alpha,beta-Unsaturated and cyclopropyl acyl radicals, and their ketene alkyl radical equivalents. Ring synthesis and tandem cyclisation reactions

Treatment of the alpha,beta-unsaturated selenyl esters 12 and 14 with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN produces the corresponding 2-cyclohexenones 13 and 15 respectively via presumed alpha-ketene alkyl radical intermediates, viz. 10. By contrast, the 2,7-diene esters 34 and 39 undergo tandem radical cyclisations producing diquinanes, e.g.(76%), and the corresponding allene-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated selenyl ester 48 gives the cyclooctadienone 56 on treatment with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN in refluxing benzene. The selenyl ester 19 derived from chrysanthemic acid produces a mixture of the gamma,delta-unsaturated aldehyde 22 and the corresponding dimer 25a on treatment with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN. Furthermore, in the presence of methanol the only product from this reaction was the bis(methyl ester) dimer 25b, thereby lending further credence to the involvement of ketene alkyl radical intermediates in these reactions, and in the aforementioned reactions involving 2,6- and 2,7-diene selenyl esters. Treatment of the cyclopropane selenyl esters and , containing keto- and oxy-group functionality in their side-chains, with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN led to excellent syntheses of the enol lactone 66 (76%) and the trans-fused bicyclo[6.1.0]nonane 67 (80-95%) respectively.     

Cascade radical-mediated cyclisations with conjugated ynone electrophores. An approach to the synthesis of steroids and other novel ring-fused polycyclic carbocycles

A cascade radical-mediated Diels-Alder reaction with the iododienynone 16b produced the tricyclic ketone 17 (22%). By contrast, treatment of the substituted furans 36 and 47 with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN, instead led to the tetracycles 44 and 58 respectively, rather than the anticipated oestranes, i.e. 38 and 48. In a separate study, attempted cascade radical-mediated cyclisations from the ortho-aryl substituted iododienynones 72 and 73, leading to the ring-D aromatic steroid 7, instead gave the macrocyclic ketone 76 or the novel bridged tricycles 77/82, respectively, depending on whether benzene or heptane was used as solvent in the reactions.     

Mild and efficient pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT)-catalyzed C-acylations of enol silyl ethers or ketene silyl (Thio)acetals with acid chlorides

A pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT) catalyst (5 mol %) successfully promoted C-acylation of enol silyl ethers with acid chloride to produce various beta-diketones (12 examples; 62-92% yield). Similarly, C-acylation of ketene silyl acetals or ketene silyl thioacetals (i.e., crossed Claisen condensation) proceeded smoothly to provide not only alpha-monoalkylated beta-keto (thio)esters but also thermodynamically unfavorable (less accessible) alpha,alpha-dialkylated beta-keto (thio)esters in good to excellent yield (38 examples; 60-92% yield).     

Inter- and intramolecular pathways for the formation of tetrahydrofurans from beta-(Phosphatoxy)alkyl radicals. Evidence for a dissociative mechanism

beta-(Phosphatoxy)alkyl radicals generated by photolysis of Barton PTOC esters in the presence of allyl alcohol and tert-butyl mercaptan undergo nucleophilic substitution followed by 5-exo-trig radical ring closure leading to tetrahydrofurans in good yield and with high trans selectivity. beta-(Phosphatoxy)alkyl radicals obtained by intramolecular hydrogen 1,5-abstraction with an alkoxyl radical undergo nucleophilic displacement providing tetrahydrofurans. The ensemble of results, including the effects of leaving groups and substituents, strongly support a dissociative mechanism for these radical nucleophilic displacement reactions.     

Influence of hydrogen bonding in the activation of nucleophiles: PhSH-(catalytic) KF in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as an efficient protocol for selective cleavage of alkyl/aryl esters and aryl alkyl ethers under nonhydrolytic and neutral conditions

The nucleophilicity of arenethiols can be augmented via hydrogen bonding with "naked" halide anion. The activity of the halide anions follow the order F(-) > Cl(-) approximately Br(-) approximately I(-) and is dependent on the countercation (Bu(4)N approximately Cs approximately K > Na > Li). The solvent plays an important role in nucleophilic activation as well as regeneration of the effective nucleophile (e.g. ArS(-)) and those with high dielectric constant, high molecular polarizability, high donor number (DN), and low acceptor number (AN) are the most effective. Selective deprotection of alkyl/aryl esters and aryl alkyl ethers can be achieved under nonhydrolytic and neutral conditions by the treatment with thiophenol in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) in the presence of a catalytic amount of KF. Aryl esters are selectively deprotected in the presence of alkyl esters and alkyl methyl ethers during intramolecular competitions.     

