Bypassing the lack of reactivity of endo-substituted norbornenes with the catalytic rectification–insertion mechanism

The catalytic 1,2-insertion polymerization of polar norbornenes (NBEs) leads to the formation of functional rigid macromolecules with exceptional thermal, optical and mechanical properties. However, this remarkable reaction is plagued by the low reactivity of the polar monomers, and most notably of those bearing a functional group in endo position. We have examined the polymerization mechanism of NBEs bearing one or two CO₂Me groups either in exo or endo position catalyzed by the so-called naked allyl Pd⁺ SbF₆^– catalyst (1). Although endo dimethyl ester of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (NBE(CO₂Me)₂) is polymerized by 1, two endo units are never inserted consecutively along the polymer chain. Indeed, 1 is a tandem catalyst which not only catalyzes the insertion of the monomer but also the isomerization of endo and exo isomers. Thus, the polymerization of endo monomers proceeds via a novel mechanism, coined rectification–insertion mechanism, whereby half of the endo monomers are rectified into exo ones prior insertion, leading to the formation of an alternating endo–exo copolymer using an endo only feedstock. With this mechanism, the lack of reactivity of endo norbornenes is bypassed, and the polymerization of predominantly endo polar NBEs bearing a variety of functionalities such as esters, imides, acids, aldehydes, alcohols, anhydrides, or alkyl bromides proceeds with catalyst loadings as low as 0.002 mol%.     

Camphor and Isocamphanone in the Synthesis of Disubstituted Acetylene Alcohols,Ethers, and Esters

By treating 1-octyne and phenylacetylene with butyllithium the corresponding lithium acetylides were obtained that with camphor and isocamphanone provided along streospecific process 2-exo-(1-octynyl or 2-phenyl-1-ethynyl)-2-endo-lithiumoxy-5,5,6-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and 2-endo-(1-octynyl or 2-phenyl-1-ethynyl)-2-exo-lithiumoxy-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. The hydrolysis of these lithium alcoholates occurred selectively and resulted in individual tertiary terpene alcohols containing exo-acetylene substituent in the case of camphor, endo-acetylene fragment in the case of isocamphanone. The alcohols reacted with methyl, ethyl, or butyl iodides in the presence of hexamethylphosphoramide to afford ethers, and with benzoyl chloride to furnish disubstituted esters of benzoic acid.     

Orbital control of stereochemistry in acid-catalysed addition reactions of endo -tricyclo[3.2.1.02,4]0ct-6-ene

The reaction of endo-tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]oct-6-ene 1 with methanol in the presence of catalytic amounts of toluene-p-sulphonic acid has been shown to give 2-exo- and endo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c) and (2d) and 2-endo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-ene (13). The formation of 2-exo- methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c), the major product of reaction, has been probed by deuterium labelling experiments and a series of 6-exo-7-exo- dideuterobicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-enes synthesised for ²H, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral analysis in order unambiguously to determine the stereochemistry of proton attack on endo-tricyclo[3.2.1 0^2,4]oct-6-ene (1). The formation of 2-exo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c) has been determined to involve corner protonation of the cyclopropyl moiety and skeletal rearrangement to an allylic cation with a small but measurable memory effect     

Chemical ionization mass spectra of some 2-norbornyl derivatives

Chemical ionization mass spectra of exo- and endo-2-norbornanols and their phenylurethane derivatives have been obtained with several reactant ions. Small differences are noted in the abundances of norbornyl and [M+H]⁺ ions for the phenylurethane derivatives: more norbornyl ions with the exo compounds. Relative rate constants for decomposition of [M+H]⁺ ions, k_exo/k_endo ? 1-2. No evidence was found for s?-participation in the decomposition of these ions. The i-C₄H₁₀ chemical ionization spectrum of endo-2-norbornanol contains a much greater abundance of [M-H]⁺ ions than the i-C₄H₁₀ chemical ionization spectrum of exo-2-norbornanol. This difference presumably results from steric hindrance toward attack of the endo hydrogen.     

The Beckmann fragmentation of quadricyclanone oxime

The attempted O-tosylation of tetracyclo[3.2.0.0^2,7.0^4,6]heptan-3-one (quadricyclanone) oxime with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine/DMAP or pyridine resulted in the Beckmann fragmentation to give a mixture of 4-exo-/4-endo-tosyloxy- and 4-exo-/4-endo-chlorobicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-endo-carbonitriles in 90% overall yield. Solvolysis of all four products in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol afforded the corresponding 4-exo-trifluoroethoxy derivative as the sole product. Quadricyclanone itself undergoes the fragmentation reaction with hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid, selectively affording the 4-exo-hydroxy-6-endo-nitrile in 90% isolated yield.     

