Selective Synthesis of 6′‐Arylidene‐1‐aryl‐3‐aryl‐spiro[pyrrolizidine‐2,2′‐cyclohexanone] by Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides to Dibenzylidene Cyclohexanone

Azomethine ylides derived in situ from l ‐proline and aryl aldehydes underwent regioselective and stereoselective cycloadditions with diaryl cycloahexanone to form a series of spiro‐pyrrolizidine compounds. By using equimolar proportions of the reactants in DMF, only a single mono‐adduct, namely 6′‐arylidene‐1‐aryl‐3‐aryl‐spiro[pyrrolizidine‐2,2′‐cyclohexanone], was formed, the second double bond in the dipolarophile remaining unaffected. Structure elucidation was achieved by detailed spectroscopic analyses and XRD studies. Interesting solid‐state structural characteristics were revealed by XRD analysis.     

Alkenyl Arenes as Dipolarophiles in Catalytic Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Azomethine Ylides

The use of alkenyl arenes as dipolarophiles in the catalytic asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides is reported. Under appropriate reaction conditions with a Cu^I or Ag^I catalyst either the exo or the endo adduct was obtained with high stereoselectivity. This process provides efficient access to highly enantiomerically enriched 4‐aryl proline derivatives. The observed results are compatible with the blockage of one prochiral face of the 1,3‐dipole, as well as with the efficient transmission of electrophilicity towards the terminal carbon atom of the dipolarophile. This polarization results in a change from a concerted to a stepwise mechanism.     

Synthesis of Dispiro[indole‐3,2′‐pyrrolidine‐3′,2″‐pyrrolizine]‐1″,2(1H)‐diones via Azomethine Ylide 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide generated in situ from isatin and sarcosine to 2‐arylmethylidene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolizin‐1‐ones afforded novel 1′‐methyl‐4′‐(aryl)‐1″H‐dispiro[indole‐3,2′‐pyrrolidine‐3′,2″‐pyrrolizine]‐1″,2(1H)‐diones in good yields. The structures of all the products were characterized thoroughly by NMR, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrum, and elemental analysis.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Construction of Quaternary α‐Amino Acid Containing Pyrrolidines through 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides to α‐Aminoacrylates

The first catalytic enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to α‐aminoacrylate catalyzed by a AgOAc/ferrocenyl oxazolinylphosphine (FOXAP) system was developed, which exhibits excellent exo‐ and enantioselectivity (92–99 % ee). This process provides efficient access to useful 4‐aminopyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid (APDC)‐like compounds containing a unique quaternary α‐amino acid unit.     

Highly Selective Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with Acyclic 1,3‐Dienes

The first examples of the catalytic asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with acyclic activated 1,3‐dienes (and 1,3‐enynes) are described. Under copper catalysis, a selective cycloaddition at the terminal γ,δ‐C?C bond is observed. In addition, depending on the ligand used, either the exo or the endo adduct can be obtained with high selectivity. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the acyclic 1,6‐addition product is detected, suggesting a stepwise mechanism. The resulting C4‐alkenyl‐substituted pyrrolidines are suitable substrates for further access to polycyclic systems, as highlighted by the preparation of hexahydrochromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrole and the tetracyclic core of the alkaloid gracilamine.     

Synthesis of Novel 1,2,4‐oxadiazoline Derivatives Containing Quinoline Moiety by 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition

A series of novel 1,2,4‐oxadiazoline derivatives containing 2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)quinoline were synthesized by the reaction of imines with benzohydroximinoyl chlorides in the presence of Et₃N via 1,3‐diplolar cycloaddition reaction. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, MS, elemental, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with β‐Trifluoromethyl β,β‐Disubstituted Enones

Reported herein is an asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides with β‐trifluoromethyl β,β‐disubstituted enones, a reaction which is enabled by a Ming‐Phos‐derived copper(I) catalyst (Ming‐Phos=chiral sulfinamide monophosphines, Figure 2 ). This method provides scalable and efficient access to the highly substituted pyrrolidines with a trifluoromethylated, all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields with up to greater than 20:1 d.r. and 98 % ee. The reaction has a broad substrate scope and tolerates a wide range of functional groups.     

Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Three‐Component 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of 1,2‐Disubstituted Alkynes with Aldehyde‐Generated Azomethine Ylides

The first 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions (1,3‐DCs) of 1,2‐disubstituted alkynes with aldehyde‐generated azomethine ylides have been established, leading to the efficient synthesis of poly‐substituted 2,5‐dihydropyrroles.The Brønsted acid‐catalyzed three‐component 1,3‐DCs of but‐2‐ynedioates, aldehydes, and diethyl 2‐aminomalonate tolerate a wide range of substrates, offering structurally diverse poly‐substituted 2,5‐dihydropyrroles in high yields. This protocol not only provides an easy and efficient approach to poly‐substituted 2,5‐dihydropyrroles but also greatly enriches the chemistry of 1,3‐DCs, especially alkyne‐involved 1,3‐DCs.     

Synthesis of Novel Trispiroheterocycles through 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and Nitrile Oxide

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide generated by a decarboxylative route from sarcosine and isatin to 1‐benzyl‐3,5‐diarylmethylidene‐piperidin‐4‐ones afforded novel di‐spiro‐indolo/pyrrolidino/piperidines in moderate yields. Further cycloaddition of these di‐spiro compounds to nitrile oxide afforded tri‐spiro‐indolo/pyrrolidino/piperadino/isoxazolines in moderate yields with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity.     

Synthesis of Novel Spiro Pyrrolidine and Pyrrolizine Derivatives by 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides derived from isatin and amino acids viz. sarcosine and proline to 2‐arylmethylidene‐5,6‐dihydroimidazo[2,1‐b]thiazol‐3(2H)‐ones afforded novel spiro pyrrolidines and pyrrolizidines regio‐ and stereoselectively in moderate yields. The products were characterized thoroughly by IR, MS, NMR together with elementary analysis.     

One‐Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of 2‐Acylaziridines and 2‐Acylpyrrolidines from N‐(Propargylic)hydroxylamines

The stereoselective direct transformation of N‐(propargylic)hydroxylamines into cis‐2‐acylaziridines was achieved by the combined use of AgBF₄ and CuCl. Copper salts were found to promote the transformation of the intermediary 4‐isoxazolines into 2‐acylaziridines and both 3‐aryl‐ and 3‐alkyl‐substituted 2‐acylaziridines could be prepared by using this method. Furthermore, subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides that were generated in situ from the intermediary 2‐acylaziridines with maleimides was achieved in a stereoselective one‐pot procedure to afford the corresponding 2‐acylpyrrolidines, which consisted of an octahydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole skeleton.     

Stereoselective Ag‐Catalyzed 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Activated Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Azomethine Ylides

A silver‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of fluorinated azomethine ylides and activated olefins is reported. The reaction offers a straightforward and atom‐economical procedure for the preparation of fluorinated pyrrolidines. Broad scope and high levels of diastereoselectivity have been achieved simply by using AgOAc/PPh₃ as the catalyst system. The high efficiency of the cycloaddition relies on the presence of a metal‐coordinating group on the imine moiety, such as an ester or heteroaryl group. The asymmetric version of the cycloaddition has been developed by using Taniaphos as a chiral ligand.     

Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [3+2]‐Cycloaddition Reaction of α‐Silylimines: A Facile Route to Quaternary‐Carbon‐Rich Scaffolds

A silver‐catalyzed highly enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of α‐silylimines with pyrone‐based trisubstituted olefins was developed affording bi‐ and tricyclic α‐quaternary‐carbon‐rich pyrano‐pyrrolidines in excellent yields. The tricyclic benzopyrone adducts thus obtained were efficiently transformed into highly complex tetracyclic scaffolds supporting four consecutive stereogenic centers with three quaternary carbons.     

Sulfonium Ylides by (3+2) Cycloaddition of Arynes with Vinyl Sulfides: Stereoselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Alkenes

The reaction of in situ generated arynes with vinyl sulfides provides benzannulated sulfonium ylides in a (3+2) cycloaddition. Trapping of the intermediate ylides with electrophiles (proton transfer or a second aryne addition) and subsequent β‐elimination give rise to di‐, tri‐, or tetrasubstituted alkenes with high stereoselectivity. Experimental studies and DFT calculations provide insight into the mechanisms of these cascade reactions.