Preparation of 2,3-dihydroselenolo[2,3-b]pyridines and related compounds by free-radical means

Photolysis of the thiohydroximate ester derivative 21 of 2-carboethoxy-2-(2-(benzylseleno)pyridin-3-yl)tridecylcarboxylic acid (20) affords 2-dodecyl-2-carboethoxy-2,3-dihydroselenolo[2,3-b]pyridine (22) in 89% yield in a process presumably involving intramolecular homolytic substitution by a tertiary alkyl radical at selenium with loss of a benzyl radical. Alternatively, rearrangement of O-(omega-haloalkyl)esters 34 of 2-carboethoxy-N-hydroxypyridine-2-selone affords azonianaphthalenium halides 37 in 79% yield.     

Cyclisation of α-chiral aminyl radicals

α-Chiral aminyl radicals have been generated from sulfenamides of α-amino acid esters and α-phenylethylamine using Bu₃SnH. The aminyl radicals of α-amino acid esters undergo 5-exo-trig cyclisation reactions onto side chain alkenes to yield proline analogues with reasonable diastereoselectivity. Preliminary studies show urethanyl radicals generated from sulfenamides of alkenyl urethane derivatives of α-amino acid esters and α-phenylethylamine undergo 5-exo-rig cyclisations to providing a protocol for the radical amination of unactivated alkenes. The α-ester of the amino acid or the urethane groups impart electrophilic behaviour to the aminyl radicals and facilitates cyclisation onto alkenes.     

Synthesis of small cyclic peptides constrained with 3-(3-aminomethylphenyl)propionic acid linkers using free radical-mediated macrocyclization

In this letter, we report that small peptides (di- and tri-) having a 3-bromobenzyl group at the C-termini and an acryloyl group at the N-termini undergo an efficient Bu₃SnH-AIBN mediated intramolecular free radical cyclization to afford cyclic peptides in good yields. We also propose that these cyclizations are occurring via a pre-organized acyclic structure dictated by a reverse turn (γ/β-turn).     

Charge-remote fragmentation and the two-step elimination of alkanols from fast atom bombardment-desorbed (M + H)+, (M + Cat)+, and (M - H)− ions of aromatic β-hydroxyoximes

Aromatic β-hydroxyoximes undergo unusual fragmentation reactions as protonated or cationized species, as radical cations, or as (M - H)^? ions, As protonated species, they expel OH ’ from the oxime functionality in violation of the even electron rule. Parallel eliminations of alkyl radicals follow OH’ loss when the aromatic ring is substituted with an alkyl chain. Alkyl radical losses appear to be characteristic of radical cations that can isomerize to ions in which the alkyl chain bears a radical site and the charged site is the conjugate acid of a basic functionality (e.g., oxime or imine). Evidence for the mechanisms was found in the ion chemistry of oxime and imine radical cations. The imine reference compounds were conveniently generated by fast atom bombardment-induced reduction of oximes, removing the requirement for using conventional chemical synthesis. Protonated imines and the (M - H)^? ions of oximes fragment extensively via charge-remote processes to eliminate the elements of alkanes. This chemistry is not shared by the protonated oximes.     

Regioselective intramolecular annulations of ambident β-enamino esters: A diversity-oriented synthesis of nitrogen-containing privileged molecules

Diversity-oriented, regioselective, intramolecular annulation of β-enamino esters is described under solvent-free, calcium-catalysis. 2-aminoaryl ketones and alkyl propiolates undergone a [4+2] annulation to yield substituted quinolines; with an excess of alkyl propiolates, benzodiazepines were formed via a [4+2+1] annulation. We also described a one-pot, 3-component synthesis of quinoline derivatives via a [4+2+2] annulation. Interestingly, 2-aminoaryl ketones undergone a self-condensation [4+4] and gave the dibenzodiazocines.     

An Unexpected Michael–Aldol–Smiles Rearrangement Sequence for the Synthesis of Versatile Optically Active Bicyclic Structures by Using Asymmetric Organocatalysis

A facile and simple organocatalytic procedure to generate optically active 6‐alkyl‐ and 6‐aryl‐substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐5‐en‐2‐ones is presented. The reaction is catalysed by a 9‐amino‐9‐deoxyepiquinine trifluoroacetic acid salt, which activates α,β‐unsaturated cyclic ketones for the 1,4‐addition of β‐keto benzothiazoyl sulfones in a stereoselective fashion. Subsequent intramolecular aldol reaction and Smiles rearrangement gives rise to important optically active bicycles, which are a common motif in natural products, ligands in asymmetric catalysis and substrates for Cope rearrangements, photochemical reactions, radical cyclisations and metathesis. Different bicyclic structures were obtained by utilisation of various cyclic enones or by performing ring‐expanding reactions. Furthermore, two possible mechanistic pathways are outlined and discussed.     

