Sulfur dioxide mediated one-pot, four-component synthesis of polyfunctional sulfones and sulfonamides, including medium-ring cyclic derivatives

In previous papers (Synthesis2002, 232 and J. Org. Chem.2004, 69, 6413), we have shown that the hetero-Diels-Alder addition of sulfur dioxide to 1-oxy or 1,3-dioxy-1,3-dienes generates zwitterions that add to enoxysilanes or allylsilanes giving silyl sulfinates that can be converted in the same pot into polyfunctional sulfones, sulfonamides or sulfonic esters. We are presenting further applications of this method, including the synthesis of new medium-size heterocyclic systems of the type tetrahydro-2H-thiocines and hexahydro-1,2-thiazonine.     

Palladium-catalyzed conversion of beta,gamma-unsaturated silyl sulfinates into (E)-alkenes: asymmetric synthesis of polypropionate fragments

At low temperature, 1-alkoxy-1,3-dienes add to sulfur dioxide activated by a Lewis or protic acid generating zwitterionic intermediates that can be quenched by enoxysilanes. The resulting beta,gamma-unsaturated silyl sulfinates can be desilylated by 1:1 Pd(OAc)(2)/PPh(3) catalyst, liberating the corresponding beta,gamma-unsaturated sulfinic acids that undergo smooth and highly stereoselective retro-ene eliminations of sulfur dioxide. The method has been applied to generate enantiomerically pure polypropionate fragments.     

Development of a new carbon-carbon bond forming reaction. new organic chemistry of sulfur dioxide. Asymmetric four-component synthesis of polyfunctional sulfones.

At low temperature 1-alkoxy-1,3-dienes add to sulfur dioxide activated by a Lewis or Br?nstedt acid and generate zwitterionic intermediates that can be quenched by enoxysilanes. The resulting beta,gamma-unsaturated silyl sulfinates can be desilylated and reacted with methyl iodide to provide polyfunctional sulfones. Exploratory studies of this four-component synthesis of sulfones are reported. Enantiomerically pure derivatives containing up to three new stereogenic centers can be obtained using enantiomerically pure (E,E)-1-alkoxy-2-methylpenta-1,3-dienes derived from alpha-methyl benzyl alcohols, including the Greene's chiral auxiliary. The stereochemistry of the reactions is consistent with a mechanism involving the suprafacial hetero-Diels-Alder addition of sulfur dioxide to the 1-alkoxy-1,3-dienes that are rapidly ionized into zwitterionic intermediates.     

BCl3‐Mediated Ene Reaction of Sulfur Dioxide and Unfunctionalized Alkenes

The first ene reactions of SO₂ and unfunctionalized alkenes are reported. Calculations suggest that the endergonic ene reactions of SO₂ with alkenes can be used to generate β,γ‐unsaturated sulfinyl and sulfonyl compounds. Indeed, in the presence of one equivalent of BCl₃, the unstable sulfinic acid form stable sulfinic acid?BCl₃ complexes that can be reacted in situ with NCS to generate corresponding sulfonyl chlorides, or with a base to generate corresponding sulfinates. The latter can be reacted with electrophiles to generate sulfones, or with silyl chloride to form β,γ‐unsaturated silyl sulfinates. The sulfinic acid?BCl₃ complexes can be reacted with ethers that act as oxygen nucleophiles to produce corresponding sulfinic esters. Thus one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of β,γ‐unsaturated sulfonamides, sulfinyl esters and sulfones have been developed starting from alkenes and sulfur dioxide (reagent and solvent).     

Synthesis of long-chain polyketide fragments by reaction of 1,3-dioxy-1,3-dienes with allylsilanes: umpolung with sulfur dioxide

[reaction: see text] In the presence of a Lewis or protic acid and at low temperature, 1,3-dioxy-1,3-dienes add to sulfur dioxide generating zwitterionic intermediates that can react with carbon nucleophiles such as allylsilanes. After a retro-ene elimination of SO(2), valuable polyketide precursors are obtained.     

Proton-exchanged montmorillonite-mediated reactions of methoxybenzyl esters and ethers

Proton-exchanged montmorillonite (H-mont) was found to be an eco-friendly and cost-effective catalyst for the generation of O-methylated quinone methides (QM) from the corresponding p or o-methoxybenzyl esters and ethers. Nucleophilic trapping of the O-methylated QM with arenes, alcohols, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, silyl enol ethers, and allylsilanes has been carried out, respectively, leading to eco-friendly benzylation reactions. Using this protocol, H-mont-mediated deprotection of PMB-protected esters and ethers have been realized for the first time. This work would pave the way for further exploration in O-alkylated QM that are of chemical and biological significance.     

