[2+2] photodimerization of 1-aryl-4-pyridylbutadienes through cation–π interactions

Irradiation of 1-aryl-4-pyridylbutadienes in the presence of 1 equiv of HCl produced syn and anti head-to-tail dimers, among a number of possible dimers, whereas irradiation in the absence of HCl gave a complex mixture. This indicated that the acid serves as a catalyst for the regio- and stereoselective [2+2] photodimerization of 1-aryl-4-pyridylbutadienes through cation–π interactions between the pyridinium and aromatic rings. The produced synHT dimers underwent Cope rearrangement to produce cyclooctadienes, and they were in equilibrium at a ratio of 85:15 in CDCl₃.     

Metal-free visible-light-promoted intermolecular [2+2]-cycloaddition of 3-ylideneoxindoles

The Rose Bengal sensitized intermolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of 3-ylideneoxindoles for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles was developed successfully under visible light irradiation conditions. The cycloaddition products were obtained in good yields (up to 93%) with excellent diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity by using a low loading of Rose Bengal (0.125 mol%) as a triplet sensitizer. This work demonstrates the potential benefits of Rose Bengal in visible light catalysis.     

Cucurbit[7]uril mediates the stereoselective [4+4] photodimerization of 2-aminopyridine hydrochloride in aqueous solution

The 2:1 guest-host complex of 2-aminopyridine hydrochloride with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) undergoes a stereoselective [4+4] photodimerization reaction in aqueous solution to yield exclusively the anti-trans isomer of 4,8-diamino-3,7-diazatricyclo[4.2.2.2(2,5)]dodeca-3,7,9,11-tetraene, and in the absence of CB[7], the photochemical reaction produces the anti-trans and syn-trans photodimers in a 4:1 ratio. In addition, encapsulation of the photodimer product in the CB[7] cavity stabilizes it with respect to the otherwise observed rearomatization to the 2-aminopyridine monomer at room temperature.     

Enantioselective [2 + 2] photodimerization reactions of coumarins in solution

[reaction: see text] The [2 + 2]photodimerization reactions of coumarin to an optically active anti-head-to-head dimer in the presence of an optically active host compound in cyclohexane solution proceeded with high enantioselectivity.     

Probing chemical transformations in organic solids via NMR techniques: The solid-state photodimerization reaction of 7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin

It has been reported that crystalline 7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin undergoes a [2 + 2] photodimerization reaction to give two different products; the major product is thesyn head-head dimer, whereas the minor product is thesyn head-tail dimer. In this paper, high-resolution solid-state¹³C NMR and solution-state¹H and¹³C NMR techniques have been applied to investigate various structural issues relating to this solid-state photodimerization reaction. In particular, spectra have been recorded at various stages during the progress of the photodimerization reaction with the aim of charting the structural changes in the system as a function of reaction progress, with particular interest in assessing the potential of this technique for investigating the structural reasons for the production of the minor product. Conformational and dynamic properties of the product obtained in this solid-state photodimerization reaction have also been assessed.     

Efficient [4+1]/[3+2+1] bis-cyclizations stereoselectively yielding unprecedented polyacyclic indeno-fused xanthenes

Concise and efficient [4+1]/[3+2+1] bis-cyclizations of o-phthalaldehyde with cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls have been established for the stereoselective synthesis of unprecedented polycyclic indeno[2,1-l]xanthene derivatives. The multicomponent domino reaction (MDR, AB₂ type) is easy to perform by mixing inexpensive substrates in HOAc at room temperature. The present synthesis shows attractive properties such as the simple one-pot fashion, high bond-forming efficiency, and easy purifications. Up to two new rings and four sigma-bonds were achieved in these MDRs without using any metal catalysts.     

Visible-Light Photocatalysis of Asymmetric [2+2] Cycloaddition in Cage-Confined Nanospace Merging Chirality with Triplet-State Photosensitization

Although the photodimerization of acenaphthylene (ACE) has been known for 100 years, the asymmetric cycloaddition of its 1-substituted derivatives is unknown. Herein, we report a supramolecular photochirogenic approach in which a homochiral and photoactive Δ/Λ-[Pd₆(RuL₃)₈]²⁸⁺ metal–organic cage (Δ/Λ-MOC-16) is used as a supramolecular reactor for the enantioselective exited-state photocatalysis of 1-Br-ACE. Owing to preorganization of the substrates by the supramolecular cage, stereochemical control of the triplet state, and nanospace transfer of energy and chirality, the cycloaddition of ACE proceeded with high selectivity for the formation of anti over syn stereoisomers, whereas the regio-, stereo-, and enantioselective cycloaddition of unsymmetrical 1-Br-ACE showed effective enantiodifferentiation of a pair of anti head-to-head stereoisomers. The enzyme-mimicking photocatalysis was verified by catalytic turnover, rate enhancement, and competing-guest inhibition experiments.     

