Selective Vinylogous Reactivity of Carbene Intermediate in Gold-Catalyzed Alkyne Carbocyclization: Synthesis of Indenols

Catalytic 4-exo-dig carbocyclization for the construction of furan-fused cyclobutanones and synthetic applications

Cyclobutanone is a strained motif with broad applications, while direct assembly of the aromatic ring fused cyclobutanones beyond benzocyclobutenone (BCB) skeletons remains challenging. Herein, we report a Rh-catalyzed formal [3+2] annulation of diazo group tethered alkynes involving a 4-exo-dig carbocyclization process, providing a straightforward access to furan-fused cyclobutanones. DFT calculations disclose that, by comparison to the competitive 5-endo-dig process, 4-exo-dig carbocyclization is mainly due to lower angle strain of the key sp-hybridized vinyl cationic transition state in the cyclization step. Using less reactive catalysts Rh2(carboxylate)4 is critical for high selectivity, which is explained as catalyst-substrate hydrogen bonding interaction. This method is proved successful to direct access previously inaccessible and unknown furan-fused cyclobutanone scaffolds, which can participate in a variety of post-functionalization reactions as versatile synthetic blocks. In addition, preliminary antitumor activity study of these products indicates that some molecules exhibite significant anticancer potency against different human cancer cell lines.

Gold-catalyzed carbocyclization and imidization of alkyne-tethered diazo compounds with nitrosoarenes for the synthesis of nitrones and naphthalene derivatives

A gold-catalyzed carbocyclization/imidization cascade reaction has been developed,leading a facile access to the synthesis of functionalized nitrones in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. The reaction initiated by a catalytic 6-endo-dig diazo-yne carbocyclization to form the key endocyclic vinyl carbene from alkyne-tethered diazo compounds, followed by addition with nitrosoarenes that features an imidization process. Notably, these resulting nitrone products could be smoothly converted into different substituted naphthalenol analogues, such as 4-aminonaphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,4-dione, and naphthalene-1,4-diol derivatives, in high yields. Moreover, the generated products exhibited potential tumor suppression activity in tested cancer celllines; compound 3c (HCT116 cells, IC50 = 7.41 μM; MCF-7 cells, IC50 = 14.28 μM) exhibits higher anticancer potency than other tested compounds.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization to Synthesize 2-Aminobenzofurans via Carbene Metathesis Reactions

Herein, we report a new method of synthesizing of 2-aminobenzofuran 3-enes via the formal C-S insertion reaction of alkyne-tethered diazo compounds. Metal carbene, as a kind of active synthetic intermediate, plays a very important role in organic synthesis. Through the carbene/alkyne metathesis strategy, a new donor carbene is produced in situ as a key intermediate, which has different reactions from the donor receptor carbene.

Advancements in Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions to Access Carbocycles and Heterocycles: An Overview

This review summarizes recent developments (from 2006 to 2022) in numerous important and efficient carbo- and heterocycle generations using gold-catalyzed cascade protocols. Herein, methodologies involve selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of product formation being controlled by the ligand as well as the counter anion, catalyst, substrate, and reaction conditions. Gold-catalyzed cascade reactions covered different strategies through the compilation of various approaches such as cyclization, hydroarylation, intermolecular and intramolecular cascade reactions, etc. This entitled reaction is also useful for the synthesis of spiro, fused, bridged carbo- and heterocycles.

Divergent Construction of N-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Indole as the Nitrogen Source Building Block

An Ag/Au-catalyzed divergent cascade reaction of alkyne embedded diazoketones with indoles has been described. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction goes through a [4+2]-cycloaddition of an in situ formed isobenzopyrylium intermediate with indole, followed by a sequential retro-Michael addition/carbene N-H insertion process to give the benzo[i]phenanthridines products with gold catalysis; whereas a dearomatization/rearomatization sequence occurs favourably when the reaction is catalyzed by a silver catalyst, delivering benzo[b]carbazoles in generally high to excellent yields. Notably, this is a rare example of using indole as the dienophile for cycloaddition with the isobenzopyrylium species, providing a concise and practical approach for the selective construction of N-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with structural diversity and broad functional-group compatibility.

Intramolecular Interception of the Remote Position of Vinylcarbene Silver Complex Intermediates by C(sp3 )-H Bond Insertion

The trapping of the elusive vinylogous position of a vinyl carbene with an aliphatic C(sp³ )-H bond has been achieved for the first time during a silver-catalyzed carbene/alkyne metathesis (CAM) process. A Tp^x -containing silver complex first promotes the generation of a donor-acceptor silver carbene which triggers CAM, generating a subsequent donor-donor vinyl silver carbene species, which then undergoes a selective vinylogous C(sp³ )-H bond insertion, leading to the synthesis of a new family of benzoazepines. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil the reaction mechanism, which allows proposing that the C-H bond insertion reaction takes place in a stepwise manner, with the hydrogen shift being the rate determining step.

