Photochemische Cycloadditionen von 3-Phenyl-2H-azirinen mit Ketonen,Acylcyaniden und Ketoestern. 33. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

Similarly to aldehydes [6] ketones form 3-oxazolines via cyclo-addition to the benzonitrile-methylides 2 that arise photochemically from the 3-phenyl-2H-azirines 1 . With various ketones benzonitrile-isopropylide ( 2a ) gives cyclo-addition products in very good preparative yields (scheme 1). Benzonitrile-ethylide ( 2c ) and benzonitrile-benzylide ( 2b ) [8] react, however, sluggishly with ketones, smooth cyclo-addition being observed in their case only with «activated» ketones (2,2,2-trifluoro-acetophenone, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone). With 1a acetonyl-acetone forms the bis-adduct 12 While the azirine 1a reacts with cyclohexanone to yield essentially only the spiro-(3-oxazoline) 13 , it gives with cyclopentanone, depending on the reaction conditions, either the spiro-(3-oxazoline) 14 or the butenyl-3-oxazoline 15 (scheme 3). The formation of 15 has to be preceded by the photochemical formation of 4-pentenal from the ketone. Norcamphor and camphor react in a similar way (schemes 4 and 5). The azirines 1a–c react smoothly with the keto groups in acylcyanides and α-keto-esters, giving with the former 5-cyano-3-oxazolines and with the latter 5-ethoxycarbonyl-3-oxazolines (schemes 6 and 7). β-Keto-esters (acetoacetic ester) form with the dipole arising from 1a the expected addition product 31 and, via the protonated dipole d (scheme 8), finally the benzylidene-acetoacetic ester. Analogous results are obtained with malonodinitrile, trifluoro-acetamide and other weak acids such as alcohols [29] [30] (scheme 9). The light-induced rearrangement of the bicyclic isoxazoline 37 into the oxazoline 38 is visualized as an intramolecular cyclo-addition reaction (scheme 10). The cyclo-addition in this case proceeds with the aldehyde group inversed as compared to the related intermolecular benzonitrile–methylide addition to aldehydes.     

Zur Photochemie von 3,5-Diaryl-2-isoxazolinen. 30. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

Irradiation of 3,5-diphenyl- or 3-(p-tolyl)-5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline ( 12 and 13 , respectively) in benzene with a high-pressure mercury lamp yields 4,5-diphenyl- or 4-(p-tolyl)-5-phenyl-3-oxazoline ( 17 and 19 , respectively) and the β-amino-chalcones 18 or 20 in addition to benzaldehyde, benzonitrile and p-tolunitrile, respectively (scheme 6 and ‘Anmerkg.’ p. 2600). The 3-oxazolines 17 and 19 are formed by route a (scheme 8) via 3-phenyl- or 3-(p-tolyl)-2H-azirine ( 23 , R = H and CH₃, respectively) and their photochemically rearranged successors, the nitrile methylides 24 , as intermediates. The discovery of this reaction has served as a basis for the quickly developing photochemistry of 3-aryl-2H-azirines [2] [24]. Photolysis of the 2-isoxazoline 13 in methanol leads to the formation of a mixture of syn/anti-p-tolyl trans-styryl ketoximes (syn/anti, trans- 30 ) and anti, cis- 30 , 2-(p-tolyl)-quinoline ( 29 ), the 4-hydroxymethylated derivative 32 of the latter (in small amounts), besides the β-aminochalcone 20 , benzaldehyde, p-tolualdehyde and p-tolunitrile (scheme 9). It could be shown that the stereoisomeric ketoximes 30 are photochemically interconvertible (scheme 12) and that at least one mechanism of formation of 2-(p-tolyl)-quinoline ( 29 ) is the photo-induced cyclisation of p-tolyl-cis-styryl ketoximes (cis- 30 ) (scheme 13). A tentative mechanism for the formation of p-tolual-dehyde is given in scheme 10; the crucial step is the protonation of p-tolunitrile methylide ( 24 , R = CH₃) by methanol at the nitrile carbon atom, after which hydrolysis yields the aldehyde.     

