Hyperconjugative effect of C-Ge bonds: synthesis of multisubstituted alkenylgermanes via torquoselective olefination of acylgermanes with ynolates

The first highly Z-selective olefination of acylgermanes with ynolates affording multisubstituted alkenylgermanes was achieved. The torquoselectivity was ascribed to the hyperconjugative effect of C-Ge bonds in the transition state. The resulting (Z)-β-trialkylgermylacrylic acid has a hypervalent structure, which was converted into novel germalactones. A stereochemical complementary olefination via protonation of the β-lactone enolate, followed by decarboxylation, was also achieved.     

The effects of C-S and C-Se bonds on torquoselectivity: stereoselective olefination of α-thio and α-selenoketones with ynolates

Highly Z-selective olefination of acyclic α-thio and α-selenoketones with ynolates has been achieved, and the theoretical calculations of the transition states in the ring-opening of the intermediates, the β-lactone enolates, revealed that the torquoselectivity was controlled by the secondary orbital interactions between the σ orbital of the C-S bond or a lone pair orbital on the S and σ^∗ orbitals of the breaking C-O bond, and the σ orbital of the breaking C-O bond or a lone pair orbital on the O on the ring and the σ^∗ orbitals of the C-S bond. The synthetic applications of the resulting olefins are also shown.     

A benzannulation strategy for the synthesis of phenols and heteroaromatic compounds based on the reaction of (trialkylsilyl)vinylketenes with lithium ynolates

(Trialkylsilyl)vinylketenes react with lithium ynolates to generate 3-(oxido)dienylketenes, which undergo rapid 6π-electrocyclization. The ultimate products of this benzannulation are highly substituted resorcinol monosilyl ethers, which are formed via a [1,3] carbon to oxygen silyl group shift. Further transformations of the benzannulation products are described providing efficient access to ortho-benzoquinones and benzofuran, benzoxepine, and benzoxocine ring systems.     

Synthetic and computational studies on intramolecular [2+2] sulfonyl isocyanate-olefin cycloadditions

Novel unsaturated sulfonyl isocyanates were prepared using a boron trichloride promoted thermal cleavage of the corresponding sulfonylcarbamates. Due to their moisture sensitivity, the isocyanates were directly converted into sulfonylureas in good yields. An intramolecular cycloaddition of the olefinic sulfonyl isocyanates to give β-lactam-sulfonamide hybrids was not observed experimentally. Investigation of this cycloaddition by DFT-calculations using the 6-31G* and 6-311+G** basis sets showed it to be endergonic.     

Synthetic Applications of Heteroaromatic Betaines with Six-Membered Rings

The cycloadditions of 3-hydroxy-1-methylpyridinium betaines with electron-deficient olefins have been extended to a variety of 1-substituents in place of methyl. Application of resonance theory and later of quantum chemical methods led to rationalization of preceding results and prediction of new reactions. Thermal additions of 2π- and 6π-electron addends at the 2,6-positions and of 4π-electron addends at the 2,4-positions are described. The cycloadducts are highly interesting potential synthetic building blocks.     

Toward the total synthesis of ansalactam A

Ansalactam A is a recently isolated ansa macrolide containing a spiro-γ-lactam functionality that is structurally distinct from other members of the ansa macrolide family. Herein, we describe synthetic studies toward ansalactam A. A route has been developed for the synthesis of a model system featuring a xanthate, which constitutes a direct precursor for the projected radical cyclization step aimed at the formation of the spiro-γ-lactam moiety of ansalactam A. In this context, a new practical method for the removal of an Evans auxiliary attached to sterically encumbered substrates was developed. The utilization of β-lactones as an acylation reagent, an alternative to commonly used amide coupling reactions, is described.     

General and systematic synthetic entry to carotenoid natural products

A general synthetic method of carotenoid natural products has been developed, in which the systematic chain extension and termination processes were applied. The syntheses of the chain extension and termination units were greatly improved by the use of the common intermediate, 1-bromo-4-chloro-3-methyl-2-butene (8), in a short and highly efficient way. The C₁₀ chain initiation β-cyclogeranyl sulfone (3) was coupled with the C₅ chain extension unit to give the C₁₅ chain-extended allylic sulfone after chemoselective sulfide oxidation. This chain-extended C₁₅ allylic sulfone underwent the Julia olefination reaction with the C₅ and the C₁₀ chain termination units to give retinol (1) and β-carotene (2), respectively.     

Synthetic scope, computational chemistry and mechanism of a base induced 5-endo cyclization of benzyl alkynyl sulfides

We present an experimental and computational study of the reaction of aryl substituted benzyl 1-alkynyl sulfides with potassium alkoxide in acetonitrile, which produces 2-aryl 2,3-dihydrothiophenes in poor to good yields. The cyclization is most efficient with electron withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring. Evidence indicates there is rapid exchange of protons and tautomerism of the alkynyl unit prior to cyclization. Theoretical calculations were also conducted to help rationalize the base induced 5-endo cyclization of benzyl 1-propynyl sulfide (1a). The potential energy surface was calculated for the formation of 2,3-dihydrothiophene in a reaction of benzyl 1-propynyl sulfide (1a) with potassium methoxide. Geometries were optimized with CAM-B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) in acetonitrile with the CPCM solvent model. It is significant that the benzyl propa-1,2-dien-1-yl sulfane (6) possessed a lower benzylic proton affinity than the benzyl prop-2-yn-1-yl sulfane (8) thus favoring the base induced reaction of the former. From benzyl(propa-1,2-dien-1-yl sulfane (6), 2,3-dihydrothiophene can be formed via a conjugate base that undergoes 5-endo-trig cyclization followed by a protonation step.     

