Tandem Diels-Alder reaction/radical cyclizations for the rapid construction of bridged ring systems

Bridged tricyclic ring systems can be prepared in a one-pot reaction using a tandem Diels-Alder reaction/radical cyclization strategy. The regiochemistry of the radical addition is unexpected.     

Self-terminating, oxidative radical cyclizations: a novel reaction of acyloxyl radicals.

Acyloxyl radicals RC(O)O* (with R = alkyl, aryl) could be trapped through addition to cyclic and open-chain alkynes, where they were found to act as a donor of oxygen atoms. Mechanistically, this radical oxygenation proceeded through a transannular or intramolecular, respectively, radical cyclization cascade, which was finally terminated by release of an acyl radical RC*(O). The reaction led to stereoselective formation of cyclized products, which contained a carbonyl group at the former site of the alkyne triple bond.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated xanthones via acyl radical cyclizations

2-Formylphenoxy quinones can be converted into xanthones via an acyl radical intermediate with NBS and AIBN.     

The synthesis of novel polycyclic heterocyclic ring systems via photocyclization. 6. Naphthothienonaphthyridines

Five novel polycyclic heterocyclic ring systems are reported via photocyclization. The specific final products in these ring systems are: naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c][1,8]naphthyridin-6(5H)-one ( 5 ), naphtho-[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c][1,6]naphthyridin-6(5H)-one ( 6 ), naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]-1,5-naphthyridine ( 9 ), naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]-1,5-naphthyridine ( 12 ), and naphtho[2′,1′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]-1,5-naphthyridine ( 17 ). The direction of photocyclization to produce 9 was established from a zero quantum two-dimensional nmr spectroscopy experiment (ZQCOSY) using 6-chloronaphtho[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]-1,5-naphthyridine ( 8 ) as the model compound.     

Synthesis of novel functional polycyclic chromones through Michael addition and double cyclizations

A base-promoted, microwave-assisted one-pot tandem reaction from simple 3-(1-alkynyl)chromones with 2-halobenzylic nitriles (esters or amides) for the synthesis of novel functional polycyclic chromenones has been developed. This tandem process involves multiple reactions, such as Michael addition and double cyclizations without a transition metal catalyst.     

Synthesis of the tetracyclic ring system of cumbiasin via tandem radical cyclizations

The tetracyclic ring system of cumbiasin was synthesized by a Diels-Alder reaction followed by tandem ring forming reactions from an alpha-keto radical.     

Preparation of fused polycyclic vinylcyclopropanes via radical cascade reactions

Radical cascades employing (dichloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ethers as both a point of radical initiation and termination, allow efficient entry to fused polycyclic cyclopropanes, and are also suitable for the design of other radical processes terminated by beta-elimination of chloride.     

Silicon-assisted synthesis of bridged azabicyclic systems via N-acyliminium intermediates

Intramolecular acid-mediated reactions of 2-propynyl- and allylsilanes with five- and six-membered cyclic N-acyliminium ion precursors lead to bridged azabicyclic compounds (Table I). Neat formic acid is the reaction medium of choice in most cases. The cyclization reactions take place with complete regioselectivity. 2-Propynylsilanes are more reactive than allylsilanes. An ordinary olefin reacts poorly. The cyclization products can be useful for the synthesis of γ- and δ-amino acids and derivatives.     

Desymmetrization of 1,4-dien-3-ols and related compounds via Ueno-Stork radical cyclizations

[formula: see text] Desymmetrization of 1,4-dien-3-ols and related compounds via Ueno-Stork radical cyclizations is reported. The stereochemistry of the cyclization is controlled by the acetal center. Excellent stereocontrol at C(4) and C(5) of the newly formed tetrahydrofuran rings is observed. Use of a chiral auxiliary allows the preparation of enantiomerically pure material. The utility of this method has been demonstrated by achieving a short synthesis of (+)-eldanolide, the pheromone of the male African sugarcane stem borer Eldana saccharina.     

Polycyclic aromatic compounds via radical cyclizations of benzannulated enyne-allenes derived from Ireland-Claisen rearrangement

A new synthetic sequence involving the use of Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of propargylic acetates to form the corresponding benzannulated enyne-allenes followed by Schmittel cyclization to generate benzofulvene biradicals for radical cyclizations leading to polycyclic aromatic compounds was established. Treatment of 9-fluorenone (8) with the lithium acetylide 9 followed by acetic anhydride produced the propargylic acetate 10. A sequence of reactions occurred after 10 was converted to the corresponding silyl ketene acetal 11. An initial Ireland-Claisen rearrangement produced the benzannulated enyne-allene 12, which then underwent a Schmittel cyclization reaction to generate the benzofulvene biradical 13. A subsequent intramolecular radical-radical coupling then produced the formal Diels-Alder adduct 14, which in turn underwent a prototropic rearrangement to give the silyl ester 15 and, after hydrolysis, the carboxylic acid 16 in 57% overall yield from 10 in a single operation. An intramolecular acylation reaction of 16 produced the ketone 17. The carboxylic acids 24-26 were likewise prepared from the diaryl ketones 18-20, respectively. However, the intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of the benzannulated enyne-allene 33 having a tert-butyl group at the allenic terminus occurred preferentially, producing the 1H-cyclobut[a]indenyl acetic acid 35 as the predominant product.     

