Dinuclear alkynyllanthanoid(II) dications with pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl or tri-tert-butyldiphosphacyclopentadienyl counter ions

Reaction of [Yb(CpPh5)(C[triple bond]CPh)(thf)]2 (CpPh5 = pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl), prepared from Yb(C triple bond CPh)2 and HCpPh5 or Yb metal, HgPh(C[triple bond]CPh) and HCpPh5, with a controlled amount of diglyme (dig), and of Eu(C triple bond CPh)2, P triple bond CBut and dig, yield the unusual organolanthanoid(II) dicationic complexes [Yb(C[triple bond]CPh)(dig)(thf)2]2[CpPh5]2.4thf and [Eu(C triple bond CPh)(dig)2]2[P2C3But3]2 respectively.     

A Cascade Synthesis of Hetero‐arylated Triarylmethanes Through a Double 5‐endo‐dig Cyclization Sequence

A sequential two‐step method for the synthesis of hetero‐arylated triarylmethanes through a Ag‐catalyzed sequential double cyclization–nucleophilic addition cascade is described. This methodology basically involves an initial 5‐endo‐dig cyclization of o‐alkynyl anilines to provide 2‐substituted indole derivatives, which then react with 2‐(2‐enynyl)‐pyridines to afford indolizine‐containing unsymmetrical triarylmethanes through another 5‐endo‐dig cyclization.     

Synthesis of Anionic Phosphorus‐Containing Heterocycles by Intramolecular Cyclizations Involving N‐Functionalized Phosphinecarboxamides

We report that the 2‐phosphaethynolate anion (PCO^?) reacts with propargylamines in the presence of a proton source to afford novel N‐derivatized phosphinecarboxamides bearing alkyne functionalities. Deprotonation of these species gives rise to novel five‐ and six‐membered anionic heterocycles resulting from intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the resulting phosphide at the alkyne functionality (via 5‐exo‐dig or 6‐endo‐dig cyclizations, respectively). The nature of the substituents on the phosphinecarboxamide can be used to influence the outcome of these reactions. This strategy represents a unique approach to phosphorus‐containing heterocylic systems that are closely related to known organic molecules with interesting bio‐active properties.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones by Sequential Organo‐ and Silver Catalysis

A stereoselective one‐pot synthesis of spiropyrazolones through an organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition and a formal Conia‐ene reaction has been developed. Depending on the nitroalkene, the 5‐exo‐dig‐cyclization could be achieved by silver‐catalyzed alkyne activation or by oxidation of the intermediate enolate. The mechanistic pathways have been investigated using computational chemistry and mechanistic experiments.     

Mechanism of the Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Bromo‐Alkynes Revisited: Hydrogen versus Bromine Migration

A comprehensive mechanistic study of the InCl₃‐, AuCl‐, and PtCl₂‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of the 2‐(haloethynyl)biphenyl derivatives of Fürstner et al. was carried out by DFT/M06 calculations to uncover the catalyst‐dependent selectivity of the reactions. The results revealed that the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization is the most favorable pathway in both InCl₃‐ and AuCl‐catalyzed reactions. When AuCl is used, the 9‐bromophenanthrene product could be formed by consecutive 1,2‐H/1,2‐Br migrations from the Wheland‐type intermediate of the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization. However, in the InCl₃‐catalyzed reactions, the chloride‐assisted intermolecular H‐migrations between two Wheland‐type intermediates are more favorable. These Cl‐assisted H‐migrations would eventually lead to 10‐bromophenanthrene through proto‐demetalation of the aryl indium intermediate with HCl. The cause of the poor selectivity of the PtCl₂ catalyst in the experiments by the Fürstner group was predicted. It was found that both the PtCl₂‐catalyzed alkyne–vinylidene rearrangement and the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization pathways have very close activation energies. Further calculations found the former pathway would lead eventually to both 9‐ and 10‐bromophenanthrene products, as a result of the Cl‐assisted H‐migrations after the cyclization of the Pt–vinylidene intermediate. Alternatively, the intermediate from the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization would be transformed into a relatively stable Pt–carbene intermediate irreversibly, which could give rise to the 9‐alkylidene fluorene product through a 1,2‐H shift with a 28.1 kcal mol^?1 activation barrier. These findings shed new light on the complex product mixtures of the PtCl₂‐catalyzed reaction.     

