Tandem double intramolecular [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes

[reaction: see text]. A new class of tandem [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes is described in which both pericyclic processes are intramolecular. Two subclasses of intra [4 + 2]/intra [3 + 2] cycloadditions have been explored in which the dipolarophile is tethered at either C(5) or C(6) of the nitronate. For both families of precursors, the cycloadditions occur in good yield and are found to be highly regio- and stereoselective. This method converts linear polyenes to functionalized polycyclic systems bearing up to six stereogenic centers.     

Tandem double intramolecular [4+2]/[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes. The fused/bridged mode

A new class of tandem [4+2]/[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroalkenes is described in which both pericyclic processes are intramolecular. Two subclasses of intra [4+2]/intra [3+2] cycloadditions have been explored in which the dipolarophile is tethered at either C(5) or C(6) of the nitronate. For both families of precursors, the cycloadditions occur in good yield and are found to be highly regio- and stereoselective. This method converts linear polyenes to functionalized polycyclic systems bearing up to six stereogenic centers.     

Asymmetric silyl nitronate cycloadditions with bornane-10,2-sultam derivatives

Asymmetric silyl nitronate cycloadditions with N-acryloyl (2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam, N-acryloyl (2S)-bornane-10,2-sultam, and N-methacryloyl (2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam have been studied. The asymmetric silyl nitronate cycloaddidon/elimination methodology provides a general route for the asymmetric synthesis of 2-isoxazolines.     

Highly regio- and stereoselective intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of norbornadiene-tethered nitrile oxides

[reaction: see text] Intramolecular cycloadditions with high regio- and stereocontrol are important methods for the efficient assembly of complex molecular structures. Efficient routes to the synthesis of norbornadiene-tethered nitrile oxides have been developed, and their intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions were studied. The cycloadditions occurred in good yields for a variety of substrates and were found to be highly regio- and stereoselective.     

An experimental and computational investigation of the Diels-Alder cycloadditions of halogen-substituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones

[reaction: see text] Diels-Alder reactions of 3- and 5-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones with both electron-rich and electron-deficient dienophiles afford stable and readily isolable bridged bicyclic lactone cycloadducts. These cycloadditions proceed with excellent regioselectivity and very good stereoselectivity. In contrast, Diels-Alder reactions of 4-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones afford cycloadducts which are very prone to loss of bridging CO(2) and the subsequent formation of barrelenes ([2.2.2]cyclooctenes). Furthermore, these cycloadditions proceed with only moderate regio- and stereoselectivity. For both series of the 3- and 5-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones and 4-halo-subsituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones, the reactivity patterns do not significantly change between the halogens. The regio- and stereochemical preferences of the cycloadditions of halo-substituted 2(H)-pyran-2-ones are investigated computationally. Calculations were carried out on the transition states leading to the four possible regio- and stereoisomeric cycloadducts by using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G). These studies allow prediction of the regio- and stereoselectivity in these reactions which are broadly in line with experimental observations.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of norbornadiene-tethered nitrile oxides.

Efficient routes to the synthesis of norbornadiene-tethered nitrile oxides have been developed, and their intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions were studied. The cycloadditions occurred in good yields for a variety of substrates and were found to be highly regio- and stereoselective, giving single regio- and stereoisomers in most cases.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of norbornadiene-tethered nitrones.

Efficient routes to the synthesis of norbornadiene-tethered nitrones have been developed, and their intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions were studied. The cycloadditions occurred in moderate to good yields for a variety of substrates and were found to be highly regio- and stereoselective, giving single regio- and stereoisomers in most cases.     

Computational and experimental investigation of the Diels-Alder cycloadditions of 4-chloro-2(H)-pyran-2-one

4-Chloro-2(H)-pyran-2-one undergoes thermal Diels-Alder cycloaddition with electron-deficient dienophiles to afford, without any significant selectivity, 6-endo- and 5-endo-substituted bicyclic lactone cycloadducts. In contrast to 3- and 5-bromo-2(H)-pyran-2-one, 4-chloro-2(H)-pyran-2-one does not undergo thermal cycloadditions with electron-rich dienophiles. The regio- and stereochemical preferences of the cycloadditions of 4-chloro-2(H)-pyran-2-one and other related 2(H)-pyran-2-ones are investigated computationally. Calculations were carried out on the transition states leading to the four possible regio- and stereoisomeric cycloadducts using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G). These studies allow prediction of the regio- and stereoselectivity in these reactions which are in line with experimental observations.     

