Insight into the Reactivity of Olefins in the Pauson−Khand Reaction

Computational Study on the Co-Mediated Intramolecular Pauson–Khand Reaction of Fluorinated and Chiral N-Tethered 1,7-Enynes

The Co₂(CO)₈-mediated intramolecular Pauson–Khand reaction is an elegant approach to obtain cyclopentenone derivatives containing asymmetric centers. In this work, we employed density functional theory calculations at the M11/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory to investigate the mechanism and reactivity for the Pauson–Khand reaction of fluorinated and asymmetric N-tethered 1,7-enynes. The rate-determining step was found to be the intramolecular alkene insertion into the carbon–cobalt bond. The stereoselectivity of the alkene insertion step was rationalized by the different transition states showing the coordination of the alkene through the Re- and Si-face. The effects of different fluorine groups and steric effects on both the alkenyl and alkynyl moieties were also theoretically investigated.

Evolution of Pauson-Khand Reaction: Strategic Applications in Total Syntheses of Architecturally Complex Natural Products (2016–2020)

Metal-mediated cyclizations are important transformations in a natural product total synthesis. The Pauson-Khand reaction, particularly powerful for establishing cyclopentenone-containing structures, is distinguished as one of the most attractive annulation processes routinely employed in synthesis campaigns. This review covers Co, Rh, and Pd catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction and summarizes its strategic applications in total syntheses of structurally complex natural products in the last five years. Additionally, the hetero-Pauson-Khand reaction in the synthesis of heterocycles will also be discussed. Focusing on the panorama of organic synthesis, this review highlights the strategically developed Pauson-Khand reaction in fulfilling total synthetic tasks and its synthetic attractiveness is aimed to be illustrated.

B3LYP, M06 and B3PW91 DFT assignment of nd8 metal-bis-(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes

This paper is focused on the examination of the bonding properties of a series of [M(NHC)₂X₂] (M = nd⁸ transition metal; X = Cl, Br and I) complexes in normal, abnormal and mixed C^∩C coordination modes. Structures have been optimised in gas phase using B3LYP, M06 and P3BW91 functionals. Two basis sets have been used: the LanL2DZ and a mixed basis set (LanL2DZ for nd⁸ transition metals as well as halogen atoms and 6-311+G(d,p) for other atoms). Results obtained indicate that the B3PW91 bond distances are closer to experimental data. The complexation energies obtained for each binding mode increase in the order: Ni²⁺ < Pd²⁺ < Pt²⁺, independently of the halogen atom adopted. From the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecule (QTAIM) approach, the instability has been found to follow this trend: M - X < M - C. The analysis of metal-ligand interactions using the natural bond orbital (NBO) revealed that the strongest metal-ligand interactions are observed in the normal binding mode. The NCH → MX₂ donation terms were found to be interestingly predominant compared with back donation ones in the complexes studied, except in Pt chloride ones. The contribution of electrostatic interaction energy between the above fragments (∆E_elstat term) is in the range 57.48-63.95% traducing the fact that the interactions are mostly electrostatic. Graphical abstract.

Methods Utilizing First-Row Transition Metals in Natural Product Total Synthesis

First-row transition-metal-mediated reactions constitute an important and growing area of research due to the low cost, low toxicity, and exceptional synthetic versatility of these metals. Currently, there is considerable effort to replace existing precious-metal-catalyzed reactions with first-row analogs. More importantly, there are a plethora of unique transformations mediated by first-row metals, which have no classical second- or third-row counterpart. Herein, the application of first-row metal-mediated methods to the total synthesis of natural products is discussed. This Review is intended to highlight strategic uses of these metals to realize efficient syntheses and highlight the future potential of these reagents and catalysts in organic synthesis.

From allenes to tetracenes: Syntheses, structures, and reactivity of the intermediates

