A novel direct N-alkenylation of nitrogen-containing heterocycles with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids

Treatment of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids, which were generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene, with N-lithio nitrogen-containing heterocycles (e.g., indole, indazole, phenothiazine, and phenoxazine) gave N-alkenylated products in moderate to good yields. The intermediate of this reaction was found to be the alkenyl anion, which could be trapped with iodoalkanes using CuI as a catalyst to give the heterocycles having fully substituted alkenes on the nitrogen. The alkenyl anion intermediate could be trapped also with benzoyl chloride and phenyl isocyanate. This reaction offers a quite novel and direct N-alkenylation of nitrogen-containing heterocycles.     

Alkenylation of thiophenes at the 2-position with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids

Treatment of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids, generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene, with 2-lithiothiophenes gave 2-alkenylated thiophenes in good to high yields. The intermediate of this reaction was found to be an alkenylmagnesium, which could be trapped with iodoalkanes and ethyl chloroformate. This procedure offers a novel and efficient one-pot synthesis of thiophenes having a disubstituted or a trisubstituted olefin at the 2-position from thiophenes in good yields.     

Direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids and some theoretical studies of the reactions

1-Chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides were synthesized from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in high yields. Treatment of the sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene gave magnesium alkylidene carbenoids (α-chloro alkenylmagnesium chlorides), which were treated with N-lithio arylamines to afford ortho-alkenylated arylamines in moderate yields. The reaction, in some cases, proceeded in a highly stereospecific manner at the carbon bearing the chlorine and the sulfinyl group. The structures of the α-chloro alkenylmagnesium chlorides and the reactivity of the N-lithio meta-substituted anilines were studied at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory with the 6-31(+)G* basis set. This reaction offers a quite novel and direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position of the aromatic ring.     

Reaction of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids with lithium acetylides and lithium thiolates: a novel synthesis of conjugated enynes and vinyl sulfides

Magnesium alkylidene carbenoids were generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl at −78 °C in THF or toluene via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. Reaction of the generated magnesium alkylidene carbenoids with lithium acetylides or lithium thiolates gave conjugated enynes or vinyl sulfides, respectively, in moderate to good yields. The intermediate of this reaction was found to be the alkenyl anion and it could be trapped with some electrophiles to give tetra-substituted conjugated enynes and vinyl sulfides.     

Direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position

Treatment of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids, which were generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene, with N-lithio arylamines gave ortho-alkenylated arylamines in moderate to good yields. The reaction was found to proceed in a highly stereospecific manner at the carbenoid carbon. This reaction offers a quite novel and direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position of the aromatic ring.     

Generation of magnesium carbenoids from 1-chloroalkyl phenyl sulfoxides with a Grignard reagent and applications to alkylation and olefin synthesis

Treatment of 1-chloroalkyl phenyl sulfoxides with a Grignard reagent at low temperature gave magnesium carbenoids in quantitative yields. The generated magnesium carbenoids were found to be stable at lower than −60 °C for long periods of time and are reactive with Grignard reagents to give alkylated products. The reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoids with various kinds of lithium α-sulfonyl carbanions gave olefins with carbon-carbon bond-formation in good to high yields. This method offers a good way for the preparation of olefins. The scope and limitations of the above-mentioned reactions are described.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes from ketones and aldehydes by 1,2-CC insertion and 1,2-CH insertion of carbenoids as the key reactions

The addition reactions of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of conjugated enynes in good to high yields via the 1,2-carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates. On the other hand, the addition reactions of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides derived from aldehydes with lithium acetylides directly gave conjugated enynes bearing a p-tolyl sulfinyl group at the 1-position through the 1,2-carbon-hydrogen insertion (1,2-CH insertion) reaction of the generated lithium carbenoid intermediates. These procedures provide a good way for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes from ketones and aldehydes.     

A new synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters and allenic esters with construction of a carbon-carbon bond between α- and β-positions by the reaction of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids with lithium ester enolates

Treatment of lithium ester enolates with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids, generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction, gave β,γ-unsaturated esters in moderate to good yields. When this reaction was conducted with the lithium ester enolates of α-chlorocarboxylic acid esters, allenic esters were obtained. This procedure provides an unprecedented way for the synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters and allenic esters from ketones with the construction of a carbon-carbon bond between α- and β-positions.     

The first example of direct cyclopropylation of arylamines at the 2-position with magnesium cyclopropylidenes

Treatment of magnesium cyclopropylidenes, which were generated from 1-chlorocyclopropyl phenyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride in THF at −78 °C, with N-lithio arylamines gave arylamines cyclopropylated at the 2-position in moderate to good yields. Use of the magnesium cyclopropylidenes having at least one substituent was found to be essential to this cyclopropylation. This procedure offers a novel synthesis of arylamines having a cyclopropane ring at the 2-position directly from arylamines.     

The first example of regiospecific magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion: its mechanism and stereochemistry

Addition reaction of two geometrical isomers of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from unsymmetrical ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate gave single isomers of the adduct, respectively. Treatment of each diastereomer with i-PrMgCl resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoids. Highly regiospecific 1,3-CH insertion reaction was found to take place from the magnesium carbenoids to afford cyclopropanes in high yields. Stereochemistry of the adducts, reaction mechanism, and origin of the regiospecificity are discussed.     

A novel synthetic method for alkylidenecyclopropanes based on the reaction of magnesium cyclopropylidenes with lithium α-sulfonyl carbanions

Treatment of 1-chlorocyclopropyl phenyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at low temperature gave magnesium cyclopropylidenes. The reaction of the generated carbenoids with lithium α-sulfonyl carbanions was found to afford alkylidenecyclopropanes in moderate to good yields. This reaction offers a novel, unprecedented, and versatile method for a synthesis of several alkylidenecyclopropanes from olefins in relatively short steps.     

