Controlling the regiochemistry of radical cyclizations

This review describes the results of our recent studies on the control of the regiochemistry of radical cyclizations. N-vinylic alpha-chloroacetamides generally cyclized in a 5-endo-trig manner to give five-membered lactams, whereas 4-exo-trig cyclization occurred when the cyclized radical intermediates were highly stabilized by an adjacent phenyl or phenylthio group to afford beta-lactams. The 5-exo or 6-exo cyclization of aryl radicals onto the alkenic bond of enamides could be shifted to the corresponding 6-endo or 7-endo mode of cyclization by a positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides. The 6-endo- and 7-endo-selective aryl radical cyclizations were applied to radical cascades for the synthesis of alkaloids such as phenanthroindolizidine, cephalotaxine skeleton, and lennoxamine. The 5-exo-trig cyclization of an alkyl radical onto the alkenyl bond of enamides could also be shifted to the 6-endo mode by a positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides. The 6-endo- selective cyclization was applied to the radical cascade to afford a cylindricine skeleton. Other examples of controlling the regiochemistry of radical cyclizations and their applications to the synthesis of natural products are also discussed.     

Regiochemistry in aryl radical cyclization onto methylenecycloalkanes

Bu(3)SnH-mediated aryl radical cyclization onto methylenecycloalkanes having a phenylthio, an ester, or a nitrile group at the terminus of the alkenic bond provides exclusively exo cyclization products. The results are in sharp contrast to those reported for nonsubstituted methylenecycloalkanes, which give exclusively endo cyclization products. Formation of endo cyclization products has been suggested to be a result of a consecutive 5-exo cyclization of an aryl radical and neophyl rearrangement. The exo-selective aryl radical cyclization offers a new method for synthesizing fused aromatic compounds containing a benzylic quaternary carbon atom.     

Radical cyclization of ynamides into six- or eight-membered rings. Application to the synthesis of a protoberberine analog

A straightforward formation of six- and eight-membered rings via the radical cyclization of specifically designed ynamides is reported. This strategy provides a protoberberine analog in only three steps by a radical cyclization cascade.     

Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivatives through Cascade Radical Cyclization/Intermolecular Coupling of 2‐Azaallyls

Benzofurans are among the most popular structural units in bioactive natural products, however, the synthesis of such structures by radical cyclization cascade reactions is rare. Herein, we report a mild and broadly applicable method for the construction of complex benzofurylethylamine derivatives through a unique radical cyclization cascade mechanism. Single‐electron transfer (SET) from 2‐azaallyl anions to 2‐iodo aryl allenyl ethers initiates a radical cyclization that is followed by intermolecular radical–radical coupling. This expedient approach enables the synthesis of a range of polycyclic benzofurans that would otherwise be difficult to prepare.     

Synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles using exo- and endo-selective radical cyclizations onto enamides

The effect of positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides on Bu₃SnH-mediated alkyl radical cyclization leading to five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles was examined. A 5-exo cyclization is generally preferred over a 6-endo ring closure in systems having an alkyl radical center on the enamide-acyl side chain, whereas enamides having an alkyl radical center opposite to the acyl side chain predominantly gave 6-endo cyclization products. These results suggest that the exo or endo selectivity of radical cyclization onto the alkenic bond of enamides can be controlled by positional change of the carbonyl group. For an understanding of these selectivities, heat of formation for each transition state was calculated. 6-endo-Selective radical cyclization was applied to the radical cascade, enabling a concise synthesis of a cylindricine skeleton. A 7- or 8-endo alkyl radical cyclization, however, predominated over a corresponding 6- or 7-exo ring closure regardless of the positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides.     

Scalable Total Synthesis of rac‐Jungermannenones B and C

Reported is the first scalable synthesis of rac‐jungermannenones B and C starting from the commercially available and inexpensive geraniol in 10 and 9 steps, respectively. The unique jungermannenone framework is rapidly assembled by an unprecedented regioselective 1,6‐dienyne reductive cyclization reaction which proceeds through a vinyl radical cyclization/allylic radical isomerization mechanism. DFT calculations explain the high regioselectivity observed in the 1,6‐dienyne reductive radical cyclization.     

Preparation of alpha-(2,2-diphenylhydrazino)lactones and related compounds by radical cyclization: use of glyoxylic acid hydrazone derivatives

Glyoxylic acid diphenylhydrazone (2a) and the corresponding O-benzyloxime (2b) are easily esterified in high yield by beta-bromo alcohols. The resulting esters undergo radical cyclization to alpha-(2,2-diphenylhydrazino)- or alpha-[(phenylmethoxy)amino]lactones on treatment with tributyltin hydride. Esters for radical cyclization were also made using a beta-(phenylseleno) alcohol and an enol ether. Several derivatives of glyoxylic acid were evaluated, but none was as effective as 2a or 2b. The imine 28 was prepared by an indirect route; it undergoes radical cyclization with displacement of the nitrogen substituent (28 --> 30) so that an alpha-amino lactone can be generated by acid hydrolysis of the cyclization product.     