Each step of the conversion of a series of 9-alkynyl-9H-fluorenes into the corresponding fluorenylidene-allenes that dimerize and proceed sequentially via head-to-tail and tail-to-tail dialkylidene-cyclobutanes, en route to electroluminescent tetracenes, has been characterized X-ray crystallographically. Allenes possessing substituents of very different electronic and steric character, such as aryl, halogeno, silyl, phosphino, and ferrocenyl, exhibit novel and unexpected reactivity patterns. The silyl-allenes dimerize to yield 1,2-bis(fluorenylidene)cyclobutanes of intrinsic C2 symmetry as a result of the overlapping fluorenylidenes with their large wingspans. Thermal rearrangement of a bis(fluorenyl)-bis(trimethylsilyl)-diallene generates the tetrabenzo-quatercyclopentadiene, C60H36, which represents 60 % of the C60 framework. An attempt to isolate a "push-pull" allene, whose central carbon possesses carbene character, was made by incorporating a cation-stabilizing substituent (ferrocenyl) and an aromatic anionic moiety (fluorenide) at the termini. However, the allene underwent facile dimerization to the very heavily congested 3,4-di(spirofluorenyl)-1,2-bis(ferrocenyl-chloromethylene)cyclobutane that exhibits a very long (1.65 Å) C(3)-C(4) bond. Extension of this chemistry to dibenzosuberenylidene-allenes led to a straightforward route to the hitherto difficultly available dibenz[c,d,h]azulene system. Moreover, the reaction of 5-phenylethynyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ol with dicobalt octacarbonyl yielded, surprisingly, the first isolated example of a (μ-alkyne)Co2(CO)5(η2-alkene)complex, the long-sought first intermediate in the proposed mechanism of the Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR).

Co-complexes derived from alkene insertion to alkyne-dicobaltpentacarbonyl complexes: insight into the regioselectivity of pauson-khand reactions of cyclopropenes

Described are the X-ray crystallographic and spectral properties of Co-complexes that were isolated from two Pauson-Khand reactions of chiral cyclopropenes. These are the first examples of isolated Co-complexes derived from the putative alkene-insertion intermediates of Pauson-Khand reactions. The binuclear Co-complexes are coordinated to mu-bonded, five-carbon "flyover" carbene ligands. It is proposed that the complexes result from cyclopropane fragmentation subsequent to alkene insertion. The observation of these metal complexes provides a rationale for the origin of regioselectivity in Pauson-Khand reactions of cyclopropenes.

A Study of (Binap)(enyne)tetracarbonyldicobalt(0) Complexes

Four (binap)(enyne)tetracarbonyldicobalt(0) complexes have been synthesised and their reactivity monitored by variable temperature (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Formation of (binap)dicarbonylhydridocobalt(-1) 12 occurred at temperatures between 35 and 55 degrees C, depending on the nature of the alkene and alkyne components of the enyne. The structure of 12 was determined by X-ray crystallography, and its presence under Pauson-Khand reaction conditions was verified by NMR spectroscopy.

The intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction

Five membered carbocycles are important building blocks for many biologically active molecules. Moreover, substituted cyclopentenones (e.g. cyclopentenone prostaglandins) exhibit characteristic biological activity. The efficiency and atom economy of the Pauson-Khand reaction render this process potentially one of the most attractive methods for the synthesis of such compounds. Although it was discovered in its intermolecular form, the scope of the intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction has always been limited by the poor reactivity and selectivity of the alkene component. The past decade, especially the last three years, has seen concerted efforts to broaden the scope of this reaction. In this overview, we provide a comprehensive and critical coverage of the intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction based on the reactivity characteristics of different classes of alkenes and a rationalization of successes and misfortunes in this area.

Arene−Chromium Tricarbonyl Complexes in the Pauson−Khand Reaction

[reactions: see text] We show the use of arene-chromium tricarbonyl complexes in intra- and intermolecular Pauson-Khand reactions. Both styrene and ethynylbenzene complexes react with alkynes and olefins. The synthesis of enynes connected through chromium-complexed aromatic rings is developed. The intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction occurs in a totally diastereoselective manner.

Intramolecular Pauson-Khand Reactions of Methylenecyclopropane and Bicyclopropylidene Derivatives as an Approach to Spiro(cyclopropanebicyclo[n.3.0]alkenones)

