Rh‐ and Pt‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynes derived from terpenes

The Rh‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of new terpenoid derivatives featuring an O‐tethered enyne unexpectedly leads to polycyclic derivatives containing an inner cyclopropane ring or a diene moiety, depending on the structure of the enyne, as observed in the PtCl₂‐catalyzed processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Domino reactions consisting of heterocyclization and 1,2-migration-redox-neutral and oxidative transition-metal catalysis

Two cats, two paths: Two novel domino reactions starting from 6-hydroxy-2-alkyl-2-alkynylcyclohexanones have been discovered. While redox-neutral platinum catalysis gives rise to furans through a sequence of cyclization, 1,2-shift, and Grob fragmentation, oxidative copper catalysis provides an entry to bicyclic 2,3-dihydrofurans. Upon cyclization and oxidation, an unusual benzilic acid rearrangement can take place in this case.     

Alkyne versus allene activation in platinum- and gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of hydroxylated 1,5-allenynes

Chemo- and stereoselective transformations of 3-hydroxy-1,5-allenynes 1 into a variety of new and potentially useful cyclic compounds have been achieved. Substrates bearing a silyl group at the alkyne moiety undergo purely thermal or Lewis acid catalyzed Alder-ene type transformations into 2-methylene-3-vinylcyclopent-3-enol derivatives 2. When heated in the presence of a catalytic amount of PtCl(2) or PtCl(4), these incipient cyclopentenols could be further transformed into 3-vinylcyclopent-2-enones 3. On the other hand, alkyl-substituted 3-hydroxy-1,5-allenynes proved to be stable under refluxing conditions. Nevertheless, PtCl(2) and PtCl(4) could selectively activate the alkyne moiety of these substrates toward intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the internal allene double bond to yield unprecedented 6-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one derivatives 4. With gold-based catalysts, provided that the reaction is carried out in dichloromethane, both Au(I) and Au(III) complexes selectively activate the allene fragment of the substrates toward intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl group to yield 2-ethynyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans 5. Compounds of type 4 can also be formed with Au(I) and Au(III) complexes if the reaction is carried out in toluene. The reactivity of these new compounds has been partially investigated, and polycyclic ketones were obtained after oxidation under mild conditions or gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization.     

Intra- and intermolecular reactions of indoles with alkynes catalyzed by gold

Indoles react intramolecularly with alkynes in the presence of gold catalysts to give from six- to eight-membered-ring annulated compounds. The cationic Au(I) complex [Au(P{C(6)H(4)(o-Ph)}(tBu)(2))(NCMe)]SbF(6) is the best catalyst for the formation of six- and seven-membered rings by 6-endo-dig, 6-exo-dig, and 7-exo-dig cyclizations. Indoloazocines are selectively obtained with AuCl(3) as catalyst in a rare 8-endo-dig process. In this process allenes or tetracyclic annulated derivatives are also formed as a result of an initial fragmentation reaction. The intermolecular reaction of indoles with alkynes proceeds to form 3-alkenylated intermediates that react with a second equivalent of indole to give bisindolyl derivatives. Indoles that are substituted at the 3-position react intermolecularly with alkynes to give 2-alkenylated intermediates that can be trapped intramolecularly with the appropriate nucleophiles.     

Synthesis of (−)‐Cubebol by Face‐Selective Platinum‐, Gold‐, or Copper‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization: Evidence of Chirality Transfer and Mechanistic Insights

We describe in detail a direct, stereoselective synthesis of (?)‐cubebol based on a Pt‐, Au‐, or Cu‐catalyzed cycloisomerization in which control of the configuration of the propargylic center is essential for the facial selectivity. In addition, we show that cycloisomerization reactions of enantioenriched propargyl pivalates occur with substantial chirality transfer. We confirm a mechanism by means of cyclization followed by an [1,2]‐acyl migration for the Pt‐ and the Au‐catalyzed cycloisomerization. So far, no evidence supports that the Cu‐catalyzed cycloisomerization follows the same reaction course.     

Undirected ortho-selectivity in C–H borylation of arenes catalyzed by NHC platinum(0) complexes

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Total Syntheses of Hyperforin and Papuaforins A–C,and Formal Synthesis of Nemorosone through a Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Carbocyclization

The remarkable biological activities of polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) combined with their highly decorated bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐2,4,9‐trione frameworks have inspired synthetic organic chemists over the last decade. The concise total syntheses of four natural products PPAPs; hyperforin and papuaforins A–C, and the formal synthesis of nemorosone are reported. Key to the realization of this strategy is the short and scalable synthesis of densely substituted PPAP scaffolds through a gold(I)‐catalyzed 6‐endo‐dig carbocyclization of cyclic enol ethers for late‐stage functionalization.     

1,2-Alkyl migration as a key element in the invention of cascade reactions catalyzed by pi-acids

This brief overview highlights recent progress in the field of cascade reactions that are initiated by the activation of a pi-system using platinum and gold catalysts and that are coupled with a 1,2-alkyl migration step. While the reactions discussed aim to rapidly evolve molecular complexity, they are experimentally straightforward and easy to perform. Primarily guided by the type of 1,2-alkyl migration, methods are categorized as shifts to metal carbenoid centers and pinacol-type rearrangements.