Synthesis of a tetraoxy-bis-nortaxadiene, en route to taxol, using a cascade radical cyclisation sequence

Concise syntheses of the substituted enynediones 28a, 33b and 36 starting from the cyclohexenealdehyde 18, corresponding to ring A in the taxanes, and the vinylstannane 24, are described. Treatment of 36 with Bu₃SnH-AIBN did not lead to the oxy-substituted taxadiene 37 expected from a tandem radical macrocyclisation-radical transannulation sequence; instead, a mixture of unidentified products resulted. When the PMB ether 33b corresponding to the alcohol 36 was treated with Bu₃SnH-AIBN under similar conditions, p-anisaldehyde was isolated, as a major by-product, but no evidence for the formation of a taxadiene could be observed. In contrast, the iododienynedione 41, i.e., deoxy 36, underwent a tandem radical macrocyclisation-transannulation sequence, when treated with Bu₃SnH-AIBN, leading to the tetraoxy-bis-nortaxadiene 42 in 44% yield. Attempts to synthesise the alcohol 28b from the silyl ether 28a en route to the iodide 28c instead gave the substituted tetrahydrofuran 29 via an intramolecular oxy-Michael reaction.     

Modern Friedel–Crafts Chemistry. Part 37. Efficient Syntheses of Some New Julolidines via Cyclialkylations of Heteroaryl Carbinols

A simple and convenient procedure for the synthesis of some novel alkyl‐substituted and aryl‐substituted julolidines is reported. Julolidines were smoothly synthesized in excellent isolated yields via Friedel–Crafts intramolecular alkylations of heteroarylalkanols in the presence of both Brønsted (PPA) and Lewis (AlCl₃/CH₃NO₂) acid catalysts. The precursors alkanols, 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f , 1g , 1h , 1i , were readily prepared both by reaction of selectively synthesized carboxylic acid esters and ketones with different Grignard reagents and also by reduction of the synthesized ketones with LAH. A plausible carbocation mechanism is proposed to account for the results. The structures of the compounds are established using both spectral and analytical data.     

Synthesis of alkyl-H-phosphinic acid alkyl esters from red phosphorus and alkyl bromides

Alkyl-H-phosphinic acid alkyl esters are synthesized in 65–71% yield via chemoselective reaction of alkyl bromides with available alkyl-H-phosphinic acids (60–65 °C, Et3N). The latter are prepared, in turn, by direct phosphorylation of alkyl bromides with red phosphorus under phase-transfer conditions.     

Synthesis of benzo-fused 1-azabicyclo[m.n.0]alkanes via the Schmidt reaction: a formal synthesis of gephyrotoxin

The intramolecular capture of benzocyclobutyl, benzocyclopentyl, and benzocyclohexyl carbocations 7 by azides produces spirocyclic aminodiazonium ions 8, which undergo 1,2-C-to-N rearrangement with loss of dinitrogen to produce benzo-fused iminium ions resulting from either aryl (9) or alkyl (10) migration to the electron-deficient nitrogen atom. Reduction of the iminium ions affords regioisomeric benzo-fused 1-azabicyclo[m.n.0]alkanes, e.g., benzopyrrolizidines, benzoindolizidines, benzoquinolizidines, or perhydrobenzo[f]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines in two regioisomeric versions, anilines (e.g., 11-14) and benzylic amines (e.g., 15-18), the result of aryl and alkyl migrations, respectively. Generally, aryl migration is preferred, despite modeling that shows that the lowest energy aminodiazonium ions are those where the departing dinitrogen is preferentially antiperiplanar to the migrating alkyl group rather than the aryl group. The utility of this methodology was illustrated by a formal synthesis of the alkaloid gephyrotoxin 4. A dependence on the efficiency and regioselectivity of the Schmidt reaction upon subtle changes in the structure of the cation precursor was observed, necessitating the exploration of a variety of substrates. Fortunately, these materials were easily made. Ultimately, the azido-alkene 81 bearing a 2-bromoethyl side-chain was useful for the Schmidt reaction, producing the known benzo-fused indolizidine 49, which had been transformed by Ito et al. into gephyrotoxin 4. The synthesis of 49 required nine steps (five purifications) from commercially available 4-methoxy-1-indanone 60 and proceeded in 22% overall yield.     

An Ireland-Claisen approach to beta-alkoxy alpha-amino acids

A diastereoselective Ireland-Claisen approach to beta-alkoxy alpha-amino acid esters is reported. Amino acid esters of enol ethereal allylic alcohols undergo facile syn-selective [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement via silyl ketene acetals. Substrate synthesis, rearrangement development, stereoselectivity, and product elaboration are discussed.     

