Zinc-mediated ring-expansion and chain-extension reactions of beta-keto esters

[Chemical reaction: see text] The reaction of cyclic beta-keto esters with CF3CO2ZnCH2I provided the corresponding ring-expanded products in moderate to good yields. Although alpha-substituted acyclic beta-keto esters reacted with much less efficient, chain-extension reaction of simple beta-keto esters also proceeded effectively to generate gamma-keto esters in high yields.     

Novel intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction of unsaturated beta-keto esters

[reaction: see text] Fused cyclopropane beta-keto esters are versatile intermediates for the synthesis of many biologically active natural products. Here we report a new intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction of unsaturated beta-keto esters. In the presence of I(2), Et(3)N, and Lewis acids such as Mg(ClO(4))(2) and Yb(OTf)(3), beta-keto esters 1 bearing various olefin substituents were transformed to fused cyclopropanes 2 in a highly stereospecific manner with moderate to good yields. The mechanism of the reaction was also investigated.     

Direct catalytic asymmetric mannich reactions of malonates and beta-keto esters

The first catalytic asymmetric direct Mannich reaction of malonates and beta-keto esters has been developed. Malonates react with an activated N-tosyl-alpha-imino ester catalyzed by chiral tert-butyl-bisoxazoline/Cu(OTf)(2) to give the Mannich adducts in high yields and with up to 96% ee. These reactions create a chiral quaternary carbon center and it is demonstrated that this new direct Mannich reactions provides for example a new synthetic procedure for the formation of optically active beta-carboxylic ester alpha-amino acid derivatives. A series of different beta-keto esters with various ester substituents has been screened as substrates for the catalytic asymmetric direct Mannich reaction and it was found that the best results in terms of yield, diastereo- and enantioselectivity were obtained when tert-butyl esters of beta-keto esters were used as the substrate. The reaction of different beta-keto tert-butyl esters with the N-tosyl-alpha-imino ester gave the Mannich adducts in high yields, diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee) in the presence of chiral tert-butyl-bisoxazoline/Cu(OTf)(2) as the catalyst. To expand the synthetic utility of this direct Mannich reaction a diastereoselective decarboxylation reaction was developed for the Mannich adducts leading to a new synthetic approach to attractive optically active beta-keto alpha-amino acid derivatives. Based on the stereochemical outcome of the reactions, various approaches of the N-tosyl-alpha-imino ester to the chiral bisoxazoline/Cu(II)-substrate intermediate are discussed.     

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of beta-keto esters: effects of the linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL

We describe the development of a general catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of acyclic beta-keto esters to cyclic enones, in which asymmetric induction occurs at the beta-position of the acceptors. Among the various asymmetric catalyst systems examined, the newly developed La-NR-linked-BINOL complexes (R = H or Me) afforded the best results in terms of reactivity and selectivity. In general, the NMe ligand 2 was suitable for the combination of small enones and small beta-keto esters, and the NH ligand 1 was suitable for bulkier substrates (steric tuning of the catalyst). Using the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex, the Michael reaction of methyl acetoacetate (8a) to 2-cyclohexen-1-one (7b) gave the corresponding Michael adduct 9ba in 82% yield and 92% ee. The linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL is crucial for achieving high reactivity and selectivity in the Michael reaction of beta-keto esters. The amine moiety in the NR-linked-BINOL can also tune the Lewis acidity of the central metal (electronic tuning of the catalyst), which was supported by density functional studies and experimental results. Another advantage of the NR-linked-BINOL ligand as compared with O-linked-BINOL is the ease of modifying a substituent on the amine moiety, making it possible to synthesize a variety of NR-linked-BINOL ligands for further improvement or development of new asymmetric catalyses by introducing additional functionality on the linker with the amine moiety. The efficiency of the present asymmetric catalysis was demonstrated by the synthesis of the key intermediate of (-)-tubifolidine and (-)-19,20-dihydroakuammicine in only five steps compared to the nine steps required by the original process from the Michael product of malonate. This strategy is much more atom economical. On the basis of the results of mechanistic studies, we propose that a beta-keto ester serves as a ligand as well as a substrate and at least one beta-keto ester should be included in the active catalyst complex. Further improvement of the reaction by maintaining an appropriate ratio of the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex and beta-keto esters is also described.     

Reactions of N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of anthranilic acids with anions of beta-keto esters. A new route to 4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid derivatives

A new approach for the synthesis of 4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid derivatives is described. This methodology involves the C-acylation of the anions of appropriate beta-keto esters with novel N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of anthranilic acids. The intermediate C-acylation products 3 are spontaneously cyclized to afford 3-ethoxycarbonyl-4-oxoquinoline derivatives 4. The introduction of a variety of substituents at positions 1 and 2 of the quinoline ring is feasible with the selection of suitable anthranilic acids and beta-keto esters. The structure of the obtained 2-substituted 3-ethoxycarbonyl-4-oxoquinolines was confirmed by IR and NMR spectral data.     

