cis-Selective, Enantiospecific Addition of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes to Activated Alkenes: An Iodination/Michael-Cyclization Cascade

Photoinduced [3 + 2] Cycloadditions of Aryl Cyclopropyl Ketones with Alkynes and Alkenes

The five-membered ring skeleton is one of the most pivotal in the area of pharmaceutical and natural products. [3 + 2] cycloadditions of cyclopropyl and unsaturated compounds are a highly efficient and atom-economical way to build a five-member compound. The previous works about the kind of [3 + 2] cycloadditions usually utilized metal or organic small molecule catalysts. However, an ideal [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction that smoothly happens without any additives and catalysts under mild conditions is underdeveloped. Hence, we report [3 + 2] cycloadditions of aryl cyclopropyl without any additives and catalysts under purple LED. In this method, a broad scope of cyclopropyl, alkyne, and alkene was very compatible, especially drug derivatives ibuprofen and Ioxoprofen, to obtain the corresponding cycloaddition product with a good yield up to 93%.

Lewis acid-catalyzed one-pot thioalkenylation of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes using in situ generated dithiocarbamates and propiolates

Lewis acid-catalyzed one-pot 1,3-thioalkenylation of donor-acceptor (D-A) cyclopropanes has been demonstrated employing in situ generated dithiocarbamates (from amines and CS2) as nucleophilic triggers and alkyl propiolates as electrophiles. This method addresses the limitations of previously known carbothiolation approach, eliminating the need for extra filtration prior to the subsequent trapping with electrophiles. The anticipated thioalkenylated products were obtained in good to excellent yields with a moderate to good E/Z ratio. Three new bonds (C-N, C-S, and C-C) are formed during this 1,3-bisfunctionalization reaction. Notably, employing enantiomerically pure D-A cyclopropanes resulted in enantiopure 1,3-thioalkenylated products, underscoring the stereospecific nature of the developed reaction.

Palladium-catalysed enantio- and regioselective (3 + 2) cycloaddition reactions of sulfamidate imine-derived 1-azadienes towards spirocyclic cyclopentanes

An enantio- and diastereoselective Pd-catalysed (3 + 2) cycloaddition of bis(trifluoroethyl) 2-vinyl-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate (VCP) with cyclic sulfamidate imine-derived 1-azadienes (SDAs) has been developed. These reactions provide highly functionalized spiroheterocycles having three contiguous stereocentres, including a tetrasubstituted carbon bearing an oxygen functionality. The two geminal trifluoroethyl ester moieties can be manipulated in a facially selective manner to afford more diversely decorated spirocycles with four contiguous stereocentres. In addition, diastereoselective reduction of the imine moiety can also afford a fourth stereocentre and exposes the important 1,2-amino alcohol functionality.

Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes: Activation Enabled by a Single, Vinylogous Acceptor

A novel class of highly activated donor-acceptor cyclopropanes bearing only a single, vinylogous acceptor is presented. These strained moieties readily undergo cycloadditions with aldehydes, ketones, thioketones, nitriles, naphth-2-ols and various other substrates to yield the corresponding carbo- and heterocycles. Diastereocontrol can be achieved through the choice of catalyst (Brønsted or Lewis acid). The formation of tetrahydrofurans was shown to be highly enantiospecific when chiral cyclopropanes are employed. A series of mechanistic and kinetic experiments was conducted to elucidate a plausible catalytic cycle and to rationalize the stereochemical outcome.

