Cu(OTf)2/NBS Promoted Cyclization of 1-Cinnamyl Alcohol-o-Carboranes: An Efficient Approach for Synthesis of o-Carboranes Substituted Oxetanes

The Cu(OTf)₂/NBS promoted cyclization of 1-cinnamyl alcohol-o-carboranes for synthesis of o-carborane substituted oxetanes has been developed. A series of substituted oxetanes has been synthesized with moderate to good yields, which would be an important synthon for design novel reactions in oxetane chemistry as well as carborane chemistry.     

Cobalt carbonyl catalysed reaction of oxetanes with a hydrosilane and carbon monoxide

The cobalt carbonyl catalyzed reaction of oxetanes with HSiR₃ and CO took place at 25°C under 1 atm to give not only 1,4-disiloxybutanes but also 1-siloxypropanes. The product ratio was highly dependent on the solvent used.     

Regioselectivity and Competition of the Paternò–Büchi Reaction and Triplet–Triplet Energy Transfer between Triplet Benzophenones and Pyrimidines: Control by Triplet Energy Levels

The photochemical reaction of a pyrimidine and a ketone occurs either as a Paternò–Büchi (PB) reaction or as energy transfer (ET) from the triplet ketone to the pyrimidine. It is rare for the two types of reactions to occur concurrently, and their competitive mechanism remains unknown. In this work, two classes of products, regioisomeric oxetane(s) ( 2 , 3 ) from a PB reaction and three isomeric dimers of 5‐fluoro‐1,3‐dimethyl uracil (FDMU) ( 4 – 6 ) from a photosensitized dimerization of FDMU, are obtained through the UV irradiation of FDMU with various benzophenones (BPs). The ratio of the two products (oxetanes to dimers) reveals that the two competitive reactions depend strongly on the triplet energy levels (E_T) of the BPs. The BPs with higher E_T values lead to higher proportions of dimers, whereas those with lower E_T values give higher proportions of oxetane(s), with the generation of just two regioisomeric oxetanes for the BP with the lowest E_T of the eight BPs investigated. The ratio of the two oxetanes ( 2 : 3 ) decreases with the BP E_T value. The competitive mechanism for the two types of photochemical reactions is demonstrated through quenching experiments and investigation of temperature effects. Kinetic analysis shows that the rate constants of the two [2+2] photocycloadditions are comparable. Furthermore, in combination with the results of previous studies, we have gained insight into the dependence of the photochemical type and the regioselectivity in the PB reaction on the triplet energy gaps (ΔE) between the pyrimidines and ketones. For ketones with higher E_T values than the pyrimidines, the photochemical reaction is a photosensitized dimerization of the pyrimidine. In the opposite case, a PB reaction occurs, and the lower the E_T of the ketones, the lower the ratio of oxetanes ( 2 : 3 ). When the E_T of values of the ketones are close to those of the pyrimidines, the two reactions occur concurrently, and the higher the E_T of the ketones, the higher the proportion of the dimers. The ratio of oxetanes ( 2 : 3 ) decreases with the E_T value of the BPs.     

Synthesis of homoallylic alcohols via palladium-catalyzed coupling of organomercurials and vinylic oxetanes

The reaction of aryl- and vinylmercurials, cupric chloride, 5% aqueous NH₄Cl, oxygen, catalytic amounts of Li2pPdCl4 and vinylic oxetanes affords an excellent route to functionally-substituted homoallylic alcohols.     

Synthetic Reactions Using Low‐valent Titanium Reagents Derived from Ti(OR)4 or CpTiX3 (X = O‐i‐Pr or Cl) in the Presence of Me3SiCl and Mg

In the presence of Me₃SiCl, Ti(OR)₄ or CpTiX₃ (X = O‐i‐Pr or Cl) is reduced by Mg powder in THF to gradually generate a specific low‐valent titanium (LVT) species that mediates several synthetic reactions. The LVT‐catalyzed C–O bond‐cleaving reactions of allyl and propargyl ethers and esters generate parent alcohols and carboxylic acids, respectively. O‐allyl and propargyl carbamates are also readily deprotected by the LVT to afford parent amines. In addition, the respective reductive N–S or O–S bond cleavage of sulfonamides or sulfonyl esters mediated by the LVT was developed as a novel facile deprotection method. The reagent catalyzes intra‐ and intermolecular alkyne or alkyne/nitrile cycloaddition to produce substituted benzenes and pyridines, while epoxides and oxetanes are reduced to alcohols via an LVT‐mediated homolytic ring opening. The McMurry coupling of aryl aldehydes and ketones proceeds with the LVT under homogeneous and mild reaction conditions and is effective for the polymerization of aromatic dialdehydes, generating conjugated polymers. Finally, imino‐pinacol coupling of imines is mediated by the LVT to provide 1,2‐diamines.     

