Synthesis of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Bioisosteres of Internal Alkynes and para‐Disubstituted Benzenes from [1.1.1]Propellane

We report a general preparation of arylated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes through the opening of [1.1.1]propellane with various arylmagnesium halides. After transmetalation with ZnCl₂ and Negishi cross‐coupling with aryl and heteroaryl halides, bis‐arylated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes are obtained. These bis‐arylated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes may be considered as bioisosteres of internal alkynes. Bioisosteres of tazarotene and the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist 2‐methyl‐6‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine were prepared and their physicochemical properties were evaluated.     

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Embedded in Porphyrinoids**

We report a two-step approach to obtain synthetically versatile bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) derivatives using Grignard reagents. This method allows the incorporation of BCP units in tetrapyrrolic macrocycles and the synthesis of a new class of calix[4]pyrrole analogues by replacing two bridging methylene groups with two BCP units. In addition, a doubly N-confused system was also formed in the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents at the BCP bridgeheads. The pyrrole rings in BCP containing macrocycles exist in 1,3-alternate or αβαβ conformations, as observed from single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

Sodium Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanesulfinate: A Bench-Stable Precursor for Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentylsulfones and Bicyclo- [1.1.1]pentanesulfonamides

Herein, we present the synthesis of the bench-stable sodium bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanesulfinate (BCP-SO₂Na) and its application in the synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl (BCP) sulfones and sulfonamides. The salt can be obtained in a four-step procedure from commercially available precursors in multigram scale without the need for column chromatography or crystallization. Sulfinates are known to be useful precursors in radical and nucleophilic reactions and are widely used in medicinal chemistry. This building block enables access to BCP sulfones and sulfonamides avoiding the volatile [1.1.1]propellane which is favorable for the extension of SAR studies. Further, BCP-SO₂Na enables the synthesis of products that were not available with previous methods. A chlorination of BCP-SO₂Na and subsequent reaction with a Grignard reagent provides a new route to BCP sulfoxides. Several products were analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

A General and Practical Route to Functionalized Bicyclo[1.1.1]Pentane-Heteroaryls Enabled by Photocatalytic Multicomponent Heteroarylation of [1.1.1]Propellane

1-Aryl-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are an important class of BCP derivatives with widespread application in drug development. Most syntheses of these materials require multiple chemical steps via BCP electrophiles or nucleophiles derived from [1.1.1]propellane. Although one-step, multicomponent radical cross-coupling reactions could provide a more sustainable and rapid route to access diverse heteroarylated BCPs, current approaches are limited to tertiary alkyl radicals, leading to a decrease in their practical value. In this study, a conceptually different approach enabled by a radical multicomponent heteroarylation of [1.1.1]propellane to access functionalized heteroarylated BCPs is described. Importantly, this protocol is compatible with primary-, secondary-, and tertiary aliphatic radicals, as well as various fluoroalkyl radical sources, thus enabling rapid library generation of sought-after BCP derivatives for drug development.     

Synthesis of All-Carbon Disubstituted Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes by Iron-Catalyzed Kumada Cross-Coupling

1,3-Disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are important motifs in drug design as surrogates for p-substituted arenes and alkynes. Access to all-carbon disubstituted BCPs via cross-coupling has to date been limited to use of the BCP as the organometallic component, which restricts scope due to the harsh conditions typically required for the synthesis of metallated BCPs. Here we report a general method to access 1,3-C-disubstituted BCPs from 1-iodo-bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (iodo-BCPs) by direct iron-catalyzed cross-coupling with aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents. This chemistry represents the first general use of iodo-BCPs as electrophiles in cross-coupling, and the first Kumada coupling of tertiary iodides. Benefiting from short reaction times, mild conditions, and broad scope of the coupling partners, it enables the synthesis of a wide range of 1,3-C-disubstituted BCPs including various drug analogues.     

