Tandem michael-michael-ring closure (mimirc) reactions

Structural Analysis of the Michael-Michael Ring Closure (MIMIRC) Reaction Products

A representative number of decalin and hydrindane derivatives 2a-l were prepared in 11-91% yield by means of a cascade reaction of cyclohexanone/cyclopentanone enolates and methyl acrylate through a Michael-Michael ring closure (MIMIRC) process. The relative stereochemistry of the four stereogenic centers formed in all products was determined by analyzing the vicinal coupling constants from the 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography. Such a stereochemical outcome was corroborated by conformational analysis supported by DFT calculations and simulating the 1H NMR spectra of representative products. All products showed the same relative stereochemistry at C-1 and C-8a, while at C-3 and bridgehead carbon C-4a, configurational changes were observed. The present results provide some insights about the scope and limitations of the triple cascade reaction between cycloalkanone enolates with methyl acrylate. This synthetic protocol is still a simple and very practical alternative to generate decalin and hydrindane derivatives with great structural diversity.

Demonstration of Promoted Zinc Schlenk Equilibria, their Equilibrium Values and Derived Reactivity

The presence of promoted Schlenk equilibria for organozinc halide species has been explicitly demonstrated by 13C NMR studies. Thus, addition of methylaluminoxane (MeAlO)n, MAO, to RZnX (R=Et, Bn, ArCH2, (CH2)3CO2Et; X=Cl, Br) leads to the formation of ZnR2 and ZnX2MAO. For EtZnCl, equilibration of ZnEt2 and ZnX2MAO is rapid at -35 degrees C; a K value of 0.19 M-1 indicates the equilibrium favours ZnEt2 (0.75-3.0 equiv MAO). Use of RZnX/MAO mixtures allows copper-catalysed 1,4-addition to 2-cyclohexenone to be achieved, but a competing cascade reaction (two subsequent Michael additions and an intramolecular aldol reaction) leads to novel tetracyclic by-products (characterised crystallographically in one case). Activation of EtZnCl is also achieved by ZnMe2 addition and the presence of intermediate EtZnMe was observed by 13C NMR spectroscopy (at equilibrium, K approximately 1). Asymmetric conjugate addition in this system can be realised (up to 92% ee for additions to 2-cyclohexenone).

Photochemical, thermal, and base-induced access to hydroazulene derivatives via two-carbon ring-enlargement reactions of condensed electrophilic cyclobutenes

Enamines, silyl enol ethers, and beta-keto ester anions derived from bicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2-one efficiently underwent a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with DMAD and ethyl propynoate leading to a large variety of electrophilic cyclobutenes. The latter were transformed into polyfunctionalized bicyclo[5.3.0]decane (or hydroazulene) ring systems in high yields by fragmentation of the cyclobutene moiety. These two-carbon ring-enlargement reactions were utilized as a synthetic tool for the construction of a polyfunctionalized hydroazulene derivative that represents a potential precursor of the tricyclic framework of ingenol.