Novel use of organotin halide-base complex in organic synthesis. Cycloaddition reaction of oxetane with isocyanates.

Cycloadditions of oxetanes with isocyanates were markedly accelerated by the complex of Bu₂SnI2 and Ph₃P=O which could be readily handled and hardly caused a trimerization of isocyanates, yielding oxazin-2-ones under neutral and mild reaction conditions.     

Synthetic studies on oxetanocin,a novel nucleoside with an oxetane ring synthesis of some chiral D-oxetanosyl acylates

Some chiral D-oxetanosyl acylates, promising synthetic precursors of oxetanocin, have been synthesized from D-glucose as well as from cis-2-buten-1,4-diol, wherein the most important step requires Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the carbonyl group attached to C₁-position of the corresponding oxetanes.     

Condensation of trifluorotrichloroacetone with fluoroolefins in presence of antimony pentafluoride

Conclusions Trifluorotrichloroacetone in the presence of SbF₅ reacts with fluoro-containing ethylenes to give the corresponding pentanones and their isomeric oxetanes.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1430–1432, June, 1978.     

Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reactions of alpha-Cyclopropyl- and alpha-Epoxy Ketones. Tandem Fragmentation-Cyclization to Bi-, Tri-, and Spirocyclic Ketones

Reductive photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reactions have been performed with various bicyclic alpha-cyclopropyl-substituted ketones and tertiary amines. The reaction resulted in a regioselective cleavage of one cyclopropyl bond under formation of an exocyclic radical with an endocyclic enolate unit. In the case of bicyclic ketones with an unsaturated side chain, various bicyclic, spirocyclic, and tricyclic products are accessible via radical cyclization, depending on the position of the alkenyl substituent. In addition to triethylamine, N-silylated amines have also been used as electron donors, leading to a variety of compounds, among them are silylated fragmentation products, indicating that a proton is transferred from not only the amine radical cation but also the cationic silyl group. The intramolecular Paternó-Büchi reaction has also been studied for cyclopropane derivatives of the jasmone type leading to tetracyclic oxetanes. Finally, alpha-epoxy-substituted ketones have been investigated under PET conditions, yielding ring-opened products.     

Studies on The Application of The Paternò-Büchi Reaction to The Synthesis of Novel Fluorinated Scaffolds

In the context of new scaffolds obtained by photochemical reactions, Paternò-Büchi reactions between heteroaromatic, trifluoromethylphenyl ketone and electron rich alkenes to give oxetanes are described. A comprehensive study has then been carried out on the reaction of aromatic ketones with fluorinated alkenes. Depending on the substitution pattern at the oxetane ring, a metathesis reaction is described as a minor side process to give mono fluorinated alkenes. Overall, this last reaction corresponds to a photo-Wittig reaction and yield amid isosteres. In order to explain the uncommon regioselectivity of the Paternò-Büchi reaction with these alkenes, electrostatic-potential derived charges (ESP) have been determined. In a second computational study, the relative stabilities of the typical 1,4-diradical intermediates of the Paternò-Büchi reaction have been determined. The results well explain the regioselectivity. Further transformations of the oxetanes or previous functionalization of the fluoroalkenes open perspectives for oxetanes as core structures for biologically active compounds.     

Highly Chemoselective Catalytic Coupling of Substituted Oxetanes and Carbon Dioxide

The chemoselective coupling of oxetanes and carbon dioxide to afford functional, heterocyclic organic compounds known as six‐membered cyclic carbonates remains a challenging topic. Here, an effective method for their synthesis relying on the use of Al catalysis is described. The catalytic reactions can be carried out with excellent selectivity for the cyclic carbonate product tolerating various (functional) groups present in the 2‐ and 3‐position(s) of the oxetane ring. The presented methodology is the first general approach towards the formation of six‐membered cyclic carbonates (6MCCs) through oxetane/CO₂ coupling chemistry. Apart from a series of substituted six‐membered cyclic carbonates, also the unprecedented room‐temperature coupling of oxetanes and CO₂ is disclosed giving, depending on the structural features of the substrate, a variety of five‐ and six‐membered heterocyclic products. A mechanistic rationale is presented for their formation and support for the intermediary presence of a carbonic acid derivative is given. The presented functional carbonates may hold great promise as building blocks in organic synthesis and the development of new, biodegradable polymers.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Trisubstituted Allylic and Homoallylic Alcohols

