Regioselective samarium diiodide induced couplings of carbonyl compounds with 1,3-diphenylallene and alkoxyallenes: a new route to 4-hydroxy-1-enol ethers

Since its introduction into synthetic organic chemistry, samarium diiodide has found broad application in a variety of synthetically important transformations. Herein, we describe the first successful intermolecular additions of samarium ketyls to typical allenes such as 1,3-diphenylallene (7), methoxyallene (12) and benzyloxyallene (25). Reaction of different samarium ketyls with 1,3-diphenylallene (7) occurred exclusively at the central carbon atom of the allene to afford products 9 in moderate to good yields. In contrast, reductive coupling of cyclic ketones to methoxyallene (12) regioselectively provided 4-hydroxy-1-enol ethers 13, which derive from addition to the terminal allene carbon atom of 12, in moderate to good yields. Whereas the E/Z selectivity with respect to the enol ether double bond is low, excellent diastereoselectivity has been observed in certain cases with regard to the ring configuration (e.g. compound 13 b). Studies with deuterated tetrahydrofuran and alcohol were performed to gain information about the reaction mechanism of this coupling process, which involves alkenyl radicals. The couplings of samarium ketyls derived from acyclic ketones and aldehydes gave lower yields, and in several cases cyclopentanols 20 are formed as byproducts. Branched acyclic ketones and conformationally more flexible cyclic ketones such as cycloheptanone led to a relatively high amount of cyclopentanol derivatives 20, whose formation involves an intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer through a geometrically favoured six-membered transition state followed by a cyclization step. The samarium diiodide mediated addition of 8 b to benzyloxyallene (25) afforded the expected enol ethers 26, albeit in only low yield. Additionally, spirocyclic compounds 27 and 28 were obtained, which are formed by a cascade reaction involving an addition/cyclization sequence. In the novel coupling process described here methoxyallene (12) serves as an equivalent of acrolein. The 1,4-dioxygenated products obtained contain a masked aldehyde functionality and are therefore valuable building blocks in organic synthesis.     

Unexpected Formation of Thiophene in the Pyrrole Synthesis from Methoxyallene and Methyl Isothiocyanate

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - The sequential reaction of lithiated methoxyallene, methyl isothiocyanate, and 2-(bromomethyl)-1,3-dioxolane in the presence of CuBr yields a...     

Reactions of Cycloaliphatic Thioketones and Their Oxo Analogues with Lithiated Methoxyallene: A New Approach to Vinylthiiranes

Admantanethione smoothly reacted with lithiated methoxyallene at low temperatures yielding the expected allenyl‐substituted thiolate, which upon aqueous work‐up underwent spontaneous 1,3‐cyclization to afford a hitherto unknown methoxy‐substituted vinylthiirane derivative. The analogous reaction with adamantanone led to the corresponding allenyl alcohol that can be isolated and—depending on the conditions applied—either be converted into the corresponding vinyloxirane or into the 2,5‐dihydrofuran derivative. Sterically more crowded thioketones were also combined with lithiated methoxyallene, but in these cases competitive 1,5‐cyclization leading to isomeric dihydrothiophene derivatives was observed. DFT calculations of model intermediates and products show distinct energy differences of the sulfur and the corresponding oxygen compounds. Desulfurization of the adamantanethione‐derived vinylthiirane yielded a methoxy‐substituted 1,3‐diene that was studied in cycloadditions with electron‐deficient dienophiles. Whereas in the case of tetracyanoethylene the corresponding cyclobutane derivative was formed, the reaction with nitrosobenzene provided the expected 1,2‐oxazine derivative. By reductive cleavage of the N? O bond this heterocycle was converted into an unsaturated amino alcohol bearing an adamantane moiety.     

Novel carbon-carbon bond formation reaction of methoxyallene oxide promoted by TiI(4)

Methoxyallene oxide was readily prepared in situ by epoxidation of methoxyallene with 3-chloroperbenzoic acid, and the subsequent reaction with aldehydes or acetals was promoted by titanium tetraiodide and additives to give 2,3-dialkoxy- or 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy ketones in good yields.     

