An AB initio study of the cis- and trans -conformers of 1,3-butadiene,acrolein and glyoxal: evidence for a stabilizing interaction in cis-acrolein

The cis- and trans-conformers of 1,3-butadiene, acrolein and glyoxal have been studied using the 4-31G and (7, 3) basis sets with full geometry optimization. The changes in geometry in going from the cis- to the trans-structures indicate that the terminal carbon and oxygen atoms in cis-acrolein are closer together than would otherwise be expected from the butadiene and glyoxal data, and that the hydrogens of the CH₂ group are also affected. These results, together with a comparison of the changes in force constants for key structural elements, suggest that some sort of attractive interaction is present in cis-acrolein. ΔE_T, ΔE_K, ΔV_ee, ΔV_nn and ΔV_en are reported for the cis-trans isomerizations, the special geometrical features of the cis-conformer being reflected in ΔV_nn for the acrolein reaction. The positive ΔE_T values for the disproportionation reactions of both conformers2 acrolein → 1,3-butadiene + glyoxal show that the acrolein framework provides the most stable combination of the H₂C, CH- and O structural elements, while the bigger value for the cis-conformers affords additional evidence that the interaction in cis-acrolein is stabilizing in nature. However, in going from the trans- to the cis-structure neither the change in f_C-H,C-H for the C-H that would be involved in an H- bond, nor the change in charge on the atoms in the C-H ? O unit. based on Mulliken population analyses, are in accord with what would be expected for a hydrogen-bonding type of interaction. Instead the stabilization may be a manifestation of the different pattern of charge distribution along the polyene chain of acrolein, i.e. with the ends oppositely charged, compared to butadiene and glyoxal, in which the ends carry the same charge.     

Cationic cyclization of keto-epoxides mediated by zirconium(IV) tetrachloride: diastereoselective synthesis of cis-decalinols

10-Methyl-cis-9-decalinols are important motifs in several natural products and key intermediates in total synthesis. Herein, we wish to describe a highly chemo- and diastereoselective cyclization of keto-epoxides leading to 10-methyl-cis-9-decalinols. This method based on the use of zirconium(IV) tetrachloride permits the access to a wide variety of cis-decalinols in good to excellent yields. The cationic cyclization could also be performed with chiral keto-epoxide with complete control of the diastereoselectivity affording cis-bicyclic tertiary alcohol with good enantiomeric excess. The chemo- and the diastereoselectivity are assumed to result from the ability of Zr(IV) to generate highly stable bidentic complexes with α-hydroxy-ketone intermediates.     

Selectivities in the reaction of vicinal diimines and acyl chlorides

The reaction of vicinal diimines and acyl chlorides in the presence of triethylamine produces 3-imino-β-lactams and/or bis-β-lactams chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectively, which are important intermediates in pharmaceutical and organic synthesis. The selectivities in the reaction have been investigated. The results indicate that all diimines react with various ketenes generated from acyl chlorides in the presence of triethylamine to give rise to cis-4-imino-β-lactams (mono-cis-β-lactams) diastereoselectively due to the electron-withdrawing property of the imino group in the vicinal diimines. Bis-β-lactams were obtained from diimines via the mono-cis-β-lactams as intermediates. Only ketenes with strong electron-donating substituents can react with the mono-cis-β-lactams to yield bis-β-lactams, affording a pair of C2-symmetric cis-bis-β-lactams with symmetric diimines, two or four pairs of diastereomeric bis-β-lactams with ketoaldehyde-derived unsymmetric diimines depending on the steric hindrance of their N-substituents. The current investigation provides very important information for the selective preparation of mono- and bis-β-lactams from vicinal diimines.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines from 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates

Diastereoselective synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines from 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates is described. Regioselective ring-opening reactions of 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates derived from L-phenylalanine, alanine, valine, norvaline with the ketal protected acetylide with a phenyl substituent proceed smoothly to form the N-sulfamate intermediates which on acidic hydrolysis give alkynylated amines with the ketal group intact. Hydrogenation of the alkynylated amines, debenzylation, ketal deprotection, subsequent cyclization (of aminoketones) and stereoselective hydrogenation of the cyclic iminium ion intermediates afford the corresponding cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines in high diastereoselectivity (98%?≥?d.e.) with good chemical yields (68–86%). The present approach provides a novel route for the stereoselective synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines.     

Efficient and shortcut syntheses of some novel eight-membered ring cyclitols starting from cycloocta-1,3-diene

Cyclooctane-1,2,3,4-tetraols, aminocyclooctanetriol, and chlorocyclooctanetriol were synthesized starting from cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadiene by a concise and efficient method. Cyclooctene endoperoxide and cyclooctene epoxide obtained by photooxygenation and epoxidation, respectively, of cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadiene were used as the key intermediates. The other oxygen, nitrogen, and chloro functionalities were introduced via epoxidation of the remaining double bond, ring-opening of epoxide, and cis-hydroxylation reactions.     

