Studies on photochemical rearrangement of non-oxygenated bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones and mono-oxygenated bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones from masked o-benzoquinones: Access to protoilludane and marasmane skeletons

In this work, we described flexible approaches to protoilludane-like (5,6,4-tricyclic ring) and marasmane-like (5,6,3-tricyclic ring) skeletons with naturally occurring cis/anti/cis stereochemistry using photochemical rearrangement of bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones and Diels-Alder reaction of masked o-benzoquinones as the key steps.     

Control of the Diels-Alder-Addition Regioselectivity by Remote Olefins. Syntheses and Cycloadditions of 2,3,5-Trimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and 2,3,5,6,7-Pentamethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane

The syntheses of 2,3,5-trimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 1 ) and 2,3,5,6,7-pentamethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]-octane ( 2 ) are reported. The Diels-Alder additions of the diene moieties of these polyenes can be regioselective, probably because of a possible transannular interaction between the homoconjugated methylidene and s-cis-buta-diene groups.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the thermal reactions of endo- and exo-5-cyanobicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene and methyl-substituted derivatives in the gas phase

The thermal reactions of endo- and exo-5-cyanobicyclo-[2.2.2]oct-2-ene and their trans- and cis-6-methyl-substituted derivatives have been investigated in the gas phase between 518 and 630 K. Each product decomposes by two parallel first-order retro-Diels-Alder reactions, a main one with formation of cyclohexa-1,3-diene and a minor one with elimination of ethene. Slight isomerizations are also observed. The kinetic results can be explained in terms of a biradical mechanism. The rate-determining step is shown to depend on the amount of resonance energy in the biradical. Heats of formation and entropies of the bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-enes studied are estimated.     

Synthesis of a Strained Spherical Carbon Nanocage by Regioselective Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

The smallest spherical carbon nanocage so far, [2.2.2]carbon nanocage, has been synthesized by the cationic rhodium(I)/H₈‐binap complex‐catalyzed regioselective intermolecular cyclotrimerization of a cis‐1‐ethynyl‐4‐arylcyclohexadiene derivative followed by the triple Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐couplings with 1,3,5‐triborylbenzene and reductive aromatization. This cage molecule is highly strained, and its ring strain is between those of [6] and [5]cycloparaphenylenes. A significant red‐shift of an emission maximum was observed, compared with that of known [4.4.4]carbon nanocage. The sequential cyclotrimerizations of a cis‐1,4‐diethynylcyclohexadiene derivative with the same rhodium(I) catalyst followed by reductive aromatization failed to afford [1.1.1]carbon nanocage; instead, a β‐graph‐shaped cage molecule was generated.     

Interaction between Exocyclic s-cis-Butadiene and Homoconjugated Functions. Preparation and Diels-Alder Reactivity of Remotely Substituted 2,3-Dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

The preparations of 5,6-dimethylidene-2exo-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol ( 8 ), its endo isomer 9 , 5,6-dimethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ( 10 ) and 2 exo, 3 exo-epoxy-5,6dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 11 ) are described. The kinetics of their cycloaddition to tetracyanoethylene has been measured in toluene at 25° together with those of 2,3-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 7 ) and 5,6-dimethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (12). The effects of remote substitution on the Diels-Alder reactivity of 2,3-dimethyl idenebicyclo[2.2.2]octanes are compared with those observed in the 2,3-dimethylidenenorbornane series ( 1–6 ).     

Effects of ring strain on gas-phase rate constants. I. Ozone reactions with cycloalkenes

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of O₃ with a series of cycloalkenes and with cis-2-butene have been determined at 297 ± 1 K. The rate constants obtained were (in units of 10^?16 cm³/molecule·s): cis-2-butene, 1.38 ± 0.16; cyclopentene, 2.75 ± 0.33; cyclohexene, 1.04 ± 0.14; cycloheptene, 3.19 ± 0.36; 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 19.7 ± 2.8; 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 0.639 ± 0.074; bicyclo[2.2.1]-2-heptene, 21.4 ± 3.5; bicyclo[2.2.1]-2,5-heptadiene, 46.8 ± 12.9; and bicyclo[2.2.2]-2-octene, 0.728 ± 0.090. These data for cis-2-butene, cyclopentene, and cyclohexene are compared with previous literature data, and the effects of ring strain on the rate constants are discussed.     

Reduction of the 1,2,5-thiadiazole ring of 3,6:12,15-di-1,4-benzo[6.6](3,4)-1,2,5-thiadiazolo- and 3,5:11,13-di-1,3-benzo-[6.6](3,4)-1,2,5-thiadiazolocyclophanes. Selective preparation of cis- and trans-[23]cyclophane-1,2-diacetoamide

The effect of the [2.2.2]cyclophane ring structure on the reduction of 1,2,5-thiadiazole ring incorporated in cyclophanes 1a-c and 2a-c was investigated. When reduced by sodium metal in ethanol followed by acetylation, para[2³]cyclophane 1 gave a mixture of the expected cis- and trans-diamides, 3 and 4 , in which 4 was the major product. On the other hand, reduction of 1 with lithium aluminum hydride proceeded in a cis-selective manner and gave 3 as a major product after a treatment of the reduced products with acetic anhydride. The reduction of metacyclophane 2 , which is less strained than 1 , proceeded exclusively in cis-fashion and a subsequent treatment of the reduction product with acetic anhydride gave only cis-diamide 6 .     

