Characterization of the switch in the mechanism of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

Changing the dienophile moiety of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition from an allyl ether to an allenyl ether can dramatically change the regioselectivity. We hereby show by density functional theory computations that such unprecedented divergence is produced by an underlying change in the mechanism of the reaction. The allyl ether yields a fused tetrahydrofuran through a classical Diels-Alder reaction, whereas the allenyl ether yields a (methylidene)tetrahydropyran through a stepwise process. The latter reaction involves an extreme asynchronism in the bond-forming events with a diradicaloid intermediate that is stabilized by conjugation and synergistic (captodative) effects. Comparison with intermolecular model D-A reactions, which are concerted processes with various degrees of asynchrony, helps explain the change in regioselectivity for the IMDA reaction of allyl systems and the shift in mechanism for the IMDA reaction of the allenyl derivatives studied.     

On the Diels-Alder reactions of pentadienyl maleates and citraconates

Reactions between conjugated dienols and maleic anhydride provide either cis-fused or trans-fused bicyclic products as major products, depending upon how the reaction is carried out. Simply mixing the two reactants together generally leads to cis-fused lactone acids in thermal reactions which proceed viaintermolecular Diels-Alder reaction followed by intramolecular esterification. Pre-forming the maleate half ester derivative followed by heating affords predominantly trans-fused lactone acids in good yields by way of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction. Sorbyl citraconate half esters undergo a rapid thermolytic fragmentation in refluxing toluene to form the dienol and citraconic anhydride. The resulting diene-dienophile pair undergo an intermolecular cycloaddition followed by a rapid intramolecular esterification to give cis-fused bicyclic lactone acids as major products. The IMDA reaction of citraconic half esters is sufficiently rapid in DMSO to dominate over fragmentation: the exo-cycloadduct is formed almost exclusively. Nine literature reports of endo-selective IMDA reactions of triene acids are erroneous; the cycloadditions proceed in an intermolecular manner.     

Exploring an expedient IMDA reaction approach to construct the guanacastepene core

Construction of the [5-7-6] tricyclic core of guanacastepenes was attempted by using the intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction and Me(3)Al-mediated ring opening of the oxabridge as key synthetic steps. The illustrated chemistry demonstrated a synthetic feasibility to build up the framework of guanacastepenes by the IMDA reaction. [reaction: see text]     

Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reactions of Decatrienoates: Remote Stereocontrol and Conformational Activation(1)

The intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions of C(8)-substituted decatrienoates have been studied. The stereospecific formation of 11 via an endo-boat-9 transition state attests to the powerful directing influence of a C(8) substituent in the IMDA of decatrienoate. In addition, the contrasting observations that stereospecific 9 --> 11 occurs at room temperature while the nor-tert-butyl substrate (4a) requires 125 degrees C/5 h reaction conditions and produces a 60:40 mixture of diastereomers provide clear evidence that a bulky C(8) substituent is a powerful conformational activator of the IMDA.     

Intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions of fulvenes. Application to the kigelinol, neoamphilectane, and kempane skeletons

A variety of polycyclic ring skeletons (e.g., kigelinol, neoamphilectane, and kempene systems) can be prepared rapidly via intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions (IMDA) of fulvenes. The length of the tethers and the diversity of the substituents on the fulvene core dictate the nature of the IMDA pathway. [reaction: see text]     

Toward the synthesis of tetrodecamycin: asymmetric synthesis of a direct precursor of the C6C18 trans-decalin portion

We report the asymmetric synthesis of a direct precursor of the C6C18 trans-decalin portion of tetrodecamycin utilising an asymmetric intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction as the key step.     

Enantioselective synthesis of bridged bicyclic ring systems

The type 2 intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction is a valuable method for synthesis of both carbocyclic and heterocyclic bridged bicyclo[5.3.1]undecane and bicyclo[4.3.1]decane ring systems. These structures are common to a number of biologically important natural products. Asymmetric variants of the type 2 IMDA reaction incorporating oxazolidinone chiral auxiliaries have been evaluated. This study has resulted in systems that deliver bridged bicyclic [5.3.1] and [4.3.1] ring systems in high diastereomeric (97-99% de) and enantiomeric purity.     

The Type 2 Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction: Synthesis and Chemistry of Bridgehead Alkenes

Anti-Bredt alkenes, bicyclic molecules that contain a bridgehead double bond, were for many years regarded as chemical curiosities. The type 2 intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction provides a one-step entry into this fascinating class of molecules. The reaction has made available numerous anti-Bredt alkenes for structural and chemical studies. X-ray crystallography has revealed the magnitude of the deformations associated with the bridgehead double bond, and rate studies of reactions of bridgehead alkenes have allowed quantification of the kinetic consequences of the torsional distortions. More recently, the type 2 intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction and the resulting anti-Bredt alkenes have found application in organic synthesis. The constraints resulting from the connectivity in the Diels-Alder precursor creates a strong regio- and stereochemical bias in the cycloaddition step. The end result of this bias is the stereoselective synthesis of highly substituted six-membered rings. The reaction also achieves a facile synthesis of seven- and eight-membered rings in a single step from acyclic precursors. The utility of this reaction has been verified in recent applications of the type 2 IMDA reaction as a key step in the total synthesis of complex natural products.     

Synthetic studies of GKK1032s: the asymmetric synthesis of the decahydrofluorene skeleton via a novel cyclization of silyl enol ether and sequential retro Diels-Alder and intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions

GKK1032s, which were isolated from the culture broth of Penicillium sp. GKK1032, exhibit antitumor activity. We constructed the fully elaborated decahydrofluorene skeleton of GKK1032s. The C-ring was constructed by intramolecular cyclization reaction between a chiral epoxide and silyl enol ether, and the dienophile moiety was introduced concurrently. In addition, the AB-rings were stereoselectively constructed using novel sequential retro Diels-Alder (DA) and intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions. Several further modifications of the IMDA adduct were carried out, leading to the asymmetric synthesis of the desired hydroxyester including nine stereo centers.     