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones: synthesis and palladium-catalyzed isomerization of functionalized 2-vinyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,3-benzofurans

A new C,O-cyclodialkylation of dilithiated cyclic beta-keto esters and beta-keto sulfones with 1,4-dibromo-2-butene is reported which results in regio- and diastereoselective formation of 2-vinyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,3-benzofurans. The products could be efficiently transformed into functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones by a palladium-catalyzed rearrangement reaction. In case of sulfone derivatives, this rearrangement proceeds with high stereospecifity to give exclusively the endo-configured diastereomers. The bicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton is present in a large number of pharmacologically important natural products.     

Catalytic enantioselective fluorination and amination of beta-keto phosphonates catalyzed by chiral palladium complexes

[reaction: see text] The catalytic enantioselective fluorination and amination of beta-keto phosphonates catalyzed by chiral palladium complexes is described. Treatment of beta-keto phosphonates with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as electrophilic fluorinating reagent and diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) as electrophilic amination reagent under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding alpha-substituted beta-keto phosphonates in moderate to excellent yields with excellent enantiomeric excesses.     

Efficient and reusable PdCl2(MeCN)2/CuCl2/PEG-400 system for cyclization of alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides

PEG-400 [poly(ethylene glycol-400)] was found as an effective medium for the PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)-catalyzed hydroalkylation cyclization of alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides. In PEG-400, no additives such as Me(3)SiCl and Ln(OTf)(3) were required for the complete conversion of alkenyl beta-keto esters. The results also showed that CuCl(2) could promote the reaction. In the presence of PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2), CuCl(2), and PEG-400, various alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides underwent a selective cyclization reaction to give good to excellent yields of the desired six-membered-ring carbocycles. Furthermore, the PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)/CuCl(2)/PEG-400 system could be recycled and reused five times without any loss of catalytic activity.     

Lanthanide triflate-promoted palladium-catalyzed cyclization of alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides

[reaction: see text] Lanthanide triflates were found to promote the palladium-catalyzed cyclization of alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides. In the presence of catalytic amounts of PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2) and Ln(OTf)(3), various alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides underwent regioselective cyclization reactions to give six-, seven-, or eight-membered-ring carbocycles in moderate to excellent yields.     

Solvent-dependent chemoselectivities in Ce(IV)-mediated oxidative coupling reactions

The oxidative coupling of 1,3-diketones, beta-keto esters, and beta-keto silyl enol ethers with allyl trimethylsilane in the presence of CTAN was investigated. In the case of acyclic diketones and esters, different chemoselectivities were observed in CH(3)CN and CH(2)Cl(2) leading to good yields of allylation and dihydrofuran products, respectively. [reaction: see text]     

Manganese-catalyzed construction of tetrasubstituted benzenes from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and terminal acetylenes

Treatment of beta-keto esters with terminal acetylenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of a manganese complex, MnBr(CO)5, and molecular sieves, gave multisubstituted aromatic compounds in good to excellent yields. This reaction employs [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of beta-keto esters and 2 equiv of terminal acetylenes with dehydration. In the case of a 1,3-diketone, the corresponding acetophenone derivative and its deacylated compound can be synthesized selectively.     

Catalytic asymmetric addition of beta-keto phosphonates to an activated imine--formation of optically active functionalized phosphonate alpha-amino acid derivatives

The direct stereoselective addition of an activated imine to beta-keto phosphonates in the presence of chiral Lewis acid complexes is developed. The evaluation of different activated imines shows that an N-tosyl-alpha-imino ester adds in a diastereo- and enantioselective fashion to beta-keto phosphonates activated by especially chiral copper(II)-bisoxazoline complexes. An evaluation of Lewis acids, chiral ligands and reaction conditions, such as solvent, bases and other additives, shows that high yields, moderate diastereoselectivity and good enantioselectivity are obtained. The scope of the reaction is demonstrated for the reaction of beta-keto phosphonates and finally, the mechanism for the catalytic stereoselective step is presented.     

Formation of a quaternary carbon center through the Pd(0)/PhCOOH-catalyzed allylation of cyclic beta-keto esters and 1,3-diketones with alkynes

Formation of a quaternary carbon center through the allylation of beta-keto esters and 1,3-diketones with alkynes is accomplished by the use of Pd(0)/benzoic acid catalyst. Reactions of various cyclic beta-keto esters and 1,3-diketones with alkynes in the presence of Pd(2)dba(3).CHCl(3) (5 mol %), PPh(3) (40 mol %), and PhCOOH (10 mol %) proceeded at 100 degrees C in toluene (5 M) to give the corresponding allylation products in high yields in a regio- and stereoselective manner. The possibility of asymmetric allylation is also discussed.     

Mechanistic investigation of substrate oxidation by Ce(IV) reagents in acetonitrile

Rates and activation parameters for the Ce(4+)-mediated oxidation of a beta-keto ester, a beta-diketone, and a beta-keto silyl enol ether were determined in acetonitrile. In the case of the dicarbonyls, the enol content of the substrate impacts the rate of oxidation by Ce(4+), predominantly through contributions from DeltaH(). For the silyl enol ether, the transition state for oxidation by Ce(4+) is substantially more ordered than it is for the beta-keto ester or the beta-diketone.     

