4 + 1] cycloaddition of bis(alkylthio)carbenes with vinyl isocyanates. Total synthesis of (+/-)-mesembrine

[reaction: see text] The Sceletium alkaloid mesembrine has been synthesized in 13% overall yield by a sequence featuring a [4 + 1] cycloaddition of a bis(alkylthio)carbene with a functionalized vinyl isocyanate.     

Enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and 1-azadienes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

Optically active highly functionalized 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-ones were synthesized by N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4+2] enantioselective cycloaddition of ketenes and 1-azadienes.     

Synthesis of highly substituted cyclopentenones via the [4 + 1] cycloaddition of nucleophilic carbenes and vinyl ketenes

[reaction: see text] Vinyl ketenes have been shown to undergo [4 + 1] cycloaddition with a variety of nucleophilic carbenes to deliver highly substituted cyclopentenones as products.     

Enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and carbon disulfide catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

The chiral N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and carbon disulfide was realized to give the cycloadduct of 1,3-oxathian-6-ones in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities.     

Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reactions: see text] A rhodium complex of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been developed for intra- and intermolecular [4 + 2] and intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. This is the first use of a transition-metal NHC complex in a Diels-Alder-type reaction. For the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the dienynes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-99% yields within 10 min. Moreover, up to 1900 turnovers have been obtained for the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition at 15-20 degrees C. For the intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions, high yields (71-99%) of the corresponding cycloaddition products were obtained. The reaction time and yield were highly dependent upon the diene and the dienophile. For the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the alkyne vinylcyclopropanes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-98% yields within 10 min. However, the catalytic system was not effective for an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

N-heterocyclic carbenes as highly efficient catalysts for the cyclotrimerization of isocyanates

[reaction: see text] A series of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were evaluated as potential catalysts for the cyclotrimerization of isocyanates to afford isocyanurates. 1,3-Bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (SIPr) was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the cyclotrimerization of a variety of isocyanates.     

Evidence for a concerted [4 + 1]- cycloaddition between electron-rich carbenes and electron-deficient dienes

Results from the thermal reactions of deuterated dienes 12-15 provide evidence of the concertedness of the [4 + 1]-cycloaddition between dimethoxycarbene and electron-deficient dienes. Other evidence suggests that the main pathway is a concerted [4 + 1]-cycloaddition rather than a cyclopropanation followed by a vinylcyclopropane rearrangement. Ionic pathways can become competitive when steric or geometrical constraints are present.     

Formal cycloaddition of disubstituted ketenes with 2-oxoaldehydes catalyzed by chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes

Chiral N-hetereocyclic carbenes were found to be efficient catalysts for the formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of alkyl(aryl)ketenes with 2-oxoaldehydes to afford beta-lactones with alpha-quaternary-beta-tertiary stereocenters in high yields with good diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). Both alkyl(aryl)ketenes and diarylketene worked well in this reaction.     

Methylenecyclopropanes in [4+1] cycloaddition with enones

A nickel-catalyzed [4+1] cycloaddition of enones with methylenecyclopropanes leading to dihydrofurans was developed. The reaction outcome is attributed to the transformation of methlenecyclopropane, which is incorporated into a five-membered ring as a one-carbon fragment.     

Rhodium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkenyl isocyanates and alkynes

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition between alkenyl isocyanates and alkynes has been developed. Heating a mixture of an alkenyl isocyanate and a symmetrical internal alkyne in the presence of [Rh(ethylene)2Cl]2/P(4-OMe-C6H4)3 in toluene delivers substituted indolizinones and quinolizinones. Depending on the substrates, a rare fragmentation of the isocyanate unit can be involved within the cycloaddition process to furnish a vinylogous amide embedded in the indolizinone.     

A novel [2 + 2 + 1]/[2 + 1] tandem cycloaddition reaction of Fischer alkynyl carbenes with strained bicyclic olefins

The reaction of strained bicyclic olefins with alkynyl carbenes and terminal olefins involves the creation of five new sigma C-C bonds with the concomitant formation of two new rings, thus creating a complex and densely functionalized structure in a single operation.     

Enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes were found to be efficient catalysts for the formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkyl(aryl)ketenes and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone to give the corresponding cycloadducts in good yields with high enantioselectivities.     

3 + 2]-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of an N-heterocyclic carbene boryl azide

Thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene dihydridoboron azide occur smoothly with alkynes, nitriles, and alkenes bearing electron-withdrawing groups. New, stable NHC-boryl-substituted triazoles, tetrazoles, and triazolidines are formed in good to excellent yields.     

4-thioxo-2-azetidinones by cycloaddition of thioketenes with isocyanates

The (2+2) cycloaddition of thioketenes $\text{1}$ with isocyanates $\text{2}$ yields 4-thioxo-2-azetidinones $\text{3}$, which can be hydrolyzed to the N-unsubstituted compound $\text{4}$ and thus used as versatile intermediates.     

Anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes by decarboxylation of sydnone-4-carboxylates

Unstable N-heterocyclic carbenes can be masked and stabilized as pseudo-cross-conjugated hetarenium-carboxylates which decarboxylate on warming. This study deals with the decarboxylation of carboxylates of mesoionic compounds to generate anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes. Lithium sydnone-4-carboxylates were therefore prepared via 4-bromosydnones by halogen-lithium exchange with nBuLi and subsequent treatment with carbon dioxide. Protonation gave the corresponding sydnone-4-carboxylic acids. Thermogravimetric measurements in addition to temperature dependent IR spectroscopy proved the decarboxylation of lithium sydnone-4-carboxylates and formation of the corresponding sydnone anions which can be represented as anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes. In DMSO-d6 solution, water favors the decarboxylation. Calculations have been performed to elucidate the mechanism of the decarboxylation in the absence and presence of water.     

Homopolymerization and [2 + 4]/[3 + 2] cycloaddition in the reaction of nitroethylene with vinyl ethers

The reaction of nitroethylene with isobutyl vinyl ether was reinvestigated. In agreement with the report of Kushibiki, Irie, and Hayashi (J Polym Sci Polym Chem Ed 1975, 13, 77), cycloaddition accompanied the anionic homopolymerization of nitroethylene. However, the cycloadduct was not a cyclobutane but a bicyclic oxazolidine, in keeping with the more recent report by Denmark and Hurd (J Org Chem 1998, 63, 3045). Cycloaddition accompanied by the anionic homopolymerization of nitroethylene was general for a series of vinyl and silyl ethers. Mechanistically, the cycloadducts formed by a cis–syn concerted approach of the reactants, whereas a trans–anti approach gave a zwitterionic tetramethylene that initiated anionic homopolymerization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1886–1891, 2001     

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of phthalaldehyde and imines

The diastereoselective synthesis of cis-2-amino-3-hydroxyindanones was realized by the N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of phthalaldehyde and imines, which may involve a tandem aza-benzoin reaction and aldol reaction.     

Rhodium-catalyzed chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes with isocyanates

[reaction: see text] We have developed a cationic rhodium(I)/modified-BINAP complex-catalyzed chemoselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes with isocyanates leading to a wide range of 2-pyridones. This method was successfully applied to the chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 2-pyridones from unsymmetrical alpha,omega-diynes, bearing an ortho-substituted phenyl at one terminal position, and alkyl isocyanates.