Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reactions: see text] A rhodium complex of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been developed for intra- and intermolecular [4 + 2] and intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. This is the first use of a transition-metal NHC complex in a Diels-Alder-type reaction. For the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the dienynes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-99% yields within 10 min. Moreover, up to 1900 turnovers have been obtained for the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition at 15-20 degrees C. For the intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions, high yields (71-99%) of the corresponding cycloaddition products were obtained. The reaction time and yield were highly dependent upon the diene and the dienophile. For the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the alkyne vinylcyclopropanes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-98% yields within 10 min. However, the catalytic system was not effective for an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Silicon-initiated carbonylative carbotricyclization and [2+2+2+1] cycloaddition of enediynes catalyzed by rhodium complexes

The reaction of dodec-11-ene-1,6-diynes or their heteroatom congeners with a hydrosilane catalyzed by Rh(acac)(CO)2 at ambient temperature and pressure of CO gives the corresponding fused 5-7-5 tricyclic products, 5-oxo-1,3a,4,5,7,9-hexahydro-3H-cyclopenta[e]azulenes or their heteroatom congeners, in excellent yields through a unique silicon-initiated cascade carbonylative carbotricyclization (CO-SiCaT) process. It has also been found that the 5-7-5 fused tricyclic products can be obtained from the same type of enediynes and CO through a novel intramolecular [2+2+2+1] cycloaddition process. The characteristics of these two tricyclization processes and the fundamental differences in their reaction mechanisms are discussed. This novel higher-order cycloaddition reaction has also been successfully applied to the tricyclization of undeca-5,10-diyn-1-als, affording the corresponding 5-7-5 fused-ring products bearing a seven-membered lactone moiety. Related [2+2+2] tricyclizations of enediyne and diynal substrates are also discussed. These newly discovered reactions can construct multiple bonds all at once, converting linear starting materials to polycyclic compounds in a single step. Thus, these new processes provide innovative routes to functionalized polycyclic compounds that are useful for the syntheses of natural and unnatural products.     

NHC-catalyzed enantioselective [2 + 2] and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of ketenes with isothiocyanates

The enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed formal [2 + 2] and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of ketenes and isothiocyanates were developed. Reaction with N-aryl isothiocyanates at room temperature favors the [2 + 2] cycloaddition, while reaction with N-benzoyl isothiocyanates at -40 °C favors the [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition.     

Three-component cycloadditions: the first transition metal-catalyzed [5+2+1] cycloaddition reactions

Prompted by our studies of transition metal-catalyzed [4+4], [4+2], [5+2], and [6+2] cycloadditions and by the view that these two-component reactions could be intercepted by a third component of one or more atoms, a new three-component transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition is described. This new [5+2+1] cycloaddition proceeds in good to excellent yield and with high or complete regioselectivity with a variety of carbonyl-substituted alkynes to give bicyclo[3.3.0]octenone adducts, resulting from transannular closure of the intermediate eight-membered-ring cycloadduct. Effects of concentration, temperature, pressure, and catalyst loading on the efficiency of the reaction are discussed. This process provides access to complex building blocks for synthesis based on simple, readily available components.     

过渡金属催化[2 + 2 + 2]环加成反应合成吡啶衍生物

环加成反应可以一步同时构建多个化学键,是目前国内外研究最为活跃的领域之一。相比于传统方法,过渡金属催化的[2+2+2]环加成反应是合成吡啶衍生物的有效手段。本文从反应机理、非手性吡啶化合物合成和手性吡啶化合物合成三个方面阐述了近年来吡啶衍生物的研究情况,涉及Co、Rh、Ru、Fe、Ni、Ti等金属催化体系。     