A novel access to highly functionalised β-lactams by regio- and stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

A highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of novel spiro pyrrolidines/pyrrolizidines containing β-lactam and oxazolone moieties under two different conditions is achieved using [3+2] cycloaddition methodology in moderate to good yield.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reaction of bipyridinium ylides with the propynamido-β-cyclodextrin. A regiospecific synthesis of a new class of fluorescent β-cyclodextrins

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of bipyridinium ylides with the electron deficient propynamido-β-cyclodextrin was studied. This reaction resulted in the regiospecific formation of a new class of fluorescent β-cyclodextrins. The new fluorophore systems were characterized spectroscopically by their absorption and emission maxima and their quantum yields.     

An efficient synthesis of optically active 3-amino-3-alkyl-2-oxetanones

An efficient two-step synthesis of p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of optically active 3-amino-3-alkyl-2-oxetanones is reported that involves cyclization of N-Boc-α-alkylserines under Mitsunobu reaction conditions followed by deprotection of the amino group with trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of anhydrous p-toluenesulfonic acid.     

New Reductive Transformations of Unsaturated Cyclic Hydrocarbons [New Synthetic Methods (66)]

The successive reduction of fully conjugated cyclic hydrocarbons leads to singly and multiply charged ions with unusual bonding. The charge distribution in these ions can be determined spectroscopically, and the information so obtained is then used in kinetically controlled trapping reactions for the regioselective introduction of electrophilic groups. When non-benzenoid substrates are used, syntheses become possible which can either not be carried out or can only be carried out with great difficulty in other ways. Examples of new preparative applications are cycloannelation and bridging reactions as well as polymerization reactions. The ion pair structure of the intermediate and the type of electrophile used are of paramount importance in controlling the mechanism of these reductive transformations.     

Synthetic studies toward zoapatanol

The oxepane core of zoapatanol was efficiently synthesized from commercially available 1,2,4-butanetriol, and it was shown to be possible to introduce the angular methyl group at C2′ by the reaction of an intermediate butenolide with diazomethane.     

A concise synthesis of β-lactam-sulfonamide hybrids

Using ring closing metathesis (RCM) as the key operation, a rapid access to β-lactams fused to a sultam moiety of variable ring size was developed from low cost, commercially available starting materials. An efficient RCM of 4-vinyl-azetidin-2-ones to give 1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4-en-8-ones is also reported.     

Cobalt-Mediated [2 + 2 + 2]-Cycloadditions: A Maturing Synthetic Strategy [New Synthetic Methods (43)]

Dicarbonyl (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt functions as a matrix on which a variety of unsaturated organic substrates undergo mutual bond formation. In this way α,ω-diynes cocyclize with monoalkynes to give annelated benzenes, while o-diethynylbenzenes furnish biphenylenes, and α,ω-enynes lead to the formation of complexed bi-and tricyclic dienes. Nitriles cocyclize with two alkynyl groups to give pyridines and other heterocycles, isocyanates allow access to annelated 2-pyridones, and incorporation of carbon monoxide provides complexed cyclopentadienones. In many cases remarkable chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity are observed, partially facilitated by use of the trimethylsilyl substituent as a controlling group. The scope and level of maturity of the method are demonstrated by the synthesis of a series of hitherto inaccessible, novel, and theoretically interesting molecules, and by its utilization in several unique approaches to a variety of natural products, e.g. protoberberines, steroids, vitamin B₆, and camptothecin.     

Synthesis of β-chloro α-amino acids: (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-3-chloroleucine

The first syntheses of (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-3-chloroleucine (3-chloro-d-leucines 1 and 2) have been achieved from d-3-hydroxyleucine and allo-d-3-hydroxyleucine, respectively, through the formation of the corresponding N-Cbz β-lactones, followed by a ring opening promoted by lithium chloride and a debenzylation process.     

一种合成3,5-二取代异噁唑的新方法

研究了端基炔烃和醛肟在间氯过氧苯甲酸和催化量碘苯作用下的[3+2]环合反应, 结果表明, 该过程经过一个有机高价碘中间体而进行. 通过该反应, 端基炔烃在氧化剂间氯过氧苯甲酸和催化剂碘苯的作用下与醛肟反应, 常温下可得到产率良好并具有区域选择性的3,5-二取代异噁唑化合物. 本文考察了反应条件的影响, 提出了可能的反应机理, 为简便快速合成3,5-二取代异噁唑化合物提供了一种新方法.     

Mechanisms and Synthetic Strategies in Visible Light-Driven [2+2]-Heterocycloadditions

The synthesis of four membered heterocycles usually requires multi-step procedures and prefunctionalized reactants. A straightforward alternative is the photochemical [2+2]-heterocycloaddition between an alkene and a carbonyl derivative, conventionally based on the photoexcitation of this latter. However, this approach is limited by the absorption profile of the carbonyl, requiring in most of the cases the use of high-energy UV-light, that often results in undesired side reactions and/or the degradation of the reaction components. The development of new and milder visible light-driven [2+2]-heterocycloadditions is, therefore, highly desirable. In this Review, we highlight the most relevant achievements in the development of [2+2]-heterocycloadditions promoted by visible light, with a particular emphasis on the involved reaction mechanisms. The open challenges will also be discussed, suggesting new possible evolutions, and stimulating new methodological developments in the field.     

Cycloaddition of cyclohexa-2,4-dienones with β-nitroacrylates: a short and efficient entry into bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes endowed with β-nitro-ester and β-amino ester functionality

Regio- and stereoselective cycloaddition of β-nitroacrylates with electron deficient cyclohexa-2,4-dienones leading to highly functionalised bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes having the β-nitroester group and their transformation to bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes having β-aminoester functionality is described.