Synthesis of functionalized polycyclic compounds via a novel aromatic oxy-Cope rearrangement

Polycyclic compounds have been prepared by aromatic dianionic oxy-Cope rearrangements involving the π bonds of two phenyl rings in a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclizations of enynes via a ruthenacyclopentene intermediate: Development of three novel cyclizations controlled by a substituent on alkyne of enyne

Three novel ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclizations of enynes were developed. In each cyclization, a ruthenacyclopentene derived from enyne and Cp*RuCl(cod) is a common intermediate. When an enyne having an alkyl, an ester, or a formyl group on an alkyne was reacted with Cp*RuCl(cod) under ethylene gas, ethylene was inserted into the ruthenium‐sp² carbon bond of ruthenacyclopentene to afford ruthenacycloheptene, and β‐hydrogen elimination followed by reductive elimination occurred to give a cyclic compound having a 1,3‐diene moiety. When an acyl group was placed on the alkyne, the carbonyl oxygen coordinated to the ruthenium metal of ruthenacyclopentene to produce a ruthenium carbene complex, which reacted with ethylene to give a cyclic compound having a cyclopropane ring on the substituent. On the other hand, when the substituent on the alkyne was pent‐4‐enyl, insertion of an alkene part into ruthenacyclopentene followed by reductive elimination gave a tricyclic compound by a ruthenium‐catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cyclization of diene and an alkyne. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201100003     

Synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles via a one-pot ortho alkylation/direct heteroarylation sequence

[reaction: see text] Polycyclic thiophenes and furans were synthesized using a one-pot ortho alkylation/direct heteroarylation reaction sequence. Under the optimized reaction conditions, aryl iodides were coupled with 3-(bromoalkyl)thiophenes or -furans, affording six- and seven-membered annulated ring products via formation of two C-C bonds from two aryl C-H bonds.     

N-silyl-tethered radical cyclizations: a new synthesis of gamma-amino alcohols

[reaction: see text] Various allylic and propargylic amines bearing a protecting group (PG) have been employed in N-silyl-tethered radical cyclizations. The resulting silapyrrolidine adducts could be smoothly oxidized, creating access to gamma-amino alcohols. The silylation, radical cyclization, and oxidation reactions could be consolidated in a one-pot process.     

A novel one-pot pyrrole synthesis via a coupling-isomerization-Stetter-Paal-Knorr sequence

[reaction: see text]. 1,2,3,5-tetrasubstituted pyrroles can be synthesized in good yields in a one-pot, three-step, four-component process by a coupling-isomerization-Stetter reaction-Paal-Knorr sequence of an electron-poor (hetero)aryl halide, a terminal propargyl alcohol, an aldehyde, and a primary amine. The structures of the 1,4-diketone 4f and the pyrrole 6b were additionally supported by X-ray structure analyses.     

Intramolecular radical cyclizations onto quinones. A direct synthesis of Bauhinoxepin J

Bauhinoxepin J has been synthesized in four steps using an intramolecular persulfate-mediated radical addition to a quinone as the key step.     

A novel 1,5-benzoheteroazepine synthesis via a one-Pot coupling-isomerization-cyclocondensation sequence

2,4-Di(hetero)aryl substituted 2,3-dihydro 1,5-benzoheteroazepines (hetero = NH, O, S) can be readily sythesized in a one-pot process initiated by a coupling-isomerization sequence of an electron poor (hetero)aryl halide and a terminal propargyl alcohol subsequently followed by a cyclocondensation with 2-amino, 2-hydroxy, or 2-mercapto anilines. In addition, the structures were established unambiguously by an X-ray structure analysis of 7a.     

Stereoselective ring expansion via bicyclooxonium ion. A novel approach to oxocanes

[reaction: see text] The stereoselective 1,4-rearrangement-ring expansion of tetrahydrofurans via bicyclo[3.3.0]oxonium ions was developed to synthesize oxocanes. On the basis of this rearrangement, the stereoselective synthesis of 2,8-syn-2,8-dimethyloxocane was accomplished.     

Enantioselective radical cyclizations: a new approach to stereocontrol of cascade reactions

Stereocontrol in a cascade radical addition-cyclization-trapping reaction was achieved by a new approach, which utilizes a hydroxamate ester moiety as a coordinating chiral Lewis acid tether between two radical acceptors. A remarkable feature of this reaction is the construction of three bonds and tertiary and quaternary stereogenic centers through both inter- and intramolecular carbon-carbon bond-forming processes. The chiral Lewis acid mediated reaction of oxime ethers also proceeded smoothly with good enantio- and diastereoselectivities, indicating the usefulness of the cascade approach for the asymmetric synthesis of various gamma-lactams.