Concurrent cyclopropanation by carbenes and carbanions

The generation of phenylhalocarbenes in the presence of varying quantities of halide ions and electron-poor alkenes affords concurrent cyclopropanation of the alkenes by an equilibrating mixture of phenylhalocarbenes and phenylhalomethide carbanions, which permits the smooth modulation of selectivity between electron-poor alkenes and electron-rich alkenes, a feature of potential synthetic utility.     

On the mechanism of the copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction

The selectivity-determining step in enantioselective copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation with diazo compounds has been studied by experimental and computational methods. The addition of the very reactive metallacarbene intermediate in an early transition state to the substrate alkene is concerted but strongly asynchronous, with substantial cationic character on one alkene carbon in the neighborhood of the transition state. Evidence from isotope effects and Hammett studies supports the nature of the transition state. Formation of a metallacyclobutane intermediate by a [2+2] addition is kinetically disfavored. Ligand-substrate interactions influencing the enantio- and diastereoselectivity have been identified, and the preferred orientation of the alkene substrate during the addition is suggested.     

Intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal aziridines

[STRUCTURE: SEE TEXT] Regio- and stereoselective deprotonation of bishomoallylic terminal N-Bus (Bus=tert-butylsulfonyl)-protected aziridines generate aziridinyl anions that undergo diastereoselective intramolecular cyclopropanation giving trans-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes in good to excellent yields.     

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrene by means of chiral bispidine ligands

Enantiopure C₁- and C₂-symmetric bispidine ligands have been synthesized and screened in the asymmetric copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrene. In order to improve the enantiomeric excesses (ee) of the cyclopropane derivatives, the best performing C₁-symmetric diamine ligand was selected for studies on the reaction conditions. The optimized procedure allowed us to obtain up to 91% ee for the cis-cyclopropane derivative and up to 79% ee for the trans one.     

Intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides

Efficient lithium amide-induced intramolecular cyclopropanation of bishomoallylic and trishomoallylic epoxides is described. The methodology is used in an asymmetric synthesis of sabina ketone.     

Intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides and chlorohydrins

Lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP)-induced intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides provides an efficient and completely stereoselective entry to bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ols and bicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-ols. Further elaboration of C-5 and C-6 stannyl-substituted bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ols via Sn-Li exchange/electrophile trapping or Stille coupling generates a range of substituted bicyclic cyclopropanes. An alternative straightforward cyclopropanation protocol using a catalytic amount of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) allows for a convenient (1 g-7.5 kg) synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ol and other bicyclic adducts. The synthetic utility of this chemistry has been demonstrated in a concise asymmetric synthesis of (+)-beta-cuparenone. The related unsaturated chlorohydrins also undergo intramolecular cyclopropanation via in situ epoxide formation.     

Theoretical insights into the role of a counterion in copper-catalyzed enantioselective cyclopropanation reactions

The effect of a coordinating counteranion on the mechanism of Cu(I)-catalyzed cyclopropanation has been investigated extensively for a medium-sized reaction model by means of theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The main mechanistic features are similar to those found for the cationic (without a counteranion) mechanism, the rate-limiting step being nitrogen extrusion from a catalyst-diazoester complex to generate a copper-carbene intermediate. The cyclopropanation step takes place through a direct carbene insertion of the metal-carbene species to yield a catalyst-product complex, which can finally regenerate the starting complex. However, the presence of the counteranion has a noticeable influence on the calculated geometries of all the intermediates and transition structures. Furthermore, the existence of a preequilibrium with a dimeric form of the catalyst, together with a higher activation barrier in the insertion step, explains the lower yield of cyclopropane products observed experimentally in the presence of chloride counterion. The stereochemical predictions of a more realistic model (made by considering a chiral bis(oxazoline)-copper(i) catalyst) have been rationalized in terms of the lack of significant steric repulsions, and the model shows good agreement with the low enantioselectivities observed experimentally for these kinds of catalytic systems.     

Synthesis of new chiral 2,2'-bipyridine ligands and their application in copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation and cyclopropanation

A series of modular bipyridine-type ligands 1 and 3-9 has been synthesized via a de novo construction of the pyridine nucleus. The chiral moieties of these ligands originate from the isoprenoid chiral pool, namely, beta-pinene (10 --> 1), 3-carene (14 --> 3 and 5), 2-carene (28 --> 4), alpha-pinene (43 --> 6-8), and dehydropregnenolone acetate (48 --> 9), respectively. Copper(I) complexes, derived from these ligands and (TfO)(2)Cu (1 mol %) upon an in situ reduction with phenylhydrazine, exhibit good enantioselectivity (up to 82% ee) and unusually high reaction rate (typicaly 30 min at room temperature) in allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins (52 --> 53). Copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation proceeded with < or =76% enantioselectivity and approximately 3:1 to 99:1 trans/cis-diastereoselectivity (54 --> 55 + 56). The level of the asymmetric induction is discussed in terms of the ligand architecture that controls the stereochemical environment of the coordinated metal.     

Stable optically pure phosphino(silyl)carbenes: reagents for highly enantioselective cyclopropanation reactions

The stability of phosphino(trimethylsilyl)carbenes bearing cyclic diamino substituents on phosphorus is strongly dependent on the steric hindrance of the nitrogen substituents. Phosphinocarbenes 3 and 7, derived from the trans-N,N'-diisopropylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine and N,N'-diisopropyl-1,2-ethanediamine, are not observed; instead the 1,3-diphosphete 4 and a novel six-membered heterocycle 8, which results from the dimerization of 3 and the reaction of 7 with its diazo precursor 6, respectively, have been isolated. In contrast, the phosphino(silyl)carbene 14 derived from N,N'-di-tert-butyl-1,2-ethanediamine has been isolated in high yield. By using the enantiomerically pure (S,S)-, and (R,R)-N,N'-di-tert-butyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediamines, the first optically pure phosphino(sily)carbenes (S,S)-17 and (R,R)-17 have been prepared. They react with methyl acrylate to give the corresponding cyclopropanes (S,S,R,R)-19 and (R,R,S,S)-19 with a total syn diastereoselectivity and an excellent enantioselectivity (de>98 %).     

