Electrophilic Carbocyclization of Hydroxylated Enynes

Recent advances in the cascade reactions of enynols/diynols for the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles

This review summaries a view of the advances in the cascade reactions of enynols/diynols for the construction of carbo- and heterocycles.

Catalytic Asymmetric and Divergent Synthesis of Tricyclic and Tetracyclic Spirooxindoles: Controllable Site-Selective Electrophilic Halocyclization of 1,6-Enynes

Catalytic asymmetric and divergent assembly of tricyclic and tetracyclic 3,3'-pyrrolidonyl spirooxindoles was developed, involving a one-pot chiral Brønsted base catalyzed asymmetric propargylation for the synthesis of oxindole 1,6-enynes and a subsequent switchable site-selective and highly diastereoselective electrophilic iodocyclization of 1,6-enynes. In addition, antitumor properties of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated.

Metal-free reactions of alkynes via electrophilic iodocarbocyclizations

Despite attracting tremendous interest over the last few decades, the field of electrophilic cyclizations is still continuously and rapidly developing. Particularly, metal-free reactions that involve the activation of an alkyne using electrophilic halogen sources are powerful tools in the repertoire of synthetic chemists. This brief overview highlights recent progress in C-C bond-forming halocyclizations allowing for the reaction of alkynes with carbon-nucleophiles. Primarily guided by the type of carbon nucleophile, methods are categorized as the addition of arene, malonate, and olefin nucleophiles.

Intramolecular ipso-halocyclization of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes leading to spiro[4,5]trienones: scope, application, and mechanistic investigations

A new, general method for the synthesis of spiro[4,5]trienones is described by the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes. In the presence of halide electrophiles, a variety of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes underwent the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization with water smoothly, affording the corresponding halo-substituted spiro[4,5]trienones in moderate to good yields. The obtained spiro[4,5]trienones can be applied in constructing the azaquaternary tricyclic skeleton via Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction. Notably, the prepared spiro[4,5]trienones and azaquaternary tricycles are of importance in the areas of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The mechanism of the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization reaction is also discussed according to the (18)O-labeling experiments and DFT calculations.