Catalysis with Diboron(4)/Pyridine: Application to the Broad-Scope [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Cyclopropanes and Alkenes

In contrast to the extensive but non-recyclable use of tetraalkoxydiboron(4) compounds as stoichiometric reagents in diverse reactions, this article reports an atom-economical reaction using a commercial diboron(4) as the catalyst. The key to success was designing a catalytic cycle for radical [3 + 2] cycloaddition involving a pyridine cocatalyst to generate from the diboron(4) catalyst and reversibly mediate the transfer of boronyl radicals. In comparison with known [3 + 2] cycloaddition with transition metal-based catalysts, the current reaction features not only metal-free conditions, inexpensive and stable catalysts, and simple operation but also remarkably broadened substrate scope. In particular, previously unusable cyclopropyl ketones without an activating group and/or alkenes with 1,2-disubstitution and 1,1,2-trisubstitution patterns were successfully used for the first time. Consequently, challenging cyclopentane compounds with various levels of substitution (65 examples, 57 new products, up to six substituents at all five ring atoms) were readily prepared in generally high to excellent yield and diastereoselectivity. The reaction was also successfully applied in concise formal synthesis of an anti-obesity drug and building natural product-like complex bridged or spirocyclic compounds. Mechanistic experiments and computational investigation support the proposed radical relay catalysis featuring a pyridine-assisted boronyl radical catalyst. Overall, this work demonstrates the first approach to use tetraalkoxydiboron(4) compounds as catalysts and may lead to the development of new, green, and efficient transition metal-like boron-catalyzed organic reactions.

Insertion of S2 into Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes: Access to Dithiolanes and Their Conversion to Thietane Dioxides

A facile and efficient route to dithiolanes starting from donor-acceptor cyclopropanes is reported. Potassium p-toluenethiosulfonate has been established as the reagent of choice for this formal insertion of the disulfide moiety. Using this methodology, dithiolanes have been synthesized in moderate to good yields with high functional group tolerance. Upon treatment with an excess of mCPBA, the corresponding dithiolanes delivered four-membered thietane dioxides, the formal (3+1)-cycloaddition product of D-A cyclopropanes, and sulfur dioxide.

[3+2] regioselective annulation reaction of 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones towards synthesis of spirocyclopentenes: understanding the mechanism of γ-attack vs. α-attack using DFT studies

A regioselective [3+2] cyclisation reaction between 2-arylidene-1,3-indanedione and ethyl 2,3-butadienoate catalysed by triphenylphosphine has been demonstrated to synthesize functionalised spirocyclic cyclopentenes. The reaction tolerated various electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl substituted 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones with high to excellent chemical yields (up to 99%) and moderate to good regioselectivity (up to 5 : 1). DFT studies have also been carried out to understand the regioselective nature of this reaction. The results of Frontier molecular orbital calculations and the activation energy (E_a) favour the formation of compound 3avia γ-attack compared to that of 4avia α-attack.

A [3+2] annulation protocol for the construction of functionalized spirocyclopentenes utilizing 1,3-indanedione derived benzylidene-1,3-indanedione and ethyl-2,3-butadienoate at room temperature was developed.

Cooperative NHC/Photoredox Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Aryl Cyclopropanes to 1-Aroyloxylated-3-Acylated Alkanes

Cyclopropanes are an important class of building blocks in organic synthesis. Herein, a ring‐opening/arylcarboxylation/acylation cascade reaction for the 1,3‐difunctionalization of aryl cyclopropanes enabled by cooperative NHC and organophotoredox catalysis is reported. The cascade works on monosubstituted cyclopropanes that are in contrast to the heavily investigated donor–acceptor cyclopropanes more challenging to be difunctionalized. The key step is a radical/radical cross coupling of a benzylic radical generated in the photoredox catalysis cycle with a ketyl radical from the NHC catalysis cycle. The transformation features metal‐free reaction conditions and tolerates a diverse range of functionalities.

Cycloadditions of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes and -butanes using S=N-Containing Reagents: Access to Cyclic Sulfinamides, Sulfonamides, and Sulfinamidines

We present (3+2)‐ and (4+2)‐cycloadditions of donor–acceptor (D–A) cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes with N‐sulfinylamines and a sulfur diimide, along with a one‐pot, two‐step strategy for the formal insertion of HNSO₂ into D–A cyclopropanes. These are rare examples of cycloadditions with D–A cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes whereby the 2π component consists of two different heteroatoms, thus leading to five‐ and six‐membered rings containing adjacent heteroatoms.

