Oligosaccharide Analogues of Polysaccharides. Part 9. Synthesis and Thermolysis of Acetylenosaccharide-Derived 1,2-Dialkynylbenzenes

Thermolysis of the 1,2-bis(glucosylalkynyl)benzenes 6 and 16 was studied to evaluate the effects of intramolecular H-bonding on the activation energy of the Bergman-Masamune-Sondheimer cycloaromatization, and to evaluate the use of the cycloaromatization for the synthesis of di-glycosylated naphthalenes. The dialkynes were prepared by cross-coupling of the O-benzylated or O-silylated glucosylalkynes 1 and 4 (Scheme 1). Thiolysis of the known 1 , or acetolysis of 1 , followed by deacetylation ( →2→3 ) and silylation gave 4 . Cross-coupling of 1 or 4 with iodo- or 1,2-diiodobezene depended upon the nature of the added amine and on the protecting group, and led to the mono- and dialkynylbenzenes 5 and 6 , or 12, 13 , and 15 , respectively. The benzyl ethers 5 and 6 gave poor yields upon acetolysis catalyzed by BF₃ · OEt₂, while Ac₂O/CoCl₂ · 6 H₂O transformed 6 in good yields into the regioselectively debenzylated 10 . Desilylation of 7 and 13 gave the alcohols 8 and 14 , respectively. Thermolysis of 6 in PhCl gave 22 and 23 , independently of the presence or absence of 1,4-cyclohexadiene; 23 was formed from 22 (Scheme 2). Acetolysis of 22 gave the hexaacetate 24 that was completely debenzylated by thiolysis, yielding the diol 26 and trans-stilbene, evidencing the nature and position of the bridge between the glucosyl moieties (Scheme 3). Thiolysis of 22 yielded the unprotected 2,3-diglucosylnaphthalene 28 , a new type of C-glycosides. Depending upon conditions, hydrogenation of 22 led to 29 (after acetylation), 30 , or 32 . NMR and particularly NOE data evidence the threo-configuration of the bridge. The structure of 23 was confirmed by hydrolysis to the diol 34 and diphenylacetaldehyde, and by correlation of 23 with 22 via the common product 31 . Formation of 22 is rationalized by a Bergman cyclization to a diradical, followed by regioselective abstraction of a H-atom from the BnO? C(2) group, and diastereoselective combination of the doubly benzylic diradical (Scheme 4). While thermolysis of 3 in EtOH sets in around 140°, 16 did not react at 160° and decomposed at 180–220°. No evidence for intramolecular H-bonds of 16 , as compared to 14 , were found.     

Oligosaccharide analogues of polysaccharides. Part 14:. Carbocyclic cyclodextrin analogues. Synthesis of all trimeric and tetrameric isomers by homo- and heterocoupling of 1,4-cis-diethynylated 1,5-anhydroglucitols

Hetero- or homocoupling of protected 1,4-cis-diethynylated 1,5-anhydroglucitols leads to two isomeric cyclotrimers and to four isomeric cyclotetramers. The C₃-symmetric cyciotrimer 31 , the C₄-symmetric cyclotetramer 35 , and the D₂-symmetric cyclotetramer 6 have been prepared before. We have now synthesized the C₁-symmetric cyciotrimer 13 , and the C₁- and the C₂-symmetric cyclotetramers 22 and 27 , respectively. The cyclotrimer 13 was prepared by intramolecular, oxidative homocoupling and, alternatively, by a one-pot trimerization/cyclization of the monomer 36 (Schemes 1 and 5, resp.). Oxidative homocoupling was used for the cyclization of the tetramers 19 and 25 , leading to 22 and 27. The tetramer 19 was made by sequential Cadiot-Chod-kiewicz coupling (Scheme 2)and the tetramer 25 by a combination of a Cadiot-Chodkiewicz reaction and an intermolecular, oxidalive homocoupling (Scheme 3). The acetates 34 and 38 , corresponding to 35 and 27 , respectively, were also made by a one-pot dimerization/cyclization of the dimer 37 (Scheme 5). Intramolecular oxidative heterocoupling is also feasible and results in an alternative, more convenient synthesis of the acetylated cyclotrimer 30 and the acetylated cyclotetramer 34 (corresponding to 31 and 35 , resp.; Scheme 4). The solid-state conformation of the C₄-symmetric cyclotetramer 34 corresponds well to the one predicted by force-field calculations. We compared the water-solubilities of the cyclotrimers 13 and 31 and the tetramers 6, 22, 27 , and 35 , their calculated conformations (MM3*), and the D -adenosine binding properties of the cyclotetramers 6, 27 , and 35 .     

