Synthetic studies toward amphidinolide B1: synthesis of the C9-C26 fragment

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of the C9-C26 portion of amphidinolide B1 is described. A Fleming allylation followed by elimination was employed for the construction of the C13-C15 diene portion. Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation was utilized for regioselective functionalization of a styrene-derived alkene, in the presence of the C13-C15 diene functionality. A highly diastereoselective aldol reaction was developed to establish the C18 stereochemistry.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of ruthenium diene/diamine complexes including catalytic hydrogenation of ketones

Thermal reactions between [RuCl2(diene)]n (diene = 2,5-norbornadiene, nbd; 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cod) with an excess of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene diamine (tmeda) afforded derivatives [RuCl2(diene)(tmeda)] (diene = nbd, 1; cod, 2) as a mixture of cis and trans isomers. When thermolysis was performed under H2 mixtures of hydride species [RuCl(H)(diene)(tmeda)] (diene = nbd, 3; cod, 4) and the bis-tmeda adduct trans-[RuCl2(tmeda)2] (5) were obtained in different ratios depending upon the reaction conditions and reaction times. Heating polymeric Ru(II) precursors in toluene in the presence of a 5-fold excess of the bulkier N,N,N',N'-tetraethylethylene diamine (teeda) resulted in a rare diamine dealkylation process with formation of trans-[RuCl2(nbd)(Et2NCH2CH2NHEt)] (6) and trans-[RuCl2(cod)(EtHNCH2CH2NHEt)] (7) in high yields. The presence of N-H functionalities in the coordinated diamine ligands of 6 and 7 was unambiguously established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The dealkylation process of the teeda ligand seems to proceed intramolecularly as shown by solution NMR studies performed with the soluble Ru(II) precursors trans-[RuCl2(amine)2(diene)] (diene = nbd, amine = morpholine, 9; diene = cod, amine = Et2NH, 10). The above complexes [RuCl2(diene)(diamine)] have been tested as precatalysts in the hydrogenation of ketones both for transfer as well as direct hydrogenation, the latter route being the most effective.     

Cationic iron(III) porphyrin-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of unactivated aldehydes with simple dienes

Cationic iron(III) porphyrin was found to be an efficient catalyst for the highly chemoselective hetero-Diels-Alder-type reaction of aldehydes with 1,3-dienes. The catalyzed process did not require the use of electron-deficient aldehydes such as glyoxylic acid derivatives or activated electron-rich 1,3-dienes such as Danishefsky's diene and Rawal's diene. The high functional group tolerance and robustness of the catalyst were demonstrated. Further, the potential utility of the catalyst was demonstrated by performing the cycloaddition in the presence of water and by carrying out cycloaddition of an unactivated ketone such as cyclohexanone with a diene.     

Reversal of facial selectivity in complex Diels-Alder reactions

A complex Diels-Alder reaction between a semi-cyclic diene with allylic silyloxy substituents and a bromo enone presented an unusual diastereoselectivity: attack of the diene occured on its more hindered face, and this reversal of selectivity was shown to be induced by the presence of a bromo substituent in the dienophile.     

Lithiation of diene polymers

It was found that the metallation of diene polymers with n-butyllithium in n-heptane takes place in the presence of a tert amine, i.e. N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine. Butyllithium was added to the diene polymer in n-heptane in the presence of an equimolar amount of the amine, and the mixture was allowed to react at 80°C. for 60 min. under nitrogen. As a result, 27% and 9% per monomer unit for polybutadiene and polyisoprene, respectively, were metallated. The effects of the concentrations of the diene polymer, butyllithium, and the amine on the reaction were studied at 80°C., and the reaction mechanism was discussed. The overall rate of metalation was proportional to the diene polymer concentration and to the square root of the butyllithium concentration. The overall activation energies of metalation were 6.6 and 8.4 kcal./mole for polybutadiene and polyisoprene, respectively. Many kinds of polymer derivative were obtained by treating the metalated polymers with various reagents, such as carbon dioxide, Michler's ketone, trimethylchlorosilane, triphenylchlorosilane, benzaldehyde, and pyridine.     

Reaction mechanism of halogenated rubber crosslinking using a novel environmentally friendly curing system

Iron (III) acetylacetonate (Fe (acac)) in the presence of triethanolamine (TEOA) was utilized as a novel crosslinking agent for halogenated diene rubber. Following the assumption that the mechanism of the crosslinking bases on the Heck-type reaction mechanism, which requires the presence of a halogen and an unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond, chloroprene rubber (CR) and brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) were utilized as rubber matrices. The results of FTIR spectra analysis confirm the proposed mechanism and indicate that a Heck-type reaction is feasible for performing a crosslinking of halogenated diene rubbers. The use of the Fe (acac)/TEOA curing system results in a significant torque increase during the vulcanization, which confirms the high activity of those compounds. The elimination of halogen from a rubber macromolecular structure or elimination of a basic environment of the crosslinking reaction results in a deactivation of the new curing system.     

