A rhodium(I)-xylyl-BINAP catalyzed asymmetric ynamide-[2+2+2] cycloaddition in the synthesis of optically enriched N,O-biaryls

A rhodium(I)-xylyl-BINAP catalyzed asymmetric [2+2+2] cycloaddition of achiral conjugated aryl ynamides with various diynes is described here. This asymmetric cycloaddition provides a series of structurally interesting chiral N,O-biaryls with excellent enantioselectivity along with a modest diastereoselectivity with respect to both C-C and C-N axial chirality.     

Cycloaddition to a C3-ethynylated chlorophyll derivative and self-aggregation of zinc chlorin–pyrazole/triazole conjugates

Several kinds of cycloaddition reactions were applied to C3-ethynylated pyropheophorbide-a methyl ester to develop C3-functionalized chlorophyll derivatives. Its [2+2] cycloaddition with tetracyanoethylene, [2+3] cycloaddition with diazomethane, [2+3] Huisgen reaction with trimethylsilyl azide, and [2+4] Diels–Alder reaction with tetraphenylcyclopentadienone gave the expected products in moderate to high yields. Zinc complex of the resulting 3-pyrazolyl-chlorin was found to show self-aggregation in a less polar solvent, in an aqueous micelle, and in the solid thin films more readily than the corresponding zinc 3-triazolyl-chlorin.     

Reaction of carboryne with styrene and its derivatives

Reaction of carboryne generated from 1-I-2-Li-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ with styrene and its derivatives has been studied. In addition to [2+2] cycloaddition reaction and/or ene reaction, an extra-annular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction is also observed, depending upon the substituents on the vinyl unit. The resulting [4+2] cycloaddition intermediates are so reactive that they immediately undergo rearomatization via either a formal 1,3-hydrogen rearrangement or dehydrogenation initiated by hydrogen abstraction with carboryne in biradical form, to give 3,4-dihydronaphtho[1,2]-o-carboranes and naphtho[1,2]-o-carboranes, respectively. In sharp contrast to that of benzyne, further additions of carboryne onto the primary cycloadducts are not observed.     

Nucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of allenes with N-(thio)phosphoryl imines and acidic methanolysis of adducts N-(thio)phosphoryl 3-pyrrolines: a facile synthesis of free amine 3-pyrrolines

In this report, the dipolarophile imines with easily removable activating group O,O-diethyl(thio)phosphoryl have been investigated in the nucleophilic phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of electron-deficient allenes. Under the catalysis of a tertiary phosphine, N-(thio)phosphorylimines readily undergo the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with ethyl 2,3-butadienoate or ethyl 2,3-pentadienoate, affording the corresponding N-(thio)phosphoryl 3-pyrrolines in moderate to high yields with good diastereoselectivity. Removal of the (thio)phosphoryl group from the adducts has been successfully achieved via the acidic methanolysis of the P-N bond, giving the free amine 3-pyrrolines in fair to good yields without severe aromatization. Thus, a facile synthesis of N-unsubstituted 3-pyrrolines is established from the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of allenes with imines.     

[2+2] Cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to allenyl-sugar ethers

The direction and magnitude of asymmetric induction in the [2+2] cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to 3-O-allenyl-α-d-xylofuranoses was investigated. It is shown that gem terminal dimethylallenes react more readily than methyl free congeners. The configuration of adducts was established by X-ray and CD-spectroscopy of alkylidene cephams. A stereochemical model of the transition state for the [2+2] cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate and allenyl ethers is proposed, based on the lowest energy conformation of the cumulene.     

Halogen effect on tandem [4+2] cycloaddition/aromatization sequence of allenyl 2-halo-3-vinylcyclohex-2-enyl ether

Steric and enthalpic effects of substituents on diene moieties play a crucial role in intramolecular cycloaddition reactions. Allenyl 2-halogenated-3-vinylcyclohex-2-enyl ethers underwent a tandem [4+2] cycloaddition/aromatization reaction to afford the corresponding tetrahydro-3H-naphtho[1,8-bc]furan compound in high yield.     

Stereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes with 2,3-dihydrofuran and ethyl vinyl ether under solvent-free conditions

3-Nitro-2-trifluoro(trichloro)methyl-2H-chromenes undergo heterodiene cycloaddition to 2,3-dihydrofuran and ethyl vinyl ether under solvent-free conditions producing novel cyclic nitronates with high stereoselectivity and in good yields. 3,6-Dinitro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene reacts with two molecules of ethyl vinyl ether to give the tandem [4+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition adduct in 48% yield. The stereochemistry of the products was established based on 2D COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments and an X-ray diffraction study.     

