Intramolecular, reductive cyclization of beta-ketoisothiocyanates promoted by using samarium diiodide

A novel samarium diiodide (SmI2) promoted intramolecular cyclization of beta-ketoisothiocyanate, derived from alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ammonium thiocyanate led to alpha-hydroxythiolactams and/or thiolactams in high yields. Treatment of beta-ketoisothiocyanate with two equivalents of SmI2 gave a mixture of alpha-hydroxythiolactam and thiolactam. Four equivalents of SmI2 afforded only thiolactam in high yields. The intramolecular cyclization took place with high to complete stereoselectivity. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed.     

Samarium diiodide mediated cascade radical cyclisations—synthesis of the eudesmane tricyclic framework

Radical cascade cyclisation of methylenecyclopropyl cyclohexanone adducts, using samarium diiodide to generate an initial ketyl radical, provide a short route to tricyclic ethers, and the stereochemical outcome can be influenced by the solvent used for the reaction.     

Mass spectrometric studies of cyclopentanol derivatives in the reductive coupling of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones assisted by samarium diiodide

The mass spectrometric fragmentations of a series of cyclopentanol derivatives in positive fast-atom bombardment (FAB(+)) mode were investigated. The corresponding pathways proposed were confirmed by MS/MS data obtained using linked scans at constant B/E, high-resolution accurate mass data, and comparisons with corresponding information for a specifically deuterated molecule.     

On ring carbomers of cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and cyclodecane and cyclization reactions through bis(alkynyl-propargyl) coupling

A copper-mediated procedure for terminal alkynyl-propargyl coupling has been applied to "skipped" bis-terminal undecatetrayne and 1,4-bis(pseudo)halobut-2-ynes with the aim of preparing ring carbomers of representative strained and loose cycloalkanes, namely [N]pericyclynes. Two unprecedented, cyclic. "skipped" polyynes with CH2 vertices have been isolated as mixtures of diastereoisomers: an isomer 1b and a dimer 2a of [5]pericyclyne 1a. The isomer 1b is a cyclotetrayne with an exocyclic allene function resulting from a unique formal SN process. Its structure has been established by 1H/13C HMQC and HMBC two-dimensional NMR analysis. According to density functional theory calculations, it is about 6 kcalmol(-1) more stable than [5]pericyclyne (1a). Compound 1b can also be regarded as a C13-relaxed [4]pericyclyne, a long sought "skipped" C12 tetrayne. The dimer 2a is a C30 ring that results from a formal SN process. It is a stable ring carbomer of cyclodecane, that is, a [10]pericyclyne, with four CH2 vertices.     

A new, efficient and stereoselective synthesis of tricyclic and tetracyclic compounds by samarium diiodide induced cyclisations of naphthyl-substituted arylketones--an easy access to steroid-like skeletons

In this report, we present the application of samarium diiodide induced cyclisations of naphthyl-substituted ketones towards an easy and stereoselective access to tri- and tetracyclic-functionalised compounds. Typical naphthalene derivatives were studied to investigate the scope and limitations of this novel cyclisation process. The model substrates studied demonstrate that the samarium ketyl cyclisations are essentially restricted to the formation of six-membered rings. The diastereoselectivity of these reactions is strongly influenced by the connection of the alkyl side chain to the naphthalene core. Gamma-naphth-1-yl-substituted ketones furnished cyclisation products, such as 17 or 22-26, as single diastereomers, whereas gamma-naphth-2-yl-substituted precursors gave mixtures of diastereomers--as demonstrated by the conversion of model compound 10 into tricyclic products 18 a/18 b, or that of cyclohexanone derivative 33 into tetracyclic diastereomers 34 a/34 b. Cyclic ketones as ketyl precursors furnished steroid-like tetracyclic skeletons; however, due to the cis/cis fusion of rings B/C and C/D these products have an "unnatural" bowl-like shape. Several of the cyclisation products have been identified by X-ray analyses, which not only proved the constitutions, but also the relative configurations and the preferred conformations. Steroid analogue 23 was subjected to subsequent transformations, which demonstrate that the styrene-like double bond of such compounds can be used for further structural diversification. First attempts to synthesise related azasteroids by incorporating nitrogen atoms into the ketone moiety are also reported. Thus, pyrrolidine derivatives 44 and 47 as well as piperidine derivatives 50 and 52 were subjected to samarium diiodide induced cyclisations. The expected tetracyclic products 48, 49 a/49 b, 51 and 53 a/53 b were obtained in moderate to good yields. The stereoselectivities observed follow the rules already established for the all-carbon precursors. The resulting products, bearing a nitrogen atom in ring D, are interesting azasteroid analogues with "unnatural" configuration.     

