Photochemical Experiments with 2,3-Bis(Tert-Butylsulfonyl)Bicyclo[2.2.2]Octa-2,5-Diene and Related Systems

The irradiation of 2,3-bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)norbornadiene (5) and 2-(tert-butylsulfonyl)norbornadiene (6) yielded the expected quadricyclane derivatives as stable molecules. The irradiation of 2,3-bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene(7) 2,3-bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)-exo-7,8-epoxybicyclo[2.2.2]-octa-2,5-diene (8) and 8,9-bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)-4-anti-phenyl-3,5-dioxa-exo-tricyclo[5.2.2.0^2,6] undeca-8,10-diene 9a and its syn-isomer 9b yielded the corresponding tetracyclic and pentacyclic systems, respectively. The photoproducts of 8 and 9 reverted to the starting products slowly at room temperature. The half-life of the photoproduct of 7 was determined to be 34 min at 50 °C. Compound 9a reacted with n-BuLi to yield the unexpected desulfonylation product 27a.     

Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclopentene Derivatives from Vinyldiazo Compounds and Vinylazides through Sequential Copper‐Promoted [3+2] Cycloaddition/Azide Rearrangement

The reaction of vinylazides with alkenyldiazo compounds in the presence of [Cu(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄] provided cyclopentene derivatives with retention of the azide functionality. This process likely involves a sequence comprising: 1) decomposition of the diazo component with generation of a copper alkenylcarbene species; 2) stepwise regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition; 3) allylic azide rearrangement. This method is compatible with a broad range of substrates. We also show that the azide‐containing cycloadducts can be efficiently converted into the corresponding amine and triazole derivatives.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of 1,6-Enynes with Racemic Secondary Allylic Alcohols through Kinetic Resolution

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/P-phos complex catalyzes the asymmetric [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-enynes with racemic secondary allylic alcohols to produce the corresponding chiral bicyclic cyclohexenes, possessing three stereogenic centers, as a single diastereomer with excellent ee values. Mechanistic experiments revealed that the present cycloaddition proceeds through the kinetic resolution of the racemic secondary allylic alcohols, in which one enantiomer preferentially reacts with the 1,6-enyne.     

High‐Yield Formation of Substituted Tetracyanobutadienes from Reaction of Ynamides with Tetracyanoethylene

A high‐yielding sequence of [2+2] cycloaddition–retroelectrocyclization of ynamides with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is described. The reaction provided tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) species, which were characterized by various techniques. DFT and TD‐DFT calculations were also performed to complement experimental findings.     

The Choice of Rhodium Catalysts in [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction: A Personal Account

[2+2+2] Cycloaddition reaction is a captivating process that assembles six-membered rings from three unsaturations with complete atom economy. Of the multiple transition metals that can be used to catalyze this reaction, rhodium offers many advantages. These include high activity and versatility, but especially the ability to easily tune the reactivity and selectivity by the modification of the ligands around the metal. In this personal account, we summarize our endeavours in the development of efficient and sustainable [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions to prepare products of interest, develop conditions in which the catalyst can be recovered and reused, and understand the mechanistic details that govern the selectivity of the processes.     

Synthesis of Cyano‐Substituted Diaryltetracenes from Tetraaryl[3]cumulenes

A versatile, two‐step synthesis of highly substituted, cyano‐functionalized diaryltetracenes has been developed, starting from easily accessible tetraaryl[3]cumulenes. This unprecedented transformation is initiated by [2+2] cycloaddition of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to the proacetylenic central double bond of the cumulenes to give an intermediate zwitterion, which after an electrocyclization cascade and dehydrogenation yields 5,5,11,11‐tetracyano‐5,11‐dihydrotetracenes in a one‐pot procedure. A subsequent copper‐assisted decyanation/aromatization provided the target 5,11‐dicyano‐6,12‐diaryltetracene derivatives. All of the postulated structures were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The new chromophores are thermally highly stable and feature promising fluorescence properties for potential use in optoelectronic devices. They are selective chemosensors for Cu^I ions, which coordinate to one of the CN substituents and form a 1:1 complex with an association constant of K_a=1.5×10⁵ L mol^?1 at 298 K.     

Dihydrobiphenylenes through Ruthenium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of ortho‐Alkenylarylacetylenes with Alkynes

A new synthetic route to dihydrobiphenylenes has been developed. The process involves a mild Ru^II‐catalyzed [2+2+2] dimerization of ortho‐alkenylarylacetylenes or its more versatile variant, the Ru‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of ortho‐ethynylstyrenes with alkynes. Mechanistic aspects of this [2+2+2] cycloaddition are discussed.     