Photochemical Cyclization of Allylated Anisole and N-Alkyl Aniline Derivatives. Preliminary communication

The allyl anisole derivatives 1 , d₂- 1 , 3 , 5 and 7 (Scheme 1), on exposure to UV. light in benzene, acetone or methanol solution, cyclize to yield the corresponding cyclopropyl anisole derivatives 2 , d₂- 2 , cis- and trans- 4, 6 and 8 , respectively. Under the above conditions the N, N-dialkyl-2-allyl anilines 9 , 10 and 11 give similar results (Scheme 2). On the other hand, N-alkyl-2-allyl anilines ( 15 and 19 , Scheme 3) are transformed by UV. light in cyclohexane or benzene solution into 2-methyl-indolines ( 16 and 20 , resp.), whereas in methanol solution the corresponding 2′-methoxy compounds 18 and 21 are formed in addition to 16 and 20 , respectively.     

Preparation of Bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,8-dione- and Declain-1,8-dione-Derivatives

Alkylation of bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,8-dione ( 1 ), which is prepared by a modification of the procedure described in the literature, gives the methyl- and propynyl-derivatives 6 and 7 (Scheme 1). In addition to the method described previously (Scheme 2), 9-methyl-cis-decalin-1,8-dione 9 is obtainable stereoselectively either by cyclization of keto-acid 16 , or by aldol cyclization of keto-aldehyde 26 and oxydation of the resulting alcohols 24 and 25 (Scheme 4). The β-keto-alcohols 24 and 25 undergo a base-catalyzed isomerization; the trans-decalin isomers 27 and 28 are not detected in this equilibrium mixture (Schemes 4 and 5)l. Monoreduction of cis-dione 9 gives the endo-alcohol 25 , while 27 is the favored product of the reductin of trans-dione 10 (Scheme 4). Optically pure (+)- 25 can be prepared from (9S,10R)-monoacetal 29 (Scheme 5).     

Der massenspektrometrische Zerfall isomerer Diacetamido-cyclo-hexane,ihrer N-Phenäthyl-Derivate und Bis (acetamidomethyl)cyclohexane. 32. Mitteilung über massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen,,

The Mass Spectral Decomposition of Isomeric Diacetamido-cyclohexanes, their N-Phenethyl-Derivatives and Bis(acetamidomethyl)cyclohexanes In the mass spectra of the six isomeric diacetamidocyclohexanes 2--4 (cis and trans each, Scheme 2) as well as of the six isomeric bis(acetamidomethyl)cyclohexanes 6--8 (cis and trans each, Scheme 5) are clear differences between the constitutional isomers, whereas cis/trans isomers show very similar spectra. The lack of stereospecific fragmentations is explained by loss of configurational integrity of the molecular ion before fragmentation. However, the mass spectral fragmentation of epimeric diamidocyclohexanes becomes very stereospecific by the introduction of a phenethyl group on one of the nitrogen atoms: this group avoids epimerization of the molecular ion prior to fragmentation. In the N-phenethyl derivatives 10, 11, 13 and 14 (Scheme 8) the typical fragmentations of the cis-isomer after loss of ·C₇H₇ from the molecular ion are the elimination of CH₂CO by formation of cyclic ions, and the loss of p-toluenesulfonic acid or benzoic acid, respectively, with subsequent elimination of CH₃CN (Scheme 9). In the trans-isomer the typical fragmentations are the loss of the side chain bearing a tertiary nitrogen atom, and the elimination of the tosyl or benzoyl radical, respectively, with subsequent loss of CH₃CONH₂ (Scheme 10).     

