Ring-Opening Reaction of Vinylidenecyclopropanediesters Catalyzed by Re2(CO)10 or Yb(OTf)3

Alkyne Polymers from Stable Butatriene Homologues: Controlled Radical Polymerization of Vinylidenecyclopropanes

Controlled polymerization of cumulenic monomers represents a promising yet underdeveloped strategy toward well-defined alkyne polymers. Here we report a stereoelectronic effect-inspired approach using simple vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) as butatriene homologues in controlled radical ring-opening polymerizations. While being thermally stable, VDCPs mimic butatrienes via conjugation of the cyclopropane ring. This leads to exclusive terminal-selective propagation that affords a highly structurally regular alkyne-based backbone, featuring complete ring-opening and no backbiting regardless of polymerization conditions.

Palladium-catalyzed hydroamination of vinylidenecyclopropane-diester with pyrroles and indoles: an approach to azaaromatic vinylcyclopropanes

A new method for the synthesis of azaaromatic vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) has been disclosed in this paper by using pyrrole or indole derivatives as nucleophilic reagents to react with vinylidenecyclopropane-diesters (VDCP-diesters) in the presence of a Pd catalyst, a phosphine ligand and a base under mild conditions in up to 98% yield with a reasonable substrate scope. This reaction is one of the few examples of hydroamination at electron-rich allene's β-position. A plausible reaction mechanism has also been proposed through a zwitterionic π-propargyl N-palladium species according to the previous work and the obtained deuterium labeling experimental result.

Rhenium-catalysed reactions in chemical synthesis: selected case studies

This Perspective presents and discusses a selection of examples that reinforce the enabling and distinctive reactivity provided by homogeneous rhenium catalysis in chemical synthesis. Specifically, the ability for lower oxidation...

Cu-catalyzed coupling of vinylidene cyclopropanes with allyl and allenyl boronates

The development of Cu-catalyzed coupling of vinylidene cyclopropanes with allyl or allenyl boronates is reported. The reaction forms a C-C bond at the terminal carbon atom of the allene moiety of vinylidene cyclopropanes with concurrent opening of the cyclopropane ring. In addition, the resulting Cu-enolate intermediate can be intercepted by external electrophiles.

Palladium catalyzed divergent cycloadditions of vinylidenecyclopropane-diesters with methyleneindolinones enabled by zwitterionic π-propargyl palladium species

A palladium-catalyzed divergent synthesis of spirooxindoles fused with a five- or a six-membered ring by a cycloaddition reaction of vinylidenecyclopropane-diesters with methyleneindolinones was disclosed. This protocol features an in situ generated unprecedented zwitterionic π-propargyl palladium species in cycloaddition reactions and a switchable process between (3+2) and (4+2) cycloadditions by changing the phosphine ligand.

Cu-catalyzed C-C bond formation of vinylidene cyclopropanes with carbon nucleophiles

The development of Cu-catalyzed addition of carbon nucleophiles to vinylidene cyclopropanes was reported. The reactions with 1,1-bisborylmethane provided homopropargylic boronate products by forming a C-C bond at the terminal carbon atom of the allene moiety of vinylidene cyclopropanes. Alkynyl boronates are also suitable nucleophile precursors in reactions with vinylidene cyclopropanes, and skipped diynes were obtained in high yields. In addition, the Cu-enolate generated from the initial addition of nucleophilic copper species to vinylidene cyclopropanes can be intercepted by an external electrophile. As such, vinylidene cyclopropane serves as a linchpin to connect a nucleophile and an electrophile by forming two carbon-carbon bonds sequentially.

Rhodium/Silver Synergistic Catalysis in Highly Enantioselective Cycloisomerization/Cross Coupling of Keto-Vinylidenecyclopropanes with Terminal Alkynes

A rhodium/silver synergistic catalysis has been established, enabling cycloisomerization/cross coupling of keto-vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) with terminal alkynes toward the regio- and enantioselective formation of diversified tetrahydropyridin-3-ol tethered 1,4-enynes in good yields and high ee values. In this synergistic catalysis, Rh(I) and Ag(I) catalysts selectively activate keto-VDCP substrates and terminal alkynes to generate the π-allyl Rh(III) complex of oxa-rhodacyclic intermediate and Ag alkynyl intermediate, respectively. The rapid transmetalation of alkynyl groups from Ag to Rh is proposed to play a key role in realizing the regioselective cleavage of the distal bond of the three-membered ring in this transformation.

Heterocycles from methylenecyclopropanes

The discovery of a series of novel organic reactions has made methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) some of the most popular building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry during the past two decades. Among reported works, the construction of heterocycles from MCPs has highlighted new synthetic methodologies that afford more opportunities for the quick synthesis of elaborately substituted products, and this should draw a great deal of attention. However, reviews in this area are insufficient, and the latest monograph on heterocycle synthesis from MCPs was published 12 years ago. This review aims to summarize the novel organic reactions of MCPs to produce heterocycles published in recent years, which have provided specific and powerful tools for organic synthesis.