A theoretical study of the influence of BF3 on the reaction path of the [4+2] cycloaddition of vinylketene with formaldimine

A comprehensive B3LYP/6-31+G^∗ study of the influence of BF₃ on the [4+2] cycloaddition of vinylketene with formaldimine was conducted. For this purpose, the complete pathway was determined and changes in different magnetic properties (magnetic susceptibility, χ, magnetic susceptibility anisotropy, χ_anis, and the nucleus-independent chemical shifts, NICS) were monitored along the reaction profile with a view to estimate the aromatization associated to the process. We have also applied the ACID (anisotropy of the current-induced density) method with the same intention.     

The Variety of Thermal Pericyclic Reactions

The six-electron thermal pericyclic reactions are examined systematically as to the number and kind which are possible by varying both the σ shell and the combinations of different atoms in all orientations, on both a six-atom and a five-atom framework. A simple unifying nomenclature is offered for these reactions, which number in the thousands. Further, in order to comprehend this very large number of possible reactions, they are also organized systematically in terms of their value for basic synthesis operations: construction, elimination, refunctionalization, etc. The methodology is aimed at providing a basis of selection for the invention of useful new reactions. A discussion of reaction energetics leads also to an analysis of molecular features which can facilitate reaction.     

Synthesis of the novel conjugated ω,ω′-diaryl/heteroaryl hexatriene system with the central double bond in a heteroaromatic ring: photochemical transformations of 2,3-divinylfuran derivatives

New β,β′-aryl/heteroaryl 2,3-divinylfuran derivatives (9a-d) in which a hexatriene system is a part of heteroaromatic ring have been synthesized and their photochemical properties were investigated. The primary process observed was the isomerization to trans,trans-isomers 9a-d followed by photochemical rearrangement of the furan ring giving the phototransposition products (I-IV). Stilbenes (20, 21) and phenanthrenes (22, 25, and 26), formed as secondary products from the competitive intermolecular cycloadditions, were also observed.     

Mechanistic Investigation of the Ring Opening in the Staudinger Cycloaddition Involving Ketenes with Electron‐Withdrawing Substituents

The cycloaddition of ketenes and imines (Staudinger cycloaddition) is a general method for the synthesis of various β‐lactams. However, reactions of imines and ketenes with electron‐withdrawing substituents produce α,β‐unsaturated alkenamides, ring‐opening products of the intermediates generated from imines and the ketenes, even as sole products, besides the desired β‐lactams. The mechanism of the formation of α,β‐unsaturated alkenamides was investigated. The results indicate that the α,β‐unsaturated alkenamides are generated via a base‐induced C?C bond isomerization followed by electrocyclic ring opening of the formed azacyclobutenes (=1,2‐dihydroazetes; cf. Scheme 3).     

Aromaticity and Pericyclic Reactions

Pericyclic reactions formally resemble the conversion of one Kekulé structure into another; the transition state may be “aromatic”, “nonaromatic”, or “antiaromatic”. Thermally induced pericyclic reactions proceed preferentially via aromatic transition states whereas their photochemical counterparts lead to products that are formed via antiaromatic transition states.     

Thermal and Photochemical Transformations of Hetero-1,3,5-hexatrienes into Five-Membered Rings—Possible Pericyclic Reactions

Heterosubstituted 1,3,5-hexatrienes undergo thermal and photochemical cyclizations, most of which can be viewed as pericyclic reactions. Numerous cyclizations of this type have been reported in the literature. This article presents a systematic account of such reactions, classified according to the number and nature of the heteroatoms.     

Intramolecular inverse electron-demand [4+2] cycloadditions of ynamidyl-tethered pyrimidines: Comparative studies in trifluorotoluene and sulfolane

Three representative 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[b]pyridin-4-amines were synthesized using an intramolecular inverse electron demand hetero–Diels–Alder/retro–Diels–Alder sequence between pyrimidines (acting as azadienes) and ynamides (acting as dienophiles). Two solvents of this reaction, sulfolane and trifluorotoluene, were compared at 210 °C and the former consistently led to higher yields. In addition, these studies confirmed the importance of the steric bulk of the C5-position of the pyrimidinyl cycloaddition precursor.     

DABCO-triggered mild cascade reaction of electron-deficient cyclopentadienone: facile and efficient synthesis of condensed carbocycles

2,5-Bis(methoxycarbonyl)-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienone (1) reacts with 4-phenylbut-3-yn-2-one (2b) in the presence of DABCO to give the bicyclic carbocycles (6b) and the tetracyclic carbocycle (7b) under extremely mild reaction conditions.