Palladium(0)-catalyzed tandem cyclization of allenenes: direct construction of tricyclic heterocycles through aromatic C--H activation

Palladium(0)-catalyzed tandem cyclization of allenenes is described. Treatment of allenenes with an aryl halide, potassium carbonate, and catalytic [Pd(PPh(3))(4)] in dioxane afforded tri- or tetracyclic heterocycles in moderate to good yields through insertion of arylpalladium(II) halide into the allenic moiety, intramolecular carbopalladation, and aromatic C--H bond activation. The substituent on the olefin terminus has proven to be essential for the success of the tandem cyclization. The reaction with heterocyclic aryl halides such as iodopyrazine or 4-bromo-1-methylindole afforded tri- or tetracyclic heteroaromatic products in good yields.     

Design and synthesis of chiral hybrid spiro (isoxazole–isoxazoline) ligands

Novel chiral hybrid ligands containing an unsymmetrical spiro[4.5]decane skeleton with isoxazole and isoxazoline as the two coordinating units have been synthesized. Pd complexes of these ligands were found to be effective in activating olefins towards enantioselective tandem cyclization of a dialkenyl alcohol, providing the cyclized products in up to 97% ee.     

Further studies on palladium-catalyzed bismetallative cyclization of enynes in the presence of Bu3SnSiMe3

Bismetallative cyclization of enynes with Bu₃SnSiMe₃ catalyzed by Pd(0) complex was realized for the first time, which gives cyclized products containing a vinylsilane moiety and a homoallyltin moiety in good yield. In this cyclization, Pd₂(dba)₃·CHCl₃ or Pd(OH)₂ on charcoal is effective as a Pd(0) catalyst and the addition of a phosphine ligand increased the formation of alkyne bismetallation by-product. On the other hand, it was found that a nucleophilic N-heterocyclic carbene could be utilized as a ligand for this cyclization. The utility of the cyclized products obtained from this cyclization in synthetic organic chemistry have been proven by transformation into cyclopropanol derivatives.     

ESI-MS studies on the mechanism of Pd0-catalyzed three-component tandem double addition-cyclization reaction

Four cationic palladium intermediates have been characterized by the high-resolution ESI-FTMS technology, on the basis of which a mechanism was proposed for the Pd0-catalyzed three-component tandem double addition cyclization of organic halides, 2-(2,3-allenyl)malonates, and imines.     

Novel radical tandem 1,6-enynes thioacylation/cyclization: Au–Pd nanoparticles catalysis versus thermal activation as a function of the substrate specificity

We studied the reactivity of 1,6-enynes with thioacetic acid (AcSH) under either thermal conditions or in the presence of catalytic amounts of supported Au or Au–Pd nanoparticles (NPs) under mild conditions. The 1,6-enynes undergo a tandem thioacylation/cyclization to original cyclic products featuring either a homoallylic thioester function or an enol thioester function depending on the substrate topology. Interestingly, the former process was found more efficient when performed in the presence of Au–Pd NPs while the latter process can be efficiently carried out under thermal conditions (100 °C). The reaction proceeds by a radical mechanism and the presence of precious metal NPs seems to stabilize the formation of free radical intermediates, as supported by experimental and theoretical results.     

Palladium-catalyzed highly stereoselective synthesis of N-aryl-3-arylmethylisoxazolidines via tandem arylation of O-homoallylhydroxylamines

The palladium-catalyzed tandem arylation of O-homoallylhydroxylamines with 2 equiv of aryl bromides was examined. With Pd2(dba)3 (1 mol %) as the catalyst, Xantphos (2 mol %) as the ligand, and NaOt-Bu as the base, the reactions of O-homoallylhydroxylamines with aryl bromides via sequential N-arylation/cyclization/C-arylation in toluene afforded the corresponding N-aryl-3-arylmethylisoxazolidines in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity.     