Stereospezifische Fragmentierungen in den Massenspektren von Cyclohexandiaminen und Bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexanen. 33. Mitteilung über massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen,,

Stereospecific Fragmentations in the Mass Spectra of Cyclohexanediamines and Bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexanes The mass spectral behaviour, especially loss of NH₃, of the six isomeric cyclohexanediamines 1--3 (cis and trans each, Scheme 1) as well as of the six isomeric bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexanes 4--6 (cis and trans each, Scheme 6) has been investigated. The cis- and trans-compounds of the 1,2-isomers 1 and 4 show very similar spectra, because of the ease of ring cleavage at C(1)–-C(2) and the similar geometrical relations in all ring conformations. The cis- and trans-compounds of both the 1,3- and 1,4-isomers 2, 3, 5 and 6 show striking differences in their mass spectra due to stereospecific elimination of NH₃ from the molecular ion.     

Synthesis of 4-Alkoxy-1,3-oxazol-5(2H)-ones,Precursors of 1-alkoxy substituted nitrile ylides

4-Alkoxy-1,3-oxazol-5(2H)-ones of type 4 and 7 were synthesized by two different methods: oxidation of the 4-(phenylthio)-1,3-oxazol-5(2H)-one 2a with m-chloroperbenzoic acid in the presence of an alcohol gave the corresponding 4-alkoxy derivatives 4 , presumably via nucleophilic substitution of an intermediate sulfoxide (Scheme 2). The second approach is the BF₃-catalyzed condensation of imino-acetates of type 6 and ketones (Scheme 3). The yields of this more straightforward method were modest due to the competitive formation of 1,3,5-triazine tricarboxylate 8. At 155°, 1,3-oxazol-5(2H)-one 7b underwent decarboxylation leading to an alkoxy-substituted nitrile ylide which was trapped in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition by trifluoro-acetophenone to give the dihydro-oxazoles cis- and trans- 9 (Scheme 4). In the absence of a dipolarophile, 1,5-dipolar cyclization of the intermediate nitrile ylide yielded isoindole derivatives 10 (Schemes 4 and 5).     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of Some Iris Essential Oil Constituents of the 5-methylsafranic-acid series

The β-dienoate (+)-(5S)- 13a (86% ee; meaning of α and β as in α- and β-irone, resp.) was obtained from (?)-(5S)- 9a via acid-catalyzed dehydration of the diastereoisomer mixture of allylic tertiary alcohols (+)-(1S,5S)- 15 /(+)-(1R,5S)- 15 (Scheme 3). Prolonged treatment gave clean isomerization via a [1,5]-H shift to the α-isomer (?)-(R)- 16a with only slight racemization (76% ee; Scheme 4). In contrast, the SnCl₄-catalyzed stereospecific cyclization of (+)-(Z)- 6 to (?)-trans- 8a (Scheme 2), followed by a diastereoselective epoxidation to (+)- 11 gave, via acid-catalyzed dehydration of the intermediate allylic secondary alcohol (?)- 12 , the same ester (+)- 13a (Scheme 3), but with poor optical purity (13% ee), due to an initial rapid [1,2]-H shift. The absolute configuration of (?)- 16a–c was confirmed by chemical correlation with (?)-trans- 19 (Scheme 4). ¹³C-NMR Assignments and absolute configurations of the intermediate esters, acids, aldehydes, and alcohols are presented.     

New ethylzinc reagents with remarkable properties in palladium-catalyzed zinc-ene reactions

Pd-Catalyzed Zn-ene allylic olefinations with the new ethylzinc reagents Et? Zn? OSO₂CF₃ ( 4 ) and Et? Zn? OC(O)CF(MeO)CF₃ ( 5 ) in CH₂Cl₂ showed an unexpected trans-selectivity in the ring closure to cyclopentane derivatives (see Scheme 2 and Table 1). This strong trans-selectivity is in contrast with the corresponding known Zn-ene reaction using Et₂Zn in Et₂O which shows a high cis-selectivity (Table 1). The probable radical origin of the observed trans-selectivity is discussed. The Zn-ene reaction products of the type R? Zn? OSO₂CF₃ could be derivatized by the known protonation, iodination, and cyanation yielding 8–10 (Scheme 4 and Table 2), these derivatizations could furthermore be extended by allylation and oxidation reaction (→ 13, 15 , and 16 ; see Scheme 5).     

