished 3‐substituted aniline‐2‐thia‐4‐aza‐6,7‐benzo‐8‐oxo‐bicyclo[3.3.0]‐1(5),3‐octadiene 3 , 3‐substituted aniline‐2‐oxa‐4‐aza‐6,7‐benzo‐8‐oxo‐bicyclo[3.3.0]‐1(5),3‐octadiene 4 , 2‐Thia‐5‐aza‐9‐oxo‐3,4‐(3′‐substituted) benzo‐7,8‐benzo‐bicyclo[4.3.0]‐1(6) nonene 5 , 2‐oxa‐5‐aza‐9‐oxo‐(3, 4)‐(7,8)‐dibenzo‐bicyclo[4.3.0]‐1(6) nonene 6 , 3′‐substituted‐(1′,2′,4′)triazolo[5,6‐b][indeno(2,3‐e)]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine 7 , respectively. The structures of compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral techniques, further the representative compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity.     

Synthesis of Bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes by a Cobalt‐Catalyzed Multiple C(sp3)−H Activation Strategy

A cobalt‐catalyzed dual C(sp³)−H activation strategy has been developed and it provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes. A key to the success of this reaction is the conformation‐induced methylene C(sp³)−H activation of the resulting cobaltabicyclo[4.n.1] intermediate. In addition, the synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane from pivalamide, by a triple C(sp³)−H activation, has also been demonstrated.     

Two Unusual Rearranged Flavan Derivatives from Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis

Two unusual rearranged flavan derivatives with a rare bicyclo[3.3.1]non‐3‐ene‐2,9‐dione ring, tazettone A ( 1 ) and tazettone B ( 2 ), together with five known flavans, 3 – 7 , were isolated from the bulbs of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis Roem . The structures of two new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against four human tumor cell lines A549, HCT116, SK‐BR‐3, and HepG2. Compounds 1 and 2 were almost inactive against all tested cell lines, while compounds 3 – 7 exhibited moderate or weak cytotoxicities against the tested cell lines.     

A one-carbon ring enlarged cyclopropanation or vinylation reaction of cyclic keto eaters or sulfones

On treating potassium salts of n-membered cyclic keto esters or sulfones with phenyl 1-propenyl selenone, a one-carbon ring expansion reaction involving cyclopropanation or vinylation takes place to give the corresponding bicyclo[(n - 1).1.0]alkanones or (n + 1)-membered cyclic ketones bearing vinyl group at their 3-position.     

Non‐empirical calculations of NMR indirect carbon‐carbon coupling constants. Part 5: Bridged bicycloalkanes

All possible J(C,C) of the bicarbocyclic frameworks together with J(C,H) and J(H,H) at bridgeheads in the series of six bridged bicycloalkanes, bicyclo[1.1.0]butane, bicyclo[2.1.0]pentane, bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane, bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane and bicyclo[3.3.0]octane, were calculated at the SOPPA level with correlation consistent Dunning sets cc‐pVTZ‐Cs augmented with inner core s‐functions and locally dense Sauer sets aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J augmented with tight s‐functions and rationalized in terms of the multipath coupling mechanism and hybridization effects explaining many interesting structural trends. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Novel,Chiral Bicyclo[3.1.0]hex‐2‐ene Amino Acid Derivatives as Useful Synthons in Medicinal Chemistry

A short and concise synthesis of novel, chiral bicyclo[3.1.0]hex‐2‐ene amino acid derivatives 13 and 14 has been developed. The key step is a stereo‐ and regioselective allylic amination of exo‐ and endo‐methyl bicyclo[3.1.0]hex‐2‐ene‐6‐carboxylates 8 and 9 , which were prepared from 7,7‐dichlorobicyclo[3.2.0]hept‐2‐en‐6‐one ( 1 ). These amino acid derivatives are useful building blocks in medicinal chemistry and can be prepared as chiral compounds by using either (+)‐ 1 or (?)‐ 1 as starting material.     

