Unsaturated nitriles: conjugate additions of carbon nucleophiles to a recalcitrant class of acceptors

Iron-facilitated direct oxidative C-H transformation of allylarenes or alkenes to alkenyl nitriles

This paper describes the first direct approach to alkenyl nitriles from allylarenes or alkenes facilitated by an inexpensive homogeneous iron catalyst. Three C-H bond cleavages occur under the mild conditions during this process. Mechanistic studies indicate that the cleavage of the allyl C(sp(3))-H bond is involved in the rate-determining step. This observation may provide an opportunity to achieve C(sp(3))-H functionalization catalyzed by an iron catalyst.

Osmabenzenes from osmacycles containing an eta2-coordinated olefin

Treatment of HC[triple bond]CC(CH3)(OH)CH=CH2 with [OsCl2(PPh3)3] in dichloromethane yielded the eta2-olefin-coordinated osmacycle [Os{CH=C(PPh3)C(=CH2)-eta2-CH=CH2}Cl2(PPh3)2] (9). Transformations of osmacycle 9 by treatment with benzonitrile under various conditions have been investigated. Reaction of 9 with excess benzonitrile at room temperature afforded the dicationic osmacycle [Os{CH=C(PPh3)C(=CH2)-eta2-CH=CH2}(PhCN)2(PPh3)2]Cl2 (11) by ligand substitution, which reacted further to the intramolecularly coordinated eta2-allene complex [Os{CH=C(PPh3)C(CH3)=(eta2-C=CH2)}(PhCN)2(PPh3)2]Cl2 (12). In contrast, heating a chloroform solution of 9 to the reflux temperature in the presence of excess benzonitrile generated osmabenzene [Os{CHC(PPh3)C(CH3)CHCH}(PhCN)2(PPh3)2]Cl2 (14). Complexes 11, 12 and 14 are in fact isomers. In the absence of excess benzonitrile, the isolated dicationic 12 and 14 readily dissociate the benzonitrile ligands in solution to produce the neutral complex [Os{CH=C(PPh3)C(CH3)=(eta2-C=CH2)}Cl2(PPh3)2] (13) and the monocationic osmabenzene [Os{CHC(PPh3)C(CH3)CHCH}Cl(PhCN)(PPh3)2]BPh4 (15), respectively. Mechanisms for the formation of osmabenzene 14 from 11 and 12 are proposed based on DFT calculations.

Metalated Nitriles: Stereodivergent Cation-Controlled Cyclizations1

Stereodivergent cyclizations of gamma-hydroxy cyclohexanecarbonitriles are controlled simply through judicious choice of cation in the alkylmetal base. Deprotonating a series of cyclic gamma-hydroxy nitriles with i-PrMgBr generates C-magnesiated nitriles that cyclize under stereoelectronic control to cis-fused hydrindanes, decalins, and bicyclo [5.4.0] undecanes. An analogous deprotonation with BuLi triggers cyclization to trans-fused hydrindanes, decalins, and bicyclo [5.4.0] undecanes consistent with a sterically controlled electrophilic attack on an equatorial nitrile anion. Using cations to control the geometry of metalated nitriles provides a versatile, stereodivergent cyclization to cis- and trans-hydrindanes, decalins, and [5. 4. 0] undecanes, and reveals the key geometric requirements for intramolecular S(N)2 and S(N)2' displacements.

Alkenenitriles: Conjugate Additions of Alkyl Iodides with a Silica-Supported Zinc−Copper Matrix in Water

A new silica-supported zinc-copper matrix reagent promotes the conjugate addition of alkyl iodides to cyclic and acyclic alkenenitriles in water. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques suggest that the active copper species generated from elemental zinc and copper(I) iodide is finely dispersed, zerovalent copper. Alkyl iodides react with the silica-supported reagent to generate putative radicaloid intermediates that efficiently add to alkenenitriles to provide beta-substituted nitriles. Conjugate additions to acyclic and cyclic 5-7-membered alkenenitriles are most effective for primary alkyliodides, although secondary and tertiary alkyliodides are viable reaction partners. The strategy addresses the challenge of performing conjugate additions to disubstituted alkenenitriles and demonstrates the beneficial role of the silica-supported reagent.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Stereodefined Multisubstituted 1,4-Dicyano- and 1-Cyano-1,3-butadienes and Their Reactions with Organolithium Reagents

Stereodefined multisubstituted 1-cyano- and 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives were obtained in excellent yields of the isolated product from their corresponding monohalo- and dihalobutadienes and CuCN. This reaction proceeded with high stereoselectivity and retention of the stereochemistry of the starting halobutadienes. A study of the utility of the thus-obtained 1-cyano- and 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives was demonstrated by their reactions with organolithium reagents. 2H-Pyrrole or iminocyclopentadiene derivatives were formed in high yields from 1-cyano-4-halo-1,3-butadienes and organolithium reagents. When 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadienes were treated with organolithium reagents followed by trapping with electrophiles, a tandem process took place to afford 2H-pyrrolyl nitriles in excellent yields. Reduction of 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives with LiAlH4 showed novel reaction patterns relative to normal nitriles.

