Conformational control and photoenolization of pyridine-3-carboxaldehydes in the solid state: stabilization of photoenols via hydrogen bonding and electronic control

We have investigated the solid-state photobehavior of a broad set of pyridine-3-carboxaldehydes 1-5. The introduction of a heteroatom into mesitaldehydes as in aldehydes 1 raises the question of conformational preference in the solid state. The preferred conformations have been unequivocally established from X-ray crystal structure analyses of two of the aldehydes, 1c and 2c; it is shown that intramolecular hydrogen bonding could be utilized to achieve conformational control. In contrast to mesitaldehydes, which undergo efficient photocyclization to benzocyclobutenols in the solid state, the heteroatom analogues 1b and 1c exhibit a perceptible color change (from colorless to pale yellow for 1b and yellow-orange for 1c) upon UV irradiation; the color attributed to (E)-enols is persistent for several hours. Continued irradiation leads to an intractable polymeric material. The AM1 calculations, which have been reliably applied to the thermal cyclization of xylylenols to benzocyclobutenols, reveal that the (E)-enols of 1 are more stable than those of the mesitaldehydes relative to their corresponding benzocyclobutenols. The stabilization is interpreted as arising from the possibility of engaging the heteroatom in resonance delocalization. That the contribution from such a role of the nitrogen atom is so pronounced is elegantly demonstrated by forming the fluoroborate salts; 1a-HBF(4) and 1b-HBF(4) readily exhibit highly red-shifted absorption upon exposure to UV radiation as a result of stabilization of the photoenols. Notably, such a remarkable stabilization via electronic control of the photoenols is unprecedented. All of the 2-methoxy- and 2-chloro-substituted aldehydes 2-5 exhibit photochromism. Ab initio calculations show that the methoxy group in aldehydes 2 and 3 stabilizes the (E)-enols via O[bond]H...O hydrogen bonding as compared to those of 1 by 5-6 kcal/mol relative to their corresponding benzocyclobutenols. Thus, the presence of methoxy and halo groups at position 2 serves not only to direct the formyl oxygen toward the methyl group for H-abstraction but also to stabilize the (E)-enols.     

Recent advances in chiral phosphine-silver(I) complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions

Since the first report of silver(I)-catalyzed asymmetric aldol-type reaction of activated isocyanides with aldehydes using a chiral ferrocenylphosphine as a chiral phosphine ligand has been appeared in 1990, various chiral phosphine-silver(I) catalysts have been utilized in asymmetric transformations. This feature articles describes recent examples of chiral phosphine-silver(I) complex-catalyzed asymmetric reactions such as allylation, aldol reaction, Mannich-type reaction, hetero-Diels-Alder reaction, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and nitroso aldol reaction.     

Tandem cyclization-cycloaddition behavior of rhodium carbenoids with carbonyl compounds: stereoselective studies on the construction of novel epoxy-bridged tetrahydropyranone frameworks

Investigations and stereoselective studies on the tandem reactions of carbonyl ylides generated from alpha-diazo ketones in the presence of carbonyl compounds are presented in this paper. Intramolecular cyclization of rhodium carbenoids generated the transient five- or six-membered-ring carbonyl ylide dipoles, which efficiently underwent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions with various dipolarophiles such as aromatic aldehydes 15, alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes 18/24, alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones 27/28/31, and dienone 34. The transient carbonyl ylides underwent cycloadditions with various aromatic aldehydes to furnish diverse epoxy-bridged tetrahydropyranone ring systems in a diastereoselective manner. The cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes 18/24 or dienone 34 afforded C=O addition products in a chemoselective manner despite the presence of C=C bonds in the above dipolarophiles. Alternatively, the cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones 27/28 provided both the C=O and C=C cycloaddition products. The cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with carbonyl compounds occurred in good yields and was found to be highly regio- and stereoselective. Single-crystal X-ray analyses were performed to unambiguously establish the structure and stereochemistry of the novel epoxy-bridged tetrahydropyranone ring systems 35a/38. Compound 35a exhibited both intermolecular C-H...O and intramolecular C-H...pi interaction motifs in the solid-state architecture. The regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity observed in these reactions have been investigated by semiempirical AM1 MO calculations. FMO analyses and transition state calculations have been performed for the cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds such as tetracyclone (34) and cyclopentenone (27a). Both FMO and transition state calculations correctly predicted the regio- and stereochemistry of the cycloadducts. The calculations further revealed that a severe steric interaction caused by the phenyl rings present in dipolarophile 34 with dipole 14a increases the activation barrier of the transition state during the cycloaddition process.     

