Reactions of Aromatic S‐ and O‐Enynes with Two Methyl Substituents on the Olefinic Unit Assisted by a Ruthenium Complex: Tandem Cyclization and Product Selectivity

Ruthenium‐assisted cyclizations of two enynes, HC≡CCH(OH)(C₆H₄)X? CH₂CH?CMe₂ (X=S ( 1a ), O ( 1b )), each of which contains two terminal methyl substituents on the olefinic parts, are explored. The reaction of 1a in CH₂Cl₂ gives the vinylidene complex 2a from the first cyclization and two side products, 3a and the carbene complex 4a with a benzothiophene ligand. The same reaction in the presence of HBF₄ affords 4a exclusively. Air oxidation of 4a in the presence of Et₃N readily gives an aldehyde product. In MeOH, tandem cyclizations of 1a generate a mixture of the benzothiochromene compound 10a and the carbene complex 7a also with a benzothiochromene ligand. First, cyclization of 1b likewise proceeds in CH₂Cl₂ to give 2b . Tandem cyclization of 1b in MeOH yields comparable products 10b and 7b with benzochromene moieties, yet with no other side product. The reaction of Ru]Cl with HC≡CCH(OH)(C₆H₄)S? CH₂CH?CH₂ ( 1c ), which contains no methyl substituent in the olefinic part, in MeOH gives the carbene complex 15c with an unsubstituted thiochromene by means of a C? S bond formation. Structures of 3a and 15c are confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The presence of methyl groups of enynes 1a and 1b promotes sequential cyclization reactions that involve C? C bond formation through carbocationic species.