The Divergent Synthesis of Nitrogen Heterocycles by Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Cycloadditions of 1‐Sulfonyl 1,2,3‐Triazoles with 1,3‐Dienes

The first rhodium(II)‐catalyzed aza‐[4+3] cycloadditions of 1‐sulfonyl 1,2,3‐triazoles with 1,3‐dienes have been developed, and enable the efficient synthesis of highly functionalized 2,5‐dihydroazepines from readily available precursors. In some cases, the reaction pathway could divert to formal aza‐[3+2] cycloadditions, thus leading to 2,3‐dihydropyrroles. In this context, the titled reaction represents a capable tool for the divergent synthesis of two types of synthetically valuable aza‐heterocycles from common rhodium(II) iminocarbene intermediates.     

Unusual Formal [1+4] Annulation through Tandem P(NMe2)3‐Mediated Cyclopropanation/Base‐Catalyzed Cyclopropane Rearrangement: Facile Syntheses of Cyclopentenimines and Cyclopentenones

An unusual formal [1+4] annulation of α‐dicarbonyl compounds with 1,1‐dicyano‐1,3‐dienes has been realized, leading to facile syntheses of cyclopentenimines and cyclopentenones in a unique manner. Mechanistic investigation implies that this reaction takes place through a P(NMe₂)₃‐mediated cyclopropanation followed by a base‐catalyzed cyclopropane rearrangement. It therefore represents an unprecedented [1+4] annulation mode involving Kukhtin–Ramirez adducts.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation with NMe4OTf and nBuLi

Nickel was identified as a catalyst for the cyclopropanation of unactivated olefins by using in situ generated lithiomethyl trimethylammonium triflate as a methylene donor. A mechanistic hypothesis is proposed in which the generation of a reactive nickel carbene explains several interesting observations. Additionally, our findings shed light on a report by Franzen and Wittig published in 1960 that had been retracted later owing to irreproducibility, and provide a rational basis for the systematic development of the reaction for preparative purposes as an alternative to diazomethane or Simmons–Smith conditions.     

Expedient Synthesis of Fused Azepine Derivatives Using a Sequential Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation/1‐Aza‐Cope Rearrangement of Dienyltriazoles

A general method for the formation of fused dihydroazepine derivatives from 1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles bearing a tethered diene is reported. The process involves an intramolecular cyclopropanation of an α‐imino rhodium(II) carbenoid, leading to a transient 1‐imino‐2‐vinylcyclopropane intermediate which rapidly undergoes a 1‐aza‐Cope rearrangement to generate fused dihydroazepine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds with similar efficiency on gram scale. The use of catalyst‐free conditions leads to the formation of a novel [4.4.0] bicyclic heterocycle.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Desymmetrization of 1,4‐Dienes by an Enantioselective Tandem Alkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement

An enantioselective alkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement reaction was achieved by a strategic desymmetrization of 1,4‐dienes under the catalysis of (S)‐DTBM‐Segphos(AuCl)₂/AgBF₄. This reaction system was highly selective for the formation of 3,3‐rearrangement products, providing cycloheptenes with various substitutions in good yield and good to excellent enantioselectivity. This transformation was further extended to bicyclic ring substrates, providing the opportunity to easily assemble 5,6‐ and 6,7‐fused ring systems.     

Reversal of the Regiochemistry in the Rhodium‐Catalyzed [4+3] Cycloaddition between Vinyldiazoacetates and Dienes

A regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective [4+3] cycloaddition between vinylcarbenes and dienes has been achieved using the dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalyst [Rh₂(S‐BTPCP)₄]. This methodology provides facile access to 1,4‐cycloheptadienes that are regioisomers of those formed from the tandem cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement reaction of vinylcarbenes with dienes.     