An efficient copper‐catalyzed trifluoromethylation of trisubstituted allylic and homoallylic alcohols with Togni’s reagent has been developed. This strategy, accompanied by a double‐bond migration, leads to various branched CF₃‐substituted alcohols by using readily available trisubstituted cyclic/acyclic alcohols as substrates. Moreover, for alcohols in which β‐H elimination is prohibited, CF₃‐containing oxetanes are isolated as the sole product.     

Synthesis of Seven-Membered Benzolactones by Nickel-Catalyzed C−H Coupling of Benzamides with Oxetanes

A NiCl₂(PEt₃)₂-catalyzed regioselective C−H coupling of 8-aminoquinoline-derived benzamides with oxetanes has been developed. The reaction proceeds with concomitant removal of the 8-aminoquinoline auxiliary to directly form the corresponding seven-membered benzolactones, which frequently occur in natural products and bioactive molecules. Additionally, no stereochemical erosion is observed during the course of the reaction, and the use of enantioenriched and substituted oxetane thus provides a new avenue to the optically active benzolactone.     

Catalytic reactions of oxetanes with protonic reagents and aprotic reagents leading to novel polymers

This paper reports new addition reactions of oxetanes with certain protonic reagents such as carboxylic acid, phenol, and thiol, and with certain aprotic reagents such as acyl chloride, thioester, phosphonyl dichloride, silyl chloride, and chloroformate using quaternary onium salts as catalysts. The kinetic study of the addition reactions of oxetanes was also investigated. These new addition reactions were applicable to the synthesis of new polymers. These polyaddition systems could also construct both polymer main chains and reactive side chains. The alternating copolymerization of oxetanes with carboxylic anhydride was performed. Furthermore, it was found that anionic ring‐opening polymerization of oxetanes containing hydroxy groups proceeded to afford the hyperbranched polymer (HBP) with an oxetanyl group and many hydroxy groups at the ends of the polymer chains. Alkali developable photofunctional HBPs were synthesized by the polyaddition of bis(oxetane)s or tris(oxetane)s, and their patterning properties were examined, too. The photo‐induced cationic polymerization of the polymers with pendant oxetanyl groups and the thermal curing reactions of polyfunctional oxetanes (oxetane resins) were also examined to give the crosslinking materials quantitatively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 709–726, 2007     

Titanocene catalyzed opening of oxetanes

The reductive opening of oxetanes by Cp₂TiCl was investigated by a combined synthetic and computational study. The activation and reaction energies predict a more difficult reaction than the related epoxide opening. Synthetically, the γ-titanoxy radicals obtained behave like typical free radicals. Their reactions are not controlled by the metal and its ligands. This is highlighted by the dimerization of phenyl substituted oxetane derived radicals.     

Coordination copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran and oxepane with oxetanes and epoxides

The chelate catalyst, as typified by the Et₃Al-0.5 H₂O-0.5 acetylacetone product, usually prepared with Et₂O or tetrahydrofuran (THF) present, has all the known characteristics of a coordination catalyst for polymerizing epoxides and uniquely for oxetanes. We have found that the chelate catalyst gives fairly good copolymerization of THF (54% in monomer charge) with 3-(trimethylsilyloxy) oxetane which, after hydrolysis, is a water-soluble, moderate molecular weight copolymer of THF (36%) with 3-hydroxyoxetane (HO). This apparent coordination copolymerization of THF has been extended to trimethylene oxide (TMO), 3,3-bis(trimethylsilyoxymethyl) oxetane, 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane (BCMO), trans-2,3-epoxybutane (TBO), and propylene oxide, listed in order of decreasing copolymerizability with THF. Presumably, this is the first known coordination copolymerization of THF which hitherto has only been polymerized with cationic catalysts. Oxepane also copolymerizes coordinately with TMO and BCMO, but less readily than THF, with the chelate catalyst. TBO polymerizes slowly with the chelate catalyst to form stereoregular polymer which can be separated into an acetone-insoluble, highly stereoregular fraction and an acetone-soluble, somewhat less stereoregular fraction. The soluble fraction can be eliminated by using 1.0 acetyl acetone per Al in the catalyst or by adding a small amount of a very strong base (0.09 quinuclidine per Al). The copolymerization of TBO with THF (39%) gives insoluble stereoregular homopolymer and soluble copolymer containing about 23% THF, reflecting the varied steric hindrance of the sites. Some anomalous results appear to be related to the mechanism: (1) steric and electronic factors of the monomers and of the polymerization site. For example, the fourth coordination position of Al is needed to achieve homopolymerization of BCMO and TMO-THF copolymerization. (2) The aggregation state of the catalyst, since a nonpolar diluent as toluene is unfavorable for coordination copolymerization of THF. (3) The greater ring strain of epoxides causes a greater ease of polymerization, compared to oxetanes. Thus, Et₂O often present in the chelate catalyst lowers the molecular weight of the polymer considerably with oxetanes compared to epoxides where Et₂O has little or no effect.     

