Strategic use of pinacol-terminated Prins cyclizations in target-oriented total synthesis

Rhenium(VII) catalysis of Prins cyclization reactions

The rhenium(VII) complex O3ReOSiPh3 is a particularly effective catalyst for Prins cyclizations using aromatic and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. The reaction conditions are mild, and the highly substituted 4-hydroxytetrahydropyran products are formed stereoselectively. Rhenium(VII) complexes appear to spontaneously form esters with alcohols and to directly activate electron-rich alcohols for solvolysis. Re2O7 and perrhenic acid are equally effective in catalyzing these cyclizations.

1,2-Alkyl migration as a key element in the invention of cascade reactions catalyzed by pi-acids

This brief overview highlights recent progress in the field of cascade reactions that are initiated by the activation of a pi-system using platinum and gold catalysts and that are coupled with a 1,2-alkyl migration step. While the reactions discussed aim to rapidly evolve molecular complexity, they are experimentally straightforward and easy to perform. Primarily guided by the type of 1,2-alkyl migration, methods are categorized as shifts to metal carbenoid centers and pinacol-type rearrangements.

Lewis Acid-Promoted Mukaiyama Aldol-Prins (MAP) Cyclizations of Acetals, Ketals, α-Acetoxy Ethers, and Orthoformates

The Mukaiyama aldol-Prins (MAP) cyclization of acetals stereoselectively provided substituted tetrahydropyrans. The scope of the reaction has been expanded to include other electrophiles, including ketals and α-acetoxy ethers. Finally, a double MAP cyclization with orthoformates is described.

Diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrofurans via mead reductive cyclization of keto-beta-lactones derived from the tandem Mukaiyama aldol lactonization (TMAL) process

The development of a diastereoselective, three-step strategy for the construction of substituted tetrahydrofurans from alkenyl aldehydes based on the tandem Mukaiyama aldol-lactonization process and Mead reductive cyclization of keto beta-lactones is reported. Stereochemical outcomes of the TMAL process are consistent with models established for Lewis acid-mediated additions to alpha-benzyloxy and beta-silyloxy aldehydes while reductions of the five-membered oxocarbenium ions are consistent with Woerpel's models. Further rationalization for observed high diastereoselectivity in reductions of alpha-silyloxy 5-membered oxocarbenium ions based on stereoelectronic effects are posited. A diagnostic trend for coupling constants of gamma-benzyloxy beta-lactones was observed that should enable assignment of the relative configuration of these systems.

Synthesis of the indene, THF, and pyrrolidine skeletons by Lewis acid mediated cycloaddition of methylenecyclopropanes with aldehydes, N-tosyl aldimines, and acetals

Methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs 1) react with aldehydes, N-tosyl aldimines, and acetals to give the corresponding indene, THF, and pyrrolidine cycloaddition products in the presence of BF3 x OEt2 under mild reaction conditions. Some special transformations of MCPs 1 with aldehydes have been reported in this paper. A plausible reaction mechanism has been discussed, which is based on a deuterium-labeling experiment and the Prins-type reaction mechanism.

Theoretical study of the role of solvent H2O in neopentyl and pinacol rearrangements

The neopentyl and the pinacol rearrangements as examples of Wagner-Meerwein rearrangements were investigated by the use of DFT calculations. As the first reaction, a model of neopentyl chloride (1b) and (H2O)12 was employed. In the reaction, the patterns of C--Cl scission, methyl migration, and C--OH formation were analyzed. The calculations have shown that the 2-methyl-2-butanol (6) is formed in two steps with the transient intermediate, neopentyl alcohol (3). The first step is the nucleophilic substitution reaction and is the rate-determining one. The second step is the dual migration of methyl and OH2 groups. The primary and tertiary carbocations were calculated to be absent in the neopentyl rearrangement starting from the hydrolysis. As the second reaction, the pinacol rearrangement of two substrates 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol (7) and 2,3-diphenyl-2,3-butanediol (12) was investigated. Acidic aqueous solvent was modeled by H3O+ and 12H2O. The reaction paths were promoted by a hydrogen-bond circuit of H3O+(H2O)2 and were determined as completely concerted processes. Protonated species and carbocations as intermediates also do not intervene during the pinacol rearrangement. Active functions of proton relays along the hydrogen bonds in the two rearrangements were demonstrated.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cyclization of 1,ω-Dienols: Multiple Ways to Intramolecularly Trap a Carbocation

The tandem catalytic cyclization-rearrangement of 1,omega-dien-3-ols by palladium(II) produces different types of products, depending on the structure of starting material. The pinacol rearrangement, benzannulation, and oxy-Cope rearrangement are major pathways of transforming the putative sigma-alkylpalladium carbocation. Turnover of the cyclization is achieved by beta-hydride elimination and reoxidation of palladium with benzoquinone. The overall course of the reaction is very sensitive to small changes in the substrate structure.

