Synthesis of furo[3,4-c]furans using a rhodium(II)-catalyzed cyclization/Diels-Alder cycloaddition sequence

A series of 2-alkynyl 2-diazo-3-oxobutanoates, when treated with a catalytic quantity of rhodium(II) acetate, afforded furo[3,4-c]furans in good yield. The reaction proceeds by addition of a rhodium-stabilized carbenoid onto the acetylenic pi-bond to give a vinyl carbenoid that subsequently cyclizes onto the neighboring carbonyl group to produce the furan ring. These furo[3,4-c]furans react with various dienophiles, furnishing anisole derivatives derived by loss of water from the initially formed Diels-Alder cycloadducts. The Rh(II)-catalyzed cyclization reaction was quite versatile with regard to the nature of the interacting carbonyl group. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of several oxa-polyheterocyclic systems by first generating a 2-alkoxy-substituted furan and then allowing it to undergo a subsequent intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Ring opening of the resulting cycloadduct is followed by deprotonation to furnish a rearranged keto lactone. The potential use of this method for the synthesis of the alkaloid strychnine was probed using suitable model diazo compounds. To establish the viability of this approach, the Rh(II)-catalyzed cyclization/cycloaddition sequence of alpha-diazo amides 64 and 68 were studied. Both compounds underwent the sequential process in good overall yield, leading to novel pentacyclic products. The structural features of the resultant products present numerous opportunities for postcycloaddition manipulations that could be exploited to synthetic advantage.     

Stereocontrolled construction of either stereoisomer of 12-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.0(2,7)]dodecanes using Prins-pinacol reactions

[reaction: see text] 12-Oxatricyclo[6.3.1.0(2,7)]dodecanes can be efficiently synthesized in a stereoselective manner by Prins-pinacol reactions. By biasing the transition state of the Prins cyclization, it is possible to access either stereoisomer of this oxatricyclic ring system.     

General access to the vinca and tacaman alkaloids using a Rh(II)-catalyzed cyclization/cycloaddition cascade

The total synthesis of several members of the vinca and tacaman classes of indole alkaloids has been accomplished. The central step in the synthesis consists of an intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction of an alpha-diazo indoloamide which delivers the pentacyclic skeleton of the natural product in excellent yield. The acid lability of the oxabicyclic structure was exploited to establish the trans-D/E ring fusion of (+/-)-3H-epivincamine (3). Finally, a base induced keto-amide ring contraction was utilized to generate the E-ring of the natural product. A variation of the cascade sequence of reactions used to synthesize (+/-)-3H-epivincamine was also employed for the synthesis of the tacaman alkaloids (+/-)-tacamonine and (+/-)-apotacamine.     

Synthesis of the core ring system of the yuzurimine-type Daphniphyllum alkaloids by cascade condensation, cyclization, cycloaddition chemistry

Addition of hydroxylamine to substituted 4-chlorobutanals gives intermediate nitrones that undergo tandem cyclization and then intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition to give the core ring system of the yuzurimine-type natural products. Ring-opening of the isoxazolidines gives amino alcohols that can be converted to 1,3-oxazines, representing the tetracyclic core of alkaloids such as daphcalycic acid and daphcalycine.     

Synthesis of (+/-)-3H-epivincamine via a Rh(II)-triggered cyclization/cycloaddition cascade

A synthesis of (+/-)-3H-epivincamine is reported. Important steps include (1) a Rh(II)-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition of an alpha-diazo indolo amide, (2) a reductive ring opening of the cycloadduct, (3) a decarboethoxylation reaction, and (4) a base-induced keto-amide ring contraction.     

Access to substituted thiapyrrolizidinones and fused pyridones using the domino N-acyliminium-thionium equilibrium/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition/desulfurization cyclization cascade

Substituted thiapyrrolizidinones and fused pyridones, and quinolizinones were reported efficaciously from suitable thioamides in yields ranging from 30% to 65%. The reaction proceeded in a one-pot procedure as cascade process by the intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of thioisomünchnones followed by desulfurization of the adducts. During these investigations, the mechanistic aspects of the process were also discussed.     

Application of the Rh(II) cyclization/cycloaddition cascade for the total synthesis of (+/-)-aspidophytine

[Structure: see text] A new strategy for the synthesis of (+/-)-aspidophytine has been developed and is based on a Rh(II)-catalyzed cyclization/dipolar cycloaddition sequence. The resulting [3+2]-cycloadduct undergoes an efficient Lewis acid mediated cascade that rapidly provides the complete skeleton of aspidophytine. The synthesis also features a mild decarbomethoxylation reaction.     

Efficient construction of the core framework of lysidicin A via three Claisen rearrangements including a cascade reaction

A model compound (6) with the core skeleton of lysidicin A was synthesized as a racemate. The key step (8→7) includes three Claisen rearrangements of the triether with phloroglucinols; two of which rearranged in a cascade manner and the other was a simple rearrangement. This one-pot reaction enabled the introduction of three phloroglucinol units at the correct positions and makes the synthetic approach significantly efficient.     