Experimental and Computational Mechanistic Study of Carbonazidate-Initiated Cascade Reactions

A variety of Huisgen cyclization or nitrene/carbene alkyne cascade reactions with different types of termination were investigated. Accessible nitrene precursors were assessed, and carbonazidates were found to be the only effective initiators. Solvents, terminal alkynyl substituents, and catalysts can all impact the reaction outcome. Study of the mechanism both computationally (by density functional theory) and experimentally revealed relevant intermediates and plausible reaction pathways.

Practical and modular construction of benzo[c]phenanthridine compounds

Here, we describe a general and modular strategy for the rapid assembly of benzo[c]phenanthridine (BCP) derivatives using homogeneous gold catalysis. Notably, in contrast to traditional methods based on the specially preformed substrates that have an inherent preference for the formation of this class of compounds with limited flexibility, this protocol is achieved via a selectively intramolecular cascade of a diazo-tethered alkyne and subsequently an intermolecular cyclization with a nitrile to facilitate the successive C-N and C-C bonds formation. This methodology uses readily available nitriles as the nitrogen source to deliver the products in good yield with excellent functional group compatibility. A preliminary anti-tumor activity study of these generated products exhibits high anticancer potency against five tumor cell lines, including HeLa, Mel624, SW-480, 8505C, LAN-1. Besides, we report a catalyst-controlled intermolecular cycloaddition/intramolecular insertion of the substrate with a fulvene to provide fused polycarbocycles containing a seven-membered ring.

Synthesis of fluorenes and their related compounds from biaryls and Meldrum's acid derivatives

A new synthetic method for preparing fluorenes from amino group-containing biaryls and Meldrum's acid derivatives was developed. The reaction proceeded without a catalyst and loss of functional groups. The corresponding six- and seven-membered cyclic products were obtained using biaryl ether and ortho-terphenyl as substrates, respectively.

Stereoselective copper-catalyzed heteroarene C-H functionalization/Michael-type annulation cascade with α-diazocarbonyls

A stereoselective, copper-catalyzed, arene C(sp²)-H functionalization/Michael-type annulation reaction involving α-diazocarbonyl compounds has been developed. The method features low catalyst loadings, high yields, and excellent regio and stereoselectivity, in the synthesis of various heteroaromatic frameworks by employing indoles as the arene partner.

Gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization/intermolecular cycloaddition cascade as a fast track to polycarbocycles and mechanistic insights

Metal carbene is an active synthetic intermediate, which has shown versatile applications in synthetic chemistry. Although a variety of catalytic methods have been disclosed for the generation of carbene species from different precursors, there is an increasing demand for the development of efficient and practical approaches for the in-situ formation of metal carbene intermediates with structural diversity and unrevealed reactivity. Herein we report a gold-catalyzed cascade protocol for the assembly of polycarbocyclic frameworks in high yields under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that the unique β-aryl gold-carbene species, generated via gold-promoted 6-endo-dig diazo-yne cyclization, is the key intermediate in this reaction, followed by a [4 + 2]-cycloaddition with external alkenes. In comparison to the well-documented metal carbene cycloadditions, this carbene intermediate serves as a 4-C synthon in a cycloaddition reaction. A variety of elusive π-conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons (CPHs) with multiple substituents are readily accessible from the initially generated products by a mild oxidation procedure.

Tunable Synthesis of Indeno[1,2-c]furans and 3-Benzoylindenones via FeCl3-Catalyzed Carbene/Alkyne Metathesis Reaction of o-Alkynylbenzoyl Diazoacetates

An efficient synthesis of indeno[1,2-c]furan and 3-benzoylindenone derivatives through a FeCl₃-catalyzed carbene/alkyne metathesis reaction of o-alkynylbenzoyl diazoacetates is presented. Mechanistically, the key intermediate, vinyl iron carbene, is formed by 5-exo-dig carbocyclization and terminated with a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition or carbonylation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example in which FeCl₃ is used as a catalyst for a carbene/alkyne metathesis reaction. Finally, derivatization reactions were carried out to showcase the value of the products.

Regioselective cobalt(II)-catalyzed [2 + 3] cycloaddition reaction of fluoroalkylated alkynes with 2-formylphenylboronic acids: easy access to 2-fluoroalkylated indenols

[2 + 3] cycloaddition reactions of fluorinated alkynes with 2-formylphenylboronic acids under the influence of Co(acac)₂·2H₂O in two-component solvents of acetonitrile/2-propanol at reflux temperature for 18 h took place smoothly, affording the corresponding fluoroalkylated indenol derivatives in good yields. This reaction shows excellent regioselectivity, giving 2-fluoroalkylated indenols, together with a very small amount of 3-fluoroalkylated indanones as side products.

