Et2AlCl-promoted asymmetric phenylseleno group transfer radical cyclization reactions of unsaturated beta-hydroxy esters

We have developed a new method for asymmetric phenylseleno group transfer radical cyclization of unsaturated beta-hydroxy esters. Various unsaturated alpha-phenylseleno beta-hydroxy esters underwent radical cyclization in the presence of Et(2)AlCl in benzene with sunlamp irradiation at 25-30 degrees C to give mono- and bicyclic group-transferred products in an efficient and highly regioselective and diastereoselective manner. To rationalize the high diastereoselectivities observed in this reaction, we propose a model based on chelation control of the aluminum alkoxides that are formed in situ. We devised a general method to prepare chiral radical precursors from which we obtained highly optically pure mono- and bicyclic group transfer products. The synthetic advantages of this method are demonstrated by our formal total synthesis of (-)-wilforonide. This paper presents the first examples of stereoselective group transfer radical cyclizations that occur via 1,2-asymmetric induction.     

Rhenium(I)-induced cyclization of thiosemicarbazones derived from beta-keto esters

The reactions of methylacetoacetate and ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate thiosemicarbazones (H(2)L(A) and H(2)L(B), respectively) with [ReX(CO)(5)] and [ReX(CO)(3)(CH(3)CN)(2)] (X = Cl, Br) were explored under various experimental conditions. Besides the adducts fac-[ReX(CO)(3)(H(2)L)], in which the rhenium is coordinated to three carbonyl groups, the X anion, and the N,S-bidentate thiosemicarbazone ligand, the following complexes were also isolated: fac-[ReBr(CO)(3)(Hpyz(B))], the tetrameric complexes fac-[Re(pyz(A))(CO)(3)](4) and fac-[Re(pyz(B))(CO)(3)](4), and fac-[Re(pyz(B))(CO)(3)(H(2)O)] (where Hpyz(A) and Hpyz(B) are pyrazolones derived by cyclization of H(2)L(A) and H(2)L(B), respectively). The cyclization reactions were monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and the complexes isolated were identified by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and in some cases by X-ray diffractometry. The isolation and the full structural identification of the rather unusual fac-[ReBr(CO)(3)(Hpyz(B))], which contains the enol form of the pyrazolone ligand, affords new insight into the cyclization of thiosemicarbazones derived from beta-keto esters.     

Copper(I)-catalyzed carboxylation of aryl- and alkenylboronic esters

The copper(I)-catalyzed carboxylation reaction of aryl- and alkenylboronic esters proceeded smoothly under CO(2) to give the corresponding carboxylic acid in good yield. This reaction showed wide generality with higher functional group tolerance compared to the corresponding Rh(I)-catalyzed reaction.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclization of unsaturated β-keto amides

The Lewis acid-catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclization reactions of olefinic -bromo β-keto amides were investigated. It was found Lewis acid Yb(OTf)₃ or Mg(ClO₄)₂ not only promoted the cyclization reactions, but also resulted in excellent trans stereocontrol in the cyclization products. With the catalysis of Lewis acid Yb(OTf)₃ or Mg(ClO₄)₂ at −78°C in the presence of Et₃B/O₂, the cyclization reactions of C-olefinic β-keto amides provided cyclic ketones, while the cyclization reactions of N-olefinic β-keto amides led to the formation of γ-lactams, which could be converted to 3-aza-bicyclo[3,1,0]hexan-2-ones.     

Atom transfer radical cyclization reactions (ATRC): synthetic applications

Atom transfer cyclization reactions (ATRC) provide rapid access to functionalized γ-butyrolactones.     

Copper(I)-catalyzed synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted isoindolin-1-ones from enamides via cascade radical addition and cyclization

Copper(I) catalyzed radical benzylation and cyclization reaction of tertiary enamides was investigated and 3,3-disubstituted N-Alkyl isoindolin-1-ones were obtained in moderate to good yields. In this reaction, two new C–C bonds were formed in one step with high atom economy. Possible reaction pathway for the formation of the products was also discussed in this paper.     

On the 6-exo atom transfer radical cyclization reactions of 3-butenyl 2-iodoalkanoates

Bis(tributyltin)-initiated atom transfer cyclization reactions of 3-butenyl iodoalkanoates in the presence of BF3.OEt2 as the catalyst afforded the 6-exo cyclization products as a mixture of 3,4-cis- and trans-substituted tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-ones in 53-71% yield with the major isomers being the cis ones. Ab initio calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G level on the transition states of the radical cyclization and on the cyclized products revealed that the reactions are kinetically controlled and the transition states for the 6-exo radical cyclization are in boat conformations. Moreover, the cis-oriented transition states are of lower energy than the corresponding trans-oriented ones, which are in excellent agreement with experimental results.     

Palladium-catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclization of unactivated alkyl iodide

A palladium-catalyzed atom transfer cyclization of unactivated alkyl iodide has been developed. A radical chain mechanism has been proposed for this transformation, which might not involve an alkylpalladium intermediate.     

Novel intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction of unsaturated beta-keto esters

[reaction: see text] Fused cyclopropane beta-keto esters are versatile intermediates for the synthesis of many biologically active natural products. Here we report a new intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction of unsaturated beta-keto esters. In the presence of I(2), Et(3)N, and Lewis acids such as Mg(ClO(4))(2) and Yb(OTf)(3), beta-keto esters 1 bearing various olefin substituents were transformed to fused cyclopropanes 2 in a highly stereospecific manner with moderate to good yields. The mechanism of the reaction was also investigated.     