Friedel-Crafts-Type Reactions with Electrochemically Generated Electrophiles from Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes and -Butanes

We describe a general electrochemical method to functionalize donor-acceptor (D-A) cyclopropanes and -butanes with arenes utilizing Friedel-Crafts-type reactivity. The catalyst-free strategy relies on the direct anodic oxidation of the strained carbocycles, which leads after C(sp³)-C(sp³) cleavage to radical cations that act as electrophiles for the arylation reaction. Broad reaction scopes in regard to cyclopropanes, cyclobutanes, and aromatic reaction partners are presented. Additionally, a plausible electrolysis mechanism is proposed.

Electrocatalytic Activation of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes and Cyclobutanes: An Alternative C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) Cleavage Mode

We describe the first electrochemical activation of D-A cyclopropanes and D-A cyclobutanes leading after C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) cleavage to the formation of highly reactive radical cations. This concept is utilized to formally insert molecular oxygen after direct or DDQ-assisted anodic oxidation of the strained carbocycles, delivering β- and γ-hydroxy ketones and 1,2-dioxanes electrocatalytically. Furthermore, insights into the mechanism of the oxidative process, obtained experimentally and by additional quantum-chemical calculations are presented. The synthetic potential of the reaction products is demonstrated by diverse derivatizations.

Catalytic (3 + 2) annulation of donor-acceptor aminocyclopropane monoesters and indoles

The efficient catalytic activation of donor-acceptor aminocyclopropanes lacking the commonly used diester acceptor is reported here in a (3 + 2) dearomative annulation with indoles. Bench-stable tosyl-protected aminocyclopropyl esters were converted into cycloadducts in 46-95% yields and up to 95 : 5 diastereomeric ratio using catalytic amounts of triethylsilyl triflimide. Tricyclic indoline frameworks containing four stereogenic centers including all-carbon quaternary centers were obtained.

GaCl3-Mediated Cascade [2 + 4]-Cycloaddition/[4 + 2]-Annulation of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Conjugated Dienes: Strategy for the Construction of Benzobicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Skeleton

Structurally important benzobicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives were synthesized by a gallium trichloride mediated reaction of readily available donor-acceptor cyclopropanes (DACs) with 1,3-dienes as a one-pot cascade ionic [2 + 4]-cycloaddition/Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization process. At the first stage, DACs act as sources of formal gallium 1,2-zwitterionic complexes to give 6-benzylcyclohex-3-ene-1,1-dicarboxylates that are converted under certain conditions in the presence of GaCl₃ to give benzobicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes in 30-74% yields. The process is tolerant of varying substituents at different positions of the main framework. Further, potentially useful modifications of benzobicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives are demonstrated. 2-Cyclopropylbutadiene reacts with DAC at higher temperature more deeply with cleavage of three-membered rings in both cyclopropane substrates, and twofold alkylation of the Ph-substituent at ortho- and meta-positions, that leads to a 1,2,7,8,9,10-hexahydro-6H-7,10a-methanocycloocta[cd]indene skeleton. Cyclopropane-1,1-diesters containing a bulky substituent in the ester group react with isoprene in a different way to give bicyclic lactones containing a 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-one moiety.

Protic Ionic Liquid as Reagent, Catalyst, and Solvent: 1-Methylimidazolium Thiocyanate

We propose a new concept of the triple role of protic ionic liquids with nucleophilic anions: a) a regenerable solvent, b) a Brønsted acid inducing diverse transformations via general acid catalysis, and c) a source of a nucleophile. The efficiency of this strategy was demonstrated using thiocyanate-based protic ionic liquids for the ring-opening of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes. A wide variety of activated cyclopropanes were found to react with 1-methylimidazolium thiocyanate under mild metal-free conditions via unusual nitrogen attack of the ambident thiocyanate ion on the electrophilic center of the three-membered ring affording pyrrolidine-2-thiones bearing donor and acceptor substituents at the C(5) and C(3) atoms, respectively, in a single time-efficient step. The ability of 1-methylimidazolium thiocyanate to serve as a triplex reagent was exemplarily illustrated by (4+2)-annulation with 1-acyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)cyclopropane, epoxide ring-opening and other organic transformations.