Enantioselective synthesis of constrained phenylalanine analogues

Constrained phenylalanine derivatives containing hydrophobic groups and hydrogen bond acceptor and/or donor functionalities were synthesized through a tandem palladium-mediated Heck reaction followed by a rhodium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. Aryl bromides were found to be better substrates in providing products with higher purity and in good yield. The cesium carbonate-mediated cyclization proceeded smoothly in good yield and optical purity. Aryl iodides reacted selectively over bromides under Jeffery-type conditions (Pd(OAc)₂, Bu₄NCl, Et₃N) providing an opportunity for further metal-mediated functionalization.     

Synthesis of 4-(1-alkenyl)isoquinolines by palladium(II)-catalyzed cyclization/olefination

A variety of 4-(1-alkenyl)-3-arylisoquinolines have been prepared in moderate to excellent yields by the Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)arylaldimines in the presence of various alkenes. The introduction of an o-methoxy group on the arylaldimine promotes the Pd-catalyzed cyclization and stabilizes the resulting Pd(II) intermediate, improving the yields of the isoquinoline products. Ketone-containing isoquinolines 36 and 49-51 have also been prepared by this process when unsaturated alcohols are employed as the alkenes.     

Double annulations of dihydroxy- and diacetoxy-dialkynylbenzenes. An efficient construction of benzodifurans

An efficient synthetic route to construct disubstituted benzodifurans from dihydroxy- or diacetoxy-dialkynylbenzenes utilizing Cs₂CO₃ or Pd(OAc)₂/Cs₂CO₃ promoted double annulations is described. The scope for the reaction in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ is more general. In addition, it was observed that NaOH-promoted reaction of diacetoxy-dialkynylbenzenes may directly afford in THF/MeOH/H₂O at 80 °C benzodifurans through hydrolysis and double cyclization in a one-pot manner. However, in most cases, the reaction is less selective affording a mixture of the double cyclization products and monocyclization–hydrolysis products.     

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic intermolecular cyclization of acrylic acid with 1-octene to afford α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones: the remarkable effect of continuous water removal from the reaction mixture and analysis of the reaction by kinetic, ESI-MS, and XAFS measurements

Further study of our aerobic intermolecular cyclization of acrylic acid with 1-octene to afford α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones, catalyzed by the Pd(OCOCF(3))(2)/Cu(OAc)(2)?H(2)O system, has clarified that the accumulation of water generated from oxygen during the reaction causes deactivation of the Cu cocatalyst. This prevents regeneration of the active Pd catalyst and, thus, has a harmful influence on the progress of the cyclization. As a result, both the substrate conversion and product yield are efficiently improved by continuous removal of water from the reaction mixture. Detailed analysis of the kinetic and spectroscopic measurements performed under the condition of continuous water removal demonstrates that the cyclization proceeds in four steps: 1)?equilibrium coordination of 1-octene to the Pd acrylate species, 2)?Markovnikov-type acryloxy palladation of 1-octene (1,2-addition), 3)?intramolecular carbopalladation, and 4)?β-hydride elimination. Byproduct 2-acryloxy-1-octene is formed by β-hydride elimination after step 2). These cyclization steps fit the Michaelis-Menten equation well and β-hydride elimination is considered to be a rate-limiting step in the formation of the products. Spectroscopic data agree sufficiently with the existence of the intermediates bearing acrylate (Pd-O bond), η(3)-C(8)H(15) (Pd-C bond), or C(11)H(19)O(2) (Pd-C bond) moieties on the Pd center as the resting-state compounds. Furthermore, not only Cu(II), but also Cu(I), species are observed during the reaction time of 2-8?h when the reaction proceeds efficiently. This result suggests that the Cu(II) species is partially reduced to the Cu(I) species when the active Pd catalytic species are regenerated.     

Lewis acid promoted phenylseleno group transfer tandem radical cyclization reactions

[reaction: see text] A new Lewis acid promoted phenylseleno group transfer tandem radical cyclization method was developed. In the presence of Lewis acids such as Yb(OTf)3 or Mg(ClO4)2, under photolysis condition at low temperature (-45 degrees C), various unsaturated alpha-phenylseleno beta-keto amides underwent radical cyclization reactions to give monocyclic or bicyclic products in a highly efficient, regioselective, and stereoselective manner.     