Electrocyclic rearrangement of pentamethylcyclooctapyrimidine-2,4-diones: reaction pathway into a 9,11-diazapentacyclo-[6.4.0.0(1,3).0(2,5).0(4,8)]dodecane system and a 9,11-diazapentacyclo [6.4.0.0(1,3).0(2,6).0(4,8)]dodecane system

Photolysis of 6-chloro-1,3-dimethyluracil and mesitylene in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at low temperature gave 1,3,5,7,9- and 1,3,6,8,10-pentamethylcyclooctapyrimidine-2,4-diones (1b, 1c). Sequential photoreaction of the former (1b) resulted in the formation of 9,11-diazapentacyclo[6.4.0.0(1,3).0(2,5).0(4,8)]dodecane-2,4-dione (2b) by way of 9-exo-methylene derivative (7b) and cyclobutaquinazoline (8b). On the other hand, UV-irradiation of 1c led to the bond shift isomer (5c) whose photolysis in the presence of TFA gave rise to the formation of the [6.4.0.0(1,3).0(2,6).0(4,8)]dodecane isomer (3c).     

Generation and trapping of a highly strained bicyclic alkyne: tricyclo[6.3.1.0(2,7)]dodeca-2,4,6-trien-9-yne

High-temperature bromination of 10-bromotricyclo[6.3.1.0(2,7)]dodeca-2,4,6,9-tetraene (8) resulted mainly in the formation of two isomeric tribromides (16 and 17) whose dehydrobromination with DBU afforded the corresponding 9,10-dibromotricyclo [6.3.1.0(2,7)] dodeca-2,4,6,9-tetraene (14). Treatment of 14 with tert-butyllithium in THF at -78 degrees C produces the strained bicyclic alkyne (10) which is trapped by 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran to give two isomeric cycloadducts 12a and 12b. The adducts 12a and 12b were found to readily rearrange to the isomeric ketones 19a and 19b upon chromatography. Upon treatment with potassium tert-butoxide, the adducts 12a and 12b undergo base-catalyzed double bond isomerization to give four products 20-23. Furthermore, reaction of 14 with one and two mole of potassium tert-butoxide has been studied and the mechanism of the product formation is discussed with regard to either an allene or alkyne as a possible intermediate.     

Enantioselective approach to the hetisine alkaloids. Synthesis of the 3-methyl-1-aza-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(3,8)]decane core via intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition

[structure: see text]. An efficient, enantioselective approach to the hetisine class of the C(20)-diterpenoid alkaloids is described. The strategy involves an intramolecular oxidopyridinium dipolar cycloaddition as the key transformation, in which simultaneous formation of the C5-C6 and C10-C20 bonds in the 3-methyl-1-aza-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(3,8)]decane core of the hetisine alkaloids is effected.     

Synthesis of the core of actinophyllic acid using a transannular acyl radical cyclization

A synthetic study of actinophyllic acid based on an original strategy has been described. A transannular acyl radical cyclization allowed us to obtain a key bicyclo[3.3.2] framework, and construction of a core of the target alkaloid has been accomplished by subsequent introduction of a C2 unit.     

Direct construction of 3',4'-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2'-oxindoles] through a cascade Michael/cyclization reaction of 3-aminoindolin-2-ones with enones/enals

A simple and efficient cascade Michael/cyclization reaction of 3-aminoindolin-2-ones with enones/enals was identified for the synthesis of potentially biologically active 3',4'-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2'-oxindoles], using DBU as an efficient catalyst and ethylene glycol as an environmentally benign solvent. More diverse 3',4'-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2'-oxindoles] analog libraries were prepared in good yields (up to 97%). The structure of 3',4'-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2'-oxindoles] was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis, NMR analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The main advantages of this method include the availability of startingmaterials, simple experimental operation, short reaction time, as well as high yields observed.     

Enantioselective cyclization/hydrosilylation of 1,6-enynes catalyzed by a cationic rhodium bis(phosphine) complex

[reaction: see text] Reaction of 4,4-dicarbomethoxy-1-octene-6-yne (1) with triethylsilane and a catalytic 1:1 mixture of [Rh(COD)(2)](+) SbF(6)(-) and (R)-BIPHEMP (5 mol %) at 70 degrees C for 90 min gave (Z)-1,1-dicarbomethoxy-3-(1-triethylsilyl)ethylidene-4-methylcyclopentane (2) in 81% isolated yield with 98% de and 92% ee.     

Highly efficient construction of chiral dispirocyclic oxindole/thiobutyrolactam/chromanone complexes through Michael/cyclization cascade reactions with a rosin-based squaramide catalyst

An efficient asymmetric Michael/cyclization cascade reaction of 4-chromanones with isothiocyanato oxindoles has been revealed. Under bifunctional organocatalysis by rosin-based squaramide catalyst, a series of spiro[oxindole/thiobutyrolactam/chromanone] complexes were conveniently constructed in a highly stereoselective manner (up to 99% yields, > 20:1 dr and >99% ee). The reaction leads to the formation of three contiguous stereogenic centers and two spiro quaternary stereocenters.     

Electron delocalization in the radical cation of 1,3,6,8-tetraazatricyclo[4.4.1.1(3,8)]dodecane, a 4-nitrogen-7-electron system.

The radical cation of 1,3,6,8-tetraazatricyclo [4.4.1.1(3,8)]dodecane (TTD) has been studied using magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopic methods and computational techniques. With the help of deuterated isotopomers, assignments of EPR and resonance Raman spectra could be unequivocally established. The results demonstrate that the radical cation has D(2d) symmetry, and instantaneous electron delocalization over the four equivalent nitrogen atoms occurs. This extensive delocalization in a completely saturated system is a unique feature of the TTD radical cation. The spectroscopy of TTD, in contrast to that of simpler diamines such as 1,4-diaza[2.2.2]bicyclooctane, simultaneously reveals the consequences of orbital interactions through space and through bonds. The relationship between nitrogen pyramidalization and hyperfine coupling constants in nitrogen-centered radical cations with a number of different bonding arrangements is reviewed.