Trapping the Oxyallyl Cation Intermediate Derived from the Nazarov Cyclization of Allenyl Vinyl Ketones with Nitrogen Heterocycles

Lewis Acid-Mediated Cyclization of Allenyl Aryl Ketones

The cyclization of a series of nonheterocyclic allenyl aryl ketones was examined using boron trifluoride etherate and indium triflate to mediate the reaction. Yields with BF₃ were low in most instances due mainly to competitive destruction of the substrates. With In(OTf)₃, there was less decomposition, and the yields of the cyclized product were much higher, but only for substrates with electron-donating substituents. Cyclization did not occur without those substituents. A computational study using the ωB97X-D/6-311+G(2d,p)//ωB97X-D/6-31+G(d,p) method confirmed better stability of the σ-complexed substrate by indium(III) and that meta-substituents on the phenyl ring of the substrate significantly influenced the activation barrier of the cyclization, whereas the effect of para-substituents was almost negligible. The computational results supported the idea that the cyclization is a 4π-electrocyclization and not a 5-endo-dig ring closure as had been proposed in the literature.

One-Pot Generation of Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanols and Cyclohexanones by Double Interrupted Nazarov Reactions

Organoaluminum-mediated double interrupted Nazarov cyclization to access bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanols via nucleophilic methyl attack followed by Simmons-Smith-type electrophilic cyclopropanation is reported. These alcohols can undergo ring opening to afford cyclohexanones or cyclohexenones, broadening the range of scaffolds available via interrupted Nazarov reaction beyond the usual cyclopentanoid products. Throughout the sequence, a total of four new C-C bonds are formed, along with four new stereogenic centers.

A catalytic asymmetric interrupted Nazarov-type cyclization of 2-indolylmethanols with cyclic enaminones

A chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric interrupted Nazarov-type cyclization of C3-alkenyl-substituted 2-indolylmethanols has been established by using cyclic enaminones as nucleophiles.

Diastereo- and enantioselective construction of chiral cyclopenta[b]indole framework via a catalytic asymmetric tandem cyclization of 2-indolymethanols with 2-naphthols

The title reaction has been established in the presence of chiral phosphoric acids, which constructed chiral cyclopenta[b]indole frameworks in high stereoselectivities.

Interrupting the Nazarov Cyclization with Bromine

The generation of dibrominated cyclopentenones via an interrupted Nazarov cyclization is reported. The installation of two bromine atoms occurs at the α and α' positions of the cyclopentenyl scaffold via successive nucleophilic and electrophilic bromination of the 2-oxidocyclopentenyl cation and its resulting enolate. Notably, the reaction proceeds with good diastereoselectivity, favoring the symmetrical product.

Nazarov cyclization of divinyl ketones bearing an ester group at the β-position: a remarkable effect of α-substitution and alkene geometry on regioselectivity

The Nazarov cyclization of divinyl ketones with an ester at the β-position was examined with particular reference to where the cyclic double bond forms.

Computational Examination of (4 + 3) versus (3 + 2) Cycloaddition in the Interception of Nazarov Reactions of Allenyl Vinyl Ketones by Dienes

A computational examination of the tandem Nazarov/cycloaddition process involving an allenyl vinyl ketone with a diene has been carried out using the ωB97X-D/6-311++G(d,p)//ωB97X-D/6-31+G(d,p) method with solvation modeled by SMD-PCM. The barrier for the initial Lewis acid mediated Nazarov reaction, which provided the intermediate cyclic oxylallyl cation, was higher than that for any subsequent cycloaddition. The barrier for the first step of a subsequent stepwise reaction did not vary much with the diene, and the lowest barrier was with the diene in its s-trans conformation. Stepwise formation of a (4 + 3) cycloaddition product was not energetically feasible, but (3 + 2) cycloaddition products could have been produced through low energy pathways. The barrier for a concerted (4 + 3) cycloaddition did depend upon the diene, which was always in an s-cis geometry. The barriers for the compact and the extended geometries for the transition states of (4 + 3) cycloadditions were not much different.

Efficient Nazarov cyclization/Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement terminated by a Cu(II)-promoted oxidation: synthesis of 4-alkylidene cyclopentenones

The discovery and elucidation of a new Nazarov cyclization/Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement/oxidation sequence is described that constitutes an efficient strategy for the synthesis of 4-alkylidene cyclopentenones. DFT computations and EPR experiments were conducted to gain further mechanistic insight into the reaction pathways.

Experimental and theoretical studies on the Nazarov cyclization/Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement sequence

Highly functionalized cyclopentenones can be generated by a chemoselective copper(II)-mediated Nazarov/Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement sequence of divinyl ketones. A detailed investigation of this sequence is described including a study of substrate scope and limitations. After the initial 4π electrocyclization, this reaction proceeds via two different sequential [1,2]-shifts, with selectivity that depends upon either migratory ability or the steric bulkiness of the substituents at C1 and C5. This methodology allows the creation of vicinal stereogenic centers, including adjacent quaternary centers. This sequence can also be achieved by using a catalytic amount of copper(II) in combination with NaBAr(4)(f), a weak Lewis acid. During the study of the scope of the reaction, a partial or complete E/Z isomerization of the enone moiety was observed in some cases prior to the cyclization, which resulted in a mixture of diastereomeric products. Use of a Cu(II)-bisoxazoline complex prevented the isomerization, allowing high diastereoselectivity to be obtained in all substrate types. In addition, the reaction sequence was studied by DFT computations at the UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level, which are consistent with the proposed sequences observed, including E/Z isomerizations and chemoselective Wagner-Meerwein shifts.

Addition of indoles to oxyallyl cations for facile access to α-indole carbonyl compounds

A direct coupling of unprotected indoles and α-halo ketones via in situ generated oxyallyl cation intermediates is described. The reactions efficiently afford α-indole carbonyl compounds with good to quantitative yields.

Total synthesis of (±)-rocaglamide via oxidation-initiated Nazarov cyclization

This article describes the evolution of a Nazarov cyclization-based synthetic strategy targeting the anticancer, antiinflammatory, and insecticidal natural product (±)-rocaglamide. Initial pursuit of a polarized heteroaromatic Nazarov cyclization to construct the congested cyclopentane core revealed an unanticipated electronic bias in the pentadienyl cation. This reactivity was harnessed in a successful second-generation approach using an oxidation-initiated Nazarov cyclization of a heteroaryl alkoxyallene. Full details of these two approaches are given, as well as the characterization of undesired reaction pathways available to the Nazarov cyclization product. A sequence of experiments that led to an understanding of the unexpected reactivity of this key intermediate is described, which culminated in the successful total synthesis of (+)-rocaglamide.

Conjugate addition-initiated Nazarov cyclization

A reaction sequence involving the 1,6-conjugate addition of a nucleophile to a dienyl diketone followed by Nazarov cyclization is described. Several nucleophiles are identified as competent initiators for the sequence. A different reaction outcome is observed when catalytic amounts of nucleophile are employed, involving elimination of the nucleophile after the electrocyclization.