Application of an isomerization-ring-closing metathesis strategy to the synthesis of unsaturated seven-membered, benzo-fused heterocycles containing two heteroatoms

An isomerization-RCM approach was utilized to synthesize a number of seven-membered benzo-fused heterocycles containing two heteroatoms (N,O, N,S, and S,O). This approach utilized the ruthenium catalyst [RuClH(CO)(PPh₃)₃] for the isomerization of allyl groups, eventually followed by the use of the Grubbs second generation catalyst for the formation of the desired products. In most instances thermal RCM conditions were sufficient; however, in a number of cases where this methodology did not give the desired product a high temperature, short time microwave approach afforded the desired ring-closed products. In this manner, the following substituted benzo-fused scaffolds were successfully synthesized: 4,5-dihydro-1,5-benzoxazepine, 4,5- and 2,5-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine and 2H-1,5-benzoxathiepine.     

An isomerization-ring-closing metathesis strategy for the synthesis of substituted benzofurans

Twelve substituted benzofurans were synthesized from their corresponding substituted 1-allyl-2-allyloxybenzenes using ruthenium-mediated C- and O-allyl isomerization followed by ring-closing metathesis.     

Ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of 2H- and 4H-chromenes

Six 4H-chromenes were synthesized from substituted phenols using vinylstannylation and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as key steps. In addition, a different approach involving amongst other steps, an aryl allyl isomerization and RCM afforded a set of seven 2H-chromenes from phenolic precursors.     

Synthesis of 2H-1,5-benzodioxepin and 2,5-dihydro-1,6-benzodioxocin derivatives via ring-closing metathesis reaction

The synthesis of various 2H-1,5-benzodioxepin and 2,5-dihydro-1,6-benzodioxocin derivatives is described. The key step involves the construction of seven- and eight-membered rings via ring-closing metathesis reaction.     

Conversion of chiral unsaturated cyanohydrins into chiral carba- and heterocycles via ring-closing metathesis

Aliphatic unsaturated cyanohydrins 1-3 served as starting materials in the synthesis of a set of new chiral unsaturated cyclic 1,2-ethanolamines. Combining a Grignard addition-NaBH₄ reduction sequence with a ring-closing metathesis afforded unsaturated cyclic 1,2-ethanolamines 7-11 and 22-25 in good yields and high ee (96-99%). The conversion of cyanohydrins 1-3 via a DIBAL reduction-transimination-NaBH₄ reduction sequence, using allylamine, followed by ring-closing metathesis yielded tetrahydropyridines 28, tetrahydroazepinols 33 and tetrahydroazocinols 34 in high yields and excellent ee (97-99%).     

Sequential N-acylamide methylenation-enamide ring-closing metathesis: a synthetic entry to 1,4-dihydroquinolines

A new synthetic entry to the 1,4-dihydroquinoline nucleus is reported. The procedure involves the dimethyltitanocene methylenation of N-(alkoxycarbonyl)amides derived from 2-allylanilines, followed by ring-closing metathesis of the resulting enamides.     

Synthesis of gem-difluoromethylenated massoialactone by ring-closing metathesis

4,4-Difluoromassoialactone has been synthesized for the first time via a very short sequence, where the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) was employed as a key step. The efficient procedure can easily be extended to the synthesis of other gem-difluoromethylenated α,β-unsaturated-δ-lactone moiety. In addition, the viability of RCM of high electron-deficient olefins has been demonstrated.     

Isomerization and ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of 6-, 7- and 8-membered benzo- and pyrido-fused N,N-, N,O- and N,S-heterocycles

An isomerization-ring-closing metathesis (RCM) strategy afforded N-substituted 4H-1,4-benzoxazines from the protected N-allyl-2-(allyloxy)anilines. In addition, RCM was used to synthesize the N-substituted, 8-membered benzo-fused heterocycles from the respective diallyl compounds: 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine, 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzoxazocine, 5,6,9,10-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-b][1,4]diazocine and 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,6-benzothiazocine 1,1-dioxide. The isomerization-RCM approach also afforded the 7-membered ring system, 2,5-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine 1,1-dioxide, from the protected N-allyl-2-(allylsulfonyl)aniline. Furthermore, the structure of 1,6-bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine was confirmed by a single crystal X-ray determination.     

