Unusual rearrangement in the reaction of cyclopropanated cyclopentadienes with Et3Al/CH2I2 in CH2Cl2

The reaction of Et₃Al/CH₂I₂ reagent with cyclopropanated spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene and 6-substituted fulvenes in CH₂Cl₂ was found to lead to the selective formation of rearrangement products through sequential cyclopropyl-allyl rearrangement and cyclopropanation.     

Unusual endoperoxide isomerizations: a convenient entry into 2-vinyl-2-cyclopentenones from saturated fulvene endoperoxides

An unusual peroxide base-promoted isomerization is uncovered. Saturated endoperoxides derived from fulvenes give rise to 2-vinyl-2-cyclopentenones upon treatment with DBU in CH₂Cl₂ in a one-pot reaction. This methodology is applied to a convenient synthesis of dihydrojasmone. Moreover, functional groups placed on the side chain at C-6 participate in the base-catalyzed isomerizations via conjugate attack at the enone moiety to give 2-cyclopentenones carrying oxygen heterocycles at C-2.     

Aluminum carbenoids in the cyclopropanation of fulvenes

Aluminum carbenoid Et₂AlCH₂I reacts with 6-substituted fulvenes to give tricyclopropanes in high yields. Calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory show that coplanar arrangement of the double bonds facilitates cyclopropanation due to conjugation in the transition state. Aluminum carbenoid Et₂AlCH₂I was generated by either the reaction of equimolar amounts of Et₃Al and CH₂I₂ in hexane or treatment of Et₂AlI with CH₂N₂ in dichloromethane.     

Fulvene Synthesis by Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed [2+2+1] Cycloaddition: Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Tunable Cyclopentadienyl Rhodium(III) Complexes with Pendant Amides

It has been established that a Rh^I+/segphos complex catalyzes the [2+2+1] cycloaddition of 1,6‐diynes with cyclopropylideneacetamides to give substituted fulvenes in good yields. The reductive complexation of the product fulvenes with RhCl₃ in EtOH furnished the corresponding dinuclear cyclopentadienyl Rh^III complexes bearing a pendant amide moiety. These Rh^III complexes were highly active catalysts for oxidative annulation and cyclization through C(sp²)−H and C(sp³)−H functionalization.     

Exploiting the Aromatic Chameleon Character of Fulvenes for Computational Design of Baird‐Aromatic Triplet Ground State Compounds

Due to the reversal in electron counts for aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the closed‐shell singlet state (normally ground state, S₀) and lowest ππ* triplet state (T₁ or T₀), as given by Hückel's and Baird's rules, respectively, fulvenes are influenced by their substituents in the opposite manner in the T₁ and S₀ states. This effect is caused by a reversal in the dipole moment when going from S₀ to T₁ as fulvenes adapt to the difference in electron counts for aromaticity in various states; they are aromatic chameleons. Thus, a substituent pattern that enhances (reduces) fulvene aromaticity in S₀ reduces (enhances) aromaticity in T₁, allowing for rationalizations of the triplet state energies (E_T) of substituted fulvenes. Through quantum chemical calculations, we now assess which substituents and which positions on the pentafulvene core are the most powerful for designing compounds with low or inverted E_T. As a means to increase the π‐electron withdrawing capacity of cyano groups, we found that protonation at the cyano N atoms of 6,6‐dicyanopentafulvenes can be a route to on‐demand formation of a fulvenium dication with a triplet ground state (T₀). The five‐membered ring of this species is markedly Baird‐aromatic, although less than the cyclopentadienyl cation known to have a Baird‐aromatic T₀ state.     

Regioselective electrophilic substitutions of fulvenes with ethyl glyoxylate and subsequent Diels-Alder reactions

Highly regioselective electrophilic substitution of fulvenes with ethyl glyoxylate, catalyzed by EtAlCl₂ or Yb(OTf)₃ was achieved. Subsequent Diels-Alder reaction of the adduct with various dienophiles provides an efficient protocol toward highly functionalized indane and tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec-8-ene systems.     

Proliferative and antiproliferative effects in substituted titanocene anticancer drugs

