Gold-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization/Cope rearrangement: an efficient access to the hydroazulenic motif

I2 -Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Ynamides: Chemoselective and Divergent Access to Indole Derivatives

Herein, an I₂ -catalyzed unprecedented cycloisomerization of ynamides is developed, furnishing various functionalized bis(indole) derivatives in generally good to excellent yields with wide substrate scope and excellent atom-economy. This protocol not only represents the first molecular-iodine-catalyzed tandem complex alkyne cycloisomerizations, but also constitutes the first chemoselective cycloisomerization of tryptamine-ynamides involving distinctively different C(sp³ )-C(sp³ ) bond cleavage and rearrangement. Moreover, chiral tetrahydropyridine frameworks containing two stereocenters are obtained with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities. Meanwhile, cycloisomerization and aromatization of ynamides produce pyrrolyl indoles with high efficiency enabled by I₂ . Additionally, control experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that this reaction probably undergoes a tandem 5-exo-dig cyclization/rearrangement process.

Copper-catalyzed [3 + 2]/[3 + 2] carboannulation of dienynes and arylsulfonyl chlorides enabled by Smiles rearrangement: access to cyclopenta[a]indene-fused quinolinones

A radical Smiles rearrangement strategy for allowing an unprecedented [3 + 2]/[3 + 2] carboannulation of dienynes with arylsulfonyl chlorides using cheap copper catalysis is described.

Assembly of Complex 1,4-Cycloheptadienes by (4+3) Cycloaddition of Rhodium(II) and Gold(I) Non-Acceptor Carbenes

The formal (4+3) cycloaddition of 1,3-dienes with Rh(II) and Au(I) non-acceptor vinyl carbenes, generated from vinylcycloheptatrienes or alkoxyenynes, respectively, leads to 1,4-cycloheptadienes featuring complex and diverse substitution patterns, including natural dyctiopterene C' and a hydroxylated derivative of carota-1,4-diene. A complete mechanistic picture is presented, in which Au(I) and Rh(II) non-acceptor vinyl carbenes were shown to undergo a vinylcyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement or a direct (4+3) cycloaddition that takes place in a non-concerted manner.

Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Small Rings

Three- and four-membered rings, widespread motifs in nature and medicinal chemistry, have fascinated chemists ever since their discovery. However, due to energetic considerations, small rings are often difficult to assemble. In this regard, homogeneous gold catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool to construct these highly strained carbocycles. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of all the major advances and discoveries made in the gold-catalyzed synthesis of cyclopropanes, cyclopropenes, cyclobutanes, cyclobutenes, and their corresponding heterocyclic or heterosubstituted analogs.

Recent Advances in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed (4+3)-Cycloadditions

A (4+3)-cycloaddition combines a four-atom synthon and three-atom synthon to form seven-membered rings. In the past decade, many improvements have been made to this class of cycloaddition, including excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities, both intra- and intermolecularly. Through the strategic use of transition-metal catalysts, acids, bases, and organocatalysts, it is possible to perform the cycloaddition on a variety of substrates, generating novel seven-membered rings. With these advances, (4+3)-cycloaddition has also been applied to the synthesis of biologically relevant compounds and natural products. We exclude the cycloadditions of cyclic dienes such as furan, pyrrole, cyclohexadiene or cyclopentadiene as Chiu, Harmata, Mascareñas­ and others have recently published thorough reviews on that topic. We will however discuss the recent additions (2009–2020) to the literature for the (4+3)-cycloadditions involving other types of four-atom synthons.

1 Introduction

2 Rhodium

2.1 Cyclopropanation/Cope Rearrangement

2.2 C–H activation

3 Gold, Silver

4 Copper

5 Palladium, Platinum, Iridium

6 Dual-Activation

7 Conclusion

Facile access to diverse all-carbon quaternary center containing spirobicycles by exploring a tandem Castro-Stephens coupling/acyloxy shift/cyclization/semipinacol rearrangement sequence

Efficient combination of two or more reactions into a practically useful purification free sequence is of great significance for the achievement of structural complexity and diversity, and an important approach for the development of new synthetic strategies that are industrially step-economic and environmentally friendly. In this work, a facile and efficient method for the construction of highly functionalized spirocyclo[4.5]decane derivatives containing a synthetically challenging quaternary carbon center has been successfully developed through the realization of a tandem Castro–Stephens coupling/1,3-acyloxy shift/cyclization/semipinacol rearrangement sequence. Thus a series of multi-substituted spirocyclo[4.5]decane and functionalized cyclohexane skeletons with a phenyl-substituted quaternary carbon center have been constructed using this method as illustrated by 24 examples in moderate to good yields. The major advantages of this method over the known strategies are better transformation efficiency (four consecutive transformations in one tandem reaction), product complexity and diversity. As a support of its potential application, a quick construction of the key tetracyclic diterpene skeleton of waihoensene has been achieved.

