Recent advances in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions

The [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an elegant, atom-efficient and group tolerant process for the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles, mostly aromatic, involving the formation of several C-C bonds in a single step. Cyclotrimerisation is catalyzed by a variety of organometallic complexes, including more than 15 different metals. The aim of this tutorial review is to point out the most recent advances in this field and to encourage the use of this reaction enroute to complex molecules. After summarizing the most common catalysts and reaction conditions generally used, we survey the mechanistic features currently accepted for this reaction. Section 4 covers the scope of the different [2+2+2] cycloaddition versions starting with the cyclotrimerisation of three triple bonds, including nitriles, with especial emphasis on asymmetric reactions that create central, axial or planar chirality. Then, reactions that use double bonds are addressed. Finally, the most outstanding examples of natural products synthesis using [2+2+2] cycloadditions as a key step reported recently are shown.     

Enantioselective photochemical reactions of 2-pyridones in solution

[reaction: see text] Two key photochemical reactions of prochiral 2-pyridones were studied in the presence of a chiral host. The [4 + 4]-photocycloaddition with cyclopentadiene (CpH) proceeded smoothly and with high enantioselectivity (84-87% ee). The absolute configuration of the endo-diastereoisomer was established by X-ray crystallography. The electrocyclic [4pi]-ring closure to 3-oxo-2-azabicyclo[2.2.0]-5-hexenes occurred with lower enantioselectivity (20-23% ee at -20 degrees C). The velocity of the latter reaction slowed significantly with decreasing temperature.     

Synthesis and some cycloaddition reactions of 2-(triisopropylsilyloxy)acrolein

[reaction: see text]2-(Triisopropylsilyloxy)acrolein is easily prepared by the reaction of triisopropylsilyl triflate and 2-methoxy-2-methyl-[1,3]dioxan-5-one in the presence of triethylamine. This dienophile reacts with selected dienes in the presence of catalytic amounts of scandium triflate to afford products that are formally 4 + 3 cycloadducts. An exception is seen in the case of butadiene, where only a 4 + 2 cycloadduct is observed.     

Synthesis of [2]rotaxanes by the catalytic reactions of a macrocyclic copper complex

We synthesized [2]rotaxanes by the reactions catalyzed by a macrocyclic Cu(I)-phenanthroline complex. The catalytic site was located inside the ring component so that the rotaxane could be selectively formed. A C-S bond-forming reaction and oxidative dimerization of alkyne was utilized for the efficient synthesis of a new series of [2]rotaxanes. [reaction: see text]     

Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reactions: see text] A rhodium complex of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been developed for intra- and intermolecular [4 + 2] and intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. This is the first use of a transition-metal NHC complex in a Diels-Alder-type reaction. For the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the dienynes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-99% yields within 10 min. Moreover, up to 1900 turnovers have been obtained for the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition at 15-20 degrees C. For the intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions, high yields (71-99%) of the corresponding cycloaddition products were obtained. The reaction time and yield were highly dependent upon the diene and the dienophile. For the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the alkyne vinylcyclopropanes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-98% yields within 10 min. However, the catalytic system was not effective for an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Mechanism, regioselectivity, and the kinetics of phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes

With the aid of computations and experiments, the detailed mechanism of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes has been investigated. It was found that this reaction includes four consecutive processes: 1) In situ generation of a 1,3-dipole from allenoate and phosphine, 2) stepwise [3+2] cycloaddition, 3) a water-catalyzed [1,2]-hydrogen shift, and 4) elimination of the phosphine catalyst. In situ generation of the 1,3-dipole is key to all nucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed reactions. Through a kinetic study we have shown that the generation of the 1,3-dipole is the rate-determining step of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of allenoates and electron-deficient alkenes. DFT calculations and FMO analysis revealed that an electron-withdrawing group is required in the allene to ensure the generation of the 1,3-dipole kinetically and thermodynamically. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM) theory was used to analyze the stability of the 1,3-dipole. The regioselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition can be rationalized very well by FMO and AIM theories. Isotopic labeling experiments combined with DFT calculations showed that the commonly accepted intramolecular [1,2]-proton shift should be corrected to a water-catalyzed [1,2]-proton shift. Additional isotopic labeling experiments of the hetero-[3+2] cycloaddition of allenoates and electron-deficient imines further support this finding. This investigation has also been extended to the study of the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkynoates as the three-carbon synthon, which showed that the generation of the 1,3-dipole in this reaction also occurs by a water-catalyzed process.     

