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.     

Intramolecular ketenimine-ketenimine [2 + 2] and [4 + 2] cycloadditions

Bis(ketenimines), in which the two heterocumulenic functions are placed in close proximity on a carbon skeleton to allow their mutual interaction, show a rich and not easily predictable chemistry. Intramolecular [2 + 2] or [4 + 2] cycloadditions are, respectively, observed when both ketenimine functions are supported on either ortho-benzylic or 2,2'-biphenylenic scaffolds. In addition, nitrogen-to-carbon [1,3] and [1,5] shifts of arylmethyl groups in N-arylmethyl-C,C-diphenyl ketenimines are also disclosed.     

NHC-catalyzed enantioselective [2 + 2] and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of ketenes with isothiocyanates

The enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed formal [2 + 2] and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of ketenes and isothiocyanates were developed. Reaction with N-aryl isothiocyanates at room temperature favors the [2 + 2] cycloaddition, while reaction with N-benzoyl isothiocyanates at -40 °C favors the [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition.     

Photosensitized [4+2]- and [2+2]-Cycloaddition Reactions of N-Sulfonylimines

The synthesis of polycyclic compounds is of high interest due to the prevalence of these motifs in drugs and natural products. Herein, we report on the stereoselective construction of 3D bicyclic scaffolds and azetidine derivatives by modulation of N-sulfonylimines to achieve either [4+2]- or [2+2]-cycloaddition reactions. The utility of the method was established by further modulation of the product. Mechanistic studies are also included, which support reaction via Dexter energy transfer.     

Phosphine-catalyzed cascade [3 + 2] cyclization-allylic alkylation, [2 + 2 + 1] annulation, and [3 + 2] cyclization reactions between allylic carbonates and enones

The phosphine-catalyzed annulations between Morita-Baylis-Hillman adduct carbonates and enones are reported. Under the catalysis of PBu(3) (20 mol %), cascade [3 + 2] cyclization-allylic alkylation, [2 + 2 + 1] annulation, and [3 + 2] cyclization reactions chemoselectively occur depending on the substituent variation of both the carbonate and enone. These reactions provide efficient syntheses of highly functionalized cyclopentenes and cyclopentanes.     

Catalytic [2+2] and [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates with cyclic ketimines

Cyclic ketimines as electrophiles for [2+2] and [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenoates have been developed, affording functionalized sultam-fused azetidines and dihydropyrroles, respectively, in good yields with high regioselectivities.     

Three-component cycloadditions: the first transition metal-catalyzed [5+2+1] cycloaddition reactions

Prompted by our studies of transition metal-catalyzed [4+4], [4+2], [5+2], and [6+2] cycloadditions and by the view that these two-component reactions could be intercepted by a third component of one or more atoms, a new three-component transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition is described. This new [5+2+1] cycloaddition proceeds in good to excellent yield and with high or complete regioselectivity with a variety of carbonyl-substituted alkynes to give bicyclo[3.3.0]octenone adducts, resulting from transannular closure of the intermediate eight-membered-ring cycloadduct. Effects of concentration, temperature, pressure, and catalyst loading on the efficiency of the reaction are discussed. This process provides access to complex building blocks for synthesis based on simple, readily available components.     

Solid-supported [2+2+2] cyclotrimerizations

The transition-metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of a diyne and an alkyne provides a convergent route to highly-substituted aromatic rings. This reaction possesses distinct drawbacks, especially low chemo- and regioselectivities, which hamper its application in combinatorial synthesis. These problems have been solved by the development of solid-supported [2+2+2]-cycloaddition reactions. If conducted on a solid-support, this reaction enables rapid combinatorial access to diverse sets of carbo- and heterocyclic small-molecule arrays. The scope of this methodology has been investigated by examining different immobilization strategies, different diyne precursors, and a variety of functionalized alkyne reaction partners. Overall, isoindoline, phthalan, and indan libraries were assembled in good to excellent yields and with high purities.     

Activation and Reaction Volumes for [4+2] and [3+2] Additions Involving Maleic Anhydride

The partial molar volumes of reactants and products of the [3+2] addition of C-(p-nitrophenyl)-N-phenylnitrone to maleic anhydride and of the [4+2] addition of 9,10-dimethylanthracene to the same dienophile were determined, and the reaction volumes were calculated. A new method was suggested for determining the reaction volume. The activation volumes of both reactions were calculated from the dependences of the reaction rates on the external pressure. The volume parameters of the reactions involving the reagents of close size are close. The ratios of the activation volumes to the reaction volumes are unity, which suggests a common concerted mechanism of the reactions. Factors that could be responsible for significant changes in the absolute values of the reaction volume parameters are discussed.     

Transition metal-catalyzed [4 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes (norbornadienes) and bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-dienes

The transition-metal-catalyzed [4 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of norbornadienes, bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene, and benzobarrelene with 1,3-butadienes proceed in excellent yields using cobalt-based catalytic systems. Two key distinctions between these [4 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions and the corresponding transition-metal-catalyzed [2 + 2 +2] reactions of norbornadiene are the requirement of a bimetal catalytic system with a bisphosphine ligand for the former and exclusive regioselectivity in the [4 + 2 + 2] reaction of 2-substituted norbornadienes to produce 1-substituted adducts. These distinctions may indicate two distinct mechanisms for the [4 + 2 + 2] and [2 + 2 + 2] reactions.     