Design and synthesis of useful intermediates for novel lipoxygenase substrates through enzymatic resolution

Unnatural lipoxygenase substrates carrying spacing modifiers with a non-ionic hydroxy terminus and with methylene (flanked by the cis,cis diene moiety) pro-(S)-hydrogen can be synthesized from the intermediates 1a–1c. These intermediates are conveniently synthesized via enzymatic resolution with lipase in organic solvents.     

Nickel-catalyzed amination of 1,3-dienes Evidence for a π-allyl intermediate

syn-π-Crotylbis(triethyl phosphite) nickel hexafluorophosphate reacts with morpholine to give 1-(N-morpholino)-2-butene. This π-crotylnickel complex, without added acid, catalyzes the reaction of butadiene with morpholine. From these observations, π-allyl intermediates are proposed as intermediates in the amination of 1,3-dienes. trans-1,3-Pentadiene reacts with amines more easily than the cis-isomer. The different reactivities are discussed on the basis of the stability of π-allyl complexes which are assumed to be key intermediates.     

Alkylation of benzyl,cyclopropylmethyl and allyl acetates with trialkylaluminum. A stereochemical study

The title reaction is found synthetically useful and the stereochemical sudy has revealed that carbocationic intermediates are involved in the reaction of endo-2-acetoxy-norcarane, its epimer, and acetates of cis- and trans-carveol with trimethylaluminum.     

A Computational Study on the Mechanism of Catalytic Cyclopropanation Reaction with Cobalt N-Confused Porphyrin: The Effects of Inner Carbon and Intramolecular Axial Ligand

The factors that affect acceleration and high trans/cis selectivity in the catalytic cyclopropanation reaction of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate by cobalt N-confused porphyrin (NCP) complexes were investigated using density functional theory calculations. The reaction rate was primarily related to the energy gap between the cobalt–carbene adduct intermediates, A and B, which was affected by the NCP skeletons and axial pyridine ligands more than the corresponding porphyrin complex. In addition, high trans/cis stereoselectivity was determined at the TS1 and, in part, in the isomerization process at the carbon-centered radical intermediates, C_trans and C_cis.     

cis-β-Bromostyrene derivatives from cinnamic acids via a tandem substitutive bromination-decarboxylation sequence

cis-β-Bromostyrene derivatives were synthesized stereospecifically from cinnamic acids through β-lactone intermediates. The synthetic sequence did not require the purification of the β-lactone intermediates although they were found to be stable and readily purified in most cases.     

Synthesis of chiral alkenyl epoxides: the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm Ennomus subsignaria (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The identification of the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm Ennomos subsignaria (Hübner), as the chiral alkenyl epoxide (6Z)-cis-9,10-epoxy-nonadecene has been accomplished. Both enantiomers of (6Z)-cis-9,10-epoxy-nonadecene have been synthesized via two routes. The key steps in the first route were to prepare both threo-epoxy tosylates and then to perform an alkylative rearrangement of these intermediates to obtain the target molecules. An alternative enantioenriched synthesis that took advantage of the Sharpless dihydroxylation reaction was developed so that a common starting material could be used to access both enantiomers. A field study and GC/EAD testing indicated that Z6-cis-9S,10R-epoxy-nonadecene was the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm E. subsignaria (Hübner).     

Theoretical studies on selectivities in the Staudinger reaction of vicinal diimines and ketenes

The selectivities,including peri-,regio-,and diastereoselectivities,in the Staudinger reaction involving vicinal diimines and ketenes were investigated theoretically via the density functional theory(DFT) calculation.The results indicate that vicinal diimines prefer stepwise [2+2] cycloaddition rather than [2+4] cycloaddition to generate cis-4-imino-β-lactams.The diimines attack the less sterically hindered exo-side of ketenes to generate zwitterionic intermediates,which directly undergo a conrotatory ring closure to produce cis-4-imino-β-lactams whatever diimines with less or more bulky N-substituents.For unsymmetric vicinal ketoaldehyde-derived diimines,their ketimines attack the exo-side of ketenes and undergo a conrotatory ring closure to produce cis-4-aldimino-β-lactams due to less steric effect.The current theoretical studies provide very important information for in-depth understanding of the selective formation of mono-cis-β-lactams from vicinal diimines and ketenes.     

Reactivity of cyclooctene derived episulfonium ions toward nucleophiles and the course of sulfenyl halide addition to cyclooctene

The reactions of the stable S-methylepisutfonium ions derived from cis-cyclooctene with various nucleophiles were found to proceed mainly as the attack at a C atom of episulfonium ring in contrast to the previous data of Helmkamp et al.⁴ The course of the RSCI Ad_E-reaction with cyclooctene under the conditions of increased polarity corresponded to the formation of intermediates closely related to episulfonium ions. Transannular 1,5-hydride shift was observed for the reaction of 2,4-dinitrobensenesuilfenyl derivatives with cis-cyclooctene.     

