Synthesis of substituted 3-methylene-2-pyridones from Baylis-Hillman derivatives and its application for the generation of 2-pyridone substituted spiroisoxazolines

The synthesis of substituted 3-methylene-2-pyridones via S_N2 displacement reaction of nucleophiles bearing a keto group on the acetyl derivative of Baylis-Hillman adducts of acrylonitrile followed by TFA/H₂SO₄-mediated intramolecular cyclization is described. The utility of these pyridone derivatives for the synthesis of new spiroisoxazolines in highly regio- and stereo-selective fashion is also illustrated. The structure of the spiroisoxazolines has been secured via X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Parallel synthesis of 19-membered ring macro-heterocycles via intramolecular thioether formation

Starting from resin-bound orthogonally protected lysine, the generation of 19-membered ring macro-heterocycles via intramolecular thioether formation is described. The on resin cyclization occurred by the coupling of p-fluoro-m-nitro benzoic acid or bromo acetic acid followed by intramolecular substitution S_NAr or S_N2 displacement of the fluoro and bromo groups, respectively. The described approaches present versatile synthetic routes toward the synthesis of libraries of macro-heterocycles in an attempt to establish lead drug candidates. The desired cyclic products were obtained in good yields and good purities.     

An efficient copper(II)-catalyzed synthesis of benzothiazoles through intramolecular coupling-cyclization of N-(2-chlorophenyl)benzothioamides

A wide range of 2-aryl or 2-alkyl-substituted benzothiazoles are synthesized through intramolecular C_(aryl)-S bond forming-cyclization using copper(II)-BINAM-catalyzed coupling of less reactive N-(2-chlorophenyl)benzo or alkylthioamide under mild reaction conditions (82 °C).     

Stereospecific synthesis of chiral tertiary alkyl-aryl ethers via Mitsunobu reaction with complete inversion of configuration

Mitsunobu reaction of chiral tertiary alcohol (S)-2 with phenol 3 provides the desired ether (R)-1 in moderate yields at elevated temperatures (80-100°C). The S_N2 displacement pathway is evident by complete inversion of the (S)-alcohol to (R)-ether.     

Inter- and Intra-Molecular Organocatalysis of SN2 Fluorination by Crown Ether: Kinetics and Quantum Chemical Analysis

We present the intra- and inter-molecular organocatalysis of S_N2 fluorination using CsF by crown ether to estimate the efficacy of the promoter and to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The yields of intramolecular S_N2 fluorination of the veratrole substrates are measured to be very small (<1% in 12 h) in the absence of crown ether promoters, whereas the S_N2 fluorination of the substrate possessing a crown ether unit proceeds to near completion (~99%) in 12 h. We also studied the efficacy of intermolecular rate acceleration by an independent promoter 18-crown-6 for comparison. We find that the fluorinating yield of a veratrole substrate (leaving group = −OMs) in the presence of 18-crown-6 follows the almost identical kinetic course as that of intramolecular S_N2 fluorination, indicating the mechanistic similarity of intra- and inter-molecular organocatalysis of the crown ether for S_N2 fluorination. The calculated relative Gibbs free energies of activation for these reactions, in which the crown ether units act as Lewis base promoters for S_N2 fluorination, are in excellent agreement with the experimentally measured yields of fluorination. The role of the metal salt CsF is briefly discussed in terms of whether it reacts as a contact ion pair or as a “free” nucleophile F⁻.     

Sulfoxide-controlled SN2′ displacements between cuprates and vinyl and alkynyl epoxy sulfoxides

The S_N2′ displacement of readily available vinyl epoxy sulfoxides with organocopper reagents takes place in good yields with high anti selectivity and a good degree of E/Z stereocontrol to produce enantiopure α-hydroxy vinyl sulfoxides. A second allylic displacement on the related mesyloxy vinyl sulfoxides allows for the asymmetric construction of two adjacent chiral centers. In addition, cuprate mediated S_N2′ addition to alkynyl epoxy sulfoxides affords α-hydroxy allenyl sulfoxides in good yields.     