Azabrendanes IV. Synthesis and characterization of N-(alkyl- and benzylsulfonyl)-exo-2-hydroxy-4-azatricyclo[4.2.1.0]nonanes

exo- and endo-5-Aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes have been obtained from stereoisomeric exo- and endo-5-cyanobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes and the corresponding sulfonamides were obtained through reaction of amines with methyl-, n-propyl-, n-butyl-, benzyl-, and cyclohexylsulfonyl chlorides. From the stereoisomeric sulfonamides with peroxy acids, various products were obtained: exo-sulfonamides were transformed into epoxy derivatives, and, in contrast, most of the endo-stereoisomers underwent heterocyclization resulting in substituted exo-2-hydroxy-4-azatricyclo[4.2.1.0^3,7]nonanes. The type of the products obtained did not depend on the type of peroxy acid used (peroxyacetic, peroxyphthalic, and m-chloroperoxybenzoic one). In contrast to other endo-sulfonamides, N-(cyclohexylsulfonyl)-endo-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene in reaction with peroxyacetic acid did not undergo heterocyclization, probably, due to steric factors. The structure and stereochemical homogeneity of the sulfonamides and the structure of the products of their oxidation with peroxy acids were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of N-(cyclohexylsulfonyl)-endo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptane was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanism of the intramolecular heterocyclization reaction of N-substituted endo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes was studied at the BHandHLYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.     

Investigation of the exo and endo isomers of dioxolane-type benzylidene derivatives of carbohydrates by 13C NMR spectroscopy

The absolute configurations of nine 2,3-O-benzylidene-α-L-rhamno- and α-D-mannopyranoside diasteteomeric pairs were determined and the ¹³C NMR spectra of further thirteen α-L-rhamno- and α-D-mannopyranosides, having various substituents, were completely assigned.Four ¹³C shifts were found suitable for the determination of the absolute configuration of the dioxolane skeleton. (1) The chemical shift of the acetal carbon in the endo isomers is between 103.9 and 104.7 ppm whereas for the exo isomers this region extends from 102.8 to 103.4 ppm; (2) The formation of the dioxolane ring causes a deshielding effect for the bridgehead carbons, in the exo isomers this effect is more pronounced for C-3 whereas in the endo isomers for C-2. For C-4, shielding effect was found in the exo isomers and deshielding effect in the endo ones; (3) The chemical shift of the quaternary carbon of the phenyl group is greater in the exo isomers than in the endo ones; (4) The difference between the shift of the acetal carbon and that of the quaternary carbon of the phenyl group in the exo isomers is greater than 35.4 ppm, in the endo isomers is less than 33.7 ppm.     

Lactonization of epoxyendic anhydride in reactions with amines

Reactions of exo-5,6-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-endo-2,endo-3-dicarboxylic anhydride (epoxyendic anhydride) with acyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, and nonaromatic heterocyclic amines afforded the corresponding heterocyclization products, substituted exo-2-hydroxy-5-oxo-4-oxatricyclo[4.2.1.0^3,7]nonane-endo-9-carboxamides (oxabrendanes), whose structure was confirmed by the IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR (including two-dimensional) spectra. Other approaches to the tricyclic compounds were also examined, in particular via reactions of organic peroxy acids with amido acids obtained by aminolysis of endic anhydride.     

Ion–molecule reactions in the gas phase. XVIII.—nucleophilic substitution of diastereomeric norborneols,norbornyl acetates and benzoates under ammonia chemical ionization

The comparative behaviour of the endo- and exo-norborneols and diastereomeric derivatives (acetates and benzoates) towards the NH₃/NH₄⁺ system was investigated. It appears that the proton affinity (PA) of the substrate relative to Pa(NH₃) strongly influences competition between the protonation and nucleophilic substitution processes yielding the MH⁺ and [M + NH₄ ? H₂O]⁺ ions, respectively. Tandem mass spectrometry was used to compare collision-activated dissociation spectra of [M + NH₄ ? H₂O]⁺ with those of analogous endo- and exo-norbornylamines protonated in the source. This demonstrates that an S_Nimechanism occurs specifically for the isomeric norborneols; in contrast, for acetates and benzoates, stereospecific S_Ni and S_N2 pathways take place for exo and endo derivatives, respectively. This particular behaviour is explained by considering the steric effect induced by the endo-H at C(6). In addition, the competitive decompositions of [M + NH₄ – H₂O]⁺ into NH₄⁺ and [C₇H₁₁]⁺ daughter ions are consistent with the formation of a proton-bound complex intermediate. The observed stereochemical effects for these dauther ions are rationalized by means of arguments based on the estimated heats of formation of the transition states, which is lower for the exo-norbonyl protonated amine, consistent with anchimeric assistance, rather than a stepwise pathway which is proposed for the endoisomer.     

