Studies in heterocyclic polymers. Part VI. A weight-loss study of the formation of a polybenzoxazole

The cyclisation of an aromatic poly(o-hydroxyamide) to form polybenzoxazole has been studied by combining isothermal weight-loss and thermogravimetric analyses. The thermogravimetric data were analysed by the method of Gyulai and Greenhow [4] to derive values for the apparent activation energy of the cyclisation process which was found to double at about 50% conversion (74–155 kJ mole^?1. A similar result was observed when the process was studied in the presence of low concentrations of p-toluene sulphonic acid, which appears to have a moderate catalytic effect upon the cyclisation process. The apparent order of reaction of the process has been found to be close to 2, contrary to previous studies which have assumed it to be unimolecular.     

A synthesis of 2-epi-fagomine using gold(I)-catalysed allene cyclisation

A synthesis of 2-epi-fagomine via a highly stereoselective gold(I)-catalysed allene cyclisation is described. The stereochemical outcome of the cyclisation is opposite to that observed in previous studies. In contrast, gold(III)-catalysed cyclisation is inefficient and gives rise to double cyclisation by-products.     

Five- and six-membered ring formation from the intramolecular reaction of a protonated oxirane and alkene

Computational studies of competing five- and six-membered cyclisation of alkenyloxiranes 1a-d show that intramolecular reaction of a protonated oxirane and alkene is a concerted, single-step, exothermic process. The reactions proceed via reactant-like transition states, but where the oxirane C-O bond is considerably stretched. Two factors are seen to affect the regiochemistry: (1) stabilisation of the transitory positive charge in the transition state favours cyclisation to the more highly substituted oxirane carbon; and (2) there is an inherent stereoelectronic preference for six-membered cyclisation over five-membered cyclisation. The inherent preference for six-membered cyclisation has a parallel in Baldwin's rules for six-membered ring closure of a carbocation with an alkene, rather than Baldwin's rule for intramolecular nucleophilic reaction of three-membered rings, suggesting that the protonated oxirane mimics a carbocation. The electronic and stereoelectronic effects for cyclisation are modified by steric interactions of axial methyl groups. These systems provide a model for the A-ring cyclisation of oxidosqualene.     

Radical cyclisations of methylenecyclopropyl azetidinones—synthesis of novel tricyclic β-lactams

Addition of lithium bis(methylenecyclopropyl)cuprates to acetoxy azetidinones gives methylenecyclopropyl azetidinones, which can be converted to various radical cyclisation precursors. Attempted 4-exo cyclisation of 3 led only to reduced product, while cyclisation of 5, using CuCl/bipy, gave a carbacephem, via a 5-exo cyclisation, but in low yield. Cyclisation of 6 and 7, however, gave novel tricyclic β-lactams, as the result of 7-endo cyclisation, in good yield, and a cyclisation of bromide 23 led to the tricyclic β-lactam 24, via a radical cascade sequence.     

Synthesis and structure of planar chiral ferroceno[d]pyridazinones, the first representatives of a novel class of fused metallocenes

A series of planar chiral ferroceno[d]pyridazinones was prepared by hydrazine-mediated cyclisations of (S_p)-2-formylferrocenoyl fluoride obtained in two steps from (2S,4S)-4-(methoxymethyl)-2-ferrocenyl-1,3-dioxane. Further derivatives based on the novel heterocyclic scaffold were resulted by means of the facile N-alkylation reactions carried out on the easily accessible fused product derived from the hydrazine-mediated cyclisation. Upon treatment with hydrazine (S_p)-2-formylferroce carboxylic acid, the precursor of the acid fluoride with enhanced reactivity, afforded a dimeric azine avoiding cyclisation. The spectacular difference between the experimentally observed reactivity of the bifunctional formylferrocenes was disclosed by comparative DFT analysis of the assumed hydrazone- and hydrazide intermediates with different values of LUMO energy associated with different conformation. The structures of the new compounds were established by IR and NMR spectroscopy, including HMQC, HMBC and DNOE measurements.     