Tandem anionic 5-Exo dig cyclization/Claisen rearrangement as an efficient route to fused polycyclic ring systems

The scope and limitations of a tandem 5-exo dig cyclization/Claisen rearrangement sequence involving appropriately substituted 4-alkyn-1-ols as an efficient "one-pot" route to fused tricyclic ring systems is described. The reaction rates were found to be strongly dependent on the nature of the terminal substitutent of the triple bond. In some cases the entire sequence was found to proceed in good yield at temperatures as low as 115 degrees C.     

Functionalized Benzofurans via Microwave‐Promoted Tandem Claisen‐Rearrangement/5‐endo‐dig Cyclization

Ortho‐allyloxy alkinyl benzenes undergo, upon microwave irradiation in dimethylformamide, a tandem sequence of Claisen‐rearrangement and 5‐endo‐dig cyclization to furnish 7‐allyl‐substituted benzofurans. With terminal alkynes, chroman‐4‐ones and enaminoketones become the main products. A mechanistic proposal for this observation relies on a reaction of the starting material with the solvent dimethylformamide under the microwave conditions.     

Total syntheses of (±)-frondosin C and (±)-8-epi-frondosin C via a tandem anionic 5-exo dig cyclization-Claisen rearrangement sequence

Microwave-assisted anionic 5-exo dig cyclization-Claisen rearrangement sequence has been investigated as a convenient ‘one-pot’ route to fused cycloheptanoid ring systems. This process was used as the key transformation to construct the tetracyclic framework of frondosin C. Subsequent manipulation of the core allowed the first total syntheses of (±)-frondosin C and (±)-8-epi-frondosin C in a combined overall yield of 20.8% over 14 steps.     

Phase‐Transfer‐Catalysed Synthesis of Pyrroloindolines and Pyridoindolines by a Hydrogen‐Bond‐Assisted Isocyanide Cyclization Cascade

A cascade reaction that generates pyrrolo‐ and pyridoindoline motifs from isocyanide precursors under phase‐transfer conditions is described. This transformation proceeds at room temperature in the presence of a quaternary ammonium catalyst and base to generate functionalized products containing an all‐carbon quaternary stereocentre. Quantum chemical calculations demonstrated that intramolecular general acid catalysis plays a key accelerating role through stabilization of developing charge in the transition state, and that the reaction is best described as a 5‐endo dig cyclization, rather than an anionic 6π electrocyclization. Investigations employing chiral phase‐transfer catalysts have given promising selectivities to date.     

Metal‐Free Radical 5‐exo‐dig Cyclizations of Phenol‐Linked 1,6‐Enynes for the Synthesis of Carbonylated Benzofurans

A new metal‐free radical 5‐exo‐dig cyclization of phenol‐linked 1,6‐enynes with O₂, 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), and tBuONO is described. With this general method, carbonylated benzofurans can be accessed through incorporation of two oxygen atoms into the product from O₂ and TEMPO through dioxygen activation and oxidative cleavage of the N? O bond, respectively.     

Synthesis of cis-Fused Bicyclic Systems by Radical Cyclization Approach: Formal Synthesis of Ethisolide and iso-Avenaciolide

Formal synthesis of ethisolide and iso-avenaciolide was achieved using furanoid glycal-vinyl radical intermediates. The vinyl radical cyclization by 5-exo-dig mode gave the cis-fused bicyclic systems with an efficient introduction of the exo-methylene group, besides helping in the inversion of the adjacent stereocentre. Further, the study describes the synthesis of cis-fused bicyclic systems from L-arabinose and D-xylose for the creation of diverse natural and synthetic products of this class.     