Hydrosilylation of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives by trichlorosilane with the use of Ni catalytic systems A study of the stereochemistry of the process

Hydrosilylation of endo- and exo-cyanonorbornenes, endo-methylnorbornene and camphene by trichlorosilane on a Ni catalytic system was investigated. Based on the spectral data obtained from ¹³C and ¹H NMR studies, using Eu(fod)₃ as the shift reagent and by employing the double resonance technique, the stereochemistry of the process has been studied. Stereoselective exo-addition of hydrosilane to bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives has been noted.     

13C NMR spectroscopy of four tertiary methyl norbornenols and norbornanols

Carbon chemical shifts and direct ¹³C? ¹H coupling constants of 2-endo-methyl-5-norbornen-2-exo-ol, 2-exo-methyl-5-norbornen-2-endo-ol, 2-endo-methylnorbornan-2-exo-ol and 2-exo-methylnorbornan-2-endo-ol have been measured from single samples using a dual probe pulse Fourier transform method.     

Correct structures of Diels-Alder adducts from the natural cyclolignan thuriferic acid and its 8-epimer

A detailed analysis of one- and two-dimensional ¹H and ¹³C NMR data for the endo and the exo adducts, obtained by Diels-Alder reaction of thuriferic and epithuriferic acids with cyclopentadiene is described. The unequivocal spectral data assignment of the endo and exo structures was complemented with molecular modelling studies and confirmed through X-ray diffraction studies.     

Oxanorbornenes: promising new single addition monomers for the metathesis polymerization

Higher ring-opening metathesis propagation rates of exo-norbornene derivatives over endo derivatives are well established in the literature. Here, we report for the first time that endo-isomers of oxanorbornene derivatives show higher reactivity towards ring-opening metathesis with Grubbs'' 3rd generation catalyst (G3) than the corresponding exo-isomers. A very high selectivity for the reaction of G3 with endo over the exo-isomers could be shown. Furthermore, single molecular addition of the endo-isomers with G3 was observed. On the other hand, pure exo-monomers could successfully be homopolymerized. Mixtures of exo- and endo- monomers, however, prevented the homopolymerization of the exo-monomer. Such mixtures could successfully be copolymerized with cycloalkenes, resulting in alternating copolymers. An oxanorbornadiene derivative could be shown to undergo single addition reactions, exploited in the preparation of mono-end functional ROMP polymers. These could be selectively derivatized via endgroup selective thiol-ene click reactions. A thiol and alcohol end functional ROMP polymer was synthesized, and the efficient end functionalization was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-ToF spectrometry.

Bridgehead revisited: endo-7-oxa norborneneimide derivatives (green) initiate faster but propagate more slowly than the analogous exo-derivatives (red) in ring-opening metathesis allowing the synthesis of alternating and end functional polymers.     

Reasons for the nonequivalence of the exo-exo and endo-endo vicinal NMR coupling constants in norbornanes

In a series of norbornanes, benzonorbornenes, and norbornenes, the vicinal cis couplings ³J_exo,exo and ³J_endo,endo are determined. A trend is recognized in which J_exo,exo steadily decreases in this series while J_endo,endo remains relatively constant; in norbornenes J_exo,exo and J_endo,endo are about the same. These observations are understood by means of theoretical calculations performed for representative compounds of the series. This study indicates that interactions of the C₇-methylene bridge with the bonds of the C₂C₃ ethylene bridge are responsible for the nonequivalence of J_exo,exo and J_endo,endo in norbornanes, and that in norbornenes interaction of the olefin functionality with bonds of the ethylene bridge is responsible for bridging J_exo,exo back fortuitously close to J_endo,endo.     

Substituent control in the diastereoselectivity of dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones and their Zn(II) complexes with N-arylmaleimides

The π-π stacking interactions between maleimide's and nitrone's aromatic rings during the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were assumed to control the exo-endo selectivity of the reaction. The exo-endo ratios change during the reactions until they reach a constant value, which depends on the substituent. Electron-withdrawing groups favour the exo adduct while electron-donating groups favour the endo adduct. The nitrone ZnBr₂ complexes react much more slowly than the free nitrone and the cycloaddition is exo selective in all cases independent of the substituents on the maleimide's aromatic ring. Thermal retrocycloaddition of the cycloadducts produce the corresponding nitrones. The ring opening in the presence of secondary amines did not induce imine formation. endo Adducts were shown for the first time to be the stable paramagnetic compounds.     