Synthesis of Bridged Azacycles and Propellanes via Nitrene/Alkyne Cascades

A nitrene/alkyne cascade reaction terminating in C-H bond insertion to form functionalized bridged azacycles from carbonazidates is presented. Due to an initial Huisgen cyclization, all carbonazidates reacted with the alkyne in an exo mode in contrast to the use of sulfamate esters, which react predominately in an endo mode. Substrates with different ring sizes as well as different aryl and heteroaryl groups were also explored. Variation of the nitrene tether showed that 7-membered rings were the maximum ring size to be formed by nitrene attack on the alkyne. Examples incorporating stereocenters on the carbonazidate's tether induced diasteroselectivity in the formation of the bridged ring and two new stereocenters. Additionally, propellanes containing aminals, hemiaminals, and thioaminals formed from the bridged azacycles in the same reaction via an acid-promoted rearrangement.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Tandem Carbene/Alkyne Metathesis/N-H Insertion: Synthesis of Benzofused Six-Membered Azaheterocycles

The Cp*RuCl-based catalyst enables expedient access to a variety of benzofused six-membered azaheterocycles from unprotected o-alkynylanilines and trimethylsilyldiazomethane through an unprecedent tandem carbene/alkyne metathesis/N-H insertion reaction. The transformation takes place under mild reaction conditions (room temperature, <15 min) and with excellent functional group tolerance. The synthetic utility of the final products and a mechanistic rationale are also discussed.

Pd(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Annulation toward the Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Chiral Indenols

An enantioselective asymmetric annulation of 2-formylboronic acids with internal alkynes has been realized using a chiral phosphinooxazoline/palladium(II) catalyst. The reaction tolerates a variety of alkynes including the relatively inert diaryl substituted internal ones. A wide range of optically active 2,3-disubstituted indenols was afforded in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and 99% ee).

Iron-catalyzed [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of in situ generated N-ylides with alkynes or olefins: access to multi-substituted/polycyclic pyrrole derivatives

An iron-catalyzed one-pot three-component reaction of 1-substituted benzimidazoles with diazoacetates and electron-deficient alkynes or alkenes has been reported. Mechanistically, the reaction goes through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of catalytically generated benzimidazolium N-ylides with various activated alkynes or alkenes, leading to multi-substituted and polycyclic fused pyrrole derivatives, respectively.

Copper-catalyzed formal [1 + 2 + 2]-annulation of alkyne-tethered diazoacetates and pyridines: access to polycyclic indolizines

A copper-catalyzed formal [1 + 2 + 2]-annulation of alkyne-tethered diazo compounds with pyridines, which affords polycyclic fused indolizine derivatives with broad substrate generality, has been reported.

Synthesis of Isoxazolines and Oxazines by Electrochemical Intermolecular [2 + 1 + n] Annulation: Diazo Compounds Act as Radical Acceptors

Reported herein is an unprecedented synthesis of isoxazolines and oxazines through electrochemical intermolecular annulation of alkenes with tert-butyl nitrite, in which diazo compounds serve as radical acceptors. Notably, [2 + 1 + 2] and [2 + 1 + 3] annulations occur when styrenes and allylbenzenes are used as substrates, respectively. The latter reaction undergoes group migration to form more stable radical, manifesting radical route instead of conventional 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition occurs. Moreover, scale-up experiments suggest the potential application value of these transformations in industry.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Aromatization: Expeditious Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Naphthalenes

A gold-catalyzed 6-endo-dig carbocyclization of alkyne with the pendent diazo group is reported. It provides an expeditious approach for the synthesis of multi-functionalized naphthalene derivatives under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest that a vinyl gold carbene is generated as the key intermediate in this cascade transformation that smoothly delivers naphthalene products through an unprecedented stepwise aromatization or an intermolecular aromatic substitution process. The unique endocyclic vinyl species is inaccessible with other precursors; thus, novel carbene cascade transformations could be envisioned with the current catalytic model. Functional groups, such as alkenyl, hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups, remain untouched under these conditions. In addition, the utility of these generated 2-carboxyl naphthalenes is illustrated by the synthesis of chiral 1,2′-binaphthalene ligands and π-conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons (CPHs).

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A general method for the construction of multi-functionalized naphthalenes

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First 6-endo-dig diazo-yne carbocyclization leading to the vinyl gold carbene

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Expeditious access to naphthalenes with broad functional group compatibility

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Applications for the synthesis of chiral 1,2′-binaphthalene ligands and CPHs

Rhodium-Catalyzed Formal C-O Insertion in Carbene/Alkyne Metathesis Reactions: Synthesis of 3-Substituted 3 H-Indol-3-ols

An efficient and novel rhodium-catalyzed formal C-O insertion reaction of alkyne-tethered diazo compounds for the synthesis of 3 H-indol-3-ols is described. A type of donor/donor rhodium carbene generated in situ via a carbene/alkyne metathesis (CAM) process is the key intermediate and terminates in a unique transformation different from donor/acceptor carbenoids. In addition, ¹⁸O-labeling experiments indicate that intramolecular oxygen-atom transfer from the amide group to the carbon-carbon triple bond occurs during this transformation.

Prediction on the origin of chemoselectivity in Lewis base-mediated competition cyclizations between allenoates and chalcones: a computational study

The HOMO_TSs and p-orbital contributions of the center atoms were used to predict the origin of chemoselectivity in this work.