An Approach Toward Oxidopyrylium Ylides Using Rh(II)-Catalyzed Cyclization Chemistry

Gold-catalyzed homo- and cross-annulation of alkynyl carboxylic acids: a facile access to substituted 4-hydroxy 2H-pyrones and total synthesis of pseudopyronine A

A Au(i)-catalyzed homo- and cross-annulation reaction of alkynyl carboxylic acids offering 3,6-disubstituted 4-hydroxy 2H-pyrones has been demonstrated. The reaction tolerates various substituted alkynyl carboxylic acids and moderate to good yields of α-pyrone scaffolds have been observed. Later, a gram-scale reaction of the acid and the total synthesis of the natural product pseudopyronine A have been carried out successfully.

Formation of Tertiary Alcohols from the Rhodium-Catalyzed Reactions of Donor/Acceptor Carbenes with Esters

Rhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions between isopropyl acetate and trichloroethyl aryldiazoacetates result in the formation of oxirane intermediates that ring open under the reaction conditions to form tertiary alcohols. When the reaction is catalyzed by the dirhodium tetrakis(triarylcyclopropanecarboxylate) complex, Rh₂( S-2-Cl,4-BrTPCP)₄, the tertiary alcohols are formed with good asymmetric induction (80-88% ee).

Bis(1-cyanovinyl acetate) Is a Linear Precursor to 3-Oxidopyrylium Ions

Herein we describe the first approach to 3-oxidopyrylium ions from a linear precursor. Heating bis(1-cyanovinyl acetate) in the presence of a trace amount of pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate results in a series of acyl group transfers and an intramolecular cyclization event to form a 3-oxidopyrylium ion that can be trapped by reaction with several dipolarophiles. When treated with dienes, the result is a sequential [5 + 2]/[4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction that provides sp³-rich products of high molecular complexity.