Thermally induced cyclopropene-carbene rearrangements: an overview

Copper-Phosphido Catalysis: Enantioselective Addition of Phosphines to Cyclopropenes

We describe a copper catalyst that promotes the addition of phosphines to cyclopropenes at ambient temperature. A range of cyclopropylphosphines bearing different steric and electronic properties can now be accessed in high yields and enantioselectivities. Enrichment of phosphorus stereocenters is also demonstrated via a Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation (DyKAT) process. A combined experimental and theoretical mechanistic study supports an elementary step featuring insertion of a CuI -phosphido into a carbon-carbon double bond. Density functional theory calculations reveal migratory insertion as the rate- and stereo-determining step, followed by a syn-protodemetalation.

NHC-Ni(II)-catalyzed cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation

Isocyanides are common compounds in fine and bulk chemical syntheses. However, the direct addition of isocyanide to simple unactivated cyclopropene via transition metal catalysis is challenging. Most of the current approaches focus on 1,1-insertion of isocyanide to M-R or nucleophilc insertion. That is often complicated by the competitive homo-oligomerization reactivity occurring at room temperature, such as isocyanide 1,1-insertion by Ni(II). Here we show a (N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(II) catalyst that enables cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation. As shown in the broad substrate scope and a [trans-(N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(isocyanide)Br₂] crystal structure, the desired cross-reactivity is cooperatively controlled by the high reactivity of the cyclopropene, the sterically bulky N-heterocyclic carbene, and the strong coordination ability of the isocyanide. This direct addition strategy offers aromatic amine derivatives and complements the Dötz benzannulation and Semmelhack/Wulff 1,4-hydroquinone synthesis. Several sterically bulky, fused, and multi-substituted anilines and unsymmetric functionalized spiro-ring structures are prepared from those easily accessible starting materials expediently.

The direct addition of isocyanides to cyclopropenes is challenging. Here, the authors report a catalytic cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation catalyzed by an (N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(II) complex; this method enables the preparation of fused and multi-substituted anilines and unsymmetrically functionalized spiro-ring structures.

Palladium-Catalyzed Living/Controlled Vinyl Addition Polymerization of Cyclopropenes

Despite the various utilities of cyclopropenes (CPEs) in organic synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), their vinyl addition polymerization has been sporadically explored, and the corresponding living/controlled polymerization remains a formidable challenge. The major obstacle is the intrinsic instability of the intermediate and the kinetic barrier for propagation. Herein a living/controlled vinyl addition polymerization of 3-methyl-3-carboxymethyl CPEs, catalyzed by [Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ ligated by a sulfinamide bisphosphine ligand, is demonstrated. A plot of the number-average molecular weight (M_n) versus the conversion was found to be linear during the polymerization, with the molecular weight dispersity (M_w/M_n) remaining narrow. The M_n values increased linearly with the increase in the initial feed ratio of monomer to catalyst. Furthermore, controlled block copolymerization via sequential monomer addition was successful. All of these points corroborate the living nature of this polymerization. The synergistic coordination action of the catalyst ligand and the lateral carbonyl group in the cyclopropene moiety plays a key role in achieving the efficient polymerization in a living/controlled manner.

New-Generation Ligand Design for the Gold-Catalyzed Asymmetric Activation of Alkynes

Gold(I) catalysts are ideal for the activation of alkynes under very mild conditions. However, unlike allenes or alkenes, the triple bond of alkynes cannot be prochiral. In addition, the linear coordination displayed by gold(I) complexes places the chiral ligand far away from the substrate resulting in an inefficient transfer of chiral information. This poses a significant challenge for the achievement of high enantiocontrol in gold(I)-catalyzed reactions of alkynes. Although considerable progress on enantioselective gold(I)-catalyzed transformations has recently been achieved, the asymmetric activation of non-prochiral alkyne-containing small molecules still represents a great challenge. Herein we summarize recent advances in intra- and intermolecular enantioselective gold(I)-catalyzed reactions involving alkynes, discussing new chiral ligand designs that lie at the basis of these developments. We also focus on the mode of action of these catalysts, their possible limitations towards a next-generation of more efficient ligand designs. Finally, square planar chiral gold(III) complexes, which offer an alternative to chiral gold(I) complexes, are also discussed.