An efficient construction of spirocyclo[4.5]decane derivatives is developed via a Castro–Stephens coupling/1,3-acyloxy shift/cyclization/semipinacol rearrangement sequence.

Mechanistic Study on Gold-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Dienediynes Involving Aliphatic C-H Functionalization and Inspiration for Developing a New Strategy to Access Polycarbocycles

Previously, we developed a gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of dienediynes to synthesize the fused 6,7,5-tricyclic compounds. This reaction involves aliphatic C-H functionalization under mild conditions with high regio- and diastereoselectivities. Herein, we present a combined density functional theory (DFT) and experimental study to understand its mechanism. The reaction starts with a 6-endo-dig cyclization to generate a cis-1-alkynyl-2-alkenylcyclopropane. Then, a Cope rearrangement takes place to give a seven-membered-ring allene intermediate, whose central carbon atom possesses vinyl cation character and thus is highly reactive toward aliphatic C-H insertion. After the C-H insertion, two successive [1,2]-hydride shifts then occur to give the tricyclic product and to complete the catalytic cycle. Notably, steric effect induced by the bulky ligand is found to be important for the diastereocontrol in the C-H insertion step. DFT calculations suggested that the malonate-tethered substrate utilized in our previous work may undergo an undesired 5-exo-dig cyclization under gold catalysis, which could be the reason why the desired fused 6,7,5-tricarbocyclic product was not generated. These mechanistic insights then guided us to design substrates with a shortened carbon tether in the present work to inhibit the exo-dig cyclization so that the tandem cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement/C-H functionalization could occur to construct polycarbocycles containing a seven-membered ring. This prediction was supported by new experiments, providing a new strategy to access fused 5,7,5-tricyclic and 5,7,6,6-tetracyclic carbocycles. In addition, how the substituents affect the chemoselectivity was also investigated.

Abnormal Nucleophilic Substitution on Methoxytropone Derivatives: Steric Strategy to Synthesize 5-Substituted Azulenes

Azulene is a non-alternant non-benzenoid aromatic system, and in turn, it possesses unusual photophysical properties. Azulene-based conjugated systems have received increasing interest in recent years as optoelectronic materials. Despite the routes available for the preparation of substituted azulene derivatives, there remain few methods that allow regioselective substitution on the seven-membered ring of azulenes due to the subtle reactivity difference among the various positions. This report explores the reactivity of substituted tropolones as the azulene precursors and also provides a new method to create 5-substituted azulenes. The reaction of cyanoacetate enolate with unsubstituted 2-methoxytropone affords azulene through the attack of the nucleophile on the C-2 center (normal pathway). We have observed that 3-substituted 2-methoxytropones undergo steric-guided nucleophilic addition at the C-7 center (abnormal pathway) to afford 5-substituted azulene derivatives. Based on this observation and DFT calculation, a new synthetic strategy is devised for the regioselective synthesis of 5-substituted multifunctional azulenes, which cannot be accessed by any other method.

AgNTf2-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with unprotected isoxazol-5-amines: efficient access to functionalized 5-amino-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivatives

A formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition between ynamides and unprotected isoxazol-5-amines has been developed in the presence of catalytic AgNTf2 in an open flask. By the protocol, a variety of functionalized 5-amino-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivatives can be obtained in up to 99% yield. The reaction mechanism might involve the generation of an unusual α-imino silver carbene intermediate (or a silver-stabilized carbocation) and subsequent cyclization/isomerization to build the significant pyrrole-3-carboxamide motif. The reaction features the use of an inexpensive catalyst, simple reaction conditions, simple work-up without column chromatographic purification for most of products and high yields.

