Accurate prediction of rate constants of Diels-Alder reactions and application to design of Diels-Alder ligation

Bioorthogonal reactions are useful tools to gain insights into the structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules in the field of chemical biology. Recently, the Diels-Alder reaction has become a promising and attractive procedure for ligation in bioorthogonal chemistry because of its higher rate and selectivity in water. However, a drawback of the previous Diels-Alder ligation is that the widely used maleimide moiety as a typical Michael acceptor can readily undergo Michael addition with nucleophiles in living systems. Thus, it is important to develop a nucleophile-tolerant Diels-Alder system in order to extend the scope of the application of Diels-Alder ligation. To solve this problem, we found that the theoretical protocol M06-2X/6-31+G(d)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) can accurately predict the activation free energies of Diels-Alder reactions with a precision of 1.4 kcal mol(-1) by benchmarking the calculations against the 72 available experimental data. Subsequently, the electronic effect and ring-strain effect on the Diels-Alder reaction were studied to guide the design of the new dienophiles. The criteria of the design is that the designed Diels-Alder reaction should have a lower barrier than the Michael addition, while at the same time it should show a similar (or even higher) reactivity as compared to the maleimide-involving Diels-Alder ligation. Among the designed dienophiles, three substituted cyclopropenes (i.e. 1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-, 1,2-bis(hydroxylmethyl)- and 1,2-bis(hydroxylmethyl)-3-carboxylcyclopropenes) meet our requirements. These substituted cyclopropene analogs could be synthesized and they are thermodynamically stable. As a result, we propose that 1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-, 1,2-bis(hydroxylmethyl)- and 1,2-bis(hydroxylmethyl)-3-carboxylcyclopropenes may be potential candidates for efficient and selective Diels-Alder ligation in living systems.     

Mechanism of scandium ion catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of anthracenes with methyl vinyl ketone

Rates of Diels-Alder cycloadditions of anthracenes with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) are accelerated significantly by the presence of scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)3]. Sc(OTf)3 also promotes photoinduced electron-transfer reactions from various electron donors to MVK significantly. Comparison of the promoting effect of Sc(OTf)3 in photoinduced electron-transfer reactions of MVK with the catalytic effect of Sc(OTf)3 in the Diels-Alder reaction of 9,10-dimethylanthracene with MVK has revealed that the MVK-Sc(OTf)3 complex is a reactive intermediate in both the Diels-Alder and photoinduced electron-transfer reactions. The observed second-order rate constants of the Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions of anthracenes with MVK are by far larger than those expected from the observed linear Gibbs energy relation for the Diels-Alder reactions of anthracenes with stronger electron acceptors than MVK, which are known to proceed via electron transfer. This indicates that the Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions of anthracenes with MVK does not proceed via an electron-transfer process from anthracences to the MVK-Sc(OTf)3 complex.     

A substituent effects study reveals the kinetic pathway for an interfacial reaction

This paper describes the use of a substituent effects study to understand the mechanistic basis for an interfacial Diels-Alder reaction that does not proceed with standard second-order kinetics. Cyclopentadiene (Cp) undergoes a Diels-Alder reaction with a chemisorbed mercaptobenzoquinone to yield an immobilized Diels-Alder adduct. The pseudo-first-order rate constants are not linearly related to the concentration of diene, but they reach a limiting value with increasing concentrations of diene. The results of a substituent effects study support a mechanism wherein the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone produces two states of quinone. The first form, Q*, either reacts with Cp or isomerizes to Q, a form that is significantly less reactive with the diene. The interfacial reaction reaches a maximum rate when the concentration of diene is sufficiently high so that Q* undergoes complete Diels-Alder reaction and does not isomerize to Q. This work provides an example of the use of physical organic chemistry to understand an interfacial reaction.     

Chemistry and biology of biosynthetic Diels-Alder reactions

Nature's repertoire of biosynthetic transformations has recently been recognized to include the Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction. Evidence now exists that there are enzymes that mediate the Diels-Alder reaction in secondary metabolic biosynthetic pathways. 2002 marked the 100th anniversary of Alder's birth and 75 years since the discovery of the Diels-Alder reaction. It would appear that living systems discovered and made use of this ubiquitously useful ring-forming reaction eons ago for the construction of complex natural products. In this Review an overview is given of all of the known classes of natural products (polyketides, isoprenoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids) that have been speculated to arise by a biological Diels-Alder reaction.     

