Metal Complex Catalysis in the Synthesis of Spirocarbocycles

Metal-free tandem reaction synthesis of spiro-cyclopropyl fused pyrazolin-5-one derivatives

A highly efficient cascade annulation approach was developed for the synthesis of novel spiro-cyclopropyl fused pyrazolin-5-ones from pyrazole-3-ketone substrates and two-component sulfur ylides in an acidic environment.

Visible-Light-Induced Intermolecular Dearomative Cyclization of 2-Bromo-1,3-dicarbonyl Compounds and Alkynes: Synthesis of Spiro[4.5]deca-1,6,9-trien-8-ones

A visible-light-induced photocatalytic intermolecular dearomative cyclization of 2-bromo-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and alkynes afforded biologically important spirocarbocycle structures in moderate to good yields via a 5-exo-dig radical cyclization under mild reaction conditions. A 5.0 mmol scale dearomatization reaction proceeded smoothly with 95% yield even when the catalyst loading was reduced to 0.1 mol %, suggesting that this method was suitable for large-scale synthesis.

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Dearomatized C-H Activation and Annulation Reaction of Vinylnaphthols with Alkynes: Access to Spiro-Pentacyclic Naphthalenones

The ruthenium(II)-catalyzed annulation of vinylnaphthols and alkynes is described. The reaction proceeds through C-H activation, dearomatization, and alkyne insertion. This reaction affords spiro-pentacyclic naphthalenones that have biological significance in good yields.

Design and Synthesis of Polycycles, Heterocycles, and Macrocycles via Strategic Utilization of Ring-Closing Metathesis

In this perspective, we summarize new synthetic approaches for the construction of various polycyclic compounds involving ring-closing metathesis as a key step. In this regard, we used ring-closing metathesis in combination with other popular reactions like Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, Claisen rearrangement, Fischer indolization, Grignard addition, Diels-Alder reaction, and [2+2] cycloaddition reaction etc. To this end, a variety of functional molecules such as α-amino acids, cyclophanes, heterocycles, propellanes, spirocycles, and macrocycles have been prepared. The strategies developed and the molecules prepared here play a key role in designing new materials and also act as lead compounds in drug design. The strategies and tactics developed here are useful to design polycycles, macrocycles, and heterocycles of diverse ring systems.

Zirconocene-Mediated Selective C-C Bond Cleavage of Strained Carbocycles: Scope and Mechanism

Several approaches using organozirconocene species for the remote cleavage of strained three-membered ring carbocycles are described. ω-Ene polysubstituted cyclopropanes, alkylidenecyclopropanes, ω-ene spiro[2.2]pentanes, and ω-ene cyclopropyl methyl ethers were successfully transformed into stereodefined organometallic intermediates, allowing an easy access to highly stereoenriched acyclic scaffolds in good yields and, in most cases, excellent selectivities. DFT calculations and isotopic labeling experiments were performed to delineate the origin of the obtained chemo- and stereoselectivities, demonstrating the importance of microreversibility.

Catalytic Dearomative Spirocyclization via Gold Carbene Species Derived from Ynamides: Efficient Synthesis of 2-Azaspiro[4.5]decan-3-ones

An intramolecular catalytic dearomatization of phenols via gold carbene species proceeded to provide 2-azaspiro[4.5]decan-3-ones. The use of NHC ligand and water as a co-solvent was critical for achieving high reactivity. This reaction did not require hazardous diazo compounds as carbene sources and proceeded even under air. The obtained spirocyclic product could be readily transformed into a gabapentin derivative by hydrogenation and deprotection.

Palladium-catalyzed denitrogenative cycloadditions and alkenylations of benzotriazoles with alkynes

Palladium-catalyzed denitrogenative cycloadditions and alkenylations of benzotriazoles with alkynes have been achieved under different conditions, which enable the divergent syntheses of three types of valuable scaffolds.

Pd(ii)-Catalyzed [3 + 2] spiroannulation of α-aryl-β-naphthols with alkynes via a C–H activation/dearomatization approach

A Pd(ii)-catalyzed [3 + 2] spiroannulation of α-aryl-β-naphthols with internal alkynes has been developed by relying on a C–H activation/arene dearomatization approach.

Gold-catalyzed ring enlargement and cycloisomerization of alkynylamide tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes

A gold(i)-catalyzed ring enlargement and cycloisomerization of alkynylamide tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes has been developed, providing facile access to functionalized polycyclic and spiropolycyclic products based on the use of gold(i) catalysts.

Synthesis of Spirobidihydropyrazole through Double 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrilimines with Allenoates

The double 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of allenoates with nitrilimines has been achieved under mild reaction conditions, affording a variety of spirobidihydropyrazoles in moderate to excellent yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. The reaction diastereoselectively constructs double dihydropyrazole moieties and two chiral centers including a spiro carbon center.

Asymmetric Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Spirocycles via a Catalytic Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation Strategy

Rapid access to enantioenriched spirocycles possessing a 1,4-dicarbonyl moiety spanning an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic spirocenter was achieved using a masked bromomethyl vinyl ketone reagent. The developed protocol entails an enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction followed by a one-pot unmasking/RCM sequence that provides access to the spirocyclic compounds in good yields and selectivities.