Efficient approach to the Azaspirane core of FR 901483

[reaction: see text] An efficient approach to the azaspirane core of FR 901483 is described employing lithiated methoxyallene as a crucial C3 building block and a suitably protected enantiopure ketimine as the second component. The resulting dihydropyrrole derivative was smoothly converted into a spiro keto aldehyde which under acidic conditions provided a novel azanorbornane derivative 15. Under basic reaction conditions, the desired 5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.0(1,5)]dodecane skeleton 16 was generated. The ratio of diastereomers strongly depends on the reaction conditions employed with l-proline in DMSO providing the highest selectivity in favor of one azaspirane product.     

A new color of the synthetic chameleon methoxyallene: synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridinol derivatives: an unusual reaction mechanism, a remarkable crystal packing, and first palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions

Addition of lithiated methoxyallene to pivalonitrile afforded after aqueous workup the expected iminoallene 1 in excellent yield. Treatment of this intermediate with silver nitrate accomplished the desired cyclization to the electron-rich pyrrole derivative 2 in moderate yield. Surprisingly, trifluoroacetic acid converted iminoallene 1 to a mixture of enamide 3 and trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridinol 4 (together with its tautomer 5). A plausible mechanism proposed for this intriguing transformation involves addition of trifluoroacetate to the central allene carbon atom of an allenyl iminium intermediate as crucial step. Enamide 3 is converted to pyridinol 4 by an intramolecular aldol-type process. A practical direct synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridinols 4, 10, 11, and 12 starting from typical nitriles and methoxyallene was established. Pyridinol 10 shows an interesting crystal packing with three molecules in the elementary cell and a remarkable helical supramolecular arrangement. Trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridinol 4 was converted to the corresponding pyridyl nonaflate 13, which is an excellent precursor for palladium-catalyzed reactions leading to pyridine derivatives 14-16 in good to excellent yields. The new synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridines disclosed here demonstrates a novel reactivity pattern of lithiated methoxyallene which is incorporated into the products as the unusual tripolar synthon B.     

Reactions of heterocumulenes with organometallic reagents: XIX. Quantum-chemical study on S-alkylation and intramolecular cyclization of lithiated methoxyallene adducts with methyl, phenyl, and 3-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl isothiocyanates. Concurrent formation of pyrrole and/or thiophene rings

Concurrent reaction paths leading to the formation of thiophene and/or pyrrole rings from adducts of lithiated methoxyallene with methyl, phenyl, and 3-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl isothiocyanates were simulated by quantum-chemical methods. According to the calculations, pyrrole ring closure is kinetically more favorable for the adduct of 1-lithio-1-methoxyallene with methyl isothiocyanate, both reaction channels are equally probable for the adduct with phenyl isothiocyanate, and thiophene ring closure is the main reaction path for the adduct with 3-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl isothiocyanate.     

Stabilization of phosphobetaines that form in the reaction of trialkylphosphines with methoxyallene

Reactions of tripropyl- and tributylphosphines with methoxyallene were studied. In the case of tripropylphosphine, a mixture of tripropylphosphine oxide and tripropyl-1-formylethylidenephosphorane (the latter in equilibrium with itsO-betaine) was obtained. The reaction with tributylphosphine yields, along with tributylphosphine oxide, two homologous ylides, namely, tributyl-1-formylethylidene- and tributyl-1-formylpropylidene-phosphoranes, which are also in equilibria with theirO-betaines. A possible scheme of formation of these ylides is discussed.     

Alkylation of π-donating compounds by methoxyallene-arylsulphenyl chloride adducts

Reaction of methoxyallene with arylsulphenyl chlorides proceeds nonselectively with formation of mixtures of 1,2- and 2,3-arylthiochloro adducts, the composition of which depends on the nature of the reagent and solvent. -Donating compounds of various types in the presence of Lewis acids are alkylated by adducts of methoxyallene with arylsulphenyl chlorides and primarily products are formed by attack at the C³ atom of the reagent.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 114–121, January, 1990.     

