Nazarov reagents and their use in organic synthesis

Recent progress towards the transition-metal-catalyzed Nazarov cyclization of alkynes via metal carbenes

In recent years, transition-metal-catalyzed tandem cyclization reactions of alkynes, especially those involving a metal carbene intermediate, have received worthwhile interest, as this type of reaction does not require the use of risky and potentially explosive diazo compounds as starting materials for carbene generation. A significant and general strategy for the stereospecific synthesis of 5-membered cycles is Nazarov cyclization based on the 4π-conrotatory electrocyclization of a conjugated pentadienyl cation to afford a cyclopentenyl cation. In this review, we introduce an overview of recent advances in the transition-metal-catalyzed Nazarov cyclization of alkynes via a metal carbene intermediate, and categorize these reactions according to the structure of the metal carbene. Our aim is to accelerate advancements in this enchanting area of research.

Chemodivergent reactions

An important strategy for the efficient generation of diversity in molecular structures is the utilization of common starting materials in chemodivergent transformations. The most studied solutions for switching the chemoselectivity rely on the catalyst, ligand, additive, solvent, temperature, time, pressure, pH and even small modifications in the substrate. In this review article several processes have been selected such as inter- and intramolecular cyclizations, including carba-, oxa-, thia- and oxazacyclizations promoted mainly by Brønsted or Lewis acids, transition metals and organocatalysts, as well as radical reactions. Catalyst-controlled intra- and intermolecular cyclizations are mainly described to give five- and six-membered rings. Cycloaddition reactions involving (2+2), (3+2), (3+3), (4+1), (4+2), (5+2), (6+2) and (7+2) processes are useful reactions for the synthesis of cyclic systems using organocatalysts, metal catalysts and Lewis acid-controlled processes. Addition reactions mainly of carba- and heteronucleophiles to unsaturated conjugated substrates can give different adducts via metal catalyst-, Lewis acid- and solvent-dependent processes. Carbonylation reactions of amines and phenols are carried out via ligand-controlled transition metal-catalyzed multicomponent processes. Ring-opening reactions starting mainly from cyclopropanols, cyclopropenols and epoxides or aziridines are applied to the synthesis of acyclic versus cyclic products under catalyst-control mainly by Lewis acids. Chemodivergent reduction reactions are performed using dissolving metals, sodium borohydride or hydrogen transfer conditions under solvent control. Oxidation reactions include molecular oxygen under solvent control or using different dioxiranes, as well as chemodivergent palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using boronic acids are applied to aromatic and allenic compounds. Other chemodivergent reactions such as alkylations and allylations under transition metal catalysis, dimerization of acetylenes, bromination of benzylic substrates, and A³-couplings are performed via catalyst- or reaction condition-dependent processes.

Divergent Synthesis of Bicyclo[3.2.1]octenes and Cyclohexenes via Catalytic Annulations of Nazarov Reagent and Vinyl 1,2-Diketones

Bicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and related structures are unique units that widely exist in natural products, but the rapid and stereoselective construction of this skeleton is a challenging issue. We report the stereodivergent synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octenes using Nazarov reagents and alkenyl 1,2-diketones with Brønsted base catalysis under mild conditions. Both stereoisomers of the bridged products can be obtained by tuning the reaction conditions, and cyclohexene product can also be selectively formed.

Rapid construction of tetrahydropyridine scaffolds via formal imino Diels-Alder reactions of Schiff bases and Nazarov reagents

Described is a one-flask, two-step method for the synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines. The process involves formal [4 + 2] cycloadditions of Schiff bases and Nazarov reagents, followed by facile elaborations of the initial cycloadducts. Notably, these aza-annulations are facilitated by protic solvents and proceed smoothly under ambient conditions, without other additives. The synthetic utility of this annulation protocol is further showcased through a concise, convergent synthesis of (±)-tetrabenazine.

A Straightforward Synthesis of Functionalized cis-Perhydroisoquinolin-1-ones

Base-catalyzed annulation reactions of 5,6-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridones with Nazarov-type reagents are reported. The effect of the solvent polarity and the concentration of the reagents is studied. The process involves two successive Michael additions and stereoselectively provides functionalized cis-perhydroisoquinolin-1-ones.

