A [4 + 4] annulation strategy for the synthesis of eight-membered carbocycles based on intramolecular cycloadditions of conjugated enynes

A [4+4] annulation strategy for the synthesis of eight-membered carbocycles is reported that proceeds via a cascade involving two pericyclic processes. In the first step, the [4+2] cycloaddition of a conjugated enyne with an electron-deficient cyclobutene generates a strained six-membered cyclic allene that isomerizes to the corresponding 1,3-cyclohexadiene. In the second step, this bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene intermediate undergoes thermal or acid-promoted 6-electron electrocyclic ring opening to furnish a 2,4,6-cyclooctatrienone. The latter transformation represents the first example of the promotion of 6-electron electrocyclic ring opening reactions by acid.     

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed smooth tandem [3+2] cycloaddition/ring opening of donor-acceptor cyclopropane 1,1-diesters with enol silyl ethers

Catalyzed by Lewis acids, donor-acceptor cyclopropane 1,1-diesters reacted with enol silyl ethers to afford 1,6-dicarbonyl compounds in moderate to excellent yields. This supplied a mild carbon-carbon bond-forming method from the ring opening of cyclopropanes. A smooth tandem [3+2] cycloaddition/ring opening process has been clearly proved by an independent experiment.     

On the [2+2] cycloaddition of 2-aminothiazoles and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. Experimental and computational evidence of a thermal disrotatory ring opening of fused cyclobutenes

The reaction of 2-(phenylamino)- and 2-(dimethylamino)thiazoles with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate led unexpectedly to dimethyl 6-(phenylamino)- and 6-(dimethylamino)-3,4-pyridinedicarboxylates. Those compounds reasonably result from a sequence of reactions initiated by a [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the alkyne to the formal C=C of the thiazole ring. These pyridines were obtained in nearly all the cases assayed as the exclusive reaction products under rather mild conditions and in fair to good yields. In contrast, the regioisomeric 2-amino-3,4-pyridinedicarboxylates, which would result from a [4 + 2] cycloaddition followed by sulfur extrusion, were only obtained in one particular case. The two reaction paths leading alternatively to both regioisomers were investigated computationally. The respective [2 + 2] and [4 + 2] cycloadducts were found to be formed stepwise from a common dipolar intermediate. Notably, the step following the [2 + 2] cycloaddition (i.e., the ring opening of the fused cyclobutene intermediate to give an all-cis 1,3-thiazepine) was found to take place in a disrotatory mode. Although geometric constraints and electronic factors may reduce the energy for the disrotation, the implication of the fused five-membered ring in the electronic reorganization leading to the 1,3-thiazepine is determinant. In this sense, this step could be regarded also as a thermally allowed six-electron five-center disrotatory electrocyclic ring opening. The proposed mechanism was experimentally supported by the isolation of several intermediates and other experimental facts.     

Stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized 1,5-oxa-bridged cyclooctenes via a 3-oxidopyrylium-cyclopropenone acetal cycloaddition [corrected

[reaction: see text] A [5C+2C] oxidopyrylium-cyclopropenone acetal cycloaddition followed by ring opening of the cyclopropane unit of the resulting adduct leads to highly substituted 1,5-oxa-bridged cyclooctenes containing up to four stereocenters. The protocol formally constitutes a [5C+3C] annulation process.     

Recent developments in the enantioselective synthesis of polyfunctionalized pyran and chromene derivatives

Recent developments in the synthesis of 4H- and 2H-pyrans as well as structurally related chromene derivatives that have enabled the enantioselective synthesis of these scaffolds have been surveyed. The role of chiral catalysts in orienting initial reactions of active methylenes, methines and methyl ketones, to unsaturated ketones and nitriles in multi-component reactions or Friedel–Craft alkylations of phenols is discussed to show their involvement in transition states leading to end products. Chromene synthesis via [4+2] cycloadditions, [3+3] and [4+2] annulations as well as ring opening and recyclization leading to high enantio- and diasteroselectivity is also demonstrated. The enantioselectivity in such catalytic asymmetric reactions despite starting with non-chiral starting materials is discussed. On the other hand, in surveying ring opening and recyclization, the starting materials are chiral and the chiral center was not part of the reaction leading to the final product.     