Additions to bicyclic olefins—X: Stereochemistry of the oxymercuration-demercuration of cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-ene,endo-trimethylene-norborn-8-ene and related olefins

The stereochemistry of the oxymercuration-demercurarion (OM-DM) of olefins related to the cis-bicyclo(3.3.0]octane and endo-2,3-trimethylenenorboniane structures was determined. In the case of cis-bicyclo(3.3.0]oct-2-ene, hydration occurs preferentially at the less hindered 3-position, with little preference shown for exo vs endo. The more hindered 2-product shows a 11:1 preference for the exo-product. The presence of Me groups at positions 2- or 3-, results in the formation of the tertiary alcohols with approximately a 4:1 favoring of the exo-isomer. (The oxymercuration intermediate exhibits a rapid equilibration with time. Consequently, the 4:1 ratios may not represent the true limit for the isomer distribution in the initial kinetic product.) Similarly, 2-methylenebicyclo[3.3.0]octane reveals an 8:1 preferential formation of the exo-alcohol. In the case of endo-trimethylene-norborn-8-ene, the oxymercuration stage is extraordinarily slow and the results do not fit this pattern. Possibly the very slow oxymercuration stage permits equilibration of the initial reaction product. On the other hand, the reaction is fast with 8-methylene-endo-trimethylenenorbornane and the product is 100% of the tertiary exo-alcohol. The same behavior is observed for 2-methylenenorbornane. Surprisingly, 2-methylene-endo-trimethy-lenenorbornane fails to undergo oxymercuration. Consequently, both endo-trimethylenenorborn-8-ene and 2-methylene-endo-trimethylenenorbornane exhibit an exceptional inertness toward oxymercuration, presumably related to the highly rigid U-shaped structure of the parent system.     

Synthesis and chemistry of tricyclic cyclopropene-tricyclo[3.2.2.0]nona-2(4),6-diene

The 1,2-bridged tricyclic cyclopropene, tricyclo[3.2.2.0^2,4]nona-2(4),6-diene (1), has been synthesized by the elimination of 2-bromo-4-chlorotricyclo[3.2.2.0^2,4]-non-6-ene (5). Cyclopropene 1 will undergo different isomerizations in ether solution and in neat conditions. Compound 1 rearranged to an anti-Bredt compound 4 via diradical mechanism in ether and tricyclic compound 6 via vinyl carbene mechanism in neat conditions. Compound 1 can be trapped with DPIBF at different temperatures yielding different results: the exo-endo adduct 2 (exo-addition from the view of the cyclopropene and endo-addition from the view of bicyclo[2.2.2]octene) is a sole product at 0°C by slowly addition of methyllithium, and the exo-endo adduct 2, endo-endo adduct 9, anti-Bredt adduct 3, and styrene 8 are isolated at ether refluxing temperature. Styrene 8 is proposed to be formed from endo-endo adduct 9 by diradical mechanism. The chemistry of exo-endo adduct 2 and endo-endo adduct 9 is as well studied. The exo-endo adduct 2 undergoes hydration in trifluoroacetic acid to generate 1,3-cis-diol 11 followed by eliminations of water and formaldehyde to give naphthalene 12. The endo-endo adduct 9 reacts with water in tetrahydrofuran-containing silica gel to yield 1,4-cis-diol 10. Both 9 and 10 react with trifluoroacetic acid to form trans-3-hydroxy trifluoroacetate 13. Compound 13 will undergo hydrolysis and isomerization to generate 1,3-cis-diol 11 in trifluoroacetic acid.     

Stereochemistry of the tin—carbon bond: II. Brominolysis of a series of exo- and endo-2-triorganostannylnorbornanes

The brominolysis of a series of exo- and endo-2-triorganostannylnorbornanes with methyl, isopropyl, neopentyl and cyclohexyl as substituents on tin, proceeds with inversion of configuration for the endo-carbon—tin bond and with retention of configuration for the exo-carbon—tin bond. The norbornyl system seems to favour the exo-approach of the electrophile.     

A DFT study of the geometric,magnetic NMR chemical shifts and optical rotation properties of Tröger’s bases

A DFT computational study of Tröger’s bases and related compounds (TBs) has been used to satisfactorily explain their geometry (including the flexibility aspect), the ¹H NMR chemical shifts of the endo/exo protons and their optical properties. The Cambridge Structural Database has been searched to collect 34 structures of TBs that have been analyzed with respect to the folding angle ϕ. The GIAO approach has been used to calculate the absolute shieldings of TB and a quinoline analogue providing an explanation for the dependence of the relative position of the endo/exo protons on the structure of the TBs. Finally, the specific rotations of several molecules related to TBs have been calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2s,2p) level. The [α]_D values are strongly dependent on relatively small structural variations.