Ring-opening reactions of cyclic ethers with diiodo- and dibromodimethylsilane equivalents

Ring-opening halosilation of cyclic ethers with reagents of (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/4MeI (1a) and (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/4allylBr (1b) was studied. Tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexene oxide reacted with 1a and 1b to give ring-opened di(haloalkoxy)dimethylsilanes in good yield. With less strained tetrahydropyran, however, only reagent 1a gave the ring-opened product. Reactions of reagents 1a and 1b with propylene oxide also proceeded smoothly, although the regioselectivity was rather low. When similar reactions were carried out with (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/2MeI (2a) and (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/2allylBr (2b) in a ratio of cyclic ethers/2a or 2b = 1/1, the corresponding 1:1 adducts were obtained.     

Synthesis of functionalized linear poly(divinylbenzene). II. Synthesis of poly(divinylbenzene) with hydroxyl pendants and/or endgroups

Poly(divinylbenzene) [poly(DVB)] derivatives having hydroxyl terminals and/or pendants were synthesized by chemical modifications (hydration and hydroxylation) of unsaturated linear poly(DVB) ( I ), which was prepared by the polymerization of DVB catalyzed by acetyl perchlorate. Hydroboration of both terminal and in-chain carbon–carbon double bonds in I with BH₃.THF complex yielded a fully hydrated poly(DVB) II , in which hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups are placed alternately. Selective hydroboration of the vinyl endgroups in I with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane led to an α,ω-dihydroxy-poly(DVB) ( III ). Reaction of I with m-chloroperbenzoic acid gave fully epoxidated poly(DVB) IV , which was subsequently hydrated to yield polymer V consisting of glycol repeat units and terminals. The physical properties and reactions (chain extension and crosslinking) of these polymers were also studied.     

Palladium-catalysed Heck reaction on 1,2-dien-1-ols: a stereoselective synthesis of α-arylated α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

A new methodology for preparing α-arylated α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is reported. The starting materials are all commercially available alkyn-1-ols (1a-c) that have been easily isomerised to the corresponding allenes (2a-c). The key step is the Heck coupling of the 1,2-dien-1-ols with a series of iodo- and bromoarene. The products have been synthesised in good yields, and the reactions were carried out under very mild conditions.     

Unique reactivity of a 1,4-dilithiobutadiene with methyl iodide

Reactions of 1,4-dilithiobutadiene 5 with MeI in THF gave predominantly methyl iododiene 6. Monolithio monoiodo intermediate 8 was shown not to be involved in the formation of 6, but the results were consistent with the involvement of monolithio monomethyl intermediate 11, which could lead to 6 by metal-halogen exchange. Several other lithioalkenes also reacted with MeI to give alkenyl iodides.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel trifluoromethyl-containing alcohols with Ruppert's reagent

Synthesis and characterization of novel new trifluoromethyl-containing alcohols using Ruppert's reagent [(trimethyl)trifluoromethylsilane] (1) are reported. The reactions of 1 with various ketones and aldehydes, such as tetraphenylcyclopentadienone (2a), 9,10-anthraquinone (2b), pyrenaldehyde (2c), 2,6-dimethyl-para-anisaldehyde (2d), and 2,3(methylenedioxy)benzaldehyde (2e) in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in THF led to the formation of the corresponding trifluoromethylated silyl ether derivatives 3a–e in almost quantitative yields. Acid hydrolysis of 3a–e gave the desired trifluoromethylated alcohol derivatives (4a–e) in excellent isolated yields. Compounds were characterized by IR, NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F, ¹³C NMR), GCMS, and elemental analysis. Single crystal X-ray structures of 4a and 4b support the proposed products.     

The synthetic potential of α,α-diallylcyrene

The reaction of cyrene with allyl bromide in THF in the presence of Bu^tOK gave the α,α-diallyl derivative of cyrene in 50% yield. This derivative smoothly undergoes iodo- cyclization on the keto group that is converted into a ketal center to give annulated bis-tetrahydrofuran; intramolecular cationic cyclization in the presence of SnCl₄ or TiCl₄ results in 2-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones. The prospects of using these reactions towards the synthesis of trichothecene sesquiterpenoids modified in the central moiety were assessed.     