Synthesis of 1,10-phenanthrolines fused with bicyclo[3.3.0]octane and bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane frameworks

Reactions of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione and bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione with 8-amino-7-quino-linecarbaldehyde under basic conditions led to fused nonplanar compounds with one or two 1,10-phenanthroline moieties. The novel heterocyclic systems bicyclo[3.3.1]nonano[2,3-b]bis[1,10]-phenanthroline, cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octano[3,2-b:7,6-b']bis[1,10]phenanthroline, bicyclo[3.3.1]nona-no[2,3-b:6,7-b']bis[1,10]phenanthroline, and 8H-9,16-methanoindolo[2',3':5,6]cycloocta[1,2-b]bis-[1,10]-phenanthroline have been synthesized and characterized.     

From a Si3‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane to a Si3S‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S2‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane: Back‐and‐Forth,and In‐Between

Compact and highly reactive bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes constitute one of the most fascinating classes of organic compounds. Furthermore, interplay of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with their valence isomers, such as buta‐1,3‐dienes and cyclobutenes, is among the fundamental pericyclic transformations in organic chemistry. Herein we report the back‐and‐forth interconversion between the cyclotrisilenes and thiatrisilabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes, allowing for the synthesis of novel representatives of such classes of highly reactive organometallics. The peculiar structural and bonding features of the newly synthesized compounds, as well as the mechanism of their isomerization, were verified both experimentally and computationally.     

From a Si3‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane to a Si3S‐Cyclopropene to a Si3S2‐Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane: Back‐and‐Forth,and In‐Between

Compact and highly reactive bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes constitute one of the most fascinating classes of organic compounds. Furthermore, interplay of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with their valence isomers, such as buta‐1,3‐dienes and cyclobutenes, is among the fundamental pericyclic transformations in organic chemistry. Herein we report the back‐and‐forth interconversion between the cyclotrisilenes and thiatrisilabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes, allowing for the synthesis of novel representatives of such classes of highly reactive organometallics. The peculiar structural and bonding features of the newly synthesized compounds, as well as the mechanism of their isomerization, were verified both experimentally and computationally.     

Complex Polypropionates from a South China Sea Photosynthetic Mollusk: Isolation and Biomimetic Synthesis Highlighting Novel Rearrangements

Placobranchus ocellatus is well known to produce diverse and complex γ‐pyrone polypropionates. In this study, the chemical investigation of P. ocellatus from the South China Sea led to the discovery and identification of ocellatusones A–D, a series of racemic non‐γ‐pyrone polyketides with novel skeletons, characterized by a bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ( 1 , 2 ), a bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ( 3 ) or a mesitylene‐substituted dimethylfuran‐3(2H)‐one core ( 4 ). Extensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical computation, chemical synthesis, and/or X‐ray diffraction analysis were used to determine the structure and absolute configuration of the new compounds, including each enantiomer of racemic compounds 1 – 4 after chiral HPLC resolution. An array of new and diversity‐generating rearrangements is proposed to explain the biosynthesis of these unusual compounds based on careful structural analysis and comparison with six known co‐occurring γ‐pyrones ( 5 – 10 ). Furthermore, the successful biomimetic semisynthesis of ocellatusone A ( 1 ) confirmed the proposed rearrangement through an unprecedented acid induced cascade reaction.     

[4+2] Cycloaddition Reactions Between 1,8‐Disubstituted Cyclooctatetraenes and Diazo Dienophiles: Stereoelectronic Effects,Anticancer Properties and Application to the Synthesis of 7,8‐Substituted Bicyclo[4.2.0]octa‐2,4‐dienes

A detailed examination of [4+2] cycloaddition reactions between 1,8‐disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo compounds revealed that 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5‐dione (PTAD) reacts to form either 2,3‐ or 3,4‐disubstituted adducts. The product distribution can be controlled by modulating the electron density of the cyclooctatetraene. Unprecedented [4+2] cycloadditions between diisopropyl azodicarboxylate (DIAD) and 1,8‐disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes are also described and further manipulation of a resulting cycloadduct uncovered a new pathway to the synthetically challenging bicyclo[4.2.0]octa‐2,4‐diene family. Variation of the substituents resulted in a range of compounds displaying selective action against different human tumour cell types.     

