Organocatalytic asymmetric fulvene formation

The first catalytic asymmetric formation of a fulvene from a racemic α,α-disubstituted aldehyde has been developed. Dynamic kinetic resolution of rac-2-phenylpropanal by a simple, modularly designed supramolecular organocatalyst consisting of inexpensive components has been established, producing the desired fulvene in good yields and moderate enantioselectivities. Herein we propose a mechanistic interpretation of the observed solvent- and additive-induced stereoselectivity reversal.     

An efficient catalytic method for fulvene synthesis

The effects of the nature and amount of base, substrate structure, amount of added water and solvent on the condensation of carbonyl compounds with cyclopentadiene in the presence of secondary amines were investigated. Based on these studies, a new efficient and green synthesis of fulvenes was developed.     

Synthesis, structure, and electronic study of some group VII furoyl substituted complexes

The reaction of fulvene 1 with TlOEt in THF affords [Tl{1,2-C₅H₃(COC₄H₃O)₂}] (2) in 60% yield. Treatment of 2 with [MBr(CO)₅] (M = Mn, Re) in benzene reflux gave [Mn{η⁵-1,2-C₅H₃(COC₄H₃O)₂}(CO)₃] (3A) and [Re{η⁵-1,2-C₅H₃(COC₄H₃O)₂}(CO)₃] (3B) in 61% and 66% yields, respectively. Diacyl complexes 3A and 3B were ring-closed to the pyridazine by treating with hydrazine hydrate in methanol at room temperature. Fulvene 1 and diacyl complexes 3A and 3B have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Additionally, the electronic structure of complexes 3A and 3B and their relaxed structures have been characterized with density functional calculations. Calculated vibrational frequencies are compared with the experimental characterizations.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclodehydration Enabled by the Triisopropylsilyl Group: A Synthetically Versatile Methodology

Introduction of a triisopropylsilyl group into allyl and allenyl carbinols greatly enhances the efficiency of gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclodehydration, which can provide rapid access to a library of various compounds including 1H‐indenes (Table 2 and Scheme 5), benzofulvenes (Table 3), indan‐2‐ones (Scheme 2), fulvenes (Table 4), cyclopentadienes (Table 4), 5H‐dibenzo[a,c][7]annulenes (Scheme 6) and dibenzosuberones (Scheme 6). The developed method enables unprecedented product generality for several classes of cyclodehydration reactions, which is particularly notable for the preparation of 1H‐indenes. The first synthesis of non‐benzo‐fused fulvenes via cyclodehydration of allenyl vinyl carbinols could be accomplished. The protocol is remarkable for mild conditions, operational convenience, and easy access to starting materials.     

Synthesis of cis,cis,cis-1-alkylidene-2,3,4,5-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentanes

A new strategy to prepare tetradentate or pentadentate diphenylphosphine ligands has been explored from Diels-Alder adducts of fulvenes and maleic anhydride. A tetradentate phosphine ligand, bearing a side chain allowing the formation of a bond with polystyrene resin, has been prepared in seven steps from cyclopentadiene. The cis,cis,cis-1-cyclohexylidene-2,3,4,5-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane (Cyclo-Tedicyp) in combination with [PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ led to an efficient catalyst for the Heck, Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions.     

Toward a Formyl-to-Phenyl Conversion: An Unexpected Photochemical Fulvene Rearrangement

Toward a conversion of aldehydes into arenes, we designed a sequence involving the initial reaction of an aldehyde to give a fulvene, followed by photochemical and platinum-catalyzed rearrangements into a Dewar benzene derivative, which finally isomerizes into the targeted arene. While computational studies support the plausibility of this route, we found that fulvene irradiation resulted in an unexpected isomerization into a spiro[2.4]heptadiene. This unusual photorearrangement has been investigated mechanistically and provides access to a variety of spiro[2.4]heptadienes with different substituents.     

