Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular [3C+2C] Cycloaddition of Alkylidenecyclopropanes to Allenes

Thermally-Induced Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition of Allylamino- or Allyloxy-Tethered Alkylidenecyclopropanes

A thermally-induced intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of allylamino- or allyloxy-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes has been reported in this paper, giving a new protocol for the rapid construction of polycyclic skeleton molecules in moderate to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope. On the basis of control experiments and DFT calculations, we disclosed that the reaction proceeded through a [4+2] cycloaddition and trace of water assisted 1,3-H shift process to give the target product.

Highly Enantioselective Cobalt-Catalyzed (3+2) Cycloadditions of Alkynylidenecyclopropanes

Low-valent cobalt complexes equipped with chiral ligands can efficiently promote highly enantioselective (3+2) cycloadditions of alkyne-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes. The annulation allows to assemble bicyclic systems containing five-membered rings in good yields and with excellent enantiomeric ratios. We also present a mechanistic discussion based on experimental and computational data, which support the involvement of Co^I /Co^III catalytic cycles.

A rhodium catalyzed cycloisomerization and tandem Diels-Alder reaction for facile access to diverse bicyclic and tricyclic heterocycles

A rhodium catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6-allenenes successfully prepared six-membered ring exocyclic 1,3-dienes. Further tandem Diels–Alder reaction with various dienophiles provided diverse bicyclic and tricyclic heterocycles. This methodology is characterised by complete atom and step economy, low catalyst loading, and excellent chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity.

A regioselective distal cycloisomerization of 1,6-allenenes was successfully developed to afford six-membered ring exocyclic 1,3-dienes employing a rhodium/diphosphine catalyst system. Deuterium labelling experiments and DFT calculations were performed to provide insights into the reaction mechanism of this unprecedented transformation. In addition, one-pot tandem Diels–Alder reactions with various dienophiles could readily construct diverse bicyclic and tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles, which are ubiquitous core scaffolds for a variety of natural products and bioactives. High efficiency and exclusive chemo and regioselectivities for a broad substrate scope were achieved under mild conditions using a low catalyst loading of 0.5 mol%.

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.

Recent Methodologies That Exploit C-C Single-Bond Cleavage of Strained Ring Systems by Transition Metal Complexes

In this review, synthetic and mechanistic aspects of key methodologies that exploit C-C single-bond cleavage of strained ring systems are highlighted. The focus is on transition-metal-catalyzed processes that are triggered by C-C bond activation and β-carbon elimination, with the review concentrating on developments from mid-2009 to mid-2016.

Thermally induced formal [3+2] cyclization of ortho-aminoaryl-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes: facile synthesis of furoquinoline and thienoquinoline derivatives

Thermally induced formal [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of alkylidenecyclopropanes with the in situ generation of isocyanates and isothiocyanates have been developed.

Nickel-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of alkylidenecyclopropanes. A straightforward entry to fused 6,7,5-tricyclic systems

A highly diastereo- and chemoselective intramolecular nickel-catalyzed cycloaddition of alkene- and alkyne-tethered alkynylidenecyclopropanes is reported. The method constitutes the first fully intramolecular [3 + 2 + 2] alkylidenecyclopropropane cycloaddition occurring via a proximal cleavage of the cyclopropane and makes it possible to build relevant 6,7,5-tricyclic frameworks in a single-pot reaction. Importantly, the reaction outcome is highly dependent on the characteristics of the nickel ligands.

Allenes as three-carbon units in catalytic cycloadditions: new opportunities with transition-metal catalysts

Allenes are very versatile synthetic units that are used in many types of catalytic cycloaddition reactions. Most examples reported so far involve their use as 2C-atom components, whereas their participations as 3C-atom components have been much less frequent. In this concept article, we present an overview of this latter strategy, emphasizing on those more recent contributions involving the use of Pt(II) and Au(I) catalysts, which have uncovered new opportunities in this area.