Synthesis of Cyclopropanoids via Substrate-Based Cyclization Pathways

Interrupted Corey-Chaykovsky Reaction of Tethered Bis-Enones to Access 2,3-Epoxy-hexahydrofluoren-9-ones

The Corey-Chaykovsky reaction is usually employed to synthesize cyclopropanes from activated olefins. We intercepted the intermediates prevailing during this transformation and diverted the process for the creation of intricate molecular motifs. We describe an unusual skeletal remodelling of tethered bis-enones to 2,3-epoxy-hexahydrofluoren-9-ones via an "interrupted Corey-Chaykovsky reaction". The strategy rationally merges the nucleophilic features of sulfur ylides with electronically biased olefins to achieve the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of several new classes of hydrofluorenones. We have demonstrated the synthetic utility of the products in accessing several highly functionalized molecules.

Regioselective and Diastereoselective Construction of Diverse Dispiro-Indanone-Fluorenone-Oxindole Motifs

A convenient synthetic protocol for regioselective and diastereoselective construction of complex dispiro-indanone-fluorenone-oxindole motifs was developed by the base-promoted annulation reaction of bindone and MBH carbonates of isatins by adjusting reaction conditions. DABCO promoted the annulation reaction of bindone and MBH carbonates of isatins in DCM at room temperature, affording dispiro[indene-2,4'-fluorene-1',3″-indoline] derivatives in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. Triethylamine promoted the annulation reaction of two molecular 1,3-indanediones and MBH esters of isatins in ethanol at elevated temperature and selectively gave dispiro[indene-2,4'-fluorene-3',3″-indolines] in moderate yields. However, triethylamine promoted the annulation reaction of excess 1,3-indanediones and MBH esters of isatins in refluxing ethanol, affording dispiro[indene-2,4'-fluorene-3',3″-indolines] with the Z-isomer as the major product and the E-isomer as the minor product.

Construction of Unique Spiro[dibenzo[a,f]azulene-6,2'-indenes] via Unprecedented Annulation of ortho-C-H Bond of Benzylidene Group

The domino reaction of alkyl and aryl isocyanides with two molecules of 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in acetonitrile at 80 °C resulted in unique functionalized spiro[dibenzo[a,f]azulene-6,2'-indenes] in good yields, in which the two 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones acted as different building blocks to construct the polycyclic system. More importantly, the unprecedented anticipation of the ortho-position of benzylidene group to form a novel dibenzo[a,f]azulene ring through a formal [5 + 2] cycloaddition process was first observed. On the other hand, DABCO-promoted reaction of the isocyanides with two molecules of 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in acetonitrile at 80 °C afforded functionalized spiro[cyclopenta[a]-indene-2,2'-indene] derivatives.

DNA-Conjugated Cyclopropane Derivatives Constructed from Sulfonium Ylides with α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

Here, we report a DNA-compatible reaction for the generation of cyclopropane derivatives using thiolides with α,β-unsaturated ketones in the absence of transition metal and N2 protection, which is convenient for DNA encoded library (DEL) construction. This approach allows the rapid and efficient production of a series of DEL libraries of potentially biologically active cyclopropanes and spirocyclopropyl oxindole derivatives.

Domino reaction of bindone and 1,3-dipolarophiles for the synthesis of diverse spiro and fused indeno[1,2-a]fluorene-7,12-diones

The base promoted domino reaction of bindone ([1,2'-biindenylidene]-1',3,3'-trione) with common 1,3-dipolarophiles showed interesting molecular diversities, from which the unique spiro and fused indeno[1,2-a]fluorine derivatives were conveniently synthesized in satisfactory yields. In the presence of a base, bindone underwent formal [3 + 3] cycloaddition with satylidene malononitriles to give dispiro[indene-2,4'-fluorene-1',3''-indoline]. It also underwent formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition with 4-arylidene-pyrazol-3-ones to give diastereoisomeric spiro[indeno[1,2-a]fluorene-5,4'-pyrazole]. On the other hand, a triethylamine promoted reaction of three molecules of 1,3-indanediones and isatins in toluene afforded spiro[diindeno[2,1-b:2',1'-d]anthracene-11,3'-indoline] derivatives through the domino [4 + 2] cycloaddition and ring-expansion process.

Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective Sulfonylation of Enone Aryl Aldehydes: A New Mode of Breslow Intermediate Oxidation

A carbene-catalyzed sulfonylation reaction between enone aryl aldehydes and sulfonyl chlorides is disclosed. The reaction effectively installs sulfone moieties in a highly enantioselective manner to afford sulfone-containing bicyclic lactones. The sulfonyl chloride behaves both as an oxidant and a nucleophilic substrate (via its reduced form) in this N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed process. The NHC catalyst provides both activation and stereoselectivity control on a very remote site of enone aryl aldehyde substrates. Water plays an important role in modulating catalyst deactivation and reactivation routes that involve reactions between NHC and sulfonyl chloride. Experimental studies and DFT calculations suggest that an unprecedented intermediate and a new oxidation mode of the NHC-derived Breslow intermediate are involved in the new asymmetric sulfonylation reaction.