Tandem reactions of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles with allylamines

A reaction of 3-chloro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with allylamine and diallylamine has been investigated. 3,3a,4,5-Tetrahydroisoxazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines are produced through a tandem ANRORC/[3 + 2]cycloaddition pathway consisting of the addition of allylamine to the 1,2,4-oxadiazole, followed by ring opening, nitrone formation, and finally cycloaddition. 3-N-Allylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles were also obtained as minor products through a classical SNAr. Conversely, a reaction with diallylamine produces 3-N,N-diallylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazole and imidazoline through tandem SNAr/aziridination and nucleophilic ring opening.     

Gold-catalyzed [4+3]-annulation of oxabicyclic benzenes with 2-substituted allylsilanes through tandem allylation and cyclization

This work reports new gold-catalyzed [4+3]-annulations of oxacyclic benzenes with 2-substituted allylsilanes through tandem allylation and cyclization; on the basis of experimental observations, we propose a mechanism involving the opening of the oxacyclic ring by a PPh3Au+-assisted SN2-attack of allylsilanes.     

Opening the [4 + 2 + 2] cycloadducts of bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes (norbornadienes) to cis-fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes

Tetracyclo[5.4.0.0.(2,4)0(3,7)]undec-9-enes, prepared by the transition-metal-catalyzed [4 + 2 + 2] homo-Diels-Alder reactions of norbornadiene and 1,3-butadienes, can be opened using either acid-promoted or Zeise's dimer-mediated cyclopropane ring cleavage, ultimately leading to cis-fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes (perhydroazulenes). Stereoselective functionalization of the olefin unit in the tetracycloundecenes to an alcohol or diol prior to ring opening is tolerated by the Zeise's dimer ([Pt(C(2)H(4))Cl(2)](2)) catalyst to yield highly functionalized bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes, which form the core structure of numerous sesquiterpenes.     

Regioselective reactions of 1-alkylidene-2-oxyallyl cations with furan: control of [4 + 3] cycloaddition, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and electrophilic substitution

The ring opening of alkylidenecyclopropanone acetal under acidic conditions produces the 1-alkylidene-2-oxyallyl cation as an intermediate, which reacts with furan to give the [3 + 2] and [4 + 3] cycloadducts as well as an electrophilic substitution product. The product distribution is controlled by the oxy substituents of the cation and by the solvent employed.     

Synthesis of (+/-)-3H-epivincamine via a Rh(II)-triggered cyclization/cycloaddition cascade

A synthesis of (+/-)-3H-epivincamine is reported. Important steps include (1) a Rh(II)-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition of an alpha-diazo indolo amide, (2) a reductive ring opening of the cycloadduct, (3) a decarboethoxylation reaction, and (4) a base-induced keto-amide ring contraction.     

Selective imidazolidine ring opening during complex formation of iron(III), copper(II), and zinc(II) with a multidentate ligand obtained from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde N-oxide and triethylenetetramine

The condensation of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde N-oxide and triethylenetetramine yields a product with two imidazolidine rings, as proven by a solid-state X-ray structure analysis as well as by NMR solution spectra. This ligand, L1, undergoes a ring-opening reaction on complex formation with Cu(II), yielding [CuL2]2+ where L2 functions as a pentadentate ligand, containing only one imidazolidine ring. On complexation with Zn(II) and Fe(III), both rings are opened and the complexes [ZnL3]2+ and [FeL3]3+ with a hexadentate L3 ligand are formed. The recrystallization of [ZnL3]2+ from DMSO solution results in the complex [ZnL1(DMSO)2]2+ in which L1 behaves as a tetradentate ligand. Thus L1, L2, and L3 are structural isomers with two, one, or no imidazolidine rings, as confirmed by X-ray structure analyses. The intramolecular ring formation is the result of the nucleophilic addition of the N(amino) group to the electrophilic sp2-hybridized -HC delta+=N site. Owing to the absence of the chelate effect on the sp3-hybridized carbon atom belonging to the imidazolidine ring, the ring opening is facilitated and readily observed upon complex formation with Cu(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III).     