Unravelling the reaction mechanism of the reductive ring contraction of 1,2-pyridazines

Substituted pyrroles may be synthesized from selected 1,2-pyridazines through a reductive ring contraction involving the addition of four electrons and four protons. Our density functional theory computations of this reaction mechanism show that the first reduction event must be preceded by the uptake of one proton by 1,2-pyridazine and that the reaction proceeds through a 2e(-)/3H(+)-bearing intermediate. In the absence of electron-withdrawing groups able to resonate charge away from the ring, this intermediate lies too high in energy, making the reaction sequence thermodynamically inaccessible. After another two-electron reduction and the addition of two more protons, the original 1,2-pyridazine ring opens. Ring contraction and ammonia elimination then proceed with very small barriers, irrespective of the substituents present in the original 1,2-pyridazine. By establishing the need for electron-withdrawing resonant groups in the 3- and 6-positions to stabilize the critical intermediate in the initial stages of the reaction, this work suggests that the scope of the reductive ring contraction of 1,2-pyridazines may be expanded to pyridazines bearing COCH(3) groups, amides or aryls in these positions. We also explain the lack of reactivity of unsubstituted 1,2-pyridazine and analyze the feasibility of bypassing the high energy 2e(-)/3H(+)-intermediate through disproportionation of earlier 2e(-)/2H(+)-bearing intermediates.     

Selective ring contraction of 5-spirocyclopropane isoxazolidines mediated by acids

Thermolysis of 3,4-cis ring-fused 5-spirocyclopropane isoxazolidines 16, 18-21, 33, 34, 38a, and 61, in the presence of a protic acid at 70-110 degrees C, yielded 3,4-cis ring-fused azetidin-2-ones 22-26,41, 42, 46, and 62 with concomitant extrusion of ethylene, in good yields. So far, the collected evidences strongly support a mechanism started by a homolytic cleavage of the protonated N-O bond for the rearrangement of 5-spirocyclopropane isoxazolidines to beta-lactams. Some different competitive pathways can then follow depending on the stability or the stereoelectronic properties of cationic diradical intermediates. The two-step process, intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition/thermal rearrangement under acidic conditions, represents a general synthesis of a new class of 3,4-cis-fused bicyclic azetidin-2-ones starting from easily available compounds such as amino acids, hydroxy acids, and dicarbonyl or amino alcohol derivatives.     

Experimental and theoretical study on cation radicals of cyclopropane,cyclobutane and cyclopentane

Cation radicals of cycloalkanes have been produced for the first time in γ-irradiated rigid solutions using fluoromethane as a matrix. Observed ESR spectra are analyzed by ab initio MO calculations; molecular geometries of the cations are optimized for several low-lying doublet states by the energy gradient method. Based on the optimized geometry thus determined the hyperfine splitting constants are calculated by the pseudo-orbital theory. Large Jahn-Teller distortions are calculated for the carbon rings and the H-C-H frames of the cation radicals. The distortions are consistent with the nodal picture of singly occupied orbitals. The calculated hfs constants are sensitive to the change in geometry due to a large contribution of spin-delocalization. The average of the calculated proton hfs constants is compatible with the observed ESR spectra which indicates that all the protons of the individual cations have become equivalent owing to the dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion.     

An interesting ring contraction of a class of bromohydrins and trans-dibromides

An efficient ring contraction of stereoisomeric 1,2-benzo-4-bromo-3-hydroxycyclohept-1-ene and their derivatives (1a-e) to (2a-c) is reported, and a probable mechanism for this ring contraction has been suggested.     

Unusual reductive cleavage of 3-aryl-2,3-epoxyamides by using samarium diiodide. Synthesis of 3-aryl-3-deuterio-2-hydroxyamides with total regioselectivity

Ring-opening of 3-aryl-2,3-epoxyamides 1 was achieved by using samarium diiodide and D₂O, yielding 3-aryl-3-deuterio-2-hydroxyamides 2 with total regioselectivity. The starting compounds 1 were easily prepared by reaction of the corresponding lithium or potassium enolates of α-chloroamides with aldehydes or ketones. When the reaction was carried out in the presence of H₂O instead of D₂O, the corresponding 3-aryl-2-hydroxyamides were isolated. The treatment of enantiopure 3-aryl-2,3-epoxyamides afforded optically active 3-aryl-2-hydroxyamides.     