Enantioselective Hydrothiolation: Diverging Cyclopropenes through Ligand Control

In this article, we advance Rh-catalyzed hydrothiolation through the divergent reactivity of cyclopropenes. Cyclopropenes undergo hydrothiolation to provide cyclopropyl sulfides or allylic sulfides. The choice of bisphosphine ligand dictates whether the pathway involves ring-retention or ring-opening. Mechanistic studies reveal the origin for this switchable selectivity. Our results suggest the two pathways share a common cyclopropyl-Rh(III) intermediate. Electron-rich Josiphos ligands promote direct reductive elimination from this intermediate to afford cyclopropyl sulfides in high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Alternatively, atropisomeric ligands (such as DTBM-BINAP) enable ring-opening from the cyclopropyl-Rh(III) intermediate to generate allylic sulfides with high enantio- and regiocontrol.

Visible-light-promoted divergent functionalizations of methylenecyclopropanes

Visible-light-induced monofunctionalization and difunctionalization of MCPs via ring-opening and cyclization processes have been developed for the syntheses of difluoromethyl compounds, alkyl compounds, halides, and sulfonyl compounds.

Facile Cleavage of the P=P Double Bond in Vinyl-Substituted Diphosphenes

The reactions of the cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) 1 with phosphaalkynes generate the kinetically unstable CAAC-derived phosphirenes 4 and 5, which undergo rearrangement/dimerization reactions to give the vinyl-substituted diphosphenes 2, 3, and 6. The P=P double bond scission of 2 or 3 is unprecedentedly effected by S₈ , [AuCl(tht)], or MeOTf at room temperature, which affords a dithiophosphorane 7, a phosphepine Au complex 8, or phosphepinium cations 9 and 10, respectively. The cationic species feature little homoaromaticity while representing the first examples of the phosphorus-containing analogue of the tropylium ion.

Mechanistic Studies on the Base-Promoted Conversion of Alkoxy-Substituted, Ring-Fused gem-Dihalocyclopropanes into Furans: Evidence for a Process Involving Electrocyclic Ring Closure of a Carbonyl Ylide Intermediate

The mechanism associated with the base-promoted conversion of alkoxy-substituted and ring-fused gem-dihalocyclopropanes such as 40 into annulated furans has been explored. Treatment of compound 40 with potassium tert-butoxide affords a mixture of furans 23/27 and 41, an outcome that suggests the intermediacy of the slowly interconverting carbonyl ylides 42 and 43 that undergo rapid [1,5]-electrocyclizations and subsequent dehydrohalogenation to afford the observed products. This proposal is supported by ab initio MO and DFT calculations that also suggest a vinylcarbene insertion pathway is less likely to be operative.

Recyclable heterogeneous metal foil-catalyzed cyclopropenation of alkynes and diazoacetates under solvent-free mechanochemical reaction conditions

Silver and copper foil were found to be effective, versatile and selective heterogeneous catalysts for the cyclopropenation of terminal and internal alkynes under mechanochemical reaction conditions.

Silver and copper foil were found to be effective, versatile and selective heterogeneous catalysts for the cyclopropenation of terminal and internal alkynes under mechanochemical reaction conditions. This methodology enables the functionalization of a wide range of terminal or internal alkynes under ambient, aerobic, and solvent-free conditions. Finally, we have demonstrated a unique and versatile one-pot domino Sonogashira-cyclopropenation mechanochemical reaction for the formation of complex cyclopropenes.

Silver-Catalyzed [2+1] Cyclopropenation of Alkynes with Unstable Diazoalkanes: N-Nosylhydrazones as Room-Temperature Decomposable Diazo Surrogates

The [2+1] cycloaddition of alkynes with diazo compounds represents one of the most powerful and reliable methods for the construction of cyclopropenes. However, it remains a formidable challenge to accomplish the cyclopropenation of alkynes with non-stabilized diazoalkanes, owing to the fact that such compounds are unstable and prone to detonation. Herein, we report a general silver-catalyzed cyclopropenation reaction of alkynes with unstable diazoalkanes, by for the first time the discovery and application of N-nosylhydrazones as room-temperature decomposiable diazo surrogates. This method allows for the efficient assembly a wide variety of cyclopropene derivatives that are otherwise difficult to access by conventional methods.

