Intramolecular photocycloaddition of cyclic thioimides as a method for heterocyclic synthesis

Cyclic thioimides undergo photocycloaddition with tethered pi-bonds in a regiospecific manner to afford spirocyclic amidothietanes. These highly strained multicycles undergo a subsequent ring opening reaction to furnish novel fused pyrrolizinones.     

Catalytic Decomposition of Diazo Compounds as a Method for Generating Carbonyl‐Ylide Dipoles

The transition metal catalyzed reaction of α‐diazo carbonyl compounds has found numerous applications in organic synthesis, and its use in either heterocyclic or carbocyclic ring formation is well‐precedented. In contrast to other catalysts that are suitable for carbenoid reactions of diazo compounds, those constructed with the dirhodium(II) framework are most amenable to ligand modification that, in turn, can influence reaction selectivity. The reaction of rhodium carbenoids with carbonyl groups represents a very efficient method for generating carbonyl ylide dipoles. Rhodium‐mediated carbenoid–carbonyl cyclization reactions have been extensively utilized as a powerful method for the construction of a variety of novel polycyclic ring systems. This article will emphasize some of the more recent synthetic applications of the tandem cyclization/cycloaddition cascade for natural product synthesis. Discussion centers on the chemical behavior of the rhodium metal–carbenoid complex that is often affected by the nature of the ligand groups attached to the metal center.     

Phenylsulfonyl ene-allenes as efficient precursors to bicyclic systems via intramolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions

Various phenylsulfonyl allene derivatives were prepared with double bonds tethered either to the alpha-position or the gamma-position of the allene. These substrates underwent a highly regio- and stereospecific thermal [2 + 2]-cycloaddition across the nonactivated cumulene double bond, forming distal cycloadducts (i.e., 57) in the case of alpha-tethered allenes and proximal adducts (i.e., 25) in the case of gamma-tethered allenes. The mechanistic rationale for the observed stereospecificity involves initial diradical formation, followed by a rapid ring closure to the more stable cis-fused ring system. The tether may be equipped with heteroatoms, allowing for the formation of fused heterocycles (e.g., 61), and the cycloaddition can be facilitated by the introduction of sterically bulky groups and/or by conformational rigidity to the tether. Other modes of cyclization were observed in the presence of sodium benzenesulfinate or Lewis acids, in which cases polar mechanisms prevail. The chemoselectivity is reversed for [4 + 2]-cycloadditions, which prefer instead to engage the vinyl sulfone moiety, independent of whether the tether is attached to the alpha- or gamma-position of the allene.     

A new method for the preparation of 2-thio substituted furans by methylsulfanylation of gamma-dithiane carbonyl compounds

Several related methods for the preparation of differentially substituted 2-thiofurans are described. The general procedure involves the formation of a thionium ion from a gamma-dithianyl substituted carbonyl compound followed by cyclization of this reactive intermediate onto the tethered carbonyl group. Two methods for thionium ion generation were explored. One of these involved an acid-catalyzed reaction of beta-ketenedithioacetals, prepared from the condensation of 2,2-bis(methylsulfanyl)acetaldehyde with a variety of ketones. Cyclization followed by loss of methane thiol gave 2-thiofurans 17, 18 and 23, 24 in 70-90% yield. Attempts to prepare 5-heteroatom substituted 2-thiofurans from the corresponding beta-ketenedithioacetal amides or esters were unsuccessful, leading to 1,2-thio rearranged products. A more successful route involved the reaction of beta-acetoxy-gamma-thianyl carbonyl compounds with dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate (DMTSF). Treatment of the dithiane with this reagent resulted in the smooth generation of a thionium ion. Cyclization followed by loss of acetic acid afforded thiofurans 17, 18, 23, 47-49, 51, and 61-64 in 40-100% yield. The N-butenyl substituted thioamido furan furnished a rearranged hexahydropyrroloquinolin-2-one in high yield when heated at 110 degrees C.     