二碘化钐在脱氧、还原和碳-碳键形成反应中的应用

本文研究了二碘化钐对一些有机化合物的脱氧反应, 以及它在醇存在下对α-卤代酮、偶氮苯和苯醌的还原反应。首次报道了在二碘化钐作用下α-卤代酮与醛之间的碳-碳键形成瓜在, 高产率地制备了各种α,β-不饱和酮; 同时提出了涉及由α-卤代酮同时与Sm(II)和Sm(III)/I^-物种作用形成烯醇钐盐中间体的可能机理。     

Thallium trinitrate mediated oxidation of 3-alkenols: ring contraction vs cyclization

The reaction of a series of six-membered ring 3-alkenols with thallium trinitrate (TTN) in three different experimental conditions was studied. Either cyclization products or ring contraction products were obtained, depending on the structure of the substrate as well as the nature of the solvent. The reaction of a seven-membered ring 3-alkenol with TTN led to the ring contraction product exclusively.     

Synthesis of new tricyclic ring systems containing the pyrimido[5, 4-b][1, 4]oxazine skeleton

Synthesis of derivatives 4 and 6 of two novel tricyclic ring systems, 1, 2, 4-triazolo[3, 4-c]pyrimido[5, 4-b]-[1, 4]oxazine and imidazo[1, 2-c]pyrimido[5, 4-b][1, 4]oxazine, respectively is described. Although the parent pyrimido[5, 4-b]oxazines possess positive inotropic activity, the tricyclic compounds are practically inactive.     

Bichromophoric photochromes based on the opening and closing of a single oxazine ring

We have designed bichromophoric photochromes based on the photoinduced opening and thermal closing of a [1,3]oxazine ring. In particular, we have synthesized six compounds incorporating fused 3H-indole and 4-nitrophenoxy fragments and pendant biphenyl, styryl, biphenylvinyl, or stilbenylvinyl groups. The laser excitation of two of these six molecules cleaves a [C-O] bond and opens their [1,3]oxazine ring in less than 6 ns with quantum yields of 0.08 and 0.28, respectively. This photoinduced process generates simultaneously a 4-nitrophenolate anion and a 3H-indolium cation. Both chromophores absorb in the same region of the electromagnetic spectrum. As a result, an intense band appears at ca. 440 nm upon the photoinduced opening of the [1,3]oxazine ring. In both instances, the photogenerated species switches back to the original isomer with first-order kinetics and lifetimes of 38 and 140 ns, respectively. Both compounds have excellent fatigue resistances and retain their photochemical behavior within rigid poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices. However, the thermal reisomerization within the polymer matrix is significantly slower and requires several microseconds to occur. The other four compounds do not undergo ring opening upon excitation under otherwise identical experimental conditions. Indeed, either photoinduced electron transfer or intersystem crossing compete successfully with the ring-opening process.     

Reduction of elemental selenium by samarium diiodide: Selective synthesis of diorganyl selenides and diselenides

The reduction of elemental selenium by samarium diiodide led to selective formation of selenolate anion species (Se²⁻ and Se₂²⁻), the alkylation of which provided dialkyl selenides and diselenides, respectively, in excellent yields.     

二碘化钐促进的二硫代氨基甲酸酯和硫代氨基甲酸酯的还原断裂反应

室温下SmI2-THF-HMPA-t-BuOH体系可顺利地将二硫代氨基甲酸酯还原断裂得到二硫醚和硫代甲酰胺; 同样条件下, 硫代氨基甲酸酯还原断裂得到二硫醚篅34The reductive cleavage of dithiocarbamic esters are promoted by the SmI2-HMPA-THF-t-BuOH System successfully to give disulfides and thiocarboxamides at room temperature in good yields; The reduction of thiocarbamic esters are also promoted by the same system to give disulfides and carboxamides.     

Selective synthesis of organic sulfides and disulfides by the reduction of elemental sulfur with samarium diiodide

Elemental sulfur can be reduced to the corresponding thiolate anion species (S²⁻ and S²⁻₂) selectively by samarium diiodide in the presence and absence of HMPA, respectively. The subsequent alkylation of the thiolate anion species provides a useful synthetic route to dialkyl sulfides and disulfides. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 9: 581–584, 1998