Diels-Alder reactions with dienes bearing a remote stereogenic center. Conformational model for diastereofacial selectivity

In Diels-Alder reactions of 1-acyloxydienes, the 1-O-methylmandeloxy group has the distinct advantage of serving dual functions. Not only is it an effective chiral auxiliary for Diels-Alder stereocontrol, but also it provides rather reliable determination of the absolute stereochemistry of the Diels-Alder adduct, via the Dale-Mosher NMR model, subject only to the ability to resolve the proper NMR resonances. Study of the Diels-Alder reactions of such chiral 1-acyloxydienes has led us to a transition structure model which uniquely explains the origin of the observed stereoselectivities and is supported by experimental evidence, including X-ray structures showing the conformations of three Diels-Alder adducts. The model may also have wider applicability in conformational analysis and control of selectivity in other reactions.     

A total synthesis of xestodecalactone a and proof of its absolute stereochemistry: interesting observations on dienophilic control with 1,3-disubstituted nonequivalent allenes

A concise total synthesis of xestodecalactone A, utilizing a Diels-Alder strategy is described. The focal Diels-Alder reaction relied on an "ynoate" dienophile to rapidly assemble the required resorcylinic acid scaffold. During this study, Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions involving 1,3-disubstituted nonequivalent allene dienophiles were studied, and some surprising results were encountered.     

Synthesis of hydronaphthalenes through coupling of enyne-carbonyl compounds that contain pendant alkane groups with Fischer carbene complexes

The coupling of enyne-carbonyl compounds that contain pendant alkene groups with Fischer carbene complexes to afford furans that contain pendant alkene groups is described. Subsequent intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions are effective in selected cases, resulting in hydronaphthalene systems after dehydration. Although the Diels-Alder event is thermodynamically unfavorable, the overall transformation of alkene-furans to dihydronaphthalenes is a favorable process.     

Synthesis and thermal modulation of the fluorescence of a pyrene-arylmaleimide dyad and its Diels-Alder adduct

The fluorescence of a pyrene-arylmaleimide dyad and its Diels-Alder adduct can be thermally modulated through reversible Diels-Alder reaction of arylmaleimide unit with furan. Moreover, the fluorescence intensities of the Diels-Alder adduct of dyad 1 with furan vary linearly with the temperatures of the corresponding solutions, demonstrating that these molecules are interesting compounds for studies of fluorescent molecular thermometers.     

How Ionization Catalyzes Diels-Alder Reactions

The catalytic effect of ionization on the Diels-Alder reaction between 1,3-butadiene and acrylaldehyde has been studied using relativistic density functional theory (DFT). Removal of an electron from the dienophile, acrylaldehyde, significantly accelerates the Diels-Alder reaction and shifts the reaction mechanism from concerted asynchronous for the neutral Diels-Alder reaction to stepwise for the radical-cation Diels-Alder reaction. Our detailed activation strain and Kohn-Sham molecular orbital analyses reveal how ionization of the dienophile enhances the Diels-Alder reactivity via two mechanisms: (i) by amplifying the asymmetry in the dienophile's occupied π-orbitals to such an extent that the reaction goes from concerted asynchronous to stepwise and thus with substantially less steric (Pauli) repulsion per reaction step; (ii) by enhancing the stabilizing orbital interactions that result from the ability of the singly occupied molecular orbital of the radical-cation dienophile to engage in an additional three-electron bonding interaction with the highest occupied molecular orbital of the diene.     

Reactivity and stereoselectivity of the Diels-Alder reaction using cyclic dienophiles and siloxyaminobutadienes

Several bicyclic compounds were synthesized by the Diels-Alder reaction using aminodiene and a cyclic dienophile. The stereochemistries of the obtained adducts were determined by X-ray crystallography or NMR analysis. The stereoselectivity of this Diels-Alder reaction was based on the interaction of molecular orbitals between the diene and dienophile. The reactivities of these Diels-Alder reactions were estimated, and the generality of this reaction is discussed.     

从轨道对称守恒原理看Diels-Alder反应区域选择性

根据轨道对称守恒原理(PCOS),推断出决定Diels-Alder反应的区域选择性的轨道相互作用是双烯体与亲双烯体各自最稳定的价轨道之间的相互作用,这种相互作用形成的是反应产物的两根新σ键中能量更低的σ键,即σ1键。在过渡态中具有更稳定的σ1键的那个区域异构体将是反应的优势产物,本文将这个规则称为σ1规则。本文的量子化学计算结果既证实了σ1规则预测Diels-Alder反应区域选择性主产物的正确性,也证实了σ1键的确来自于双烯体与亲双烯体各自最稳定的价轨道之间的相互作用。     

Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones: new experimental findings and a theoretical study of the inverse electron demand case

Diels-Alder reactions of the masked o-benzoquinone (MOB) 2 with vinylene carbonate (3), the bicyclic derivatives 4, 5, and 6, and the intramolecular version of the 2-hydroxymethylfuran-MOB Diels-Alder reaction are described. In addition, a theoretical study of the Diels-Alder reactions of MOBs with enol and thioenol ethers is presented.     