Imine polymers containing chiral nanohoops in the backbone obtained through [2 + 2] cyclocondensation

A simple method for synthesis of polymers containing shape persistent imine macrocycles as nanohoops in the main chain is studied. It is based on the cyclocondensation reaction carried out in solution and room temperature of triphenylamine-based tetraaldehyde compounds with (R,R)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The pristine polymer P1 bearing long alkyl groups is soluble during the synthesis but becomes insoluble after precipitation due to the strong and multiple C H/π and π-π stacking intermolecular interactions from arene–arene species and entanglement and interpenetrating of flexible alkyl groups inside of rigid macrocycle hollow. Polymer without any solubilizing groups ( P2 ) separates during the polymerization as an insoluble material. Both polymers are amorphous and have good thermal and environmental stability. They have a low surface area because discrete nanovoids introduced by macrocycles are disconnected in the amorphous polymers and non-accessible for gas adsorption. Polymers have inherent luminescent properties due to triphenylamine groups and chirality derived from (R,R)-conformation of the cyclohexane skeleton. In presence of picric acid (PA), the polymer fluorescence in solid state or suspension is strongly quenched, thus the polymers can work as efficient fluorescent probes toward nitrophenolic compounds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2565–2573     

四氟乙烯齐聚体的反应——ⅤⅢ.2-(1''''-烯丙氧基)四氟乙基-3-三氟甲基-3-五氧乙基全氟-1-戊烯分子内[2+2]环化加成反应

氟烯烃分子间的[2+2]环化加成及氟烯烃和烯基化合物分子间的[2+2]环加成早有很好的总结。近年来,比较复杂的氟烯分子间的环化加成及其反应机理的研究也有很好的介绍,但有关分子的内[2+2]环化加成却很少报道。Brook 最近研究了1,3,4,5,6,7,8-     

Photoreactivity of triazolopyridinones, including the drug trazodone, in aqueous solution

Irradiation of triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-ones at 310 nm has been investigated in water/acetonitrile (7%). Cis-cisoid-fused cyclobutanes are generally obtained. Cage products are found starting from derivatives bearing (piperazin-1-yl)aryl moiety under dilute conditions (10⁻³ M). Two different routes appear to be involved in the formation of the observed photoproducts. A plausible mechanistic explanation is reported.     

Realizing an Aza Paternò–Büchi Reaction

Intramolecular atropselective aza Paternò–Büchi reaction involving atropisomeric enamide and imine functionalities under sensitized irradiation leads to azetidine products in good yield and selectivity (ee >96 %). A mechanistic model based on detailed photophysical and isomerization kinetic studies is provided that shed light into the reactivity of enamides leading to aza Paternò–Büchi reaction.     

Intramolecular cycloadditions of keteniminium salts. A practical asymmetric synthesis of prostaglandins.

The intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition of keteniminium salt 5 derived from (2S, 5S)-dimethylpyirolidine is the key step of a short synthetic route toward prostaglandins.     

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes): [2+2] versus [4+2] cycloaddition

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes), derived from ene-bis(propargyl alcohols) and chlorodiphenylphosphine, was investigated. Benzene-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) exclusively gave intramolecular [2+2] cycloadducts in the presence of dimethyl fumarate in sharp contrast to the reaction of benzene-bridged bis(sulfinylallenes), which gave the corresponding [4+2] cycloadducts. On the other hand, substituted ethylene- or five-membered heterocycle-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) provided [4+2] cycloadducts. Reaction of benzene-bridged diallene bearing both a sulfinyl group and a phosphinyl group on the two allenyl groups was also described.     

Synthesis and unusual [2+2]-cycloaddition reactions of ethyl 4-chloro-2-oxobut-3-ynoate with unactivated alkenes

The highly activated acetylenes, ethyl 4-chloro-2-oxobut-3-ynoate and ethyl 4-bromo-2-oxobut-3-ynoate, were prepared from readily available bis(trimethylstannyl)acetylene in two steps with high overall yield. An unusual ability of the former to furnish [2+2]-cycloadducts with 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in the absence of irradiation and catalysts was discovered. The cycloaddition of ethyl 4-chloro-2-oxobut-3-ynoate to the 1,2-disubstituted alkenes was shown to be effectively catalyzed with stannic chloride.     

Co(I) catalyzed yne–ene–yne [2+2+2] cycloaddition: synthesis of highly strained pentacyclic bis-lactones. A new access to tetraaryl N-hydroxyphthalimides

Highly strained pentacyclic bis-lactones can be obtained by an unusual Co(I) catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of an yne–ene–yne diester substrate. These bis-lactones can be further transformed into tetraaryl N-hydroxyphthalimides which are potential aerobic oxidation organocatalysts.     

Organocatalytic intermolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of norbornadienes by a stable organic radical compound

An organocatalytic [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of norbornadienes (NBDs) using catalytic amount of TEMPO was reported. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of the product revealed its detailed multicyclic structure containing a 4-membered ring, formed in intermolecular reaction. Addition of AIBN to the current catalytic system improved the product yield. Quantitative reaction of the NBD and TEMPO gave a 2:2 adduct of NBD and TEMPO, which was confirmed by HR-MS. This catalytic [2+2] addition of NBDs has great advantage in selective intermolecular coupling in comparison with [2+2] photocycloaddition.     

Organocatalytic Formal Intramolecular [3+2]-Cycloaddition to Acquire Biologically Important Methanodibenzo[a,f]azulenes and Methanobenzo[f]azulenes

Lawsones were transformed into the functionally rich framework of methanodibenzo[a,f]azulenes and methanobenzo[f]azulenes in a single- or two-pot operation through five organocatalytic sequential reactions in very good yields with excellent selectivities. These resultant molecules are basic skeletons of important antibiotics, which highlights the value of this formal intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition as a key protocol.