Divergent insertion reactions of Pt-carbenes generated from [3+2] cyclization of platinum-bound pyrylliums

Organocatalytic enantio- and diastereoselective assembly of cyclopropane-incorporated polycyclic molecules via isobenzopyrylium ions

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective organocatalytic formation of cyclopropanes embedded in a complex bridged polycyclic architecture is disclosed. In the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst, this reaction generates four new stereogenic centers and three new C-C bonds efficiently from isochromene acetals and vinylboronic acids under mild conditions. Different from conventional asymmetric cyclopropanation strategies, this process does not involve carbenes or carbenoids. The complex products can serve as precursors to useful homoenolate equivalents. Mechanistically, DFT studies provided insights into the key transition states of the enantiodetermining [4 + 2] cycloaddition, in which the enantioselectivity is induced by the chiral phosphate counter anion of the isobenzopyrylium intermediate.

Ligand-controlled chemoselectivity in gold-catalyzed cascade cyclization of 1,4-diene-tethered 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes

A synthetic method that relies on the gold(i)-catalyzed cascade annulation of skipped 1,4-diene-tethered 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes for the chemo- and stereoselective assembly polycyclic bridged-pyrrolidines and -azepines is described.

Mild Intermolecular Synthesis of a Cyclopropane-Containing Tricyclic Skeleton: Unusual Reactivity of Isobenzopyryliums

Cyclopropanes embedded in a polycyclic bridged architecture are a versatile structural motif, but such complex frameworks often impose substantial synthetic challenges. Herein we introduce a new approach for the expedient access to such spring-loaded strained systems via an exceptionally mild intermolecular convergent process between the readily available isobenzopyryliums and vinyl boronic acids. Different from the typical conventional approaches, our protocol does not involve the highly active carbenoid intermediates or strong conditions in order to overcome the disfavored kinetic and thermodynamic problems. Instead, the key cyclopropane ring was formed between the well-positioned nucleophile and electrophile in the adduct from the regioselective [4+2] cycloaddition. Thus, this unusual process also represents a new reactivity of the versatile isobenzopyryliums. The choice of a Brønsted acid catalyst with proper acidity is crucial to the high efficiency and selectivity for this multiple bond-forming process. The strained products are precursors to other useful synthetic building blocks.

Skeletal diversity in Pt- and Au-catalyzed annulations of allenedienes: dissecting unconventional mechanistic pathways

We describe the discovery of unprecedented annulation processes of 1,7-allenedienes, promoted by Pt or Au catalysts. These transformations revealed mechanistic pathways that had not been previously observed in reactions involving carbophilic catalysis. In particular, we have found that allenedienes bearing a silyl ether in the carbon tether connecting the diene and the allene divergently afford cyclopropane-embedded tricyclic derivatives, 6,6-fused bicarbocyclic products or 5,6-fused bicarbocyclic systems, depending on the type of Au or Pt catalyst used. We have carried out experimental and computational studies that shed light on the mechanistic reasons behind this rich and unusual skeletal divergence, and provide new lessons on the drastic influence of platinum ancillary ligands on the reaction outcome.

Donor- and acceptor-enynals/enynones

Three kinds of transformations based on benzo-fused donor- and acceptor-enynals/enynones, including reactions with alkenes, alkynes, and H₂O, were discussed.

Synthesis of Oxatricyclooctanes via Photoinduced Intramolecular Oxa-[4+2] Cycloaddition of Substituted o-Divinylbenzenes

The photolysis of substituted o-divinylbenzenes promotes a one-step and metal-free conversion to oxatricycles at room temperature. Irradiation o-divinylbenzenes results in an pericyclic reaction to form cyclic o-quinodiemthane intermediates, which subsequently undergo intramolecular oxa-[4+2] cycloaddition to form oxacyclic derivatives.

The synthesis of functionalized bridged polycycles via C-H bond insertion

This review presents examples from the chemical literature of syntheses of bridged-polycyclic products via C–H bond insertion by carbenes and nitrenes. Applications to natural product synthesis, a description of the essential elements in substrate-controlled reactions, and mechanistic details of transformations are presented. Overall, these transformations allow the construction of important ring systems rapidly and efficiently, though additional catalyst development is needed.

Tandem C-H oxidation/cyclization/rearrangement and its application to asymmetric syntheses of (-)-brussonol and (-)-przewalskine E

Natural products are a vital source of lead compounds in drug discovery. Development of efficient tandem reactions to build useful compounds and apply them to the synthesis of natural products is not only a significant challenge but also an important goal for chemists. Here we describe a tandem C–H oxidation/cyclization/rearrangement of isochroman-derived allylic silylethers, promoted by DDQ and InCl₃. This method allows the efficient construction of tricyclic benzoxa[3.2.1]octanes with a wide substrate scope. We employ this tandem reaction to achieve the asymmetric total syntheses of (−)-brussonol and (−)-przewalskine E.

The ability to form complex molecular architectures from simpler precursors is important for drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. Here, the authors report a cascade reaction giving access to tricyclic products and apply it in the total synthesis of two natural products.

Pt-catalyzed hydrative cyclization of 2-enynylbenzaldehydes and its application to faveline synthesis

Various 2-[6-en-1-ynyl]benzaldehydes and their analogues were successfully cyclized via Huisgen-type [3+2] cycloaddition to the tetracyclic platinum-carbene complex, which would subsequently undergo hydration to afford the tricyclic products in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities. This hydrative cyclization was also applied to the faveline synthesis.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of oxygen-bridged polycycles via intermolecular [3+2] cyclization of platinum-bound pyrylium with alkenes

2-(3-Benzyloxy)prop-1-ynyl)benzaldehyde with PtCl(2) in toluene would form Pt-pyryliums that underwent [3+2] cycloaddition with alkenes to the oxygen-bridged (5H-benzo[7]annulen-5-ylidene)platinum(ii) intermediates with good stereoselectivities. Their tandem rearrangement afforded diverse types of polycycles depending on the electronic nature of the alkenes.

Gold-catalyzed reactions of 1,5- and 1,6-enynes with carbonyl compounds: cycloaddition vs. metathesis

Gold and rings: The gold(I)-catalyzed addition of aldehydes to 1,6-enynes gives 1,3-dienes, by a cycloaddition/fragmentation process. 1,5-Enynes react with aldehydes and ketones by the 5-endo-dig pathway to give the corresponding cycloadducts.