The synthesis of pyrroles and oxazoles based on gold α-imino carbene complexes

Cationic gold complexes of α-oximimino carbenes have been identified to react with weak nucleophiles including enol ethers and nitriles. These findings allowed us to develop the highly efficient synthesis of pyrroles and oxazoles.

Ligand-Effect in Gold(I)-Catalyzed Rautenstrauch Rearrangement: Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Bicyclo[3.2.1]octa-3,6-dienes through Cyclodimerization of 1-Ethynyl-2-propenyl Esters

Gold(I) complexes bearing sterically demanding phosphine ligands such as ^tBuXphos catalyze the cascade Rautenstrauch rearrangement/[4 + 3] cycloaddition of 1-ethynyl-2-propenyl esters. The reaction provides an efficient and straightforward route to bicyclo[3.2.1]octa-3,6-dienes with high regio- and stereoselectivity. The formation of the [4 + 3] cycloadducts likely proceeds through the cycloaddition of a gold(I) carbenoid/gold-stabilized allyl cation intermediate with cyclopentadiene arising from Rautenstrauch rearrangement.

Divergent reaction pathways in gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,5-enynes containing a cyclopropane ring: dramatic ortho substituent and temperature effects

A gold(i)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of easily available 1,5-enynes containing a cyclopropane ring has been developed, efficiently providing cyclobutane-fused 1,4-cyclohexadiene, tricyclic cyclobutene, biscyclopropane and 1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. When the phenyl group was not ortho substituted, 1,4-cyclohexadienes could be produced. With an ortho substituent, three different products could be selectively synthesized by control of the temperature and the used gold(i) catalyst. The 1,5-enyne substrate first undergoes a classical enyne cycloisomerization to form a tricyclic cyclobutene key intermediate, which undergoes subsequent transformation to produce the desired products. A plausible reaction mechanism was proposed according to deuterium labeling experiments and intermediate trapping experiments, as well as DFT calculations. In our current reaction, the ortho substituent on the phenyl group controls the reaction outcome and the ortho substituent effect was found to originate from steric and electronic factors.

Gold-Catalyzed Reaction of ortho-Alkynylarylaldehydes with Conjugated Dienes: An Efficient Access to Highly Strained Tetracyclic Bridgehead Olefins

An unprecedented access to strained tetracyclic bridgehead alkenes by reaction of easily accessible ortho-alkynylarylaldehydes with conjugated dienes is described. The process involves a chemo- and stereo-selective, gold-catalyzed, tandem intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition/Prins-type ring-closing reaction that allows generating structural complexity in a straightforward manner. This approach for the preparation of anti-Bredt compounds is synthetically superior to those previously reported: the procedure is easy to implement, operates under mild experimental conditions, is efficient, and exhibits a good substrate scope.

Gold(i)-catalyzed dehydrogenative cycloisomerization of 1,5-enynes

Dehydrogenative cycloisomerization of 1,5-enynes proceeded smoothly to give benzene derivatives in good to excellent yields. Synthetically important benzocyclobutenes can be produced in high yields in the presence of a gold(i) catalyst and DDQ.

Computational study on gold-catalyzed (4 + 3) intramolecular cycloaddition of trienyne: mechanism, reactivity and selectivity

The reaction mechanism, reactivity and selectivity of the Au(i)-catalyzed intramolecular (4 + 3) cycloaddition of trienyne have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed cyclization of α-allylated 1,3-dicarbonyls: an efficient access to 2,2-disubstituted 2,3-dihydrofuran derivatives

A Sc(OTf)₃-catalyzed cyclization of α-allylated 1,3-dicarbonyls is reported. By the reaction, a variety of 2,2-disubstituted 2,3-dihydrofurans were obtained in good yields.

Ligand-controlled gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,n-enyne esters toward synthesis of dihydronaphthalene

We describe herein a gold-catalyzed rearrangement of propargyl esters followed by allene–ene cyclization to afford substituted bicyclic [4.4.0] dihydronaphthalene compounds.

Synthesis of furans and pyrroles via migratory and double migratory cycloisomerization reactions of homopropargylic aldehydes and imines

A novel gold-catalyzed divergent sysnthesis of furans and pyrroles employing readily available homopropargylic aldehydes and imines have been developed. The regiochemical outcome of this reaction is dependent on the substituent on the terminal alkyne of substrate. Thus, substrates possessing alkyl and aryl substituent at the alkyne moiety produce 2,3,5-substituted furans and pyrroles via a migratory cycloisomerizaton reaction. Whereas, their silicon analogues are capable to undergo a double migratory process leading to 2,3,4-substituted heterocycles.