1,3-Oxathiole and Thiirane Derivatives from the Reactions of Azibenzil and α-diazo amides with thiocarbonyl compounds

The reactions of α-diazo ketones 1a,b with 9H-fluorene-9-thione ( 2f ) in THF at room temperature yielded the symmetrical 1,3-dithiolanes 7a,b , whereas 1b and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dithione ( 2d ) in THF at 60° led to a mixture of two stereoisomeric 1,3-oxathiole derivatives cis- and trans- 9a (Scheme 2). With 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone ( 1c ), thio ketones 2a–d as well as 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thione 2g reacted to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives exclusively (Schemes 3 and 4). As the reactions with 1c were more sluggish than those with 1a,b , they were catalyzed either by the addition of LiClO₄ or by Rh₂(OAc)₄. In the case of 2d in THF/LiClO₄ at room temperature, a mixture of the monoadduct 4d and the stereoisomeric bis-adducts cis- and trans- 9b was formed. Monoadduct 4d could be transformed to cis- and trans- 9b by treatment with 1c in the presence of Rh₂(OAc)₄ (Scheme 4). Xanthione ( 2e ) and 1c in THF at room temperature reacted only when catalyzed with Rh₂(OAc)₄, and, in contrast to the previous reactions, the benzoyl-substituted thiirane derivative 5a was the sole product (Scheme 4). Both types of reaction were observed with α-diazo amides 1d,e (Schemes 5–7). It is worth mentioning that formation of 1,3-oxathiole or thiirane is not only dependent on the type of the carbonyl compound 2 but also on the α-diazo amide. In the case of 1d and thioxocyclobutanone 2c in THF at room temperature, the primary cycloadduct 12 was the main product. Heating the mixture to 60°, 1,3-oxathiole 10d as well as the spirocyclic thiirane-carboxamide 11b were formed. Thiirane-carboxamides 11d–g were desulfurized with (Me₂N)₃P in THF at 60°, yielding the corresponding acrylamide derivatives (Scheme 7). All reactions are rationalized by a mechanism via initial formation of acyl-substituted thiocarbonyl ylides which undergo either a 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives or a 1,3-dipolar electrocyclization to yield thiiranes. Only in the case of the most reactive 9H-fluorene-9-thione ( 2f ) is the thiocarbonyl ylide trapped by a second molecule of 2f to give 1,3-dithiolane derivatives by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.     

