Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition of Acetylenic Aldehydes with α-Ketols: Convergent Construction of Angucycline Ring Systems

Alcohols as Substrates in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Arylation, Alkylation, and Related Reactions

Alcohols are abundant and attractive feedstock molecules for organic synthesis. Many methods for their functionalization require them to first be converted into a more activated derivative, while recent years have seen a vast increase in the number of complexity-building transformations that directly harness unprotected alcohols. This Review discusses how transition metal catalysis can be used toward this goal. These transformations are broadly classified into three categories. Deoxygenative functionalizations, representing derivatization of the C-O bond, enable the alcohol to act as a leaving group toward the formation of new C-C bonds. Etherifications, characterized by derivatization of the O-H bond, represent classical reactivity that has been modernized to include mild reaction conditions, diverse reaction partners, and high selectivities. Lastly, chain functionalization reactions are described, wherein the alcohol group acts as a mediator in formal C-H functionalization reactions of the alkyl backbone. Each of these three classes of transformation will be discussed in context of intermolecular arylation, alkylation, and related reactions, illustrating how catalysis can enable alcohols to be directly harnessed for organic synthesis.

Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenative Cycloaddition Unlocks the Total Synthesis of SF2446 B3: An Aglycone of Arenimycin and SF2446 Type II Polyketide Antibiotics

The first total synthesis and structure validation of an arenimycin/SF2446 type II polyketide is described, as represented by de novo construction of SF2446 B3, the aglycone shared by this family of type II polyketides. Ruthenium-catalyzed α-ketol-benzocyclobutenone [4 + 2] cycloaddition, which occurs via successive stereoablation-stereoregeneration, affects a double dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation wherein two racemic starting materials combine to form the congested angucycline bay region with control of regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. This work represents the first application of transfer hydrogenative cycloaddition and enantioselective intermolecular metal-catalyzed C-C bond activation in target-oriented synthesis.

Total Synthesis of Methyl 1,5,8-Trimethoxy-1H-isochromene-3-carboxylate and Its Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Annulation of 2-Alkynylbenzaldehydes

A 7-step total synthesis of methyl 1,5,8-trimethoxy-1H-isochromene-3-carboxylate and a 5-step synthesis of its C-3 derivatives are reported. Sonogashira coupling of 2-halobenzaldehydes with terminal acetylenes was employed to access 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes, which underwent a Pd-catalyzed annulation to afford the corresponding isochromene-containing products.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Cycloadditions to Form Five-, Six-, and Seven-Membered Rings

Ruthenium-catalyzed cycloadditions to form five-, six-, and seven-membered rings are summarized, including applications in natural product total synthesis. Content is organized by ring size and reaction type. Coverage is limited to processes that involve formation of at least one C-C bond. Processes that are stoichiometric in ruthenium or exploit ruthenium as a Lewis acid (without intervention of organometallic intermediates), ring formations that occur through dehydrogenative condensation-reduction, σ-bond activation-initiated annulations that do not result in net reduction of bond multiplicity, and photochemically promoted ruthenium-catalyzed cycloadditions are not covered.

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Soluble N-Doped Rubicenes via Ruthenium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenative Benzannulation

Ruthenium-catalyzed butadiene-mediated benzannulation enabled the first synthesis of 3,10-(di-tert-butyl)rubicene and its N-doped derivatives as well as preliminary studies on their photophysical properties. Unlike the parent rubicene and 3,10-(di-tert-butyl)rubicene, which adopt classical herringbone-type packing motifs in the solid state, the N-doped congener 7 b displayed columnar packing with an alternating co-facial arrangement of aromatic and heteroaromatic substructures.

Benzannulation through Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenative Cycloaddition: Precision Synthesis and Photophysical Characterization of Soluble Diindenoperylenes

The first application of ruthenium(0)-catalyzed 1,2-dione-diyne [2+2+2] cycloaddition to PAH construction is achieved by the precision synthesis of soluble diindenoperylenes (DIPs), the electronic structures of which were investigated using steady-state absorption and emission, transient absorption, cyclic voltammetry and time-dependent density functional theory.

