Gadolinium Photocatalysis: Dearomative [2+2] Cycloaddition/Ring-Expansion Sequence with Indoles

Lanthanide photocatalysts are much less investigated in synthetic chemistry than rare and expensive late transition metals. We herein introduce Gd^III photocatalysis of a highly regioselective, intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition/ring-expansion sequence with indoles, which could provide divergent access to cyclopenta[b]indoles and indolines. A simple and commercially available Gd(OTf)₃ salt is sufficient for this visible-violet-light-induced transformation. The reaction proceeds either through a transient or start-to-end dearomatization cascade and shows excellent regioselectivity (usually >95:5 r.r.), broad scope (59 examples), good functional group tolerance and facile scale-up under mild, direct visible-light-excitation conditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that direct excitation of the Gd(OTf)₃/indole mixture gives an excited state intermediate, which undergoes the subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition and cyclobutane-expansion cascade.     

Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Dearomative [3+2] Cycloaddition of 3‐Nitroindoles

Diastereo‐ and enantioselective cycloaddition of 3‐nitroindoles with vinyl aziridine was realized under Pd‐catalysis using commercially available Walphos as the ligand, affording pyrroloindolines in high yields with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. The reaction can be scaled up to a gram scale and the reaction products are easily converted to amino pyrroloindoline and other pyrroloindoline derivatives.     

Synthesis of Phosphabenzenes by an Iron‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Diynes with Phosphaalkynes

A method for the synthesis of phosphabenzenes under iron catalysis is described. Thus, the FeI₂‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynes with phosphaalkynes in m‐xylene gave a variety of phosphabenzenes in good to high yields (up to 87 % yield).     

The Choice of Rhodium Catalysts in [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction: A Personal Account

[2+2+2] Cycloaddition reaction is a captivating process that assembles six-membered rings from three unsaturations with complete atom economy. Of the multiple transition metals that can be used to catalyze this reaction, rhodium offers many advantages. These include high activity and versatility, but especially the ability to easily tune the reactivity and selectivity by the modification of the ligands around the metal. In this personal account, we summarize our endeavours in the development of efficient and sustainable [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions to prepare products of interest, develop conditions in which the catalyst can be recovered and reused, and understand the mechanistic details that govern the selectivity of the processes.     

Photoassisted Synthesis of Complex Molecular Architectures: Dearomatization of Benzenoid Arenes with Aza‐o‐xylylenes via an Unprecedented [2+4] Reaction Topology

A new method was developed for the photoinduced dearomatization of arenes through an intramolecular cycloaddition with aza‐o‐xylylenes generated by excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in the readily available photoprecursors. The [2+4] topology of this cycloaddition is unprecedented for photo‐dearomatizations of benzenoid aromatic carbocycles. It provides rapid access to novel heterocycles, cyclohexadieno‐oxazolidino‐quinolinols, as valuable synthons for a broad range of post‐photochemical transformations.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Tropanes via a 6π‐Electrocyclic Ring‐Opening/ Huisgen [3+2]‐Cycloaddition Cascade of Monocyclopropanated Heterocycles

The synthesis of tropanes via a microwave‐assisted, stereoselective 6π‐electrocyclic ring‐opening/ Huisgen [3+2]‐cycloaddition cascade of cyclopropanated pyrrole and furan derivatives with electron‐deficient dipolarophiles is demonstrated. Starting from furans or pyrroles, 8‐aza‐ and 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes are accessible in two steps in dia‐ and enantioselective pure form, being versatile building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant targets, especially for new cocaine analogues bearing various substituents at the C‐6/C‐7 positions of the tropane ring system. Moreover, the 2‐azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane core (isoquinuclidines), being prominently represented in many natural and pharmaceutical products, is accessible via this approach.     