Regio- and stereoselective cycloadditions of dichloroketene to bridged bicyclic olefins

Dichloroketene cycloadditions to selected bridged bicyclic compounds are described. The regio- and stereochemical course of these cycloadditions is discussed.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions of 2-substituted norbornenes

The studies of remote substituent effects in controlling regio- and stereoselectivities in chemical reactions provide important information in understanding long-range stereoelectronic effects. The effect of remote substituents on ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions of 2-substituted norbornenes has been investigated. The cycloadditions occurred at room temperature in excellent yields, and regioselectivities of 1.2:1 to 7.5:1 were observed with various 2-substituted norbornenes.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions between 7-substituted norbornadienes and alkynes: an experimental and theoretical study

The ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions of 7-substituted norbornadienes with an alkyne have been investigated. The cycloadditions were found to be highly regio- and stereoselective, giving only the anti-exo cycloadducts as the single regio- and stereoisomers in good yields. The results on the relative rate of different 7-substituted norbornadienes in the Ru-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions with an alkyne indicated that the reactivity of the alkene component decreases dramatically as the alkene becomes more electron deficient. Ab initio computational studies on the ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloadditions provided important information about the geometries and the arrangements of the four different groups on the Ru in the initial Ru-alkene-alkyne pi-complex, 14, and in the metallacyclopentene 15. Based on our computational studies, we also found that the first carbon-carbon bond formed in the [2 + 2] cycloaddition is between the C(5) of the alkene and the C(b) (the acetylenic carbon attached to the ester group) of the alkyne 8. Our computational studies on the potential energy profiles of the cycloadditions showed that the activation energy relative to the reactants for the oxidative addition step is in the range of 9.3-9.8 kcal/mol. The activation energy relative to the metallacyclopentene for the reductive elimination step is much higher than for the oxidative addition step (in the range of 25.9-27.6 kcal/mol).     

Eta3-pyranyl and eta3-pyridinyl molybdenum pi-complexes as chiral scaffolds for the enantioselective construction of substituted oxa- and aza[3.3.1]bicyclics: first enantio- and regiocontrolled [5+3] cycloaddition reactions

The first Mo-mediated [5+3] cycloadditions are reported. 3-Substituted pyranyl and pyridinyl molybdenum pi-complexes participate in enantiocontrolled [5+3] cycloadditions and provide a new and efficient synthetic approach to oxa- and aza[3.3.1]bicyclics of high enantiomeric purity. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields and with complete regio- and endo-selectivities; it diverts to a [2+3] cycloaddition pathway when 2-substituted heterocycle pi-complexes are used. This methodology, coupled with a variety of general demetalation protocols, holds much promise in synthetic applications.     

Understanding diastereofacial selection in carbohydrate-based domino cycloadditions: semiempirical and DFT calculations

The sequential cycloaddition of nitroalkenes with methyl vinyl ether was investigated by semiempirical (PM3) and density functional methods (B3LYP/6-31G*). The asymmetric version was also examined with a threoconfigured carbohydrate auxiliary. This produces a larger, more flexible system that complicates the calculation. Most transition structures were then fully optimized at the PM3 level and further refinement was done at ab initio levels. This study represents a model case that enables the rationalization of the high facial selectivity observed in carbohydrate-based nitrone- and nitronate-alkene cycloadditions. The selective endo orientation of the [4+2] pathway results from Coulombic attraction and secondary orbital interactions in the transition state. The stereochemical outcome is largely influenced by a combination of steric shielding from the bulky chiral substituent at C4 and the anomeric effect that places the nitronate C6-alkoxy group in a pseudoaxial arrangement. The resulting conformation favors the subsequent exo approach of methyl vinyl ether to the less hindered re face of the nitronate. It is also remarkable to note that solvation energies stabilize significantly a particular transition structure, thereby explaining the marked stereoselection observed in a polar medium.     

X=Y-ZH systems as potential 1.3-dipoles : Part 14. bronsted and Lewis acid catalysis of cycloadditions of arylidene imines of α-amino acid esters

Cycloadditions of arylidene imines of α-amino acid esters to a range of dipolarophiles show substantial rate enhancements in the presence of Bronsted and Lewis acids. For Bronsted acids the rate is related to the pK_a of the acid and cycloadditions to reactive dipolarophiles occur at room temperature. For the Lewis acids studied the rate acceleration decreases in the order Zn(OAc)₂ > AgOAc> LiOAc> MgOAc₂ but is also anion dependent with LiBr> LiOAc and AgOAc> AgOTs. The Lewis acid catalysed processes are believed to be examples of cycloadditions of metallo-1,3-dipoles. In both Bronsted and Lewis acid catalysed processes the cycloadditions are regio- and stereo-specific.     