Intramolecular pyridone/enyne photocycloaddition: partitioning of the [4 + 4] and [2 + 2] pathways

Intramolecular photocycloaddition (>290 nm) between a 1,3-enyne and a 2-pyridone is far more selective than the intermolecular version; a three-atom linkage both controls regiochemistry and separates the [2 + 2] and [4 + 4] pathways. All four head-to-head, head-to-tail, tail-to-head, and tail-to-tail tetherings have been investigated. Linkage via the ene of the enyne leads to [2 + 2] products regardless of alkene geometry, whereas linkage through the yne results in [4 + 4] cycloadducts. The bridged 1,2,5-cyclooctatriene products of [4 + 4] cycloaddition are unstable and undergo a subsequent [2 + 2] dimerization reaction.     

Formal [3 + 2] and [3 + 3] additions of acceptor-substituted cyclopropylmethylsilanes to allenylsilanes

1,3-Dipolar synthons formed from vicinal TBDPS-substituted cyclopropyl alkyl/phenyl ketones on treatment with Lewis acids such as TiCl(4) and Et(2)AlCl reacted with allenylsilanes to furnish [3 + 2] and [3 + 3] adducts with high regio- and stereocontrol. [reaction: see text]     

Multicomponent domino [4+2]/[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroheteroaromatics: an efficient synthesis of fused nitrogenated polycycles

Activation by high pressure allows 3-nitroindole and 3-nitropyrrole derivatives to behave as electron-poor heterodienes in multicomponent domino [4+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition processes. The primary [4+2] inverse demand cycloaddition appears to be completely endo selective, while the subsequent [3+2] process shows a total facial selectivity, setting the stereochemistry at ring junction, and an endo/exo selectivity depending on the nature of the heterocycle. In two operations, a polycyclic diamine featuring a quaternary center at ring junction is efficiently generated.     

Alkenes in [2+2+2] Cycloadditions

Participation of alkenes and allenes in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions has attracted much attention recently. This version of the well‐established alkyne cyclotrimerization renders interesting products, such as cyclohexadienes and other polycycles, through cascade processes. Many mechanistic variations are observed when using certain metal complexes as catalysts. The frequent generation of stereogenic centers has prompted the development of efficient asymmetric versions. This Minireview summarizes the efforts reported to date on the use of double bonds as partners in [2+2+2] cyclotrimerizations.     

Catalytic enantioselective [2 + 4] and [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with propiolamides

We report here the catalytic and highly enantioselective [2 + 4] and [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of electron-rich dienes or silyl enol ethers with electron-deficient propiolamide derivatives induced by copper(II).3-(2-naphthyl)-L-alanine amide complex.     

[2 + 2]-Cycloreversions

Four-membered rings can be cleaved thermally, Photochemically, or catalytically into two π bonded fragments. Theoretical calculations, kinetic studies, and investigations of stereo- and regioselectivity have been undertaken to clarify the question of whether the reaction involves one or two steps and to permit predictions on its course. [2 + 2]-Cycloreversions have been used to clarify the structure of four-membered rings, to prepare highly reactive π electron-systems and–in combination with a [2 + 2]-cycloaddition–to protect double bonds. The combination of a cycloaddition and-reversion can be used to convert a carbonyl group into an olefin. Starting with compounds containing annelated four-membered rings, compounds with two functional groups or large ring systems can be prepared. [2 + 2]-Cycloreversions have also been discussed in connection with storage of solar energy.     

Transition metal-catalyzed intermolecular [5+2] and [5+2+1] cycloadditions of allenes and vinylcyclopropanes

Initial examples of the intermolecular Rh(I)-catalyzed [5+2] cycloaddition reaction of bifunctional allenes and vinylcyclopropanes are described. The reactions proceed with facility and in yields of up to 99% with a variety of alkyne-, ester-, styrene-, or cyano-substituents on the allene to afford the corresponding cycloadducts. In the presence of CO, the reaction proceeds to an eight-membered ring cycloadduct and its transannularly closed product, providing the first example of a three-component [5+2+1] cycloaddition with allenes.     

Microwave-assisted iridium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of resin-bound dipropargylamine with alkynes

The [Ir(COD)Cl]₂/dppe system effectively catalyzes the solid-phase [2+2+2] cycloaddition of resin-bound dipropargylamine with alkynes under microwave conditions. The reaction results in high purity of isoindoline derivatives with moderate yields.     

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.     

A facile,stereoselective [2 + 2] photoreaction mediated by curcurbit[8]uril

The [2 + 2] photoreaction of (E)-diaminostilbene dihydrochloride proceeds with large rate acceleration and high stereoselectivity via formation of a stable 1:2 host-guest complex with curcurbit[8]uril in solution.