Cyclic oxonitriles: stereodivergent grignard addition-alkylations

Sequential carbonyl addition-conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to cyclic 5-7-membered oxoalkenenitriles efficiently generates cyclic magnesiated nitriles. Alkylations of these magnesiated nitriles exhibit diastereoselectivities that depend intimately on the size of the carbocyclic ring: 5-membered oxonitriles generate magnesiated nitriles whose alkylations are controlled by steric constraints whereas 6- and 7-membered oxonitriles generate internally coordinated, C-magnesiated nitriles whose alkylations are controlled by stereoelectronic effects. Reversing the alkylation selectivity of 6-membered C-magnesiated nitriles is achieved by conversion to an N-metalated nitrile in which steric, rather than electronic, effects direct the electrophile trajectory. Collectively, the conjugate addition-alkylation generates highly substituted, cyclic 5-7-membered nitriles containing three new stereocenters with selective access to diastereomers at the quaternary nitrile-bearing carbon.

Organocatalytic asymmetric “anti-Michael” reaction of β-ketoesters

The first organocatalytic "anti-Michael" reaction of cyclic-beta-ketoesters to unsaturated double bonds is described in a highly asymmetric version leading to the synthesis of alpha,alpha'-disubstituted branched double bonds as optically active Baylis-Hillman-like adducts.

Diastereoselective and Enantiospecific Synthesis of γ-Substituted α,β-Unsaturated Nitriles from O-Protected Allylic Cyanohydrins

gamma-Functionalized alpha,beta-unsaturated nitriles are prepared diastereoselectively and enantiospecifically from enantioenriched cyanohydrin-O-phosphates and carbonates derived from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, either by palladium or iridium-catalyzed nucleophilic allylic substitution reactions with different nucleophiles. Appropriate reaction conditions for dibenzylamine, benzylamine, sodium azide, NaOAc, tetra-n-butylammonium acetate (TBAA), the corresponding sodium salts of phenol and N-hydroxysuccinimide and the carbonucleophile sodium dimethyl malonate are described. Different substituted O-protected cyanohydrins, such as carbonates and phosphates, derived from crotonaldehyde, (E)-hex-2-enal, oct-2-enal, 2-methylbut-2-enal, and cinnamaldehyde are used as allylic substrates. The substitution takes place with total retention of the configuration for the (E)-gamma-functionalized nitriles and with inversion of the configuration for the Z-isomers. In general, cyanohydrin-O-phosphates are the materials of choice to get the highest E-diastereoselectivity. Dibenzylamine is the best nucleophile for the synthesis of gamma-nitrogenated alpha,beta-unsaturated nitriles in the presence of either palladium or iridium catalysts when aliphatic compounds and cinnamaldehyde derivative are used (up to 98% dr). For the synthesis of gamma-oxygenated alpha,beta-unsaturated nitriles sodium or TBAA the reagents are selected to avoid epimerizations in up to 76% dr. Finally, the Tsuji-Trost reaction with sodium malonate works only under palladium catalysis in up to 70% dr.

Alkenenitriles: Zn−Cu Promoted Conjugate Additions of Alkyl Iodides in Water

[reaction: see text] A new silica-supported zinc-copper matrix dramatically promotes conjugate additions of alkyl iodides to alkenenitriles in water. Acyclic and cyclic nitriles react with functionalized alkyl iodides, overcoming the previous difficulty of performing conjugate additions to disubstituted alkenenitriles with nonstabilized carbon nucleophiles. Conjugate additions with omega-chloroalkyl iodides generate cyclic nitriles primed for cyclization, collectively providing one of the few annulation methods for cyclic alkenenitriles.

