A highly regio- and stereo-selective [3+2] annulation of allylic compounds and 2-substituted 1,1-dicyanoalkenes through a catalytic carbon-phosphorus ylide reaction

A highly regio- and stereo-selective phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] annulation reaction between allylic compounds and 2-substituted 1,1-dicyanoalkenes through a catalytic phosphorus ylide reaction was developed. This reaction has the total reversed regioselectivity compared to that of the reactions of activated alkenes without the 2-substituents or reactions using the allenoates as the C3 component.     

Formal intermolecular 4 + 4 approach to cyclooctanoids: 4 + 3 capture of the Nazarov oxyallyl intermediate with simple 1,3-dienes

[reaction: see text] Simple 1,4-dien-3-ones and 1,3-dienes react in the presence of BF(3).OEt(2) via a domino Nazarov electrocyclization/intermolecular [4 + 3]-cycloaddition sequence to furnish keto-bridged cyclooctenes in good yield. Most cases showed high diastereofacial selectivity and/or endo/exo selectivity, and surprising levels of regioselectivity were observed when isoprene was used as the diene partner.     

Synthesis of spiro[5.4]decenones and their transformation into bicyclo[4.4]deca-1,4-dien-3-ones by domino "elimination- double-Wagner-Meerwein-rearrangement" reactions

The [3+3] cyclization of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with 1,1-diacylcyclopentanes allows a convenient synthesis of spiro[5.4]decenones. Treatment of these compounds with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) afforded a great variety of bicyclo[4.4.0]deca-1,4-dien-3-ones containing an angular alkyl group. This core structure occurs in a number of pharmacologically relevant natural products.     

Synthesis and reactivity of 1-hydroxyspiro[2.5]cyclooct-4-en-3-ones

The first 1-hydroxyspiro[2.5]cyclooct-4-en-3-ones were prepared by cyclization of free and masked 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions with 1,1-diacetylcyclopropane. 1-Hydroxyspiro[2.5]cyclooct-4-en-3-ones represent precursors of unstable spiro[5.2]cycloocta-4,7-dien-6-ones and reactions with a number of nucleophiles were studied. The reactions are enhanced by dynamic spiro-activation.     

Asymmetric Michael reaction involving chiral imines/secondary enamines: stereocontrolled synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrothiophen-3-ones

[reaction: see text] The asymmetric Michael reaction involving a chiral imine derived from 2-methyltetrahydrothiophenone-3-one and enantiopure (R)-1-phenylethylamine with a variety of electrophilic alkenes furnished 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrothiophenone-3-ones with good yields and excellent stereoselectivity.     

Novel synthesis of dihydropyrans and 2,8-dioxabicylo[3.3.0]oct-3-enes using Mn(III)-based oxidative cyclization

The Mn(III)-based reaction of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes with 2-(2-oxoethyl)malonates and 3-acetylpentane-1,4-diones gave novel substituted dihydropyrans and 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-3-enes in good yields, respectively. These routes rely on the nucleophilic character of the carbonyl-oxygen atoms of the malonates and pentanediones used to obtain the products by a cycloaddition reaction or cycloaddition-tandem cyclization reactions.     

Synthesis of fluorine-containing 1,4-dioxa-2-azaspiro-[4.5]deca-2,6,9-trienes by reaction of polyfluorinated cyclohexa-2,5-dienones with nitrile oxides

4-Pentafluorophenoxy-, 4-nitro-, and 4-chloropentafluorocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ones and 3,4,5-tris-(pentafluorophenoxy)trifluorocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one react with some benzonitrile and acetonitrile oxides exclusively at the carbonyl group, leading to the formation of mixtures of diastereoisomeric fluorinated 1,4-dioxa-2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-2,6,9-trienes in good yield.     

Reactions of a metallacyclobutene complex with alkenes

The first productive reactions of a characterized metallacyclobutene complex with alkenes are reported. Thus, the metallacyclobutene complex (eta5-C5H5)(PPh3)Co[kappa2-(C,C)-C(SO2Ph) C(Si(CH3)3)CH(CO2CH2CH3)] (2) undergoes reaction with alkenes to give 1,4-diene complexes with a high degree of regio- and stereoselectivity. A mechanism is proposed in which the metallacyclobutene generates a cyclic vinylcarbene intermediate that undergoes [4 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions with activated alkenes. A model of the vinylcarbene intermediate has been examined using quantum mechanical methods.     