Quantification of the (anti)aromaticity of fulvenes subject to ring size

Tria-, penta-, hepta- and nonafulvenes (1-4) have been studied theoretically at the MP2 ab initio level of theory. For the global minimum structures, the occupation of the bonding π_CC orbital of the exocyclic CC double bond, obtained by NBO analysis, quantitatively proves π-electron delocalization which can reveal partial 2-, 6- and 10-π-electron aromaticity, and 4-, 8- and 12-π-electron antiaromaticity of the ring moieties. Beside the corresponding occupation number, this conjugation was quantified by the length of the exocyclic CC double bond whilst the (anti)aromaticity of the ring moieties of 1-4 was visualized and quantified by through space NMR shielding surfaces (TSNMRS).     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Structure of Some New Substituted 5,6-Fused Ring Pyridazines

Pyridazines are an important class of heterocyclic compounds as a result of their materials and commercial applications. The synthesis of 5,6-fused ring pyridazines 2a–h from 1,2-diacylcyclopentadienes (fulvenes) 1a–h is described herein. This route was quite general, and features an efficient and convenient two-step synthesis of a series of 5,6-fused ring 1,2-disubstituted pyridazines using enolized 1,2-disubstituted fulvenes in a methanolic solution of hydrazine. Full characterization of newly formed fulvene 1e and pyridazines 2a–h are reported. Single-crystal X-ray analysis confirms the molecular structure of pyridazine 2f, which displayed the expected pyridazine fused to the cyclopentadienyl moiety. Adding to their real world capabilities in electronic devices, compounds 2a–h display reasonably high stability in solution and in air at room temperature.

Low‐Temperature Olefin Syntheses in View of Parent Fulvenes and Fulvalenes

Parent fulvenes and fulvalenes are thermally unstable cross‐conjugated olefins for which low‐temperature syntheses are indispensable. In this review 5 syntheses (in the temperature range between ?100 and ?10°) are discussed: 1. Reaction of sodium cyclopentadienide with 1‐acetoxy‐1‐chloroalkanes or 1‐acetoxy‐1‐bromoalkanes ( 26 ) gives acetoxy‐alkyl‐cyclopentadienes ( 27 ) which are easily converted to pentafulvenes ( 2 ) by low‐temperature HOAc‐elimination with NEt₃. This synthesis has been applied to parent pentafulvene ( 2a ), heptafulvene ( 3a ), nonafulvene ( 4a ) and sesquifulvalene ( 19a ) (Schemes 8–11). 2. Based on a nearly quantitative oxidative coupling of cyclononatetraenide ( 8 ) to give dihydrononafulvalene ( 38 ) (Scheme 10), a general synthetic plan for fulvalenes has been outlined (Scheme 11) and applied to the synthesis of pentafulvalene ( 12 ), nonapentafulvalene ( 16 ) and nonafulvalene ( 14 ). Several applications of oxidative couplings of Hückel anions are discussed (Schemes 20 and 21). 3. Trifunctional cyclopropanes 67 (in most cases 1,1‐dibromo‐2‐X‐cyclopropanes) are attractive precursors of parent triafulvene ( 1a ) and calicene ( 17 ) (Scheme 18). Contrary to classical procedures they are transformed into nucleophiles ( 67 → 68 ) by halogen‐lithium exchange, methylation ( 68 → 69 ) and HBr‐elimination to give 1‐methylidene‐2‐X‐cyclopropanes of type 71 . By subsequent HX‐elimination triafulvene ( 1a ) has been synthesized and trapped as a [4+2]‐cycloadduct 73 (Scheme 20). Furthermore, calicene precursors 77 are available by using cyclopentenone as an electrophilic cyclopentadiene equivalent. 4. Similarly, 1‐lithio‐1‐bromo‐2‐X‐cyclopropanes 68 are directly transformed into triafulvalene precursors 81 (Scheme 26) by a novel CuCl₂‐catalyzed oxidative coupling. 5. In view of the synthesis of parent triafulvene ( 1a ), triafulvalene ( 11 ) and calicene ( 17 ), retro‐Diels? Alder reactions of stable precursors – prepared by low‐temperature reactions (described in chapters 3 and 4 ) – have been explored.     

Demonstration of the facile reversibility of fulvene formation

Cleavage of fulvenes under mild conditions and interchange between electron-deficient fulvenes and their constituent cyclopentadienes and imines is demonstrated for the first time. A series of cyclopentadienes and imines are investigated to probe the dependence of fulvene equilibration on structure. The exchange of one fulvene for another is demonstrated in the first reported example of transfulvenation. Finally, the metathesis of two fulvenes to generate all four possible cross products is shown.