Cubane,Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane and Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane: Impact and Thermal Sensitiveness of Carboxyl-, Hydroxymethyl- and Iodo-substituents

With the burgeoning interest in cage motifs for bioactive molecule discovery, and the recent disclosure of 1,4-cubane-dicarboxylic acid impact sensitivity, more research into the safety profiles of cage scaffolds is required. Therefore, the impact sensitivity and thermal decomposition behavior of judiciously selected starting materials and synthetic intermediates of cubane, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP), and bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) were evaluated via hammer test and sealed cell differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Iodo-substituted systems were found to be more impact sensitive, whereas hydroxymethyl substitution led to more rapid thermodecomposition. Cubane was more likely to be impact sensitive with these substituents, followed by BCP, whereas all BCOs were unresponsive. The majority of derivatives were placed substantially above Yoshida thresholds—a computational indicator of sensitivity.     

Synthesis of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP)-Based Straight-Shaped Diphosphine Ligands**

[1.1.1]Propellane, which is structurally simple and compact, exhibits promising potential for the synthesis of disubstituted straight-shaped bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) compounds by manipulation of its highly reactive internal C−C bond. BCPs are considered to be isosteres of 1,4-disubstituted benzenes, which have found broad applications in the areas of functional molecules and drug discovery. The internal C−C single bond of [1.1.1]propellane is regarded as a charge-shift bond, which can be readily cleaved by radical means to construct BCPs. We herein report a novel synthetic method for (un)symmetric diphosphines based on the BCP motif, which can be interpreted as isosteres of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzenes. The obtained BCP-diphosphine derivatives were used to generate a straight-shaped Au complex and an Eu-based coordination polymer.     

Crystal Structure and Electron-Density Distribution of Two [1.1.1] Propellane Derivatives at 81 K

The molecular structure and electron-density distribution of two [1.1.1]propellane derivatives have been determined from accurate single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements at 81 K. The crystals of these highly reactive compounds (both are liquid at room temperature) were grown directly on the X-ray diffractometer at ca. 208 and 228 K, respectively. Both compounds crystallize in the space group P2₁/c with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The symmetry of the propellane C-atom skeleton is close to D_3h for both molecules. The distances between the two bridgehead C-atoms are 1.587 and 1.585 Å, and the mean lengths of the propellane side bonds are 1.525 and 1.528 Å, respectively. The deformation density peaks of the propellane side bonds (ca. 0.25 e/ų) lie somewhat outside the internuclear connection lines and so correspond to ‘bent bonds’ as expected. On the other hand, the difference electron density between the bridgehead nuclei is slightly negative in both molecules. An interesting feature, observed in these difference maps, is presence of a diffuse, positive difference density at each inverted C-atom, outside the bridgehead bond, a probable site of electrophilic attack.     

Divergent Strain-Release Amino-Functionalization of [1.1.1]Propellane with Electrophilic Nitrogen-Radicals

Herein we report the development of a photocatalytic strategy for the divergent preparation of functionalized bicyclo[1.1.1]pentylamines. This approach exploits, for the first time, the ability of nitrogen-radicals to undergo strain-release reaction with [1.1.1]propellane. This reactivity is facilitated by the electrophilic nature of these open-shell intermediates and the presence of strong polar effects in the transition-state for C−N bond formation/ring-opening. With the aid of a simple reductive quenching photoredox cycle, we have successfully harnessed this novel radical strain-release amination as part of a multicomponent cascade compatible with several external trapping agents. Overall, this radical strategy enables the rapid construction of novel amino-functionalized building blocks with potential application in medicinal chemistry programs as p-substituted aniline bioisosteres.     

Grignard Reagent/CuI/LiCl‐Mediated Stereoselective Cascade Addition/Cyclization of Diynes: A Novel Pathway for the Construction of 1‐Methyleneindene Derivatives

Diynes containing a cyclopropane group smoothly undergo a novel intramolecular and stereoselective cascade addition/cyclization reaction to produce the corresponding 1‐methyleneindene derivatives in moderate to good yields. This interesting transformation is mediated by Grignard reagent/CuI with LiCl as an additive under mild conditions. The obtained product can easily be further functionalized through cyclopropyl ring opening. A plausible reaction mechanism has also been presented on the basis of deuterium labeling and control experiments.     

