Development of efficient Lewis acid catalysts for intramolecular cycloaddition reactions of ester-tethered substrates

We have developed novel bidentate Lewis acids that efficiently promote the intramolecular cycloaddition reactions of ester-tethered substrates. Bis-aluminated triflic amide derivatives [TfN(AlR(1)R(2))2], which are generated by simply mixing triflic amide and 2 equiv of methyl aluminum or aluminum hydride, catalyzed intramolecular Diels-Alder (DA) reactions of ester-tethered 1,7,9-trienes and intermolecular DA reactions of alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones. We also found that bimetallic Lewis acid derived from 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-di(triflyl)amide and dimethylaluminum chloride promoted the intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of acrylate derivatives having an allylsilane part.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed mild intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of ester-tethered diene-yne compounds

The cationic rhodium(I) species derived from [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ and AgSbF₆ efficiently catalyze intramolecular [4+2] cycloadditions of ester-tethered 1,3-diene-8-yne derivatives such as 2-propynyl penta-2,4-dienoate and 2,4-pentadienyl propiolate derivatives in fluorinated alcohols.     

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.     

Consecutive Rh(I)-catalyzed Alder-ene/Diels-Alder/Diels-Alder reaction sequence affording rapid entry to polycyclic compounds

Conversion of acyclic allenynes to polycyclic compounds using consecutive transition metal catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reactions in a single chemical operation is described. Reaction of an allenyne with a Rh(I) catalyst affords a cross-conjugated triene via a formal Alder-ene reaction. The triene then participates in a Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction to generate a new conjugated diene. An external dienophile is added to this diene which then undergoes a second [4+2] cycloaddition reaction to afford a complex polycyclic ring system. This reaction sequence demonstrates the synthetic potential of allenynes and cross conjugated trienes and highlights the rapid increases in molecular complexity that are possible by one-pot sequential transition metal catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reactions.     

Organocatalytic, enantioselective intramolecular [6+2] cycloaddition reaction for the formation of tricyclopentanoids and insight on its mechanism from a computational study

Diphenylprolinol silyl ether was found to be an effective organocatalyst for promoting the asymmetric, catalytic, intramolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of fulvenes substituted at the exocyclic 6-position with a δ-formylalkyl group to afford synthetically useful linear triquinane derivatives in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The cis-fused triquinane derivatives were obtained exclusively; the trans-fused isomers were not detected among the reaction products. The intramolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition occurs between the fulvene functionality (6π) and the enamine double bond (2π) generated from the formyl group in the substrates and the diphenylprolinol silyl ether. The absolute configuration of the reaction products was determined by vibrational circular dichroism. The reaction mechanism was investigated using molecular orbital calculations, B3LYP and MP2 geometry optimizations, and subsequent single-point energy evaluations on model reaction sequences. These calculations revealed the following: (i) The intermolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition of a fulvene and an enamine double bond proceeds in a stepwise mechanism via a zwitterionic intermediate. (ii) On the other hand, the intramolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition leading to the cis-fused triquinane skeleton proceeds in a concerted mechanism via a highly asynchronous transition state. (iii) The fulvene functionality and the enamine double bond adopt the gauche-syn conformation during the C-C bond formation processes in the [6 + 2] cycloaddition. (iv) The energy profiles calculated for the intramolecular reaction explain the observed exclusive formation of the cis-fused triquinane derivatives in the [6 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. The reasons for the enantioselectivity seen in these [6 + 2] cycloaddition reactions are also discussed.     

Cycloaddition chemistry of 2-vinyl-substituted indoles and related heteroaromatic systems

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction (IMDAF) of several N-phenylsulfonylindolyl-substituted furanyl carbamates containing a tethered pi-bond on the indole ring were examined as an approach to the iboga alkaloid catharanthine. Only in the case where the tethered pi-bond contained two carbomethoxy groups did the [4 + 2]-cycloaddition occur. Push-pull dipoles generated from the Rh(II)-catalyzed reaction of diazo imides, on the other hand, undergo successful intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition across both alkenyl and heteroaromatic pi-bonds to provide novel pentacyclic compounds in good yield and in a stereocontrolled fashion. The facility of the cycloaddition was found to be critically dependent on conformational factors in the transition state. Ligand substitution in the rhodium(II) catalyst markedly altered the product ratio between [3 + 2]-cycloaddition and intramolecular C-H insertion. The variation in reactivity reflects the difference in electrophilicity between the various rhodium carbenoid intermediates. Intramolecular C-H insertion is enhanced with the more electrophilic carbene generated using Rh(II) perfluorobutyrate.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular [3+2+2] Cycloadditions between Alkylidenecyclopropanes,Alkynes, and Alkenes

A Rh‐catalyzed intramolecular [3+2+2] cycloaddition is reported. The cycloaddition affords synthetically relevant 5,7,5‐fused tricyclic systems of type 2 from readily available dienyne precursors. The transformation takes place with moderate or good yields, high diastereoselectivity, and total chemoselectivity.     