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuroindoles through Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Dearomative Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition

A stereodivergent synthesis of tetrahydrofuroindoles through palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric dearomative formal [3+2] cycloaddition of nitroindoles with epoxybutenes was developed. The polarity of the solvent was found to play a key role in the diastereoselectivity. In toluene, good to excellent yields (70–99 %), diastereoselectivity (87/13‐>95/5 d.r.), and enantioselectivity (85/15–94/6 e.r.) were obtained, regardless of the properties of the substituents on nitroindoles. In acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuroindoles of a different diastereoisomer were produced with good to excellent yields (75–98 %) and stereoselectivity (78/22–93/7 d.r., 93/7–99/1 e.r.). Mechanistic studies were conducted to illustrate the origin of the diastereodivergency. The kinetic experiments indicate that the rate‐determining step of this reaction is different in different solvents. ESI‐MS experiments also support the existence of key palladium complex intermediates and the catalytic cycle of the reaction.     

DNA‐Templated [2+2] Photocycloaddition: A Straightforward Entry into the Aplysinopsin Family of Natural Products

Biosynthetic considerations inspired us to harness the templating properties offered by DNA to promote a [2+2] photoinduced cycloaddition. The method was developed based on the dimerization of (E)‐aplysinopsin, which was previously shown to be unproductive in solution. In sharp contrast, exposure of this tryptophan‐derived olefin to light in the presence of salmon testes DNA (st‐DNA) reproducibly afforded the corresponding homo‐dimerized spiro‐fused cyclobutane in excellent yields. DNA provides unique templating interactions enabling a singular mimic of the solid‐state aggregation necessary for the [2+2] photocycloaddition to occur. This method was ultimately used to promote the prerequisite dimerizations leading to both dictazole B and tubastrindole B, thus constituting the first example of a DNA‐mediated transformation to be applied to the total synthesis of a natural product.     

Intermolecular Regio‐ and Stereoselective Hetero‐[5+2] Cycloaddition of Oxidopyrylium Ylides and Cyclic Imines

We have developed the first intermolecular hetero‐[5+2] cycloaddition reaction between oxidopyrylium ylides and cyclic imines with excellent control of regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Surprisingly, divergent stereochemistry was observed depending on the substitution pattern of the oxidopyrylium ylide. This new reaction provides quick access to highly substituted nitrogen‐containing seven‐membered rings—azepanes. Notably, a broad range of oxidopyrylium ylides and cyclic imines participate in this novel hetero‐[5+2] cycloaddition reaction and the cycloadducts can be readily transformed into the core skeletons of bioactive natural products. DFT calculations revealed that the cycloaddition proceeds through a stepwise pathway and the imine nitrogen atom serves as the nucleophile to initiate the cycloaddition.     

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions of 4-sulfur-substituted 2-pyridones with electron-deficient dienophiles

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions of 4-(phenylthio)-1-tosyl-2-pyridone (6a) and 4-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-tosyl-2-pyridone (6b) with electron-deficient dienophiles 7 (N-methylmaleimide, N-phenylmaleimide, and methyl acrylate) gave new isoquinuclidine products 8-10. The N-tosyl group of 6a and 6b was also efficiently converted to N-alkyl derivatives 6c-f, which showed different stereoselectivity toward reactions with dienophiles 7. Several other dienophiles 15 (dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, methyl vinyl ketone, ethyl vinyl ether, and methyl methacrylate) were found not to react with 6a or 6b, but led to the formation of tosyl migration products 4-(phenylthio)-O-tosyl-pyridinol (16a) and 4-(phenylsulfonyl)-O-tosyl-2-pyridinol (16b), respectively. The reactivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition reactions were also compared with semi-empirical calculations.     

Dihydrobiphenylenes through Ruthenium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of ortho‐Alkenylarylacetylenes with Alkynes

A new synthetic route to dihydrobiphenylenes has been developed. The process involves a mild Ru^II‐catalyzed [2+2+2] dimerization of ortho‐alkenylarylacetylenes or its more versatile variant, the Ru‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of ortho‐ethynylstyrenes with alkynes. Mechanistic aspects of this [2+2+2] cycloaddition are discussed.     