Xenicane Diterpenes Revisited: Thermal (E)→(Z) isomerization and conformational motions. A unifying picture

Kinetic and equilibrium studies show that typical xenicanes such as dictyolactone ( 1 ) and 4-hydroxydictyolactone ( 3 ) undergo slow conformation medium-ring flipping between the predominant trans-( 1a or 3a ; Me(20) trans to H–C(3)) and the minor cis-conformers ( 1b or 3b ; Me(20) cis to H–C(3); see Scheme 1). The formation of the latter is inhibited in heterocyclic-ring-opened congeners such as 18-acetoxy-4-hydroxydictyo-19-al ( 7 ). Molecular-mechanics calculations suggest that typical-xenicane cis-conformers are disfavoured by mainly C(4)–C(5) torsional strain. This is confirmed by the observation of two sizably populated cis-and trans-conformers for the unnatural 4-oxoxenicanes 10–12 . Unusually facile thermal (E)→(Z) isomerization of xenicanes 1,3,10–12 , and 7 is also observed (→ 13–17 and 9 , resp.; Scheme 3), reflecting great strain relief in the transition state. Conflicting results in the literature now fit into this scheme which provides a basis for unravelling recognition phenomena with these biologically active systems.     

Photoinduzierte Reaktionen von 3-Phenyl-2H-azirinen mit Carbonsäureestern 40. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

Irradiation (280–350 nm light) of a benzene solution of 3-phenyl-2H-azirines 1a – e in the presence of carboxylate esters, whose carbonyl groups are activated by electron withdrawing groups situated in the acyl or alkyl moiety, produces 5-alkoxy-3-oxazolines (Tab. 1 and 4, Scheme 2) isolated in 18–82% yield. These heterocycles undoubtedly originate by regiospecific addition of the ester carbonyl group to the azirine-derived benzonitrile-methylide ‘dipole’ (Scheme 1). The 5-(2,′ 2′, 2′-trifluoroethoxy)-3-oxazolines, derived from 2′, 2′, 2′-trifluoroethyl carboxylic esters, on treatment with methanolic hydrogen chloride at low concentration, are smoothly transformed into the corresponding 5-methoxy-3-oxazolines (e.g. 16 → 17 , Tab. 5). Utilizing this process, various hitherto relatively unknown 9. 5-alkoxy-3-oxazolines become accessible. The constitution of the adducts is based essentially on spectral data. The structure of trans-5-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-5-trifluoromethyl-3-oxazoline (trans- 14 ), the addition product of methyl trifluoroacetate and the benzonitrile-benzylide from 2,3-diphenyl-2H-azirine ( 1d ), was determined by X-ray crystallography (Section 5). Benzonitrile-isopropylide ( 22 ), resulting from the photochemical transformation of 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-2H-azirine ( 1a ), also reacts with S-methyl thiobenzoate to give 2,2-dimethyl-5-methylthio-4,5-diphenyl-3-oxazoline ( 26 ). Ethyl cyanoacetate protonates predominantly the dipolar species derived from 1a at the nitrile C-atom and yields after work-up ethyl α-cyano-cinnamate ( 29 ) and ethyl isopropylidene-cyanoacetate ( 30 ) (Scheme 4). The relative rate of addition (k_rel) of benzonitrile-isopropylide ( 22 ) to methyl α-haloacetates and dimethyl oxalate was determined by competition experiments (Section 6). Log k_rel correlated satisfactorily (r = 0.97) with the pK_a of the acide derived from the ester reactant: log k_rel = ? 1.72 pK_a + 2.58 or with Taft's substituent constants σ*: log k_rel = 2.06 σ* ? 4.11 [k_rel(methyl dichloroacetate) = 1; Section 7.1]. On the basis of the results obtained, the mode of reaction of the so-called benzonitrile-methylide ‘dipole’ is discussed and a model for the transition state of addition of ester-carbonyl groups is proposed that accounts for the observed regiospecifity and steroselectivity.     