1-Methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl (MT) sulfones in the Julia-Kocienski olefination: Comparison with the PT and the TBT sulfones

The stability and the stereoselectivity of newly prepared n-pentyl 1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl (MT) sulfone 1a in the Julia-Kocienski reactions were compared with those of the PT sulfone 1b and the TBT sulfone 1c. The improved stability of the anion derived from the n-pentyl MT sulfone 1a enhanced the efficiency of the olefination reactions and gave higher yields of the product alkenes 3 compared with the PT sulfone 1b. Especially high E-selectivity and high yields were obtained from the reaction with aromatic aldehydes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The selectivity of 1a was not so sensitive to the change of base counter ion compared with the PT sulfone 1b. The reaction of the MT sulfones having either ethyl or a longer alkyl chain also gave E-alkenes selectively in high yields.     

Synthesis of chiral ortho-(p-tolylsulfinyl) benzyl ketones

(S)-ortho-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)benzyl alkyl (and aryl) ketones 1a-e were prepared in good yields by reaction of esters or nitriles with the lithium benzyl carbanion derived from 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl) methylbenzene. α-Methylbenzyl ketones 2 were prepared as ca. 1:1 diastereoisomeric mixtures by methylation of the unsubstituted ketones 1 with NaH/MeI. The use of the ethylbenzene derivative as the starting material afforded complex mixtures. The obtention of pure (S,(S)S)-2 diastereoisomers could be attained in good yields by oxidation with PCC of the alcohols (epimeric mixtures at the hydroxylic carbon) obtained from reactions of aldehydes with the lithium carbanion derived from 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)ethylbenzene.     

Highly regioselective lipase-catalyzed acetylation and hydrolysis of acyclic α,ω-terpenediols and their diacetates

Highly regioselective transformations of the acyclic α,ω-terpenediols and their diacetates to the monoacetates using lipase were accomplished. The acetylation of the α,ω-terpenediols gave regioselectively the ω-monoacetates 3, whereas the α-monoacetates 2 were obtained by hydrolysis of the α,ω-diacetates.     

Efficient macrocyclization using methylene-tethered terminal dienes and bis(manganese(III)-enolate)s

Macrocyclic compounds, which have two fused dihydrofuran rings, were synthesized with complete control by the oxidation of α,α,ω,ω-tetraaryl-α,(ω-1)-alkadienes 1_x with manganese(III)-oligomethylenebis(enolate) complexes directly formed by the reaction of the oligomethylene bis(3-oxobutanoate)s 2_y with manganese(III) acetate in situ. The oxamethylene-tethered macrodiolides 5 and 7 were also produced in good to moderate yields by a similar oxidation. The key intermediate, an electron donor-acceptor-like complex, was proposed for the efficient macrocyclization reaction.     

Palladium-catalyzed stereoselective hydrostannation of substituted propargyl alcohols with trineophyltin hydride

This paper reports results obtained in a study on the palladium-catalyzed hydrostannation of substituted propargyl alcohols with the bulky trineophyltin hydride (1). The reaction of 1 with 10 propargyl alcohols containing one up to three substituents, was carried out in THF at room temperature leading to the corresponding allylstannanes following in all cases a syn addition stereochemistry. These additions took place in good to excellent yields and, mostly, with a high degree of stereoselectivity. The results obtained suggest that the observed α/β regioselectivity might be ascribed to the steric bulk of the proximal substituents rather than to electronic effects. Full ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR characteristics are included.     

Telomerization and dimerization of isoprene by in situ generated palladium-carbene catalysts

The palladium-catalyzed telomerization of isoprene with methanol and dimerization of isoprene have been studied in presence of in situ generated palladium-carbene catalysts. Unprecedented catalyst productivity has been observed for these two reactions. A selectivity switch from the telomer to the dimer product occurred by using different substituted carbene ligands. Among the imidazolium salts tested 1,3-dimesitylimidazolium mesylate (1), 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazolium chloride (3) gave the best yields for telomerization reaction whereas 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (5) and 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolium chloride (9) form dimers in high yield and good selectivity.     

Reductive coupling of N-methoxycarbonyl lactams with benzophenone and 9-fluorenone by low-valent titanium

The reductive coupling of N-methoxycarbonyl lactams with benzophenone by Zn-TiCl₄ in THF gave cross-coupled products as cyclic α-diphenylidene-N-methoxycarbonylamines and ring-opening α,α-diphenyl-α-hydroxy-ω-(N-methoxycarbonyl)amino ketones selectively depending on the reduction conditions. The reductive coupling of N-methoxycarbonyl lactams with 9-fluorenone by Zn-TiCl₄ gave cyclic α-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)-N-methoxycarbonylamines preferentially irrespective to the conditions.     