Substituted titanocenes like ansa-titanocenes, diarylmethyl-substituted and benzyl-substituted titanocenes, are known for their cytotoxic potential and they can be synthesised using 6-arylfulvenes. Nevertheless, in the case of using 6-(4-morpholin-4yl-phenyl) fulvene (5a) or 6-{[bis-(2-methoxyethyl)amino]phenyl} fulvene (5b) the synthetic possibilities seem to be limited, but the morpholino and the bis-(2-methoxyethyl)amino substituent are in terms of an improved water solubility and drug availability in the cell very interesting groups. The corresponding benzaldehydes, which are the starting material for the synthesis of these fulvenes, were not commercially available and therefore, a modified synthetic approach had to be introduced. Nevertheless, the reactivity of the obtained fulvenes was unexpected and only the ansa-titanocene bis-[{[bis-(2-methoxyethyl)amino]phenyl}cyclopentadienyl] titanium(IV) dichloride (6b) and the benzyl-substituted titanocene [1,2-di(cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-di(4-morpholin-4yl-phenyl)-ethanediyl] titanium dichloride (8a) could be obtained and characterised. When the benzyl-substituted titanocene (8a) was tested against pig kidney cells (LLC-PK) an anti-proliferative effect, resulting in an IC₅₀ value of 25 μM, was observed. This IC₅₀ value is in the lower range of the cytotoxicities evaluated for titanocenes up to now. The ansa-titanocene (6b) showed surprisingly, when tested on the same cell line, a proliferative effect.     

Synthese von Fulvenen über 1-Chloralkyl-acetate

Synthesis of fulvenes via 1-chloroaklyl-acetates The synthesis of fulvenes (5) via l-chloroalkyl acetates (3) is extended to 6-alkyl-fulvenes with branched side-chains, to 6-phenylfulvene (5f) and 6-(2-furyl)fulvene (5g) , as well as to 6-vinylfulvenes ( 5h and 5i ) containing chlorine and acetoxy-substituents in ω-position. The reaction is carried out at low temperature under water-free conditions. The purification of the reaction products is simple. - An improved procedure for the preparation of pure fulvene ( 5a , R=R′=H) is reported.     

Predicting reduction potentials of 1,3,6‐triphenyl fulvenes using molecular electrostatic potential analysis of substituent effects

The influence of mono‐ and multiple substituent effect on the reduction potential (E⁰) of 1,3,6‐triphenyl fulvenes is investigated using B3LYP‐SMD/6‐311+G(d,p) level density functional theory. The molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) minimum at the fulvene π‐system (V_min) and the change in MESP at any of the fulvene carbon atoms (ΔV_C) for both neutral and reduced forms are used as excellent measures of substituent effect from the para and meta positions of the 1,3 and 6‐phenyl moieties. Substitution at 6‐phenyl para position has led to significant change in E⁰ than any other positions. By applying the additivity rule of substituent effects, an equation in ΔV_C is derived to predict E⁰ for multiply substituted fulvenes. Further, E⁰ is predicted for a set of 2000 hexa‐substituted fulvene derivatives where the substituents and their positions in the system are chosen in a random way. The calculated E⁰ agreed very well with the experimental E⁰ reported by Godman et al. Predicting E⁰ solely by substituent effect offers a simple and powerful way to select suitable combinations of substituents on fulvene system for light harvesting applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

1H- und 13C-NMR.-Spektren von 6-(p-X-Phenyl)fulvenen. Kurzmitteilung

¹H- and ¹³C-NMR.-spectra of 6-(p-X-phenyl)fulvenes The ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR.-spectra of a series of 6-(p-X-phenyl)fulvenes 3 , measured at 9.39 T (93.9 kgauss), have been analyzed. In these compounds, electronic effects due to the substituent X clearly exert changes in chemical shifts as well as in coupling constants in the 5-membered ring. Small changes in bond length are observed by comparison of the vicinal ¹H, ¹H-coupling constants, whereas changes in charge densities linearly influence the chemical shifts of C(5), C(2) and C(3).     

The synthesis of diphenyltrideca-, -pentadeca-, -heptadeca-, and -nonadecafulvene derivatives

Title fulvenes were synthesized through the reaction of the large-membered annulenones with diphenylketene, and examination of ¹H-NMR spectra suggests that the fulvenes are atropic.     

Novel 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of fulvenes and hydrazonyl chlorides: a facile synthesis of the cyclopenta[d]pyridazines

A simple and convenient route for one-pot synthesis of cyclopenta[d]pyridazine through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of fulvenes and hydrazonyl chlorides is described. The reaction of fulvenes with hydrazonyl chlorides in the presence of silver carbonate smoothly afforded a series of cyclopenta[d]pyridazines.     

Synthesis of cis,cis,cis-1-alkylidene-2,3,4,5-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentanes

A new strategy to prepare tetradentate or pentadentate diphenylphosphine ligands has been explored from Diels-Alder adducts of fulvenes and maleic anhydride. A tetradentate phosphine ligand, bearing a side chain allowing the formation of a bond with polystyrene resin, has been prepared in seven steps from cyclopentadiene. The cis,cis,cis-1-cyclohexylidene-2,3,4,5-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane (Cyclo-Tedicyp) in combination with [PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ led to an efficient catalyst for the Heck, Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions.     