A Nazarov-Ene Tandem Reaction for the Stereoselective Construction of Spiro Compounds

The different reactivity of trienones under Lewis and Brønsted acids catalysis was investigated, resulting in distinct cyclization products and carbon backbones that originated either from a conjugate Prins cyclization or an interrupted Nazarov cyclization. In particular, an unprecedented Nazarov cyclization tandem reaction is presented, terminating the oxyallyl cation by an ene-type reaction, and leading stereoselectively to bicyclic spiro compounds. The terminal olefin of this motif represents a useful handle for further functionalization, making it a strategic intermediate in total syntheses. The tandem Nazarov/ene cyclization was shown to be preferred over a Nazarov/[3+2] tandem reaction for all our substrates, independent of chain length. Deuteration studies further support the mechanistic hypothesis of the terminating ene reaction.     

A convenient synthesis of polysubstituted 2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-nitriles from benzoins or benzaldehydes

A convenient assembly of polysubstituted 2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-nitriles from a tandem Michael addition/cyclization reaction between benzoins and arylidenemalononitriles is described. The products are also obtained from readily available benzaldehydes via a sequential N-heterocyclic carbene–catalyzed benzoin condensation and Michael addition/cyclization process in a one-pot tandem procedure.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Aerobic Intermolecular Cyclization of Acrylic Acid with 1‐Octene to Afford α‐Methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones: The Remarkable Effect of Continuous Water Removal from the Reaction Mixture and Analysis of the Reaction by Kinetic,ESI‐MS,and XAFS Measurements

Further study of our aerobic intermolecular cyclization of acrylic acid with 1‐octene to afford α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones, catalyzed by the Pd(OCOCF₃)₂/Cu(OAc)₂ ? H₂O system, has clarified that the accumulation of water generated from oxygen during the reaction causes deactivation of the Cu cocatalyst. This prevents regeneration of the active Pd catalyst and, thus, has a harmful influence on the progress of the cyclization. As a result, both the substrate conversion and product yield are efficiently improved by continuous removal of water from the reaction mixture. Detailed analysis of the kinetic and spectroscopic measurements performed under the condition of continuous water removal demonstrates that the cyclization proceeds in four steps: 1) equilibrium coordination of 1‐octene to the Pd acrylate species, 2) Markovnikov‐type acryloxy palladation of 1‐octene (1,2‐addition), 3) intramolecular carbopalladation, and 4) β‐hydride elimination. Byproduct 2‐acryloxy‐1‐octene is formed by β‐hydride elimination after step 2). These cyclization steps fit the Michaelis–Menten equation well and β‐hydride elimination is considered to be a rate‐limiting step in the formation of the products. Spectroscopic data agree sufficiently with the existence of the intermediates bearing acrylate (Pd? O bond), η³‐C₈H₁₅ (Pd? C bond), or C₁₁H₁₉O₂ (Pd? C bond) moieties on the Pd center as the resting‐state compounds. Furthermore, not only Cu^II, but also Cu^I, species are observed during the reaction time of 2–8 h when the reaction proceeds efficiently. This result suggests that the Cu^II species is partially reduced to the Cu^I species when the active Pd catalytic species are regenerated.     

Tandem Pd-Catalyzed Cyclization/Coupling of Non-Terminal Acetylenic Activated Methylenes with (Hetero)Aryl Bromides

We report a new method for a tandem Pd-catalyzed intramolecular addition of active methylene compounds to internal alkynes followed by coupling with aryl and heteroaryl bromides. Highly substituted vinylidenecyclopentanes were obtained with good yields, complete selectivity, and excellent functional group tolerance. A plausible mechanism, supported by DFT calculations, involves the oxidative addition of bromoarene to Pd(0), followed by cyclization and reductive elimination. The excellent regio- and stereoselectivity arises from the 5-exo-dig intramolecular addition of the enol form of the substrate to alkyne activated by the π-acidic Pd(II) center, postulated as the rate-determining step.     