Topochemical photodimerization of (E)-3-benzylidene-4-chromanone derivatives from β-type structures directed by halogen groups

Halogen substituent plays an important role in the crystalline packing of aromatic compounds. The [2+2] photocycloaddition of (E)-3-benzylidene-4-chromanones in the crystalline state was investigated, and halogen substitution has been adopted to organize molecules with proper arrangement for photodimerization. Not halogen bonds, but the electron-withdrawing property of halogen atoms can enhance the face-to-face π-π interactions. Therefore, F, Cl or Br substitution at the para position of phenyl gave rise to almost the same β-structures with face-to-face π-stacking. Only resulted β-structures can undergo photodimerization, which gave the syn-HH (syn-head-to-head) products with high regio-/stereoselectivity.     

Supramolecular-induced regiocontrol over the photochemical [4 + 4] cyclodimerization of NHC- or azole-substituted anthracenes

Thanks to the impressive control that microenvironments within enzymes can have over substrates, many biological reactions occur with high regio- and stereoselectivity. However, comparable regio- and stereoselectivity is extremely difficult to achieve for many types of reactions, particularly photochemical cycloaddition reactions in homogeneous solutions. Here, we describe a supramolecular templating strategy that enables photochemical [4 + 4] cycloaddition of 2,6-difunctionalized anthracenes with unique regio- and stereoselectivity and reactivity using a concept known as the supramolecular approach. The reaction of 2,6-azolium substituted anthracenes H₄-L(PF₆)₂ (L = 1a–1c) with Ag₂O yielded complexes anti-[Ag₂L₂](PF₆)₄ featuring an antiparallel orientation of the anthracene groups. Irradiation of complexes anti-[Ag₂L₂](PF₆)₄ proceeded under [4 + 4] cycloaddition linking the two anthracene moieties to give cyclodimers anti-[Ag₂(2)](PF₆)₂. Reaction of 2,6-azole substituted anthracenes with a dinuclear complex [Cl-Au-NHC–NHC-Au-Cl] yields tetranuclear assemblies with the anthracene moieties oriented in syn-fashion. Irradiation and demetallation gives a [4 + 4] syn-photodimer of two anthracenes. The stereoselectivity of the [4 + 4] cycloaddition between two anthracene moieties is determined by their orientation in the metallosupramolecular assemblies.

A supramolecular templating strategy that enables the photochemical [4 + 4] cycloaddition of 2,6-difunctionalized anthracene derivatives with unique stereoselectivity has been developed based on metal-NHC units.     

Cavity-directed synthesis within a self-assembled coordination cage: highly selective [2 + 2] cross-photodimerization of olefins

Herein reported is the highly selective [2 + 2] cross-photodimerization of olefins within a self-assembled coordination cage that acts as a molecular flask in an aqueous medium. An M(6)L(4) coordination nanocage that self-assembles from six Pd(II) complexes and four tridentate ligands accommodates two different kinds of large olefin molecules such as acenaphthylene and 5-ethoxynaphthoquinone in a pairwise selective fashion. This prerequisite recognition mode makes possible the selective [2 + 2] cross-photodimerization of the olefins within the cavity. The reaction is extremely efficient in terms of reaction rate, stereoselectivity, and, most importantly, pairwise selectivity. Maleimide derivatives, which themselves are photochemically inactive under ordinary conditions, are also cross-dimerized with acenaphthylene or dibenzosuberenon quite efficiently. These results are in sharp contrast to those of common photodimerization in organic media, where the yields and selectivities are generally poor to moderate. The key step of the exclusive formation of the cross-dimers stems from the selective formation of ternary complexes before irradiation, which is governed by the size compatibility of the guests with the confined space of the cavity.     

Asymmetric [4+2] cycloadditions employing 1,3-dienes derived from (R)-4-t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one

1,3-Dienes derived from (R)-4-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one react with activated dienophiles to form predominately (or sometimes exclusively) syn/endo products. These controlled [4+2] cycloadditions increase the asymmetric complexity from one asymmetric center in the starting material to five asymmetric centers in the products in a single step, and provide a powerful approach for the asymmetric synthesis of compounds containing the bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone carbon skeleton.     