Regioselective ad [C,C] connective routes to oxetanes and tetrahydrofuranes

α-Selenoalkyllithiums already used for the regioselective synthesis of epoxides¹ are found valuable building blocks for the synthesis of higher homologues namely oxetanes and tetrahydrofuranes. The general synthetic strategy used is schematized below and represent $\text{a formal}$ homologization reaction of epoxides and oxetanes by carbene insertion.     

Thermal and Photochemical Oxetane Formation. A Contribution to the Synthesis of Branched-Chain Aldonolactone

Derivatives of 2-C-branched-chain erythrono-1,4-lactones of the types 1 have been synthesized under reductive conditions using DIBAL from the oxetane 2 , which is easily accessible from diethyl mesoxalate ( 4 ) and 2,2-diisopropyl-1,3-dioxole ( 3 ) in high yield by means of a catalytic cycloaddition. Similarly, 2 rearranges in presences of AlMe₃ under formation of an erythronolactone with an additional branching at C(4). The corresponding oxetanes 7–9 from ethyl pyruvate ( 5 ) and ethyl trimethylpyruvate ( 6 ), respectively, have been studied with regard to their reductions yielding building blocks of branched-chain sugars.     

Long-range 4J coupling constants and conformation of the four-membered heterocycles

The correlation between the puckering angle of the four-membered cycle and ⁴J has been obtained from analysis of the PMR spectra of some 2-substituted azetidines and oxetanes. The absolute values of ⁴J_cis and ⁴J_trans were found to decrease with decreasing of the puckering angle.     

Oxetane from A-nor-steroides: 2-alpha, 5-oxido-A-nor-5-alpha-cholestane, 2-beta, 5-oxido-A-nor-5-beta-cholestane and 2-alpha-ethyl-2-beta,2'-oxido-A-nor-5-alpha-cholestane

Treatment of 2β-tosyloxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane-5-ol ( 2 ) with t-butoxide in t-butanol gave 2α, 5-epoxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane ( 3 ) in quantitative yield. When A-nor-5β-cholestane-2α, 5-diol ( 4 ) was treated with tosyl chloride in pyridine 2β-chloro-A-nor-5β-cholestane-5-ol ( 7 ) and 2α-tosyloxy-A-nor-5β-cholestane-5-ol ( 8 ) were obtained. Whereas the chloride 7 was resistant to t-butoxide the tosylate 8 was transformed into an 1 : 1 mixture of 2α, 5-epoxy-5β-cholestane ( 10 ) and 2ξ-t-butoxy-A-nor-5β-cholestane-5-ol ( 11 ). In 2α-tosyloxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane-5-ol ( 12 ) substitution occurred as the only reaction. Both oxetanes 3 and 10 isomerize after heating above 50° and in polar or protic solvents to form A-nor-Δ³⁽⁵⁾-cholestene-2α-ol ( 6 ) and -2β-ol ( 14 ) respectively. Also, 2, 5-diols are encountered. 2α-Ethyl-2β, 2′-epoxy-A-nor-5α-cholestane ( 23 ) was synthesized starting from A-nor-5α-cholestane-2-one ( 17 ). The intermediates were the ester 16 , the diol 18 , the hydroxy-tosylate 19 and the chlorhydrin 20 . The spirocyclic oxetane 23 was reduced by LiAlH₄ in dioxane (not in ether). By chromatography on silica gel 23 was isomerized to the homoallylic alcohol 21 and transformed into 2-methylene-A-nor-5α-cholestane ( 24 ) by fragmentation. The IR. and NMR. spectra of the new oxetanes were compared with those of a series of known oxetanes.