A short approach to chaetomellic anhydride A from 2,2-dichloropalmitic acid: elucidation of the mechanism governing the functional rearrangement of the chlorinated pyrrolidin-2-one intermediate

Chaetomellic anhydride A was efficiently attained in three steps, starting from 2,2-dichloropalmitic acid and 2-(3-chloro-2-propenylamino)pyridine. Atom transfer radical cyclisation selectively formed the cis-stereoisomer of the trichloropyrrolidin-2-one, which underwent a stereospecific functional rearrangement to form a substituted maleimide. The choice of 2-pyridyl, as ‘cyclisation auxiliary’ in the atom transfer radical cyclisation step, proved beneficial for hydrolysis of the maleimide to form the desired anhydride.     

Free radical cyclisation of enamides leading to biologically important γ-lactams

This review describes the free radical cyclisation of enamides using tributyltin hydride, manganese(III) acetate, copper(I) complexes or dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II). These cyclisations can proceed via either 4-exo or 5-endo pathways, to produce β- or γ-lactam products, respectively. In general, the reactions produce γ-lactams derived from an unusual (disfavoured) 5-endo-trig radical cyclisation. These results can be explained on the basis of a reversible cyclisation mechanism; the 4-exo cyclisation produces the kinetically favoured β-lactam while the 5-endo cyclisation produces the thermodynamically more stable γ-lactam.     

An MO study of regioselective amine addition to ortho-quinones relevant to melanogenesis

Energy profiles for alternative intramolecular cyclisations of 4-(aminoalkyl)-ortho-quinones have been calculated using the AM1 method and ab initio energies of the transition states are determined. In all the cases cyclisation at position 5 occurs via a significantly lower energy transition state than cyclisation at position 3. This is consistent with experimental observations. Optimal trajectories for attack have been determined from a study of the reactions of methylamine with 4-methyl-ortho-quinone. For cyclisation of aminoalkyl derivatives deviation from the optimal direction is less for reaction at position 5 but constraint on angle of attack only partially accounts for the regioselectivity. Intrinsic differences in the electronic energies of the alternative transition states are the main contributor to regioselectivity. The relative energies of transition states can be modified by variation of the substituent at position 4. The calculations suggest that seven-membered ring formation may occur via a boat transition state and steric hindrance in the seven-membered transition states may account for the experimentally observed influence of N-substituents on the mode of reaction.     

Total Synthesis of (±)-Clovene. On the Stereoelectronic Requirements of the α-Alkynone Cyclisation

The synthesis of the sequiterpenoid tricyclic hydrocarbon (±)-cleovene ( 1 ) by application of the α-alkynone cyclisation is described. The starting bicyclic carboxylic acid 2 was obtained from ethyl 3-methyl-2-oxocyclohexane-1-carboxylate by modified known methods (24%) and converted to the α-alkynone 3 (86%). The thermolysis of 3 in the gas phase at 620° selectively produced the tricyclo[6.3.1.0^1,5] dodecenone 4 (80%) which was converted to 1 (37%) by conventional procedures. The selectivity of the α-alkynone cyclisation is discussed in terms of the stereoelectronic requirements (coplanarity factor) of the carbene insertion. In order to throw further light on the importance of this factor, the (1-adamantyl) alkynone 16 was synthesised from adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (78%) and subjected to thermolysis at 620°. Since this led to the tetracyclo[6.3.1.1.1^3,10.0^3,7]tridecenones 17 and 18 (together 72%), we conclude that the planar carbene insertion transition state, while preferred, is not a stringent requirement.     