Substituent Effects on Fe+-Mediated [4+2] Cycloadditions in the Gas Phase

The Fe⁺-mediated [4+2] cycloaddition of dienes with alkynes has been examined by four-sector ion-beam and ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Prospects and limitations of this reaction were evaluated by investigating several Me-substituted ligands. Me Substitution at C(2) and C(3) of the diene, i.e., 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, hardly disturbs the cycloaddition. Similarly, variation of the alkyne by use of propyne and but-2-yne does not affect the [4+2] cycloaddition step, but allows for H/D exchange processes prior to cyclization. In contrast, Me substituents in the terminal positions of the diene moiety (e.g., penta-1,3-diene, liexa-2,4-diene) induce side reactions, namely double-bond migration followed by [3+2] and [5+2] cycloadditions, up to almost complete suppression of the [4+2] cycloaddition for 2,4-dimethylhexa-2,4-diene. Similarly, alkynes with larger alkyl substituents (pent-1-yne, 3,3-dimethylbut-1-yne) suppress the [4 + 2] cycloaddition route. Stereochemical effects have been observed for the (E)- and (Z)-penta-1,3-diene ligands as well as for (E,E)- and (E,Z)-hexa-2,4-diene. A mechanistic explanation for the different behavior of the stereoisomers in the cyclization reaction is developed. Further, the regiochemical aspects operative in the systems ethoxyacetylene/pentadiene/Fe⁺ and ethoxyacetylcne/isoprene/Fe⁺ indicate that substituents avoid proximity.     

Recent advances in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions

The [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an elegant, atom-efficient and group tolerant process for the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles, mostly aromatic, involving the formation of several C-C bonds in a single step. Cyclotrimerisation is catalyzed by a variety of organometallic complexes, including more than 15 different metals. The aim of this tutorial review is to point out the most recent advances in this field and to encourage the use of this reaction enroute to complex molecules. After summarizing the most common catalysts and reaction conditions generally used, we survey the mechanistic features currently accepted for this reaction. Section 4 covers the scope of the different [2+2+2] cycloaddition versions starting with the cyclotrimerisation of three triple bonds, including nitriles, with especial emphasis on asymmetric reactions that create central, axial or planar chirality. Then, reactions that use double bonds are addressed. Finally, the most outstanding examples of natural products synthesis using [2+2+2] cycloadditions as a key step reported recently are shown.     

A formal [3+2] cycloaddition process with nonactivated aziridines to polysubstituted indolizidines

[chemical reaction: see text]. Heating a mixture of ethyl 7-iodo-2-heptynoate (or its analogues), 2-aryl aziridines, and K2CO3 in dry CH(3)CN delivers polysubstituted indolizidines. This reaction goes through an S(N)2/formal [3+2] cycloaddition process and represents the first synthetically useful example of the formal [3+2] cycloaddition process through a C-N bond cleavage of nonactivated aziridines.     

Cobalt-mediated macrocyclizations. Facile synthesis of 2-oxo pyridinophanes via [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alpha, omega-diynes and isocyanates

[reaction: see text] Cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alpha,omega-diynes and isocyanates provides a direct approach to macrocyclic 2-oxopyridinophanes. This macrocyclization process, which proceeded most efficiently with aliphatic isocyanates, was conveniently performed at a moderate temperature (85 degrees C) without irradiation or syringe-pump addition.     

Transition metal-catalyzed hetero-[5 + 2] cycloadditions of cyclopropyl imines and alkynes: dihydroazepines from simple,readily available starting materials

The first example of a transition metal-catalyzed hetero-[5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction is described. Use of cyclopropyl imines as five-atom components, an alkyne as a two-carbon component, and a Rh(I) catalyst enables a new route to dihydroazepines. This new hetero-[5 + 2] cycloaddition works well with aldimines, ketimines, and with substituted cyclopropanes and affords the desired dihydroazepines in excellent yields as single regioisomers. Use of serial imine formation/aza-[5 + 2] cycloaddition generates the desired dihydroazepines in one operation from three commercially available starting materials. The reaction has been scaled to give gram quantities of dihydroazepine.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-aphanamol I based on the transition metal catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition of allenes and vinylcyclopropanes

A concise asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-aphanamol I is described, based on the transition metal catalyzed [5 + 2] allenyl-vinylcyclopropane cycloaddition. The key cycloaddition precursor is convergently assembled from (R)-(+)-limonene and cyclopropane diester through a novel decarboxylative dehydration reaction. The metal-catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition of this precursor proceeds with complete chemo, endo/exo, and diastereoselectivity in 93% yield, representing an effective general route to bicyclo[5.3.0]decane derivatives.     