Photoinduced reactions of aryl-2H-azirines with carbonyl compounds. Preliminary communication

Irradiation of 3-phenyl-( 4 ), 2-methyl-3-phenyl-( 8 ), and 2,3-diphenyl-2H-azirine ( 10 ), in benzene solution in the presence of aldehydes, yields the corresponding aryl-3-oxazolines. Photochemical reaction of 4 and 10 with carbon dioxide leads to the formation of 4-phenyl- ( 15 ) and 2,4-diphenyl-3-oxazolin-5-one ( 16 ), respectively.     

Photoreaktionen des 3-(2-Thienyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirins

Synthesis and Photochemistry of 3-(2-Thienyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine The synthesis of 3-(2-thienyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2 H-azirine (1) is described. UV. irradiation of 1 in benzene solution generates the nitrile isopropylide 2 which reacts in a regiospecific manner with activated C, C and C, O double bonds to give 1-pyrrolines and 3-oxazolines, respectively. With chelidonic acid diethyl ester the cycloaddition of 2 to the C, C double bond is preferred.     

1,3-Dioxanone Derivatives from β-Hydroxy-carboxylic Acids and Pivalaldehyde. Versatile Building Blocks for Syntheses of Enantiomerically Pure Compounds. A Chiral Acetoacetic Acid Derivative Preliminary Communication

(R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid (from the biopolymer PHB) and pivalaldehyde give the crystalline cis - or (R,R)-2-(tert-butyl)-6-methyl-1,3-dioxan-4-one ( 1a ), the enolate of which is stable at low temperature in THF solution and can be alkylated diastereoselectively ( →3, 4, 5 , and 7 ). Phenylselenation and subsequent elimination give an enantiomerically pure enol acetal 10 of aceto-acetic acid. Some reactions of 10 have been carried out, such as Michael addition (→ 11 ), alkylation on the CH₃ substituent (→ 13 ), hydrogenation of the C?C bond (→ 1a ) and photochemical cycloaddition (→ 16 ). The overall reactions are substitutions on the one stereogenic center of the starting β-hydroxy acid without racemization and without using a chiral auxiliary.     

Syntheses of Unique Bicyclophostones and Unexpected Difference in the Reaction of Lawesson's Reagent vs. P2S5 with Cis-Bicyclophostone (1)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to synthesize trans-l and determine the equilibriurr constant with cis-1. Oniy the synthesis¹ and x-ray structure² of the cis isomer have bcen reported. Four prior synthetic routes to make the vans isomer³ gave only cis product. For example, intrarmolecular ring closure of the cis or trains isomers of 4 (R= (CH₂)₃OH) with LiH or thermal closure of the cis or trans 4 (R= (CH₂)₂) gave only cis-1. Since both iosmers of 1,8-dioxabicyclo[4.4.0] decane are known and readily equilibrate (57% cis and 43% trans), the apparent inaccessibility of trans-1 attracted our attention. Thc preparation of trans-1 was achieved by treatment of cis-1 with Lawesson's reagent (LR) to provide cis-2. followed by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid/trifluoroacetic acid to give a 5:1 mixture of cis:trans 1, respectively. An unexpected formation of the sulfur analogue of 1 was observed on treatment of cis-1 with P₂S₅/pyridine at reflux temperatures to give a 1.6:1 mixture of cis:trans 3, respectively. Thermal quilibration of 1 at 204°C provided an equilibrium ratio of 99.5% cis and 0.5% of the trans isomer. However, equilibration of 3 at 250°C led to 82.2:17.8 ratio in favor of the cis isomr. These results are consistent with semiemperical MO calculations. The stereochemical outcome on treatment of 4 with LR was also investigated. X-ray structures for six compounds: trans-1, cis-2, cis and trans-3; cis-4 (R=Ph), and cis-5, (R = Ph) wen determined.     