7- and 8-membered ring sugars and related systems : 7-Membered rings from diolefins derived from dioxepans via double michael condensations

The possibilities of cyclisation to 7-membered ring sugars containing nitro- and cyano-functions via double Michael condensations of diolefins derived from sugar dioxepans was investigated. With nitromethane cyclised products were obtained while with the larger ethyl cyanoacetate and malononitrile only one double bond was attacked without cyclisation. Treatment of the diolefins with excess ammonia resulted in cyclisation to novel heterocyclic systems containing oxygen and nitrogen often of known stereochemistry; with butylamine no cyclisation occurred. Treatment with hydrogen sulphide also resulted in cyclisation to novel heterocyclic systems containing sulphur and oxygen often of known stereochemistry. In these systems cyclisation only occurs with the smaller reagents.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted and 3,4,5-trisubstituted piperidines by Lewis acid-catalysed ene cyclisation of 4-aza-1,7-dienes

The thermal or Lewis acid-catalysed ene cyclisation of a variety of 4-aza-1,7-dienes afforded 3,4-disubstituted or 3,4,5-trisubstituted piperidines. Activation of the enophile with a single ester facilitated a thermal ene cyclisation, although the reaction was not amenable to Lewis acid catalysis. With other activating groups on the enophile it was found that Lewis acid catalysis was facile, although there was a fine balance between the desired ene cyclisation and the competing hetero-Diels-Alder reaction, with the product distribution being influenced by the activating group on the enophile, the nature of the ene component, and the Lewis acid used. Activation of the enophile with an oxazolidinone function facilitated Lewis acid-catalysed cyclisation to afford mixtures of ene and hetero-Diels-Alder products. Activating the enophile with two ester groups gave a substrate that underwent a very facile ene cyclisation catalysed by MeAlCl(2) to give the corresponding trans 3,4-disubstituted piperidines with diastereomeric ratios of >200 : 1.     

Ruptenes: A Family of Terpene Analogs Give Insight into Cyclisation Mechanisms by Cascade Disruption

The terpenoid substrate analogs (7R)-6,7-dihydrogeranylgeranyl diphosphate (6,7-dihydro-GGPP) and (7R)-6,7-dihydrogeranylfarnesyl diphosphate (6,7-dihydro-GFPP) were synthesised from (S)-citronellol and enzymatically converted with nine diterpene and two sesterterpene synthases, respectively. In two cases the substrate analogs were converted into diterpenes in cyclisation reactions corresponding to those observed for the native substrate GGPP, while the cyclisation cascade was disrupted or redirected in the other nine cases, leading to products that were named ruptenes. Several of the isolated ruptenes represent deprotonation products of cationic intermediates that are analogs of the intermediates proposed along the cyclisation cascades for the native substrates GGPP or GFPP, thus giving insights into the complex reaction mechanisms of terpene synthase mediated biosynthesis.     

Synthesis of the alkaloids julandine and ipalbidine-use of silicon (IV) chloride

Titanium (IV) chloride and silicon (IV) chloride with high oxygen affinity are the best Lewis acid catalysts, of a number tested, for cyclisation of an enamine-ketone (1) leading to the alkaloid, julandine (2); cyclisation of (6) in methanol solution without catalyst yields $\text{O}$-methylipalbidine (7) .     

Subrutilane—A Hexacyclic Sesterterpene from Streptomyces subrutilus

Mining of a terpene synthase from Streptomyces subrutilus resulted in the identification of the hexacyclic sesterterpene subrutilane, besides eight pentacyclic side products. Subrutilane represents the first case of a saturated sesterterpene hydrocarbon. Its structure, including the absolute configuration, was unambiguously determined through X-ray crystallographic analysis and stereoselective deuteration. The cyclisation mechanism to subrutilane and its side products was investigated in all detail by isotopic labelling experiments and DFT calculations. The subrutilane synthase (SrS) also converted (2Z)-GFPP into one major product. Additional compounds were obtained from the substrate analogues (7R)-6,7-dihydro-GFPP and (2Z,7R)-6,7-dihydro-GFPP with blocked reactivity at the C6−C7 bond. Interestingly, the early steps of the cyclisation cascade with (2Z)-GFPP and the saturated substrate analogues were analogous to those of GFPP, but then deviations from the natural cyclisation mode occur.     

Tandem intermolecular-intramolecular carbolithiation: application to the synthesis of silacyclopentanes

Silacyclopentanes have been prepared from vinyl(homoallyl)silanes or vinyl(homopropargyl)silanes and organolithium reagents by a tandem intermolecular-intramolecular sequence involving a 5-exo cyclisation process. The unexpected stereochemical outcome of the sequence involving a 5-exo-dig cyclisation is rationalised.     