Mechanismus der photochemischen Methanol-Addition an 2-allylierte Aniline

Mechanism of the Photochemical Addition of Methanol to 2-Allylated Anilines We studied in methanol the photoreaction of the 2-allylated anilines, given in Scheme 3 (cf. also [ 1 ]). Irradiation of N-methyl-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ( 15 ) with a high pressure mercury lamp yielded trans- and cis-1,2,3-trimethylindoline (trans- and (cis- 34 ) as well as erythro- and threo-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl)-N-methylaniline (erythro- and threo- 35 ; Scheme 7). When the corresponding aniline d₃- 15 , specifically deuterated in the 1′-methyl group, was irradiated in methanol, a mixture of trans- and cis-d₃- 34 , and of erythro- and threo-d₃- 35 was obtained. Successive dehydrogenation of the mixture of cis/trans-d₃- 34 by Pd/C in boiling xylene and by MnO₂ in boiling benzene lead to the corresponding indole d₃- 36 (cf. Scheme 9), the ¹H- and ²H-NMR. spectra of which showed that both cis-d₃- and trans-d₃- 34 had bound the deuterium labeled methyl group exclusively at C(3). The ¹H- and ²H-NMR. analyses of the separated methanol addition products revealed that erythro-d₃- 35 contained the deuterium label to at least 95% in the methyl group at C(1′), and threo-d₃- 35 to 50% in CH₃? C(1′) and to 50% in CH₃? C(2′) (cf. Scheme 9). To confirm these results 2-(1′-ethylallyl)aniline ( 16 ) was irradiated in methanol, whereby a complex mixture of at least 6 products was obtained (cf. Scheme 11). Two products were identified as trans- and cis-3-ethyl-2-methylindoline (trans- and cis- 37 ). The four other products represented erythro- and threo-2-(1′-ethyl-2′-methoxypropyl)aniline (erythro- and threo- 39 ) as major components, and erythro- and threo-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylbutyl)aniline (erythro- and threo- 40 ). These results clearly demonstrate that the methanol addition products must arise from spirodienimine intermediates of the type of trans- 9 and cis- 11 (R¹ = CD₃ or C₂H₅, R² = CH₃ or H; Scheme 2) which are opened solvolytically with inversion of configuration by methanol. Thus, cis- 11 (R¹ = CD₃, R² = CH₃) must lead to a 1:1 mixture of threo- 13 and threo- 14 (i.e.) a 1:1 distribution of the deuterium labelled methyl group between C(1′) and C(2′) in threo- 35 ) The formation of erythro-d₃- 35 with at least 95% of the deuterium label in the methyl group at C(1′) indicates that trans- 9 (R¹ = CD₃, R² = CH₃) reacts with methanol regioselectively (> 95%) at the C(2), C(3) bond. Similarly, the formation of the methanol addition products in the photoreaction of 16 (Scheme 11) can be explained. Since the indolines, formed in both photoreactions, show no alteration in the position of the subsituent at C(1′) with respect to the starting material we suppose that the diradical 7 (R¹ = CD₃ or C₂H₅, R² = CH₃ or H; Scheme 2) is a common intermediate which undergoes competetive 1.3 and 1.5 ring closure yielding the spirodienimines and the indolines. This conception is supported by irradiation experiments with N, 3,5-trimethyl-2-(1′-methylally)aniline ( 17 ) and 2-(2′-cyclohexenyl)-N-methylaniline ( 18 ) in methanol. In the former case the formation of spirodienimines is hindered by the methyl group at C(3) for steric reasons, thus leading to a ratio of the indoline to the methoxy compounds of about 6.3 as compared with ca. 1.0 for 15 (cf. Scheme 12). On the other hand, no methoxy compounds could be detected in the reaction mixture of 18 (cf. Scheme 13) which indicates that in this case the 1.3 ring closure cannot compete with the 1.5 cyclization in the corresponding cyclic diradical of the type 7 (R¹–C(1′)–C(2′) is part of a six-membered ring; Scheme 2). We suppose that the diradicals of type 7 are formed by proton transfer in an intramolecular electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complex arising from the excited single state of the aniline chromophor and the allylic side chain. This idea is supported by the fluorescence specta of 2-allylated N-methylanilines (cf. Fig.1-4) which show pronounced differences with respect to the corresponding 2-alkylated anilines. Furthermore, the anilines 18 and 20 when irradiated in methanol in the presence of an excess of trans-1,3-pentadiene undergo preferentially an intermolecular addition to the diene, thus yielding the N-(1′-methyl-2′-butenyl)anilines 52 and 51 , respectively (Scheme 15), i.e. as one would expect the diene with its low lying LUMO is a better partner for an EDA complex than the double bond of the allylic side chain.     

Cyclopentenone Annulation of 2-Oxocycloalkane-1-carbonitriles

Phase-transfer alkylation of the 2-oxocycloalkane-l-carbonitriles 1a and 1b with ethyl 4-bromo-3-methoxy-2-butenoate ( 2 ), followed by deprotection and base-catalyzed cyclization gave the annulated cyclopentenones 5a and 5b , respectively, in high overall yields (Scheme 1). Stereoselective catalytic hydrogenation of 5b followed by de-ethoxycarbonylation afforded 14-oxo-cis-bicyclo[10.3.0]pentadecane-l-carbonitrile ( 7 ). Treatment of 7 with LiN(i-Pr)₂ in THF gave the known synthetic muscone precursor 8 (Scheme 2). The tricyclo[10.4.0.0^1,15]hexadecan-14-one ( 14 ) was prepared from 7 in 5 steps by a reaction sequence proceeding without affecting the chiral centres (Scheme 2). The structure of 14 was established by X-ray structure analysis (Figure).     