Base‐Catalyzed Formation of Isoxazoles from Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylates and 2‐Nitroacetophenones

The reaction of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with 1‐aryl‐2‐nitroethanones in the presence of pyridine leads to dialkyl 5‐aryloyl‐isoxazole‐3,4‐dicarboxylates through a novel mechanism, which involves a [2+2] cycloaddition/ring opening/cyclization sequence.     

Quantum mechanical inspection of the Diels-Alder approach to biaryls mechanism

The Diels-Alder reaction of substituted cyclohexadienes with substituted phenylacetylenes offers an attractive alternative for the synthesis of biaryl compounds via a two-step cycloaddition/cycloelimination pathway. Quantum mechanical calculations using B3LYP and M06-2X density functional methods for the reaction of 2-chloro-6-nitrophenylacetylene with 1-carbomethoxy-cyclohexadiene show the reaction proceeds by a stepwise diradical [4+2] cycloaddition followed by concerted [2+4] cycloelimination of ethylene. [2+2] cycloadducts are also the result of stepwise addition. [2+2] cycloadducts isomerize to [4+2] cycloadducts via diradical pathways, which involve the same diradical intermediate in cycloaddition. There is also a competitive conrotatory ring opening followed by trans-cis double bond isomerization pathway of the [4.2.0] bicycle (the [2+2] cycloadduct) to give the cis,cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclooctatriene.     

Bromenium‐Catalysed Tandem Ring Opening/Cyclisation of Vinylcyclopropanes and Vinylcyclobutanes: A Metal‐Free [3+2+1]/[4+2+1] Cascade for the Synthesis of Chiral Amidines and Computational Investigation

We present a detailed study of a [3+2+1] cascade cyclisation of vinylcyclopropanes (VCP) catalysed by a bromenium species (Br^δ+? X^δ?) generated in situ, which results in the synthesis of chiral bicyclic amidines in a tandem one‐pot operation. The formation of amidines involves the ring‐opening of VCPs with Br? X, followed by a Ritter‐type reaction with chloramine‐T and a tandem cyclisation. The reaction has been further extended to vinylcyclobutane systems and involves a [4+2+1] cascade cyclisation with the same reagents. The versatility of the methodology has been demonstrated by careful choice of VCPs and VCBs to yield bicyclo[4.3.0]‐, ‐[4.3.1]‐ and ‐[4.4.0]amidines in enantiomerically pure form. On the basis of the experimental observations and DFT calculations, a reasonable mechanism has been put forth to account for the formation of the products and the observed stereoselectivity. We propose the existence of a π‐stabilised homoallylic carbocation at the cyclopropane carbon as the reason for high stereoselectivity. DFT studies at B3LYP/6‐311+G** and M06‐2X/6‐31+G* levels of theory in gas‐phase calculations suggest the ring‐opening of VCP is initiated at the π‐complex stage (between the double bond and Br? X). This can be clearly perceived from the solution‐phase (acetonitrile) calculations using the polarisable continuum model (PCM) solvation model, from which the extent of the ring opening of VCP was found to be noticeably high. Studies also show that the formation of zero‐bridge bicyclic amidines is favoured over other bridged bicyclic amidines. The energetics of competing reaction pathways is compared to explain the product selectivity.     

Total synthesis of (−)-martinellic acid

An enantioselective formal total synthesis of the pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline natural product martinellic acid has been achieved. The key steps involve a Pd-catalyzed aryl amidation reaction of a pyrroglutamate derivative, an intramolecular [3+2] azomethine ylide-alkene cycloaddition and a reductive ring opening reaction.     