Synthesis of heteroarenes using cascade radical cyclisation via iminyl radicals

Cascade radical cyclisation involving homolytic aromatic substitution has been used to synthesise new tetracycles. Treatment of vinyl iodide radical precursors with Me(3)Sn. radicals (from hexamethylditin) yielded intermediate vinyl radicals which undergo 5-exo cyclisation onto suitably placed nitrile groups to yield intermediate iminyl radicals. The iminyl radicals undergo aromatic homolytic substitution via 6-endo cyclisation (or 5-exo cyclisation followed by neophyl rearrangement) with loss of hydrogen (H.) in a H-abstraction step. We propose that this abstraction was facilitated by tert-butoxyl (t-BuO.) radicals from di-tert-butyl peroxide or methyl radicals, generated from breakdown of trimethylstannyl radicals (Me(3)Sn.). The biologically active alkaloids mappicine and luotonin A were synthesised using the new methodology. A novel radical conversion of nitriles to primary amides is proposed.     

The cyclisation of the di- and tetra-aldehydes derived from sucrose with nitroalkanes.

Selective oxidation of sucrose (1) with lead tetra-acetate gave the dialdehyde (2), which underwent Fischer cyclisation with both nitromethane and nitroethane, to give disaccharides (7) and (10) respectively. Nitromethane cyclisation of the tetraaldehyde (5), produced from periodate oxidation of sucrose, gave 3-nitro-3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl 4-nitro-4-deoxy-β-D-heptulopyranoside (11) as the major product.     

Citronellal cyclisation over heteropoly acid supported on modified montmorillonite catalyst: effects of acidity and pore structure on catalytic activity

Citronellal cyclisation to isopulegol is an important intermediate step in the production of menthol. Several heteropoly acids (PTA) supported on modified montmorillonite (MM) catalysts were synthesized and then tested in cyclisation reactions. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, ICP-OES, FTIR, N₂ sorption, NH₃-TPD, pyridine adsorption, amine titration and FE-SEM techniques. Effects of post-treatment were studied on montmorillonite pore structure, acidity and catalytic activity. The catalytic activity and isopulegol selectivity improved with acid-treatment and PTA loading. The amount of Lewis acidity of montmorillonite was enhanced with acid-treatment and PTA impregnation. In cyclisation, highest catalytic activity (31.87 mmol cat g^?1 min^?1) was achieved with 96% isopulegol yield in the use of 20% PTA-MM catalyst. The highest catalytic activity and selectivity were obtained in the presence of higher acidity and strong Lewis acidic sites, whereas effects of pore structure blockage seemed minor. The catalytic activity further decreased with the loss of active acidic sites (L and B) due to PTA decomposition with calcination at a higher temperature.     

Unified synthesis of diverse building blocks for application in the discovery of bioactive small molecules

The synthesis of large numbers of diverse molecular scaffolds with controlled molecular properties is a significant challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. A modular unified synthesis was developed, and was exploited in the synthesis of sixteen diverse three-dimensional scaffolds. The approach exploited two cyclisation precursors to be converted, using a toolkit of cyclisation reactions, into spirocyclic and fused-ring scaffolds. Remarkably, Pd-catalysed aminoarylation of substituted N-Boc-hex-5-enylamine cyclisation precursors to yield N-Boc piperidine-containing scaffolds was successful which was ascribed to a significant Thorpe−Ingold effect. Computational property analysis showed that the decorated scaffolds are shape-diverse, and enable diverse lead-like chemical space to be targeted.     

An iodoacetamide-based free radical cyclisation approach to the 7,12-dihydro-indolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepin-6(5H)-one (paullone) system

A potentially versatile route to 2-(2-aminoaryl)indoles is described based on a palladium-mediated cyclisation of N-substituted indoles, together with free radical cyclisation of their N-benzyliodoacetamide derivatives to the 7,12-dihydro-indolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepin-6(5H)-one system.