Rapid access to cyclopentadiene derivatives through gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of ynamides with cyclopropenes by preferential activation of alkenes over alkynes

Double bond activation: the current transformation represents a rare example of preferential activation of alkenes over alkynes under gold catalysis.

Copper mediated carbometalation reactions

Since the first discovery of carbocupration of alkynes in the 1970s a tremendous amount of research has been carried out in this field. The exceptionally high selectivities obtained attribute to the great synthetic value of carbocupration reactions. This tutorial review will present the most important features of carbocupration of alkynes and highlight the most relevant reviews. Then a comprehensive review of copper mediated carbometalation of cyclopropenes will follow. The latter method has received much attention over the last decade as it allows the highly selective construction of poly-substituted cyclopropanes which can be transformed into acyclic derivatives bearing one or multiple tertiary or quaternary carbon stereocenters.

The synthesis of functionalized bridged polycycles via C-H bond insertion

This review presents examples from the chemical literature of syntheses of bridged-polycyclic products via C–H bond insertion by carbenes and nitrenes. Applications to natural product synthesis, a description of the essential elements in substrate-controlled reactions, and mechanistic details of transformations are presented. Overall, these transformations allow the construction of important ring systems rapidly and efficiently, though additional catalyst development is needed.

Dinitrogen extrusion from enoldiazo compounds under thermal conditions: synthesis of donor-acceptor cyclopropenes

Donor-acceptor cyclopropenes are formed quantitatively or in high yield from enoldiazoacetates and enoldiazoacetamides under moderate thermal conditions. They are more versatile than their corresponding enoldiazocarbonyl compounds as carbene precursors.

Gold-catalyzed [3+2]-annulations of α-aryl diazonitriles with ynamides and allenamides to yield 1-amino-1H-indenes

Gold-catalyzed [3+2]-annulations of α-aryl diazonitriles with ynamides and allenamides yielding 1-amino-1H-indenes in two distinct pathways have been reported.

Intramolecular cyclizations of cyclopropenes with indole

Novel intramolecular cycloisomerizations of nitrogen-tethered cyclopropenes with indole in the presence of Brønsted acids have been presented.

Transition-metal-free three-component reaction of cyclopropenes, aldehydes and amines

A formal [3+2] cycloaddition triggered by enamine-mediated ring-opening of cyclopropenes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents is presented.

Facile Alder-Ene Reactions of Silylallenes Involving an Allenic C(sp(2) )-H Bond

Facile and selective Alder-ene reactions of silylallenes involving the activation of an allenic C(sp(2) )H over an allylic C(sp(3) )H bond is described. In this ene reaction, the presence of a silyl substituent was found to be critical for the observed reactivity and selectivity since the corresponding alkyl-substituted allenes show different reaction profiles. Computational studies show that the origin of this unusual reactivity is the lower bond dissociation energy of the α-C(sp(2) )H bond in silylallenes compared to the corresponding nonsilylated allenes.

Gold-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclizations of Cyclopropenes with Propargylic Esters

Homogeneous gold catalysts are interesting as they can act as potent carbophilic Lewis acids to activate the π bonds of alkynes, allenes, and alkenes. Many impressive applications for the formation of C−C or C−heteroatom bonds have been found due to the excellent functional group compatibility of these catalysts and the air and moisture tolerance of their reactions. Here, we have developed gold‐catalyzed novel intramolecular cycloisomerizations of nitrogen or oxygen‐tethered cyclopropenes with propargylic esters. The reaction proceeded through different pathways according to different substituent styles, affording 5‐azaspiro[2.5]oct‐7‐enes and bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes.

An efficient approach to gem-difluorocyclopropylstannanes via highly regio- and stereoselective hydrostannylation of gem-difluorocyclopropenes and their unique ring-opening reaction to afford β-fluoroallylic alcohols

gem-Difluorocyclopropylstannanes, prepared via the hydrostannylation of gem-difluorocyclopropenes, were treated with MeLi and then quenching agents, to give (Z)-β-fluoroallyllic alcohols, ethers, esters, and amides.