Intermolecular [3 + 3]-cycloadditions of azides with the Nazarov intermediate

Tetrasubstituted 1,4-dien-3-ones undergo Nazarov cyclization at low temperature, followed by reaction with organic azides via an apparent [3 + 3]-cycloaddition to give bridged bicyclic triazenes. These products do not appear to be intermediates in the previously described Schmidt-type process to furnish dihydropyridones. The reaction typically occurs with high diastereoselectivity.     

A concise α-amino acid-based synthetic approach to [1,4]oxazepin-2-ones from Baylis-Hillman adducts

An original two-step process for the synthesis of [1,4]oxazepin-2-ones starting from Baylis-Hillman (BH) adducts is reported. The protocol involves a nucleophilic substitution of the acetates of BH adducts with renewable natural α-amino esters followed by base-catalyzed intramolecular Michael addition. These sequential reactions are operationally simple, performed under ambient conditions, and give 81-93% yields of the target [1,4]oxazepin-2-ones. Thus, the present invention opens up a new aspect for the synthetic utility of BH adducts.     

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Activated Alkenes to Nitro Alkenes Catalyzed by Organic Catalyst

Enantioselective Michael addition is one of the most powerfulbond-forming reaction in organic synthesis. [1] A mong the Michael acceptors, nitro alkenes are very attractive, because the nitro group is the most electron-withdrawing group known and it can serve as masked functionality to be further transformed after the addition has taken place. [2] Recently, asymmetric Michael reactions catalyzed by organic catalyst have draw much attention.[3]     

Acid-catalyzed transannular cyclization of 3aH-cyclopentene[8]annulene-1,4-(5H,9aH)-diones and some proposed mechanisms

Bicyclic 3aH-cyclopentene[8]annulene-1,4-(5H,9aH)-diones underwent three types of acid-induced transannular reactions, Michael cyclization, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and Friedel-Crafts ipso-alkylation, depending on the cyclopentenone ring substituent (Me or Ph) and the position of [8]annulenone substituent as well as the nature of acids (BF3, MeSO3H, CF3SO3H). The Me-substituent permitted the Michael reaction for all acids used to give tricyclic diones by the activation of cyclopentenone carbonyl group. However, the Ph-substituent inhibited the Michael reaction for BF3 and MeSO3H but allowed the [3 + 2] cycloaddition and Friedel-Crafts reaction for CF3SO3H depending on the position of annulenone substituent. These CF3SO3H reactions exhibited the following novel rearrangements, affording 2-naphthalenone and 7-acenaphthylene derivatives, respectively. The factors that control the reaction mode of these transannular cyclizations were discussed in view of the constraint twist-boat conformation of [8]annulenone ring as well as the ring substituent effects on the intramolecular cyclization. In addition, these [8]annulenone rings were found to easily undergo the intramolecular [2 + 2] photocyclization to provide the tetracyclic cage compounds which exhibited the facile cycloreversion under the influence of acid.     

Photocycloaddition Reactions of Alkyl and Aryl 2‐Thioxo‐3H‐benzoxazole‐ 3‐carboxylates to Alkenes

The photochemical reactions of alkyl and aryl 2‐thioxo‐3H‐benzoxazole‐3‐carboxylates 1 have been examined. Irradiation of 1 in the presence of tetra‐ and trisubstituted alkenes 2a and 2b , 2‐methylprop‐2‐ene nitrile 2e , and dienes 2f and 2g gave [2+2] cycloadducts of the CS bond of 2‐thioxobenzoxazoles and the CC bond of alkenes, spiro[benzoxazole‐thietanes] 3, 4, 8 – 13, 15, 18, 20, 23 – 26 in moderate‐to‐good yields. The photoaddition reactions proceed in a regiospecific manner. The spirocyclic compounds obtained are indefinitely stable at room temperature. Irradiation of 1a in the presence of 1,1‐ and 1,2‐disubstituted alkenes 2c and 2d yielded the products 5 – 7 of oxazole‐ring cleavage. Compound 1d also underwent photoaddition with alkenes to yield spiro[benzoxazole‐thietanes] and/or 2‐substituted benzoxazoles and/or iminothietanes, depending on the nature of the substituents present in the alkenes. On intramolecular [2+2] photoadduct, tetracyclic 27 , was obtained, when ethenyl 2‐thioxobenzoxazole‐3‐carboxylate 1e was irradiated.     

Palladium catalysed [2 + 2 + 1] intramolecular cycloaddition for the preparation of bicyclo[3.3.0]octa-1.5-dien-3-ones from 1,6-diynes

Palladium catalysed [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of 1,6-heptadiynes with CO (1 atm) furnishes bicyclo[3.3.0]octa-1,5-dien-3-ones in 30-74% yield.     

