Transition metal-mediated routes to cyclopentenones

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Dehydrative Nazarov-Type Cyclization/C2-N1 Cleavage Cascade of Perfluoroalkylated 3-Indolyl(2-benzothienyl)methanols

A novel and unprecedented p-toluenesulfonic acid-catalyzed dehydrative Nazarov-type cyclization/C2-N1 bond cleavage cascade reaction of perfluoroalkylated 3-indolyl(2-benzothienyl)methanols has been developed. This reaction provides an efficient and practical protocol for the construction of highly functionalized benzothiophene-fused cyclopentenones with exclusive stereoselectivity. In addition, this cascade transformation also delineates a rare example of the involvement of the selective C2-N1 bond cleavage of indoles.

Stereoselective total synthesis of (-)-hygrophorone A12 and 4-epi-2,3-dihydrohygrophorone H12

Stereoselective total synthesis of anti-fungal cyclopentenone (-)-hygrophorone A¹² and cyclopentanone 4-epi-2,3-dihydrohygrophorone H¹² were achieved in high overall yields from d-ribose. An aqueous KOH mediated diastereoselective formation of β-hydroxy ketone with three contiguous chiral centres served as a key step in this synthesis.

Synthesis of Cyclopentenones through Rhodium-Catalyzed C-H Annulation of Acrylic Acids with Formaldehyde and Malonates

An efficient rhodium-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of cyclopentenones based on a three-component reaction of acrylic acids, formaldehyde, and malonates via vinylic C-H activation is reported. Exploratory studies showed that 5-alkylation of as-prepared cyclopentenones could be realized smoothly by the treatment of a variety of alkyl halides with a Na₂CO₃/MeOH solution. Excess formaldehyde and malonate led to a multicomponent reaction that afforded the multisubstituted cyclopentenones through a Michael addition.

Enantioselective Silicon-Directed Nazarov Cyclization

The Nazarov electrocyclization reaction is a convenient, widely used method for construction of cyclopentenones. In the past few decades, catalytic asymmetric versions of the reaction have been extensively studied, but the strategies used to control the position of the double bond limit the substituent pattern of the products and thus the synthetic applications of the reaction. Herein, we report highly enantioselective silicon-directed Nazarov reactions which were cooperatively catalyzed by a Lewis acid and a chiral Brønsted acid. The chiral cyclopentenones we synthesized using this method generally cannot be obtained by means of other catalytic enantioselective reactions, including previously reported methods for enantioselective Nazarov cyclization. The silicon group in the dienone substrate stabilized the β-carbocation of the intermediate, thereby determining the position of the double bond in the product. Mechanistic studies suggested that the combination of Lewis and Brønsted acids synergistically activated the dienone substrate and that the enantioselectivity of the reaction originated from a chiral Brønsted acid promoted proton transfer reaction of the enol intermediate.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclopentenones

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed asymmetric construction of cyclopentenones using enals and α-diketones is achieved, furnishing a series of highly functionalized cyclopentenones in a highly diastereo- and enantioselective manner. The protocol tolerates substrates with both aromatic and aliphatic groups, and further transformations of the products delivered a range of value-added molecules.

Facile access to [1,2]-oxazine derivatives via annulations of aminoxy-tethered 1,7-enynes

An efficient approach for the highly diastereoselective construction of functionalized cyclopenta[d][1,2]oxazines via sequential oxyamination and Pauson-Khand reaction of readily accessible propargylic alcohols has been developed. Furthermore, the ring closing metathesis of these N-O linked 1,7-enynes afforded vinylated-[1,2]oxazines in good yields. The reduction of the N-O bond of the obtained cyclopenta[d][1,2]oxazine is accomplished to access cyclopentenone-based amino alcohols.

A radical [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of difluorocyclopentanones

Described herein is a novel radical-mediated [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of alkenes to afford difluorocyclopentanones.

Easy Access to 2,4-Disubstituted Cyclopentenones by a Gold(III)-Catalyzed A3-Coupling/Cyclization Cascade

An efficient and convenient synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted cyclopentenones has been achieved through a Au(III)-catalyzed isomerization-A3-coupling/cyclization cascade. A possible mechanism involving an initial Au(III)-catalyzed isomerization, A3-type coupling, and cyclization via an enol intermediate is postulated.