Synthesis of 2-ethoxyprop-2-enal dimethylhydrazone and its Diels-Alder reactions

Conditions were found for the preparation of 2-ethoxyprop-2-enal dimethylhydrazone by reaction of 2-ethoxypropenal with N,N-dimethylhydrazine. 2-Ethoxyprop-2-enal dimethylhydrazone reacted with methyl vinyl ketone and methyl acrylate according to the [4 + 2]-cycloaddition pattern with regioselective formation of substituted tetrahydropyridines. The major product in the reaction of 2-ethoxyprop-2-enal dimethylhydrazone with 1,4-benzoquinone was 5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-carbaldehyde dimethylhydrazone formed as a result of [3 + 2]-cycloaddition; a small amount of the corresponding [4 + 2]-cycloaddition product was also obtained. Some spontaneous transformations of the primary cycloaddition products were revealed.     

Facile synthesis of rotaxanes through condensation reactions of DCC-[2]rotaxanes

[reaction: see text] In this Letter, we present an easy method for the synthesis of rotaxanes using a novel DCC-[2]rotaxane. The DCC-[2]rotaxane is composed of dibenzo-24-crown-8 ether, an amino acid tether, and di-tert-butyl phenyl rings as blocking groups. It is relatively stable and can be purified by column chromatography. A series of model rotaxanes were obtained in good yields by condensing the DCC-[2]rotaxanes with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylamide in acetonitrile and chloroform.     

Synthesis and ring opening reactions of a 2-silabicyclo[2.1.0]pentane

Methyl 2-silabicyclo[2.1.0]pentane-1-carboxylate, obtained by a photochemical intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction of an [small alpha]-allylsilyl-[small alpha]-diazoacetate, undergoes ring opening reactions under different conditions leading to methyl 2-[diisopropyl(methoxy)silylmethyl]cyclopropane-1-carboxylate, a 1-sila-4-cyclopentene-2-carboxylate or an allyl(methoxysilyl)ketene.     

Rhodium-catalyzed annulation reactions of 2-cyanophenylboronic acid with alkynes and strained alkenes

[reaction: see text]. A new [3 + 2] annulation reaction was developed in which 2-cyanophenylboronic acid reacted as a three-carbon component with alkynes or alkenes to afford substituted indenones or indanones. The use of an alkynoate even produced benzotropone, a formal [3 + 2 + 2] adduct. The cyclic skeletons were constructed by intramolecular nucleophilic addition of an intermediate organorhodium(I) species to a cyano group.     

Photochemical reactions of 2-bromotropone and 2,7-dibromotropone with 9,10-dicyanoanthracene

The photochemical reactions of 2-bromotropone and 2,7-dibromotropone with 9,10-dicyanoanthracene gave products with anthracene, anthracenone, and dihydroanthracene skeletons both in polar and non-polar solvents. These products were formed by attack of water contaminated in the solvent, by attack of the troponoid, and by attack of the solvent used in the reactions, respectively, on a reaction intermediate. In a mixed solvent of benzene and methanol, a benzaldehyde derivative with a tribenzo-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane system was obtained. This result was informative about the reaction mechanism, and suggested the formation of an [8 + 4]pi cycloadduct with a tribenzo-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane system between the troponoid as the 8 pi component and the 9,10-dicyanoanthracene as the 4 pi component. In non-polar benzene, a new tetrabromodihydroanthracene derivative was obtained together with anthracenone and anthracene derivatives. It was proved by the reaction in benzene-d6 that the new product was formed by attack of benzene-d6.     

The versatile chemistry of the [B20H18]2- ions: novel reactions and structural motifs

Among the polyhedral [closo-BnHn]2- ion series (n = 5-12 inclusive) the aromatic [closo-B10H10]2- ion is both readily available and quite reactive. Among its many reactions which retain its cage structure one finds the oxidative dimerization reaction in which two [closo-B10H12]2- ions each formally lose a hydride ion and undergo dimerization of the resulting [closo-B10H9]- ions to produce the [trans-B20H18]2- ion. The two-component [closo-B10H9]- ions of the latter are linked together by a pair of unique B-B-B bonds which provide unprecedented reactivity to the structure. Among these reactions are the two-electron reduction to a set of three interconvertible [B20H18]4- ions having intercage B-B bonds and the related reductive substitution reaction in which [trans-B20H18]2- undergoes attack by nucleophile, L, to produce [B20H18L]2-. The latter species is formally a substituted [B20H19]3- (L = H) ion formed by B-B bond protonation of one of the isomeric [B20H18]4- ions. These and a variety of novel reactions are described here along with interrelated reaction mechanisms considered for the first time.     

3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 4-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinolinium inner salts

Heating dipolarophiles with 4-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinolinium hydroxide inner salts results in [3 + 2] cycloaddition across positions 3a and 5 of the aromatic system to give the [3 + 2] cycloadducts in good yield. When the 4-alkyl substituent is a 2-acetate ester and the methylene group can be deprotonated, a second mode of [3 + 2] cycloaddition becomes available for the resulting anion (across the side chain methine group and position 5 of the aromatic system) and occurs under basic conditions, allowing either of two modes of [3 + 2] cycloaddition to be selected by appropriate choice of reaction conditions.     

