The Dehydro-Diels−Alder Reaction

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of terminal alkynes with ene-yne-ketones: access to conjugated enynes via metal carbene migratory insertion

Pd-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of terminal alkynes with ene-yne-ketones has been developed, in which the ene-yne-ketones are served as carbene precursors and metal carbene migratory insertion process is the key step for C–C bond formation.

CuSO4-H-phosphonate catalyzed highly stereo- and regioselective dimerization of terminal alkynes

The readily available CuSO₄-H-phosphonate catalytic system can catalyze the head-to-head dimerization of terminal alkynes to give the corresponding (E) conjugated enynes selectively in high yield.

Diels-Alder reactions of chiral isoimidium salts: a computational study

Recently, important efforts have been devoted to asymmetric Diels-Alder (DA) cycloadditions. Several chiral auxiliaries and catalysts were tested, originating a multitude of selectivities. Here, we study the ability of the isoimidium group as a dienophile activator in DA reactions, as well as its behavior in the induction of selectivity, when incorporated in chiral auxiliary units. We study dienophiles attached to isoimidium auxiliaries derived from (2R,5R)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine and from (R)-bis((R)-1-phenylethyl)amine, and show that they lead to low activation energies in DA additions to different dienes. Reported experimental regio- and endo/exo selectitivites are also fully rationalized. While diastereoselectivities originated by (2R,5R)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine based dienophiles can easily be rationalized by a C2 symmetric transition state, several transition states have to be simultaneously accounted for the rationalization of the selectivity obtained with dienophiles based on (R)-bis((R)-1-phenylethyl)amine. In this case, the C2 symmetric structure leads to opposite selectivities to those experimentally observed. Thus, while the structures of the dienophiles derived from these two amines seem similar, their behavior in the induction of stereoselectivity in DA reactions is quite different. Our models, which substantially differ from those previously proposed in the literature, can also be adapted to other reactions in which this type of chiral auxiliaries is used.

Carboxylate switch between hydro- and carbopalladation pathways in regiodivergent dimerization of alkynes

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the regiodivergent palladium-catalyzed dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. Employment of N-heterocyclic carbene-based palladium catalyst in the presence of phosphine ligand allows for highly regio- and stereoselective head-to-head dimerization reaction. Alternatively, addition of carboxylate anion to the reaction mixture triggers selective head-to-tail coupling. Computational studies suggest that reaction proceeds via the hydropalladation pathway favoring head-to-head dimerization under neutral reaction conditions. The origin of the regioselectivity switch can be explained by the dual role of carboxylate anion. Thus, the removal of hydrogen atom by the carboxylate directs reaction from the hydropalladation to the carbopalladation pathway. Additionally, in the presence of the carboxylate anion intermediate, palladium complexes involved in the head-to-tail dimerization display higher stability compared to their analogues for the head-to-head reaction.

Novel [4 + 2]-benzannulation to access substituted benzenes and polycyclic aromatic and benzene-fused heteroaromatic compounds

A common [4 + 2]-benzannulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates of acetylenic aldehydes with boronic acids has been developed for the synthesis of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds through tandem allylic substitution/hydroarylative cycloisomerization process. This method provides a facile and general route to substituted benzenes, naphthalenes, other polycyclic aromatics, and various benzene-fused heteroaromatic compounds such as benzofuran, benzothiophene, indole, and carbazoles.

De novo synthesis of multisubstituted aryl amines using alkene cross metathesis

The olefin cross-metathesis reaction allows rapid access to 1,5-dicarbonyl intermediates which, upon treatment with a primary or secondary amine, allow the synthesis of a range of multisubstituted carbocyclic aryl amines. This de novo arene synthesis yields nonclassical substitution patterns in a regioselective and predictable approach that is compatible with several functional groups.

Selective synthesis of (Z)-2-enynyl-2-hydroxy-imidazolidine-4,5-diones via Cu(i)-mediated multicomponent coupling of terminal alkynes, carbodiimides and oxalyl chloride

(Z)-2-Enynyl-2-hydroxy-imidazolidine-4,5-diones are synthesized via Cu(i)-mediated (Z)-selective geminal coupling among two terminal alkynes, carbodiimides, and oxalyl chloride. Further transformation is explored.

Microwave-assisted palladium-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective head to head dimerization of terminal aryl alkynes in water

A highly regio- and stereoselective oxime palladacycle/imidazolinium-catalyzed head to head dimerization of terminal aryl alkynes in water is presented.