In search of oligo(2-thienyl)-substituted pyridine derivatives: a modular approach to di-, tri- and tetra(2-thienyl)pyridines

Herein, we describe our attempts to systematically prepare a series of oligo(2-thienyl)-substituted pyridine derivatives. The crucial starting material, a β-alkoxy-β-ketoenamide, is easily available on a large scale by the reaction of lithiated methoxyallene with thiophene-2-carbonitrile and thiophene-2-carboxylic acid. This three-component reaction is followed by intramolecular cyclization to yield the suitably functionalized 2,6-di(2-thienyl)-substituted pyridine derivates. The two oxygen atoms allow the programmed activation of positions C-3, C-4, or C-5 of the pyridine ring to perform palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions with thiophene-2-boronic acid or 2-(tributylstannyl)thiophene, and alternatively, reductive removal of groups. With this concept, we were able to prepare five pyridine derivatives with 2-thienyl substituents in the 2,6-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,6-, 2,3,4,6-, and 2,3,5,6-positions. 2,3,4,5,6-Penta(2-thienyl)pyridine was not available with our methods. The UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra of all pyridines were recorded and showed a dependence on the substitution pattern and protonation state. For the protonated 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-thienyl)-substituted pyridine, a Stokes shift of about 180 nm with an emission at 515 nm was observed.     

Synthesis of bisbenzannulated spiroketals-model studies for a modular approach to rubromycins

[reaction: see text] A highly flexible synthesis of bisbenzannulated spiroketals is described with additions of lithiated methoxyallene to aryl aldehydes and Heck reactions as key steps. Subsequent hydrogenations and ketalizations afforded the desired spiroketals in good yields and with predominating trans-configuration. With model compound 30, already bearing the fully substituted naphthyl core of rubromycins, the ketalization proceeded efficiently providing the expected product 31 and the isopropoxy compound 32. Both products are advanced model compounds of heliquinomycin.     

Diazadiene als Steuerliganden in der homogenen Katalyse XIX. Palladium-katalysierte 2:2-Cyclisierung eines Alkins mit Allenen zu Naphthalin-2,3,6,7-tetracarbonsäurederivaten

The diazadiene palladium(0) fragment catalyzes the cycloaddition of two moles of methoxyallene II (R = Me) and two moles of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate III to form a tetrahydronaphthalene derivative IV under very mild reaction conditions. At somewhat higher temperatures a naphthalene derivative V is obtained after palladium-induced loss of two moles of methanol. The use of allenic ethers II with better leaving groups does not result in improved yields of V. Stable palladacyclopentenes VI can be isolated from the reaction mixtures which are not intermediates in the catalytic reaction. With phenoxyallene no naphthalene but a cotrimerisation product VII is formed.     

Low-Temperature Chemo- and Stereoselective [2+2]-Cyclodimerization of 5-Ethenylidene-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole: An Approach to Unique Derivatives of 1,3-Bis(methylene)cyclobutane

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - An unusual [2+2]-cyclodimerization of 5-ethenylidene-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole, obtained from lithiated methoxyallene, isopropyl isothiocyanate, and...     

Stereospecific Conversion of Boronic Esters into Enones using Methoxyallene: Application in the Total Synthesis of 10-Deoxymethynolide

Enones are widely utilized linchpin functional groups in chemical synthesis and molecular biology. We herein report the direct conversion of boronic esters into enones using commercially available methoxyallene as a three-carbon building block. Following boronate complex formation by reaction of the boronic ester with lithiated-methoxyallene, protonation triggers a stereospecific 1,2-migration before oxidation generates the enone. The protocol shows broad substrate scope and complete enantiospecificity is observed with chiral migrating groups. In addition, various electrophiles could be used to induce 1,2-migration and give a much broader range of α-functionalized enones. Finally, the methodology was applied to a 14-step synthesis of the enone-containing polyketide 10-deoxymethynolide.     