Sustainable radical reduction through catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer reactions (CHAT-reactions)

A system with coupled catalytic cycles is described that allows radical reduction by catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (CHAT) from transition metal hydrides. These intermediates are generated through H₂ activation. Radical generation is carried out by titanocene catalyzed electron transfer to epoxides. The reaction provides a novel entry into the atom-economical reduction of radicals that has long been considered as a critical issue for the industrial application of radical chemistry.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed tandem ring closing metathesis (RCM) – atom transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) sequences

α-ω-Dienes bearing a pendant trichloroacetoxy group undergo a tandem RCM – radical cycloisomerization sequence leading to bicyclic γ-butyrolactones, with both steps of the sequence being catalyzed by ruthenium.     

Ti(III)-catalyzed radical cyclization of 6,7-epoxygeranyl acetate

The reductive cyclization of epoxygeranyl acetate (1) was investigated using a catalytic amount of Cp₂TiCl with various additives. The newly developed Cp₂TiCl-Mn-lutidine · HCl-BEt₃ system was found to be as effective as the reported stoichiometric system to afford the cyclized dehydro products 4 and 5 with 72% selectivity.     

Electron transfer reactions relevant to atom transfer radical polymerization

The continuous development of more active and stable catalysts in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has increasingly required a thorough knowledge of concurrent electron transfer reactions that can affect catalyst performance. Special attention is provided in this short review to such processes, including disproportionation, most pronounced in Cu-mediated ATRP, the reduction of radicals to carbanions or oxidation to carbocations, and radical coordination to the metal catalyst resulting in the interplay of controlled radical polymerization mechanisms.     

Lanthanide triflate-promoted palladium-catalyzed cyclization of alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides

[reaction: see text] Lanthanide triflates were found to promote the palladium-catalyzed cyclization of alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides. In the presence of catalytic amounts of PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2) and Ln(OTf)(3), various alkenyl beta-keto esters and amides underwent regioselective cyclization reactions to give six-, seven-, or eight-membered-ring carbocycles in moderate to excellent yields.     

Copper(II)-catalyzed reactions of activated aromatics

The catalytic reaction of cis-bisglycinato copper(II) monohydrate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide leads to hydroxylation of phenol to give catechol and hydroquinone (1:1.2 ratio) in good yield. 2,6-Dimethylphenol can be hydroxylated by hydrogen peroxide and a catalytic amount of cis-bisglycinato copper(II) monohydrate to give an aggregate of 1,4-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzene and 2,6-dimethylphenol. A similar reaction of o-cresol gives 2,5-dihydroxytoluene. The reactivity of cis-bisglycinato copper(II) monohydrate in hydrogen peroxide with o-cresol is 4.5 times faster than that of a similar reaction by trans-bisglycinato copper(II) monohydrate. A catalytic reaction of cis-bisglycinato copper(II) monohydrate with aniline in aqueous hydrogen peroxide gives polyanilines in the form of pernigraniline with different amounts of Cu(OH)2 attached to them. The two major components of polyanilines obtained have Mn values of 1040 and 1500, respectively. Resistance of films of these polyanilines increases with temperatures from 40 degrees C to a maximum value at 103 degrees C and then decreases in the region of 103-150 degrees C, showing the property of a thermolectric switch. The aggregate prepared from hydroxylation of 2,6-dimethylphenol shows a similar property in the region of 30-180 degrees C.     

Copper(I)-catalyzed hydrophosphination of styrenes

Hydrophosphination of styrenes has been accomplished with metal salts for the first time. (CuOTf)₂·toluene complex is the catalyst of choice, but CuCl can also be used. “In-situ” EPR and NMR studies suggest Cu(I) as the catalytically active metal species, giving exclusively the anti-Markovnikov product. Phosphine oxides or β-ketophosphine oxides can be prepared in one-pot by oxidation with molecular oxygen.     

Silver(I)-catalyzed novel cascade cyclization reactions: incorporation of allenes into the isochromenes

[reaction: see text] The silver(I)-catalyzed reaction of alkynones with alcohols represents a general tool for the synthesis of 1-allenyl isochromenes. The reaction most probably proceeds via the formation of benzopyrylium cation, which subsequently undergoes nucleophilic attack of an alcohol to give the annulation products.     

Copper mediated atom transfer radical cyclisations with AIBN

We have shown that it is possible to mediate a range of 5-exo trig and 5-exo dig atom transfer radical cyclisations of bromoacetamides using 0.1-1 mol % CuBr or CuBr₂ in conjunction with 0.1-1 mol % tri(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine and 10 mol % AIBN. This equates to a 30-300-fold reduction in the amount of catalyst previously reported for these reactions and allows cyclisation to be carried out with the more oxidatively stable CuBr₂ without the requirement of an inert atmosphere.     

Photoinitiated ambient temperature copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and cyclization (ATRC) reactions in the presence of free-radical diazo initiator (AIBN)

The use of UV light in copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and cyclization (ATRC) reactions of various (poly)halogenated compounds to highly active alkenes in the presence of AIBN is reported. Radicals generated from photodecomposition of AIBN efficiently regenerated the copper(I) complex at ambient temperature enabling ATRA of CCl(4) and CBr(4) with catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol-%. The desired monoadduct was obtained in lower yields in the ATRA of less active halogenated compounds, which was mostly due to incomplete alkene conversions. Ambient temperature ATRA of CCl(4) to various 1,6-dienes followed by sequential ATRC was also performed in the presence of UV light using [Cu(II)(TPMA)Cl][Cl] complex and AIBN. High yields of the 5-exo-trig cyclic product were obtained for all dienes with preferential formation of the cis isomer.