Decarboxylative Nazarov Cyclization-Based Chirality Transfer for Asymmetric Synthesis of 2-Cyclopentenones

Asymmetric synthesis of 2-cyclopentenones was achieved by chirality transfer based on Lewis acid catalyzed decarboxylative Nazarov cyclization of optically active cyclic enol carbonates, which are prepared by silver-catalyzed carbon dioxide incorporation into optically pure propargyl alcohols. The stereochemistry at the 4,5-positions of the 2-cyclopentenones was cleanly constructed by reflecting the stereochemistry of the starting materials. This method could be applied to various substrates to obtain the corresponding products in high yields with highly efficient chirality transfer.

Strong and Confined Acids Enable a Catalytic Asymmetric Nazarov Cyclization of Simple Divinyl Ketones

We report a catalytic asymmetric Nazarov cyclization of simple, acylic, alkyl-substituted divinyl ketones using our recently disclosed strong and confined imidodiphosphorimidate Brønsted acids. The corresponding monocyclic cyclopentenones are formed in good yields and excellent regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities. Further, the chemical utility of the obtained enantiopure cyclopentenones is demonstrated.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of substituted cyclopentenones from aryl iodides and internal alkynes

In this Communication, a palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of substituted cyclopentenones has been developed.

Nickel/Copper Dual Catalysis for Sequential Nazarov Cyclization/Decarboxylative Aldol Reaction

A nickel/copper cocatalyzed sequential Nazarov cyclization/decarboxylative aldol reaction is reported. Various β-hydroxycyclopentenones containing three contiguous stereocenters were prepared in good yields with high diastereoselectivities. A gram-scale reaction and further derivatizations were easily achieved to highlight the synthetic utility of this transformation. Preliminary attempts for sequential asymmetric transformation were also conducted.

Organocatalytic Strategies for the Synthesis of Cyclopenta-Fused Arenes and Heteroarenes

Cyclopentanoids are omnipresent in natural products and pharmaceutically relevant compounds. Among them, cyclopenta-fused arenes and heteroarenes possess impressive biological properties and play significant role in materials science. Consequently, several notable methods have been developed for their synthesis over the years. In this review, we mainly described metal-free and organocatalytic approaches that led to the construction of pentannulated arenes and heteroarenes.

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective sequential Nazarov cyclization/decarboxylation

The nickel-catalyzed enantioselective sequential Nazarov cyclization/decarboxylation has been developed.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Carbonylative [2 + 2 + 1] Cycloaddition of Alkynes Using Alcohol as the Carbon Monoxide Source for the Formation of Cyclopentenones

A highly regioselective rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular carbonylative [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of alkynes using alcohol as a CO surrogate to access 4-methylene-2-cyclopenten-1-ones has been developed. In this transformation, the alcohol performs multiple roles, including generating the Rh-H intermediate, functioning as the CO source, and assisting in the isomerization of the alkyne. Alkynes can act as both the olefin and the alkyne partner in the cyclopentenone core.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of a Novel Series of Cyclopentenone Derivatives

A novel series of cyclopent-2-enone derivatives have been synthesised by the reaction of 4-hydroxy-3,4-diphenylcyclopent-2-enone, cyclic secondary amines, phosphorus reagents, hexamethylphosphoramide and Lawesson's reagent in boiling toluene/THF. The chemical structures of new compounds were identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR and mass spectra. Furthermore, the structure of one of the synthesised compounds has been confirmed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The pharmacological evaluation results of antilung and anticolon carcinoma cell line properties for the products are discussed.

Water freezing as a regiocontrol element in the multicomponent assembly of cyclic enones

Regioselective synthesis of dialkoxy 2-cyclopentenones and 2-cyclohexenones with novel substitution patterns has been accomplished by the one-pot combination of three simple starting materials (chromium carbene complex, Weinreb acetamide lithium enolate and 1-alkoxyallenyllithium) under either anhydrous conditions or water-promoted solidification of the reaction mixture. These results revealed an unprecedented water-freezing effect that plays a key role to completely reverse the regioselectivity of the intramolecular carbometalation of an allene moiety.