Quick and highly efficient copper-catalyzed cycloaddition of organic azides with terminal alkynes

Good to excellent yields of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles were obtained within 2-25 min when the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions, with [Cu(phen)(PPh(3))(2)]NO(3) (1mol%) as the catalyst.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of olefins using copper(I) diphosphinoamines

Catalytic cyclopropanation reactions of olefins with ethyl diazoacetate were carried out using copper(I) diphosphinoamine (PPh₂)₂N(R) (R = ⁱPr, H, Ph and –CH₂–C₆H₄–CHCH₂) complexes at 40 °C in chloroform. High yields of the cyclopropanes were obtained in all cases. The rate of the reaction was influenced by the nuclearity of the complex and the binding mode of the ligand which was either bridging or chelating. Comparison of isostructural complexes shows that the rate follows the order R = ⁱPr > H > Ph, where R is the substituent on the N. However, cyclopropane formation versus dimerization of the carbene, and trans to cis ratios of cyclopropane was similar in all cases. The nearly identical selectivity for different products formed was indicative of a common catalytic intermediate. A labile “copper–olefin” complex which does not involve the phosphine or the counterion is the most likely candidate. The differences in the reaction rates for different complexes are attributed to differences in the concentration of the catalytically active species which are in equilibrium with the catalytically inactive copper–phosphinoamine complex. To test the hypothesis a diphosphinoamine polymer complexed to copper(I) was used as a heterogeneous catalyst. Leaching of copper(I) and deactivation of the catalyst confirmed the proposed mechanism.     

Iron/copper-catalyzed C-C cross-coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes

Synergic effect of iron and copper salts as catalysts for the Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-couplings of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes is demonstrated. High yields of cross-coupled products are obtained under conditions that are smoother than those using only CuI as catalyst. Furthermore no expensive or/and toxic ligand is required.     

Kinetics of copper(II)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of olefins

Kinetics of the copper(II) acetylacetonate-catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrene and 2,5-dimethylhexa-2,4-diene is reported. A kinetic analysis of a catalytic olefin cyclopropanation scheme is suggested.     

Theoretical (DFT) insights into the mechanism of copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation reactions. Implications for enantioselective catalysis

The mechanism of the copper(I)-catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction has been extensively investigated for a medium-size reaction model by means of B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations. The starting ethylene complex of the N,N'-dimethylmalonaldiimine--copper (I) catalyst undergoes a ligand exchange with methyl diazoacetate to yield a reaction intermediate, which subsequently undergoes nitrogen extrusion to generate a copper--carbene complex. The cyclopropanation step takes place through a direct carbene insertion of the metal--carbene species to yield a catalyst--product complex, which can finally regenerate the starting complex. The stereochemical predictions of a more realistic model (by considering a chiral bis(oxazoline)--copper (I) catalyst) have been rationalized in terms of steric repulsions, showing good agreement with experimental data.     

Mild copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of terminal alkynes using an electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagent

A catalytic process for trifluoromethylation of terminal alkynes with Togni’s reagent has been developed, affording trifluoromethylated acetylenes in good to excellent yields. The reaction is conducted at room temperature and exhibits tolerance to a range of functional groups.     

A novel example of chiral counteranion induced enantioselective metal catalysis: the importance of ion-pairing in copper-catalyzed olefin aziridination and cyclopropanation

A new ion-pairing route to achieve asymmetric catalysis has been observed in the copper-catalyzed aziridination of styrene with a chiral counteranion. Structural studies suggest that enantioinduction occurs via ion-pairing of the cationic copper catalyst in the chiral pocket created by the anion. The degree of asymmetric induction can be tuned with features that affect ion-pairing, such as achiral and chiral ligands, temperature, and solvent polarity.     

Olefin cyclopropanation catalyzed by new diiminophosphorane and triiminophosphorane complexes of copper and palladium

Chelating diiminophosphorane and tripodal iminophosphorane copper and palladium complexes are found to efficiently catalyze the cyclopropanation of activated monosubstituted olefins with ethyl diazoacetate. Cycloolefins, and linear α-olefins are somewhat less reactive. The diastereoselectivities of the reactions are moderate and no major differences were seen when comparing the bidentate chelating ligand to the tripodal ligands.     

Synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles by copper-catalyzed cycloaddition-coupling of azides and terminal alkynes

Primary, secondary, and aromatic azides undergo 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition-coupling with an excess of alkyne in the presence of Cu(CH₃CN)₄PF₆ as catalyst, N,N,N′-trimethylethylenediamine as ligand, molecular oxygen, and 4-methoxymorpholine N-oxide (NMO) as co-oxidant to afford 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles.     

Enantioselective copper catalysed 1,4-conjugate addition reactions using chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes

The preparation of a variety of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors is described. The relative merits of imidazolinium salts and silver carbenes as NHC precursors are discussed with respect to their synthesis, stability and performance in the copper catalysed conjugate addition of dialkyl zinc reagents to a variety of Michael acceptors. Enantioselectivities of up to 93% were achieved using as little as 4% of chiral ligand.