Octacarbonyldicoblat-Inauced (1,3) H Shits in 1-Methylallenecarboxylates and Allenic Lactones

The allenecarboxylates 1a , b and allenic lactones 4a , b undergo thermally induced (1,3) H Shifts in the presence of Co₂(CO)₈. The non-isolated 1,3-dienes 2a , b react further affording the Diels-Alder Adducts 3a , b Scheme 1 in high yields. These adducts were not formed in the case of the 2-vinybutenolides 5a , b . On irradiationin the presence of Co₂(CO)₈ or Mn₂(Co)₁₀, the studied allenes reacted in a different manner, yielding either cyclization products 7 and 8 (Scheme 3) or products 9 and 10 , formed via H abstracton and solvent addition (Schemes 4 and 5).     

Carbocyclische Verbindungen aus Monosacchariden. I. Umsetzungen in der glucosereihe

Carbocyclic Compounds from Monosaccharides. 1. Transformations in the Glucose Series A method for the preparation of pentasubstituted cyclopentanes from monosaccharides is presented, involving two crucial steps, viz. the reductive fragmentation of 5-bromo-5-deoxyglucosides (such as 10, 17 and 23 , see Scheme 3) with Zn or butyl lithium yielding 5,6-dideoxy-hex-5-enoses (such as 11 and 24 , see Schemes 3 and 4), and the subsequent cyclization of these hexenoses with N-methyl- or N-(alkoxyalkyl)hydroxylamines (via the corresponding nitrones) to form cyclopentano-isoxazolidines (see Scheme 2). Thus, the glucosides 17 and 23 were converted diastereoselectively and in good yields into the cyclopentano-isoxazolidines 27 and 45 (Schemes 5 and 7), which were characterized by their transformation into various derivatives. 27 and 45 were correlated through the common derivative 62 . The configuration of the cyclization products were established by pyrolysis of the N-oxide 65 to the enol ether 67 (Scheme 10).     

A New and Efficient Synthesis of Highly Functionalized (Triphenylphosphoranylidene)cyclopentadienes with Zwitterionic Resonance Structures

Different esters of 2‐aryl‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐nitro‐5‐(triphenylphosphoranylidene)cyclopenta‐1,3‐diene‐1‐carboxylates 1 were prepared in excellent yields from the 1 : 1 : 1 reaction between Ph₃P, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates 2 , and (substituted) 2‐(nitroethenyl)benzenes 3 (Scheme 1). The structures of the highly functionalized compounds 1 were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ³¹P‐NMR, EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this type of cyclization is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Thermal and Ru-catalyzed Reactions of Styryl-Substituted Azulenes with Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate

The thermal reaction of 1-[(E)-styrl]azulenes with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM) in decalin at 190–200° does not lead to the formation fo the corresponding heptalene-1,2-dicarboxylates (Scheme 2). Main products are the corresponding azulene-1,2-dicarboxylates (see 4 and 9 ), accompanied by the benzanellated azulenes trans- 10a and trans- 11 , respectively. The latter compounds are formed by a Diels-Alder reaction of the starting azulenes and ADM, followed by an ene reaction with ADM (cf. Scheme 3). The [RuH₂(PPh₃)₄]-catalyzed reaction of 4,6,8-trimethyl-1-[(E)-4-R-styryl]azulenes (R=H, MeO, Cl; Scheme 4) with ADM in MeCN at 110° yields again the azulene-1,2-dicarboxylates as main products. However, in this case, the corresponding heptalene-1,2-dicarboxylates are also formed in small amounts (3–5%; Scheme 4). The benzanellated azulenes trans- 10a and trans- 10b are also found in small amounts (2–3%) in the reaction mixture. ADM Addition products at C(3) of the azulene ring as well as at C(2) of the styryl moiety are also observed in minor amounts (1–3%). Similar results are obtained in the [RuH₂(PPh₃)₄]-catalyzed reaction of 3-[(E)-styryl]guaiazulene ((E)- 8 ; Scheme 5) with ADM in MeCN. However, in this case, no heptalene formation is observed, and the amount of the ADM-addition products at C(2) of the styryl group is remarkably increased (29%). That the substitutent pattern at the seven-membered ring of (E)- 8 is not responsible for the failure of heptalene formation is demonstrated by the Ru-catalyzed reaction of 7-isopropyl-4-methyl-1-[(E)-styryl]azulene ((E)- 23 ; Scheme 11) with ADM in MeCN, yielding the corresponding heptalene-1,2-dicarboxylate (E)- 26 (10%). Again, the main product is the corresponding azulene-1,2-dicarboxylate 25 (20%). Reaction of 4,6,8-trimethyl-2-[(E)-styryl]azulene ((E)- 27 ; Scheme 12) and ADM yields the heptalene-dicarboxylates (E)- 30A / B , purely thermally in decalin (28%) as well as Ru-catalyzed in MeCN (40%). Whereas only small amounts of the azulene-1,2-dicarboxylate 8 (1 and 5%, respectively) are formed, the corresponding benzanellated azulene trans- 29 ist found to be the second main product (21 and 10%, respectively) under both reaction conditions. The thermal reaction yields also the benzanellated azulene 28 which is not found in the catalyzed variant of the reaction. Heptalene-1,2-dicarboxylates are also formed from 4-[(E)-styryl]azulenes (e.g. (E)- 33 and (E)- 34 ; Scheme 14) and ADM at 180–190° in decalin and at 110° in MeCN by [RuH₂(PPh₃)₄] catalysis. The yields (30%) are much better in the catalyzed reaction. The formation of by-products (e.g. 39–41 ; Scheme 14) in small amounts (0.5–5%) in the Ru-catalyzed reactions allows to understand better the reactivity of zwitterions (e.g. 42 ) and their triyclic follow-up products (e.g. 43 ) built from azulenes and ADM (cf. Scheme 15).     

Über Umlagerungen bei der Cyclialkylierung von Arylpentanolen zu 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐inden‐Derivaten, 2. Mitteilung

On Rearrangements by Cyclialkylations of Arylpentanols to 2,3‐Dihydro‐1 H ‐indene Derivatives. Part 2. An Unexpected Rearrangement by the Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclialkylation of 2,4‐Dimethyl‐2‐phenylpentan‐3‐ol under Formation of trans ‐2,3‐Dihydro‐1,1,2,3‐tetramethyl‐1 H ‐indene The acid catalyzed‐cyclialkylation of 4‐(2‐chloro‐phenyl)‐2,4‐dimethylpentan‐2‐ol ( 1 ) gave two products: 4‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐1H‐indene ( 2 ) and also trans‐4‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,1,2,3‐tetramethyl‐1H‐indene ( 3 ). A mechanism was proposed in Part 1 (cf. Scheme 1) for this unexpected rearrangement. This mechanism would mainly be supported by the result of the cyclialkylation of 2,4‐dimethyl‐2‐phenylpentan‐3‐ol ( 4 ), which, with respect to the similarity of ion II in Scheme 1 and ion V in Scheme 2, should give only product 5 . This was indeed the experimental result of this cyclialkylation. But the result of the cyclialkylation of 1,1,1,2′,2′,2′‐hexadeuterated isomer [²H₆]‐ 4 of 4 (cf. Scheme 3) requires a different mechanism as for the cyclialkylation of 1 . Such a mechanism is proposed in Schemes 5 and 6. It gives a satisfactory explanation of the experimental results and is supported by the result of the cyclialkylation of 2,4‐dimethyl‐3‐phenylpentan‐3‐ol ( 9 ; Scheme 7). The alternative migration of a Ph or of an i‐Pr group (cf. Scheme 6) is under further investigation.     