4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanone Derivatives with Antiplasmodial and Antitrypanosomal Activities

4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones were converted to their N-oxides and to 4-aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanes. Furthermore, the 6,7-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl) analogues were synthesized. All products were screened for their activities against Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum. The pharmacological results were compared with those of formerly tested bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones and bicyclo[2.2.2]octanols. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

Synthesis and Circular Dichroism of Optically Pure (±)-(1S,2S,5S)-5-Methoxy-3,4,6,7-tetramethylidenebicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-yl Derivatives. Baker's Yeast Reduction of 4-Methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one

Baker's yeast reduction of 4-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one ( 11 ) under fermenting conditions afforded (?)-(1S,2S,4R)-4-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ol ((?)- 13 ) in 60% yield with an e.e. > 99.5%. Its methanesulfonate (?)- 14 was hydrolyzed and rearranged with high stereo-selectivity into (+)-(1S,2S,5S)-5-methoxy-3,4,6,7-tetramethylidenebicyclo[3.2.1]octan-2-ol ((+)- 15 ). The absolute configuration of (?)- 13 was deduced from the CD spectrum of its 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate ((+)- 22 ) applying the chiral exciton-coupling method. The CD spectrum of (+)- 15 and of its (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl ether ((+)- 23 ) showed exciton-split type of Cotton effects attributed to through-space interactions between the s-gauche-buta-diene and s-cis-butadiene chromophores of these systems.     

4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanone Derivatives with Antiplasmodial and Antitrypanosomal Activities

Summary. 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones were converted to their N-oxides and to 4-aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanes. Furthermore, the 6,7-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl) analogues were synthesized. All products were screened for their activities against Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum. The pharmacological results were compared with those of formerly tested bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones and bicyclo[2.2.2]octanols. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.Received April 8, 2003; accepted April 14, 2003 Published online September 25, 2003     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of bi- and tricycloalkanes at 299 ± 2 K: Effects of ring strain

Relative rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of bi- and tricyclic alkanes have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of OH radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with cyclohexane of 7.57 × 10^?12 cm³/molec·s, the rate constants obtained are (× 10¹² cm³/molec·s): bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 5.53 ± 0.15; bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 14.8 ± 1.0; bicyclo[3.3.0]octane, 11.1 ± 0.6; cis-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 17.3 ± 1.3; trans-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 17.8 ± 1.3; cis-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 20.1 ± 1.4; trans-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 20.6 ± 1.2; tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decane, 11.4 ± 0.4; and tricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane, 23.2 ± 2.1. These data show that overall ring strain energies of ?4–5 kcal mol^?1 have no significant effect on the rate constants, but that larger ring strain results in the rate constants being decreased, relative to those expected for the strain-free molecules, by ratios which increase approximately exponentially with the overall ring strain.     

Heterogenous Oxidation of [2.2.1] Bridged Bicyclic Alkenes with KMnO4-CuSO4.5H2O: An Alternative Ozonolysis

Seven [2.2.1] bridged alkenes were cleaved to the corresponding dialdehyde products by neutral heterogenous oxidation with KMnO₄-CuSO₄.5H₂O. While endo, endo-dimethyl bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylate, [2.2.2] bridged alkene, gave the corresponding α-hydroxy ketone, endo, endo-dimethyl bicyclo[3.2.2]non-8-ene-6,7-dicarboxylate afforded a diketone product.     

On the Diastereoselectivity of the Aqueous-Acid-Catalyzed Intramolecular Aldol Condensation of 3-Oxocyclohexaneacetaldehydes

The factors responsible for the diastereoselective formation of the 6-endo-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one by acid-catalyzed intramolecular aldol reaction of 3-oxocyclohexaneacetaldehydes have been investigated. This study, carried out on (1SR,4RS,6RS)-6-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one 1a , (1SR,4RS,6SR)-6-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one 1b , and 3,3-(ethylenedioxy)cyclohexaneacetaldehyde 2a , allowed to demonstrate the absence of intramolecular H-bonding in 1a as a stabilizing factor, and to ascertain the presence of unfavorable steric interactions in 1b .     

Face Selectivity of the Diels-Alder Additions of 2-Substituted 5,6-bis((E)-chloromethylidene)bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

The preparation of 5,6-bis((E)-chlorommethylidene)bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene ( 13 ), 2,3-bis((E)-chloromethyl idene)-5exo,6exo- and -5endo,6endo-epoxybicyclo[2.2.2] octane ( 14 and 15 ), 5,6-bis((E)-chloromethylidene)-2exo- and -2endo-bicyclo[2.2.2] octanol ( 16 and 17 ) and 5,6-bis((E)-chloromethylidene)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ( 18 ) are described. The face selectivity (endo-face vs. exo-face attack onto the exo-cyclic diene) of their cycloadditions to tetracyanoethylene has been determined in benzene at 20°. It is 78/22, 80/20, 60/40, 68/32, 3/97 and 30/70 for 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 and 18 , respectively.     