Mesoionic 1,3-oxazinium olates. rearrangement to acylketenes and 3-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanetriones

Metastable but isolable mesoionic 1,3-oxazinium 4-olates 9d-f undergo ring opening to acylketenes 10 at or near room temperature. The ketenes undergo intramolecular criss-cross [2 + 2] cycloaddition to afford 3-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanetriones 12. The structure of 12d was established by X-ray crystallography.     

[1+1] and [2+2] crown ethers derived from N,N-bis(2-hydroxyalkylbenzyl)alkylamine and their inclusion phenomena with metal ions

N,N-bis(2-hydroxyalkylbenzyl)alkylamine (HBA) is a derivative obtained from a single time ring opening of benzoxazines. For HBA with methyl group at ortho and para positions, and at N atom, the reaction between this derivative and ditosylated compound gives [1+1] dibenzo-monoaza-crowns. For HBA without methyl group at ortho position, the compound gives [2+2] macrocyclic ethers. The studies on inclusion phenomena using Pedersen’s and molar ratio techniques clarify the alkali metal ion guest inclusion to be 2:1 for [2+2] and 5:2 for [1+1] macrocycles.     

Fast atom bombardment-promoted reductive ring opening of 1,2-benzisothiazoles

Fast atom bombardment mass spectral examination of molecules containing a 1,2-benzisothiazole ring, using a thiol reducing agent matrix, promotes reductive ring opening of the benzisothiazole ring, giving an [M+H]⁺ two daltons higher than expected. Measurements using a non-reducing matrix produce the expected [M+H]⁺. This is a general phenomenon, observed with a number of molecules containing the benzisothiazole ring. The ring-opened structure has been confirmed by chemical synthesis and observed in metabolic studies.     

A novel reaction of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ): charge-transfer chromophores by [2 + 2] cycloaddition with alkynes

A series of donor-acceptor molecules, featuring intense low-energy intramolecular charge-transfer bands, was prepared by regioselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition between 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and N,N-dialkylanilino-substituted (DAA-substituted) alkynes, followed by ring opening of the initially formed cyclobutenes.     

Photoreactions of 1-acetylisatin with alkynes: regioselectivity in oxetene formation and easy access to 3-alkylideneoxindoles and dispiro[oxindole[3,2']furan[3',3' ']oxindole]s

[reaction: see text] Photoinduced reactions of 1-acetylisatin (IS) with diphenylacetylenes 1a-c, 1-(p-methoxyphenyl)propyne 2, and 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiyne 3 gave beta,beta-disubstituted 3-alkylidene oxindoles 6-12 respectively via [2+2] cycloaddition of 3IS* with the alkyne and subsequent oxetene ring opening. Photoreactions of IS with phenylacetylenes 4a-d and cyclopropylacetylene 5 furnished the dispiroindole[3,2']furan[3',3' ']indoles 13 and 14. Compounds 13 and 14 are formed in tandem reactions initiated by [2+2] cycloaddition of 3IS* with the alkynes to give spirooxetenes Va and Vb, which upon spontaneous ring opening gave the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes IVa and IVb. It is proposed that hydrogen abstraction of 3IS* from the C(O)-H functionality in IV followed by dissociation of the triplet isatin ketyl (A)-aldehyde acyl (B) radical pair and an oxygenphilic attack of the acyl radical B at the C3 carbonyl oxygen atom of a neutral IS gave the 2:1 (IS:4) radical C, which took part in an intramolecular radical cyclization to give the dispiroindole[3,2']furan[3',3' ']indoles 13 and 14. The regioselectivity in the [2+2] photocycloadditions of IS with 4 to afford the oxetene Va depends on the intervening of the more stable 1,4-diradical intermediates VI, which have a linear alpha-phenyl-substituted vinyl radical where the phenyl provides spin delocalization of the radical center at the sp carbon atom.