Construction of Hexahydrophenanthrenes By Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Benzylallene‐Substituted Internal Alkynes through C−H Activation

The treatment of benzylallene‐substituted internal alkynes with [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ effects a novel cycloisomerization by C(sp²)?H bond activation to produce hexahydrophenanthrene derivatives. The reaction likely proceeds through consecutive formation of a rhodabicyclo[4.3.0] intermediate, σ‐bond metathesis between the C(sp²)?H bond on the benzene ring and the C(sp²)?Rh^III bond, and isomerization between three σ‐, π‐, and σ‐allylrhodium(III) species, which was proposed based on experiments with deuterated substrates.     

Aromatic Osmacyclopropenefuran Bicycles and Their Relevance for the Metal‐Mediated Hydration of Functionalized Allenes

The aromatic osmacyclopropenefuran bicycles [OsTp{κ³‐C¹,C²,O‐(C¹H₂C²CHC(OEt)O)}(PⁱPr₃)]BF₄ (Tp=hydridotris(1‐pyrazolyl)borate) and [OsH{κ³‐C¹,C²,O‐(C¹H₂C²CHC(OEt)O)}(CO)(PⁱPr₃)₂]BF₄, with the metal fragment in a common vertex between the fused three‐ and five‐membered rings, have been prepared via the π‐allene intermediates [OsTp(η²‐CH₂=CCHCO₂Et)(OCMe₂)(PⁱPr₃)]BF₄ and [OsH(η²‐CH₂=CCHCO₂Et)(CO)(OH₂)(PⁱPr₃)₂]BF₄, and their aromaticity analyzed by DFT calculations. The bicycle containing the [OsH(CO)(PⁱPr₃)₂]⁺ metal fragment is a key intermediate in the [OsH(CO)(OH₂)₂(PⁱPr₃)₂]BF₄‐catalyzed regioselective anti‐Markovnikov hydration of ethyl buta‐2,3‐dienoate to ethyl 4‐hydroxycrotonate.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective Cyclization of Allenyl‐Sulfonylcarbamates: A Stereodivergent Approach to 1,3‐Aminoalcohol Derivatives

A diastereoselective and stereodivergent rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular coupling of sulfonylcarbamates with terminal allenes is described and it provides selective access to 1,3‐aminoalcohol derivatives, scaffolds found in bioactive compounds. The reaction is compatible with a large range of different functional groups, thus furnishing products with high diastereoselectivities and yields. Moreover, multigram scale reactions, as well as the application of suitable product transformations were demonstrated.     

Can substituted allenes be highly efficient leaving groups in catalytic processes? A computational investigation

There is considerable interest presently in the chemistry of allenes. The current computational investigation looks into the possibility of using allenes and their derivatives as leaving groups. As it is well known, leaving groups are significant in catalytic processes for generating the active site. A full quantum mechanical study using density functional theory shows that allenes and their derivatives can function as excellent leaving groups. Indeed, the calculations show that they can be several orders of magnitude more effective than existing ligands for this purpose. The modification of second generation Grubbs' catalysts with these ligands suggests that the allene ligand cases that would be most effective are those having electron withdrawing groups, especially those that have the potential for supramolecular interactions between the substituent groups in the free state. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Stereospecific and Stereoselective Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Allene‐Ene‐Ynes: Construction of Bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes

Treatment of the allene‐ene‐yne substrates with [{RhCl(CO)₂}₂] effected the intramolecular [2+2+2]‐type ring‐closing reaction to produce various of tri‐ and tetracyclic derivatives containing a cyclopropane ring. The reaction is highly stereoselective as well as stereospecific with good to excellent yields.     

Catalytic CH Bond Addition of Pyridines to Allenes by a Rare‐Earth Catalyst

The catalytic C?H addition of pyridines to allenes has been achieved for the first time by using a half‐sandwich scandium catalyst, thus constituting a straightforward and atom‐economical route for the synthesis of alkenylated pyridine derivatives. The reaction proceeded regio‐ and stereoselectively, affording a new family of alkenylated pyridine compounds which are otherwise difficult to synthesize. A cationic Sc‐η²‐pyridyl species was isolated and confirmed to be a key catalyst species in this transformation.     

Dimorpholinoacetylene and Its Use for the Synthesis of Tetraaminocyclobutadiene Species

The new diaminoacetylene (DAA) dimorpholinoacetylene ( 3 ) was prepared from 1,1-dimorpholinoethene ( 1 ) by bromination to form the dibromoketene aminal 2 , which upon lithiation afforded 3 through a Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell rearrangement. Heating 3 at elevated temperatures resulted in a complete conversion into the dimer 1,1,2,4-tetramorpholino-1-buten-3-yne ( 4 ), which was used for the synthesis of four-membered cyclic bent allene (CBA) transition-metal complexes of the type [(CBA)ML_n] ( 5 - 7 ; ML_n=AuCl, RhCl(COD), RhCl(CO)₂; CBA=1,3,4,4-tetramorpholino-1,2-cyclobutadiene; COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene). The reaction of 3 with tetraethylammonium bromide gave 1,2,3,4-tetramorpholinocyclobutenylium bromide ( 8 ), which reacted with bromine to form 1,2,3,4-tetra(morpholino)cyclobutenediylium bis(tribromide) ( 9 ). Compound 9 represents the first fully characterized compound containing a tetraaminocyclobutadiene dication and displays a nearly planar C₄N₄ core as shown by X-ray diffraction analysis. Detailed quantum chemical calculations were performed to assess the aromaticity of tetraaminocyclubutadiene dications by employing the Nucleus Independent Chemical Shift (NICS) method and current density analysis.     

Direct Synthesis of Chiral Allenoates from the Asymmetric CH Insertion of α‐Diazoesters into Terminal Alkynes

The asymmetric C? H insertion of α‐diazoesters into 1‐alkynes was achieved using chiral cationic guanidinium salts and copper(I) complexes. Optically active 2,4‐disubstituted allenoates were generated under mild reaction conditions from various α‐diazoesters and 1‐alkynes in high yield (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivity (up to 97:3 e.r.). Control experiments excluded the possibility of an asymmetric isomerization of alkynoates.     

Oxidative Allene Amination for the Synthesis of Azetidin‐3‐ones

Regioselectivity in the aziridination of silyl‐substituted homoallenic sulfamates is readily diverted to the distal double bond of the allene to yield endocyclic bicyclic methyleneaziridines with excellent stereocontrol. Subsequent reaction with electrophilic oxygen sources initiates facile rearrangement to densely functionalized, fused azetidin‐3‐ones in excellent d.r., effectively transferring the axial chirality of the allene to central chirality in the products. The steric nature of the silyl group dictates which of the two rings of the fused azetidin‐3‐one will undergo further functionalization, providing an additional element of diversity for the preparation of enantioenriched azetidine scaffolds with potential biological activity.     

Efficient Access to Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonanes: Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Silylative Cyclization of Cyclohexadienone‐Tethered Allenes

The creation of three consecutive chiral carbon centers in one step is achieved using Cu‐catalyzed asymmetric silylative cyclization of cyclohexadienone‐tethered allenes. Through regioselective β‐silylation of the allene and subsequent enantioselective 1,4‐addition to cyclohexadienone, this tandem reaction could afford cis‐hydrobenzofuran, cis‐hydroindole, and cis‐hydroindene frameworks with excellent yields (80–98 %) and enantioselectivities (94–98 % ee) bearing vinylsilane and enone substructures. Meanwhile, this mild transformation is generally compatible with a wide range of functional groups, which allows further conversion of the bicyclic products to bridged and tricyclic ring structures.