DFT study on [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions to [60] fullerene

The functionalisation of C₆₀ fullerene with 2,3-dimethylene-1,4-dioxane (I) and 2,5-dioxabicyclo [4.2.0]octa-1(8),6-diene (II) was investigated by the use of density functional theory calculations in terms of its energetic, structural, field emission, and electronic properties. The functionalisation of C₆₀ with I was previously reported experimentally. The I and II molecules are preferentially attached to a C—C bond shared and located between two hexagons of C₆₀ via [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions bearing reaction energies of ?15.9 kcal mol^?1 and ?72.4 kcal mol^?1, respectively. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap and work function of C₆₀ are significantly reduced following completion of the reactions. The field electron emission current of the C₆₀ surface will increase after functionalisation of either the I or II molecule.     

Crystallographic observation of an olefin photodimerization reaction that takes place via thermal molecular tumbling within a self-assembled host

In situ crystallography reveals that the solid state [2 + 2] photodimerization of acenaphthylene in a coordination cage takes place smoothly without preorganizaiton of reaction centers at a preferred geometry, because the substrate tumbles thermally in the large hollow of the cage.     

(1+1) or (2+2) Coupling for bis(tosyloxyethoxy)benzenes with calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene

As bifunctional reagents, bis(tosyloxyethoxy)benzenes can react with p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene or p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene to afford intramolecularly bridged (1+1) or intermolecularly bridged (2+2) products. It was found that the bridging pattern strongly depended on the structure of bis(tosyloxyethoxy)benzene and the kind of calixarene. For the ortho-isomer of bis(tosyloxyethoxy)benzene, intramolecularly bridged calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene were the main products. For the para-isomer, the bridging reaction was in a (2+2) fashion. As for the meta-isomer, double thiacalix[4]arene and intramolecularly bridged calix[4]crown were synthesized.     

Cucurbit[8]uril-mediated photodimerization of alkyl 2-naphthoate in aqueous solution

The photodimerization of methyl 2-naphthoate (1), ethyl 2-naphthoate (2) and butyl 2-naphthoate (3) in cucurbituril (CB) aqueous solution was investigated. The product distribution and fluorescence spectral changes suggest that CB[8] can encapsulate two molecules of alkyl 2-naphthoate (1 or 2) and thereby facilitate a cubane-like photodimer formation. Subtle changes in either cavity size of CB[n] or alkyl substitutes can significantly modulate the interaction of CB[n] with 2-naphthoate derivatives affording remarkable alterations in their photochemical reactivity.     

A new [2 + 2] photodimerization of 5-chloro- and 5-methyl-2-pyridone in their inclusion complexes with 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid as a model for DNA damage by photodimerization of its thymine component

As a model for DNA damage by photodimerization of its thymine component, a new [2 + 2] photodimerization of 5-chloro and 5-methyl-2-pyridone to the corresponding cis-anti-dimers as their inclusion complexes with 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid was found, and the mechanism of this stereoselective solid state reaction was studied by X-ray analysis.     

[2 + 2] Photodimerization of the acenaphthylene ruthenium complex [(C5Me4CH2OMe)Ru(η6-C12H8)]+

The [2 + 2] photodimerization of the complex [(C₅Me₄CH₂OMe)Ru(η⁶-C₁₂H₈)]⁺ under visible-light irradiation leads to a mixture of the head-to-head heptacyclene products [(μ-η⁶: η⁶-C₂₄H₁₆)Ru₂(C₅Me₄CH₂OMe)₂]²⁺ (syn- and anti-) with the predominant formation of the syn-isomer; the structures of both isomers were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes): [2+2] versus [4+2] cycloaddition

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes), derived from ene-bis(propargyl alcohols) and chlorodiphenylphosphine, was investigated. Benzene-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) exclusively gave intramolecular [2+2] cycloadducts in the presence of dimethyl fumarate in sharp contrast to the reaction of benzene-bridged bis(sulfinylallenes), which gave the corresponding [4+2] cycloadducts. On the other hand, substituted ethylene- or five-membered heterocycle-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) provided [4+2] cycloadducts. Reaction of benzene-bridged diallene bearing both a sulfinyl group and a phosphinyl group on the two allenyl groups was also described.     

Stereoselective photo[4+2]cycloadditions of 2-pyrone-5-carboxylates with maleimides in the solid state and in solution

Solid state photoreactions and thermal reactions of 2-pyrone-5-carboxylates with maleimides gave endo-[4+2]cycloadducts, while the sensitized photoreactions gave exo-[4+2]cycloadducts stereo-selectively.     

[4 + 2] Cycloaddition reactions of hexachlorotropone

The cycloaddition of hexachlorotropone to selected olefins, including 1,3-dienes, has been examined. Unlike tropone, which undergoes [6 + 4] cycloadditions with 1,3-dienes, only [4 + 2] processes were observed with hexachlorotropone. Its apparent preference for exo-addition (contrast tetrachlorocyclopentadienone) probably results from thermodynamic control of the endo : exo product ratios.