Modification of the Fritsch–Buttenberg–Wiechell rearrangement: a facile route to unsymmetrical butadiynes

Na2S-mediated synthesis of terminal alkynes from gem-dibromoalkenes

The Na₂S-mediated facile synthesis of terminal alkynes from gem-dibromoalkenes, at 20/40 °C under open flask conditions has been developed.

Carbyne: The Molecular Approach

For the last 60+ years, the synthesis and study of cumulenes and polyynes have been the focus of a small, but dedicated, group of researchers. Many of the remarkable electronic, optical, and structural properties of cumulenes and polyynes had already been identified in the earliest reports. The molecular lengths achievable by the initial syntheses were, unfortunately, somewhat limited by synthetic methods available. For the past 15 years, we have worked toward expanding on the synthesis of cumulenes and polyynes through the development of new methods and stabilization motifs. As new compounds have become available, homologous series of cumulenes and polyynes have then been examined as a function of molecular length. While we are not yet there, we would like to eventually provide a general description of the sp-carbon allotrope carbyne, and this account presents some of our efforts toward this goal.

Development of a New Method for Consecutive Activation of Conjugated Alkynes Based on Intramolecular Silyl Migration

A new method for consecutive alpha- and beta-activation of propiolates toward electrophiles has been developed, which is mediated by suitable tertiary amines (e.g., DABCO) involving intramolecular silyl migration as a key step. Methyl 3-trimethylsilylpropiolate was reacted with aromatic aldehyde in the presence of DABCO in refluxing benzene to give a highly functionalized olefin product, in which new carbon-carbon bonds were formed at both alpha- and beta-positions of the starting propiolate. On the other hand, when using aliphatic aldehyde the reaction course was dramatically changed to afford a propargyl TMS ether as a sole product. However, we suppose that these reactions have a common reaction pathway partly, including ammonium ylide-alkylidene carbene equilibrium, and that the former products arise from the ylide form and the latter from the carbene form. These domino reactions were successfully applied for an intramolecular version by use of substrates having both formyl group and TMS-propiolate structure derived from salicylaldehyde, leading to a new formylcoumarin-forming reaction.

A new protocol for the consecutive alpha- and beta-activation of propiolates towards electrophiles, involving conjugate addition of tertiary amines and intramolecular silyl migration

Herein, we present a novel approach for the consecutive alpha- and beta-activation of conjugated alkynes and demonstrate the application of this methodology towards the C-C bond-forming reactions of propiolates. This new concept is based on the 1,4-addition of a tertiary amine to a conjugated alkyne, followed by an aldol-type addition to an aldehyde and subsequent intramolecular silyl migration. This sequential process is generally applicable for 3-trimethylsilylpropiolates. The combination of methyl 3-trimethylsilylpropiolate, 1,4-diazobicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and aromatic aldehydes brought about domino-type C-C bond formations to afford highly functionalized olefins as the major products. On the other hand, aliphatic aldehydes, including the sterically demanding aromatic aldehyde, 2,6-dimethylbenzaldehyde, produced alkyne derivatives as the sole products from the reaction, presumably, by the reaction pathway common to the first cases. The intramolecular version of the reaction was successfully applied to the cyclization of trimethylsilylpropiolic esters derived from salicylaldehydes, leading to a new formylcoumarin synthesis. Studies of the reaction mechanisms are also described.

Polyynes as a Model for Carbyne: Synthesis, Physical Properties, and Nonlinear Optical Response

With the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell rearrangement as a primary synthetic route, a series of conjugated, triisopropylsilyl end-capped polyynes containing 2-10 acetylene units has been assembled. In a few steps, significant quantities of the polyynes are made available, which allow for a thorough analysis of their structural, physical, and optical properties. Molecules in the series have been characterized in detail using (13)C NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and, for four derivatives including octayne 6, X-ray crystallography. UV-vis spectroscopy of the polyynes 1-7 shows a consistent lowering of the HOMO-LUMO gap (E(g)) as a function of the number of acetylene units (n), fitting a power-law relationship of E(g) approximately n(-)(0.379)(+/-)(0.002). The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the polyyne series have been examined, and the nonresonant molecular second hyperpolarizabilities (gamma) increase as a function of length according to the power-law gamma approximately n(4.28)(+/-)(0.13). This result exhibits an exponent that is larger than theoretically predicted for polyynes and higher than is observed for polyenes and polyenynes. The combined linear and nonlinear optical results confirm recent theoretical studies that suggest polyynes as model 1-D conjugated systems. On the basis of UV-vis spectroscopic analysis, the effective conjugation length for this series of polyynes is estimated to be ca. n = 32, providing insight into characteristics of carbyne.

Synthesis of naturally occurring acetylenes via an alkylidene carbenoid rearrangement

Naturally occurring mosquito larvicidal acetylenes 1 and 2, and analogues 3 and 4, each containing either a 1,3-butadiynyl or a 1,3,5-hexatriynyl moiety, are synthesized via a Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell rearrangement. The alkylidene carbenoid intermediate results from lithium-halogen exchange of a suitable dibromoolefin precursor, and the rearrangement is accomplished under mild conditions. Synthesis of the dibromoolefin precursors to acetylenes 1-4 is easily achieved in three steps from commercially available carboxylic acids or aldehydes, making this procedure a viable alternative to conventional methods for the synthesis of naturally occurring acetylenes.

A novel modified baylis-hillman reaction of propiolate

A new reaction of propiolates and aldehydes mediated by DABCO analogous to the Baylis-Hillman reaction is described. This reaction provided novel beta-functionalized Baylis-Hillman products and a new methodology for the generation of alkylidene carbene species.