Functionalized cyclobutenes via multicomponent thermal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reaction: see text] Enamine [2 + 2] cycloadditions can be achieved in useful yields simply by stirring a mixture of an aldehyde, diethylamine, a dialkyl fumarate, and potassium carbonate in acetonitrile at 25 degrees C, conditions that are compatible with the presence of a potential leaving group on the beta-position of the intermediate enamine. Methylation and elimination of the product cyclobutanes completes a mild nonphotochemical route to functionalized cyclobutenes.     

Chiral tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine-based organocatalysts for Enantioselective Aldol reactions

Novel efficient chiral tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine-based organocatalysts have been designed and synthesized from the reaction of tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine with R/S-phenylethylamine or R/S-1-naphthylethylamine for the Aldol reaction of acetone with aromatic aldehydes to furnish the Aldol adducts in 71–92% yields with excellent enantioselectivities (78–99%).     

Thermal reactions of 7-d- and 8-d-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-enes

The gas phase thermal reactions exhibited by bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene and 7-d and 8-d analogues at 300 degrees C have been followed kinetically through GC and 2H NMR spectroscopic analyses. In contrast to the pattern of transformations exhibited by bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene and deuterium-labeled analogues, no reactions initiated by C1-C6 bond cleavage are seen, epimerization at C8 is much faster than [1,3] shifts leading to bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene, and the ratio of rate constants for [1,3] carbon migration with inversion versus migration with retention is approximately 1.4. Homolysis of C1-C8 to give a conformationally flexible diradical intermediate having a relatively long lifetime and multiple options for further reaction (re-formation of C1-C8 with or without net epimerization, fragmentation to 1,3-cyclohexadiene and ethylene, migration to the original C3 with inversion or retention) accords well with the observations. Clearly, orbital symmetry control does not govern stereochemistry for the [1,3] sigmatropic carbon shifts.     

Synthesis of 2-hydroxymethylene- and 2-dimethylaminomethylene-3-oxoquinuclidines and their reactions with nucleophilic reagents

The reaction of 3-oxoquinuclidine with ethyl formate in the presence of sodium and with dimethylformamide diethylacetal was used to synthesize 2-hydroxymethylene- and 2-dimethylaminomethylene-3-oxoquinuclidines, which upon reaction with amines from N-substituted 2-aminomethylene-3-oxoquinuclidines and upon reaction with hydrazine hydrate give pyrazolo [3,4-b]quinuclidines. The reaction of 2-aryl- and 2-heteroarylmethylene-3-oxoquinuclidines with hydrazine hydrate and thiourea, which led to the synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]- and pyrimido[5,4-b]quinuclidines with aryl or heteroaryl substituents in the resulting ring, was studied.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, pp. 1232–1237, September, 1982.     

[2 + 2] Cycloaddition reactions of unsymmetrically substituted carbodiimides

N-Alkyl-N′-arylcarbodiimides add alkyl and aryl isocyanates to the N-alkyl substituted CN double bond to yield 4-arylimino-1,3-diazetidine-2-ones 3. In the case of bulky alkyl substituents the reaction still proceeds across the sterically hindered CN double bond. N-Aryl-N′-[(4-dimethylamino)phenyl]carbodiimides form [2 + 2] cycloadducts with aryl isocyanates preferentially across the CN double bond not attached to the electron-rich aryl groups. However, steric crowding on this CN double bond directs the reaction to the adjacent double bond of the heterocumulative system. The rate of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of N'-methyl-N′-phenylcarbodiimide with 4-nitrophenylisocyanate is about 2.5 times faster in acetonitrile than in benzene.     

2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions of macrocyclic systems catalyzed by transition metals. A review

Polyalkyne and enediyne azamacrocycles are prepared from arenesulfonamides and various alkyne and alkene derivatives either under basic or neutral conditions. The new family of macrocyclic substrates is tested in the [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Several catalysts are used for the cycloisomerization reaction, and their enantioinduction is evaluated as appropriate. The effect of the structural features of the macrocycles, namely the ring size, substituents in precise positions and the number and type of unsaturations, on the [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction has also been studied.     

Mo(CO)6- and [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed allenic cyclocarbonylation reactions of alkynones: efficient access to bicyclic dienediones

Allenyl alkynones are efficiently transformed into fused bicyclic dienediones via cyclocarbonylation reaction conditions. Mo(CO)6/DMSO reaction conditions result in the formation of a bicyclo[3.3.0]octenone ring system, and the [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed reaction affords bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenone and bicyclo[5.3.0]decenone scaffolds.