Chiral base route to functionalised cyclopentenyl amines: formal synthesis of the cyclopentene core of nucleoside Q

A chiral base route to a range of highly functionalised amino cyclopentenes has been developed. The key asymmetric step involved the chiral lithium amide base-mediated rearrangement of a protected trans-4-hydroxy cyclopentene oxide to give an allylic alcohol (88% ee). Subsequent Overman rearrangement gave a protected trans-1,2-aminocyclopentenol whereas Mitsunobu substitution with BocNHNs gave a protected cis-amino cyclopentenol. Both are proven intermediates for natural product synthesis. The protected cis-aminocyclopentenol was transformed in a few steps into a precursor of the cyclopentene core of nucleoside Q, a natural product whose deficiency in animals is related to tumour growth.     

Stereoselective synthesis of l-isoxazolidinyl thymidine from N-benzyl-1,2-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde nitrone (BIGN)

A synthetic approach to l-isoxazolidinyl nucleosides is demonstrated by the stereoselective conversion of N-benzyl-1,2-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde nitrone (BIGN) into cis and trans l-isoxazolidinyl thymidine. The methodology consists of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of BIGN with either vinyl acetate or a vinyl base to give key intermediates that are easily transformed into the target compound. The experimental results of the cycloaddition reactions can be qualitatively explained by theoretical ab initio calculations.     

A new route into hexahydro-cyclopenta[b]pyrrole-cis-3a,6-diols. Synthesis of constrained bicyclic analogues of pyrrolidine azasugars

Compounds that simultaneously combine charge and conformational features of glycosyltransfer transition states are of interest as transition state analog inhibitors. The synthesis of a central intermediate, cis-3a,6-dihydroxy-hexahydro-cyclopenta[b]pyrrol-2-one, which yielded a family of substituted cis-3a,6-dihydroxy-hexahydro-cyclopenta[b]pyrroles that combine conformational biasing and transition state charge mimicry, is described. The key steps in this synthesis involve synthesis of (2-azido-1,3-dihydroxy-cyclopentyl)-acetic acid ethyl ester in four steps from cyclopentenone, followed by an efficient reductive cyclization of the azide to the bicyclic lactam. The lactam was subsequently converted into the corresponding bicyclic pyrrolidine, and analogs having phenyl, hydroxyl, and phosphate substituents.     

Reactions of urocanic acid (UCA) methyl esters with singlet oxygen and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD)

Singlet oxygen adds to the imidazole ring of cis- and trans-methyl urocanate (MUC) to yield the corresponding 2,5-endoperoxides, which are modestly stable at low temperature but decompose upon warming to form complex reaction mixtures. MTAD, a singlet oxygen mimic, reacts with cis- and trans-MUC to yield stereospecific [4+2] reaction products involving the olefinic side chain and the C₄-C₅ double bond of the imidazole ring. trans-MUC forms a 1:2 MTAD adduct while the cis isomer yields only the 1:1 adduct at 25 °C. The stereospecificity and absence of MeOH trapping adducts indicate that these reactions may not involve open or trappable dipolar intermediates.     

Tellurium in organic synthesis : V. X-ray structure of 8-ethoxy-4-cyclooctenyltellurium trichloride and its relevance to the TeO2-oxidation of alkenes

The molecular structure of 8-ethoxy-4-cyclooctenyltellurium trichloride has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with four formula units in a cell of dimensions: a 7.712(1), b 13.406(3), c 13.820(2) Å and β 95.18(1)°. The structure was solved by the conventional heavy atom method, and refined by the least-squares procedure to R = 0.025 for 2199 reflections.The compound is formed from the corresponding β-chloroalkyltellurium tri-chloride, obtained from TeCl₄ and cis, cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene, by an unusually mild solvolytic substitution reaction in ethanol. Similar β-chloroalkyltellurium compounds are postulated as intermediates in the TeO₂ oxidation of alkenes to alkanediol diacetates and alkanediol monoacetates in HOAc containing a lithium halide, LiX. Oxidation of cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene with TeO₂/HOAc/LiBr gave a high preference for cis-stereochemistry in the products while 1-decene showed no stereospecificity.     

Cyclization of 1,3-diaryl-3-phenylsulfanyl-1-propanols to thiochromans with the participation of [1,3]-PhS shift

Optically active (3R,1RS)-3-aryl-1-phenyl-3-phenylsulfanyl-1-propanols were easily dehydrated forming mainly rac-cis-2-aryl-4-phenylthiochroman, and rac-cis-4-aryl-2-phenylthiochroman along with the corresponding trans-isomers. The observed reaction outcome (rearrangement and racemisation) apparently results from the S_EAr reaction involving the unusual 1,3-phenylsulfanyl group migration. This interpretation is supported by the results of theoretical studies (DFT) on the supposed intermediates.     

Enzymatic resolution of five membered heterocyclic bromohydrins

The lipase catalyzed resolution of trans-3,4-tetrahydrofuran and pyrrolidine bromohydrins by acylation or hydrolysis of their acylated derivatives has been studied. For both heterocycles, the best enantioselectivity was obtained using Candida antarctica lipase B as the catalyst in the hydrolytic processes. The enantiomerically pure bromohydrins are useful intermediates for the preparation of 3,4-fuctionalized cis-heterocycles.