Rh(i)-catalyzed dimerization of ene-vinylidenecyclopropanes for the construction of spiro[4,5]decanes and mechanistic studies

Rh(i) complex catalyzed dimerization of ene-vinylidenecyclopropanes took place smoothly to construct a series of products containing spiro[4,5]decane skeletons featuring a simple operation procedure, mild reaction conditions, and good functional group tolerance. In this paper, the combination of experimental and computational studies reveals a counterion-assisted Rh(i)-Rh(iii)-Rh(v)-Rh(iii)-Rh(i) catalytic cycle involving tandem oxidative cyclometallation/reductive elimination/selective oxidative addition/selective reductive elimination/reductive elimination steps; in addition, a pentavalent spiro-rhodium intermediate is identified as the key intermediate in this dimerization reaction upon DFT calculation.

Substituent-dependent generation of tricyclic frameworks by the rhodium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of homopropargyl allene-alkynes: a theoretical study

Polycyclic compounds having biological activities can be modified by employing different substituents.

Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 1,6-Allenynes to access 5/6-Fused Bicycle[4.3.0]nonadienes

Transition-metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,n-allenynes represents a powerful synthetic tool to rapidly assemble complex polycyclic skeletons from simple linear substrates. Nevertheless, there are no reports of the asymmetric version of these reactions. Moreover, most of these reactions proceed through a 6-endo-dig cyclization pathway, which preferentially delivers the distal product (via 5/5 rhodacyclic intermediate) rather than the proximal one (via 6/5 rhodacyclic intermediate). Herein, we report an enantioselective rhodium(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6-allenynes to provide the proximal product 5/6-fused bicycle[4.3.0]nonadienes in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. Remarkably, this chemistry works perfectly for 1,6-allenynes having a cyclic substituent within the allene component, thereby affording synthetically formidable tricyclic products with excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, extensive DFT calculations suggest an uncommon pathway involving 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization, ring-expansion, rate-determining alkene isomerization involving C_sp3-H activation, C-C activation of the cyclobutene moiety and finally reductive elimination. Deuterium labeling experiments support the rate-determining step involving the C–H bond activation in this transformation.

Cycloisomerization of 1,n-allenynes allows to efficiently assembly polycyclic skeletons, however its asymmetric variant remains elusive. Here, the authors report the enantioselective Rh(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6-allenynes and disclose an uncommon 5-exo-dig pathway via DFT calculations.

Mechanism of Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation/Annulation of Aromatic Amide with α-Allenol: A Computational Study

With the help of DFT calculations, the reaction mechanisms of the rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation between aromatic amide and α-allenol leading to the formation of isoindolinone have been theoretically investigated. Our calculated results show that the catalytic cycle consists of four stages: N-H deprotonation and C-H activation (Stage I), allene insertion, rearrangement and isomerization (Stage II), β-H elimination and enol-keto tautomerism (Stage III), and catalyst regeneration resulting in the five-membered ring product (Stage IV). For stage IV, besides the reaction paths proposed by the experimentalists, i.e., the insertion and reductive elimination (labeled as path a) and the reductive elimination and hydroamination (labeled as path b), an alternative path which involves C-N and C-H reductive eliminations (labeled as path c) was proposed and examined. The computational results show that the newly established path c is more energetically favorable than the reaction paths proposed by the experimentalists (paths a and b). The allene (non-terminal double bond) insertion step contributes to the rate-determining step with an overall activation free energy of 24.6 kcal/mol. Our study is beneficial for a better comprehension of the reaction mechanisms and provides a significant suggestion for further development of similar reactions.

Efficient Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Arylative Carbocyclization of Enallenynes

Herein, we communicate a selective and efficient protocol for oxidative arylating carbocyclization of enallenynes using O2 as the oxidant. The key to success for this aerobic transformation is the application of a specific electron transfer mediator (ETM), a bifunctional catalyst consisting of a metal-macrocycle and quinone moieties. This catalyst significantly facilitates the reoxidation of Pd0 to PdII under atmospheric pressure of O2 . Diverse functionalized enallenynes react with aryl boronic acids to afford the corresponding cyclic tetraenes in moderate to good yields.

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Ring-Closing Reaction of Allene-Alkene-Alkynes: One-Step Construction of Tricyclo[6.4.0.02,6 ] and Bicyclo[6.3.0] Skeletons from Linear Carbon Chains

Treatment of dodecatrienyne derivatives with [RhCl(CO)₂ ]₂ in refluxing toluene effected the cycloisomerization to produce tricyclo[6.4.0.0^2,6 ]dodecadienes. The one-carbon shortened undecatrienyne derivatives, however, afforded bicyclo[6.3.0]undecatriene derivatives instead of tricyclic compounds, the latter of which are well known as a basic skeleton of naturally occurring octanoids. On the basis of two experiments with deuterated substrates, a plausible reaction mechanism for the construction of these products was proposed.

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Homopropargylallene-Alkynes through C(sp3 )-C(sp) Bond Activation

Upon exposure to a catalytic amount of [RhCl(CO)₂ ]₂ in 1,4-dioxane, homopropargylallene-alkynes underwent a novel cycloisomerization accompanied by the migration of the alkyne moiety of the homopropargyl functional group to produce six/five/five tricyclic compounds in good yields. A plausible mechanism was proposed on the basis of an experiment with ¹³ C-labeled substrate. The resulting tricyclic derivatives were further converted into the corresponding bicyclo[3.3.0] skeletons with vicinal cis dihydroxy groups.

Efficient Access to All-Carbon Quaternary and Tertiary α-Functionalized Homoallyl-type Aldehydes from Ketones

β,γ-Unsaturated aldehydes with all-carbon quaternary or tertiary α-centers were rapidly assembled from ketones through a unique synthetic operation consisting of 1) C₁ homologation, 2) Lewis acid mediated epoxide-aldehyde isomerization, and 3) electrophilic trapping. The synthetic equivalence of a vinyl oxirane and a β,γ-unsaturated aldehyde is the key concept of this previously undisclosed tactic. Mechanistic studies and labeling experiments suggest that an aldehyde enolate is a crucial intermediate. The homologating carbenoid formation plays a critical role in determining the chemoselectivity.

Mechanistic Investigation of RhI-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Benzylallene-Internal Alkynes via C-H Activation

Treatment of the benzylallene-internal alkynes with [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ effected a cycloisomerization via a C_sp2-H bond activation to produce the tricyclo[9.4.0.0^3,8]pentadecapentaene skeleton. The reaction mechanism via formation of the rhodabicyclo[4.3.0] intermediates and σ-bond metathesis between the C_sp2-H bond on the benzene ring and the C_sp2-Rh^III bond was proposed. In addition, a plausible alternative mechanism for the previously reported cycloisomerization of the benzylallene-terminal alkynes could also be proposed.

Creation of Novel Cyclization Methods Using sp-Hybridized Carbon Units and Syntheses of Bioactive Compounds

Some recent results on the development of new and reliable procedures for the construction of diverse ring systems based on the chemistry of sp-hybridized species, especially allene functionality, are described. This review includes: (i) synthesis of the multi-cyclic skeletons by combination of the π-component of allene with suitable other π-components such as alkyne, alkene, or additional allene under Rh-catalyzed conditions; (ii) synthesis of heterocycles as well as carbocycles by reaction of the sp-hybridized center of allene with some nucleophiles in an endo-mode manner; and (iii) total syntheses of natural products and related compounds from the sp-hybridized starting materials.

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.