DABCO-bis(sulfur dioxide), DABSO, as a convenient source of sulfur dioxide for organic synthesis: utility in sulfonamide and sulfamide preparation

The charge-transfer complex generated from the combination of DABCO and sulfur dioxide, DABSO, is a bench-stable colorless solid suitable for use in organic synthesis as a replacement for gaseous sulfur dioxide. The complex can be combined with Grignard reagents to form sulfinates, which can then be converted in situ to a series of sulfonamides. Alternatively, reaction with anilines and iodine leads to the formation of a series of sulfamides. Cheletropic addition between DABSO and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene provides the corresponding sulfolene.     

An Efficient Method for Sulfonylation of Amines,Alcohols and Phenols with N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide Under Mild Conditions

A new and convenient procedure was developed for the preparation of sulfonamides and sulfonic esters using N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide(NFSI) as a novel phenylsulfonyl group transfer reagent. In this protocol, a broad range of functional groups were tolerated to give the corresponding sulfonamides or sulfonic esters in moderate to excellent yields. The synthetic strategy for sulfonamides formation proceeded efficiently even under base-, metal-and additive-free conditions with the advantages of operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions as well as short reaction time.     

Effect of the "supersilyl" group on the reactivities of allylsilanes and silyl enol ethers

Kinetics of the reactions of allylsilanes (1) and silyl enol ethers (2) with benzhydrylium ions (3) were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy in dichloromethane at 20 °C. The less than three times higher reaction rates of the tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl compounds in comparison to the corresponding trimethylsilyl compounds indicate that the previously reported strong electron-donating effect of the supersilyl group operates only in the α-position and not in the β-position.     

Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Sulfinates from Boronic Acids and DABSO: A Redox‐Neutral,Phosphine‐Free Transformation

A redox‐neutral palladium(II)‐catalyzed conversion of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkenyl boronic acids into sulfinate intermediates, and onwards to sulfones and sulfonamides, has been realized. A simple Pd(OAc)₂ catalyst, in combination with the sulfur dioxide surrogate 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) (DABSO), is sufficient to achieve rapid and high‐yielding conversion of the boronic acids into the corresponding sulfinates. Addition of C‐ or N‐based electrophiles then allows conversion into sulfones and sulfonamides, respectively, in a one‐pot, two‐step process.     

Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Sulfinates from Boronic Acids and DABSO: A Redox‐Neutral,Phosphine‐Free Transformation

A redox‐neutral palladium(II)‐catalyzed conversion of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkenyl boronic acids into sulfinate intermediates, and onwards to sulfones and sulfonamides, has been realized. A simple Pd(OAc)₂ catalyst, in combination with the sulfur dioxide surrogate 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) (DABSO), is sufficient to achieve rapid and high‐yielding conversion of the boronic acids into the corresponding sulfinates. Addition of C‐ or N‐based electrophiles then allows conversion into sulfones and sulfonamides, respectively, in a one‐pot, two‐step process.     

First asymmetric synthesis of the cyclohexanone subunit of baconipyrones A and B. Revision of its structure

[reaction: see text] An asymmetric synthesis of the 3,5-dihydroxycyclohexanone subunit of baconipyrones A and B, as well as that of the hydroxydiketone subunit of baconipyrones C and D ((-)-(4S,6S)-4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxynonan-3,7-dione), is described. Key steps include sulfur dioxide-induced additions of enoxysilanes to 1,3-dioxy-1,3-dienes, followed by retro-ene desulfitations (retro-ene elimination of SO(2)).     

Diastereoselective additions of nucleophiles to alpha-acetoxy ethers using the alpha-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl auxiliary

We report the diastereoselective addition of a variety of nucleophiles to alpha-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl-substituted oxocarbenium ions. The oxocarbenium ions are generated from alpha-acetoxy ethers, which are easily prepared via reductive acetylation of esters. The alpha-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl auxiliary produces good to excellent facial selectivity with a variety of nucleophiles, including silyl enol ethers, silyl ketene acetals, allylsilanes, and crotylsilanes. The utility of this auxiliary is further demonstrated in a complex ketone aldol coupling reaction. [reaction: see text]     

Use of allysilanes as a new type of silylating agent for alcohols and carboxylic acids

A new convenient route to silyl ethers and esters from alcohols and carboxylic acids using allylsilanes in the presence of an acid catalyst in acetonitrile was developed. The present method is also applicable to t-butyldimethylsilylation.     