Catalytic Annulation of Diethyl Methylenecyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate with 1,1-Dicyanoalkenes

The catalytic annulation of methylenecyclopropane 1 with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes 2 using a Mg-Sn catalytic system was developed. Selective formation of cyclopentylidenemalonates 3 and spiro[2,3]hexane-1,1-dicarboxylates 4 was accomplished via the choice of a proper solvent and an effective catalytic system.

Pd(0)-Catalyzed intramolecular arylative dearomatization of β-naphthols

An efficient Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular arylative dearomatization of β-naphthols was developed to afford a series of structurally diverse spirocarbocycles.

ipso-Cyclization: an emerging tool for multifunctional spirocyclohexadienones

Various ipso-annulation strategies to access diversely substituted spirocyclohexadienones and their applications have been presented.

Facile synthesis of novel spiroheterocycles via diastereoselective aziridination of cyclic enones

A highly diastereoselective aziridination of cyclic enones has been developed under mild conditions, giving an efficient access to a class of novel spiroaziridines which show promising antibacterial activity.

Intramolecular ipso-arylative cyclization of aryl-alkynoates and N-arylpropiolamides with aryldiazonium salts through merged gold/visible light photoredox catalysis

A visible-light-promoted merged gold/photoredox catalyzed ipso-arylative cyclization has been reported.

Highly Efficient Cascade Reaction for Selective Formation of Spirocyclobutenes from Dienallenes via Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Double Carbocyclization-Carbonylation-Alkynylation

A highly selective cascade reaction that allows the direct transformation of dienallenes to spirocyclobutenes (spiro[3.4]octenes) as single diastereoisomers has been developed. The reaction involves formation of overall four C–C bonds and proceeds via a palladium-catalyzed oxidative transformation with insertion of olefin, olefin, and carbon monoxide. Under slightly different reaction conditions, an additional CO insertion takes place to give spiro[4.4]nonenes with formation of overall five C–C bonds.

Visible light-induced intramolecular dearomative cyclization of α-bromo-N-benzyl-alkylamides: efficient construction of 2-azaspiro[4.5]decanes

An efficient intramolecular dearomative cyclization via visible light-induced photoredox catalysis allows for a highly regioselective dearomative cyclization of α-bromo-N-benzyl-alkylamides to construct 2-azaspiro[4.5]decanes in the presence of an iridium catalyst.

Aluminacyclopentanes in the synthesis of 3-substituted phospholanes and α,ω-bisphospholanes

An efficient one-pot process for the synthesis of 3-substituted phospholanes and α,ω-bisphospholanes was developed. The method involves the replacement of aluminium in aluminacyclopentanes, prepared in situ by catalytic cycloalumination of α-olefins and α,ω-diolefins, by phosphorus atoms on treatment with dichlorophosphines (R′PCl₂). Hydrogen peroxide oxidation and treatment with S₈ of the synthesized phospholanes and α,ω-bisphospholanes afforded the corresponding 3-alkyl(aryl)-1-alkyl(phenyl)phospholane 1-oxides, 3-alkyl(aryl)-1-alkyl(phenyl)phospholane 1-sulfides, bisphospholane 1,1'-dioxides, and bisphospholane 1,1'-disulfides in nearly quantitative yields. The complexes LMo(CO)₅ (L = 3-hexyl-1-phenylphospholane, 3-benzyl-1-methylphospholane, 1,2-bis(1-phenylphospholan-3-yl)ethane, and 1,6-bis(1-phenylphospholan-3-yl)hexane were prepared by the reaction of 3-substituted phospholanes and α,ω-bisphospholanes with molybdenum hexacarbonyl. The structure of the complexes was proved by multinuclear ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P spectroscopy.

Multicomponent Dipolar Cycloaddition Strategy: Combinatorial Synthesis of Novel Spiro-Tethered Pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline Hybrid Heterocycles

The stereoselective syntheses of a library of novel spiro-tethered pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline-pyrrolidine/pyrrolothiazole/indolizine-oxindole/acenaphthene hybrid heterocycles have been achieved through the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ from α-amino acids and 1,2-diketones to dipolarophiles derived from pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives.

Construction of spirocarbocycles via gold-catalyzed intramolecular dearomatization of naphthols

A highly efficient, gold-catalyzed intramolecular dearomatization reaction of naphthols via 5-endo-dig cyclization is described. This facile and direct approach furnishes spirocarbocycles in excellent yields under mild conditions.

Catalytic cyclometallation in steroid chemistry IV: Efficient method for the synthesis of tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydroselenophen and cyclopentanone derivatives of (5α)-cholestane

Catalytic cycloalumination of (3β,5α)-3-vinylcholestane and (3α,5α)-3-allylcholestane with Et3Al catalyzed by Cp2ZrCl2 was performed for the first time to give previously unknown aluminacyclopentanes in ∼90% yield; these products were converted in situ to carbo- and heterocyclic (5α)-cholestane derivatives.

Combinatorial synthesis of spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrole] derivatives via a three-component reaction under catalyst-free conditions

Reported here is a convenient catalyst-free method for preparing a series of spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrroles] from a three-component reaction of isatins, α-amino acid and phenylpropiolic acid esters in refluxing isopropanol with high regioselectivity and yields.