Pyridine-enhanced head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes by a rhodium-N-heterocyclic-carbene catalyst

A general regioselective rhodium-catalyzed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. The presence of a pyridine ligand (py) in a Rh-N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) catalytic system not only dramatically switches the chemoselectivity from alkyne cyclotrimerization to dimerization but also enhances the catalytic activity. Several intermediates have been detected in the catalytic process, including the π-alkyne-coordinated Rh(I) species [RhCl(NHC)(η(2)-HC≡CCH2Ph)(py)] (3) and [RhCl(NHC){η(2)-C(tBu)≡C(E)CH=CHtBu}(py)] (4) and the Rh(III)-hydride-alkynyl species [RhClH{-C≡CSi(Me)3}(IPr)(py)2] (5). Computational DFT studies reveal an operational mechanism consisting of sequential alkyne C-H oxidative addition, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination. A 2,1-hydrometalation of the alkyne is the more favorable pathway in accordance with a head-to-tail selectivity.

Microwave-assisted intramolecular dehydrogenative Diels-Alder reactions for the synthesis of functionalized naphthalenes/solvatochromic dyes

Functionalized naphthalenes have applications in a variety of research fields ranging from the synthesis of natural or biologically active molecules to the preparation of new organic dyes. Although numerous strategies have been reported to access naphthalene scaffolds, many procedures still present limitations in terms of incorporating functionality, which in turn narrows the range of available substrates. The development of versatile methods for direct access to substituted naphthalenes is therefore highly desirable. The Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction is a powerful and attractive method for the formation of saturated and unsaturated ring systems from readily available starting materials. A new microwave-assisted intramolecular dehydrogenative DA reaction of styrenyl derivatives described herein generates a variety of functionalized cyclopenta[b]naphthalenes that could not be prepared using existing synthetic methods. When compared to conventional heating, microwave irradiation accelerates reaction rates, enhances yields, and limits the formation of undesired byproducts. The utility of this protocol is further demonstrated by the conversion of a DA cycloadduct into a novel solvatochromic fluorescent dye via a Buchwald-Hartwig palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. Fluorescence spectroscopy, as an informative and sensitive analytical technique, plays a key role in research fields including environmental science, medicine, pharmacology, and cellular biology. Access to a variety of new organic fluorophores provided by the microwave-assisted dehydrogenative DA reaction allows for further advancement in these fields.

Rhodium-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective cross-dimerization of two terminal alkynes

Cross-dimerization of terminal arylacetylenes and terminal propargylic alcohols/amides has been achieved in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. This method features high chemo- and regioselectivities rendering convenient and atom economical access to functionalized enynes.

Photochemical synthesis and properties of 1,6- and 1,8-naphthalenophanes

Various 1,6- and 1,8-naphthalenophanes were synthesized by using the Photo-Dehydro-Diels-Alder (PDDA) reaction of bis-ynones. These compounds are easily accessible from ω-(3-iodophenyl)carboxylic acids in three steps. The obtained naphthalenophanes are axially chiral and the activation barrier for the atropisomerization could be determined in some cases by means of dynamic NMR (DNMR) and/or dynamic HPLC (DHPLC) experiments.

The hexadehydro-Diels-Alder reaction

o-Benzynes (arynes) are among the most versatile of all reactive (short-lived) intermediates in organic chemistry. These species can be trapped to give products that are valuable from the perspective of both fine (pharmaceuticals) and commodity (agrochemicals, dyes, polymers, etc.) chemicals. Here we show a fundamentally new strategy that unites a de novo generation of benzynes, through the title hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) reaction, with their in situ elaboration into structurally complex benzenoid products. In the HDDA reaction a 1,3-diyne is engaged in a [4+2] cycloisomerization with a third (pendant) alkyne–the diynophile–to produce the highly reactive benzyne intermediate. The metal- and reagent-free reaction conditions for this simple, thermal transformation are notable. The subsequent and highly efficient trapping reactions increase the power of the overall process. Finally, we provide examples of how this de novo benzyne generation approach allows new modes of intrinsic reactivity to be revealed.

A thermal dehydrogenative Diels-Alder reaction of styrenes for the concise synthesis of functionalized naphthalenes

Functionalized naphthalenes are valuable building blocks in many important areas. A microwave-assisted, intramolecular dehydrogenative Diels-Alder reaction of styrenyl derivatives to provide cyclopenta[b]naphthalene substructures not previously accessible using existing synthetic methods is described. The synthetic utility of these uniquely functionalized naphthalenes was demonstrated by a single-step conversion of one of these cycloadducts to a fluorophore bearing a structural resemblance to Prodan.