Zirconocene catalysis in the synthesis of 1,4-dimagnesium reagents: using competitive inhibition to suppress β-hydrogen abstraction

Substituted 1,4-dimagnesium reagents were synthesized by the zirconocene-catalyzed reaction of alkenes with ethylmagnesium reagents in the presence of a methylmagnesium containing additive. Improved selectivity for formation of dimagnesium reagents over monomagnesium reagents was obtained in the presence of the methylmagnesium containing additive. The ratio of mono- to dimagnesiated products was extrapolated from the ratio of alkene to diene in the products formed when the reaction was quenched with allyl bromide. The extent of the increase in the alkene/diene ratio was dependent on the type of organomagnesium halide, with greatest increases (59%) for the alkylmagnesium chlorides. A mechanism for improved selectivity by suppression of β-hydrogen abstraction in the catalytic cycle is presented. Quenching the 1,4-dimagnesium reagents with allyl bromide yielded decadienes.     

Nickel-catalyzed homoallylation reaction of aldehydes with 1,3-dienes: stereochemical and mechanistic studies

[reaction: see text] Contrary to what was reported, the coupling reaction of nickel-catalyzed cyclic diene such as cyclohexadiene with carbonyl compounds in the presence of diethyl zinc afforded gamma,delta-alkenyl alcohols in good yields.     

(4+3) Cycloaddition Reactions of N‐Alkyl Oxidopyridinium Ions

N ‐Methylation of methyl 5‐hydroxynicotinate followed by reaction with a diene in the presence of triethylamine afforded (4+3) cycloadducts in good to excellent yields. High regioselectivity was observed with 1‐substituted and 1,2‐disubstituted butadienes. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the cycloaddition involves concerted addition of the diene onto the oxidopyridinium ion. The process provides rapid access to bicyclic nitrogenous structures resembling natural alkaloids.     

Radical ring-opening polymerization behavior of vinylcyclopropane derivatives bearing an ester group

Ethyl 2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylate derivatives (VCP) that underwent radical ring-opening polymerization were prepared from the corresponding diene and diazoacetate in the presence of copper-Schiff base complex as a catalyst. The polymerization behavior of the obtained monomers was investigated, and the reaction of VCP with thiophenol was also carried out as a model reaction of their polymerization.     

Straightforward Synthesis of 5‐Bromopenta‐2,4‐diynenitrile and Its Reactivity Towards Terminal Alkynes: A Direct Access to Diene and Benzofulvene Scaffolds

The high‐yielding synthesis of 5‐bromopenta‐2,4‐diynenitrile (BrC₅N) was achieved for the first time. Its reactivity with triisopropylsilylacetylene and triisopropylsilylbutadiyne in the presence of copper and palladium as co‐catalysts and diisopropylamine was evaluated. It revealed an unprecedented cascade reaction leading to a diene in one case and to a benzofulvene in the other case, with a unique structure. Both of them were characterized by X‐ray crystallography, among other techniques. The mechanism of the reaction leading to the diene was investigated experimentally. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level suggest that the mechanism leading to the benzofulvene relies on a hexa‐dehydro Diels–Alder (HDDA)‐type of mechanism. This work constitutes an example of an unanticipated reactivity leading to an important increase of chemical complexity.     

The Formation of Thiocarbonyl Compounds by The Thermal Decomposition of Heteroaryl Substituted Sulfoxides

The thermal reaction of phenacyl sulfoxide bearing some heterocycles in the presence of butadiene afforded the thiapyarn derivatives, which is considered to be formed by the Diels Alder reaction of diene with thiocalbonyl compound.     

New Insights into the Diels–Alder Reaction of Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide is regarded as a major precursor for graphene‐based materials. The development of graphene oxide based derivatives with new functionalities requires a thorough understanding of its chemical reactivity, especially for canonical synthetic methods such as the Diels–Alder cycloaddition. The Diels–Alder reaction has been successfully extended with graphene oxide as a source of diene by using maleic anhydride as a dienophile, thereby outlining the presence of the cis diene present in the graphene oxide framework. This reaction provides fundamental information for understanding the exact structure and chemical nature of graphene oxide. On the basis of high‐resolution ¹³C‐SS NMR spectra, we show evidence for the formation of new sp³ carbon centers covalently bonded to graphene oxide following hydrolysis of the reaction product. DFT calculations are also used to show that the presence of a cis dihydroxyl and C vacancy on the surface of graphene oxide are promoting the reaction with significant negative reaction enthalpies.     

Nitrosoarenes as Nitrogen Source for Generation of Sulfonamides with the Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide under Metal‐Free Conditions†

A metal‐free reaction of nitrosoarenes, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, and sulfur dioxide under mild conditions is developed, giving rise to sulfonamides in moderate to good yields. This transformation proceeds efficiently at room temperature in the presence of cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene with a broad reaction scope. Good functional group compatibility is observed, including cyano, halo, and ester. A plausible mechanism involving a radical process with the insertion of sulfur dioxide is proposed, and cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene serves as the reductant during the transformation.     