Asymmetric Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 1-yne-vinylcyclopropanes for bicyclo[3.3.0] compounds with a chiral quaternary carbon stereocenter and density functional theory study of the origins of enantioselectivity

A highly enantioselective Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 1-yne-VCPs to bicyclo[3.3.0] compounds with an all-carbon chiral quaternary stereocenter at the bridgehead carbon was developed. DFT calculations of the energy surface of the catalytic cycle (complexation, cyclopropane cleavage, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination) of the asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction indicated that the rate- and stereo-determining step is the alkyne-insertion step. Analysis of the alkyne-insertion transition states revealed that the serious steric repulsion between the substituents in the alkyne moiety of the substrates and the rigid H(8)-BINAP backbone is responsible for not generating the disfavored [3 + 2] cycloadducts.     

Co-Catalyzed Asymmetric Intramolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of Yne-Alkylidenecyclopropanes and its Reaction Mechanism

Developing new transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric cycloadditions for the synthesis of five-membered carbocycles (FMCs) is a research frontier in reaction development due to the ubiquitous presence of chiral FMCs in various functional molecules. Reported here is our discovery of a highly enantioselective intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of yne-alkylidenecyclopropanes (yne-ACPs) to bicyclo[3.3.0]octadiene and bicyclo[4.3.0]nonadiene molecules using a cheap Co catalyst and commercially available chiral ligand (S)-Xyl-BINAP. This reaction avoids the use of precious Pd and Rh catalysts, which are usually the choices for [3+2] reactions with ACPs. The enantiomeric excess in the present reaction can be up to 92 %. Cationic cobalt(I) species was suggested by experiments as the catalytic species. DFT calculations showed that this [3+2] reaction starts with oxidative cyclometallation of alkyne and ACP, followed by ring opening of the cyclopropyl (CP) group and reductive elimination to form the cycloadduct. This mechanism is different from previous [3+2] reactions of ACPs, which usually start from CP cleavage, not from oxidative cyclization.     

Density functional theory study of the mechanisms and stereochemistry of the rh(i)-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2] cycloadditions of 1-ene- and 1-yne-vinylcyclopropanes

The mechanisms, structures of all stationary points involved, and kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of 1-ene- and 1-yne-vinylcyclopropanes (1-ene-VCPs and 1-yne-VCPs) have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The computational results showed that the [3+2] reactions of 1-ene/yne-VCPs studied here occur through a catalytic cycle of substrate-catalyst complex formation, cyclopropane cleavage, alkene/alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination. Alkene/alkyne insertion is the rate- and stereoselectivity-determining step of these multistep [3+2] cycloadditions. The experimentally observed high reactivity of 1-yne-VCPs compared to 1-ene-VCPs is well rationalized by the differences of steric effects in the alkyne/alkene insertion transition states. DFT calculations unveiled that the relative orientation of the tethers in the 1-ene/yne-VCPs plays a key role in controlling the stereochemistry of the [3+2] cycloadducts. In addition, DFT calculation results are used to explain why, in some cases, the formation of the β-hydride elimination byproduct can compete with the [3+2] pathway.     

A facile phenol-driven intramolecular diastereoselective thermal/base-catalyzed dipolar [2+2] annulation reactions: an easy access to complex bioactive natural and unnatural benzopyran congeners

The complex bioactive natural and unnatural benzopyran congeners have been synthesized using one-/two-step approaches in very good yields from the reactions of two different dihydroxyphthalides, natural resorcyclic acid derivative, and trihydroxybenzophenone with citral and/or farnesal, via the phenol-driven intramolecular diastereoselective thermal/base-catalyzed dipolar [2+2] cycloaddition reactions and three different thermal intramolecular cyclization reactions. The effects of the nature and the position of phenolic groups in the starting materials on the course of these cycloaddition reactions have also been described. Depending upon the absence or presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding of the phenolic group with the carbonyl moiety in the starting materials, these phenol-driven intramolecular thermal/base-catalyzed dipolar [2+2] cycloaddition reactions either furnished the kinetically controlled products or directly formed the thermodynamically controlled rearranged products, respectively.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular [5+2] Cycloaddition of Inverted 3‐Acyloxy‐1,4‐enyne and Alkyne: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

By switching the position of the alkene and alkyne, a new type of 3‐acyloxy‐1,4‐enyne (ACE) five‐carbon building block was developed for Rh‐catalyzed intramolecular [5+2] cycloaddition. An electron‐withdrawing acyl group on the alkyne termini of the ACE was essential for a regioselective 1,2‐acyloxy migration. This new method provided bicyclic [5.3.0]decatrienes that are different from previous methods because of the positions of the alkenes and the acyloxy group. Multiple mechanistic pathways become possible for this new [5+2] cycloaddition and they are investigated by computational studies.     

Cobalt/rhodium heterobimetallic nanoparticle-catalyzed carbonylative [2+2+1] cycloaddition of allenes and bisallenes to Pauson-Khand-type reaction products

The first catalytic intra- and intermolecular [2+2+1] cocyclization reactions of allenes and carbon monoxide have been developed. In the Co(2)Rh(2) heterobimetallic nanoparticle-catalyzed carbonylative [2+2+1] cycloaddition of allenes and carbon monoxide, the allenes formally serve both as an excellent alkene- and alkyne-like moiety within a Pauson-Khand-type process.     

