Reactivity studies of square planar platinum, iridium, and rhodium triflate complexes with alkynols

Photoactivated Tungsten Hexacarbonyl-Catalyzed Conversion of Alkynols to Glycals

The photoactivated W(CO)(6)/DABCO/THF system has been used for the formal endo-cyclization of alkynes to pyran rings. We found that the regioselectivity of ring closure depends on the relative configuration of the 3,5-dihydroxy-1-alkynes, as well as, more decisively, on the type of O-protective group. Oxygen substitution at the propargylic carbon slows the rate of alkyne insertion and allows for dihydrofuran formation through exo-cyclization. In contrast, the use of bulky silyl ethers or carbon substituents leads to dihydropyrans through endo-cyclization. Substrates bearing leaving groups such as esters, phenols, or thiophenols at the propargylic site eliminate and thus represent a limitation to the cycloisomerization methodology. Propargyl vinyl ethers will rearrange to give dienals instead of glycals. 1,2-Wittig rearrangement products of dihydropyrans are readily prepared and converted to complex bicyclic building blocks for organic synthesis.

A Rh(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of homo- and bis-homopropargylic alcohols

The ability to form rhodium-vinylidene complexes in situ from terminal alkynes has led to the development of a catalytic process, the cycloisomerization of homopropargylic and bis-homopropargylic alcohols to dihydrofurans and dihydropyrans. Among the transition metals that perform similar reactions, rhodium catalysts demonstrate the best chemoselectivity and turnover numbers to date. Both secondary and tertiary alcohols participate equally well. The presence of proparylic oxygen and nitrogen functionality, which potentially can be induced to ionize via formation of allenylidene metal complexes, is compatible with this catalyst. The formation of a 5-amino-dihydropyran which is not compatible with some of the previous catalysts proceeds in good yield with the rhodium catalysts. A substrate bearing a benzylic hydroxyl group adjacent to an electron-rich aromatic ring also participates without complications of ionization. The method provides access to useful aminosugars. A mechanism to account for the different selectivity of this catalyst as compared to others is proposed.