Studies toward the synthesis of alpha-fluorinated phosphonates via tin-mediated cleavage of alpha-fluoro-alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphosphonates. Intramolecular cyclization of the alpha-phosphonyl radicals

Treatment of the alpha carbanions generated from several alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphosphonates with Selectfluor gave high yields of the alpha-fluoro-alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphoshonates, which were desulfonylated [Bu(3)SnH/2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/benzene or toluene/Delta] to give alpha-fluoroalkylphosphonates. "Catalytic" tin hydride, generated from tributyltin chloride and excess polymethylhydrosiloxane in the presence of potassium fluoride, also effected removal of the pi-deficient alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl) group from the phosphonate esters. Substitution of Bu(3)SnD for Bu(3)SnH gave access to alpha-deuterium-labeled phosphonates. Prolonged treatment of alpha-(pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphosphonate with excess Bu(3)SnH/AIBN or catalytic tin hydride also effected desulfonylation but in moderate yields. This represents a mild new methodology for removal of the synthetically useful pi-deficient heterocyclic sulfone moiety and an alternative route for the preparation of alpha-fluorinated phosphonates. Desulfonylation is suggested to proceed via attack of tin radical at an oxygen (or sulfur) atom of the sulfonyl group to give a stabilized alpha-phosphonyl radical intermediate. The latter was found to undergo 5-exo-trig ring closure to give the corresponding 2-methylcyclopentylphosphonates. Treatment of diethyl 1-bromohex-6-enylphosphonate with Bu(3)SnH/AIBN produced an analogous mixture of ring-closure products. Treatment of [(2-bromo-5- methoxyphenyl)(fluoro)(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)]methylphosphonate with Bu(3)SnH resulted in an intramolecular radical [1,5]-ipso substitution reaction and migration of the pyrimidinyl ring to give fluoro[5-methoxy-2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl]methylphosphonate.     

Powerful Ti-crossed Claisen condensation between ketene silyl acetals or thioacetals and acid chlorides or acids

[Structure: see text] A powerful Ti-crossed Claisen condensation between ketene silyl acetals (KSAs) and acid chlorides was successfully performed to give alpha-monoalkylated esters and thermodynamically unfavorable (less accessible) alpha,alpha-dialkylated beta-keto esters in good yield (46 examples; 41-98% yield). A closely related reaction between ketene silyl thioacetals (KSTAs) and acid chlorides also proceeded smoothly to give alpha-monoalkylated and alpha,alpha-dialkylated beta-keto thioesters (21 examples; 61-97% yield). The present protocol was extended to the direct condensation of KSAs with carboxylic acids (14 examples; 71-97% yield).     

Total synthesis of mappicine ketone (nothapodytine B) by means of sulfur-directed 5-exo-selective aryl radical cyclization onto enamides

Enamides 5, on treatment with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN, underwent aryl radical cyclization in a 5-exo manner to give 1-[bis(phenylthio)methyl]dihydroisoindoles 6, which were partially desulfurized with Bu(3)SnH-AIBN to give 1-mono(phenylthio)methyl congeners 7. Formation of 6 from 5 may be explained by the presence of two phenylthio groups at the terminus of the N-vinylic bond of 5, since enamide 8a having no phenylthio group underwent aryl radical cyclization in a 6-endo manner. Compound 7d (R = CF(3)) was transformed into sulfoxide 16, which was treated with (CF(3)CO)(2)O and then with 10% NaOH to give a model compound 20 of mappicine ketone (MPK) (1) through aldol condensation of aldehyde 18. An attempt to synthesize MPK using this method with sulfoxide 28 prepared from 25, however, was unsuccessful, and, instead, photochemical cyclization of enamide 38 prepared from 25 furnished MPK.     

Pd/Light‐Accelerated Atom‐Transfer Carbonylation of Alkyl Iodides: Applications in Multicomponent Coupling Processes Leading to Functionalized Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

The atom‐transfer carbonylation reaction of various alkyl iodides thereby leading to carboxylic acid esters was effectively accelerated by the addition of transition‐metal catalysts under photoirradiation conditions. By using a combined Pd/hν reaction system, vicinal C‐functionalization of alkenes was attained in which α‐substituted iodoalkanes, alkenes, carbon monoxide, and alcohols were coupled to give functionalized esters. When alkenyl alcohols were used as acceptor alkenes, three‐component coupling reactions, which were accompanied by intramolecular esterification, proceeded to give lactones. Pd‐dimer complex [Pd₂(CNMe)₆][PF₆]₂, which is known to undergo homolysis under photoirradiation conditions, worked quite well as a catalyst in these three‐ or four‐component coupling reactions. In this metal/radical hybrid system, both Pd radicals and acyl radicals are key players and a stereochemical study confirmed the carbonylation step proceeded through a radical carbonylation mechanism.