Rh(i)-catalyzed stereoselective desymmetrization of prochiral cyclohexadienones via highly exo-selective Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition

A Rh(i)-catalyzed highly stereoselective desymmetrization of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde-tethered cyclohexadienones triggered by intramolecular Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition has been developed. This method enables convergent construction of complex epoxy-bridged polycyclic ring systems with five contiguous stereocenters with excellent exo-selectivity and broad substrate scope. The highly atom-economical process involves 6-endo-dig cyclization of carbonyl oxygen onto an activated alkyne resulting in a highly reactive metal–benzopyrylium intermediate, which readily undergoes intramolecular [3 + 2] annulation/hydration. Asymmetric induction is also achieved for the first time in Rh(i)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using an easily accessible chiral diene as the ligand.

A Rh(i)-catalyzed highly stereoselective desymmetrization of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde-tethered cyclohexadienones triggered by intramolecular Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition has been developed.     

Total synthesis of (±)-cycloclavine and (±)-5-epi-cycloclavine

Novel routes to the naturally occurring indole alkaloid cycloclavine and its unnatural C(5)-epimer are described. Key features include the rapid construction of the heterocyclic core segments by two Diels-Alder reactions. An indole annulation was accomplished by a late-stage intramolecular Diels-Alder furan cycloaddition, and a methylenecyclopropane dienophile was used for a stereoselective intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition to give the cyclopropa[c]indoline building block present in cycloclavine.     

Features and applications of [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2)-catalyzed alkylations of unsymmetrical allylic substrates

A novel regio- and stereoselective [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed allylic alkylation of unsymmetrical allylic carbonates was discovered. The regioselectivity of the reaction favors product ratios in which substitution occurs at the carbon bearing the leaving group. When an enantiomerically enriched carbonate (> or = 99% ee) was examined, the Rh(I)-catalyzed allylic alkylation proceeded stereoselectively to provide the alkylation product with retention of absolute stereochemistry (98% ee). To establish the scope of the [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed allylic alkylation, a variety of carbon and heteroatom nucleophiles were examined and the results described. As an application of the Rh(I)-catalyzed allylic alkylation, a series of novel domino reactions have been developed that couple the unique regio- and stereoselective [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed alkylation of allylic trifluoroacetates with an intramolecular Pauson-Khand annulation, a cycloisomerization, or a [5+2] cycloaddition. A unique aspect of the method described is the use of a single catalyst to effect sequential transformations in which the catalytic activity is moderated simply by controlling the reaction temperature. Implementation of such processes provides a rapid and efficient entry to a variety of bicyclic carbon skeletons from simple precursors.     

A Pauson-Khand-type reaction between alkynes and olefinic aldehydes catalyzed by rhodium/cobalt heterobimetallic nanoparticles: an olefinic aldehyde as an olefin and CO source

Co/Rh (Co:Rh = 2:2) heterobimetallic nanoparticles derived from Co(2)Rh(2)(CO)(12) react with alkynes and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes such as acrolein, crotonaldehyde, and cinnamic aldehyde and release products resulting from [2 + 2 + 1]cycloaddition of alkyne, carbon monoxide, and alkene. alpha,beta-Unsaturated aldehydes act as a CO and alkene source. These reactions produce 2-substituted cyclopentenones.     

Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed domino reactions involving allylic substitution and subsequent carbocyclization reactions

[reaction: see text] Three novel domino reaction processes have been discovered and developed that employ the regioselective and stereoselective [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2)-catalyzed alkylations of allylic trifluoroacetates with alpha-substituted sodiomalonates followed by an intramolecular Pauson-Khand annulation, a [5 + 2] cycloaddition, or a cycloisomerization. A unique aspect of the methodology is that a single catalyst is used to effect sequential transformations simply by increasing the temperature for the second reaction.     

Substrate control of stereoselection in the rhodium(I) catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction

The Rh(I) catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of representative achiral and chiral enedienes has been shown to proceed with excellent levels of stereoselectivity and in high yield under mild reaction conditions. In contrast, the corresponding noncatalyzed cycloadditions for three substrates in the latter category require higher temperatures and exhibit low levels of stereocontrol.     

Synthesis of Fluorine‐Containing Multisubstituted Phenanthridines by Rhodium‐Catalyzed Alkyne [2+2+2] Cycloaddition and Tandem sp2 C?H Difluoromethylenation

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of fluorine‐containing multisubstituted phenanthridines through Rh‐catalyzed alkyne [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions has been developed. This method exhibits excellent functional‐group compatibility. When a bromodifluoromethyl group, rather than a trifluoromethyl group, was employed in the cycloaddition reaction, more‐complicated polycyclic compounds were obtained through tandem Rh‐catalyzed cycloaddition/C? H difluoromethylenation. This route provides convenient access to fluorine‐containing polycyclic compounds.