Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of Allenenes: Direct Construction of Tricyclic Heterocycles through Aromatic CH Activation

Recent Advances in Palladium-Catalyzed Bridging C–H Activation by Using Alkenes, Alkynes or Diazo Compounds as Bridging Reagents

Transition-metal-catalyzed direct inert C–H bond functionalization has attracted much attention over the past decades. However, because of the high strain energy of the suspected palladacycle generated via C–H bond palladation, direct functionalization of a C–H bond less than a three-bond distance from a catalyst center is highly challenging. In this short review, we summarize the advances on palladium-catalyzed bridging C–H activation, in which an inert proximal C–H bond palladation is promoted by the elementary step of migratory insertion of an alkene, an alkyne or a metal carbene intermediate.

1 Introduction

2 Palladium-Catalyzed Alkene Bridging C–H Activation

2.1 Intramolecular Reactions

2.2 Intermolecular Reactions

3 Palladium-Catalyzed Alkyne Bridging C–H Activation

3.1 Intermolecular Reactions

3.2 Intramolecular Reactions

4 Palladium-Catalyzed Carbene Bridging C–H Activation

5 Conclusion and Outlook

(6aS*,6bS*,11R*,11aR*)-6-(2-Furyl-methyl)-5,12-dioxo-5,6,6a,6b,7,11,11a,12-octa-hydro-furo[3',2':5,6]isoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline-11-carb-oxy-lic acid

The title compound, C₂₃H₁₈N₂O₆, is the product of an intra­molecular thermal cyclo­addition within 1-malein-2-[(E)-2-(2-fur­yl)vin­yl]-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro­quinazoline. The mol­ecule comprises a previously unknown fused penta­cyclic system containing two five-membered rings (2-pyrrolidinone and furan) and three six-membered rings (benzene, 2,3-dihydro-4-pyrimidinone and dihydro­cyclo­hexa­ne). The central five-membered pyrrolidinone ring has the usual envelope conformation. The six-membered dihydro­pyrimidinone and dihydro­cyclo­hexane rings adopt a half-boat and a half-chair conformation, respectively. The dihedral angle between the planes of the terminal benzene and furan rings is 45.99 (7)°. In the crystal, O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into centrosymmetric dimers. Weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds consolidate further the crystal packing, which exhibits π–π inter­actions, with a short distance of 3.556 (3) Å between the centroids of benzene rings of neighbouring mol­ecules.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-lysergic acid, lysergol, and isolysergol by palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of amino allenes bearing a bromoindolyl group

Ergot alkaloids and their synthetic analogs have been reported to exhibit broad biological activity. We investigated direct construction of the C/D ring system of ergot alkaloids based on palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of amino allenes. With this biscyclization as the key step, total synthesis of (+/-)-lysergic acid, (+/-)-lysergol, and (+/-)-isolysergol was achieved.

Enantioselective synthesis of indolizidines bearing quaternary substituted stereocenters via rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkenyl isocyanates and terminal alkynes

An enantioselective synthesis of indolizidines bearing quaternary substituted stereocenters by way of a rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of substituted alkenyl isocyanates and terminal alkynes is described. The reaction provides lactam products using aliphatic alkynes, whereas aryl alkynes give rise to vinylogous amide products. Through modification of the phosphoramidite ligand, high levels of enantioselectivity, regioselectivity, and product selectivity are obtained for both products.

A Highly Regio- and Stereoselective Formation of Bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-5-ene Derivatives through Thermal Intramolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Allenes

Thermal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of allenes with an additional multiple bond is described. By simply heating the allenenes or allenynes having a three-atom tether in an appropriate solvent such as dioxane or DMF, the distal double bond of the allenic moiety regioselectively participates in the cycloaddition to form bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-5-ene derivatives in good to excellent yields. In all the reactions of allenenes, the olefin geometry was completely transferred to the cycloadducts. While the reaction of terminal allenes afforded bicyclic cyclobutane derivatives as a single isomer, the cycloaddition of some internal allenes with axial chirality yielded a diastereomeric mixture of cycloadducts. These results are in good accordance with the stepwise mechanism through a biradical intermediate with a coplanar allyl radical.

Gold-Catalyzed Cyclization of Allene-Substituted Malonate Esters: Synthesis of β,γ-Unsaturated δ-Lactones

An efficient method for the preparation of beta,gamma-unsaturated delta-lactones has been developed. The starting materials for the synthesis of these compounds are allene-substituted malonates which undergo gold-catalyzed cyclization by means of nucleophilic attack of the ester moiety on the allene. It is worth mentioning that this is the first example where an ester group attacks as a nucleophile in a gold-catalyzed transformation of allenes.

Reaction of 2,3-Allenoates with TsNBr2 in the Presence of Base: A Facile Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of (1E,2E)-3-Bromo-4-oxo-N‘-tosyl-2-alkenoxylimidic Acid Ethyl Esters

A novel reaction pathway of 2,3-allenoates with an electrophile (TsNBr2) in the presence of K2CO3 to produce (1E,2E)-3-bromo-4-oxo-N'-tosyl-2-alkenoxylimidic acid ethyl esters is reported. The reaction proceeds in a highly stereoselective fashion. A plausible mechanism to rationalize this reaction is also proposed.

Palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of simple arenes in synthesis of biaryl molecules

Significant progress has been made in the direct arylation of simple arenes. A number of catalyst systems have been developed which enable the intramolecular direct arylation of aryl chlorides, bromides and iodides in high yield as well as conditions capable of achieving intermolecular direct arylation with simple arenes. This account describes recent progress by our group and others in the development of these reactions.

Development of Useful Reactions Based on the Novel Reactivities of Allenic Compounds and Their Application to Tandem Cyclizations

This review highlights a recent study on allenic compounds by the author's group. In the first section, the organocopper-mediated ring-opening reaction of ethynylaziridines and palladium-catalyzed reductive synthesis of allenes are described. In the second section, palladium-catalyzed stereoselective cyclization of allenes, including the tandem reaction, leading to aziridines, pyrrolidines, benzoisoindoles, and cyclopropanes is presented. The final section reviews aziridination and medium-ring formation due to the intramolecular reaction of bromoallenes. The latter reaction is based on the author's recent discovery that bromoallenes can act as allylic dication equivalents in the presence of a palladium catalyst and alcohol.

Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Enallenes

A novel palladium(0)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enallenes has been developed. This reaction, catalyzed by [Pd(dba)2] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) in acetic acid, results in the formation of cyclopentene derivatives and [n.3.0]bicyclic systems (n=3, 4) in good to high yields. The carbon-carbon bond-forming step is highly stereoselective to give cis-fused bicyclic systems. The presence of acetic acid as solvent and dba as ligand for palladium(0) turned out to be essential for the reaction in order to provide good reactivity and regioselectivity.

Development of Useful Reactions Involving Tandem Cyclizations Based on the Novel Reactivities of Allenic Compounds

This review highlights author's recent study on allenic compounds. In the first section, organocopper-mediated ring-opening reaction of ethynylaziridines and palladium-catalyzed reductive synthesis of allenes including those which are not accessible by other means, are described. In the second section, palladium-catalyzed stereoselective cyclization of allenes and tandem reaction leading to aziridines, pyrrolidines, benzoisoindoles, and cyclopropanes are presented. The final section presents aziridination and medium-ring formation by intramolecular reaction of bromoallenes, which are scarcely investigated until quite recently. The latter reaction is based on our recent discovery that bromoallenes can act as allylic dication equivalents in the presence of a palladium catalyst and alcohol.