Exploiting Heavier Organochalcogen Compounds in Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropane Chemistry

Donor-acceptor (D-A) cyclopropanes have gained increased momentum over the past two decades. The use of these highly strained three-membered entities paved the way to innovative and original transformations yielding complex cyclic and acyclic architectures that otherwise might be difficult to address. Since the fundamentals were laid by Wenkert and Reissig in the late 1970s, the field has flourished impressively including asymmetric transformations as well as elegant synthetic applications in the construction of natural occurring products. In this Account, we aim to highlight especially our efforts in the context of an efficient access to sulfur- and selenium-containing compounds, of either cyclic or open-chain nature, by exploiting D-A cyclopropane chemistry. Light will be shed on the three fundamental transformations: ring-opening reactions, cycloadditions, and rearrangements.Our synthetic endeavors started back in 2011 guided by quantum chemical studies to obtain 3,3'-linked bisthiophenes along with an unprecedented rearrangement delivering sulfur- and selenium-containing cagelike scaffolds. Inspired by these surprising results, we further deepened our efforts to the construction of new sulfur-carbon and selenium-carbon bonds within the context of D-A cyclopropane chemistry. In the first instance, we capitalized on the great versatility of organosulfur and organoselenium compounds regarding their amphiphilic character to act either as nucleophilic or as electrophilic species. By such an approach, ring-openings via a nucleophilic attack of sulfenyl and selenyl halides furnished 1,3-bishalochalcogenated products. A similar protocol led us to a desymmetrization reaction of meso-cyclopropyl carbaldehydes employing novel chiral imidazolidinone organocatalysts. In contrast, electrophilic sulfur was supplied by N-(arylthio)succinimide substrates to access thiolated γ-amino acid derivatives and their selenium equivalents.Combining the highly reactive thiocarbonyl compounds and vicinal donor-acceptor substituted cyclopropanes opened new vistas in the field of atom-economic cycloaddition reactions to build up sulfur-containing heterocycles of various sizes. The first systematic study of such transformations was made by our group in 2017 leading to highly decorated thiolanes, whereas an intramolecular approach furnished thia-[n.2.1]bicyclic ring systems. Our investigations were then successfully extended to the synthesis of tetrahydroselenophenes by using capricious selenoketones. Recently, we were able to yield the unsaturated analogues, selenophenes, by a (3 + 2)-cycloaddition of D-A cyclopropanes with ammonium selenocyanates followed by oxidation. The formal insertion of thioketenes was realized by employing 3-thioxocyclobutanones as surrogates for disubstituted thioketenes to obtain 2-substituted tetrahydrothiophenes bearing a semicyclic double bond via a (3 + 2) spiroannulation/(2 + 2) cycloreversion sequence. Even the formation of seven-membered S-heterocycles was realized by (4 + 3)-cycloaddition processes. In 2016, we demonstrated the synthesis of benzo-fused dithiepines from in situ generated ortho-bisthioquinones, whereas the utilization of thia-Michael systems as a hetero-4π-component delivered tetrahydrothiepine derivatives containing just one sulfur atom embedded in the ring system.

Synthesis of (Het)aryl 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)cyclopropyl Ketones

A simple general method for the synthesis of 1-acyl-2-(ortho-hydroxyaryl)cyclopropanes, which belong to the donor–acceptor cyclopropane family, has been developed. This method, based on the Corey–Chaykovsky cyclopropanation of 2-hydroxychalcones, allows for the preparation of a large diversity of hydroxy-substituted cyclopropanes, which can serve as promising building blocks for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds.

Annulations involving 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones: stereoselective synthesis of spiro- and fused scaffolds

Stereoselective annulations of 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones towards spiro-carbocycles as well as spiro/fused heterocycles based on various cycloadditions and tandem annulations are described.