Phosphine-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition of sulfamate-derived cyclic imines with allenoates: synthesis of sulfamate-fused tetrahydropyridines

Using n-PrPPh₂ as the nucleophilic catalyst, the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of the sulfamate-derived cyclic imines with allenoates works efficiently to yield various sulfamate-fused tetrahydropyridines in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. Using amino acid-based bifunctional phosphine as chiral catalyst, an asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition reaction was achieved, giving chiral sulfamate-fused tetrahydropyridines in high yields with good enantiomeric excesses.     

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via the [3+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and trimethylsilyl azide

The [3+2] cycloaddition between various nitriles and trimethylsilyl azide proceeds smoothly in the presence of a Cu^I catalyst in DMF/MeOH, to give the corresponding 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles in good to high yields. The reaction most probably proceeds through the in situ formation of a copper azide species, followed by a successive [3+2] cycloaddition with the nitriles.     

[6+2]Cycloadditions catalyzed by titanium complexes

The Ziegler catalyst TiCl₄-Et₂AlCl and the arenetitanium(II) complex (η6-C₆H₆)Ti(II)(AlCl₄)₂ induce [6 + 2]cycloaddition reactions of cycloheptatriene with dienes and acetylenes. Addition to 1,3-butadiene affords 7 - endo - vinyl - bicyclo[4.2.1]nona - 2,4 - diene (main product) and bicyclo[4.4.1]- undeca - 2,4,8 - triene, a product of [6+4]cycloaddition. Isoprene reacts similarly, yielding mainly 7- endo - isopropenyl - bicyclo[4.2.1]nona - 2,4 - diene. 2,3 - Dimethyl - 1,3 - butadiene gives 8,9dimethylbicyclo [4.4.1]undeca - 2,4,8 - triene, a product of [6 + 4]cycloaddition, while [6 + 2]cross-adducts are minor products. The reaction of cycloheptatriene with norbornadiene gives mainly hexacyclo[6.5.1.0^2,7.0^3,12.^6,10.0^9,13]tetradec - 4 - ene via [6+2]cycloaddition followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. As a by-product, pentacyclo[7.5.0.0^2,7.0^3,5.0⁴⁸]tetradeca - 10,12 - diene is formed by a [2+2+2]mechanism. Addition of cycloheptatriene to diphenylacetylene and bis - (tri- methylsilyl)acetylene furnishes sustituted bicyclo[4.2.1]nona - 2,4,7 - trienes. Alkenes, E,E-2,4 - hexadiene and 1,3 - cyclooctadiene are unreactive. The [6+2]cycloaddition is made possible by coordination of cycloheptatriene to titanium, which changes the symmetry of the frontier orbitals in the triene. The reactivity of the trienophile is also enhanced by coordination to the catalyst.     

Enantioselective intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of triynes for the synthesis of atropisomeric chiral ortho-diarylbenzene derivatives

An iridium-chiral diphosphine complex was used to catalyze an enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of oxygen- and nitrogen-bridged triynes with ortho-substituted aryl groups on their termini. ortho-Diarylbenzenes with atropisomeric chiralities were obtained in high yield and enantiomeric excess.     

Microwave-assisted generation and reactivity of aza- and diazafulvenium methides: heterocycles via pericyclic reactions

Azafulvenium methides and diazafulvenium methides have been generated under microwave irradiation from 2,2-dioxo-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles and 2,2-dioxo-1H,3H-pyrazolo[1,5-c]thiazoles, respectively. Pericyclic reactions of these 1,7-dipole intermediates, namely, sigmatropic [1,8]H shifts, 1,7-electrocyclization or [8π+2π] cycloaddition led to the synthesis of a range of pyrrole and pyrazole derivatives. The first evidence for the azafulvenium methides by intermolecular trapping via [8π+2π] cycloaddition is reported.     

Copper(II) triflate promoted cycloaddition of α-alkyl or aryl substituted N-tosylaziridines with nitriles: a highly efficient synthesis of substituted imidazolines

Cu(OTf)₂ or Zn(OTf)₂ mediated [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of various α-alkyl or aryl substituted N-tosylaziridines with nitriles is described for the syntheses of substituted imidazolines. A mechanism for the cycloaddition is proposed to rationalize the formation of a nonracemic imidazoline from optically pure aziridine.     

Reactivity of allenoates towards aziridines: synthesis of functionalized methylenepyrrolidines and pyrroles

The reactivity of buta-2,3-dienoates towards aziridines is reported. Typically, allenoates react as the 2π-component in the [3+2] cycloaddition with azomethine ylides generated from aziridines, affording 4-methylenepyrrolidines in a site-, regio- and stereoselective fashion. However, N-cyclohexyl- or N-tert-butyl-2-benzoyl-3-phenylaziridines showed a different reactivity in the reaction with buta-2,3-dienoates. Pyrrole derivatives were obtained as single or major products resulting from a formal [3+2] cycloaddition via C-N bond cleavage of the three-membered ring heterocycle leading to functionalized pyrroles. From the reaction with allenoates bearing bulkier C-4 substituents 4-methylenepyrrolidines were also formed as minor products.     