Synthesis and biological screening of 4‐(3,3‐dimethylspiro{bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2,5′‐isoxazoline‐2}‐ 3′‐yl)‐2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines

A series of novel 4‐(3,3‐dimethylspiro{bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2,5′‐isoxazoline‐2}‐3′‐yl)‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines were synthesized. These molecules were screened in vitro for their antifungal and antibacterial activity, and none of the tested compounds showed promising antimicrobial or antifungal activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2011.     

Stereochemistry of terpene derivatives. Part 4: Fragrant terpenoid derivatives with an unsaturated gem-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane system

Starting from (+)-3-carene 1 several chiral fragrant compounds with the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane system 4–6 and 10–20 were synthesized. These compounds are structural analogues of naturally occurring fragrant compounds, such as ionones and damascones, and possess either an endo- or an exo-cyclic double bond in the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane moiety. The absolute configuration of selected products was confirmed by X-ray crystallography and circular dichroism analysis.     

Rearrangement of a mesylate tropane intermediate in nucleophilic substitution reactions. Synthesis of aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane and aza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane ethers,imides, and amines

Nucleophilic substitution of 2beta-mesyloxymethyl-N-methyl-3beta-p-tolyl-tropane intermediate with alkoxides, metal imides, or amines was found to lead not only to the expected bicyclo[3.2.1]octane (tropane) ether, imide, and amine derivatives but also to unexpected bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane derivatives. When alkoxides were used as nucleophile, only the rearranged bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane structure was obtained, whereas the use of amines or imides as nucleophile afforded a mixture of the two structures. The bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane structure was assigned by NMR analysis.     

A simple and efficient approach to the synthesis of endo and exo bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-3,5-diene-9-carboxaldehyde

Monobromination of 1,5-cyclooctadiene, followed by cyclopropanation with ethyl diazoacetate, led to the formation of endo and exo ethyl 4,5-dibromobicyclo[6.1.0]nonane-9-carboxylates 3a and 3b. Bis-dehydrobromination of 3a and 3b using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU) afforded the endo and exo ethyl bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-3,5-diene-9-carboxylates 4a and 4b. Reduction of these compounds to the corresponding alcohols 5a and 5b and subsequent oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) resulted in the formation of the target compounds endo and exo bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-3,5-diene-9-carboxaldehydes 6a and 6b.     

Oxy-cope rearrangements of bicyclo[3.2.0]heptenones. Synthesis of bicyclo[4.2.1]non-1(4)-en-6-ones and bicyclo[5.2. 1]dec-1(10)-en-5-ones

6-exo-Methylbicyclo[3.2.0]hepten-7-ones and their 2-alkylidene analogues are readily prepared from dialkyl squarates. These compounds undergo facial oxy-Cope ring expansions upon treatment with vinyllithium; the former leads to bicyclo[4.2. 1]non-1(4)-en-6-ones and the latter to the first examples of bicyclo[5.2.1]dec-1(10)-en-5-ones, compounds having exceptionally strained bridgehead double bonds. The transformations are controlled by the 6-exo-methyl group in the starting material along with the substituent at position-1 (bridgehead) which force attack of the lithium reagent from the concave face of the starting material, thus allowing the cyclopentenyl or alkylidene groups to participate in the sigmatropic event.     

Photochemical Strain‐Release‐Driven Cyclobutylation of C(sp3)‐Centered Radicals

A new photoredox‐catalyzed decarboxylative radical addition approach to functionalized cyclobutanes is described. The reaction involves an unprecedented formal Giese‐type addition of C(sp³)‐centered radicals to highly strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. The mild photoredox conditions, which make use of a readily available and bench stable phenyl sulfonyl bicyclo[1.1.0]butane, proved to be amenable to a diverse range of α‐amino and α‐oxy carboxylic acids, providing a concise route to 1,3‐disubstituted cyclobutanes. Furthermore, kinetic studies and DFT calculations unveiled mechanistic details on bicyclo[1.1.0]butane reactivity relative to the corresponding olefin system.