Solvolysis of a tetrahydropyranyl mesylate: mechanistic implications for the Prins cyclization, 2-oxonia-cope rearrangement, and Grob fragmentation

[reaction: see text] A solvolysis reaction is used to demonstrate that a tetrahydropyranyl cation is a common intermediate for Prins cyclizations, 2-oxonia-Cope rearrangements, and Grob fragmentations of tetrahydropyran rings.

Syn- and anti-selective Prins cyclizations of delta,epsilon-unsaturated ketones to 1,3-halohydrins with Lewis acids

Ten acyclic and monocyclic delta,epsilon-unsaturated ketones, with and without methyl substituents on the double bond, underwent halide-terminated Prins (halo-Prins) cyclizations under anhydrous conditions in the presence of Lewis acids. TiCl4, TiBr4, BCl3, and BBr3 promoted syn-selective cyclizations to sterically congested chloro- and bromohydrins, while SnCl4, SnBr4, InCl3, ZrCl4, and several other Lewis acids effected highly anti-selective reactions to furnish the corresponding trans halohydrins. The stronger Lewis acids (TiX4 and BX3) favor the syn process that involves axial delivery of a halide ligand. Competition experiments showed that substitution at the delta carbon (methallyl enones) led to increased rates (40-50-fold), while substitution at the epsilon position (cis and trans crotyl enones) retarded the rate and eroded the selectivity of the cyclizations. The trends in syn vs anti selectivity, reactivity, and effects of different Lewis acidic metal halides are rationalized by competitive reaction pathways proceeding through syn carbocation-halide ion pairs and a higher order transition state that leads to inversion of configuration and formation of trans halohydrins, along with cyclic olefins arising from proton elimination.

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective 1,3-dimethylallylation of aldehydes

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective pentenylation of aldehydes is described. The homoallylic alcohol derived from 1,3-dimethylallylation of (-)-menthone undergoes an efficient allyl-transfer reaction with a wide range of aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of an acid catalyst to give rise to the corresponding 4-methyl-2(E)-penten-4-yl-5-ol products in good yields with high enantio- and 4,5-syn-selectivities.

Cascade Reactions in Total Synthesis

The design and implementation of cascade reactions is a challenging facet of organic chemistry, yet one that can impart striking novelty, elegance, and efficiency to synthetic strategies. The application of cascade reactions to natural products synthesis represents a particularly demanding task, but the results can be both stunning and instructive. This Review highlights selected examples of cascade reactions in total synthesis, with particular emphasis on recent applications therein. The examples discussed herein illustrate the power of these processes in the construction of complex molecules and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Racemization in Prins cyclization reactions

Isotopic labeling experiments were performed to elucidate a new mechanism for racemization in Prins cyclization reactions. The loss in optical activity for these reactions was shown to occur by 2-oxonia-Cope rearrangements by way of a (Z)-oxocarbenium ion intermediate. Reaction conditions such as solvent, temperature, and the nucleophile employed played a critical role in whether an erosion in enantiomeric excess was observed. Additionally, certain structural features of Prins cyclization precursors were also shown to be important for preserving optical purity in these reactions.

Rapid stereocontrolled assembly of the fully substituted C-aryl glycoside of kendomycin with a Prins cyclization: a formal synthesis

Prins cyclization using an electron-rich benzaldehyde and a homoallylic alcohol efficiently delivered the fully substituted C-aryl tetrahydropyranoside of kendomycin.

Investigations into the role of ion pairing in reactions of heteroatom-substituted cyclic oxocarbenium ions

[reaction: see text] The O-to-C rearrangement of vinyl acetals is used to demonstrate that tight ion pairing is not involved in the stereoselective nucleophilic addition reactions of alkoxy-substituted cyclic oxocarbenium ions.

IPy2BF4-Mediated Rearrangements of 1,2-Difunctionalized Compounds and Olefins

Acetal derivatives are easily obtained from 1,2-difunctionalized compounds by a new reaction mediated by IPy2BF4 with a mechanism based on a 1,2-migration of aryl or alkyl groups. A new oxidative rearrangement reaction of olefins is also described. Moreover, when this metal-free protocol is applied to cyclic olefins, interesting ring-contraction reactions are observed. The new methodologies described here are a clean and efficient alternative to known strategies that make use of potentially toxic metallic complexes.

Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 2,5-Disubstituted 3-Vinylidene Tetetrahydrofurans via Prins-Type Cyclization

[reaction: see text]. A novel synthetic methodology for 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans having an allenyl group at the 3-position via Prins-type cyclization was developed. The reaction led to excellent selectivity and moderate to high yields.