Stereoselective Nickel-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions and Alkenylative Cyclizations of Ene-Allenes and Alkenes

Rh(I) Complexes with Hemilabile Thioether-Functionalized NHC Ligands as Catalysts for [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of 1,5-Bisallenes and Alkynes

The [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,5-bisallenes and alkynes under the catalysis of Rh(I) with hemilabile thioether-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands is described. This protocol effectively provides an entry to different trans-5,6-fused bicyclic systems with two exocyclic double bonds in the cyclohexene ring. The process is totally chemoselective with the two internal double bonds of the 1,5-bisallenes being involved in the cycloaddition. The complete mechanism of this transformation as well as the preference for the trans-fusion over the cis-fusion has been rationalized by density functional theory calculations. The reaction follows a typical [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition mechanism. The oxidative addition takes place between the alkyne and one of the allenes and it is when the second allene is inserted into the rhodacyclopentene that the trans-fusion is generated. Remarkably, the hemilabile character of the sulfur atom in the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand modulates the electron density in key intermediates, facilitating the overall transformation.

Rhodium/Silver Synergistic Catalysis in Highly Enantioselective Cycloisomerization/Cross Coupling of Keto-Vinylidenecyclopropanes with Terminal Alkynes

A rhodium/silver synergistic catalysis has been established, enabling cycloisomerization/cross coupling of keto-vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) with terminal alkynes toward the regio- and enantioselective formation of diversified tetrahydropyridin-3-ol tethered 1,4-enynes in good yields and high ee values. In this synergistic catalysis, Rh(I) and Ag(I) catalysts selectively activate keto-VDCP substrates and terminal alkynes to generate the π-allyl Rh(III) complex of oxa-rhodacyclic intermediate and Ag alkynyl intermediate, respectively. The rapid transmetalation of alkynyl groups from Ag to Rh is proposed to play a key role in realizing the regioselective cleavage of the distal bond of the three-membered ring in this transformation.

Computational Studies on Reaction Mechanism and Origins of Selectivities in Nickel-Catalyzed (2 + 2 + 2) Cycloadditions and Alkenylative Cyclizations of 1,6-Ene-Allenes and Alkenes

The reaction mechanism and origins of ligand-controlled selectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity of Ni-catalyzed (2 + 2 + 2) cycloadditions and alkenylative cyclizations of 1,6-ene-allenes and alkenes were studied by using density functional theory. The catalytic cycle involves intermolecular oxidative coupling and an intramolecular concerted 1,4-addition step to afford a stable metallacycloheptane intermediate; these steps determine both the regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. Subsequent C-C reductive elimination leads to the cyclohexane product, whereas the β-hydride elimination leads to the trans-diene product. The selectivity between (2 + 2 + 2) cycloadditions and alkenylative cyclizations is controlled by the ligand. Irrespective of the nature of the terminal substituents on the ene-allene and alkene, the P(o-tol)₃ ligand always favors the C-C reductive elimination, resulting in the cyclohexane product. On the other hand, the flexibility of the PBu₃ ligand means that electronic and steric factors play important roles. Electron-withdrawing groups such as CO₂Me in the ene-allene terminal substituent induce obvious substrate-ligand repulsion and destabilize the C-C reductive elimination, giving rise to the trans-diene product.

Chemo- and Regioselective Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Allenynes with Alkynes

A highly chemo- and regioselective partially intramolecular rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of allenynes with alkynes is described. A range of diverse polysubstituted benzene derivatives could be synthesized in good to excellent yields, in which the allenynes served as synthetic equivalent to the diynes. A high regioselectivity could be observed when allenynes were treated with unsymmetrical alkynes.

Allenes, versatile unsaturated motifs in transition-metal-catalysed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions

ThisTutorial Reviewhighlights the versatility of allenes as unsaturated substrates in transition-metal-catalysed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions in generating complex architectures.

