Stereochemical investigation on the construction of poly-functionalized bicyclo[3.3.1]nonenones by successive Michael reactions of 2-cyclohexenones

A method for the practical construction of poly-functionalized bicyclo[3.3.1]nonenones by successive Michael reactions of cyclohexenones with acrylates using K2CO3 and TBAB (n-Bu4N+ Br-) was developed. The construction could be carried out in both stepwise and one-pot reactions with similar tendencies in regioselectivity. The alpha-regioselectivity in the intramolecular Michael reaction agreed with that stereoelectronically expected in intermolecular reactions based upon consideration of the HOMO orbital profile of the enolate I, the precursor to ring-closure, although the reaction site was trisubstituted and prone to steric hindrance in most of the examples presented. For the acetoxymethylacrylates substituted at either the alpha or gamma position, steric hindrance of the substituents (R2 and R3) served as a controlling factor to induce high regiocontrol. Facial selection in the protonation of enolate II, formed upon ring-closure, was also affected by these substituents. In both the intramolecular Michael reaction and the protonation of enolate II, the ammonium counter cation played an important role.     

Conformational features and chemical behavior of 5H, 7H-dibenzo[B,g][1,5] dithiocin oxides: 1,5-Oxygen shift via a dithiodication intermediate

Some 5H,7H-dibenzo[b,g][1,5]dithiocin oxides ( 4–8 ) and their related compounds 9–13 were prepared and the assignment of the most favorable conformation was carried out on the basis of the characteristic ¹H NMR spectral data. Only a single conformer (BC: boatchair form) exists for 4 , 5 , and 8–13 , while two conformers (BC and TB: twist-boat form) are apparent for 6 and 7 . Oxidation and methylation of 4 gave exclusively a single geometrical isomer ( 8 and 13 , respectively). These results are interpreted as a sterically preferential attack of electrophiles on the BC conformer of the starting material. A 1,5-oxygen shift of 4 occurred smoothly to give 6 in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid in CDCl₃ solution. The mechanistic investigation is described briefly. Differences in chemical behavior between dibenzodithiocin 12-oxide 4 and dibenzothiazocine 12-oxide 2 are also discussed on the basis of the conformational features.