Reaction of 1,5-diarylpenta-1,4-dien-3-ones with methyl 1-bromocycloalkanecarboxylates and zinc

Methyl 1-bromocyclopentane-, 1-bromocyclohexane- and 1-bromocycloheptanecarboxylates react with zinc and 1,5-diarylpenta-1,4-dien-3-ones to form 10-aryl-8-(2-arylethenyl)-7-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-en-6-ones, 5-aryl-3-(2-arylethenyl)-2-oxaspiro[5.5]undec-3-en-1-ones, and 5-aryl-3-(2-arylethenyl)-2-oxaspiro[5.6]-dodec-3-en-1-ones, respectively.     

Stereoselective Construction of Copaborneol and Longiborneol Frameworks by Intramolecular Double Michael Reaction

Stereoselective syntheses of tricyclo[5.3.0.0(3,8)]decane 22 and tricyclo[6.3.0.0(3,9)]undecane 26, the basic skeletons of copaborneol and longiborneol, were achieved by the intramolecular double Michael reactions of 2-cyclopenten-1-ones 15-17. The substrates were prepared starting with tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]deca-4,8-dien-3-one (6). The intramolecular double Michael reactions were carried out under three different conditions: TMSCl-Et(3)N-ZnCl(2), TMSI-(TMS)(2)NH, and Bu(2)BOTf-(TMS)(2)NH. The framework 26 of longiborneol was constructed in good yields using the latter two reagent systems.     

Spirocyclohexadienones: X. Three-component condesation of 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzenes with cyclohexanecarbaldehyde and nitriles. Synthesis of 1,2- and 1,4-dimethoxy-14-azadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadeca-1,4-dien-3-ones

Substituted 1,2- and 1,4-dimethoxy-14-azadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadeca-1,4-dien-3-ones and 1,2(1,4)-dimethoxy-14-azadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadeca-1,4,14-trien-3-ones were synthesized by three-component condensation of cyclohexanecarbaldehyde with 1,2,3- or 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene and the corresponding nitriles in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid.     

Convenient synthesis of hexasubstituted benzene derivatives via DABCO promoted domino reaction of arylidene malononitrile and dialkyl but-2-ynedioate

A convenient synthetic protocol for the hexasubstituted benzene derivatives was successfully developed by DABCO promoted domino reaction of arylidene malononitrile with two molecules of dialkyl but-2-ynedioates. The domino reaction resulted in tetraalkyl 6-cyano-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylates in good to high yields. This formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition was believed to proceed with sequential nucleophilic addition, Michael addition, annulation and aromatization processes.     

Aza- and carbo-[3+3] annulations of exo-cyclic vinylogous amides and urethanes. Synthesis of tetrahydroindolizidines and an unexpected formation of hexahydroquinolines

[3+3] Annulations of exo-cyclic vinylogous amides and urethanes with vinyl iminium salts are described here. We observed an intriguing dichotomy in their reaction pathways. For pyrrolidine- and azepane-based vinylogous amides or urethanes, aza-[3+3] annulation would dominate to give tetrahydroindolizidines, whereas, unexpectedly, for piperidine-based vinylogous amides or urethanes, carbo-[3+3] annulation was the pathway, leading to hexahydroquinolines. The origin for such a contrast is likely associated with a switch in the initial reaction pathway between C-1,2-addition and C-1,4-addition.     

Cycloaddition of Alkenes and Alkynes to the P-centered Singlet Biradical [P(μ-NTer)]2

The reaction of biradical [P(μ-NTer)]₂ ( 1 , Ter = 2,6-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)phenyl) towards different alkenes (R = 2,3-dimethyl–butadiene, 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene, 1,7-octadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene) and alkynes (R = 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiyne) was studied experimentally. Although these olefins can react in different ways, only [2+2] cycloaddition products ( 1R ) were observed. The reaction with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene also led to the [2+2] product ( 1dmb ). Thermal treatment of 1dmb above 140 °C resulted in the recovery of biradical 1 upon homolytic bond cleavage of the two P–C bonds and the release of 2,3-dimethylbutadiene. In contrast to this reaction, all other [2+2] additions products ( 1R , R = 1,7-octadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiyne) began to decompose at temperatures between 200 °C and 300 °C. Only unidentified products were obtained but no temperature-controlled equilibrium reactions were observed. Computations were carried out to shed light into the formal [2+2] as well as the possible [4+2] addition reaction.