Extended Corey–Chaykovsky reactions: transformation of 2-hydroxychalcones to benzannulated 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans

We report the divergent synthesis of benzannulated 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans using the concept of extended Corey–Chaykovsky reactions.

Selective Synthesis of Diverse Spiro-oxindole-fluorene Derivatives via a DABCO-Promoted Annulation Reaction of Bindone and 3-Methyleneoxindoles

A DABCO-promoted annulation reaction of bindone ([1,2'-biindenylidene]-1',3,3'-trione) and 3-methyleneoxindoles showed very interesting molecular diversity under different reaction conditions. The base-promoted annulation reaction of bindone and 3-phenacylideneoxindoles in DCM at room temperature afforded spiro[indeno[1,2-a]fluorene-5,3'-indoline] derivatives in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. However, the similar reaction of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) acetates resulted in Z/E-isomeric spiro[indeno[1,2-a]fluorene-5,3'-indolines] with diastereomeric ratios of 2:1 to 10:1. On the other hand, the DABCO-promoted annulation reaction of bindone and 3-methyleneoxindoles in acetonitrile at different temperatures selectively gave spiro[benzo[5,6]pentaleno[1,6a-b]naphthalene-7,3'-indoline] derivatives and complex dispiro[indoline-3,6'-[4b,6a]ethanoindeno[1,2-a]fluorene-14',3″-indolines] in satisfactory yields.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenative Cyclization Cascade of Enone-Tethered Aldehydes

The ligand-free Co-catalyzed chemoselective reductive cyclization cascade of enone-tethered aldehydes with i-PrOH as the environmentally benign hydrogen surrogate is developed by this study. Mechanistic studies disclosed that such a protocol is initiated by an ortho-enone-assisted Co(I)-catalyzed reduction of the aldehyde functionality with i-PrOH. Meanwhile, the selectivity from the Michael-Aldol cycloreduction cascade to the oxa-Michael cascade is feasible and readily adjusted by the addition of steric Lewis bases, such as TEMPO and DABCO, delivering substituted 1H-indenes and dihydroisobenzofurans, respectively.

Divergent Michael/Aldol Cascades Under Semi-Aqueous Conditions: Synthesis of Cyclopenta- and Cycloheptannulated (Hetero)arenes

The synthesis of 3-acetoxyindanones and (hetero)arene-fused dihydrotropones was achieved via divergent annulation cascades. Under mild aqueous and basic conditions, α-substituted enone-aldehydes and 1,3-carbonyls undergo a Michael/aldol/hemiketalization/retro-aldol cascade for the formation of 3-acetoxyindanones possessing two contiguous stereogenic centers, one of which is an all-carbon quaternary center. On the other hand, the same enone-aldehydes generate new classes of fused-dihydrotropones upon reaction with 2,4-dioxobutanoates under merely the same reaction conditions via a Michael/aldol/lactonization/decarboxylation cascade.

Palladium-catalysed 5-endo-trig allylic (hetero)arylation

A palladium-catalysed intramolecular allylic (hetero)arylation strategy for the synthesis of fused cyclopentenes incorporated with all-carbon quaternary and spiro centres is described. The method is straightforward, shows broad scope, proceeds in synthetically useful yields, and provides a rare means to construct complex cyclopentanoids. The reaction is believed to involve a kinetically unfavourable 5-endo-trig carbocyclisation of the tethered (π-allyl)palladium system. Further, this method was successfully applied as the key step in the total synthesis of diterpene natural products taiwaniaquinone H and dichroanone.

Ring-Opening/Recyclization Cascades of Monoactivated Cyclopropanes

A variety of cyclopropyl aryl ketones undergo uncatalyzed cascade ring-opening/recyclization reactions to generate indenones and fluorenones. In addition, a new strategy to access 3-hydroxyindanones possessing two contiguous stereogenic centers, one of them being an all-carbon quaternary center, was also established. During the course of the investigation, pronounced solvent, temperature, and substituent effects on the product distribution were discovered.

Sulfoxonium ylides: simple compounds with chameleonic reactivity

Sulfoxonium ylides, manageable compounds with an appealing safety profile, adapt to reaction partners like chameleons to their environment, resulting in a variety of useful, and sometimes surprising and unique, reactions.

Beyond the Corey-Chaykovsky Reaction: Synthesis of Unusual Cyclopropanoids via Desymmetrization and Thereof

Desymmetrization-based protocols for the synthesis of highly functionalized indeno-spirocyclopropanes and cyclopropa-fused indanes have been established through unexpected reactions triggered by the Corey-Chaykovsky reagent. These structures were further elaborated in one step to privileged scaffolds such as fluorenones, indenones, and naphthaphenones. For instance, an acid-catalyzed transformation of indeno-spirocyclopropanes provided fluorenones via a homo-Nazarov-type cyclization, and naphthaphenones were obtained via an acid-catalyzed cyclopropane ring-opening/retro-Michael sequence.

Construction of indeno[1,2-a]fluorene via domino reaction of 1,3-indanedione and 3-arylideneindolin-2-ones or chalcones

The base promoted domino reaction of 1,3-indanedione with 3-arylideneindolin-2-ones or chalcones afforded novel polysubstituted indeno[1,2-a]fluorenes.