Intramolecular (4+3) Cycloadditions of Oxidopyridinium Ions: Towards Daphnicyclidin A

N-alkylation of 5-hydroxynicotinic acid esters with electrophiles containing diene functionality produces salts that undergo intramolecular (4+3) cycloaddition reactions upon heating in the presence of base. Initial studies used a three-carbon tether to join the pyridinium ion and diene, revealing some aspects of the inherent selectivity of the reaction with such substrates. Much more challenging was the synthesis of related species possessing only a two-carbon tether. Nevertheless, the cycloaddition of such compounds was successful, leading directly to the ABC ring system of the alkaloid daphnicyclidin A.     

Theoretical and experimental determination of the effects governing the transannular Diels-Alder reaction of trans-trans-cis systems with or without activation of the dienophile

A thorough study of the transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction of trans-trans-cis macrocyclic trienes was carried out. It led to a better understanding of various parameters that govern the TADA reaction in particular and the Diels-Alder reaction in general. Thus, carbonyl activation of the dienophile and substitution of the diene are discussed, as well as the presence of substituents on the macrocycle and their respective effects at the transition-state level.     

Highly enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions of Danishefsky type dienes with electron-deficient alkenes catalyzed by Yb(III)-BINAMIDE complexes

1-Methoxy-3-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene (Danishefsky's diene) is recognized as a synthetically useful diene due to its high reactivity in the Diels-Alder reaction with electron-deficient alkenes to give oxygen-functionalyzed cyclohexenes and substituted cyclohexenones, which are important building blocks for the total synthesis of natural products. However, the development of catalytic enantioselective versions of Diels-Alder reactions using Danishefsky type dienes with electron-deficient alkenes has been difficult because of the instability of the dienes under Lewis acidic conditions. Only highly reactive CO and CN double bonds are employed in a hetero-Diels-Alder reaction which proceeds under catalysis of chiral Lewis acids. We have developed a new chiral ligand, BINAMIDE, which is easily prepared from 1,1'-binaphtyl-2,2'-diamine by acylation. The highly diastereo- and enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky type dienes with electron-deficient alkenes in the presence of an Yb(III)-BINAMIDE complex has been developed. The reaction proceeded in an exoselective mode and gave chiral highly functionalized cyclohexene derivatives in good yields.     

Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder reaction

The dehydrogenative cycloaddition of dieneynes, which possess a diene in the form of a styrene moiety and a dienophile in the form of an alkyne moiety, produces naphthalene derivatives when heated. It was found that a key requirement of this process is the presence of a silyl group attached to the alkyne moiety, which forces a dehydrogenation reaction to occur.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,3-Dienes from Allenes and Organic Halides

A wide range of aryl and vinylic halides react with 1,1-dimethylallene (2a) and potassium carbonate in the presence of Pd(dba)(2) (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) at temperature 100-120 degrees C to give the corresponding dienes CH(2)C(CH(3))CRCH(2) (3a-o), where R is aryl or vinylic, in good to excellent yields. Higher yields of diene products were obtained for aryl bromides than for the corresponding aryl iodides and chlorides. Under similar reaction conditions, tetramethylallene (2b), 1-methyl-1-phenylallene (2c), 1-methyl-3-phenylallene (2d), and 1-cyclohexylallene (2e) also react with aryl and vinylic halides to give diene products (3p-w). For 2d, both E and Z isomers 3t and 3u of the diene product were observed. For 2e, two regioisomers 3vand 3w were isolated with 3w likely from alkene isomerization of 3v. Various palladium systems were tested for the catalytic activity of diene formation. In addition to Pd(dba)(2)/PPh(3), Pd(OAc)(2)/PPh(3), PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(2), and PdCl(2)(dppe) are also very effective as catalysts for the reaction of 2a with p-bromoacetophenone (1a) to give 3a. Studies on the effect of solvents and bases show that DMA and K(2)CO(3) are the solvent and base that give the highest yield of diene 3a. Possible mechanisms for this catalytic diene formation are proposed.     

Copper(II)-catalyzed room temperature aerobic oxidation of hydroxamic acids and hydrazides to acyl-nitroso and azo intermediates, and their Diels-Alder trapping

CuCl(2), in the presence of a 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline ligand, is an effective catalyst for the room temperature, aerobic oxidation of hydroxamic acids and hydrazides, to acyl-nitroso and azo dienophiles respectively, which are efficiently trapped in situ via both inter- and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reactions with dienes. Both inter- and intramolecular variants of the Diels-Alder reaction are suitable under the reaction conditions using a variety of solvents. Under the same conditions, an acyl hydrazide was also oxidized to give an acyl-azo dienophile which was trapped intramolecularly by a diene.