Polar [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ketones with electrophilically activated carbonyl ylides. Synthesis of spirocyclic dioxolane indolinones

The [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between carbonyl ylides generated from epoxides and ketones (ethyl pyruvate, ethyl phenylglyoxylate, isatin, N-methylisatin and 5-chloroisatin) to give substituted dioxolanes and spirocyclic dioxolane indolinones was investigated. The effect of microwave irradiation on the outcome of the reaction was studied. The thermal reaction between 2,2-dicyano-3-phenyloxirane and N-methylisatin was theoretically studied using DFT methods. This reaction is a domino process that comprises two steps. The first is the thermal ring opening of the epoxide to yield a carbonyl ylide intermediate, whereas the second step is a polar [3 + 2] cycloaddition to yield the final spiro cycloadducts. The cycloaddition presents a low stereoselectivity and a large regio- and chemoselectivity. Analysis of the electrophilicity values and the Fukui functions of the reagents involved in the cycloaddition step allowed the chemical outcome to be explained.     

Synthesis of silafluorenes by iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of silicon-bridged diynes with alkynes

[reaction: see text] Silicon-bridged 1,6-diynes underwent [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition with alkynes in the presence of an iridium(I)-phosphine catalyst to afford densely substituted silafluorene derivatives. Extended silafluorene skeletons were constructed by the [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of tetraynes.     

3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 4-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinolinium inner salts

Heating dipolarophiles with 4-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinolinium hydroxide inner salts results in [3 + 2] cycloaddition across positions 3a and 5 of the aromatic system to give the [3 + 2] cycloadducts in good yield. When the 4-alkyl substituent is a 2-acetate ester and the methylene group can be deprotonated, a second mode of [3 + 2] cycloaddition becomes available for the resulting anion (across the side chain methine group and position 5 of the aromatic system) and occurs under basic conditions, allowing either of two modes of [3 + 2] cycloaddition to be selected by appropriate choice of reaction conditions.     

Mechanism, regioselectivity, and the kinetics of phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes

With the aid of computations and experiments, the detailed mechanism of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes has been investigated. It was found that this reaction includes four consecutive processes: 1) In situ generation of a 1,3-dipole from allenoate and phosphine, 2) stepwise [3+2] cycloaddition, 3) a water-catalyzed [1,2]-hydrogen shift, and 4) elimination of the phosphine catalyst. In situ generation of the 1,3-dipole is key to all nucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed reactions. Through a kinetic study we have shown that the generation of the 1,3-dipole is the rate-determining step of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes. DFT calculations and FMO analysis revealed that an electron-withdrawing group is required in the allene to ensure the generation of the 1,3-dipole kinetically and thermodynamically. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM) theory was used to analyze the stability of the 1,3-dipole. The regioselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition can be rationalized very well by FMO and AIM theories. Isotopic labeling experiments combined with DFT calculations showed that the commonly accepted intramolecular [1,2]-proton shift should be corrected to a water-catalyzed [1,2]-proton shift. Additional isotopic labeling experiments of the hetero-[3+2] cycloaddition of allenoates and electron-deficient imines further support this finding. This investigation has also been extended to the study of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkynoates as the three-carbon synthon, which showed that the generation of the 1,3-dipole in this reaction also occurs by a water-catalyzed process.     

"Formal" ruthenium-catalyzed [4+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes to 1,3-dienes: formation of cyclooctatrienes vs vinylcyclohexadienes

[reaction: see text] A new "formal" Ru-catalyzed [4+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes to 1,3-dienes giving conjugated 1,3,5-cyclooctatrienes and vinylcyclohexadienes is described. This formal cycloaddition is really a tandem process, the Ru(II)-catalyzed formation of (Z)-tetraenes or vinyl-(Z)-trienes followed by a pure thermal conrotatory 8 pi- or disrotatory 6 pi-electrocyclization. The proposed mechanism allows the differences in product ratio to be explained in terms of steric and stereochemical considerations.     

