Pd/Zn Co-catalyzed Asymmetric Ring-Opening Reactions of Aza/Oxabicyclic Alkenes with Oximes

Iridium-catalyzed hydroacylation reactions of C1-substituted oxabenzonorbornadienes with salicylaldehyde: an experimental and computational study

An experimental and theoretical investigation on the iridium-catalyzed hydroacylation of C1-substituted oxabenzonorbornadienes with salicylaldehyde is reported. Utilizing commercially available [Ir(COD)Cl]2 in the presence of 5 M KOH in dioxane at 65 °C, provided a variety of hydroacylated bicyclic adducts in up to a 95% yield with complete stereo- and regioselectivity. The mechanism and origins of selectivity in the iridium-catalyzed hydroacylation reaction has been examined at the M06/Def2TZVP level of theory. The catalytic cycle consists of three key steps including oxidative addition into the aldehyde C-H bond, insertion of the olefin into the iridium hydride, and C-C bond-forming reductive elimination. Computational results indicate the origin of regioselectivity is involved in the reductive elimination step.

Chemistry of Unsymmetrical C1-Substituted Oxabenzonorbornadienes

Oxabenzonorbornadiene (OBD) is a useful synthetic intermediate, which can be readily activated by transition metal complexes with great face selectivity due to its dual-faced nature and intrinsic angle strain on the alkene. To date, the understanding of transition-metal catalyzed reactions of OBD itself has burgeoned; however, this has not been the case for unsymmetrical OBDs. Throughout the development of these reactions, the nature of C1-substituent has proven to have a profound effect on both the reactivity and selectivity of the outcome of the reaction. Upon substitution, different modes of reactivity arise, contributing to the possibility of multiple stereo-, regio-, and in extreme cases, constitutional isomers, which can provide unique means of constructing a variety of synthetically useful cyclic frameworks. To maximize selectivity, an understanding of bridgehead substituent effects is crucial. To that end, this review outlines hitherto reported examples of bridgehead substituent effects on the chemistry of unsymmetrical C1-substituted OBDs.

Catalytic asymmetric transformations of oxa- and azabicyclic alkenes

This review provides an overview of the fundamental concepts and recent developments in a wide range of enantioselective transformations involving oxa- and azabicyclic alkenes.

Palladium/Lewis Acid Cocatalyzed Ring-Opening Reactions of Unsymmetrical Oxabenzonobornadienes with Oximes

The palladium/Lewis acid cocatalyzed ring-opening reaction of various C₁-substituted unsymmetrical oxabenzonorbornadienes (OBD) with oxime nucleophiles was investigated. The effects of various C₁ substituents were explored. Moderate to excellent yields and excellent regioselectivities were obtained for electron-withdrawing groups. The presence of electron-donating alkyl groups leads to isomerization of the corresponding OBD to afford the substituted naphthol derivatives. Additionally, a mechanism for the formation of C₂ regioisomeric ring-opened products has been proposed.