[60]富勒烯[2＋2]环加成反应的研究进展

[2＋2]环加成反应是对C₆₀进行化学修饰的重要反应之一, 重点从[2＋2]环加成的典型反应、主要试剂及反应机理等方面进行了综述.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Network Promoted [3+2] Cycloaddition: Asymmetric Catalytic Construction of Spiro‐pseudoindoxyl Derivatives

The enantioselective construction of a spirocyclic quaternary stereogenic carbon center at the C2 position of indole has long been an elusive problem in organic synthesis. Herein, by employing a rationally designed hydrogen‐bonding network activation strategy, for the first time, 2,2′‐pyrrolidinyl‐spirooxindole, which is a valuable and prevalent indole alkaloid scaffold, was directly obtained through a catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with high yields and excellent stereoselectivities.     

Visible Light‐Induced,Metal‐Free Denitrative [3+2] Cycloaddition for Trisubstituted Pyrrole Synthesis

A metal‐free, regioselective synthesis of trisubstituted pyrroles has been developed through a formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between 2H‐azirines and nitroalkenes under visible light/photoredox‐catalyzed conditions. The reaction proceeds through 2H‐azaallenyl radical addition on β‐nitrostyrenes in a Michael fashion followed by a base‐mediated denitration reaction. The directive group influence of the nitro group controls the regiochemistry of the reaction.     

Metal Free Access to Polysubstituted Pyrimidines via Nitrile Activation and [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

Tf₂O mediated intermolecular / intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition between alkynes and nitriles has been developed for efficient construction of polysubstituted pyrimidines and bicyclopyrimidines. In presence of Tf₂O, aza-allene species were generated in situ through nitrile activation and subsequently participated in the [2+2+2] cycloaddition, which was fully supported by deuteration experiments. The reaction had good substrate extensibility with moderate to excellent yield including trimethylsilylalkynes. The method was utilized as a synthetic tool in the preparation of a luminescent metal complex.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of 1,6-Enynes with Racemic Secondary Allylic Alcohols through Kinetic Resolution

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/P-phos complex catalyzes the asymmetric [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-enynes with racemic secondary allylic alcohols to produce the corresponding chiral bicyclic cyclohexenes, possessing three stereogenic centers, as a single diastereomer with excellent ee values. Mechanistic experiments revealed that the present cycloaddition proceeds through the kinetic resolution of the racemic secondary allylic alcohols, in which one enantiomer preferentially reacts with the 1,6-enyne.     

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes): [2+2] versus [4+2] cycloaddition

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes), derived from ene-bis(propargyl alcohols) and chlorodiphenylphosphine, was investigated. Benzene-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) exclusively gave intramolecular [2+2] cycloadducts in the presence of dimethyl fumarate in sharp contrast to the reaction of benzene-bridged bis(sulfinylallenes), which gave the corresponding [4+2] cycloadducts. On the other hand, substituted ethylene- or five-membered heterocycle-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) provided [4+2] cycloadducts. Reaction of benzene-bridged diallene bearing both a sulfinyl group and a phosphinyl group on the two allenyl groups was also described.     

[8+3]‐Cycloaddition of Tropones with Azaoxyallyl Cations

Although azaoxyallyl cations are widely used as 1,3‐dipoles for various cycloaddition reactions leading to nitrogen‐containing heterocycles, their application in higher‐order cycloaddition reaction remains scarce. Herein, we present the [8+3]‐cycloaddition reaction of tropones with in situ generated azaoxyallyl cations allowing the one‐step construction of cycloheptatriene‐fused 1,4‐oxazinones in moderate to good yields. This base‐promoted new carbon‐oxygen and carbon‐nitrogen bond‐forming reaction takes place under mild conditions in the absence of transition metal catalysts.     

Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Allenes by Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

A protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted chiral allenes with control of point and axial chirality has been developed. A palladium‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition using readily available racemic allenes gives access to densely functionalized chiral allenes with excellent yields and functional group tolerance. The catalytic asymmetric protocol utilizes a broad range of allenyl TMM (trimethylenemethane) donors to form cyclopentanes, pyrrolidines, and spirocycles with very good control of regio‐, enantio‐, and diastereoselectivity. The chiral allene moiety is shown to be a valuable functional group for rapid elaboration towards complex targets.