Synthesis of monomers that expand on polymerization. Synthesis and polymerization of 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes with phenyl groups

2,6,7-Trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes with phenyl group were prepared to obtain monomers which expand on polymerization. 1-Phenyl-4-ethyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (I) could expand 0.2% during polymerization at a temperature slightly higher than the melting point. 1,4-Diphenyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (II) also expanded as much as 1.4% on polymerization. Further, the hydrolysis of 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes with p-substituted phenyl groups were investigated to estimate the stability in water.     

Ring-rearrangement metathesis of nitroso Diels-Alder cycloadducts

Strained nitroso Diels–Alder bicyclo[2.2.1] or [2.2.2] adducts functionalized with alkene side chains of diverse length undergo a ring‐rearrangement metathesis process with external alkenes and Grubbs II or Hoveyda–Grubbs II ruthenium catalysts, under microwave irradiation or classical heating, to deliver cis‐fused bicycles of various ring sizes, which contain a N? O bond. These scaffolds are of synthetic relevance for the generation of molecular diversity and to the total synthesis of alkaloids. The observation of unexpected reactions, such as epimerization or one‐carbon homologation of the alkene side chain, is also reported.     

Asymmetric Diels-Alder Cycloadditions with C2-Symmetrical Chiral Carbamoylnitroso Dienophiles

The C₂-symmetrical chiral pyrrolidines 2 and 3 are of opposite helicity. The corresponding N-acylnitroso dienophiles 6 and 7 react in good yield with cyclohexadiene, leading thereby with excellent diastereoisomeric excess to the expected Diels-Alder cycloadducts (see Scheme). The [2.2.2] bicyclic moieties of the major diastereoisomers 9 and 11 proved to be of opposite configuration, as expected. Their configuration is best explained by assuming the acylnitroso dienophile to be in the s-cis conformation in the transition state, the approach of the diene being endo (see Fig.).     

Thermotropic copolyesters. II. Synthesis and characterization of liquid-crystal copolyesters containing the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring system

The syntheses and characterizations of poly(oxy-trans-1,4-cyclohexyleneoxycarbonyl-1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octylenecarbonyl) (I) and poly(oxy-trans-1,4-cyclohexyleneoxycarbonyl-1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octylenecarbonyl-co-oxy-trans-1,4-cyclohexyleneoxysebacoyl) (II) are described. The polymer systems were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, solution viscosity, and differential scanning calorimetry. The random copolyester prepared from 1:0.65:0.35 mol of trans-1,4-cyclohexanediol, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-dicarbonyl chloride, and sebacoyl chloride, respectively, formed a birefringent fluid state in the melt.     

Regioselective Electrophilic Additions of Bicyclo[2.2.n]alk-2-enes Controlled by Remote Epoxide Functions

The electrophilic additions of 2-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride to (1RS,2SR,4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 12 ) and (1RS,2SR,4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 14 ) were not regioselective under condition of kinetic control. However, good regioselectivity was observed for the addition of 2-nitro-benzenesulfenyl chloride to (1RS,2RS,4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 13 ), giving (1RS,2SR,4SR,5RS,6RS)-6-exo-(2-nitrophenylthio)spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2.2′-oxirane]-5-endo-yl chloride ( 24 ) and for the exo addition to (1RS,2RS.4RS)-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]oct05-ene-2,2′-oxirane] ( 15 ), giving preferntially (1RS,2SR,4SR,5RS,6 RS)-6-exo-(2-nitrophenylthio) spiro[bicyxlo[2.2.2]octane-2,2′-oxirane]-5-endo-yl chloride ( 30 ). The facial selectivity (electrophilic exo vs. endo attack on the bucyclic alkene) depended on the relative configuration of the spiroepoxide ring in the bicyclo[2.2.2]octenes 14 and 15 . The exo-epoxide 14 was attacked preferentially (6:1) on the endo face by sulfenyl whereas exo attack was preferred (7:2) in the case of the endo-epoxide 15 . No products resulting from transannular ring expansion of the spiro-epoxide moieties could be detected.     

Synthesis of Bridged Oxafenestranes from Pleuromutilin

Fenestranes are an intriguing class of highly strained molecules possessing a quaternary carbon with bonds that deviate from the canonical tetrahedral geometry. Herein we report the discovery that the natural product pleuromutilin can be used as a structurally complex starting material for the synthesis of a series of bridged cis,cis,cis,cis‐[4.5.5.5]‐ and cis,cis,cis,cis‐[4.5.7.5]oxafenestranes through a carbocation rearrangement cascade. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of several cis,cis,cis,cis‐[4.5.5.5]oxafenestranes shows a significant planarization of the central tetracoordinate carbon atom and demonstrates the influence of bridgehead substituents and bridging rings on planarity.