Die thermische Umlagerung von 2-(Buta-1′,3′-dienyl)-phenolen in 2-Alkyl-2H-chromene; Beispiele für aromatische [1,7a]- und [1,5s]sigmatropische Wasserstoffverschiebungen

2-(1′-cis,3′-cis-)- and 2-(1′-cis,3′-trans-Penta-1′,3′-dienyl)-phenol (cis, cis- 4 and cis, trans- 4 , cf. scheme 1) rearrange thermally at 85–110° via [1,7 a] hydrogen shifts to yield the o-quinomethide 2 (R ? CH₃) which rapidly cyclises to give 2-ethyl-2H-chromene ( 7 ). The trans formation of cis, cis- and cis, trans- 4 into 7 is accompanied by a thermal cis, trans isomerisation of the 3′ double bond in 4. The isomerisation indicates that [1,7 a] hydrogen shifts in 2 compete with the electrocyclic ring closure of 2 . The isomeric phenols, trans, trans- and trans, cis- 4 , are stable at 85–110° but at 190° rearrange also to form 7 . This rearrangement is induced by a thermal cis, trans isomerisation of the 1′ double bond which occurs via [1, 5s] hydrogen shifts. Deuterium labelling experiments show that the chromene 7 is in equilibrium with the o-quinomethide 2 (R ? CH₃), at 210°. Thus, when 2-benzyl-2H-chromene ( 9 ) or 2-(1′-trans,3′-trans,-4′-phenyl-buta1′,3′-dienyl)-phenol (trans, trans- 6 ) is heated in diglyme solution at >200°, an equilibrium mixture of both compounds (～ 55% 9 and 45% 6 ) is obtained.     

Photochemische Cycloadditionen von 3-Phenyl-2H-azirinen an Carbonsäurechloride. 35. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

Irradiation of 2, 3-diphenyl-2H-azirine ( 1a ) and 1-azido-1-phenyl-propene, the precursor of 2-methyl-3-phenyl-2H-azirine ( 1b ), in benzene, with a high pressure mercury lamp (pyrex filter) in the presence of acid chlorides yields the oxazoles 5a–d (Scheme 2). Photolysis of 2, 2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-2H-azirine ( 1c ) under the same conditions gives after methanolysis the 5-methoxy-2, 2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-3-oxazolines 7a, b, d , while hydrolysis of the reaction mixture leads to the formation of the 1, 2-diketones 8a, c, d (Scheme 4). The suggested reaction path for all these reactions is a 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of the photochemically generated benzonitrilemethylides 2 to the carbonyl double bond of the acid chlorides to give the intermediates 4 , followed by either elimination of hydrogen chloride or solvolysis (Schemes 2 and 4). Irradiation of 1c in the presence of acetic acid anhydride leads via the intermediate 9 to the 5-hydroxy-3-oxazoline 10 and the 5-methylidene-3-oxazoline 11 (Scheme 5).     

Photochemische Cycloadditionen von 3-Phenyl-2H-azirinen mit Benzoyl-, Äthoxycarbonyl- und Vinylphosphonaten 34. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

The irradiation of the 3-phenyl-2H-azirines 1a–c in the presence of diethyl benzoylphosphonate ( 8 ) in cyclonexane solution, using a mercury high pressure lamp (pyrex filter), yields the diethyl (4, 5-diphenyl-3-oxazolin-5-yl)-phosphonates 9a–c (Scheme 3). In the case of 1b a mixture of two diastereomeric 3-oxazolines, resulting from a regiospecific but non-stereospecific cycloaddition of the benzonitrile-benzylide dipole 2b to the carbonyl group of the phosphonate 8 , was isolated. Benzonitrile-isopropylide ( 2a ), generated from 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-2H-azirine ( 1a ), undergoes a cycloaddition reaction to the ester-carbonyl group of diethyl ethoxycarbonylphosphonate ( 15 ) with the same regiospecificity to give the 3-oxazoline derivative 16 (Scheme 5). The azirines 1a–c , on irradiation in benzene in the presence of diethyl vinylphosphonate ( 17 ) give non-regiospecifically the Δ¹-pyrrolines 13a–c and 14a–c (Scheme 6).     

