Carbonyl ylide reactions of α-benzylidene-β-dicarbonyl compounds: competitive formation of dihydrofurans and dihydrobenzoxepines

Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis and Application of Functionalized 2,3-Dihydrofuran Derivatives from Enynones and Bis(diazo) Compounds

A highly efficient Ag(I)-catalyzed cascade Michael addition/cyclization of enynones with 1,3-(bis)diazo compounds has been established, providing functionalized 2,3-dihydrofuran derivatives containing a diazo group and an acetylenic bond with excellent diastereoselectivity. Transformation of the diazo group and hydration of the carbon-carbon triple bond have been performed successfully in different reaction systems.

Diastereoselective Formal [5+2] Cycloaddition of Diazo Arylidene Succinimides-Derived Rhodium Carbenes and Aldehydes: A Route to 2-Benzoxepines

We report on a facile method for the preparation of 2-benzoxepine derivatives as a result of Rh(II)-catalyzed decomposition of diazo arylidene succinimides in the presence of aldehydes. The process is thought to involve the formation of styryl carbonyl ylide which undergoes 1,7-electrocyclization and subsequent 1,5-hydrogen shift. In some cases, the competition of the target reaction and [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition of the intermediate carbonyl ylide to another molecule of diazo substrate was observed. Generally, the desired 2-benzoxepines were isolated in good to high yields and high diastereoselectivity. The developed original approach toward a 2-benzoxepine core via formal [5+2] cycloaddition of styryl carbenoids and aldehydes significantly expands the arsenal of synthetic methods for producing this scaffold.

DBU-Mediated Addition of α-Nitroketones to α-Cyano-enones and α,β-Unsaturated α-Ketoesters: Synthesis of Dihydrofurans and Conjugated Dienes

1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene-mediated reactions of α-nitroketones with α-cyano-enones and α,β-unsaturated α-ketoesters have been developed. The products, namely, dihydrofurans and conjugated dienes, were isolated in moderate to good yields, and a range of substitutions were tolerated.