Efficient catalytic enantioselective Nazarov cyclizations of divinyl ketoesters

An efficient catalytic enantioselective Nazarov cyclization of divinyl ketoesters is developed using a BOX/Cu(ii) catalyst, affording various optically active cyclopent-2-enone esters.

Nickel(0)-catalyzed enantioselective annulations of alkynes and arylenoates enabled by a chiral NHC ligand: efficient access to cyclopentenones

Cyclopentenones are versatile structural motifs of natural products as well as reactive synthetic intermediates. The nickel-catalyzed reductive [3+2] cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated aromatic esters and alkynes constitutes an efficient method for their synthesis. Here, nickel(0) catalysts comprising a chiral bulky C1-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene ligand were shown to enable an efficient asymmetric synthesis of cyclopentenones from mesityl enoates and internal alkynes under mild conditions. The bulky NHC ligand provided the cyclopentenone products in very high enantioselectivity and led to a regioselective incorporation of unsymmetrically substituted alkynes.

3-(4-Bromo-phen-yl)cyclo-pent-2-en-1-one

In the title compound, C11H9BrO, the cyclo-pentenone ring is almost planar with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0097 Å. The largest inter-ring torsion angles [2.4 (3), 1.3 (3) and 3.53 (2)°] reveal only a very small twist between the rings, and suggest that the two rings are conjugated. The mol-ecule is slightly bowed, as shown by the small dihedral angle between the rings [5.3 (1)°]. The crystal packing pattern consists of parallel sheets that stack parallel to the ac plane. Each sheet consists of mol-ecules that pack side-to-side with the same relative orientation of phenyl and cyclo-pentenone rings along the a- and c-axis directions. Slipped side-to-side, face-to-face and edge-to-face inter-actions exist between pairs of sheets with edge-to-edge and edge-to-face O⋯H-C(sp (2)) weak hydrogen-bond contacts. A relatively short edge-to-face contact (2.77 Å) also exists between pairs of sheets.

Enantioselective synthesis of 5,7-bicyclic ring systems from axially chiral allenes using a Rh(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction

A transfer of chirality in an intramolecular Rh(I)-catalyzed allenic Pauson-Khand reaction (APKR) to access tetrahydroazulenones, tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]azepinones and dihydrocyclopenta[c]oxepinones enantioselectively (22-99% ee) is described. The substitution pattern of the allene affected the transfer of chiral information. Complete transfer of chirality was obtained for all trisubstituted allenes, but loss of chiral information was observed for disubstituted allenes. This work constitutes the first demonstration of a transfer of chiral information from an allene to the 5-position of a cyclopentenone using a cyclocarbonylation reaction. The absolute configuration of the corresponding cyclocarbonylation product was also established, something that is rarely done.

Rhodium-catalyzed carbonylation of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes for the synthesis of cyclopentenones

Functionalized cyclopentenones were synthesized by a Rh-catalyzed carbonylation of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enynes, derived from alkynes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The reaction involved a Saucy-Marbet 1,3-acyloxy migration of propargyl esters and a [4 + 1] cycloaddition of the resulting acyloxy substituted vinylallene with CO.

(1R,2S)-Methyl 1-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-3-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-cyclo-penta-[b]indole-2-carboxyl-ate 0.2-hydrate

The title compound, C₁₉H₁₄ClNO₃·0.2H₂O, crystallizes with five mol­ecules and a disordered water mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. Four of the five mol­ecules form hydrogen-bonded dimers via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds towards another symmetry-independent mol­ecule, whereas the fifth mol­ecule forms a hydrogen-bonded dimer with its symmetry equivalent, also via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The dihedral angle between the planes of the fused benzene ring and the five-membered ring to which it is attached is 79.45 (13), 49.00 (15), 72.49 (16), 81.91 (18) and 76.38 (16)° for the five mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit.

Enantioselective palladium-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloadditions of trimethylenemethane with nitroalkenes

Nitroalkenes readily undergo palladium-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition with trimethylenemethane to generate nitrocyclopentanes in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. Furthermore, the products thus formed are highly versatile synthetic intermediates and provide convenient access to both cyclopentylamines and cyclopentenones.