Brønsted-acid and Brønsted-base catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions

The enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction is one of the most important reactions for the synthesis of complex molecules. It provides access to chiral six-membered carbocyclic compounds containing up to four stereogenic centers in a single step. Asymmetric catalysis in the Diels-Alder reaction has mainly been realized using chiral Lewis acids. In this perspective, we describe several cases of chiral Br?nsted-acid and Br?nsted-base catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions, providing an overview of this rapidly growing field.     

Synthesis of [60]fullerene-functionalized rotaxanes

Synthesis of [60]fullerene (C₆₀)-functionalized rotaxanes via Diels-Alder reactions with C₆₀ is described. Diels-Alder reaction of C₆₀ and sulfolene moiety as masked diene attached on the wheels of rotaxanes results in high yields of C₆₀ incorporation. Rotaxanes are prepared by tin-catalyzed urethane-forming end-capping reaction with isocyanate of pseudorotaxane having the wheel carrying C₆₀ functionality as introduced by the Diels-Alder reaction. The Diels-Alder reaction was accomplished as end-capping reaction between C₆₀ and pseudorotaxane bearing sultine moiety as masked diene on the axle terminal. A variety of C₆₀-containing [2]rotaxanes was prepared in moderate to good yields by these Diels-Alder protocols.     

Chiral hetero Diels-Alder products by enantioselective and diastereoselective zirconium catalysis. Scope,limitation, mechanism,and application to the concise synthesis of (+)-Prelactone C and (+)-9-deoxygoniopypyrone

Catalytic asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder (HDA) reactions using a chiral zirconium complex have been developed. The reactions of aldehydes with Danishefsky's dienes proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding pyranone derivatives in high yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities in the presence of a chiral zirconium complex, which was prepared from zirconium tert-butoxide, (R)-3,3'-diiodobinaphthol or its derivative, a primary alcohol, and a small amount of water. It is noted that 2,3-trans-pyranone derivatives were obtained with remarkably high diastereo- and enantioselectivities in the reaction with 4-methyl Danishefsky's diene. This is the first example of catalytic asymmetric trans-selective hetero Diels-Alder reactions of aldehydes. Furthermore, asymmetric HDA reactions with 4-benzyloxy Danishefsky's dienes were conducted to afford 2,3-cis-pyranone derivatives in high selectivities. Isolation of an intermediate of this asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reaction indicated that the reaction proceeded in a stepwise cycloaddition pathway. Finally, these catalytic, asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reactions were successfully applied to concise syntheses of biologically important natural pyranone derivatives, (+)-Prelactone C and (+)-9-deoxygoniopypyrone.     

1,4-Difluoro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene as a precursor for iterative double benzyne-furan Diels-Alder reactions

[reaction: see text] The use of 1,4-difluoro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene as a novel precursor for iterative two-directional benzyne-furan Diels-Alder reactions, using a range of 2- and 3-substituted furans, is reported. Substituted oxabenzonorbornadienes were synthesized following the initial Diels-Alder reaction, which upon ring opening under acidic conditions gave substituted naphthol derivatives. Highly substituted anthracenols were generated in the second benzyne-furan Diels-Alder reaction following acid-catalyzed isomerization of the cycloadducts.     

Synthesis of the ravidomycin ring system

Synthesis of the tetracyclic aromatic ring system of the ravidomycin family of anti-tumor agents is reported. The synthesis is a sequential Meerwein and Diels-Alder route with the crucial regiochemistry of the Diels-Alder reaction controlled with a chlorine atom.     

Stereocontrolled Assembly of Cis or Trans Angularly Substituted Hydrindenes by the Unactivated Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction

The unactivated intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction has become a powerful tool for the construction of polycyclic natural products. Nevertheless, the factors that govern diastereoselectivity in these cyclizations have not been fully understood. We here report that through the choice of the proper substituents, it is possible to make the unactivated intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction proceed to give either the cis angularly-substituted hydrindene 12b or the trans product 19a.     

Proline-catalyzed direct inverse electron demand diels-alder reactions of ketones with 1,2,4,5-tetrazines

An organocatalytic direct inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of ketones with 1,2,4,5-tetrazines has been developed. The process is efficiently catalyzed by proline to give Diels-Alder adducts pyridazines in high yields.     

A direct route to fluostatin C by a fascinating Diels-Alder reaction

The Diels-Alder reactions between vinylindenes (5 or 6) as the dienes with quinoneketals (7 or 8) or with methacrolein as the dienophiles were investigated. The remarkable regioselectivities of these Diels-Alder adducts suggested that the regiopreferences of these dienes and dienophiles in these cases are not a fixed property of each component of the cycloaddition but are mutually contigent. This paper shows how the Diels-Alder reaction between 6 and 8 was applied to the inaugural total syntheses of fluostatin C and E.