A novel sequential aminodiene Diels-Alder strategy for the rapid construction of substituted analogues of Kornfeld's ketone

Through a novel sequence of aminodiene Diels-Alder reactions, amidofurans 18a-c were converted to tricyclic ketones 21a-c in moderate to good yields. Ketone 21a could be converted to Uhlé's ketone (6) by cleaving the tert-butyl carbamate and oxidatively removing the methyl ester. Tricycle 21a readily underwent bromination to give 22. Formation of the corresponding enol triflate 25 followed by carbonylation gave ester 27, which was then coupled with N-methyl propriolamide to furnish 26. [reaction: see text]     

Methylsulfenylation of thioacetals as a method for synthesizing 2-thio-substituted furans

[formula: see text] The dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate induced cyclization of various bis(methylsulfanyl) carbonyl compounds is described. The reaction proceeds by methylthiolation of the thioacetal group to give a thionium ion which undergoes subsequent cyclization with the neighboring carbonyl group. This is followed by an elimination reaction to furnish the furan ring.     

Efficient construction of the oxatricyclo[6.3.1.0(0,0)]dodecane core of komaroviquinone using a cyclization/cycloaddition cascade of a rhodium carbenoid intermediate

The rhodium(II)-catalyzed cyclization/cycloaddition cascade of a o-carbomethoxyaryl diazo dione is described as a potential route to the oxatricyclo[6.3.1.0(0,0)]dodecane substructure of the icetexane diterpene komaroviquinone. The initially formed carbonyl ylide dipole prefers to cyclize to an epoxide at 25 degrees C but can be induced to undergo cycloaddition across the tethered pi-bond at higher temperatures. [reaction: see text]     

Several convenient methods for the synthesis of 2-amido substituted furans

Several new methods for the synthesis of differently substituted 2-amidofurans are described. The thermolysis of furan-2-carbonyl azide results in a Curtius rearrangement and the resulting furanyl isocyanate was trapped with various organometallic reagents. A second method consists of a C-N cross-coupling reaction of a bromo-substituted furan with various amides, carbamates, and lactams. The CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between furanyl bromides and amides furnished 2- and 3-substituted amidofurans in 45-95% yield. The third protocol used involves the reaction of cyclic carbinol amides with triflic anhydride. The reaction proceeds under very mild conditions to provide alpha-(trifluoromethyl)sulfonamido-substituted furans in high yield. The resulting iminium ion derived from the reaction of the hydroxy pyrrolidinone with Tf(2)O undergoes a facile ring opening as a consequence of the adjacent hydroxyl group to produce an imino triflate intermediate. Subsequent cyclization of this highly electrophilic imine with the oxygen atom of the adjacent carbonyl group leads to an imino dihydrofuran that reacts further with another equivalent of Tf(2)O to give the observed product.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-jamtine using a thionium/N-acyliminium ion cascade

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of (+/-)-jamtine (4), a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid reputed for its therapeutic properties, is described. The key step involves a tandem thionium/N-acyliminium ion cyclization from enamido sulfoxide 13. The cascade process takes place with high diastereoselectivity and in excellent yield.     

Cycloaddition chemistry of 2-vinyl-substituted indoles and related heteroaromatic systems

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction (IMDAF) of several N-phenylsulfonylindolyl-substituted furanyl carbamates containing a tethered pi-bond on the indole ring were examined as an approach to the iboga alkaloid catharanthine. Only in the case where the tethered pi-bond contained two carbomethoxy groups did the [4 + 2]-cycloaddition occur. Push-pull dipoles generated from the Rh(II)-catalyzed reaction of diazo imides, on the other hand, undergo successful intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition across both alkenyl and heteroaromatic pi-bonds to provide novel pentacyclic compounds in good yield and in a stereocontrolled fashion. The facility of the cycloaddition was found to be critically dependent on conformational factors in the transition state. Ligand substitution in the rhodium(II) catalyst markedly altered the product ratio between [3 + 2]-cycloaddition and intramolecular C-H insertion. The variation in reactivity reflects the difference in electrophilicity between the various rhodium carbenoid intermediates. Intramolecular C-H insertion is enhanced with the more electrophilic carbene generated using Rh(II) perfluorobutyrate.