Formal synthesis of cortistatins

A unified strategy toward the asymmetric facile construction of the [6.7.6.5]oxapentacyclic skeleton of cortistatins is reported, featuring intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA), oxidative dearomatization, and an oxy-Michael addition reaction.     

Synthesis of cis-fused carbo-bicycles by domino enyne cross-metathesis/intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction

A sequential combination of Ru-catalyzed enyne cross-metathesis (EYCM) and intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction (IMDA) is described. Different terminal alkynes and alpha,omega-dienes obtained by a Baylis-Hillman reaction were transformed into substituted cis-hexahydro-1H-indenes and cis-hexahydro-2H-naphthalin-1-ones.     

Towards the total synthesis of neurotrophically active tashironins: rapid construction of the tetracyclic core through a tandem oxidative dearomatization-IMDA reaction-RCM protocol

An exceptionally short (three step) strategy involving tandem oxidative dearomatization, intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction and RCM has been devised to generate the complete carbon framework present in tashironin-type sesquiterpenoid natural products.     

Application of RCM reaction in the construction of ABC ring of micrandilactone A

[reaction: see text] The functionalized ABC ring system of micrandilactone A was successfully constructed in 14 steps. The key reactions in this synthesis are the intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction (IMDA) and the eneyne ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction.     

A concise total synthesis of (±)- and (-)-okilactomycin D

The spirotetronate okilactomycin D (7) has been efficiently synthesized by a route featuring a substrate-controlled, diastereoselective (8:1) intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction of 11. The assigned absolute configuration of (-)-7 was confirmed.     

Synthesis of new tricyclic phosphines and phosphinites by intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of trivalent phospholes

Phospholes bearing an allyl-X substituent at phosphorus tend to undergo an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition (IMDA) leading to the corresponding tricyclic derivative. When X = O or NR, the IMDA easily takes place at room temperature. When X = CH2, the IMDA slowly takes place around 110-140 degrees C, as a function to the substitution pattern of the dienic system. Two tricyclic derivatives (X = O and CH2) have been characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis of the P-sulfides.     

"In silico" mechanistic studies as predictive tools in microwave-assisted organic synthesis

Computational calculations can be used as a predictive tool in Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis (MAOS). A DFT study on Intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions (IMDA) indicated that the activation energy of the reaction and the polarity of the stationary points are two fundamental parameters to determine "a priori" if a reaction can be improved by using microwave irradiation.     

Bridged to Fused Ring Interchange. Methodology for the Construction of Fused Cycloheptanes and Cyclooctanes. Total Syntheses of Ledol, Ledene, and Compressanolide

The type two intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction (T2IMDA) is an efficient method for the formation of medium rings. The methodology is particularly effective for the construction of seven- and eight-membered rings. A strategy for the synthesis of functionalized cycloheptanes and cyclooctanes has been developed that involves a bridged to fused ring interchange. The T2IMDA provides a synthesis for rigid bridged bicyclic molecules that can be stereoselectively elaborated before ozonolysis of the bridgehead double bond. Following oxidative cleavage, aldol condensation provides fused bicyclic ring systems that otherwise are difficult to synthesize. This methodology is amenable to the synthesis of terpene natural products. This is demonstrated here through total syntheses of (+/-)-ledol and (+/-)-ledene and a formal synthesis of (+/-)-compressanolide.     

Unexpected epimerization and stereochemistry revision of IMDA adducts from sorbate-related 1,3,8-nonatrienes

Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction of two sorbate-related 1,3,8-nonatrienes has been investigated in MeCN at 180 °C for 1.5 h under controlled microwave heating. On checking the crude product mixture before purification, partial epimerization of the major adduct was found during the reaction. After column chromatographic purification over silica gel, only two cis adducts were obtained and their structures have been thoroughly established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. It is concluded that the putative major trans adduct predicted by the IMDA reaction mechanism undergoes facile epimerization at high temperature or in the presence of silica gel. Structural revision on the adducts has been made.     

Enhancing the scope of the Diels-Alder reaction through isonitrile chemistry: emergence of a new class of acyl-activated dienophiles

α,β-Unsaturated imides, formylated at the nitrogen atom, comprise a new and valuable family of dienophiles for servicing Diels-Alder reactions. These systems are assembled through extension of recently discovered isonitrile chemistry to the domain of α,β-unsaturated acids. Cycloadditions are facilitated by Et(2)AlCl, presumably via chelation between the two carbonyl groups of the N-formyl amide. Applications of the isonitrile/Diels-Alder logic to the IMDA reaction, as well as methodologies to modify the N-formyl amide of the resultant cycloaddition product, are described. It is expected that this easily executed chemistry will provide a significant enhancement for application of Diels-Alder reactions to many synthetic targets.     

Synthesis of spiroannulated dihydroisobenzofuranylated monosaccharides

An efficient synthesis of spiroannulated dihydroisobenzofurans is achieved using easily accessible carbohydrate-derived furanyl propargyl ethers via an AuCl₃ promoted intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction. The scope of the spiroannulation protocol was demonstrated using a diverse range of pentofuranosyl, hexofuransoyl and hexopyranosyl derived substrates in order to synthesize spiroannulated dihydroisobenzofurans. The reaction is high yielding, moisture tolerant, fast and uses only a catalytic amount of AuCl₃.