First Tandem Free-Radical Cyclization Reaction of Alkylenecyclopropanes: A Novel and Efficient Method for the Preparation of 2-(3,4-Dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)malonic Acid Diethyl Esters

Visible-light-induced reactions of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs)

Diverse, visible-light-induced transformations of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) have been reported in recent years, attracting significant attention from synthetic chemists. As readily accessible strained molecules, MCPs have sufficient reactivity to selectively generate different target products, through reactions with various radical species upon visible-light irradiation under regulated reaction conditions. These transformations can be classified into three subcategories of reaction pathway, forming ring-opened products, cyclopropane derivatives, and alkynes. These products include pharmaceutical intermediates and polycyclic/heterocyclic compounds that are challenging to obtain using traditional methods. This review summarizes the recent advancements in this field.

Thermally-Induced Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition of Allylamino- or Allyloxy-Tethered Alkylidenecyclopropanes

A thermally-induced intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of allylamino- or allyloxy-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes has been reported in this paper, giving a new protocol for the rapid construction of polycyclic skeleton molecules in moderate to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope. On the basis of control experiments and DFT calculations, we disclosed that the reaction proceeded through a [4+2] cycloaddition and trace of water assisted 1,3-H shift process to give the target product.

Iron-Catalyzed Ortho C-H Homoallylation of Aromatic Ketones with Methylenecyclopropanes

We report here a C-H homoallylation reaction of aromatic ketones with methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) only using a catalytic amount of Fe(PMe₃)₄. A variety of aromatic ketones and MCPs are applicable to the reaction to form ortho-homoallylated aromatic ketones selectively via regioselective scission of the three-membered rings. The homoallylated products are amenable to further elaborations, providing functionalized 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes.

Oxidative radical ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives

The ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives has drawn great attention in the past several decades. In this review, recent efforts in the development of oxidative radical ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives, including methylenecyclopropanes, cyclopropyl olefins and cyclopropanols, are described. We hope this review will be of sufficient interest for the scientific community to further advance the application of oxidative radical strategies in the ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives.

A ligand-controlled switch of regioselectivity in ring-opening coupling of diarylmethylenecyclopropa[b]naphthalenes with Grignard reagents

A ligand-controlled regioselectivity switch of ring-opening coupling reaction of diarylmethylenecyclopropa[b]naphthalenes with Grignard reagents providing differently substituted β-vinylic naphthalenes in moderate to excellent yields was reported: when Pd(OAc)2 was used, the aromatic group from the Grignard reagent regioselectively coupled to the naphthyl ring after the ring-opening of three-membered cycle, which is different from the Pd(PPh3)2Cl2-catalyzed reaction. Based on a careful NMR study, we concluded that it may be explained by the ligand effect.

Rapid generation of molecular complexity in the Lewis or Brønsted acid-mediated reactions of methylenecyclopropanes

Although they are highly strained, methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) are readily accessible molecules that have served as useful building blocks in organic synthesis. MCPs can undergo a variety of ring-opening reactions because the release of cyclopropyl ring strain (40 kcal/mol) can provide a thermodynamic driving force for reactions and the π-character of the bonds within the cyclopropane can afford the kinetic opportunity to initiate the ring-opening. Since the 1970s, the chemistry of MCPs has been widely explored in the presence of transition metal catalysts, but less attention had been paid to the Lewis or Brønsted acid mediated chemistry of MCPs. During the past decade, significant developments have also been made in the Lewis or Brønsted acid mediated reactions of MCPs. This Account describes chemistry developed in our laboratory and by other researchers. Lewis and Brønsted acids can be used as catalysts or reagents in the reactions of MCPs with a variety of substrates, and substituents on the terminal methylene or on the cyclopropyl ring of MCPs significantly affect the reaction pathways. During the past decade, we and other researchers have found interesting transformations based on this chemistry. These new reactions include the ring expansion of MCPs, cycloaddition reactions of MCPs with aldehydes and imines, cycloaddition reactions of MCPs with nitriles in the presence of strong Brønsted acid, radical reactions of MCPs with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reactions of MCPs with arenes, acylation reactions of MCPs, and the reaction of MCPs with 1,1,3-triarylprop-2-yn-1-ols or their methyl ethers. These Lewis or Brønsted acid mediated reactions of MCPs can produce a variety of new compounds such as cyclobutanones, indenes, tetrahydrofurans, and tetrahydroquinolines. Finally, we have also carried out computational studies to explain the mechanism of the Brønsted acid mediated reactions of MCPs with acetonitrile.

Synthesis of the indene, THF, and pyrrolidine skeletons by Lewis acid mediated cycloaddition of methylenecyclopropanes with aldehydes, N-tosyl aldimines, and acetals

Methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs 1) react with aldehydes, N-tosyl aldimines, and acetals to give the corresponding indene, THF, and pyrrolidine cycloaddition products in the presence of BF3 x OEt2 under mild reaction conditions. Some special transformations of MCPs 1 with aldehydes have been reported in this paper. A plausible reaction mechanism has been discussed, which is based on a deuterium-labeling experiment and the Prins-type reaction mechanism.

Acylation of Alkylidenecyclopropanes for the Facile Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Ketone and Benzofulvene Derivatives with High Stereoselectivity

[reaction: see text] A variety of substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone and benzofulvene derivatives were readily prepared in good to excellent yields via the reaction of alkylidenecyclopropanes with various acyl chlorides in the presence of aluminum chloride. The stereochemistry of the acylation and cyclization is discussed.

Efficient Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure α-Alkyl Cyclopropanecarbonitrile Derivatives from Pyrazolines

[reaction: see text] Thermolysis of enantiopure sulfonyl pyrazolines 4 and 5, easily obtained from (Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitriles (1), afforded sulfonyl cyclopropanes (6, 7) in a completely stereoselective manner in almost quantitative yields. Both cyclopropanes and alkylidenecyclopropanes, containing one or two chiral carbon atoms, one of them being quaternary, were obtained by hydrogenolysis of the C-S bonding and under the conditions reported by Julia, respectively. The highly stereoselective extrusion of nitrogen suggests a concerted mechanism.