Rh-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloadditions with Benzoquinones: De Novo Access to Naphthoquinones for Lignan and Type II Polyketide Synthesis

The first examples of Rh-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions between diynes and benzoquinones are described. The method enables de novo and step-economical access to challenging naphthoquinones that are of relevance to lignan and type II polyketide synthesis. The value of the chemistry is demonstrated by a short total synthesis of justicidone.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Oxygen and Nitrogen Nucleophiles Triggered Regioselective Synthesis of Furo/Pyrrolo-Annulated Quinolines

Cu(I)-catalyzed intramolecular annulation of o-ethynylquinoline-3-carbaldehydes leads to the synthesis of alkoxy/imidazole-substituted 1,3-dihydrofuro[3,4-b]quinolines via C-O and C-N bond formation. The scope of the reaction was further extended to o-ethynylquinoline-3-carbonitriles for the synthesis of alkoxy-substituted 3H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinolines using alcohols as nucleophiles. These reactions are regioselectively favoring the 5-exo-dig cyclizations in all the annulation processes.

Unexpected formation and conversion: role of substituents of 1,3-ynones in the reactivity and product distribution during their reactions with Ru3(CO)12

Electronic and steric effects of the substituents in 1,3-ynones play key roles in the product distribution and molecular structures.

Activation reactions of 2-pyridyl and 2-pyrimidinyl alkynes with Ru3(CO)12

The strong coordination ability of nitrogen atoms of N-heterocyclic groups plays key roles in the product distribution and molecular structures.

Enantioselective Ruthenium-Catalyzed Benzocyclobutenone-Ketol Cycloaddition: Merging C-C Bond Activation and Transfer Hydrogenative Coupling for Type II Polyketide Construction

The first enantioselective intermolecular metal-catalyzed cycloadditions of benzocyclobutenones via C-C bond oxidative addition are described. In the presence of a ruthenium(0) complex modified by ( R)-DM-SEGPHOS, tetralone-derived ketols and benzocyclobutenones combine to form cycloadducts with complete regio- and diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity. Using this method, the "bay region" substructure of the angucycline natural product arenimycin was prepared.

Reaction of FcC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC(O)R (Fc = ferrocenyl) with Ru3(CO)12 leading to unexpected nitro-group reduced ruthenoles and 1,2-CO-inserted triruthenium clusters

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with ferrocene-containing alkynyl ketones FcC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC(O)R (Fc = ferrocenyl; R = Ph (1); 2-thienyl (2); 4-CH₃O-Ph (3); 4-NH₂-Ph (4); 4-NO₂-Ph (5); ferrocenyl (6)) proceeds in toluene with the formation of triruthenium clusters (1a-6a), ruthenoles (1b-5b, 5c and 1d-5d) and unexpected 1,2-CO-inserted triruthenium clusters (1c-4c). 1a-6a were isolated from the reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with one equivalent of 1-6, respectively. Ruthenoles 1b-5b, 5c and 1d-5d were collected by adding 1-5 to the corresponding 1a-5a in a molar ratio of 1 : 1, respectively. Unexpectedly, the nitro group in one of the two phenyl rings in both 5c and 5d molecules was reduced to an amino group, while their ruthenole skeletons are retained. When 1-4 were added to the corresponding 1a-4a in a molar ratio of 1 : 1, respectively, the unusual triruthenium clusters (1c-4c) were isolated, involving 1,2-insertion of a terminal coordinated carbonyl between two C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C units of the ynone molecules. No reaction between 6a and 6 was observed. And the familiar cyclotrimerization products were not found. All new compounds were characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and MS-ESI and most of them were structurally confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The results suggested that the ferrocenyl groups in the 1,3-ynones exhibit strong electron and steric effects on the reaction process and product distribution during their reactions with Ru₃(CO)₁₂.

Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of 1,2-Diols, Ketols, or Diones via Alcohol-Mediated Hydrogen Transfer

Merging the characteristics of transfer hydrogenation and carbonyl addition, a broad new class of ruthenium(0)-catalyzed cycloadditions has been developed. As discussed in this Minireview, fused or bridged bicyclic ring systems are accessible in a redox-independent manner in C-C bond-forming hydrogen transfer reactions of diols, α-ketols, or 1,2-diones with diverse unsaturated reactants.