The Reaction of Singlet Oxygen with 1,3-Dimethylindole in the Presence of Aldehydes. Formation of 1,2,4-Trioxanes

The dye-sensitized photo-oxygenation of 1,3-dimethylindole in the presence of aldehydes initially generates a zwitterionic peroxide which condenses with the carbonyl function to give the corresponding cis-fused 1,2,4-trioxanes. Acetaldehyde gives a pair of diastereomers, one of whose structures was determined by X-ray analysis (cis,cisisomer), whereas pivaladehyde gives only the cis,cis diastereomer.     

Recent Applications of α-Metalated Isocyanides in Organic Synthesis

Being both nucleophilic and electrophilic, α-metalated isocyanides can add to polar double bonds, forming heterocycles. They are also synthons for α-metalated primary amines. This article describes recent or improved procedures for their use in organic synthesis: (1) In heterocyclic syntheses to give 2-oxazolines, 2-imidazolines, 2-thiazolines, oxazoles and oligooxazoles, thiazoles, triazoles, imidazolinones, pyrroles, 5,6-dihydro-1,3-oxazines and -thiazines, and (via cycloaddition with nitrones) 2-imidazolidinones. (2) In the field of formylaminomethylenation, for example transformation of estrone methyl ether and a keto sugar into the corresponding α-formylaminoacrylic esters, and the conversion of aldehydes and ketones by 3- and 4-pyridyl-methyl isocyanides into N-(1-pyridyl-1-alkenyl)formamides and their hydrolysis to 3- and 4-acylpyridines. (3) In connection with the use of α-metalated isocyanides as synthons for α-metalated primary amines, the author demonstrates how they may be used for preparation of 1,2- and 1,3-amino alcohols, 1,2-diamines, 2,3-diaminoalkanoic acids and for synthesis of higher amino acids starting from simple amino acids.     

Additionsreaktionen von 3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirin an Phenylisocyanat und Diphenylketen

Addition Reaction of 3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine with Phenylisocyanate and Diphenylketene 3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine ( 1a ) reacts with carbon disulfide and isothiocyanates with splitting of the azirine N(1), C(3)-double bond to give dipolar, fivemembered heterocyclic 1:1 adducts. In some cases, these products can undergo secondary reactions to yield 1:2 and 1:3 adducts. In this paper it is shown that the reaction of 1a with phenylisocyanate also takes place by cleavage of the N(1), C(3)-bond, whereas with diphenylketene N(1), C(2)-splitting is observed. The reaction of 1a and phenylisocyanate in hexane at room temperature yields the 1:3 adduct 2 in addition to the trimeric isocyanate 3 (Scheme 1). A mechanism for the formation of 2 is given in Scheme 5. Hydrolysis experiments with the 1:3 adduct 2 , yielding the hydantoins 4–6 and the ureas 7 and 8 (Schemes 3 and 5), show that the formation of this adduct via the intermediates d , e and f is a reversible reaction. The aminoazirines 1a and 1b undergo an addition reaction with diphenylketene to give the 3-oxazolines 14 (Scheme 8), the structure of which has been established by spectral data and oxidative degradation of 14a to the 3-oxazolin-2-one 15 (R¹ ? R² ? CH₃, Scheme 9).     