Direct reaction of iodine-activated lanthanoid metals with 2,6-diisopropylphenol

Rare earth metals activated with ca. 2% iodine react directly with 2,6-diisopropylphenol (HOdip) in tetrahydrofuran (thf), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (dme), and dig-dme (dig = di(2-methoxyethyl) ether) to give solvated phenolate complexes [Ln(Odip)(3)(thf)(n)] (Ln = La, Nd, n = 3; Ln = Sm, Dy, Y, Yb, n = 2), [Eu(Odip)(μ-Odip)(thf)(2)](2), [Ln(Odip)(3)(dme)(2)] (Ln = La, Yb) and [La(Odip)(3)(dig)] in good yield for Ln = La, Nd, Eu but modest yield for smaller Ln metals under comparable conditions. However, increasing the excess of metal greatly increased the yield for Ln = Y. The synthetic method has general potential, at least for lanthanoid phenolates. Comparison redox transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) reactions between Ln metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and the phenol gave higher yields in shorter time and, for Eu, gave [Eu(Odip)(3)(thf)(3)] in contrast to an Eu(II) complex from Eu(I(2)). New [Ln(Odip)(3)(thf)(3)] complexes have fac-octahedral structures and [Ln(Odip)(3)(thf)(2)] monomeric five coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal structures with apical thf ligands. [Eu(Odip)(μ-Odip)(thf)(2)](2) is an unsymmetrical dimer with two bridging Odip ligands. One five coordinate Eu atom has distorted trigonal bipyramidal stereochemistry and the other is distorted square pyramidal. Whilst [La(Odip)(3)(dme)(2)] has irregular seven coordination with mer-Odip and chelating dme ligands, [Ln(Odip)(3)(dme)(2)] (Ln = Dy, Y (prepared by ligand exchange), Yb) are monomeric six coordinate with one chelating and one unidentate dme. A six coordinate fac-octahedral arrangement is observed in [La(Odip)(3)(dig)].     

Frustrated Lewis Pair‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 1,5‐Enynes via a 5‐endo‐dig Cyclization/Protodeborylation Sequence

The first frustrated Lewis pair‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of a series of 1,5‐enynes was developed. The reaction proceeds via the π‐activation of the alkyne and subsequent 5‐endo‐dig cyclization with the adjacent alkene. The presence of PPh₃ was of utmost importance on the one hand to prevent side reactions (for example, 1,1‐carboboration) and on the other hand for the efficient protodeborylation to achieve the catalytic turnover. The mechanism is explained on the basis of quantum‐chemical calculations, which are in full agreement with the experimental observations.     

Switchable [3+2] and [4+2] Heteroannulation of Primary Propargylamines with Isonitriles to Imidazoles and 1,6‐Dihydropyrimidines: Catalyst Loading Enabled Reaction Divergence

Isonitrile 1 due to its carbene‐like reactivity serves generally as a one‐carbon synthon in a diverse set of organic transformations. We report in this article that the isocyano group can also act as a polarized triple bond to undergo, as a two‐atom synthon, heteroannulation with primary propargylamines 15 . In addition, we serendipitously discovered that the reaction pathways can be modulated by simply changing the catalyst loading. In the presence of 0.1 equiv of Yb(OTf)₃ or TfOH, the reaction between 1 and 15 afforded exclusively imidazoles 16 by a formal [3+2] cycloaddition. At a higher catalyst loading (Yb(OTf)₃ (0.4 equiv) or TfOH (0.5 equiv)) under otherwise identical conditions, the same reaction furnished 1,6‐dihydropyrimidines 17 in good to excellent yields by way of a formal [4+2] cycloaddition process. Mechanistic investigations indicated that both annulations went through an amidine intermediate resulting from the insertion of the isocyano group to the NH bond of the primary amine. Subsequent catalyst‐loading‐dependent 5‐exo‐dig or 6‐endo‐dig cyclization provided selectively the two heterocycles, respectively.     

Regioselective synthesis of pyrano[3,2-c]pyrimidine derivatives via a palladium-catalyzed unusual [1,3] aryloxy shift and cycloisomerization: first report of a [1,3] shift of an aryloxy group

Uracil-annulated pyrano heterocycles are regioselectively synthesized in excellent yields (92-100%) via a palladium-catalyzed unusual [1,3] aryloxy shift followed by 6-endo dig cyclization and [1,3] prototropic shift.     

