Stabilized Sulfur Ylide Mediated Cyclopropanations and Formal [4+1] Cycloadditions of 3-Acyl-2H-chromenones and Their Imines

Asymmetric Radical Bicyclization for Stereoselective Construction of Tricyclic Chromanones and Chromanes with Fused Cyclopropanes

Asymmetric radical bicyclization processes have been developed via metalloradical catalysis (MRC) to stereoselectively construct chiral chromanones and chromanes bearing fused cyclopropanes. Through optimization of a versatile D2-symmetric chiral amidoporphyrin ligand platform, a Co(II)-metalloradical system can homolytically activate both diazomalonates and α-aryldiazomethanes containing different alkene functionalities under mild conditions for effective radical bicyclization, delivering cyclopropane-fused tricyclic chromanones and chromanes, respectively, in high yields with excellent control of both diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities. Combined computational and experimental studies, including the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detection and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) trapping of key radical intermediates, shed light on the working details of the underlying stepwise radical mechanisms of the Co(II)-catalyzed bicyclization processes. The two catalytic radical processes provide effective synthetic tools for stereoselective construction of valuable cyclopropane-fused chromanones and chromanes with newly generated contiguous stereogenic centers. As a specific demonstration of synthetic application, the Co(II)-catalyzed radical bicyclization has been employed as a key step for the first asymmetric total synthesis of the natural product (+)-Radulanin J.

A formal [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of Baylis–Hillman bromides with sulfur ylides: facile access to α-alkenyl lactones

A formal [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of Baylis–Hillman adducts with sulfur ylides has been developed for the first time.

Recent advances in the application of ylide-like species in [4+1]-annulation reactions: an update review

In this review, advances in [4+1]‐annulation reactions involving sulfonium, sulfoxonium and ammonium ylides, as well as diazo compounds and carbenes are summarized over the last 6 years. Newly emerged methods...

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Cyclopropanation of 3-Acylcoumarins with 3-Halooxindoles: Access to Spirooxindole-cyclopropa[c]coumarin Compounds

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective cyclopropanation reaction of 3-acylcoumarins with 3-halooxindoles catalyzed by an organocatalyst through a [2 + 1] Michael/intramolecular cyclization process was developed. This scenario provides a facile strategy to access spirooxindole-cyclopropa[c]coumarin compounds bearing three continuous stereocenters, including two vicinal quaternary all-carbon stereocenters with high to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The HRMS study revealed the vital importance of the ammonium ylide intermediate in the catalytic process.

Synthesis of 2-chromanone-fused [3.2.0] bicycles through a phosphine-mediated tandem [3 + 2] cyclization/intramolecular Wittig reaction

A phosphine-mediated tandem [3 + 2] cyclization/intramolecular Wittig reaction of alkynone is described. 2-Chromanone-fused bicyclo[3.2.0]heptenones were synthesized in moderate to high yields with remarkably high regio- and diastereoselectivities.

Enantioselective Construction of Chiral Cyclopropa[c]coumarins via Lewis Base-Catalyzed Cyclopropanation

The first highly enantioselective construction of chiral cyclopropa[c]coumarins was described. Using commercially available (bis)cinchona alkaloid (DHQ)₂PYR as the chiral Lewis base catalyst, together with Cs₂CO₃ as the achiral base, the reaction of a series of coumarin-3-carboxylate and 3-benzoyl coumarins with tert-butyl 2-bromoacetate could give rise to the corresponding cyclopropa[c]coumarins bearing three continuous chiral stereocenters in 83-93% ee and 90-97% ee, respectively. The reaction is proposed to proceed via an in situ generated ammonium ylide intermediate.

Synthesis of 3,6-Dihydro-2H-1,2-oxazines via Dimethylsulfoxonium Methylide Addition to α,β-Unsaturated Nitrones

A unique and efficient formation of 3,6-dihydro-2H-1,2-oxazines starting from α,β-unsaturated nitrones has been achieved. The nucleophilic addition of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide to the C═N bond of an α,β-unsaturated nitrone to form an aziridine N-oxide followed by the Meisenheimer rearrangement affords 3,6-dihydro-2H-1,2-oxazine in up to 70% yield. Methylene was confirmed to be incorporated at the C₃ position of the ring. A wide range of β-aryl-substituted α,β-unsaturated nitrones were applicable to this reaction.

Recent advances in the synthesis of cyclopropanes

Cyclopropanes, one of the most important strained rings, have gained much attention for more than a century because of their interesting and unique reactivity. They not only exist in many natural products, but have also been widely used in the fields of organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and materials science as versatile building blocks. Based on the sustainable development in this area, this review mainly focuses on the recent advances in the synthesis of cyclopropanes classified by the type of catalytic system, including regio-, diastereo-, and enantio-selective reactions.

Protecting group-directed annulations of tetra-substituted oxindole olefins and sulfur ylides: regio- and chemoselective synthesis of cyclopropane- and dihydrofuran-fused spirooxindoles

Protecting group-controlled regio- and chemoselective synthesis of cyclopropane- and dihydrofuran-fused spirooxindoles containing vicinal quaternary carbon centers.

Darzens reaction of thioisatins and sulfonium salts: approach to the synthesis of thiochromenone derivatives with anticancer potency

A new Darzens reaction of thioisatins and sulfonium salts has, for the first time, been reported. This reaction allows efficient access to thiochromenone derivatives in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. The substrate scope includes both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups on both the thioisatins and sulfonium salts. Moreover, some of the synthesized thiochromenone derivatives have been found to show potent anticancer activities against six different cancer cell lines using the methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) assay.

Recent advances in the synthesis of cyclopropanes

Cyclopropanes have gained much attention by virtue of their interesting structure and unique reactivity. This review discusses the recent advances in the synthesis of cyclopropanes, and some of the related applications will be discussed.

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans by a [4+1] Annulation Between Ammonium Ylides and In Situ Generated o-Quinone Methides

A highly enantio‐ and diastereoselective [4+1] annulation between in situ generated ammonium ylides and o‐quinone methides for the synthesis of a variety of 2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans has been developed. The key factors controlling the reactivity and stereoselectivity were systematically investigated by experimental and computational means and the energy profiles obtained provide a deeper insight into the mechanistic details of this reaction.

A copper-catalyzed tandem reaction for the construction of coumarin fused 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

An efficient copper-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts alkylation/cyclization/isomerization sequence of 3-arylcarbonyl coumarins and 3-methyl indole was developed to afford a wide range of functionalized coumarin fused 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles with a 6-6-5-5-6 pentacyclic core.

Synthesis of fused cyanopyrroles and spirocyclopropanes via addition of N-ylides to chalconimines

DABCO-ylides react as a one-carbon source with chalconimines to afford fused cyanopyrrolesvia[4 + 1] annulation and spirocyclopropanesvia[2 + 1] annulation.