Synthesis of streptorubin B core

A straightforward synthesis of streptorubin B core structure has been established starting from trans-4-hydroxyproline. The core structure of streptorubin B is constructed in an intramolecular ring-closing metathesis as the key step.     

Synthesis of the floresolide B hydroquinone lactone core using ring-closing metathesis

The hydroquinone lactone core of the floresolides was synthesized through a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) approach. Optimal RCM efficiency was obtained at higher reaction concentration. An unexpected Lewis acid-promoted rearrangement of the hydroquinone and other observations relevant to on-going total synthesis efforts are discussed.     

Synthesis of a cryptand with tetrahedral connectivity using multiple ring-closing olefin metathesis

By connecting six terminal olefins sequentially in one molecule under metathesis conditions, three macrocycles were formed efficiently in one pot yielding a novel cryptand with tetrahedral connectivity.     

New synthesis of carbazole-1,4-quinone using a tandem ring-closing metathesis and dehydrogenation reaction under oxygen atmosphere, and its application to the synthesis of murrayaquinone A

A tandem ring-closing metathesis and dehydrogenation reaction under oxygen atmosphere was newly developed to the synthesis of carbazole-1,4-quinones. This new tandem reaction was applied to the synthesis of murrayaquinone A in four steps.     

Synthesis of guaiane sesquiterpenoids by a ring-closing metathesis annulation sequence

A new route for the synthesis of guaiane and nor-guaiane sesquiterpenoids is described, using a ring-closing metathesis annulation reaction sequence on a chiral enantiopure cycloheptenone derived from (R)-(−)-carvone.     

Parallel synthesis of individual shikimic acid-like molecules using a mixture-operation strategy and ring-closing enyne metathesis

Three new diastereomeric shikimic acid analogues (4-amino-3,5-dihydroxyl-cyclohex-1-en-carboxylic acids, 16) bearing a C-4 amino group were synthesized in parallel by a mixture-operation protocol. Ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM) under ethylene atmosphere was successfully employed to construct the desired carbocycles in high efficiency. The absolute configurations of each final product were confirmed by the 1D and 2D NMR techniques.     

Synthesis of new boron analogues of cyclic carboxylic α-amino acids using ring-closing metathesis reactions

Ruthenium catalyzed ring-closing metathesis has been used as a key step for the synthesis of cyclic α-aminoboronic esters as, for example, boron-containing mimics of pipecolic, 2-azepanecarboxylic acid or baikiain.     

Synthesis of (+)-anatoxin-a using enyne metathesis

Synthesis of N-tosylanatoxin-a was achieved by metathesis of enyne in cis-substituents on a pyrrolidine derivative. Metathesis reactions of enyne having terminal alkyne using various ruthenium-carbene complexes did not give a good results. However, when the terminal alkyne was protected with a TMS group, the reaction proceeded smoothly using a second-generation ruthenium-carbene complex to give the desired cyclized compound in high yield. Oxymercuration followed by Dess-Martin oxidation afforded N-tosylanatoxin-a.     

Synthesis of benzo-fused medium ring cyclic ethers via a Michael addition-ring closing metathesis strategy involving nitroaliphatic compounds

Nitroalkenes derived from O-protected salicylaldehyde undergo facile Michael-type addition of nucleophiles possessing unsaturated tether. Ring closing metathesis of the Michael adducts provides benzo-fused medium ring cyclic ethers possessing a nitroalkyl functionality.     

Synthesis of 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives as pyrimidine nucleoside analogues

The synthesis of 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives as pyrimidine nucleoside analogues was developed, starting from 3-nitropyran-2-one N-functionalized amidines. Primary amines were reacted with amidines yielding 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives. In an initial survey, several 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidines turned into 4-nitromethylene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives under different reduction conditions. The reduction reaction also induced a change in the exocyclic double bond configuration from (E) to (Z), due to an intramolecular hydrogen bond.     

Synthesis of α-conhydrine

A synthesis of α-conhydrine has been achieved from trans-(2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline via diastereoselective Grignard addition, regioselective Baeyer-Villiger reaction, and ring-closing metathesis as the key steps.