Enantioselective Addition of Secondary Phosphines to Methacrylonitrile: Catalysis and Mechanism

A highly enantioselective intermolecular hydrophosphination reaction is described. The (Pigiphos)nickel(II)-catalyzed reaction of secondary phosphines and methacrylonitrile gives chiral 2-cyanopropylphosphines in good yield and high enantiomeric excess (ee's up to 94%; (R)-(S)-Pigiphos = bis[(R)-1-[(S)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethyl}cyclohexylphos phine). We propose a mechanism involving coordination of methacrylonitrile to the dicationic nickel catalyst followed by 1,4-addition of the phosphine, and then, rate-determining proton transfer. This mechanism is supported by (a) the experimentally determined rate law (rate = k'[Ni][methacrylonitrile][t-Bu(2)PH]), (b) a large primary deuterium isotope effect k(H)/k(D) = 4.6(1) for the addition of t-Bu(2)PH(D) at 28.3 degrees C in toluene-d(8), (c) the isolation and characterization of the species [Ni(kappa(3)-Pigiphos)(kappaN-methacrylonitrile)](2+), and (d) DFT calculations of model compounds.

Silylcuprates from Allene and Their Reaction with α,β-Unsaturatedd Nitriles and Imines. Synthesis of Silylated Oxo Compounds Leading to Cyclopentane and Cycloheptane Ring Formation

The silylcupration of allenes and the subsequent capture of the intermediate cuprate with alpha,beta-unsaturated nitriles is reported. The influence of the substitution of the nitrile, the nature of the silylcopper species, and the temperature on the selectivity of the reaction is studied. An interesting diaddition process was observed (1,2-addition and 1,4-addition), leading to oxo compounds which simultaneously have an allylsilane and a vinylsilane group. The different reactivity of these two units has been employed in the intramolecular allylsilane-terminated cyclization of these adducts, where the vinylsilane moiety remains unchanged. To shed some light on the reaction pathway, the behavior of alpha,beta-unsaturatedd imines was also checked and a new and convenient way for cycloheptane annulation presented. In light of the former results a feasible mechanism is proposed.

Highly (Z)-Selective Synthesis of β-Monosubstituted α,β-Unsaturated Cyanides Using the Peterson Reaction

[reaction: see text] The Peterson reaction between (t-BuO)Ph(2)SiCH(2)CN and various aldehydes furnishes the corresponding beta-monosubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated cyanides with high Z selectivity (Z:E = 92:8 to >98:2).

Crystallographic/Experimental Electron Density Characterizations and Reactions with Nucleophiles of β-Enaminonitriles Possessing a Pyrrolobenzazepine Core

In connection with a total synthesis of cephalotaxine (1a), we have examined the addition of various nucleophilic reagents to [ABC] subunits 2 and 7 possessing a pyrrolobenzazepine core. In fact, this reaction implicates invariably the carbonyl group of 2. Regarding the reaction of 7 with nucleophiles, the most striking aspect is the complete lack of reactivity of the enaminonitrile moiety. For instance, the condensation of 7 with methylmagnesium bromide involves exclusively the cleavage of the dioxole ring, yielding regioisomers 9 and 10. With the aim of understanding the unexpected reactivity of 2 and 7 toward nucleophiles, crystallographic studies of 2 and 7 and an experimental electron density determination of 7 were carried out. The marked reactivity of the carbonyl group of 2 was interpreted by invoking the weakness of the amide resonance, due to a pronounced delocalization of the N(9) lone pair over the enaminonitrile moiety. The electron density study of 7 reveals this electron delocalization along the enaminonitrile fragment, highlighted and quantified through the bond geometries, topological indicators, and atomic charges, a phenomenon that is responsible for the failure of the addition of nucleophilic species.

Cyclic Alkenenitriles: Synthesis, Conjugate Addition, and Stereoselective Annulation

O-Alkylation of unsaturated silyl cyanohydrins with DMSO-Ac2O triggers a rearrangement to methylthiomethyl-protected hydroxyalkenenitriles that are easily hydrolyzed for subsequent annulations with omega-chloroalkyl Grignard reagents. Deprotonating the gamma-hydroxyalkenenitriles with t-BuMgCl followed by addition of omega-chloroalkyl Grignard reagents triggers a conjugate addition-alkylation sequence leading exclusively to cis-octalins, hydrindanes, and decalins. Stereoelectronic control favors an axial conjugate addition leading to a particularly reactive conformer that rapidly cyclizes to cis-fused bicyclic nitriles, whereas generating the ring-flipped conformer, through a stepwise sequence, allows access to the diastereomeric trans-decalin. Collectively, the rearrangement-annulation sequence represents the first general annulation of alkenenitriles to assemble diverse bicyclic nitriles with complete control over the two newly installed stereocenters.