Round trip radical reactions from acyclic precursors to tricyclo [5.3.1.0]undecanes. A new cascade radical cyclization approach to (+/-)-isogymnomitrene and (+/-)-gymnomitrene

The synthesis and "round trip radical cyclization" of 11-iodo-2,7,11-trimethyldodec-6-en-5-one are described. The round trip cyclization is a sequence of 5-exo, 6-endo, and 5-exo cyclizations in which the last radical cyclization occurs at the same carbon atom as the initial radical generation. The key second (6-endo) cyclization produces two stereoisomers, one of which cyclizes efficiently to isogymnomitrene ketone, while the other cyclizes inefficiently to gymnomitrene ketone. Efforts to influence the kinetic or thermodynamic outcome of the second cyclization were not successful, and the results are contrasted with a related cyclization of Jung and Rayle where thermodynamic control was readily established.     

Radical cyclization of beta-aminoacrylates: synthesis of (-)-indolizidine 223AB

[reaction: see text] (-)-Indolizidine 223AB was synthesized via radical cyclization of the beta-aminoacrylate derivative of a trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine. The trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine substrate was prepared by radical cyclization of a Ses-protected beta-aminoacrylate.     

6-Endo-dig versus 5-exo-dig: Exploring Radical Cyclization Preference with First-, Second-, and Third-row Linkers using High-level Quantum Chemical Methods

As an expansion upon Baldwin rules, the cyclization reactions of hex-5-yn-1-yl radical systems with different first-, second-, and third-row linkers are explored at the CCSD(T) level via means of the SMD(benzene)-G4(MP2) thermochemical protocol. Unlike C, O, and N linkers, systems with B, Si, P, S, Ge, As, and Se linkers are shown to favor 6-endo-dig cyclization. This offers fundamental insights into the rational synthetic design of cyclic compounds. A thorough analysis of stereoelectronic effects, cyclization barriers, and intrinsic barriers illustrates that structural changes alter the cyclization preference by mainly impacting 5-exo-dig reaction barriers. Based on the high-level computational modeling, we proceed to develop a new tool for cyclization preference prediction from the correlation between cyclization barriers and radical structural parameters (e. g., linker bond length and bond angle). A strong correlation is found between the radical attack trajectory angle and the reaction barrier heights, i. e., cyclization preference. Finally, the influence of stereoelectronic effects on the two radical cyclization pathways is further investigated in stereoisomers of hypervalent silicon system, which provides novel insight into cyclization control.     

Control of the regioselectivity of sulfonamidyl radical cyclization by vinylic halogen substitution

The radical cyclization reactions of unsaturated sulfonamides were investigated. The photolysis of N-(4-halo-4-pentenyl)sulfonamides (X=I, Br, or Cl) with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine at room temperature afforded exclusively the corresponding piperidines in 73-98% yield via 6-endo radical cyclization. On the other hand, the reactions of N-(5-halo-4-pentenyl)sulfonamides with DIB/I2 led to the only formation of the pyrrolidine products in 84-99% yield via 5-exo radical cyclization. The vinylic halogen substitution not only successfully inhibits the competing ionic iodocyclization process to allow the radical cyclization to proceed smoothly but also shows a remarkable effect in controlling the regioselectivity of cyclization.     

Alkyne Versus Ynamide Reactivity: Regioselective Radical Cyclization of Yne‐Ynamides

Ynamides are typically more reactive than simple alkynes and olefins. However, a serendipitous observation revealed a rare case where the reactivity of simple alkynes exceeds that of ynamides. This led to the development of a unique sulfur‐radical‐triggered cyclization of yne‐tethered ynamides, which involves attack of the alkyne by a thiyl radical followed by cyclization with the ynamide. A wide range of novel 4‐thioaryl pyrroles that could tolerate common functional moieties and N‐protecting groups were expediently constructed by this strategy. The current method contrasts with the typical cyclization of yne‐ynamides, which involves the attack of the alkyne moiety by the ynamide core. Control experiments and DFT calculations supported the participation of the sulfur radical in the reaction and the regioselective cyclization. The synthetic potential of the substituted pyrroles is also discussed.     

A Radical Cyclization Approach to Isoindolobenzazepines. Synthesis of Lennoxamine

The alkaloid lennoxamine (1) was synthesized by transannular cyclization of a 10-membered lactam obtained by intramolecular addition of an aryl radical to a (trimethylsilyl)acetylene. The isoindolo[1,2-b][3]benzazepine skeleton present in lennoxamine was also obtained by means of regioselective 7-endo-trig radical cyclization of methylenephthalimidines.     