The first catalytic inverse-electron demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of nitroso alkenes using pyrrolidine as an organocatalyst

The first catalytic inverse-electron demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of nitroso alkenes has been developed. Nitroso alkenes were generated in situ from alpha-halooximes and underwent [4 + 2]-cycloadditions with enamines as dienophiles formed from aldehydes and pyrrolidine (10 mol%) as an organocatalyst. The presence of a suitable heterogeneous buffer system was found to be essential and best results were obtained with sodium acetate trihydrate. The resulting 5,6-dihydro-4H-oxazines were obtained in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions. A catalytic cycle has been proposed and evidence for the cycloaddition mechanism has been obtained. Moderate asymmetric induction (42% ee) was observed when a chiral secondary amine was used.     

Efficient photocyclization of o-alkylbenzaldehydes in the solid state: direct observation of E-xylylenols en route to benzocyclobutenols

The photocyclization to benzocyclobutenols of o-alkyl aromatic aldehydes that are predestined for gamma-hydrogen abstraction is found to occur efficiently in the solid state; in contrast, solution-phase photolysis is known to afford a mixture of several products. It is shown that mesitaldehyde, which is a liquid, also undergoes efficient cyclization when subjected to photolysis as a solid inclusion complex. The marginal energy differences in the relative energies of the E-enols and the corresponding cyclobutenols in the case of cyano-substituted mesitaldehydes has permitted direct observation, for the first time, of the E-enols en route to benzocyclobutenols. The AM1 calculations suggest that the cyano-substitution causes intrinsic stabilization of the E-enols relative to the corresponding cyclobutenols, while the bromo groups do the opposite. The lack of observation of the red color in bromo- and formyl-substituted aldehydes is attributed to rapid cyclization of the E-enols to the their respective cyclobutenols even at low temperatures.     

Solvent enhancement of reaction selectivity: a unique property of cationic chiral dirhodium carboxamidates

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of nitrones with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by a cationic chiral dirhodium(II,III) carboxamidate with (R)-menthyl (S)-2-oxopyrrolidine-5-carboxylate ligands in toluene increase reaction rates, give optimum regioselectivities, and enhance stereoselectivities compared to the same reactions performed in traditionally used halocarbon solvents. Rate and enantioselectivity enhancements were also obtained in hetero-Diels-Alder and carbonyl-ene reactions performed in toluene over those obtained in dichloromethane using the diastereomeric chiral cationic dirhodium(II,III) carboxamidate with (S)-menthyl (S)-2-oxopyrrolidine-5-carboxylate ligands. These enhancements are attributed to diminished or absent association of toluene with the catalyst which lessens the relative importance of the uncatalyzed background reaction, and they may also be a consequence of different coordination angles for aldehyde association with rhodium in the different solvent environments. Overall, the enhancement of reaction rates and selectivities with cationic chiral dirhodium(II,III) carboxamidates in toluene suggests broad applications for them in Lewis acid catalyzed reactions.     

Iron-catalyzed rearrangements and cycloaddition reactions of 2H-chromenes

Iron(III) salts catalyze the tandem rearrangement/hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of 2H-chromenes to yield tetrahydrochromeno heterocycles. The process can occur as a homodimerization and cycloaddition process using electron-rich dienophiles. Deuterium labeling and mechanistic studies revealed a hydride shift and ortho-quinone methide cycloaddition reaction pathway.     

Enantio- and diastereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reactions between 2-aza-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadienes and aldehydes catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates

The first catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between 2-aza-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadienes and aldehydes is described. With dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-benzene-fused-phthaloyl-(S)-piperidinonate], Rh(2)(S-BPTPI)(4), the cycloaddition reaction proceeded exclusively in an endo mode to give all-cis-substituted 1,3-oxazinan-4-ones in high yields with up to 98% ee.     

Unexpected one-pot synthesis of new polycyclic coumarin[4,3-c]pyridine derivatives via a tandem hetero-Diels-Alder and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

O-Methyl-4-coumarincarbaldehyde oxime reacted as an azadiene with electron-deficient and electron-rich dienophiles to give, via one-step hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions, the corresponding 5H-coumarin[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ones. When excess of the dienophile was used, fused azatetracyclo derivatives were also formed via a tandem Diels-Alder and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the dienophile to an azomethine ylide formed by the intermediate 2,3-dihydro-5H-coumarin[4,3-c]pyridine-5-one. The regio- and stereoselectivities of the new compounds correspond well with spectroscopic (2D NMR) and theoretical data. A possible mechanistic scheme is provided.     

Solvent-free asymmetric vinylogous aldol reaction of Chan's diene with aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by hydrogen bonding

Chan's diene proved to react with aromatic aldehydes under organocatalytic conditions in presence of a chiral naphthyl-TADDOL derivative to give vinylogous aldols (up to 65% ee) with complete γ-selectivity. A further process of hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition, leading to chiral pyran-4-one derivatives (up to 60% ee), was favoured by electron-withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring.     