S-oxygenation of thiocarbamides II: Oxidation of trimethylthiourea by chlorite and chlorine dioxide

The kinetics of the oxidation of a substituted thiourea, trimethylthiourea (TMTU), by chlorite have been studied in slightly acidic media. The reaction is much faster than the comparable oxidation of the unsubstituted thiourea by chlorite. The stoichiometry of the reaction was experimentally deduced to be 2ClO2- + Me2N(NHMe)C=S + H2O --> 2Cl- + Me2N(NHMe)C=O + SO4(2-) + 2H+. In excess chlorite conditions, chlorine dioxide is formed after a short induction period. The oxidation of TMTU occurs in two phases. It starts initially with S-oxygenation of the sulfur center to yield the sulfinic acid, which then reacts in the second phase predominantly through an initial hydrolysis to produce trimethylurea and the sulfoxylate anion. The sulfoxylate anion is a highly reducing species which is rapidly oxidized to sulfate. The sulfinic and sulfonic acids of TMTU exists in the form of zwitterionic species that are stable in acidic environments and rapidly decompose in basic environments. The rate of oxidation of the sulfonic acid is determined by its rate of hydrolysis, which is inhibited by acid. The direct reaction of chlorine dioxide and TMTU is autocatalytic and also inhibited by acid. It commences with the initial formation of an adduct of the radical chlorine dioxide species with the electron-rich sulfur center of the thiocarbamide followed by reaction of the adduct with another chlorine dioxide molecule and subsequent hydrolysis to yield chlorite and a sulfenic acid. The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of chlorine dioxide and TMTU was experimentally determined as 16 +/- 3.0 M(-1) s(-1) at pH 1.00.     

Sulfonylation from sodium dithionite or thiourea dioxide

The cheap and easily available sodium dithionite and thiourea dioxide have been used as the source of sulfonyl group in the synthesis of sulfones and sulfonamides recently.Compared with other methods for the sulfonylation reactions,the strategies using sodium dithionite or thiourea dioxide provide an alternative and complementary route to diverse sulfonyl compounds.During the reaction process,sulfur dioxide anion radical is the key intermediate,which is usually generated from a single electron transfer under suitable conditions.The advantages using sodium dithionite or thiourea dioxide in the sulfonylation reactions include mild conditions and broad substrate scope with excellent functional group compatibility.Further applications by using sodium dithionite and thiourea dioxide in organic transformations will be anticipated.     

The bora-ene reaction of sulfur dioxide and prop-2-ene-1-boronic esters. New route to sulfoxides

A new one-pot synthesis of sulfoxides is presented. It involves the bora-ene reaction of sulfur dioxide and prop-2-ene-1-boronic esters, giving mixed anhydrides of sulfinic and boric acids. The latter react chemoselectively at the sulfur center with Grignard reagents in displacement reactions giving the corresponding prop-2-en-1-ylsulfoxides. Preliminary studies on the chirality transfer of enantiomerically enriched boronates to the sulfoxides are also presented.     

A simple and efficient method for sulfonylation of amines, alcohols and phenols with cupric oxide under mild conditions

Cupric Oxide efficiently catalyzed the synthesis of sulfonamides and sulfonic esters. This method has been applied to a variety of substrates including nucleophilic and sterically-hindered amines, alcohols and phenols with excellent yields of sulfonamides and sulfonic esters. The remarkable selectivity under mild and neutral conditions of this commercially available inexpensive catalyst is an attractive feature of this method.     

The chemistry of a ketene-sulfur dioxide adduct

We have demonstrated the formation of a reactive species from ketene and sulfur dioxide and have investigated some of its reactions. The 3 + 2 ← 5 cycloaddition reactions of this intermediate with benzylideneaniline and its derivatives gave the corresponding 2,3-diphenylthiazolidin-4-one 1,1-dioxides. The reduction of 2,3-diphenylthiazolidin-4-one 1,1-dioxide with lithium aluminum hydride yielded the corresponding thiazolidine. Aniline and its derivatives reacted with the ketene-sulfur dioxide adduct to give thioaceto-1,3-dianilide 3-oxide. o-Phenylenediamine gave [2,1,5]benzothiadiazepin-4-one 2-oxide, a derivative of a new ring system, [2,1,5]benzothiadiazepine. o-Aminophenol yielded [1,2,5]benzothiazepin-4-one 2-oxide.     

2,2-Bis(methoxy- and ethoxy-NNO-azoxy)propane-1,3-diol sulfonates

2,2-Bis(alkoxy-NNO-azoxy)propane-1,3-diols react with sulfonyl chlorides and trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride in the presence of bases affording previously unknown methane-, trifluoromethane-, benzene and toluenesulfonates (sulfonic esters) of 2-bis(methoxy- and ethoxy-NNO-azoxy)propane-1,3-diols. The triflates are thermally less stable than mesylates, benzenesulfonates, and tosylates of the corresponding diols.