The reaction of 1,2,3-triphenylcyclopropene with palladium(II) chloride. A novel ring-opening reaction in the cyclopropene series

Enantioselective Hydrothiolation: Diverging Cyclopropenes through Ligand Control

In this article, we advance Rh-catalyzed hydrothiolation through the divergent reactivity of cyclopropenes. Cyclopropenes undergo hydrothiolation to provide cyclopropyl sulfides or allylic sulfides. The choice of bisphosphine ligand dictates whether the pathway involves ring-retention or ring-opening. Mechanistic studies reveal the origin for this switchable selectivity. Our results suggest the two pathways share a common cyclopropyl-Rh(III) intermediate. Electron-rich Josiphos ligands promote direct reductive elimination from this intermediate to afford cyclopropyl sulfides in high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Alternatively, atropisomeric ligands (such as DTBM-BINAP) enable ring-opening from the cyclopropyl-Rh(III) intermediate to generate allylic sulfides with high enantio- and regiocontrol.

Recent developments of cyclopropene chemistry

This critical review discusses recent developments in the field of cyclopropene chemistry. Although several excellent reviews that mainly focused on the thermolysis and pyrolysis as well as metal-mediated reactions of cyclopropenes have been published, significant new developments have also been achieved in recent years. This brand new review provides an overview of the progress from 2007 to 2011 on the syntheses and transformations of cyclopropenes as well as their related mechanistic studies (238 references).

2,3,4- or 2,3,5-Trisubstituted Furans: Catalyst-Controlled Highly Regioselective Ring-Opening Cycloisomerization Reaction of Cyclopropenyl Ketones

2,3,4- or 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans were highly regioselectively formed from the cycloisomerization reaction of the same starting cyclopropenes 1 via the subtle choice of the transition metal halides. Under the catalysis of 5 mol % PdCl2(CH3CN)2, 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans 2 were given in 50-88% yields with 95-99% regioselectivities, while 2,3,4-trisubstituted furans 3 were formed in 78-96% yields with 99% regioselectivities under the catalysis of 5 mol % CuI.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed Hydro-, Sila-, and Stannastannation of Cyclopropenes: Stereo- and Regioselective Approach toward Multisubstituted Cyclopropyl Synthons

The first highly efficient, stereo- and regioselective palladium-catalyzed hydro-, sila-, and stannastannation of cyclopropenes to give multisubstituted cyclopropylstannanes have been developed. It was shown that the addition across the double bond of cyclopropene is generally controlled by steric factors and proceeds from the least hindered face. The directing effect of alkoxymethyl substituents in the hydrostannation reaction of 3,3-disubstituted cyclopropenes was demonstrated. This methodology represents a powerful and atom-economic approach toward a wide variety of highly substituted cyclopropylstannanes, important building blocks unavailable by other methods.