Generation and tandem reactions of 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallics: practical and versatile reagents for organic synthesis

A practical and straightforward method for generation of versatile 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallic intermediates and their application to construction of functionalized building blocks are disclosed. Beginning with readily available air-stable 1-alkynyl-1-boronate esters, hydroboration with dicyclohexylborane generates 1-alkenyl-1,1-diboro species. In situ transmetallation with dialkylzinc reagents furnishes 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallic intermediates. Direct treatment with aldehydes followed by workup allows isolation of B(pin)-substituted allylic alcohols in 70-95% yield. The B(pin)-substituted allylic alcohols react with NBS to afford (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes in 51-77% yield via a semipinacol-type rearrangement. In situ treatment of 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallic intermediates with aldehydes followed by TBHP oxidation enables the preparation of alpha-hydroxy ketones. Under optimized conditions, addition of 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallic intermediates to a variety of protected alpha- and beta-hydroxy aldehydes proceeds with good to excellent control over diastereoselectivity to furnish differentially protected dihydroxy ketones. The 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallic intermediates have also been employed in tandem aldehyde addition/Suzuki cross-coupling reactions to provide densely functionalized allylic alcohols in good to excellent yields.     

Effect of Lewis acid catalysts on Diels-Alder and hetero-Diels-Alder cycloadditions sharing a common transition state

The thermal and Lewis acid catalyzed cycloadditions of beta,gamma-unsaturated alpha-ketophosphonates and nitroalkenes with cyclopentadiene have been explored by using density functional theory (DFT) methods. In both cases, only a single highly asynchronous bis-pericyclic transition state yielding both Diels-Alder and hetero-Diels-Alder cycloadducts could be located. Stepwise pathways were found to be higher in energy. On the potential energy surface, the bis-pericyclic cycloaddition transition state is followed by the Claisen rearrangement transition state. No intermediates were located between these transition states. Claisen rearrangement transition states are also highly asynchronous, but bond lengths are skewed in the opposite direction compared to the bis-pericyclic transition states. The relative positions of the bis-pericyclic and Claisen rearrangement transition states may control periselectivity due to the shape of the potential energy surface and corresponding dynamical influences. Inspection of the thermal potential energy surface (PES) indicates that a majority of downhill paths after the bis-pericyclic transition state lead to the Diels-Alder cycloadducts, whereas a smaller number of downhill paths reach the hetero-Diels-Alder products with no intervening energy barrier. Lewis acid catalysts alter the shape of the surface by shifting the cycloaddition and the Claisen rearrangement transition states in opposite directions. This topographical change qualitatively affects the branching ratio after the bis-pericyclic transition state and ultimately reverses the periselectivity of the cycloaddition giving a preference for hetero-Diels-Alder cycloadducts.     

Competition and selectivity of organic reactions on semiconductor surfaces: reaction of unsaturated ketones on Si(100)-2 x 1 and Ge(100)-2 x 1

A combined experimental and theoretical study of a model system of multifunctional unsaturated ketones, including ethyl vinyl ketone (EVK), 2-cyclohexen-1-one, and 5-hexen-2-one, on the Si(100)-2 x 1 and Ge(100)-2 x 1 surfaces was performed in order to probe the factors controlling the competition and selectivity of organic reactions on clean semiconductor surfaces. Multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopy data and density functional theory calculations indicate that EVK and 2-cyclohexen-1-one undergo selective [4 + 2] hetero-Diels-Alder and [4 + 2] trans cycloaddition reactions on the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface at room temperature. In contrast, on the Si(100)-2 x 1 surface, evidence is seen for significant ene and possibly [2 + 2] C=O cycloaddition side products. The greater selectivity of these compounds on Ge(100) versus Si(100) is explained by differences between the two surfaces in both thermodynamic factors and kinetic factors. With 5-hexen-2-one, for which [4 + 2] cycloaddition is not possible, a small [2 + 2] C=C cycloaddition product is observed on Ge(100) and possibly Si(100), even though the [2 + 2] C=C transition state is calculated to be the highest barrier reaction by several kilocalories per mole. The results suggest that, due to the high reactivity of clean semiconductor surfaces, thermodynamic selectivity and control will play important roles in their selective functionalization, favoring the use of Ge for selective attachment of multifunctional organics.     

"Ionic carbenes": synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of rare-Earth metal methylidene complexes

Treatment of mixed chloride tetramethylaluminate polynuclear clusters {Cp*Y[(mu-Me)2AlMe2](mu-Cl)}2 and {Cp*6La6[(mu-Me)3AlMe]4(mu3-Cl)2(mu2-Cl)6} with toluene/THF solutions produces "aluminum-free" methylidene complexes [Cp*3Ln3(mu-Cl)3(mu3-Cl)(mu3-CH2)(THF)3] (Ln = Y, La). The trinuclear methylidene complexes are isostructural in the solid state and feature a sterically well-shielded Schrock-type nucleophilic CH22- unit, which is prone to Tebbe-like methylenation reactions with ketones and aldehydes. The rapid polymerization of gamma-valerolactone reveals intrinsic rare-earth metal reactivity.     

Intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of imine and iminium dienophiles: quantum mechanical exploration of mechanisms and stereoselectivities

A series of intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of iminium and imine dienophiles has been explored with density functional theory using the B3LYP functional and 6-31+G* basis set. Aqueous solvation energies were calculated with the CPCM method. DFT predicts that these reactions are concerted but involve highly asynchronous transition states. Stereochemical preferences of imine cycloaddition transition states arise from electron repulsion of the nitrogen lone pair with electron density from the butadiene moiety. Protonation of the nitrogen leads to a highly asynchronous transition state. The iminium dienophiles are predicted to have a 17 kcal/mol lower barrier than the corresponding imines, even in aqueous solution.     

Total synthesis of (+)-cymbodiacetal: a re-evaluation of the biomimetic route

A total synthesis of (+)-cymbodiacetal (1) has been completed from (R)-(+)-limonene oxide using a hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition as a key step. The key Diels-Alder cycloaddition proceeds with endo-selectivity (2:1, endo/exo) in quantitative yield, and the two diastereomeric spirochroman products are isolable, stable products. Furthermore, the exo- and the endo-hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition products (2 and 7) can be oxidized with m-CPBA to produce (+)-cymbodiacetal (1) and the C(2)-symmetric bis-hemiacetal structure 8, respectively. The isomeric hemiacetal 9 is produced in both oxidation reactions. The structures of (+)-cymbodiacetal (1), its C(2)-symmetric diastereoisomer 8, and the isomeric hemiacetal 9 were confirmed using X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and reactivity of furoquinolines bearing an external methylene-bond: access to reduced and spirocyclic structures

A family of furoquinolines were efficiently obtained through a tandem acetalization/cycloisomerization process catalyzed by (5 mol%) silver imidazolate polymer and triphenylphosphine, and diversity was brought by the use of 7 different alcohol groups. From these furoquinolines, 3 examples of reduced derivatives could be obtained (d.r. up to 94 : 6), 10 different spiroketal derivatives by hetero-Diels-Alder reaction (d.r. up to 20 : 1), 8 hetero-[5,5]-spirocycles by cycloaddition with dibromoformaldoxime (d.r. up to 86 : 14) and finally 6 hetero-[5,6]-spirocycles by [4 + 2] cycloaddition with ethyl 3-bromo-2-(hydroxyimino)propanoate (d.r. up to 90 : 10).     

A highly enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of aldehydes with Danishefsky's diene catalyzed by chiral titanium(IV) 5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol complexes

The catalytic effect of chiral Lewis acids on the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between aldehydes and Danishefsky's diene (1) has been investigated. A variety of combinations of different ligands and Lewis acids have been examined as catalysts for the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between benzaldehyde and 1, and it has been found that the readily accessible Ti(IV)-H(8)-BINOL (TiHBOL) complex is a very effective catalyst for the reaction, leading to products with very high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) and yield (92%). The hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of other aldehydes with 1 under the catalysis of TiHBOL is a general reaction which proceeds well with very high enantioselectivity and isolated yield for various aldehydes at 0 degrees C to room temperature. Based on the experimental results, the proposed mechanism of the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction and the dihedral angle effects of ligands are discussed.     

Tandem oxidative isocyanide-based cycloaddition reactions in the presence of MIL-101(Cr) as a reusable solid catalyst

The tandem oxidative three-component synthesis of two types of the heterocycles such as furans and imidazopyridines, via isocyanides [1+4] cycloaddition reactions in the presence of MIL-101(Cr) under aerobic conditions are reported. When the 4-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide was used, an unexpected [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of isocyanides with aldehydes accomplished and dihydrophenyloxazoles and phenyloxazoles produced. These syntheses were successfully carried out using a wide scope of the substrates.     

Highly Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis of Optically Active Dihydropyrones by Chiral Titanium(IV) (5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-Octahydro-1,1'-Bi-2-Naphthol) Complexes

The formal hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between 1-methoxy-3-(trimethyl-silyl)oxy-1,3-butadiene and aldehydes provides useful access to dihydropyrones, a class of compounds with extensive utility in organic synthesis. Asymmetric catalysis of this reaction has been previously reported by a number of investigators. Herein we wish to describe that chiral 5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1, 1'-bi-2-naphthol (H₈-BINOL)/Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ complexes are more effective catalysts than BINOL/Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ and others for the asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reactions.