The fascinating construction of pyridine ring systems by transition metal-catalysed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

Cycloaddition reactions compose one of the most important classes of reactions when it comes to the simultaneous formation of several bonds in one reaction step. The de novo construction of carbocyclic aromatic systems from acetylenes was also found as an excellent possibility for the assembly of heteroaromatic systems. The transition metal-catalysed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction constitutes a fascinating tool for the synthesis of pyridines from nitriles and the most recent developments demonstrate the ability to control the substitution pattern as well as the possibility of introducing chirality by the use of achiral substrates and a chiral catalyst under mild conditions. In this tutorial review we are focusing on the de novo construction of pyridine ring systems by the transition metal-catalysed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. After surveying the mechanistic features and intermediates of the reaction depending on the different metal complexes used, we depict the preparation of achiral pyridine derivatives. The last section describes the advances in the synthesis of chiral pyridines and biaryls using the cyclotrimerization method. The various possibilities of introducing chirality by catalytic means are presented and illustrated by instructive examples. This review will be of interest for people active in: Organic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Transition Metal Chemistry, Stereoselective Synthesis, Heterocyclic Chemistry.     

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Bridged [5+2] Cycloaddition of cis-Allene-vinylcyclopropanes to Synthesize the Bicyclo[4.3.1]decane Skeleton

Previously reported was that cis-ene-vinylcyclopropanes (cis-ene-VCPs) underwent Rh-catalyzed [5+2] reaction to give 5,7-fused bicyclic products, where vinylcyclopropane (VCP) acts as five-carbon synthon. Unfortunately, this reaction had very limited scope. Replacing the 2π component of cis-ene-VCPs to allene moiety, the corresponding cis-allene-VCPs did not undergo the expected normal [5+2] cycloaddition to give 5,7-fused bicyclic products. Instead, the challenging bicyclo[4.3.1]decane skeleton was obtained via an unprecedented bridged [5+2] cycloaddition. DFT calculations were applied to understand why this bridged [5+2] reaction is favored over the anticipated but not realized normal [5+2] reaction.     

[6+2]Cycloadditions catalyzed by titanium complexes

The Ziegler catalyst TiCl₄-Et₂AlCl and the arenetitanium(II) complex (η6-C₆H₆)Ti(II)(AlCl₄)₂ induce [6 + 2]cycloaddition reactions of cycloheptatriene with dienes and acetylenes. Addition to 1,3-butadiene affords 7 - endo - vinyl - bicyclo[4.2.1]nona - 2,4 - diene (main product) and bicyclo[4.4.1]- undeca - 2,4,8 - triene, a product of [6+4]cycloaddition. Isoprene reacts similarly, yielding mainly 7- endo - isopropenyl - bicyclo[4.2.1]nona - 2,4 - diene. 2,3 - Dimethyl - 1,3 - butadiene gives 8,9dimethylbicyclo [4.4.1]undeca - 2,4,8 - triene, a product of [6 + 4]cycloaddition, while [6 + 2]cross-adducts are minor products. The reaction of cycloheptatriene with norbornadiene gives mainly hexacyclo[6.5.1.0^2,7.0^3,12.^6,10.0^9,13]tetradec - 4 - ene via [6+2]cycloaddition followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. As a by-product, pentacyclo[7.5.0.0^2,7.0^3,5.0⁴⁸]tetradeca - 10,12 - diene is formed by a [2+2+2]mechanism. Addition of cycloheptatriene to diphenylacetylene and bis - (tri- methylsilyl)acetylene furnishes sustituted bicyclo[4.2.1]nona - 2,4,7 - trienes. Alkenes, E,E-2,4 - hexadiene and 1,3 - cyclooctadiene are unreactive. The [6+2]cycloaddition is made possible by coordination of cycloheptatriene to titanium, which changes the symmetry of the frontier orbitals in the triene. The reactivity of the trienophile is also enhanced by coordination to the catalyst.     

2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions of macrocyclic systems catalyzed by transition metals. A review

Polyalkyne and enediyne azamacrocycles are prepared from arenesulfonamides and various alkyne and alkene derivatives either under basic or neutral conditions. The new family of macrocyclic substrates is tested in the [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Several catalysts are used for the cycloisomerization reaction, and their enantioinduction is evaluated as appropriate. The effect of the structural features of the macrocycles, namely the ring size, substituents in precise positions and the number and type of unsaturations, on the [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction has also been studied.