Eine neue 2-Allylphenol-Cumaran-Umlagerung

2-(1′-Arylallyl)-phenols ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ) are transformed on heating in N, N-diethylaniline at 225° into trans-2-aryl-3-methyl-coumarans ( 26 , 29 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 ) in excellent yields. The corresponding cis-coumarans are minor products. Similar thermal behaviour is shown by 2-(1′-vinylallyl)-phenols ( 7 , 8 ) which are thermally converted into trans-3-methyl-2-vinyl-coumarans ( 24 , 19 ) and 5-methyl-2,5-dihydro-(1-benzoxepins) ( 25 , 18 ). The latter compounds are thermally unstable and rearrange to give approximatively 3:1 mixtures of trans- and cis-3-methyl-2-vinyl-coumarans ( 24 , 19 ). Reaction mechanisms for these new thermal rearrangements are discussed in schemes 2, 3 and 4. The 2-(1′-arylallyl)-phenols 9 , 12 and 14 yield under acidic conditions (HBr/HOAc) the expected 3-aryl-2-methyl-coumarans 28 , 35 , 39 along with 2-aryl-3-methyl-coumarans 26 , 34 , 38 and 2-aryl-2-methyl-coumarans 44 , 45 , 46 . The intervention of phenonium ions is discussed for these reactions (cf. scheme 5). When the 2-(1′-arylallyl)-phenols 12 and 14 were irradiated in benzene solution with a mercury high pressure lamp, the main products obtained were 3-aryl-2-methyl-coumarans 35 and 39 which were formed rapidly. 2-Aryl-3-methyl-coumarans yield also 3-aryl-2-methyl-coumarans, when irradiated in benzene solution.     

Optisch aktive Alkohole aus 1,3-Dioxan-4-onen: eine praktikable Variante der enantioselektiven Synthese unter nucleophiler Substitution an Acetal-Zentren

Optically Active Alcohols from 1,3-Dioxan-4-ones. A Practical Version of Enantioselective Synthesis with Nucleophilic Substitution at Acetal Centers Secondary alcohols in enantiomeric excesses above 90% are accessible from 2-substituted 6-methyl-1,3-dioxan-4-ones (Scheme 4). The dioxanones are prepared from aldehydes and readily available (R)-or (S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid. Treatment of the dioxanones with silyl nucleophiles or triisopropoxy(methyl)titanium in the presence of [Cl₃TiX] yields the corresponding 3-alkoxy acids in diastereoselectivities ≥ 95%. The ‘chiral auxiliary’ is removed from the alkoxy acids by treatment with LiN(i-Pr)₂ to give the secondary alcohols with ≤ 90% ee. cis/trans-Mixtures (9:1) of the dioxanones furnish products of the same configurational purity as those obtained from pure cis-isomers. In comparison with other variants of enantioselective synthese with nucleophilic substitution at acetal centers, the following advantages of the dioxanone method are noteworthy: (i) (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acids are both readily available; (ii) reactions are not sensitive to changes in conditions; (iii) the ‘chiral auxiliary’ is removed simply by base elimination, no oxidation is required; (iv) no chromatographic purification steps are necessary. The overall reaction described here is an enantioselective nucleophilic addition to aldehydes with concomitant dehydration of enantiomerically pure 3-hydroxybutanoic to crotonic acid.     

Electronically Mediated Selectivity in Ring Opening of 1-Azirines. The 3-X Mode: Convenient Route to 3-Oxazolines

The mild base-promoted reaction of methyl 2-phenyl-1-azirine-3-acetate (1) with aldehydes and acetone provides a new and simple route to the 3-oxazolines 5, which are formed in good yields by the electrophilic trapping of an imino anion produced by C-N bond cleavage in the 1-azirine enolate intermediate 6. Chloranil oxidation of 5 containing an aromatic substituent at C-2 affords oxazoles 7, while reaction of 5 containing an aliphatic group at C-2 produces 5-methylene-3-oxazolines 8 and 5-spiro-2-oxazolines 9 in addition to 7.     

[2 + 2] cycloaddition of optically active ketenes. Synthesis of (−)-blastmycinone. Preliminary Communication

[2 + 2] Cycloaddition of (menthyloxy)methylketene ( 2 ) to cis-ethyl propenyl ether showed a ca. 3:1 diastereo-selectivity. A two-step transformation of the thermodynamically more stable adduct 4 furnished the (2R*, 3R*)-compound 5 with ca. 50% e.e. (Scheme 1). The analogous reaction sequence with cis- benzyl 1-hexenyl ether ( 9 ) and 2 showed a ca. 5:1 diastereoselectivity in 10 and 11 (Scheme 2). Absolute configuration of C(3) and C(4) in 11 has been proved by converting it to (?)-blastmycinone. Accordingly, the preferred transition state has been deduced as 15 .     