Copper(I)-Y Zeolite-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective [2 + 2 + 2] Cyclotrimerization Cascade: An Atom- and Step-Economical Synthesis of Pyrimido[1,6-a]quinoline

An elegant copper(I)-Y zeolite-catalyzed tandem process, involving ketenimine-based termolecular [2 + 2 + 2]/[NC + CC + NC] cycloaddition, using sulfonyl azide, alkyne, and quinoline, to prepare pyrimido[1,6-a]quinolines is reported. In this straightforward, highly atom- and step-economical protocol, copper(I) promotes for azide-alkyne [3 + 2] cycloaddition which is followed by ring-rearrangement/ketenimine formation/regio- and stereoselective [2 + 2 + 2] termolecular cycloaddition and dehydrogenation cascade to yield selectively the E-isomer of pyrimido[1,6-a]quinoline.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Copper-Catalyzed Group-, Site-, and Enantioselective Allylic Substitution with a Readily Accessible Propargyl(pinacolato)boron Reagent: Utility in Stereoselective Synthesis and Mechanistic Attributes

The first instances of catalytic allylic substitution reactions involving a propargylic nucleophilic component are presented; reactions are facilitated by 5.0 mol % of a catalyst derived from a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and a copper chloride salt. A silyl-containing propargylic organoboron compound, easily prepared in multigram quantities, serves as the reagent. Aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted disubstituted alkenes within allylic phosphates and those with an alkyl or a silyl group can be used. Functional groups typically sensitive to hard nucleophilic reagents are tolerated, particularly in the additions to disubstituted alkenes. Reactions may be performed on the corresponding trisubstituted alkenes, affording quaternary carbon stereogenic centers. Incorporation of the propargylic group is generally favored (vs allenyl addition; 89:11 to >98:2 selectivity); 1,5-enynes can be isolated in 75-90% yield, 87:13 to >98:2 SN2'/SN2 (branched/linear) selectivity and 83:17-99:1 enantiomeric ratio. Utility is showcased by conversion of the alkynyl group to other useful functional units (e.g., homoallenyl and Z-homoalkenyl iodide), direct access to which by other enantioselective protocols would otherwise entail longer routes. Application to stereoselective synthesis of the acyclic portion of antifungal agent plakinic acid A, containing two remotely positioned stereogenic centers, by sequential use of two different NHC-Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitution (EAS) reactions further highlights utility. Mechanistic investigations (density functional theory calculations and deuterium labeling) point to a bridging function for an alkali metal cation connecting the sulfonate anion and a substrate's phosphate group to form the branched propargyl addition products as the dominant isomers via Cu(III) π-allyl intermediate complexes.

Stereoselective nickel-catalyzed [2+2] cycloadditions of ene-allenes

A stereoselective nickel-catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition of ene-allenes is reported. This transformation encompasses a broad range of ene-allene substrates, thus providing efficient access to fused cyclobutanes from easily accessed π-components. A simple and inexpensive first-row catalytic system comprised of [Ni(cod)2 ] and dppf was used in this process, thus constituting an attractive approach to synthetically challenging cyclobutane frameworks under mild reaction conditions.

Mechanism, reactivity, and selectivity of nickel-catalyzed [4 + 4 + 2] cycloadditions of dienes and alkynes

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with B3LYP and M06 functionals elucidated the reactivities of alkynes and Z/E selectivity of cyclodecatriene products in the Ni-catalyzed [4 + 4 + 2] cycloadditions of dienes and alkynes. The Ni-mediated oxidative cyclization of butadienes determines the Z/E selectivity. Only the oxidative cyclization of one s-cis to one s-trans butadiene is facile and exergonic, leading to the observed 1Z,4Z,8E-cyclodecatriene product. The same step with two s-cis or s-trans butadienes is either kinetically or thermodynamically unfavorable, and the 1Z,4E,8E- and 1Z,4Z,8Z-cyclodecatriene isomers are not observed in experiments. In addition, the competition between the desired cooligomerization and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of alkynes depends on the coordination of alkynes. With either electron-deficient alkynes or alkynes with free hydroxyl groups, the coordination of alkynes is stronger than that of dienes, and alkyne trimerization prevails. With alkyl-substituted alkynes, the generation of alkyne-coordinated nickel complex is much less favorable, and the [4 + 4 + 2] cycloaddition occurs.