[2 + 2 + 1] Cycloaddition of N-tosylhydrazones,tert-butyl nitrite and alkenes: a general and practical access to isoxazolines

N-Tosylhydrazones have proven to be versatile synthons over the past several decades. However, to our knowledge, the construction of isoxazolines based on N-tosylhydrazones has not been examined. Herein, we report the first demonstrations of [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reactions that allow the facile synthesis of isoxazolines, employing N-tosylhydrazones, tert-butyl nitrite (TBN) and alkenes as reactants. This process represents a new type of cycloaddition reaction with a distinct mechanism that does not involve the participation of nitrile oxides. This approach is both general and practical and exhibits a wide substrate scope, nearly universal functional group compatibility, tolerance of moisture and air, the potential for functionalization of complex bioactive molecules and is readily scaled up. Both control experiments and theoretical calculations indicate that this transformation proceeds via the in situ generation of a nitronate from the coupling of N-tosylhydrazone and TBN, followed by cycloaddition with an alkene and subsequent elimination of a tert-butyloxy group to give the desired isoxazoline.

A novel [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of N-tosylhydrazones, tert-butyl nitrite and alkenes was successfully established, which allowed facile construction of a wide range of isoxazolines.     

Diastereoselective construction of small building blocksvia [2+2] cycloadditions involving ketenes: A direct incorporation of α-, β-, and γ-amino acids into peptides

Data concerning diastereoselective construction of peptidesvia β-lactams obtained from [2+2] cycloaddition reactions with participation of ketenes are summarized.     

Design and synthesis of unique thiazoloisoquinolinium thiolates and derivatives

Natural isoquinolinium alkaloids possess a wide range of biological activities. The design and synthesis of mesoionic isoquinoliniums is of great importance. This paper reports the synthesis of unique mesoionic thiazoloisoquinolinium thiolates stabilized by aromatization and 1,3-dipolarization. Such compounds can be synthesized via the three component [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of isoquinolines with ethyl propionate and elemental sulfur in the absence of any metal catalyst and additives. Importantly, thiazoloisoquinolinium thiolates can be transformed to thioether-containing thiazoloisoquinolinium halides. A selective [4 + 2] cycloaddition can also be used to form S-bridged fused tetracyclic compounds with a thiothiamide ring unit and two quarternary carbon centres. Compound I-1 shows good bioactivity against the chlorophyll of duckweed (Lemna minor) with inhibition rate of 51.5 μg/mL.     

Tandem oxidative isocyanide-based cycloaddition reactions in the presence of MIL-101(Cr) as a reusable solid catalyst

The tandem oxidative three-component synthesis of two types of the heterocycles such as furans and imidazopyridines, via isocyanides [1+4] cycloaddition reactions in the presence of MIL-101(Cr) under aerobic conditions are reported. When the 4-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide was used, an unexpected [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of isocyanides with aldehydes accomplished and dihydrophenyloxazoles and phenyloxazoles produced. These syntheses were successfully carried out using a wide scope of the substrates.     

Tandem [4 + 2]/[2 + 2] cycloaddition of o-carboryne with enynes: facile construction of carborane-fused tricyclics

o-Carboryne (1,2-dehydro-o-carborane) is a very useful synthon for the synthesis of a variety of carborane-functionalized molecules. With 1-Li-2-OTf-o-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ as the precursor, o-carboryne undergoes an efficient [4 + 2] cycloaddition with various conjugated enynes, followed by a subsequent [2 + 2] cycloaddition at room temperature, generating a series of carborane-fused tricyclo[6.4.0.0^2,7]dodeca-2,12-dienes in moderate to high isolated yields. This reaction is compatible with many functional groups and has a broad substrate scope. A reactive carborane-fused 1,2-cyclohexadiene intermediate is involved, which is supported by experimental results and DFT calculations. This protocol offers a convenient strategy for the construction of complex carborane-functionalized tricyclics.

An unprecedented tandem [4 + 2]/[2 + 2] cycloaddition of o-carboryne with enynes has been disclosed for the efficient synthesis of various carborane-fused tricyclics, in which a reactive carborane-fused 1,2-cyclohexadiene intermediate is involved.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams by [2+2] cycloaddition using 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-glucitol (isosorbide) derived chiral pools

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of cis-β-lactams via [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of imines derived from a chiral bicyclic aldehyde and ketenes is described. The chiral bicyclic aldehyde as well as chiral acids were prepared from commercially available inexpensive isosorbide. The cycloaddition reaction was found to be highly diastereoselective; in some cases giving a single diastereomer of cis-azetidin-2-one in very good yields. A moderate diastereoselectivity was observed with chiral ketenes derived from isosorbide.