Mechanistic Studies of the Deslongchamps Annulation

The Cs₂CO₃-mediated annulations ("Deslongchamps annulations") of three spirocyclic benzoquinone monoketals 5b-d with an ester or acyl substituent at C-2 to two tert-butyl esters of γ,δ-unsaturated β-ketocarboxyl acids ("Nazarov reagents"; 2a,b) were monitored ¹H NMR spectroscopically. This revealed that a primary product, by all likelihood the Michael adduct, forms fast and prior to the appearance of the Deslongchamps adduct. These primary products form reversibly. This was proved by two crossover and four scavenging experiments. Therein, components already incorporated in one of the mentioned primary products ended up in Deslongchamps adducts different from the one, which would have resulted if the respective primary product had reacted alone. However, these experiments leave open whether our primary products are intermediates en route to Deslongchamps products or whether they represent dead ends.

Multiple Hydrogen-Bonding Bifunctional Thiourea-Catalyzed Asymmetric Dearomative [4 + 2] Annulation of 3-Nitroindoles: Highly Enantioselective Access to Hydrocarbazole Skeletons

A method for the enantioselective construction of hydrocarbazole skeletons through dearomative [4 + 2] annulation of 3-nitroindoles with Nazarov reagents is reported. The reactions use multiple hydrogen-bonding bifunctional thiourea as catalyst and are highly diastereo- and enantioselective (up to >20:1 dr and >99% ee). The protocol was demonstrated by preparative-scale experiment and the versatile conversion of the products. The multiple hydrogen-bonding in the catalyst plays a pivotal role in the reactivity and stereoselectivity.

Functionalization of Intramolecular Frustrated Lewis Pairs by 1,1-Carboboration with Conjugated Enynes

The vicinal P/B frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) Mes2PCH2CH2B(C6F5)2 undergoes 1,1-carboboration reactions with the Me3Si-substituted enynes to give ring-enlarged functionalized C3-bridged P/B FLPs. These serve as active FLPs in the activation of dihydrogen to give the respective zwitterionic [P]H(+)/[B]H(-) products. One such product shows activity as a metal-free catalyst for the hydrogenation of enamines or a bulky imine. The ring-enlarged FLPs contain dienylborane functionalities that undergo "bora-Nazarov"-type ring-closing rearrangements upon photolysis. A DFT study had shown that the dienylborane cyclization of such systems itself is endothermic, but a subsequent C6F5 migration is very favorable. Furthermore, substituted 2,5-dihydroborole products are derived from cyclization and C6F5 migration from the photolysis reaction. In the case of the six-membered annulation product, a subsequent stereoisomerization reaction takes place and the resultant compound undergoes a P/B FLP 1,2-addition reaction with a terminal alkyne with rearrangement.

A 1,1-Carboboration Route to Bora-Nazarov Systems

Hydroboration of the conjugated enynes 1 a and 1 b with Piers' borane [HB(C6F5)2] gave the respective dienylboranes trans-2 c and trans-2 d. Their photolysis resulted in the formation of the dihydroborole products 3 c and 3 d. Both were converted to their pyridine adducts 5 c and 5 d, respectively. Compounds 3 c and 5 c,d were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of the bis(enynyl)boranes 6 a and 6 b with B(C6F5)3 resulted in the formation of the dihydroboroles 7 a and 7 b, respectively. This reaction is thought to proceed by 1,1-carboboration of one of the enynyl substituents at boron to generate the dienylborane intermediates 8 a/8 b, followed by thermally induced bora-Nazarov ring-closure and subsequent stabilizing 1,2-pentafluorophenyl group migration from boron to carbon. Compound 7 a was characterized by X-ray diffraction and solid-state (11)B NMR spectroscopy.

Enantioselective synthesis of cis-decalins using organocatalysis and sulfonyl Nazarov reagents

The first organocatalytic synthesis of cis-decalins using sulfonyl Nazarov reagents is reported. The Jørgensen's catalyst directs this highly enantioselective synthesis using different cyclohexenal derivatives.

Formation of a dihydroborole by catalytic isomerization of a divinylborane

Diphenylamino(divinyl)borane (1a) adds two molar equivalents of Piers' borane [HB(C6F5)2] to give the expected double hydroboration product. In contrast diisopropylamino(divinyl)borane (1b) reacts cleanly already with one molar equivalent of HB(C6F5)2 to give the α-borylated tetrahydroborole derivative 10 in good yield. Subsequent treatment of 10 with benzaldehyde proceeded by retro-hydroboration to give the hydroboration product of the aldehyde plus the dihydroborole 3b. We were able to achieve the divinylborane to dihydroborole isomerization (1b to 3b) catalytically: treatment of diisopropylamino(divinyl)borane (1b) with 15 mol% of Piers' borane at elevated temperature gave (diisopropylamino)dihydroborole 3b in good yield.