A Heteroleptic Dirhodium Catalyst for Asymmetric Cyclopropanation with α‐Stannyl α‐Diazoacetate. “Stereoretentive” Stille Coupling with Formation of Chiral Quarternary Carbon Centers

The heteroleptic dirhodium paddlewheel catalyst 7 with a chiral carboxylate/acetamidate ligand sphere is uniquely effective in asymmetric [2+1] cycloadditions with α‐diazo‐α‐trimethylstannyl (silyl, germyl) acetate. Originally discovered as a trace impurity in a sample of the homoleptic parent complex [Rh₂((R)‐TPCP)₄] ( 5 ), it is shown that the protic acetamidate ligand is quintessential for rendering 7 highly enantioselective. The ‐NH group is thought to lock the ensuing metal carbene in place via interligand hydrogen bonding. The resulting stannylated cyclopropanes undergo “stereoretentive” cross coupling, which shows for the first time that even chiral quarternary carbon centers can be made by the Stille–Migita reaction.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Regioselective N2‐Alkylation of Benzotriazoles with Diazo Compounds/Enynones via a Nonclassical Pathway

A novel rhodium‐catalyzed highly selective N²‐alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazo compounds/enynones is achieved, providing N²‐alkylated benzotriazoles in good to excellent yields and with excellent N² selectivities. Importantly, different to traditional carbene insertion into X?H (X=N, O etc) bonds, DFT calculations disclose that this selective N²‐alkylation probably proceeds through a formal 1,3‐ rather than 1,2‐H shift to give the final products.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 4‐Bromo‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolines: Access to Bromonium Ylides by the Intramolecular Reaction of a Benzyl Bromide and an α‐Imino Carbene

Highly functionalized 4‐bromo‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolines were synthesized from readily available 4‐(2‐(bromomethyl)phenyl)‐1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles. A bromonium ylide is proposed as the key intermediate, which can be formed by the intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the benzyl bromide on the α‐imino rhodium carbene formed in the presence of the rhodium catalyst.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [4+2] Cycloadditions of Vinylcarbenes with Dienes

The reaction of 2‐siloxycyclo‐1,3‐dienes with E‐vinyldiazoacetates in the presence of the bulky chiral dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalyst, Rh₂(R‐p‐PhTPCP)₄ results in an enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition, in which three new stereogenic centers are formed. The [4+2] cycloadducts are generated as single diastereomers with high enantiocontrol (95–98 % ee). When the diene contains an additional stereogenic center, effective kinetic resolution can be achieved.     

Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cycloisomerizations of Methylenecyclopropanes with N‐Sulfonyl 1,2,3‐Triazoles

A novel rhodium(II)‐catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) with N‐sulfonyl 1,2,3‐triazoles is disclosed. The reaction produces a series of highly functionalized polycyclic N heterocycles via a rhodium imino carbene intermediate. A distinct feature of this divergent synthesis is that different types of substrates control the reaction pathways. Moreover, several interesting transformations of these products to construct diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives are also reported.     

Concise Stereoselective Synthesis of Oxaspirocycles with 1‐Tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles: Application to the Total Syntheses of (±)‐Tuberostemospiroline and (±)‐Stemona‐lactam R

A 4‐substituted‐1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazole‐based stereoselective synthesis of structurally diverse oxaspirocycles is reported. The synthesis involves Rh‐catalyzed loss of nitrogen from 4‐substituted‐1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, Grignard reaction, and a ring‐closing metathesis reaction as key steps. By employing readily available and stable 4‐substituted‐1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles as surrogates of diazo compounds and nitrogen sources, two types of oxaspirocycles were obtained. The latter compounds, which contain adjacent nitrogen stereocenters, could serve as the core structures of many natural products. This chemistry has been successfully applied to the total syntheses of (±)‐tuberostemospiroline and (±)‐stemona‐lactam R.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Transannulation of NH‐1,2,3‐Triazoles with Olefins

A convenient one‐pot asymmetric synthesis of 2,3‐dihydropyrroles from in situ generated triflated triazoles and olefins is described that further expands the utility of azavinyl carbene chemistry and provides access to an important class of cyclic enamides. Mechanistic investigations support the involvement of triflated cyclopropylaldimine intermediates in the formation of 2,3‐dihydropyrrole. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a chiral Brønsted acid catalyzed rearrangement of cyclopropylimines into enantioenriched 2,3‐dihydropyrroles.