The synthesis of indolizidines by intramolecular ene cyclizations. Preparation of (E)-alkylidene analogs of pumiliotoxin A.

6-Alkylidene-8-hydroxyindolizidines $\text{4}$ can be prepared by Lewis acid-catalyzed intramolecular ene cyclization of proline-derived ketones $\text{3}$.     

Tuning the Bergman cyclization by introduction of metal fragments at various positions of the enediyne. Metalla-Bergman cyclizations

We expand the scope of the Bergman cyclization by exploring computationally the rearrangement of two osmaenediynes and one rhodaenediyne. The three hypothetical metallaenediynes are constructed by substituting the 14-electron Os(PH3)3 fragment for the C fragment, or the 15-electron Os(PH3)3H or Rh(PH3)3 fragments for the sp2 CH fragment, of 3-ene-1,5-diyne. This replacement is guided by the isolobal analogy and previous metallabenzene chemistry. The rearrangement of osmaenediyne with an Os(PH3)3 fragment in place of C is exothermic by 3 kcal/mol (the parent Bergman reaction is computed to be endothermic by 5 kcal/mol) and associated with a significant decrease in the barrier to rearrangement to 13 kcal/mol (the Ea of the parent reaction computed at the same level of theory is 33 kcal/mol). The replacement of a CH by the isolobal analogue Os(PH3)3H reduces the energy of activation for the rearrangement to 23 kcal/mol and produces a corresponding metalladiradical that is 8 kcal/mol less stable that the corresponding osmaenediyne. The activation energy corresponding to the rearrangement of the rhodaenediyne is the same as that of the organic parent enediyne. Interesting polytopal rearrangements of metallaenediynes and the diradical nature of the resulting intermediates are also explored.     

A facile synthesis of 3-alkoxy phthalides by the palladium catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of o-bromobenzaldehyde

The palladium catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of o-bromobenzaldehyde 1 in alcoholic solution gave 3-alkoxyphthalides 3a-e in 61–85% isolated yields via intramolecular cyclization induced by the coordinated formyl group on the palladium.     

Polyphosphorous acid catalyzed cyclization in the synthesis of cryptolepine derivatives

11-Oxo-10,11-dihydroxy-5H-indolo[3,2,b]quinoline 7-carboxylic acid was obtained specifically by polyphosphorous acid catalyzed cyclization with optimal reaction conditions.Biological assays showed that it potentially inhibits the proteasomal chymotrypsin-like activity in vitro and suppresses breast cancer cell growth.     

An efficient sequential reaction process to polysubstituted indolizidines and quinolizidines and its application to the total synthesis of indolizidine 223A

The reaction of iodides 1 with delta-chloropropylamines 5 in MeCN assisted with K2CO3 undergoes a sequential S(N)2/Michael addition/SN2/SN2 reaction process to give polysubstituted indolizidines and quinolizidines. Using this method, indolizidine 223A is synthesized from 2-ethyl-2-hexenoic acid in 12 linear steps and 14.5% overall yield. [Reaction: see text]     

Cyclic allenes or diradicals in the cyclization reactions of dienynes generated by photolysis of alkynylcyclohexadienones

Reported here are some rearrangements involving the electrocyclic ring closure of dieneynes 7. Such ring closures are envisaged to possibly give strained substituted cyclic allenes 8 which could also behave as diradicals 8a. The results show that compounds such as 5 rearrange to cyclohexadienones 9a, 9b, or 11 through these kind of intermediates. Theoretical calculations performed on simple models similar to the intermediates suggest that the nature of these intermediates correspond to that of cyclic allenes.     

Facile synthesis of indoles by K2CO3 catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2-ethynylanilines in water

The cyclization reaction of 2-ethynyl-N-sulfonylanilides proceeded efficiently in water with the presence of a catalytic amount of K₂CO₃ under transition metal-free condition to give indoles in high yields. The recovery and reusability of the present catalytic system were investigated.     

A new method for enol lactone synthesis by a Michael addition/cyclization sequence

Reactions of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 1-(2-alkenoyl)-4-bromo-3,5-dimethylpyrazoles under the double catalytic activation conditions using both catalytic amounts of Lewis acid and amine catalysts provide a new direct synthetic route to enol lactones. Thus, 1,3-cyclohexanedione is allowed to react with 4-bromo-1-crotonoyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole, in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature in the presence of both catalytic amounts (10 mol% each) of nickel(II) perchlorate hexahydrate and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, to give 4,7,7-trimethyl-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydrobenzopyran-2(H),5-dione in a good yield. This reaction does not proceed or is too slow under the reaction conditions other than the double catalytic activation conditions.     

A diastereoselective synthesis of pseudopeptidic hydantoins by an Ugi/cyclization/Ugi sequence

A diastereoselective synthesis of helix-forming pseudopeptidic hydantoins by an Ugi 4CC/cyclization/reduction/Ugi 4CC sequence of reactions, giving mainly the l-adduct when benzoic acids were used, is described.     