Synthesis of spiro-pyrazolines: reaction of 1,3-diphenylnitrilimine with fulvenes

A one-step synthesis of a new series of spiro-pyrazolines has been accomplished by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1,3-diphenylnitrilimine with various fulvenes (2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl fulvene (1) and its analogues (2, 3), 9-benzalfluorene (7) and its analogues (8, 9) and 6,6-diphenylfluvene (13)). With the exception of 13 all other fulvenes undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition across the exocyclic double bond to give the hitherto unreported spiro-pyrazoline derivatives (1-6, 10-12). In the case of 13, however, the addition of 1,3-dipole takes place at the site of endo-cyclic double bond, leading to the formation of a pyrazoline derivative (14).     

Formal [6+3] cycloaddition of fulvenes with 2H-azirine: a facile approach to the [2]pyrindines system

2H-Azirine reacts with fulvenes to give either alkylated fulvene azirines (ultrasound) or the formal [6+3] cycloaddition adducts (Lewis acid). The later constitutes an efficient and novel route to [2]pyrindines.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclodehydration Enabled by the Triisopropylsilyl Group: A Synthetically Versatile Methodology

Introduction of a triisopropylsilyl group into allyl and allenyl carbinols greatly enhances the efficiency of gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclodehydration, which can provide rapid access to a library of various compounds including 1H‐indenes (Table 2 and Scheme 5), benzofulvenes (Table 3), indan‐2‐ones (Scheme 2), fulvenes (Table 4), cyclopentadienes (Table 4), 5H‐dibenzo[a,c][7]annulenes (Scheme 6) and dibenzosuberones (Scheme 6). The developed method enables unprecedented product generality for several classes of cyclodehydration reactions, which is particularly notable for the preparation of 1H‐indenes. The first synthesis of non‐benzo‐fused fulvenes via cyclodehydration of allenyl vinyl carbinols could be accomplished. The protocol is remarkable for mild conditions, operational convenience, and easy access to starting materials.     

The Electronic Structure and Photochemistry of Group 6 Bimetallic (Fischer) Carbene Complexes: Beyond the Photocarbonylation Reaction

The UV spectra of Group 6 metal carbene complexes bearing a CpM(CO)₃ (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) moiety bonded to the carbene carbon atom exhibit a redshift of the absorption maxima at higher wavelengths with respect to the parent monometallic complexes. This redshift is partly due to a higher occupation on the p_z atomic orbital of the carbene carbon atom. Time‐dependent DFT calculations accurately assign this band to a metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer transition, thus showing that the presence of a second metal center does not affect the nature of the transition. However, the photochemical reactivity of Group 6 metal carbene complexes bearing a CpM(CO)₃ moiety strongly depends on the nature of this metal fragment. A new photoslippage reaction leading to fulvenes occurs when Mn‐derived products 11 a , 11 b , and 12 a are irradiated (both Cr and W derivatives), whereas Re‐derived product 11 c behaves like standard Fischer complexes and yields the usual photocarbonylation products. A new photoreduction process occurring in the metallacyclopropanone intermediate is also observed for these complexes. Both computational and deuteration experiments support this unprecedented photoslippage process. The key to this differential photoreactivity seems to be the M–Cp back‐donation, which hampers the slippage process for Re derivatives and favors the carbonylation reaction.     

[6+4] Cycloaddition reactions of acceptor thiophene dioxides: The synthesis of substituted azulenes

[6+4] Cycloaddition reactions of functionalized thiophene dioxides with various fulvenes provided the corresponding azulenes. The observed regiochemistry was explained in terms of the HOMO—LUMO orbital coefficients. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 137–142, January, 2006.     

Chlorures de mono- et dialkyl-zirconocene et-hafnocene

Condensation of cyclopentadienyl anions obtained from fulvenes and tetra- chloride metal to prepare (η⁵-RC₅H₄)₂MCl₂, R = alkyl; M = Zr or Hf is described. The prochiral complexes (η⁵-RC₅H₄) (η⁵-C₅H₅)MCl₂ are prepared in a similar way from MCl₄ (M = Zr), but the best method uses (η⁵-C₅H₅)ZrCl₃ or (η⁵-C₅H₅)HfCl₃, 2THF. Preparation of this adduct is described.     

Electronic properties and aromaticity of substituted diphenylfulvenes in the ground (S<Subscript>0</Subscript>) and excited (T<Subscript>1</Subscript>) states

In the present account, we investigate electronic properties of diphenylfulvene and its derivatives substituted in phenyl rings. The results were compared with the analogous properties of fulvene and its derivatives with the same substituents at the exocyclic carbon atom. All properties were evaluated and compared in the ground electronic S₀ state and in the first excited T₁ triplet state. These properties are dipole moments, charges, number of π electrons, and aromaticity of the fulvenic, five-membered ring in the two sets of compounds. The latter property was estimated by the harmonic oscillator model for aromaticity (HOMA) index and, for the fulvenes group, by the calculation of aromatic stabilization energy in both electronic states. It was also investigated whether Baird’s rule alone can account for the aromaticity differences in the two electronic states.