Synthesis of All‐Carbon Disubstituted Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes by Iron‐Catalyzed Kumada Cross‐Coupling

1,3‐Disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are important motifs in drug design as surrogates for p‐substituted arenes and alkynes. Access to all‐carbon disubstituted BCPs via cross‐coupling has to date been limited to use of the BCP as the organometallic component, which restricts scope due to the harsh conditions typically required for the synthesis of metallated BCPs. Here we report a general method to access 1,3‐C‐disubstituted BCPs from 1‐iodo‐bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (iodo‐BCPs) by direct iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling with aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents. This chemistry represents the first general use of iodo‐BCPs as electrophiles in cross‐coupling, and the first Kumada coupling of tertiary iodides. Benefiting from short reaction times, mild conditions, and broad scope of the coupling partners, it enables the synthesis of a wide range of 1,3‐C‐disubstituted BCPs including various drug analogues.     

1,3-Difunctionalizations of [1.1.1]Propellane via 1,2-Metallate Rearrangements of Boronate Complexes

1,3-Disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are valuable bioisosteres of para-substituted aromatic rings. The most direct route to these structures is via multicomponent ring-opening reactions of [1.1.1]propellane. However, challenges associated with these transformations mean that difunctionalized BCPs are more commonly prepared by multistep reaction sequences with BCP-halide intermediates. Herein, we report three- and four-component 1,3-difunctionalizations of [1.1.1]propellane with organometallic reagents, organoboronic esters, and a variety of electrophiles. This process is achieved by trapping intermediate BCP-metal species with boronic esters to form boronate complexes, which are versatile intermediates whose electrophile-induced 1,2-metallate rearrangement chemistry enables a broad range of C−C bond-forming reactions.     

Polar substituent effects in the bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane ring system: acidities of 3-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1-carboxylic acids

Experimental gas-phase acidities are reported for a series of 3-substituted (X) bicyclo [1.1.1]pent-1-yl carboxylic acids (1, Y = COOH). A comparison with available calculated data (MP2/6-311++G**// B3LYP/6-311+G**) reveals good agreement. The relative substituent effects are shown to be adequately described by a much lower level of theory (B3LYP/6-31+G*). Various correlations are presented which clearly point to polar field effects as being the origin of the relative acidities.     

On the bond-stretch isomerism in the benzo[1,2:4,5]dicyclobutadiene system--an ab initio MR-AQCC study.

Bond-stretch isomerism in benzo[1,2:4,5]dicyclobutadienle (BDCB) has been investigated using the MR-AQCC/6-31G(d) method, a high-level multireference ab initio approach including size-extensivity corrections. The applied theoretical approach includes both nondynamical and dynamical electron correlation effects. Full MR-AQCC geometry optimizations of localized (1) and delocalized (3) isomers as well as the transition structure (TS) have been determined using D2h, symmetry restriction. The calculations show that both isomers are approximately of equal stability separated by a barrier with a height of about 5 kcal mol(-1). Thus, the present results strongly indicate that benzof[1,3:4,5]dicyclobutadiene is a very good candidate for an organic compound exhibiting bond-stretch isomerism, since isomers 1 and 3 correspond to true minima on the double-well potential energy surface, which are separated by a sufficiently high barrier. It is particularly important to emphasize that isomer 3 represents a realization of the highly elusive quasi-[10]annulene.     

Photochemical Studies on 5‐Methylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Derivatives: p‐Orbital Overlap Controlled Enantioselectivity

The first example of the p‐orbital overlap controlled enantioselectivity of Norrish type II photocyclization reaction was described. Irradiation of 5‐methyl bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanyl ketone with UV in the solid state as well as in the acetonitrile solution afforded the Norrish/Yang photocyclization compound as the sole product. Solid‐state asymmetric photochemical studies using ionic chiral auxiliary technique led to the enantioselectivity as high as 60%. The results were rationalized by X‐ray single crystal structure.     