First example of one-pot assembly of tetrasubstituted thiophene with amino- and ester functions from methoxyallene,methyl isothiocyanate,and methyl 2-bromoacetate

The previously unavailable methyl 4-methoxy-3-methyl-5-(methylamino)thiophene-2-carboxylate was obtained by the one-pot procedure from a lithiated methoxyallene, methyl isothiocyanate, and methyl 2-bromoacetate.     

A one-pot synthesis and mild cleavage of 2-[2- or 5-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl vinyl ethers by t-BuOK/DMSO: a novel and facile approach to N-vinylpyrroles

Substituted N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]pyrroles, prepared in good yield through an allenic or acetylenic carbanion/isothiocyanate one-pot methodology from 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl isothiocyanate and allyloxyallene, methoxyallene, N,N-dimethyl-2-propyn-1-amine, and 3-methoxy-1-(methylsulfanyl)-1-propyne, are smoothly converted into the corresponding N-vinylpyrroles using t-BuOK/DMSO (room temperature). The reaction proceeds via elimination of vinyl alcohol from the N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl] substituent and represents a novel approach to N-vinylpyrroles.     

First example of the synthesis of N-vinylpyrrole from methoxy- allene and methoxyethyl isothio- cyanate: unprecedented elimination of methanol from a β-substituted methyl ethyl ether

Using as example 3-methoxy-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-methylsulfanylpyrrole, obtained in one preparative stage from α-lithiated methoxyallene and 2-methoxyethyl isothiocyanate, a facile cleavage of a C–O bond in the N-(2-methoxyethyl) substituent by the t-BuOK–DMSO system has been discovered, opening access to a new class of N-vinylpyrroles (through β-elimination of methanol).     

Structural reorganization of (allyl-, benzyl-, and propargylsulfanyl)-substituted 2-aza-1,3,5-trienes in t-BuOK/THF/DMSO: access to rare functionalized 2-thiazolines

Treatment of (allyl-, benzyl-, and propargylsulfanyl)-substituted 2-aza-1,3,5-trienes, which are readily accessible from lithiated methoxyallene, isopropyl isothiocyanate, and allyl, benzyl, or propargyl bromide, respectively, with t-BuOK in THF/DMSO resulted in the unexpected formation of 2-thiazoline derivatives along with seven-membered azaheterocycles [in the case of (allyl- and benzylsulfanyl)-substituted 2-aza-1,3,5-trienes]. An unprecedented structural reorganization of the azatrienes into 2-thiazolines presumably occurs via α-deprotonation of the substituents at the sulfur atom followed by intramolecular [1,5]-cyclization. Deprotonation of the ketimine fragment of the same molecule followed by [1,7]-electrocyclization resulted in azepine ring formation.     

1-alkoxyallene as an effective precursor for regio- and stereocontrolled allylation reactions with aliphatic aldehydes via bis-stannylation

Bis-stannylation of 1-(methoxy)methoxyallene yields (E)-(3-(methoxymethoxy)prop-2-ene-1,2-diyl) bis-tributylstannane (2) as a highly reactive allylation reagent. Stereoselective reactions of functionalized stannane 2 with a variety of aldehydes provide good yields of 1,2-diol derivatives. Reactions with alpha-alkoxyaldehydes proceed with chelation-controlled addition to afford efficient constructions of 3,4-anti-4,5-syn-relationships in stereotriads bearing three differentiated oxygen (alkoxy and hydroxy) substituents. Mechanistic considerations are presented, and derivatives for NMR experiments support the stereochemical assignments. An X-ray diffraction study is included.     

Reactions of 2-aza-1,3,5-trienes with superbases: competition between formation of thiazoles and azepines

For the case of 1-(allylsulfanyl)-2-methoxy-N-(1-methylethylidene)buta-1,3-dien-1-amine, obtained from α-lithiated methoxyallene, isopropyl isothiocyanate, and allyl bromide, it was shown that 5-ethylidene-2-(1-methoxyprop-2-enyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole and 6-methoxy-2-methyl-3H-azepine are formed competitively upon the action of the t-BuOK–THF–DMSO system.