[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement by a chlorine-lithium exchange

The reaction of different allylic chloromethyl ethers 1 with an excess of lithium powder (1:7 molar ratio) and a catalytic amount of DTBB (2.5 mol %) in THF at 0 °C for 1 h gives, after hydrolysis with water, the expected alcohols 2 resulting from a [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement, in an exclusive manner. The same process can also be applied to the corresponding [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement, as it is exemplified for benzyl chloromethyl ether.     

[1,2]-Wittig rearrangement from chloromethyl ethers

The reaction of different chloromethyl ethers 1 with an excess of lithium powder and a catalytic amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (2.5 mol %) in THF at 0 °C leads to the corresponding α-lithiomethyl ether intermediates, through a chlorine-lithium exchange, which spontaneously undergo a clean [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement affording the expected homobenzylic alcohols 2. This is the first version of this rearrangement starting from easily available chloromethyl ethers.     

[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement of methyl β-pyrrolidinyl-γ-allyloxy-(E)-2-butenoate. Expeditious synthesis of 5-alkenyl-4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-5H-furan-2-ones

Dienolates of various γ-allyloxy substituted methyl β-pyrrolidinyl (E)-2-butenoate undergo a [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement to generate various 5-alkenyl-4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-5H-furan-2-one type compounds.     

Synthesis of optically enriched 1,2-aminoalcohols by [2,3]-Wittig rearrangements of 3-aza-allylic alcohol derivatives

[2,3]-Wittig rearrangements of (E)-3-aza-allylic alcohol derivatives can provide access to syn or anti optically enriched 1,2-aminoalcohols by using a chirality transfer or a chiral auxiliary.     

Dearomatization of furans via [2,3]-Still-Wittig rearrangement

Furans and benzofurans of type 1 were dearomatized via the [2,3]-Still-Wittig rearrangement. Enol ethers 2 could be isolated or isomerized to the corresponding furans 3. The substitution pattern at the homofuranylic position had a strong influence on reaction behavior. Benzofurans rearranged with the greatest efficiency, and employment of a 3-substituted benzofuran (1; R′=CH₃) allowed the creation of a quaternary carbon center.     

Studies on the deprotonation and subsequent [1,4]-Wittig rearrangement of α-benzyloxyallylsilanes

Upon exposure to s-BuLi, benzyloxyallylsilane undergoes an unusually rapid and efficient [1,4]-Wittig rearrangement. Herein we describe efforts aimed at trapping the intermediate α-carbanion with an electrophile prior to rearrangement. The results of these experiments indicate that α-deprotonation and bond reorganization are separate events. Findings herein further indicate that the future success of benzyloxyallylsilanes in [1,4]-Wittig rearrangements will likely hinge on the acidity of the benzylic protons.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of substituted prolines via 5-endo-trig cyclisations of aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement products

The major diastereoisomers of aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement products from α-amino acid derivatives are susceptible to a rare nucleophilic 5-endo-trig cyclisations of an amine onto a non-conjugated vinylsilane in high yield and complete diastereocontrol. Five examples are presented, with cyclisation yields between 35 and 87%. A rationale for the stereoselectivity of the cyclisation is forwarded based upon the steric control factors that have been documented for the aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement. A discussion of the mechanism in the context of the reaction conditions is also presented. Oxidation of the silyl group to a hydroxyl group and complete removal were demonstrated for synthetic utility.     

Highly enantioselective catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement of 2-alkoxycarbonyl-substituted allyl vinyl ethers

Progress in the catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement of 2-alkoxycarbonyl-substituted allyl vinyl ether is reported. Application of a more Lewis acidic catalyst, [Cu{(S,S)-t-Bu-box}](H₂O)₂(SbF₆)₂, afforded β-chiral α-keto ester with an enantiomeric excess up to 99%. We suggest a highly polarized transition state for the Lewis acid-catalyzed Claisen rearrangement in order to explain the experimental results.     

Total synthesis of (3S,4S,2′S)- and (3R,4R,2′S)-viridiofungin A triester

The total synthesis of an alkylcitrate secondary metabolite from the fungi Trichoderma viride is described. An ester dienolate [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement and a S. Julia-Kocienski olefination served as key C/C-connecting transformations. The highly convergent synthesis consists of a longest linear sequence of 17 steps.     

Ring expansion of trans-divinyl ethylene oxide by oxonium ylide [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement

Oxonium ylide [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of trans-divinyl ethylene oxide is observed upon its exposure to ethyl or t-butyl diazoacetate in the presence of either Rh(II) or Cu(II) catalysts to produce cis-6-vinyl-3,6-dihydropyran-2-carboxylates.     

Lewis acid mediated [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic ammonium ylides

An investigation of the Lewis acid mediated [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic ammonium ylides has been conducted by employing various bases and boron Lewis acids. Using BBr₃ together with the phosphazene base 6, various allylic amines could be rearranged in good yields with low to excellent diastereoselectivity.     

Studies on the [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of aziridinium ions

The aziridinium ylide generated by the intramolecular reaction of a metal carbenoid tethered to a vinylaziridine undergoes [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement to furnish the indolizidine skeleton. It is essential that the correct nitrogen invertomer is used or a competing [1,5]-hydrogen shift predominates. During the preparation of a second system a `one-pot' acylation-[3,3]-Claisen rearrangement was observed, delivering a seven-membered lactam.     