Reaction of magnesium carbenoids with N-lithio arylamines: a novel method for generation of non-stabilized α-amino-substituted carbanions and a new synthesis of α-amino acid derivatives

Treatment of 1-chloroalkyl phenyl sulfoxides with a Grignard reagent at low temperature afforded magnesium carbenoids in quantitative yields. The magnesium carbenoids were found to be reactive with N-lithio alkylamines and N-lithio arylamines. The reaction with N-lithio alkylamines afforded an olefin, which was derived from dimerization of the magnesium carbenoid, in moderate yield. The reaction with N-lithio arylamines gave the adducts, α-amino-substituted carbanions, in good yields. From these intermediates, a novel synthesis of α-amino acid derivatives and N,N-dialkyl arylamines having a deuterium at the α-position was realized.     

A new method for generation of non-stabilized α-amino-substituted carbanions by the reaction of magnesium carbenoids with N-lithio arylamines: their reactivity and a new synthesis of α-amino acid derivatives

Magnesium carbenoids were generated from aryl 1-chloroalkyl sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl in THF at low temperature in quantitative yields. The magnesium carbenoids were found to be reactive with N-lithio alkylamines to afford an olefin, which was derived from dimerization of the magnesium carbenoid, in moderate yield. On the other hand, reaction of the magnesium carbenoids with N-substituted N-lithio arylamines gave non-stabilized α-amino-substituted carbanions in good yields. Reactivity of the α-amino-substituted carbanions with some electrophiles was investigated and it was found that ethyl chloroformate reacted to give α-amino acid derivatives in good yields. As a whole, a new method for one-pot, three-component combined synthesis of α-amino acid derivatives from aryl 1-chloroalkyl sulfoxides was realized.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes by assembly of three components, ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and acetylenes, with the magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

The reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoids by the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. 1,2-Carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoids took place to afford conjugated enynes in good to high yields. This procedure provides a good method for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes.     

A new synthesis of cyclic α-amino acid derivatives by the intramolecular reaction of magnesium carbenoid with N-magnesio arylamine as the key reaction

A new synthesis of pipecolic acid and homopipecolic acid derivative was accomplished from 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides having a 2-aminophenyl group at the ω-position by treatment with i-PrMgCl via the intramolecular reaction of magnesium carbenoid with N-magnesio arylamine. In a similar way, proline and pipecolic acid derivatives were synthesized from 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides having an arylamino group at the ω-position.     

The first example of magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion reaction: a novel method for synthesis of cyclopropanes from 1-chloroalkyl phenyl sulfoxides in high yields

Treatment of 1-chloroalkyl phenyl sulfoxides having a geminal methyl group or a geminal benzyl group at the 2-position in THF at −78 °C with isopropylmagnesium chloride gave magnesium carbenoids. Carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion reaction of the magnesium carbenoids took place instantaneously to afford cyclopropanes in high to quantitative yields.     

A new synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of alkylidenecyclopropanes by 1,2-CC insertion of cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoides as the key reaction

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of carboxylic acid tert-butyl esters gave adducts in high yields. The adducts were converted to 1-chlorocyclobutyl p-tolyl sulfoxides in four steps in high overall yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorocyclobutyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyclopentylmagnesium chloride in THF at −40 °C resulted in the formation of cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoids. The magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place smoothly from the cyclobutylmagnesium carbenoids to afford alkylidenecyclopropanes in good to high yields. An asymmetric synthesis of optically active alkylidenecyclopropane was successfully achieved starting from optically active 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxide.     

A synthesis of bicyclo[n.1.0]alkanes having tert-butyl carboxylate or acetamide moiety via the intramolecular 1,3-CH insertion of magnesium carbenoids

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from various cyclic ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of carboxylic acid tert-butyl esters or N,N-dimethylacetamide gave adducts in high yields. The adducts were treated with ether solution of isopropylmagnesium chloride in dry toluene to give bicyclo[n.1.0]alkane derivatives having tert-butyl carboxylate or acetamide moiety on the bridgehead carbon in high to quantitative yields via magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion reaction. The 1,3-CH insertion reaction proved to be regioselective and stereospecific. The reaction mechanism and origin of the selectivity and specificity are discussed.     

Cyclopropylation of arylamines at the 2-position with cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids

Direct cyclopropylation of arylamines at the 2-position with 1-chlorocyclopropyl phenyl sulfoxides was achieved. The reaction of N-lithio arylamines with cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids, which are generated from 1-chlorocyclopropyl phenyl sulfoxides with i-PrMgCl via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction, is the key of this procedure. This method offers an unprecedented way for the synthesis of arylamines having a cyclopropane ring at the 2-position directly from arylamines.     

A new synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from three components, aldehydes, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and tert-butyl acetate, via magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CH and 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from various aldehydes, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate at −78 °C in THF gave adducts in high yields. Magnesium carbenoids were generated by treatment of these adducts with Grignard reagents via the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. When the adducts were derived from alkyl aldehydes or electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CH insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to afford β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having a substituent at the β-position. On the contrary, when the adducts were derived from electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction took place from the magnesium carbenoids to give β,γ-unsaturated butyric esters having the aromatic group at the γ-position. Highly stereospecific 1,2-CC insertion reactions were observed in the latter reactions. This procedure provides a good way for a synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated esters from aldehydes with two carbon-carbon bond-formations.