Intermolecular [2+2+1] Carbonylative Cycloaddition of Aldehydes with Alkynes,and Subsequent Oxidation to γ‐Hydroxybutenolides by a Supported Ruthenium Catalyst

Intermolecular [2+2+1] carbonylative cycloaddition of aldehydes with alkynes and subsequent oxidation to γ‐hydroxybutenolides is achieved using a supported ruthenium catalyst. A ceria‐supported ruthenium catalyst promotes the reaction efficiently, even with an ambient pressure of CO or without external CO, thus giving the corresponding γ‐hydroxybutenolide derivatives in good to high yields. Moreover this catalyst can be reused with no loss of activity.     

Copper‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of Isocyanoacetates with Phosphaalkynes to Prepare 1,3‐Azaphospholes

A novel copper‐catalyzed synthetic method is described for phosphorous‐ and nitrogen‐containing heterocycles such as 1,3‐azaphospholes. Cycloaddition reactions of various isocyanoacetates with phosphaalkynes in the presence of copper bromide, bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), and potassium carbonate afford the corresponding 1,3‐azaphospholes in high yields with complete selectivity. Some dppm‐bridged dicopper complexes were identified as active species for the formation of 1,3‐azaphospholes.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition as a Versatile Platform to Access Methanobenzo[7]annulenes

Pharmaceutically and structurally important methanobenzo[7]annulenes were synthesized in very good yields with excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities through an unprecedented organocatalytic formal [3+2] cycloaddition from readily available 2‐alkyl‐3‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐diones and alkyl vinyl ketones.     

Organocatalytic Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition between In Situ Generated Vinylidene ortho‐Quinone Methides and Benzofurans

Described herein is the enantioselective construction of oxygen‐containing [5‐6‐5] tricyclic heterocycles by an organocatalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of vinylidene ortho ‐quinone methides and benzofurans. According to this methodology, a series of oxygen‐containing [5‐6‐5] tricyclic heterocycles with various functional groups were synthesized in excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities (>99 % ee , >20:1 d.r.). Furthermore, the deuterium‐labeling experiments and high‐resolution mass spectroscopy demonstrated that a vinylidene ortho ‐quinone methide intermediate was involved and possibly resulted from a prototropic rearrangement of 2‐ethynylphenol. Remarkably, a catalyst loading as low as 0.1 mol %, and a gram‐scale synthesis were achieved for this transformation.     

Gold‐Catalyzed [3+2]/Retro‐[3+2]/[3+2] Cycloaddition Cascade Reaction of N‐Alkoxyazomethine Ylides

A novel cascade reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 2,6‐methanopyrrolo[1,2‐b]isoxazoles based on the gold‐catalyzed generation of an N‐allyloxyazomethine ylide. This reaction involves sequential [3+2]/retro‐[3+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition reactions, thus providing facile access to fused and bridged heterocycles which would be otherwise difficult to prepare using existing synthetic methods. Notably, this reaction allows the efficient construction of three C−C bonds, one C−O bond, one C−N bond and one C−H bond, as well as the cleavage of one C−C bond, one C−O bond and one C−H bond in a single operation. The intermolecular cycloaddition of an N‐allyloxyazomethine ylide and the subsequent application of the product to the synthesis of tropenol is also described.     

Catalytic Divergent [3+3]‐ and [3+2]‐Cycloaddition by Discrimination Between Diazo Compounds

Highly selective divergent cycloaddition reactions of enoldiazo compounds and α‐diazocarboximides catalyzed by copper(I) or dirhodium(II) have been developed. With tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) tetrafluoroborate as the catalyst epoxypyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepine derivatives were prepared in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities through the first reported [3+3]‐cycloaddition of a carbonyl ylide. Use of Rh₂(pfb)₄ or Rh₂(esp)₂ directs the reactants to regioselective [3+2]‐cycloaddition generating cyclopenta[2,3]pyrrolo[2,1‐b]oxazoles with good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [6+4] Cycloaddition of Vinyl Oxetanes with Azadienes to Access Ten‐Membered Heterocycles

We report herein the first enantioselective cycloaddition of vinyl oxetanes, the reaction of which with azadienes provided unprecedented access to ten‐membered heterocycles through a [6+4] cycloaddition. By using a commercially available chiral Pd‐SIPHOX catalyst, a wide range of benzofuran‐ as well as indole‐fused heterocycles could be accessed in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. A unique Lewis acid induced fragmentation of these ten‐membered heterocycles was also discovered.     

Merging [2+2] Cycloaddition with Radical 1,4‐Addition: Metal‐Free Access to Functionalized Cyclobuta[a]naphthalen‐4‐ols

A metal‐free [2+2] cycloaddition and 1,4‐addition sequence induced by S‐centered radicals has been achieved by treating benzene‐linked allene‐ynes with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates and DABCO‐bis(sulfur dioxide) in a one‐pot procedure. The reaction provides a greener and more practical access to functionalized cyclobuta[a]naphthalen‐4‐ols with valuable applications. More than 50 examples are demonstrated with excellent diastereoselectivity and chemical yields. The reaction pathway is proposed to proceed by the following steps:[2+2] cycloaddition, insertion of SO₂, 1,4‐addition, diazotization, and tautomerization.