Efficient synthesis of 2- and 3-substituted-2,3-dihydro [1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives

A versatile new approach for the synthesis in three steps of 2-substituted-2,3-dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridines B via a Smiles rearrangement using easily available reagents is described. A study illustrating the influence of experimental conditions on the progress of the reaction is reported.     

A concise synthesis of functionalized 2,3-dihydrofuro[3,2-b], [3,2-c], and [2,3-b]pyridines

A strategy for the efficient and rapid one-pot synthesis of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrofuro[3,2-b], [3,2-c], and [2,3-b]pyridines from readily available o-nitropicolines and aromatic aldehydes is described. The key transformation involves reaction of o-nitropicolines with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of TBAF and Hünig's base giving rise to functionalized products having molecular complexity suitable for further manipulation.     

Studies on triacetic acid lactone-annulated heterocycles: synthesis of 3-aryloxyacetyl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyran-4-ones by tandem cyclization

The hitherto unreported 3-aryloxyacetyl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyran-4-ones were synthesized in 62–71% yield by the sulfoxide rearrangement of 4-(4′-aryloxybut-2′-ynylthio)-6-methyl-2-pyrone. The substrates were synthesized by phase-transfer-catalysed alkylation of the hitherto unreported 4-mercapto-6-methylpyran-2-one.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-L-733,060

A concise, stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-L-733,060 was achieved. Key features involve diastereoselective oxazoline formation catalyzed by palladium(0) and intramolecular cyclization by catalytic hydrogenation of an oxazoline.     

Polyethylene glycol-promoted synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole and pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives in water

Synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole and pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives were achieved using polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) as promoting reaction medium in water under catalyst-free conditions at reflux and room temperature, respectively. The structure of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole was confirmed using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, and HMBC experiments. The promising points for the present methodology are efficiency, generality, high yield, short reaction time, cleaner reaction profile, ease of product isolation, simplicity, potential of recycling reaction medium, and finally agreement with green chemistry protocols.     

Experimental and Theoretical DFT Investigations in the [2,3]-Wittig-Type Rearrangement of Propargyl/Allyl-Oxy-Pyrazolones

Here we report the synthesis of interesting 3-alkyl-4-hydroxy-1-aryl-4-(propa-1,2-dienyl)1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones and 9-alkyl-7-aryl-1-oxa-7,8-diazaspiro[4.4]nona-3,8-dien-6-ones, starting from 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes (DDs) and propargyl alcohol. The reaction proceeds through a sequence Michael-type nucleophilic attack/cyclization/[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement. In the same way, the reaction between the aforementioned DDs and allyl alcohol furnished 4-allyl-4-hydroxy-3-alkyl-1-aryl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones. A DFT study was also carried out, in order to have decisive clarifications about the mechanism.     

A NOVEL SYNTHESIS OF 2-SUBSTITUTED-4H-THIENO [2,3-d][1,3] OXAZIN-4-ONE AND 2,3-DISUBSTITUTED THIENO [2,3-d]PYRIMIDIN-4(3H)-ONE DERIVATIVES

Abstract

The synthesis of acetic 2-{[1-methyl-2-(4-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-benzo [4,5]-thieno [2,3-d] [1,3-oxazin-2-yl)ethylidene]amino}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrohenzo[b]thiophene ?3-carboxylic acid anhydride 5 and 2-(oxopropyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-benzo-[4,5] thieno[2,3-d][1,3]oxazin-4-one 7, has been achieved in three steps from ethyl 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo(b]thiophene-3-carboxlate 1 via the reaction with ethyl acetoacetate followed by hydrolysis and acetic anhydride-induced cyclization. The 2-substituent in compound 5 has two functional groups i.e. active methylene and acid anhydride which are suitably located for intramolecular transformation. Thermal and/or base catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of 5 afforded 2-(4-acetoxy-(hydroxyl)-2-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[4,5] thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-5,6,7,8- tetrahydro-4H-benzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-d] [1,3]oxazin-4-one 10 and 9 respectively. Treatment of 5 with hydrazine hydrate, aromatic and/or heterocyclic amines induced the same intramolecular cyclization with a concomitant oxazine-pyrimidine interconversion to give 3-amino(aryl or heteryl)-2-(4-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrdhydrobenzo-[4,5]thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydrobenzo[4,5] thieno[2,3-d] pyrimid in-4-one 11–14 respectively.     

Identification of an Unexpected 2-Oxonia[3,3]sigmatropic Rearrangement/Aldol Pathway in the Formation of Oxacyclic Rings. Total Synthesis of (+)-Aspergillin PZ

This paper reports the first unambiguous evidence that the cascade synthesis of tetrahydrofuran-containing oxacyclic molecules depicted in Scheme 12 can take place by a 2-oxonia[3,3]sigmatropic/aldol mechanism rather than by a Prins cyclization/pinacol rearrangement sequence. The 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl aldehyde products of this reaction, 20 and 29, were employed to complete the first total synthesis of the structurally remarkable isoindolone alkaloid (+)-aspergillin PZ (1). The lack of activity seen in two tumor cell lines for synthetic (+)-aspergillin PZ calls into question the suggestion that aspergillin PZ, like many aspochalasin diterpenes, might exhibit useful antitumor properties.