A new five-membered ring forming process based on palladium(0)-catalyzed arylative cyclization of allenyl enones

A palladium(0)/monophosphine catalyst promotes a novel arylative cyclization reaction of C1-, C2-, and C3-tethered allenyl enones with arylboronic acids to produce five-membered ring containing products. The regioselectivity of the process, associated with aryl group introduction into the allene moiety, depends on the length of the tether. This finding suggests that the cyclization reaction does not proceed through a carbopalladation pathway but rather via a route involving palladacycle-forming or "anti-Wacker"-type oxidative addition to the Pd(0) catalyst.     

Modular Synthesis of 1,2-Diamine Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cyclization of Allylic Sulfamides

Allylic sulfamides undergo efficient aerobic oxidative cyclization at room temperature, mediated by a new Pd catalyst system consisting of 5% Pd(TFA)(2)/10% DMSO in THF. The synthetic utility of these reactions is enhanced by several features: (1) the sulfamide substrates are accessible in multi-gram scale from the corresponding allylic and primary amines, (2) the cyclic sulfamide products are readily converted to the corresponding 1,2-diamines upon treatment with LiAlH(4), and (3) substrates derived from chiral allylic amines cyclize with very high levels of diastereoselectivity.     

Tandem Cross‐Coupling/Spirocyclization/Mannich‐Type Reactions of 3‐(2‐Isocyanoethyl)indoles with Diazo Compounds toward Polycyclic Spiroindolines

Tandem reactions of Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of 3‐(2‐isocyanoethyl)indoles with diazoacetates and subsequent spirocyclization/Mannich‐type reaction have been developed to assemble polycyclic spiroindoline skeletons. Formation of spiroindolenines has been proven as the crucial step for the following Mannich‐type cyclization reaction. Accordingly, a novel approach on chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed Mannich‐type cyclization toward the formation of diastereomerically and enantiomerically enriched pentacyclic spiroindolines has been established. Moreover, the products of the reaction are versatile building blocks in synthetic chemistry, as demonstrated by the synthesis of the key framework of aspidosperma and kopsia alkaloids.     

A bimetallic catalyst and dual role catalyst: synthesis of N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles from 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates

3-allyl-N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles are synthesized via the reaction of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates and allyl carbonates in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4) (1 mol %) and CuCl (4 mol %) bimetallic catalyst. It is most probable that Pd(0) acts as a catalyst for the formation of a pi-allylpalladium alkoxide intermediate and Cu(I) behaves as a Lewis acid to activate the isocyanate, and the cyclization step proceeds with a cooperative catalytic activity of Pd and Cu. On the other hand, N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles are produced via the reaction of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates and alcohols under a catalytic amount of Na(2)PdCl(4) (5 mol %) or PtCl(2) (5 mol %). Pd(II) or Pt(II) catalyst exhibits dual roles; it acts as a Lewis acid to accelerate the addition of alcohols to isocyanates and as a typical transition-metal catalyst to activate the alkyne for the subsequent cyclization.     

Oxidative tandem alkoxide conjugate addition to nitroalkenes/radical 5-exo cyclizations—a versatile synthesis of functionalized 3-nitrotetrahydrofurans

Structurally diverse functionalized 4-(1-haloalkyl)-3-nitrotetrahydrofurans were conveniently obtained in moderate to good yield and moderate to very good diastereoselectivity by an oxidative tandem process consisting of conjugate addition reaction of lithium allyloxides to nitroalkenes followed by SET oxidation of the resulting nitronates. This triggers a radical cyclization; ligand transfer from the oxidant provides the products. The influence of the counter ion of the initial alkoxide and intermediate nitronate, the solvent and additives on the outcome of the tandem process was investigated. Optimal conditions for the tandem reactions consist of using butyllithium as the base for deprotonation in DME as the solvent. Cupric halides proved to be the SET oxidants of choice in the tandem reactions. A stereochemical model for the radical cyclization and ligand transfer steps is proposed.