A stereoselective total synthesis of (−)-andrachcinidine via an olefin cross-metathesis protocol

A stereoselective total synthesis of 1-(2S,6R)-6-[(2S)-2-hydroxypentyl]-hexahydro-2-pyridinylacetone, (−)-andrachcinidine is reported. The strategy utilizes olefin cross-metathesis and intramolecular S_N2 cyclization as the key steps.     

Stereocontrolled concise synthesis of (±)-halosaline through intramolecular C-H amination

Total synthesis of 2-(2-hydroxyalkyl)-piperidine alkaloid (±)-halosaline is described from 7-octen-4-ol using a Rh-catalyzed chemo- and diastereo-selective intramolecular CH amination of sulfamate ester, ring-closing metathesis, and S_N2 displacement reaction of the six-membered ring sulfamidate as the key steps.     

Synthesis of the C6–C18 bis-tetrahydrofuran fragment of the proposed structure of iriomoteolide-2a via stepwise double SN2 cyclization reactions

The C6–C18 bis-tetrahydrofuran (bis-THF) fragment of the proposed structure of iriomoteolide-2a has been synthesized via stepwise double intramolecular S_N2-type etherifications. The C11 and C16 stereogenic centers could be secured in the forms of propargyl alcohols by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of the corresponding propargyl ketones. The C9–C12 THF ring was first constructed via a tandem asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD)–S_N2 sequence while the C13–C16 THF ring was later installed via an intramolecular S_N2 reaction of a chiral propargyl mesylate. During the latter THF ring formation, epimerization at the propargylic carbon was not observed. Since the initially proposed (9R,11S,12R) configuration of iriomoteolide-2a has recently been revised to (9S,11R,12S), the established synthesis of the C6–C18 bis-THF fragment could be easily amended by using the opposite enantiomers of the chiral ligands for AD and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of trans-Olefins by the Copper-Mediated S(N)2' Reaction of Vinyl Oxazines with Grignard Reagents. Asymmetric Synthesis of D-threo-Sphingosines

The S_N2′ reaction of 6-vinyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-[1,3]oxazines with Grignard reagents in the presence of CuCN was studied, and high trans selectivity for the formation of double bond was observed with a variety of RMgX. The S_N2′ reaction, coupled with regioselective asymmetric aminohydroxylation reaction, provided a highly efficient route for the asymmetric synthesis of d-threo-N-acetylsphingosine.     

New synthesis of multisubstituted cyanocyclopropanes by the intramolecular SN2 alkylation and 1,3-CC insertion reaction of magnesium carbenoids as the key reactions

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides derived from ketones and aldehydes with lithium α-cyano carbanions gave nitrile adducts in high to quantitative yields. Treatment of the nitrile adducts derived from acetonitrile with excess i-PrMgCl in THF resulted in the formation of cyanocyclopropanes via the intramolecular S_N2 alkylation of the generated magnesium carbenoids. The intermediate of this reaction was proved to be a cyclopropylmagnesium chloride and was reactive with electrophiles to give multisubstituted cyanocyclopropanes. On the other hand, the reaction of the nitrile adducts derived from arylacetonitriles with i-PrMgCl resulted in the formation of 2-arylcyanocyclopropanes by the 1,3-carbon–carbon (1,3-CC) insertion reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates. This reaction was found to proceed in a highly stereospecific manner. The key reactions, intramolecular S_N2 alkylation and 1,3-CC insertion reaction of the magnesium carbenoids, are the first examples for the reaction of the magnesium carbenoids bearing a nitrile functional group.     

Indium-mediated alkynylation of Baylis-Hillman acetates: a novel route to 1,4-enynes

Baylis-Hillman acetates undergo smooth alkynylation with aryl-susbstituted iodoalkynes in the presence of indium metal in refluxing dichloromethane to furnish 1,4-enynes in high yields with (E)-stereoselectivity. In the absence of Lewis acid, the reaction follows both S_N2 and S_N2′ pathways affording 1:1 mixtures of 1,4-enynes. Upon addition of 10 mol % of InBr₃, the reaction proceeds preferably in the S_N2′ manner. In the case of adducts derived from acrylonitrile, the corresponding products are obtained in fairly good yields and with (Z)-stereoselectivity.     