Electronic and steric effects of substituents in 1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-one during its reaction with Ru3(CO)12

Electronic and steric effects of substituents of alkynyl ketones play important roles in regulating reaction pathways.

A thiocyanopalladation/carbocyclization transformation identified through enzymatic screening: stereocontrolled tandem C-SCN and C-C bond formation

Herein we describe a formal thiocyanopalladation/carbocyclization transformation and its parametrization and optimization using a new elevated temperature plate-based version of our visual colorimetric enzymatic screening method for reaction discovery. The carbocyclization step leads to C-SCN bond formation in tandem with C-C bond construction and is highly stereoselective, showing nearly absolute 1,2-anti-stereoinduction (5 examples) for substrates bearing allylic substitution, and nearly absolute 1,3-syn-stereoinduction (16 examples) for substrates bearing propargylic substitution. Based upon these high levels of stereoinduction, the dependence of the 1,2-stereoinduction upon cyclization substrate geometry, and the generally high preference for the transoid vinyl thiocyanate alkene geometry, a mechanistic model is proposed, involving (i) Pd(ii)-enyne coordination, (ii) thiocyanopalladation, (iii) migratory insertion and (iv) β-elimination. Examples of transition metal-mediated C-SCN bond formation that proceed smoothly on unactivated substrates and allow for preservation of the SCN moiety are lacking. Yet, the thiocyanate functionality is of great value for biophysical chemistry (vibrational Stark effect) and medicinal chemistry (S,N-heterocycle construction). The title transformation accommodates C-, O-, N- and S-bridged substrates (6 examples), thereby providing the corresponding carbocyclic or heterocyclic scaffolds. The reaction is also shown to be compatible with a significant range of substituents, varying in steric and electronic demand, including a wide range of substituted aromatics, fused bicyclic and heterocyclic systems, and even biaryl systems. Combination of this new transformation with asymmetric allylation and Grubbs ring-closing metathesis provides for a streamlined enantio- and diastereoselective entry into the oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl core of the natural products massarilactone and annuionone A, as also evidenced by low temperature X-ray crystal structure determination. Utilizing this bicyclic scaffold, we demonstrate the versatility of the thiocyanate moiety for structural diversification post-cyclization. Thus, the bridging vinyl thiocyanate moiety is smoothly elaborated into a range of derivative functionalities utilizing transformations that cleave the S-CN bond, add the elements of RS-CN across a π-system and exploit the SCN moiety as a cycloaddition partner (7 diverse examples). Among the new functionalities thereby generated are thiotetrazole and sulfonyl tetrazole heterocycles that serve as carboxylate and phosphate surrogates, respectively, highlighting the potential of this approach for future applications in medicinal chemistry or chemical biology.

Diols as Dienophiles: Bridged Carbocycles via Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenative Cycloadditions of Cyclohexadiene or Norbornadiene

Highly exo-selective ruthenium(0) catalyzed transfer hydrogenative cycloadditions of 1,2-diols with cyclohexadiene or norbornadiene are described. Novel bridged bicyclic ring systems are accessible from the diol, α-ketol or 1,2-dione oxidation levels with complete control of diastereoselectivity.

Reductive C-C Coupling via Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation: Departure from Stoichiometric Metals in Carbonyl Addition

Metal catalyzed reductive couplings of π-unsaturated reagents with carbonyl compounds via hydrogenation or transfer hydrogenation has emerged as an alternative to the use of stoichiometric organometallic reagents in carbonyl addition.

Mechanisms for nickel(0)/N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydroacylation: insights from a DFT study

Density functional calculations have been applied to study and elucidate nickel(0)/N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydroacylation. The calculations showed that nickel(0)-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydroacylation involved four potential reaction channels (I, II, III, and IV), and pathway IV was predicted to be more favorable than the other three. Two pathways, I and II, had three steps (oxidative addition, hydrogen migration, reductive elimination), and the rate-determining step was hydrogen migration. Pathway III proceeded through oxidative cyclization, β-hydride elimination, and hydrogen migration, and the rate-determining step was β-hydride elimination. Pathway IV included four steps (oxidative cyclization, dimerization, β-hydride elimination, hydrogen migration), and the rate-determining step was again β-hydride elimination. Oxidative cyclization was easy and led to rapid dimerization, greatly reducing the free energy of β-hydride elimination. The binuclear nickelacycle intermediate was observed in Ogoshi's experiments, and it was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The dominant product was the five-membered benzocyclic ketone p1. All results agreed with Ogoshi's experiments. Graphical Abstract Nickel(0)-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydroacylation involved four potential reaction channels. The binuclear nickelacycle intermediate was important, and the dimerization greatly reduced the free energy of the β-hydride elimination.