Photoinduzierte Cycloadditionen von aliphatischen 2H-Azirinen. 37. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

The purely aliphatic 2,3-dipropyl-2H-azirine ( 1 ) reacts on irradiation with a mercury high-pressure lamp through a Vycor filter with methyl trifluoroacetate or acetone to form 3-oxazolines 3a, b (65%) resp. 4 (14%) (Scheme 1). 9-Azabicyclo[6.1.0]non-1(9)-ene ( 5 ) on irradiation in the presence of the dipolarophiles methyl trifluoroacetate, methyl difluoroacetate, 1,1,1-trifluoro-propanone and acetone behaves in a similar way, whereby the corresponding bicyclic 3-oxazolines 7–10 result in yields of 60–20% (Scheme 2). By analogy with the photochemical behaviour of 3-aryl-2H-azirines it is assumed that nitrile-ylides 2 resp. 6 represent intermediates. In fact irradiation of 2,3-dipropyl-2H-azirine ( 1 , λ_max 239 nm, ? 240) at ?196° with light of wavelength 245 nm in a hydrocarbonglass gives rise to a pronounced maximum at 280 nm, for which an ? of ? 15000 can be estimated. The quantum yield for the formation of nitrile-methylide 2 is 0,8. Irradiation of the dipole 2 at ?196° or warming to ?150° causes the maximum at 280 nm to disappear.     

Photochemisches Verhalten von 1- und 2-alkylierten 1, 2-Dihydronaphthalinen bei tiefen Temperaturen

The irradiations of 1, 1-dimethyl- (8), 1, 1-di-(tri-deuteriomethyl)- (d₆– 8 ), 1, 1, 2, 2-tetramethyl- ( 9 ) and cis- and trans-1, 2-dimethyl-1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes (cis- and trans- 10 ) were investigated in 2, 2-dimethylbutane/pentane at ?100° using a mercury high-pressure lamp, and with mercury high- and low-pressure lamps at room temperature. The results were compared with one another, and those of the individual compounds are collected in schemes 2 and 4–7. The most important results are the following: 1. The 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes undergo a conrotatory ring opening to the o-quinodimethanes on irradiation with high- or low-pressure lamps at room temperature or at ?100°. Thermal reactions ([1, 7a]H-shifts, electrocyclisations) are suppressed at ?100°. The o-quinodimethanes formed from 8 (scheme 2), 9 (scheme 5) or cis- 10 (scheme 6) undergo on irradiation with the high-pressure lamp, [1, 5]H-shifts or photochemical Diels-Alder reactions after renewed photochemical excitation, to yield the benzobicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene derivatives. These Diels-Alder reactions do not proceed stereospecifically, and therefore are not orbital symmetry controlled reactions. 2. If the 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes are irradiated at room temperature with either a high- or a low-pressure lamp, then the initially formed o-quinodimethanes undergo thermal [1, 7a]H-shifts, in preference to all other reactions, as long as this is sterically possible; the resulting products can undergo secondary photochemical transformations. Such o-quinodimethanes are formed on irradiation of 8, 9 and cis- 10 . From trans- 10 , an o-quinodimethane mixture is formed, of which one component (cis, cis- 22 ) undergoes thermal [1, 7a] H-shifts, while the other (trans, trans- 22 ) suffers a thermal disrotatory electrocyclisation to give cis- 10 . If a high-pressure lamp is used in the last experiment, then the competing photochemical Diels-Alder cyclisation to bicyclic compounds of the type 23 (scheme 7) can result in the trans, trans- 22 . As was shown by Salisbury [3], and confirmed by ourselves in other cases [2], photochemical Diels-Alder reactions or [1, 5]H-shifts in the o-quinodimethanes require light of wavelength ? 400 nm (high-pressure lamp). The present photochemical investigations amplify and confirm our earlier conclusions concerning the photochemistry of the 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes [2].