New three-component reaction: novel formation of a seven-membered ring by the unexpected reaction at the gamma-position of the beta-keto ester

[reaction: see text] The novel three-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, ethylenediamine, and beta-keto esters is described. In this reaction, beta-keto esters react at the gamma-position which is generally unreactive to produce the seven-membered ring compounds. Products have secondary amines and beta-enamino esters, which can serve in further functionalizations to produce molecular diversity.     

Enantioselective decarboxylation of beta-keto esters with Pd/amino alcohol systems: successive metal catalysis and organocatalysis

The kinetics and mechanisms of one-pot cascade reactions of racemic beta-keto esters to give chiral ketones in the presence of Pd/C-chiral amino alcohol catalyst systems were studied. Transformation of 2-methyl-1-tetralone-2-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (1) into 2-methyl-1-tetralone (4) in the presence of Pd/C and cinchona alkaloids or ephedrine was chosen as a model reaction. After the first reaction step, the Pd-catalysed debenzylation of 1 to afford the corresponding beta-keto acid (2), there are two possible reaction routes that may be catalysed by the chiral amino alcohol in solution or by Pd(0) sites on the metal surface in cooperation with the adsorbed amino alcohol. The reaction intermediate 2 was synthesized, and the kinetics of decarboxylation were followed by NMR, UV and IR spectroscopy. The studies revealed that the role of Pd is to trigger the reaction series by deprotection of 1. The subsequent dominant reaction route from the racemic beta-keto acid 2 to the chiral ketone 4 is catalysed by the chiral amino alcohol in the liquid phase. It is shown that kinetic resolution of the diastereomeric salt of rac-2 and the chiral amino alcohol plays a key role in the enantioselection. High enantioselectivity necessitates an amino alcohol/rac-2 ratio of at least 2. A high ratio favours the formation of 1:1 amino alcohol/acid diastereomeric complexes, and the second amino alcohol molecule may be responsible for the enantioselective protonation of 2 in the diastereomeric complex.     

Catalytic enantioselective fluorination of beta-keto esters by phase-transfer catalysis using chiral quaternary ammonium salts

[reaction: see text] The catalytic enantioselective electrophilic fluorination promoted by quaternary ammonium salt from cinchonine as a phase-transfer catalyst is described. Treatment of beta-keto esters with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide as the fluorine source under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding alpha-fluoro beta-keto esters in exellent yields with good to moderate enantiomeric excesses     

Asymmetric hydrogenations one by one: differentiation of up to three beta-ketocarboxylic acid derivatives based on Ruthenium(II)-binap catalysis

Noyori-type reductions of pairs of beta-ketoamides and beta-ketoesters with elemental hydrogen (4 bar) proceeded substrate by substrate. When Et(2)NH(2) (+)[{RuCl(S)-binap}(2)](mu-Cl)(3)(-) was employed as a catalyst in a methanol or ethanol solution, the substrates were reduced at room temperature in the order beta-ketopyrrolidide > or = beta-ketopiperidide > or = beta-keto(N,N-diethylamide) > beta-keto(alkyl esters) > beta-keto(oligofluoroalkyl esters). This is the first time that beta-ketoamides have been reduced asymmetrically (91 to >98 % ee) under such mild conditions. Monitoring the concentrations of these beta-ketocarboxyl acid derivatives and their respective hydrogenation products over the course of time showed that the most electron-rich substrate is captured by the catalyst preferentially and exothermically; whether this occurs reversibly or irreversibly remains to be determined. The hydrogenation product is subsequently formed. The last transformation includes the rate-determining step. The combination of these events explains why starting from appropriate mixtures of substrates a "first-choice substrate" reacted from early on while the "second-choice substrate" stayed virtually untouched over an extended period of time and reacted no earlier than after the "first-choice substrate" had disappeared. From then onward, however, the "second-choice substrate" also reacted relatively rapidly.     

Preparation of complex bridged bicyclic ring systems from 3,3-diacetoxy-2-phenylsulfonylpropene and beta-keto esters

The reaction of beta-keto esters with 3,3-diacetoxy-2-phenylsulfonylpropene affords bicyclic keto esters in good yields.     

Zinc- and indium-mediated ring-expansion reaction of alpha-halomethyl cyclic beta-keto esters in aqueous alcohol

Radical ring-expansion reaction of various alpha-halomethyl cyclic beta-keto esters and alpha-halomethyl benzocyclic beta-keto esters and chain-extension reaction of alpha-halomethyl beta-keto esters with zinc powder and indium powder in refluxing aqueous alcohol were carried out to generate the corresponding ring-expansion and chain-extension products. As the results indicate, it was found zinc powder was more effective than indium powder to give the corresponding ring-expanded products in quite good yields. Moreover, the addition of zinc bromide as Lewis acid showed an increase of the yields, depending on the substrates. The present reaction conditions are highly effective, simple, and environmentally friendly.