Four-component Pd-catalysed cascade/ring closing metathesis. Synthesis of heterocyclic enones

A palladium-catalysed four-component process is described involving carbon monoxide, allene and aryl/heteroaryl iodides generating (π-allyl) palladium species, which are intercepted by alkene tethered nitrogen nucleophiles to afford 1,6- and 1,7-dienones. Subsequent ring closing metathesis affords five- and six-membered N-heterocyclic enones. The N-heterocyclic enones are active dipolarophiles in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions as exemplified by azomethine ylide and nitrone cycloadditions.     

Sequential Pd/Ru-catalysed allenylation/olefin metathesis/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition route to novel heterocycles

A novel sequential palladium/ruthenium-catalysed four component process is described involving carbonylation of an aryl/heteroaryl iodide followed by allenylation to generate (π-allyl) palladium species which are intercepted by nitrogen nucleophiles to afford 1,6-dienes. Subsequent Ring-Closing Metathesis (RCM) affords C-acyl-N-heterocycles in good yield. These heterocycles proved to be active dipolarophiles in sequential and cascade 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions (1,3-DC) as exemplified by reactions with nitrones and azomethine ylides.     

X=Y-ZH Systems as potential 1,3-dipoles : Part 13. Prototropic generation of azomethine imines from hydrazones

Hydrazones of aldehydes and ketones undergo intermolecular cycloaddition to electronegative olefins via azomethine imines, formed by a formal 1,2-prototropic shift, in low to moderate yield on heating in xylene or ethanol. In some instances the reaction is diverted to give products derived (at least formally) from an ene reaction. Similar intramolecular cycloadditions occur with unactivated terminal alkenes and alkynes.     

Three-component Heck–Diels–Alder cascade processes involving alkylallenes, aryl iodides and dienophiles

A wide variety of aryl/heteroaryl iodides undergo an intermolecular Heck reaction with alkylallenes to furnish 1,3-dienes. These subsequently react in situ with various dienophiles to give Diels–Alder adducts. The chemistry has been extended to incorporate cyclisation-anion capture methodology and the stereochemistry of the products has been determined.     

Iridium catalyzed alkylation of 2′-hydroxyacetophenone with alcohols under thermal or microwave conditions

2′-Hydroxyacetophenone was alkylated with a range of substituted benzyl and heteroaryl alcohols to afford the corresponding C-alkylated products in good yields under microwave irradiation. The C-alkylated products were reacted with bromoacetonitrile to afford 2-amino-3-benzyl 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives in moderate yields.     

Synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles via a palladium-catalysed allene insertion-nucleophile incorporation-Michael addition cascade

A novel palladium catalysed three-component cascade process is described involving allenylation of an aryl iodide to generate a (π-allyl)palladium species which is intercepted by a carbon or nitrogen nucleophile followed by intramolecular Michael addition to afford carbo- and heterocycles in good yield.     

Three-component bimetallic (Pd/In) mediated cascade allylation of C=X functionality: Part 1. Scope and Class 1 examples with aldehydes and ketones

A new general three-component Pd/In bimetallic cascade reaction with four synthetic variants involving aryl iodides, allenes and C=X compounds affording homoallylic alcohols/amines as products is described and exemplified for Class 1 processes (intermolecular Pd-intermolecular In steps). Remarkable increases in yield and reaction rates were observed in the presence of amine additives. Excellent diastereoselection is exhibited when 2-hydroxycyclohexanone is employed, and semi-empirical and ab initio calculations are used to rationalise the observed syn:anti diastereoselectivity.     

X=Y-ZH Systems as Potential 1,3-Dipoles. Part 45. Proton Sponge Effects on the 1,2-Prototropic Formation of Azomethine Ylides from Arylidene Benzylamines

A strong rate enhancing effect of an ortho-methoxy or an ortho-dimethylamino group on the 1,2-prototropic generation of azomethine ylides from arylidene arylmethylamines is demonstrated. In the absence of such functionality azomethine ylide formation fails to occur in boiling xylene. The reactions generate the E,E- or syn-azomethine ylide stereoselectively if a single ortho- OMe or -NMe₂ group is present or stereospecifically if either bifurcated H-bonding or push-pull stabilisation of the dipole is possible. Cycloadducts with N-phenylmaleimide are obtained in 78–95% yield.     

Iridium catalysed chemoselective alkylation of 2'-aminoacetophenone with primary benzyl type alcohols under microwave conditions

2'-Aminoacetophenone was chemoselectively alkylated with a range of substituted benzyl, heteroaryl alcohols to afford either the corresponding C- or N- alkylated products in good yield.