An efficient preparation of novel 5-fluoropyrazolin-3-one derivatives from α-trifluoromethylated α-arylacetates

The reactions of α-trifluoromethylated α-arylacetates 1 with 3 equiv of hydrazine, methylhydrazine or benzylhydrazine in 1,4-dioxane at reflux for 24 h afforded the corresponding 5-fluoropyrazolin-3-one derivatives 3a-m in high yields. Similarly, treatment of 1 with 3 equiv of PhNLiNH₂ in THF at −78 °C, followed by warming to room temperature, resulted in the formation of 3n-s in high yields.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of indoles by C–N bond axially chiral phosphine ligands

The palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of indoles with 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate using P/N-type ligands such as N-aryl indole, C–N bond axially chiral aminophosphine (aS)-L4, gave the desired products 1 in good yields and with moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee).     

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of trimethoxysilylbenzene with aryl bromides and chlorides using phosphite ligands

Phosphites were employed as ligands in palladium-catalyzed Hiyama coupling reactions. The optimized reaction conditions were equimolar amounts (5 mol % each) of Pd(acac)₂ and phosphite 1 in p-xylene at 80 °C with TBAF as an additive. This catalyst system exhibited high activities in the reactions with trimethoxysilylbenzene and aryl bromides that have electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups. In the case of aryl chlorides, substrates possessing electron-withdrawing groups gave the coupled products in high yields.     

General and highly efficient fluorinated-N-heterocyclic carbene–based catalysts for the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

A general and highly efficient trifluoromethylated-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based catalyst for the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction was reported. In the presence of the catalyst, reactions of non-activated aryl chlorides and triflates with aryl boronic acids occurred at room temperature with good to excellent yields (63–98%). In addition, catalysts generated from a combination of Pd(OAc)₂/imidazolium salt 6a is not only effective for the coupling of heteroaryl boronic acid with aryl halides and heteroaryl halides, but also efficient for coupling of other heteroaryl halides and heteroaryl boronic acids. Finally, the catalyst is highly effective for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides with 0.01–0.1 mol % loading if the temperature was raised at refluxed THF/H₂O.     

Photocyclization of n-[ω-(cycloalken-1-yl)alkyl]-and n-[ω-(inden-3-yl)alkyl]phthalimides : Synthesis of spiro-nitrogen multicyclic systems

Photolysis of the N-[ω-(cycloalken-1-yl)alkyl]phthalimides 6b-$\text{e}$ in each case gave a pair of stereoisomers of spiro-nitrogen multicyclic systems (9b-$\text{e}$) in moderate yields, whose stereochemistry was determined by means of chemical and spectroscopic analyses. Similarly, in N-[ω-(inden-3-yl)alkyl]-phthalimides (8), spiro-nitrogen macrocycles up to 13-membered 13a-$\text{c}$ were obtained in good yields     

Reductive coupling of aliphatic cyclic imides and ω-amidoesters with benzophenones by low-valent titanium: Synthesis of 5-diarylmethylene-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones, 6-diarylmethyl-2-pyridones,and ω-(diarylmethylene)lactams

The reductive coupling of cyclic imides and ω-amidoesters with benzophenones by Zn-TiCl₄ in THF and subsequent acid-catalyzed dehydration gave 5-diarylmethylene-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones A, 6-diarylmethyl-2-pyridones B, and ω-(diarylmethylene)lactams C. In a similar manner, 3-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino substituted A, B, and C were synthesized from the corresponding 3-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino cyclic imides and ω-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino-ω-amidoesters prepared from L-aspartic and L-glutamic acids. In addition, 4- and 5-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino substituted C were also obtained by the same procedures from 2-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino-ω-amidoesters prepared from L-asparagine and L-glutamine, respectively.     

An unexpected highly diastereoselective double Baylis-Hillman reaction of per- (or poly)fluorophenyl aromatic aldimines with methyl vinyl ketone

Aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction of per- (or poly)fluorophenyl aromatic aldimines 1 with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) was studied. It was found that both the used Lewis base and solvent can significantly affect the reaction. Using triphenylphosphine as a Lewis base, the reaction of 1 with MVK proceeded smoothly to give the normal Baylis-Hillman adduct 2 along with the double Baylis-Hillman adduct 3 as by-product in THF. When 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane was used as a Lewis base in DMF, the aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction of 1 with MVK gave the double aza-Baylis-Hillman adduct 3 exclusively in moderate to good yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. The double Baylis-Hillman adduct 3 was conveniently converted to fluorine-containing 4-alkylidene-2-cyclohexen-1-ones under mild reaction conditions in good yields.