Coupling between Substituents as a Function of Cage Structure: Synthesis and Valence Ionized States of Bridgehead Disubstituted Parent and Hexafluorinated Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Derivatives C5X6Y2

He(I) photoelectron spectroscopy was used to examine the valence‐shell electronic structure of three new and seven previously known bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane derivatives, 1,3‐Y₂‐C₅X₆ (for X=H, Y=H, Cl, Br, I, CN; for X=F, Y=H, Br, I, CN). A larger series (X=H or F, Y=H, F, Cl, Br, I, At, CN) has been studied computationally with the SAC‐CI (symmetry‐adapted cluster configuration interaction) method. The outer‐valence ionization spectra calculated by the SAC‐CI method, including spin–orbit interaction, reproduced the experimental photoelectron spectra well, and quantitative assignments are given. When the extent of effective through‐cage interaction between the bridgehead halogen lone‐pair orbitals was defined in the usual way by orbital‐energy splitting, it was found to be larger than that mediated by other cages such as cubane, and was further enhanced by hexafluorination. The origin of the orbital‐energy splitting is analyzed in terms of cage structure, and it is pointed out that its relation to the degree of interaction between the bridgehead substituents is not as simple as is often assumed.     

Regiocontrolled halohydroxylations of bicyclic vinylidenecyclopropanes: a versatile strategy for the construction of diverse highly functionalized carbocyclic scaffolds

Highly regioselective halohydroxylations of bicyclic vinylidenecyclopropanes that lead to four types of products 2, 3, 4, and 6 were developed. The halohydroxylation reaction occurs at room temperature to give rise to ring-keeping products vinylbicyclo[(n+2).1.0]alkanols 2 in 55-90% yields with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity; the reaction of bicyclic vinylidenecyclopropanes with 2.0 equiv of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) at 100 °C affords alkylidenebicyclo[(n+2).2.0]alkanones 3 in 48-75% yields by means of further proximal cleavage of the cyclopropane ring. The structures of both types of compounds 2 and 3 have been elucidated by X-ray crystal diffraction. An interesting sequential reaction that consists of a couple electrophilic addition and elimination reactions was developed when the reaction of bicyclic vinylidenecyclopropanes with N-halosuccinimide (NXS; 3.0 equiv) was performed under the specified conditions to furnish a variety of divinyl ketones 4 by means of proximal cleavage of the cyclopropane ring. In addition, vinylidenecyclopropanes that bore one aryl group at the cyclopropyl ring reacted with NBS or I(2) at room temperature, thereby producing the corresponding divinyl ketones 4 in moderate to good yields with excellent E selectivity. Unexpectedly, 2-vinylic cyclohex-2-enols 6 were generated through a very different distal C-C bond cleavage of the cyclopropane due to the significant ring-size effect. Possible mechanisms are proposed on the basis of the obtained intermediates.     

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Bridged [5+2] Cycloaddition of cis-Allene-vinylcyclopropanes to Synthesize the Bicyclo[4.3.1]decane Skeleton

Previously reported was that cis-ene-vinylcyclopropanes (cis-ene-VCPs) underwent Rh-catalyzed [5+2] reaction to give 5,7-fused bicyclic products, where vinylcyclopropane (VCP) acts as five-carbon synthon. Unfortunately, this reaction had very limited scope. Replacing the 2π component of cis-ene-VCPs to allene moiety, the corresponding cis-allene-VCPs did not undergo the expected normal [5+2] cycloaddition to give 5,7-fused bicyclic products. Instead, the challenging bicyclo[4.3.1]decane skeleton was obtained via an unprecedented bridged [5+2] cycloaddition. DFT calculations were applied to understand why this bridged [5+2] reaction is favored over the anticipated but not realized normal [5+2] reaction.