Gold-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization/Petasis–Ferrier rearrangement: a direct route to 3-alkoxyindanones from enynals and alcohols

A method to prepare 3-alkoxyindanones by gold-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization/Petasis–Ferrier rearrangement of ortho-ethynylarylaldehydes with alcohols is described. The reaction also offers a synthetic route to 3-alkoxylcyclopentenones.

Gold-catalyzed cyclopropanation reactions using a carbenoid precursor toolbox

This review highlights recent advances in gold-catalyzed selective cyclopropanation divided by the type of carbenoid precursors.

Synthesis of substituted azulenes via Pt(II)-catalyzed ring-expanding cycloisomerization

Substituted azulenes, valuable structures for electronic devices and pharmaceuticals, have been synthesized by the platinum(II)-catalyzed intramolecular ring-expanding cycloisomerization of 1-en-3-yne with ortho-disubstituted benzene. This novel method provides an alternative route for the efficient synthesis of substituted azulenes. The reaction mechanism of selected catalytic transformations was explored using density functional calculations.

Gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6,8-dienyne carbonates and esters to cis-cyclohepta-4,8-diene-fused pyrrolidines

A synthetic approach that provides access to cis-cyclohepta-4,8-diene-fused pyrrolidines efficiently through Au(I) -catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6,8-dienyne carbonates and esters at a low catalyst loading of 2 mol % is reported. Starting carbonates and esters with a pendant alkyl group on the terminal alkenyl carbon center were found to favor tandem 1,2-acyloxy migration/cyclopropanation followed by Cope rearrangement of the resulting cis-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane intermediate. On the other hand, substrates containing a terminal diene or starting materials in which the distal alkene moiety bears a phenyl substituent were observed to undergo competitive but reversible 1,3-acyloxy migration prior to the nitrogen-containing bicyclic ring formation. The delineated reaction mechanism also provides experimental evidence for the reversible interconversion between the oft-proposed organogold intermediates obtained in this step of the tandem process.

Gold-catalyzed 1,3-transposition of ynones

An efficient, regioselective gold-catalyzed 1,3-transposition reaction of ynones and diynones has been developed. It was found that stereoelectronic (interrupted conjugation) and electronic (extended conjugation) factors could efficiently govern the regioselectivity of this thermodynamically controlled transformation. The produced conjugated diynones were efficiently transformed into diverse alkyne-substituted five- and six-membered heterocycles.

Gold-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized pyridines by using 2H-azirines as synthetic equivalents of alkenyl nitrenes

2H-Azirines are easily synthesized from the corresponding ketones and, despite possessing a CN bond embedded in a strained three-membered cycle, they are sufficiently stable to be isolated, stored, and manipulated. 2H-Azirines can be regarded as valuable synthetic equivalents of alkenyl nitrenes, however, reactions capitalizing on the cyclic strain of the heterocyclic motif and involving the cleavage of the CN single bond remain surprisingly limited. A gold-catalyzed reaction that allows the formation of polysubstituted functionalized pyridines from easily accessible 2-propargyl 2H-azirine derivatives was developed. This transformation, which corresponds to an unprecedented intramolecular transfer of an alkenyl nitrene to an alkyne, proceeds with low catalyst loading, is efficient, and exhibits a high functional-group tolerance and a wide substrate scope.

Recent applications of the divinylcyclopropane-cycloheptadiene rearrangement in organic synthesis

This review summarizes the application of the divinylcyclopropane–cycloheptadiene rearrangement in synthetic organic chemistry. A brief overview of the new mechanistic insights concerning the title reaction is provided as well as a condensed account on the biological relevance of the topic. Heteroatom variants of this rearrangement are covered briefly.

Gold(i)-catalysed [1,3] O→C rearrangement of allenyl ethers

Gold standard: a simple and rapid access to the α-substituted acryl aldehydes has been provided by developing a gold-catalysed [1,3] rearrangement of the allenyl ethers importantly with a record turnover frequency = 4600 h⁻¹ (at 0.05 mol% of the catalyst concentration) in homogeneous gold(i) catalysis.