Silver-Catalyzed Domino Reaction of ortho-Carbonylated Alkynyl-Substituted Arylaldehydes with Conjugated Dienes: Stereoselective Access to Indanone-Fused Cyclohexenes

A silver-catalyzed domino reaction of ortho-carbonylated alkynyl-substituted arylaldehydes with conjugated dienes is described here. Through this reaction, the synthesis of a variety of indanone-fused cyclohexene derivatives can be achieved efficiently. The formation of these tricyclic products could involve a key Diels-Alder reaction of in situ generated indanenone dienophiles with conjugated dienes. Particularly, the products can be accomplished in a high endo/exo selective way.

Osmium(0)-Catalyzed C-C Coupling of Ethylene and α-Olefins with Diols, Ketols, or Hydroxy Esters via Transfer Hydrogenation

Osmium(0) complexes derived from Os3(CO)12 and XPhos (2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2',4',6'-triisopropylbiphenyl) catalyze the C-C coupling of α-hydroxy esters 1a-1i, α-ketols 1j-1o, or 1,2-diols dihydro-1j-1o with ethylene 2a to form ethylated tertiary alcohols 3a-3o. As illustrated in couplings of 1-octene 2b with vicinally dioxygenated reactants 1a, 1b, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1m, higher α-olefins are converted to adducts 4a, 4b, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4m with complete levels of branched regioselectivity. Oxidation level independent C-C coupling is demonstrated by the reaction of 1-octene 2b with diol dihydro-1k, α-ketol 1k, and dione dehydro-1k. Functionalized olefins 2c-2f react with ethyl mandelate 1a to furnish adducts 5a-8a as single regioisomers. The collective data, including deuterium labeling studies, are consistent with a catalytic mechanism involving olefin-dione oxidative coupling to form an oxa-osmacyclopentane, which upon reductive cleavage via hydrogen transfer from the secondary alcohol reactant releases the product of carbinol C-alkylation with regeneration of the ketone. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of the dinuclear complex Os2(CO)4(O2CR)2(XPhos)2 and the trinuclear complex Os3(CO)11(XPhos) are reported. These studies suggest increased π-backbonding at the stage of the metal-olefin π-complex plays a critical role in facilitating alkene-carbonyl oxidative coupling, as isostructural ruthenium(0) complexes, which are weaker π-donors, do not catalyze the transformations reported herein.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation for C-C Bond Formation: Hydrohydroxyalkylation and Hydroaminoalkylation via Reactant Redox Pairs

Merging the chemistry of transfer hydrogenation and carbonyl or imine addition, a broad new family of redox-neutral or reductive hydrohydroxyalkylations and hydroaminomethylations have been developed. In these processes, hydrogen redistribution between alcohols and π-unsaturated reactants is accompanied by C-C bond formation, enabling direct conversion of lower alcohols to higher alcohols. Similarly, hydrogen redistribution between amines to π-unsaturated reactants results in direct conversion of lower amines to higher amines. Alternatively, equivalent products of hydrohydroxyalkylation and hydroaminomethylation may be generated through the reaction of carbonyl compounds or imines with π-unsaturated reactants under the conditions of 2-propanol-mediated reductive coupling. Finally, using vicinally dioxygenated reactants, that is, diol, ketols, or diones, successive transfer hydrogenative coupling occurs to generate 2 C-C bonds, resulting in products of formal [4+2] cycloaddition.

An annulative transfer hydrogenation strategy enables straightforward access to tetrahydro fused-pyrazine derivatives

A ruthenium-catalyzed annulative transfer hydrogenation strategy, enabling straightforward access to tetrahydro fused-pyrazine derivatives from N-heteroaryl diamines and vicinal diols, is demonstrated.