Mechanistic Understanding of the Divergent Cyclizations of o‐Alkynylbenzaldehyde Acetals and Thioacetals Catalyzed by Metal Halides

The mechanisms of regiodivergent cyclizations of o‐alkynylbenzaldehyde acetals and thioacetals catalyzed by Pd and Pt halides are studied. DFT calculations found that both reactions are initiated by electrophilic activation of the acetylenic moiety instead of the previously proposed metal‐triggered C?X (X=O, S) cleavage. Both the regioselective cyclization of the π‐alkyne complex and the chemoselective [1,2]‐migration in the carbenoid intermediate were determined as key steps to achieving the observed divergence. For acetal derivatives containing an internal alkyne, the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization is more favorable and leads to the carbenoid intermediate easily through further steps of C?X fragmentation and carbocation cyclization. Then, from the carbenoid intermediate, the [1,2]‐migration of sulfur is easier than that of H, Me, and Ph; whereas, a reversed aptitude was predicted for the oxygen analogue, which is consistent with the greater ability of sulfur atoms to stabilize β‐carbocations. However, for precursors containing a terminal alkyne, the 5‐exo‐dig pathway is preferred and only the 1,2‐disubstituted indene product is seen, irrespective of the nature of the acetal; thus, a different product from that reported in the literature is predicted for benzaldehyde acetal with a terminal alkyne at the ortho position. This prediction led us to reconsider some of the reported results and hidden realities were uncovered with solid new experimental evidence.     

Differential receptors create patterns diagnostic for ATP and GTP

Herein we report the combination of a library of resin-bound sensors along with a multicomponent sensor array. This novel combinatorial array sensor system shows selectivity for nucleotide phosphates in solution. The design of the anchored receptor includes a 1,3,5-trisubstituted-2,4,6-triethylbenzene scaffold coupled with peptide libraries. Each chemosensor is placed into a micromachined cavity within a silicon wafer, and the optical changes observed by a charged-coupled device result in near-real-time digital analysis of solutions. A colorimetric displacement assay was performed, and time-dependent imaging studies of the selected sensing ensembles result in a differential responses upon addition of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), or guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP). An advantage to this approach is that it creates an array of sensors that gives a fingerprint response for each analyte. Principal component analysis indicates that the library of chemosensors can differentiate between ATP, GTP, and AMP. On the basis of factor loading values, individual sensors from the library were sequenced to elucidate their chemical composition.     

Silver‐Catalyzed 7‐exo‐dig Cyclization of Silylenolether‐ynesulfonamides

Cyclization of silylenolether‐ynesulfonamides proceeds at ambient temperature under mild reaction conditions under silver catalysis. Bridged compounds were obtained exclusively through 7‐exo‐dig reactions. The protocol is applicable to a wide range of substrates, thus leading to azabicyclic frameworks.     

Umpolung Reactivity of Ynamides: An Unconventional [1,3]‐Sulfonyl and [1,5]‐Sulfinyl Migration Cascade

A regioselective sulfonyl/sulfinyl migration cycloisomerization cascade of alkyne‐tethered ynamides is developed in the presence of XPhosgold catalyst. This reaction is the first example of a general [1,3]‐sulfonyl migration from the nitrogen center to the β‐carbon atom of ynamides, followed by umpolung 5‐endo‐dig cyclization of the ynamide α‐carbon atom to the gold‐activated alkyne, and final deaurative [1,5]‐sulfinylation. This process allows the synthesis of peripherally decorated unconventional 4‐sulfinylated pyrroles with broad scope from N‐propargyl‐tethered ynamides. In contrast, N‐homopropargyl‐tethered ynamides undergo intramolecular tetradehydro Diels–Alder reaction to provide 2,3‐dihydro‐benzo[f]indole derivatives. Control experiments and density‐functional theory studies were used to study the reaction pathways.