4-Aryloxybutenolides as "chiral aldehyde" equivalents: an efficient enantioselective synthesis of (+)-brefeldin a

4-(2'-Naphthoxy)-2-butenolide, readily available with high enantiopurity by a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of racemic 4-acyloxybutenolides (available in two steps from furfural), serves as an excellent chiral building block where the naphthoxy group strongly directs the stereochemistry of cycloadditions to the double bond. Notably, the cycloadditions of trimethylenemethanepalladium intermediates which do not exhibit good diastereoselectivity in additions to acceptors that possess many common and important chiral auxiliaries undergo cycloadditions with excellent regio- and stereocontrol. The utility of this process set the stage for an efficient new synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A, a compound of growing pharmacological significance. This synthesis also highlights the Pd-catalyzed DYKAT of crotyl carbonate to create the remote stereocenter. A new two-step method to convert aldehydes to delta-hydroxy-E-alpha,beta-enoates is also outlined.     

Synthesis and Diels-Alder Reactivity of 1-(Dimethoxy)methyl-2,3,5,6-tetramethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Preliminary communication

A short synthesis of the title compound 13 is reported. The acetal group in 13 enables one to control the regio- and stereoselectivity of the two successive Diels-Alder additions of the tetraene. The first addition is significantly faster than the second one, thus making 13 a versatile reagent for regio- and stereoselective ‘tandem’ cycloadditions.     

Investigation of the Diels-Alder cycloadditions of 2(H)-1,4-oxazin-2-ones

[Reaction: see text]. A variety of 5-chloro-2(H)-1,4-oxazin-2-ones bearing a range of substituents at their 3- and 6-positions undergo Diels-Alder cycloaddition as a 2-azadiene component with electron-rich, electron-deficient, and electron-neutral dienophiles. These reactions proceed with moderate regio- and stereoselectivity to afford relatively stable and readily isolable bridged bicyclic lactone cycloadducts. Chemical manipulation of these cycloadducts affords highly substituted and functionally rich piperidines. The regio- and stereochemical preferences of the cycloadditions of 5-chloro-2(H)-1,4-oxazin-2-ones are investigated computationally using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G).     

Diels-Alder cycloadditions of 2(1H)-quinolones having an electron-withdrawing group at the 3-position acting as dienophiles with dienes.

Diels-Alder cycloadditions of 2(1H)-quinolones having an electron-withdrawing group at the 3-position with alkyl- and silyloxy-1,3-butadienes (2a,b) were carried out to give phenanthridones richly functionalized regio- or stereoselectively under conditions of atmospheric and high pressure. Furthermore, regioselectivity and chemoselectivity of 3-substituted 2(1H)-quinolones to 2a, b were examined using MO calculation.     

Chiral lewis Acid catalysis in nitrile oxide cycloadditions

We describe examples of highly regio- and enantioselective nitrile oxide cycloadditions to unsaturated alkenes using substoichiometric amounts of a chiral Lewis acid. Pyrazolidinones proved to be effective achiral templates in the cycloadditions providing C-adducts typically in >30:1 selectivity and 80-99% ee. To avoid potential problems involving coordination of the Lewis acid by amine bases, we have devised a novel method for the generation of unstable nitrile oxides from hydroximinoyl chlorides using Amberlyst 21 as the base.     

A density functional theory study of the chemoselectivity and regioselectivity of the domino cycloaddition reactions of nitroalkenes with substituted alkenes

The chemoselectivity and regioselectivity of the domino intermolecular [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitroalkenes with substituted alkenes, vinyl ethers as electron-rich alkenes and vinyl ketones as electron-poor alkenes, have been studied using density functional theory (DFT) methods with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G^* basis set. These domino processes comprise two consecutive cycloaddition reactions: the first one is an intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of the vinyl ether to the nitroalkene to give a nitronate intermediate, which then affords the final nitroso acetal adduct through an intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with the vinyl ketone. The two consecutive cycloadditions present total chemoselectivity and ortho regioselectivity. While first [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction takes place along the attack of the electron-rich alkene to nitroalkene, the [3 + 2] one takes place along the attack of the electron-poor alkene to the corresponding nitronate intermediate. This DFT study is in complete agreement with the experimental results. Received: 16 September 1999 / Accepted: 3 February 2000 / Published online: 2 May 2000