Palladium catalyzed Heck-arylation/cyclization cascade: An environmentally benign and efficient synthesis of 4-arylcoumarins in water

An environmentally benign and efficient approach for the synthesis of 4-arylcoumarins from ortho-hydroxy cinnamate ester derivatives with aryl iodides was developed in water under aerobic conditions. This transformation proceeds through a palladium catalyzed Heck-arylation/cyclization cascade reaction. The present protocol features a wide substrate scope and readily available starting materials to afford the desired products in high to excellent yields.     

A novel synthesis of functionalized tetrahydrofurans by an Oxa-Michael/Michael cyclization of gamma-hydroxyenones

An approach to highly functionalized tetrahydrofuran derivatives based upon a novel Oxa-Michael/Michael dimerization of cis-gamma-hydroxyenones is presented. The reaction begins with either 1,2-dioxines or trans-gamma-hydroxyenones and proceeds by addition of one molecule of trans-gamma-hydroxyenone to another molecule of cis- or trans-gamma-hydroxyenone catalyzed by an alkoxide or hydroxide base. Subsequent intramolecular Michael addition of the keto-enolate gives the observed tetrahydrofurans. Substitution at both the 2- and 4-positions of the gamma-hydroxyenone is tolerated; however, for 4-substituted gamma-hydroxyenones, selectivity issues arise due to the possibility of heterochiral or homochiral dimerizations. The major products were those with all contiguous groups trans.     

DBU-promoted tandem Michael-addition/cyclization for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles

An efficient and transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of the structurally diversified pyrroles is described. Various α,β-unsaturated ynones reacted with N-substituted ethyl glycine ethyl ester hydrochlorides in the presence of DBU to form the corresponding products in good yields. This protocol has the advantages of readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions and a wide scope of substrates, which provides a practical route for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles.     

Ruthenium catalyzed amination cyclization of 1,2,4-butanetriol with primary amines: A borrowing hydrogen strategy for 3-pyrrolidinol synthesis

A ruthenium based catalytic system([Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2/XantPhos with substoichiometric Cs2CO3)has been established to effectively achieve the first direct amination cyclization of 1,2,4-butanetriol with primary aromatic amines.The product of this sustainable hydrogen autotransfer process is valuable Naryl-3-pyrrolidinol.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of indene derivatives including an allene functional group via Pd/C-catalyzed cyclization reaction in air

Indene derivatives including an allene functional group are readily prepared in moderate to excellent yields with high regioselectivity under very mild reaction conditions by the Pd/C-catalyzed reaction of propargylic compounds. The resulting products can be further elaborated using Pd-catalyzed annulation reactions.     

The first example for the asymmetric synthesis of allenes by the Doering-LaFlamme allene synthesis with enantiopure cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoids

The reaction of lithium α-sulfinyl carbanion of enantiopure dichloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds gave optically active 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides having a carbonyl group with high asymmetric induction from the sulfur chiral center. Reduction of the carbonyl group followed by treatment with Grignard reagent, the 1-chlorocyclopropyl p-tolyl sulfoxides resulted in the formation of enantiopure allenic alcohols via the Doering-LaFlamme-type rearrangement of enantiopure cyclopropylmagnesium carbenoid intermediates. This is the first example for the asymmetric synthesis of allenes by the Doering-LaFlamme allene synthesis.     

A new strategy for the synthesis of benzoxanthenes catalyzed by proline triflate in water

Catalyzed by proline triflate, benzoxanthenes were obtained in good yields from the condensation of naphthols, aldehydes, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in water. A possible mechanism of this reaction is proposed.     

A new and simple method for the synthesis of highly functionalised pyrrolizidines, indolizidines and pyrroloazepines

The reaction of 5-, 6- and 7-membered cyclic thioimidates with cyclopropenones gives access to highly functionalised pyrrolizidines, indolizidines and pyrroloazepines via a formal [3+2] cycloaddition process.     

Supercritical CO2 as a superior solvent for the cyclization of diallylmalonate catalyzed by palladium-containing zeolites

Palladium-containing zeolites catalyze the cycloisomerization of diethyl diallylmalonate to dimethylcyclopentenes. When the reaction is carried out in toluene, the performance of the palladium catalyst depends on the pore size of the zeolites. At 60 °C, palladium adsorbed on large pore size Beta zeolite (pore size ∼7.4 Å) is more active than medium pore size ZSM-5 (pore size ∼5.4 Å). This lower activity of ZSM-5 compared to Beta is attributable to the restricted diffusion of reagent and products through the ZSM-5 channels as compared to Beta zeolite. However, due to the gas-like diffusion characteristic of the supercritical state, the activity of ZSM-5 increases and becomes identical to that of Beta zeolite using supercritical CO₂ as medium.