Highly Functionalized Cyclopentane Derivatives by Tandem Michael Addition/Radical Cyclization/Oxygenation Reactions

Densely functionalized cyclopentane derivatives with up to four consecutive stereocenters are assembled by a tandem Michael addition/single‐electron transfer oxidation/radical cyclization/oxygenation strategy mediated by ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate, a recyclable, less toxic single‐electron transfer oxidant. Ester enolates were coupled with α‐benzylidene and α‐alkylidene β‐dicarbonyl compounds with switchable diastereoselectivity. This pivotal steering element subsequently controls the diastereoselectivity of the radical cyclization step. The substitution pattern of the radical cyclization acceptor enables a switch of the cyclization mode from a 5‐exo pattern for terminally substituted olefin units to a 6‐endo mode for internally substituted acceptors. The oxidative anionic/radical strategy also allows efficient termination by oxygenation with the free radical 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinoxyl, and two C?C bonds and one C?O bond are thus formed in the sequence. A stereochemical model is proposed that accounts for all of the experimental results and allows the prediction of the stereochemical outcome. Further transformations of the synthesized cyclopentanes are reported.     

An electron-catalyzed cope cyclization. The structure of the 2,5-dicyano-1,5-hexadiene radical anion in the gas phase

The radical anion of 2,5-dicyano-1,5-hexadiene is shown to undergo Cope cyclization in a flowing afterglow-triple quadrupole apparatus. The cyclic structure of the 2,5-dicyano-1,5-hexadiene radical anion was established by using chemical reactivity. The ion reacts with CO2 and CS2 by addition, whereas the radical anions of closed-shell molecules such as fumaronitrile do not react with these reagents. The ion exhibits reactivity characteristic of a distonic ion in that it sequentially adds CO2 and NO or NO2. It reacts with NO by forming a product at m/z 135 corresponding to addition followed by loss of HCN. The reactivity and CID spectrum of the product ion at m/z 135 agrees with that of oximate ion, which requires a cyclic precursor ion. Attempts to generate radical anions of acrylonitrile and 2,6-dicyano-1,6-heptadiene were unsuccessful, providing additional evidence against a linear structure as a stable structure for 2,5-dicyano-1,5-hexadiene radical anion. The cyclization of the radical anion of the 2,5-dicyano-1,5-hexadiene is the first example of an electron-catalyzed Cope cyclization.     

An unusual decarboxylative benzannulation and biaryl formation during copper(I)-promoted halogen atom transfer radical cyclization of 2-allylaryl trichloroacetates

CuCl/bpy-promoted halogen atom transfer radical cyclization of 2-allylaryl trichloroacetates in refluxing benzene gave benzannulated chloroarenes and benzannulated symmetrical biaryls along with reductive dehalogenation products. The unusual decarboxylative benzannulation and biaryl formation might be explained by a further intramolecular radical addition on the benzene ring of the eight-membered lactone intermediate, initially formed through 8-endo-trig halogen atom transfer radical cyclization, followed by decarboxylation, radical dimerization and dehydrochlorination reactions.     

Radical cyclization of 4-aryl-1-iodobutene derivatives to form dihydronaphthalene scaffold

Synthesis of dihydronaphthalene derivatives was carried out by allyltributylstannane-mediated vinyl radical cyclization as the key step from 4-aryl-1-iodobutene derivatives, which were derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts via vinyl radical cyclization.     

Unexpected formation of stannolanes and trigonal bipyramidal tin complexes by radical cyclization reaction

Optically active stannolanes and trigonal bipyramidal pentacoordinated tin complexes were readily prepared by radical cyclization of N-propargylated chiral aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts induced by Bu(3)SnH. A translocated radical through the cyclization attacked the Bu(3)Sn group in an S(H)2 manner.     

Alkyl radical cyclization to vinylogous carbonates for the stereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrical dioxa-cage compounds: effect of conformation on the rate of cyclization versus reduction

An efficient strategy for the stereoselective construction of unsymmetrical dioxa-cage compounds containing ether linkages employing a 6-exo-trig alkyl radical cyclization to vinylogous carbonates is developed. The radical precursors are prepared from the diols obtained from the Diels-Alder adducts via iodoetherification followed by addition of the alcohol to the ethyl propiolate. The geometrical constrains play important role in deciding the outcome of the reaction as cyclization versus simple reduction. Formation of the mono-oxa-cage compounds via a 5-exo-trig intramolecular alkyl radical cyclization to olefin is also described. The dioxa-cages could also be assembled employing a tandem oxymercuration reduction-radical cyclization to vinylogous carbonates protocol with equal efficiency and with reduced number of steps.     

Diastereoselective vinyl addition to chiral hydrazones via tandem thiyl radical addition and silicon-tethered cyclization

A diastereoselective method for addition of a vinyl group to alpha-hydroxy hydrazones under neutral tin-free radical cyclization conditions, leading to substituted vinylglycinols, is presented. Tandem thiyl radical addition/cyclization upon a silicon-tethered vinyl group followed by treatment with potassium fluoride accomplishes a one-pot neutral vinyl addition process to afford acyclic allylic anti-hydrazino alcohols in good yield.