Synthesis of indene derivatives via reactions of vinylidenecyclopropanes with the N-acyliminium cations generated from hydroxylactams

Brønsted acid mediated intramolecular cyclopropane ring expansion/[4 + 2]-cycloaddition

A cascade reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-phenylisoindolin-1-one and cyclopropyl ketone has been developed via a BrØnsted acid-promoted ring-opening/intramolecular cross-cycloaddition/[4 + 2]-cycloaddition process. The developed methodology provides straightforward access to pentacyclic isoindolin-1-one derivatives under simple reaction conditions.

Rh(i)-Catalyzed stereoselective intramolecular cycloaddition reactions of ene-vinylidenecyclopropanes for the construction of fused 6,5-bicyclic skeletons with a quaternary all-carbon stereocenter

Rh(i)-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloadditions of ene-VDCPs are demonstrated, producing cyclic ring structures with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities.

Rh(i)-Catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of yne-vinylidenecyclopropanes

A Rh(i)-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of yne-vinylidenecyclopropanes has been developed, providing fused [6.5]-bicyclic products in moderate to good yields.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroamination and hydroindolation of keto-vinylidenecyclopropanes

We reported a highly regio- and enantioselective hydroamination and hydroindolation of keto-vinylidenecyclopropanes via cationic Rh(i) catalysis in this context. The combination of various secondary amines and indoles with keto-vinylidenecyclopropanes afforded the corresponding hydrofunctionalization products in good to excellent yields with outstanding ee values under mild conditions. A new TMM-Rh model complex was proposed, providing an atom economical Rh-π-allyl precursor at the same time. Moreover, the resulting products could easily be transformed into more complex polyheterocycles upon further synthetic manipulation.

Rhodium/Silver Synergistic Catalysis in Highly Enantioselective Cycloisomerization/Cross Coupling of Keto-Vinylidenecyclopropanes with Terminal Alkynes

A rhodium/silver synergistic catalysis has been established, enabling cycloisomerization/cross coupling of keto-vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) with terminal alkynes toward the regio- and enantioselective formation of diversified tetrahydropyridin-3-ol tethered 1,4-enynes in good yields and high ee values. In this synergistic catalysis, Rh(I) and Ag(I) catalysts selectively activate keto-VDCP substrates and terminal alkynes to generate the π-allyl Rh(III) complex of oxa-rhodacyclic intermediate and Ag alkynyl intermediate, respectively. The rapid transmetalation of alkynyl groups from Ag to Rh is proposed to play a key role in realizing the regioselective cleavage of the distal bond of the three-membered ring in this transformation.