Cycloaddition of Arynes and Cyclic Enol Ethers as a Platform for Access to Stereochemically Defined 1,2-Disubstituted Benzocyclobutenes

syn-1,2-Diaminobenzocyclobutenes from [2+2] cycloaddition of 2-imidazolones with arynes

Formal [2+2] cycloaddition of arynes with 2-imidazolones affords syn-1,2-diaminobenzocyclobutenes. The transformation can also be conducted as a one-pot, three-stage process direct from simple propargyl amines and isocyanates to afford the new stereochemically defined benzocyclobutene frameworks.

Intermolecular radical oxyalkylation of arynes with alkenes and TEMPO

Radical transformations with arynes represent an underexplored research field and only a few examples have been disclosed. In this research article, the implementation of arynes in three-component reactions with TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl) and activated alkenes is demonstrated. TEMPO is added to arynes, which triggers a Meerwein-type arylation cascade where the final alkyl radial is eventually trapped by a second equivalent of TEMPO. This method is applicable to activated alkenes such as electron-deficient acrylates, styrenes and also vinyl acetate to provide various bisalkoxyamines. This work is a contribution to the emerging field of radical aryne chemistry.

A Cascade of Strain-Driven Events Converting Benzynes to Alkynylbenzocyclobutenes to 1,3-Dien-5-ynes to Cyclic Allenes to Benzocyclohexadienones

Here, we report a strain-promoted cascade reaction that proceeds via multiple strained intermediates, ultimately driven by the high potential energy inherent in alkyne triple bonds (C≡C). More specifically, four alkynes (three from an HDDA benzyne precursor and the fourth from a conjugated enyne reaction partner) are transformed into eight of the skeletal carbons in the benzocyclohexadienone products. The reaction pathway proceeds sequentially via strained benzyne, benzocyclobutene, and cyclic allene intermediates. DFT computations suggest that the slowest step following benzyne generation is the 4π-electrocyclic ring-opening of the alkynylbenzocyclobutene to a 1,3-dien-5-yne (an alkynylxylylene) intermediate. The activation energy for the subsequent 6π-electrocyclic ring-closure is lower than that for related acyclic dienynes because of the aromaticity that is being regained in the transition structure. Finally, the isolation of the benzocyclohexadienone products rather than their phenolic tautomers is notable.

Cyclic Diaryl λ3-Bromanes: A Rapid Access to Molecular Complexity via Cycloaddition Reactions

Biaryls have widespread applications in organic synthesis. However, sequentially polysubstituted biaryls are underdeveloped due to their challenging preparation. Herein, we report the synthesis of dissymetric 2,3,2',3',4-substituted biaryls via pericyclic reactions of cyclic diaryl λ³-bromanes. The functional groups tolerance and atom economy allow access to molecular complexity in a single reaction step. Continuous flow protocol has been designed for the scale-up of the reaction, while postfunctionalizations have been developed taking advantage of the residual Br-atom.

Alkyl Enol Ethers: Development in Intermolecular Organic Transformation

Alkyl enol ethers (AEE) are versatile synthetic intermediates with a unique reactivity pattern. This review article summarizes the synthesis of AEE as well as its reactivity and how enol ether undergoes intermolecular reactions for various bond formation, leading to the construction of several useful organic molecules. The synthetic applications of alkyl enol ethers towards intermolecular bond-forming reactions include metal-catalyzed reactions, cycloaddition and heterocycle formation as well as rwactions in the field of natural products synthesis. The achievement of these impressive transformations prove the countless synthetic potential of AEE. The main objective of this review is to bring attentiveness among synthetic chemists to show how AEE extensively can be used to react with both electrophiles as well as nucleophiles, thereby behaving as an ambiphilic reactant. We trust that the unique reactivity pattern of alkyl enol ethers and the fundamental mechanistic idea can attract chemists in AEE chemistry. Exclusively, intermolecular reactions of AEE with other functionalized moieties have not been reviewed to the best of our knowledge.

Synthesis of Uracil-Iodonium(III) Salts for Practical Utilization as Nucleobase Synthetic Modules

Iodonium(III) salts bearing uracil moieties have recently appeared in the literature, but their structural scope and utilization are limited because of their hygroscopic characteristics. In this study, we describe our detailed investigations for synthesizing a series of uracil iodonium(III) salts derived with various structural motifs and counterions. These new compounds have been utilized as attractive synthetic modules in constructing functionalized nucleobase and nucleosides.

Alder-ene reactions driven by high steric strain and bond angle distortion to form benzocyclobutenes

A unique aryne-based Alder-ene reaction to form benzocyclobutene is described.

A unique aryne-based Alder-ene reaction to form benzocyclobutene is described. In this process, the thermodynamic barrier to form a four-membered ring is compensated by the relief of the strain energy of an aryne intermediate. On the other hand, the driving force to overcome the high kinetic barrier is provided by the gearing effect of the bulky substituent at the ortho-position of the ene-donor alkene. To maximize the steric strain by the ortho-substituent, a structural element for internal hydrogen bonding is installed, which plays a crucial role for both the hexadehydro Diels–Alder and the Alder-ene reactions. DFT calculations show that the bulky hydrogen bonding element lowers the activation barrier for the Alder-ene reaction by destabilizing the intermediate, which is due to the severe bond angle distortion. The preferred formation of cis-isomers can also be explained by the extent of bond angle distortion.

TiO2 Photocatalysis in Aromatic "Redox Tag"-Guided Intermolecular Formal [2 + 2] Cycloadditions

Since the pioneering work by Macmillan, Yoon, and Stephenson, homogeneous photoredox catalysis has occupied a central place in new reaction development in the field of organic chemistry. While heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysis has also been studied extensively, it has generally been recognized as a redox option in inorganic chemistry where such "photocatalysis" is most often used to catalyze carbon-carbon bond cleavage and not in organic chemistry where bond formation is usually the focal point. Herein, we demonstrate that titanium dioxide photocatalysis is a powerful redox option to construct carbon-carbon bonds by using intermolecular formal [2 + 2] cycloadditions as models. Synergy between excited electrons and holes generated upon irradiation is expected to promote the overall net redox neutral process. Key for the successful application is the use of a lithium perchlorate/nitromethane electrolyte solution, which exhibits remarkable Lewis acidity to facilitate the reactions of carbon-centered radical cations with carbon nucleophiles. The reaction mechanism is reasonably understood based on both intermolecular and intramolecular single electron transfer regulated by an aromatic "redox tag". Most of the reactions were completed in less than 30 min even in aqueous and/or aerobic conditions without the need for sacrificial reducing or oxidizing substrates generally required for homogeneous photoredox catalysis.