The trimethylsilyl-protected enynes 9a-c and 14a,b with alkynyl substituents on the three-membered ring or on the double bond of a methylenecyclopropane or a bicyclopropylidene moiety were prepared in two steps from the alcohols 6a-c and 12a,b, respectively, by conversion to the iodides and their coupling with lithium (trimethylsilyl)acetylide (8) in 38-73% overall yields. The bicyclopropylidene derivative 9d was synthesized in 49% yield directly from bicyclopropylidene (3) by lithiation followed by coupling with (5-iodopent-1-ynyl)trimethylsilane (11). Enynes 9b-d were protiodesilylated by treatment with K2CO3 in methanol to give the corresponding unprotected enynes 10b-d in 53, 74 and 94% yield, respectively. Enynes 17a-c with a carbonyl group adjacent to the acetylenic moiety were synthesized from oxo derivatives 15a-c by Wittig olefination followed by coupling with 8 in 47, 18 and 12% overall yield, respectively. Pauson-Khand reactions of the methylenecyclopropane derivatives with a substituent on the ring (9a,b and 10a) as well as on the double bond (14a,b and their in situ prepared protiodesilylated analogues) proceeded smoothly by stirring of the corresponding enyne with [Co2(CO)8] in dichloromethane at ambient temperature followed by treatment of the formed complexes with trimethylamine N-oxide under an oxygen atmosphere at -78 degrees C to give tricyclic or spirocyclopropanated bicyclic enones 18a,b, 19a, 20a,b, 21a,b in good yields. Alkynylbicyclopropylidene derivatives 9c,d and 10c,d formed the corresponding cobalt complexes at -78 to -20 degrees C. Treatment of the latter with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide under an argon atmosphere at -20 degrees C gave the spirocyclopropanated tricyclic enones 18c, 19c and 18d in 31-45% yields. The structure of 19c was proved by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The cyclization of enynones 17a-c in MeCN at 80 degrees C gave the spirocyclopropanated bicyclic diketones 22a-c in 38-65% yields. Intramolecular PKRs of the enynes 25a,d with a chiral auxiliary adjacent to the triple bond gave the corresponding products 26a,d in 70 and 79% yield, respectively, as 5:1 and 8:1 mixtures of diastereomers, respectively. Addition of lithium dimethylcuprate or higher order cuprates to the double bond of the former furnished bridgehead-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]octanones 27a-c in 57-86% yields. Protiodesilylation of 27a followed by acetal cleavage gave the enantiomerically pure spirocyclopropanated bicyclo[3.3.0]octanedione (1R,5R)- 29a with [alpha]D(20)=-148 (c=1.0 in CHCl3) in 55% overall yield.

A Palladium-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Four-Component Coupling Reaction

Pd(PPh(3))(4) catalytically assembles sulfenamide, alkyne, carbon monoxide, and diphenyl diselenide regio- and stereoselectively in a one-pot four-component coupling reaction to yield (Z)-beta-selenyl acrylamides. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields (60-95%) and is tolerant of a range of functional groups on both the nitrogen of the sulfenamide and the alkyne. Moderate selectivities ranging from 4:1 to 7:1 beta-selenyl to beta-sulfenyl acrylamide have been observed despite the initial concentration of 2:1 selenium to sulfur in the reaction. The chalcogeno selectivity was found to depend directly on CO pressure; increased pressure decreased selectivity for selenium over sulfur.

Vinyl Sulfoxides as Stereochemical Controllers in Intermolecular Pauson-Khand Reactions: Applications to the Enantioselective Synthesis of Natural Cyclopentanoids

The use of sulfoxides as chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric intermolecular Pauson-Khand reactions is described. After screening a wide variety of substituents on the sulfur atom in alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfoxides, the readily available o-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl vinyl sulfoxide (1 i) has proved to be highly reactive with substituted terminal alkynes under N-oxide-promoted conditions (CH3CN, 0 degrees C). In addition, these Pauson-Khand reactions occurred with complete regioselectivity and very high diastereoselectivity (de=86->96 %, (S,R(S)) diastereomer). Experimental studies suggest that the high reactivity exhibited by the vinyl sulfoxide 1 i relies on the ability of the amine group to act as a soft ligand on the alkyne dicobalt complex prior to the generation of the cobaltacycle intermediate. On the other hand, both theoretical and experimental studies show that the high stereoselectivity of the process is due to the easy thermodynamic epimerization at the C5 center in the resulting 5-sulfinyl-2-cyclopentenone adducts. When it is taken into account that the known asymmetric intermolecular Pauson-Khand reactions are limited to the use of highly reactive bicyclic alkenes, mainly norbornene and norbornadiene, this novel procedure constitutes the first asymmetric version with unstrained acyclic alkenes. As a demonstration of the synthetic interest of this sulfoxide-based methodology in the enantioselective preparation of stereochemically complex cyclopentanoids, we have developed very short and efficient syntheses of the antibiotic (-)-pentenomycin I and the (-)-aminocyclopentitol moiety of a hopane triterpenoid.