Photoreactions of Tricyclic α-Cyclopropyl Ketones and Unsaturated Enones – Synthesis of Polyquinanes and Analogous Ring Systems

Phomanolides C-F from a Phoma sp.: Meroterpenoids Generated via Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions

Phomanolides C-F (1-4), four new meroterpenoids, were isolated from a Phoma sp., together with the known phomanolides A (5) and B (6); their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were assigned by electronic circular dichroism calculations, and that of 4 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis using Cu Kα radiation. Compounds 1-3 incorporate an unprecedented trioxa[4.4.3]propellane subunit in their skeletons. Compounds 2 and 4 were weakly cytotoxic.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Cyclobutanes by Olefin [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition Reactions

The [2 + 2] photocycloaddition is undisputedly the most important and most frequently used photochemical reaction. In this review, it is attempted to cover all recent aspects of [2 + 2] photocycloaddition chemistry with an emphasis on synthetically relevant, regio-, and stereoselective reactions. The review aims to comprehensively discuss relevant work, which was done in the field in the last 20 years (i.e., from 1995 to 2015). Organization of the data follows a subdivision according to mechanism and substrate classes. Cu(I) and PET (photoinduced electron transfer) catalysis are treated separately in sections 2 and 4 , whereas the vast majority of photocycloaddition reactions which occur by direct excitation or sensitization are divided within section 3 into individual subsections according to the photochemically excited olefin.

Hybrid macrocycle formation and spiro annulation on cis-syn-cis-tricyclo[6.3.0.0(2,6)]undeca-3,11-dione and its congeners via ring-closing metathesis

We have developed a simple methodology to transform cis-syn-cis-triquinane derivative 2 into the diindole based macrocycle 6 involving Fischer indolization and ring-closing metathesis (RCM). Various spiro-polyquinane derivatives have been assembled via RCM as a key step.

[3+2] cycloadditions of aryl cyclopropyl ketones by visible light photocatalysis

We report a new method for the formal [3+2] reaction of aryl cyclopropyl ketones with olefins to generate highly substituted cyclopentane ring systems. The key initiation step in this process is the one-electron reduction of the ketone to the corresponding radical anion, which is accomplished using a photocatalytic system comprising Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), La(OTf)(3), and TMEDA.

PET reactions of cis-dibenzoylalkenes: an efficient trans-reduction of C=C bond

In contrast to its reaction under catalytic hydrogenation, the first instance of an exclusive and chemoselective trans-reduction of the ene part of derivatives of 5,6-dibenzoylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-one has been reported under moderate photoinduced electron transfer (PET) conditions using triethylamine (TEA). In the absence of TEA, such molecules underwent 1,5-photophenyl migration yielding vinyl ketenes.