Nucleophilic substitution at an sp carbon of vinyl halides with an intramolecular thiolate moiety: synthesis of 2-alkylidenethietanes

Various 2-alkylidenethietanes were synthesized by intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions at an sp² carbon of vinyl halides with thiolate moieties. The reaction pathway of the substitution reactions was confirmed as a very rare S_NVπ mechanism by theoretical and experimental studies.     

Efficient construction of bicyclic systems by an internal SN2′ enolate alkylation/ring-closing metathesis (RCM) strategy: a concise synthesis of the trans-hydrindane nucleus

A concise and efficient synthesis of the trans-hydrindane system has been achieved by a novel intramolecular S_N2′ enolate alkylation/ring-closing metathesis (RCM) strategy with a good degree of stereocontrol.     

An alternate approach to quinoline architecture via Baylis-Hillman chemistry: SnCl2-mediated tandem reaction toward synthesis of 4-(substituted vinyl)-quinolines

An alternate approach to densely substituted quinolines from the products of S_N2 nucleophilic substitution reaction between the acetyl derivatives of the Baylis-Hillman adducts obtained from 2-nitrobenzaldehydes and the carbonyl group containing carbon nucleophiles is described. Treatment of these compounds with SnCl₂, triggers a tandem reaction wherein reduction of the nitro group is followed by a remarkably regioselective intramolecular cyclization and subsequent dehydrogenation to afford 4-(substituted vinyl)-quinolines.     

A synthetic approach toward taxol analogs: studies on the construction of the CD ring

Tricycle 6, containing the CD ring of taxol, is constructed from (S)-(+)-carvone in 21 steps involving a Diels-Alder reaction with isoprene, a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, an Oppenaurer oxidation and Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction, a stereospecific Grignard addition, and an intramolecular S_N2 reaction as the key steps.     

Analyse conformationnelle a l'aide de la notation des angles de torsion-VIII: Interpretation conformationnelle de la reaction de substitution nucleophile(SN2) dans la serie des cycles petits et moyens

Taking geometric constraints into account, involved at the carbon atom undergoing configurational inversion in S_N2 displacement reactions of cyclic compounds, the conformational course of the reaction can be analysed. This method allows a rationalization of the relative rates of S_N2 reactions of isomeric compounds in the cyclohexane, cyclohexene, cyclopentane, and cyclopentene series. Conformational factors involved in the displacement reaction, which may orient it towards either S_N2 or S_N2' type of reaction are discussed.     

Solid-phase synthesis of natural product-like macrocycles by a sequence of Ugi-4CR and SNAr-based cycloetherification

An on-resin Ugi four-component reaction followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) has been developed for the rapid access to biaryl-ether containing macrocycles.     

Intramolecular SN2 reaction α- to a trifluoromethyl group: preparation of 1-cyano-2-trifluoromethylcyclopropane

The first intramolecular S_N2 reaction of α-trifluoromethylated secondary alcohols by a carbanion is described. A stereoselective intramolecular cyclization of 3-substituted-3-cyano-1-trifluoromethylpropyl sulfonate via the cyano stabilized carbanion provides 1-substituted-1-cyano-2-trifluoromethylcyclopropanes in good yields. The product has the opposite configuration to the starting alcohol at the carbon attached to trifluoromethyl group, revealing the reaction takes place in S_N2 manner with Walden inversion at the reaction center.     

Efficient synthesis of α-alkylidene-β-lactams via NaOH-promoted intramolecular aza-Michael addition of α-carbamoyl ketene-S,S-acetals in aqueous media

A facile and efficient synthesis of substituted α-alkylidene-β-lactams have been developed via a NaOH-promoted intramolecular aza-Michael addition of α-carbamoyl, α-(1-chlorovinyl) ketene-S,S-acetals and subsequent nucleophilic vinylic substitution (S_NV) reaction in alcoholic aqueous media.