Homogeneous and heterogeneous asymmetric reactions. Part 5. Diastereoselective and enantioselective hydrogenation of cyclic β-keto esters on modified Raney-nickel catalysts

The hydrogenations of methyl 2-oxoeyclopentanecarboxylate ( 1 ), ethyl 2-oxocyelohexanecarboxylate ( 3 ), and 2-methylcyclohexanone ( 5 ) on unmodified Raney-Ni catalyst lead predominately to the formation of the cis-hydroxy diastereoisomers of 2 , 4 , and 6 , respectively (Scheme 2). In the asymmetric hydrogenations on catalysts modified with chiral tartaric acid ((R, R )-C₄H₆O₆/Raney-Ni and (R, R)-C₄H₆O₆/NaBr/Raney-Ni), the predominance of the cis-isomer increases significantly. The hydrogenations of β-keto esters 1 and 3 proceed with an enantioselectivity of 10–15% on the modified catalysts, while the similar hydrogenation of 5 yields optically inactive 6 . The (1S,2R)-enantiomers of the cis-isomers of 2 and 4 are formed in larger quantity, whereas the (lR,2R)-enantiomers of the corresponding trans-isomers predominate (Scheme 1). The enantioselective formation of trans- 2 and trans- 4 can be interpreted mainly in terms of the asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic β-keto esters through the keto form, while that of the corresponding cis-hydroxy esters proceeds through the enol form.     

A Novel Approach towards 2,3,5-Trisubstituted Thiophenes via tandem Michael addition/intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation

Starting from the easily available, highly functionalized acetylenic ketories 4a–i (Scheme 1), novel 2,3,5-trisubstituted thiophenes 1a–i (Scheme 2) were synthesized in good yields using a tandem Michael-addition/intramolecular Knoevenagel-condensation strategy, featuring Cs₂CO₃/MgSO₄ (1:2) as an efficient base to effect the cyclization. Subsequent simple one-step transformations yielded 2,3-disubstituted thiophene-5-carbaidehydes 7a–c , carboxylic-acid derivatives 8, 9 , and 11 , and alcohol 10 (Scheme 3). These molecules constitute interesting novel thiophene-containing building blocks, useful for the preparation of low-molecular-weight compound libraries by combinatorial and parallel-chemistry techniques.     

Reaktionsprodukte aus 3-Dimethylamino-2, 2-dimethyl-2H-azirin und Phthalohydrazid bzw. Maleohydrazid

Reaction Products from 3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine and Phthalohydrazide or Maleohydrazide 3-Dimethylamino-2, 2-dimethyl-2H-azirine (1) reacts in dimethylformamide at room temperature with the six-membered cyclic hydrazides 2, 3-dihydrophthalazin-1, 4-dione (2) and 1, 2-dihydropyridazin-3, 6-dione (15) to give the zwitterionic compounds 3 and 16 , respectively (Scheme 1 and 7). The mechanism of these reactions is outlined in Scheme 1 for compound 3 (cf. also Scheme 8). The first steps are thought to be similar to the known reactions of 1 with the NH-acidic compounds saccharin and phthalimide (cf. [1]). Instead of ring expansion to the nine-membered heterocycle i (X=CONH, Scheme 8), a proton transfer followed by the loss of water gives 3 (Scheme 1). The structure of the zwitterionic compounds 3 and 16 is deduced from spectral data and the reactions of these compounds (see Schemes 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7). Methylation of 3 yields the iodide 4 , which is hydrolysed easily to the 2-imidazolin-5-one derivative 5 (Scheme 2). Hydrolysis of 3 under basic conditions leads to the amide 6 , which undergoes cyclization to 7 at 220–230° (Scheme 3). The analogous cyclization has been realized under acidic conditions in the case of 17 (Scheme 7). Catalytic reduction of 3 yields the tertiary amine 14 (Scheme 6), whereas the reduction with sodium borohydride leads to a mixture of 14 and the 2-imidazoline derivative 13 . The alcohol 11 , corresponding to the amine 14 , is obtained by sodium borohydride reduction of the 2-imidazolin-5-one 7 or of the amide 6 (Scheme 3). This remarkably easy reaction of 7 shows the unusual electrophilicity of the lactamcarbonyl group in this compound. The reduction of 6 to 11 is understandable only by neighbouring group participation of N (2′) in the dihydrophthalazine residue.