Enantioselective synthesis of 5,7-bicyclic ring systems from axially chiral allenes using a Rh(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction

Chirality Transfer Intramolecular Pauson-Khand Reaction with N-C Axially Chiral Sulfonamides Bearing an Ene-Yne Structure

An intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction with enantioenriched N-C axially chiral N-allyl-N-(2-alkynylphenyl)sulfonamide derivatives proceeded with complete chirality transfer from axial chirality (P configuration) to central chirality (R configuration), affording chiral nitrogen-containing tricyclic compounds (tetrahydrocyclopentaquinolin-2-one derivatives).

Rh(I)-Catalyzed Allenic Pauson-Khand Reaction to Access the Thapsigargin Core: Influence of Furan and Allenyl Chloroacetate Groups on Enantioselectivity

Thapsigargin (Tg) is a potent SERCA pump inhibitor with the potential to treat cancer and COVID-19. We have extended the scope of the asymmetric allenic Pauson-Khand reaction to furan-tethered allene-ynes, a stereoconvergent transformation affording the 5,7,5-ring system of Tg in good yields and high enantioselectivity. Computational studies of the oxidative cyclization step show that the furan and chloroacetate groups contribute to this high selectivity.

Low-valent dialkoxytitanium(ii): a useful tool for the synthesis of functionalized seven-membered ring compounds

Herein, we describe unprecedented access to all-carbon or heterocyclic seven-membered ring frameworks from 1,8-ene-ynes promoted by inexpensive low-valent titanium(ii) species, readily available from Ti(OiPr)₄ and Grignard reagent. A broad range of cycloheptane, azepane or oxepane derivatives has been obtained (19 examples) with moderate to good yields and an excellent selectivity (up to 95/5 d.r.).

Brønsted-acid-catalyzed one-pot tandem annulation/[5 + 2]-cycloaddition of o-propargyl alcohol benzaldehydes with alkynes: regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of dibenzo[a,f]azulen-12-ones

The one-pot synthesis of dibenzo[a,f]azulen-12-ones has been established starting from o-propargyl alcohol benzaldehydes and alkynes.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Pauson-Khand-Type Cyclization of 1,5-Allene-Alkynes: A Chirality Transfer Strategy for Optically Active Bicyclic Ketones

An efficient chirality transfer in the [RhCl(CO)₂ ]₂ -catalyzed [2+2+1] cyclization of optically active axially chiral 1,3-disubstituted allenynes with CO to access optically active bicyclopentenone compounds has been developed. The distal C=C bond of allenes reacted with the alknye unit and CO to afford [4.3.0]-bicyclic products with high ee values under mild reaction conditions with an excellent selectivity.

Ti(II) and Rh(I) Complexes as Reagents toward a Thapsigargin Core

A novel approach toward the [5-7]fused bicyclic core of thapsigargin, a subnanomolar inhibitor of the endo/sarcoplasmic calcium ATPase (SERCA), is presented. The synthetic route includes an original Ti(II)-mediated hydroxy-directed reductive coupling of an enantiomerically enriched propargylic alcohol and an intramolecular Rh(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction as key steps. Interestingly, through the first experiments of titanocene-mediated reductive cyclization of a 1,8-enyne, a seven-membered cycle was isolated as a unique product with a total diastereoselectivity.

A thiocyanopalladation/carbocyclization transformation identified through enzymatic screening: stereocontrolled tandem C-SCN and C-C bond formation

Herein we describe a formal thiocyanopalladation/carbocyclization transformation and its parametrization and optimization using a new elevated temperature plate-based version of our visual colorimetric enzymatic screening method for reaction discovery. The carbocyclization step leads to C-SCN bond formation in tandem with C-C bond construction and is highly stereoselective, showing nearly absolute 1,2-anti-stereoinduction (5 examples) for substrates bearing allylic substitution, and nearly absolute 1,3-syn-stereoinduction (16 examples) for substrates bearing propargylic substitution. Based upon these high levels of stereoinduction, the dependence of the 1,2-stereoinduction upon cyclization substrate geometry, and the generally high preference for the transoid vinyl thiocyanate alkene geometry, a mechanistic model is proposed, involving (i) Pd(ii)-enyne coordination, (ii) thiocyanopalladation, (iii) migratory insertion and (iv) β-elimination. Examples of transition metal-mediated C-SCN bond formation that proceed smoothly on unactivated substrates and allow for preservation of the SCN moiety are lacking. Yet, the thiocyanate functionality is of great value for biophysical chemistry (vibrational Stark effect) and medicinal chemistry (S,N-heterocycle construction). The title transformation accommodates C-, O-, N- and S-bridged substrates (6 examples), thereby providing the corresponding carbocyclic or heterocyclic scaffolds. The reaction is also shown to be compatible with a significant range of substituents, varying in steric and electronic demand, including a wide range of substituted aromatics, fused bicyclic and heterocyclic systems, and even biaryl systems. Combination of this new transformation with asymmetric allylation and Grubbs ring-closing metathesis provides for a streamlined enantio- and diastereoselective entry into the oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl core of the natural products massarilactone and annuionone A, as also evidenced by low temperature X-ray crystal structure determination. Utilizing this bicyclic scaffold, we demonstrate the versatility of the thiocyanate moiety for structural diversification post-cyclization. Thus, the bridging vinyl thiocyanate moiety is smoothly elaborated into a range of derivative functionalities utilizing transformations that cleave the S-CN bond, add the elements of RS-CN across a π-system and exploit the SCN moiety as a cycloaddition partner (7 diverse examples). Among the new functionalities thereby generated are thiotetrazole and sulfonyl tetrazole heterocycles that serve as carboxylate and phosphate surrogates, respectively, highlighting the potential of this approach for future applications in medicinal chemistry or chemical biology.

Synthetic Applications of Flexible SNO-OCT Strained Alkynes and Their Use in Postpolymerization Modifications

SNO-OCTs are eight-membered heterocyclic alkynes that have fast rates of reactivity with 1,3-dipoles. In contrast to many other reported cycloalkynes, SNO-OCTs contain multiple sites for derivatization, display stability under a variety of common reaction conditions, and offer the opportunity for strain-induced ring-opening following the initial reaction of the alkyne moiety. In this paper, we describe how the unique features of SNO-OCTs can be employed to modify an oxime-bearing styrene copolymer and introduce an array of polar functionalities into the polymer. This can be achieved through both the addition of SNO-OCT to the polymer, as well as in the subsequent opening of the sulfamate ring once it has been installed in the polymer.

Rh-Catalyzed Stereospecific Synthesis of Allenes from Propargylic Benzoates and Arylboronic Acids

An enantiospecific approach to the synthesis of optically active, trisubstituted allenes from chiral propargylic benzoates and arylboronic acids has been developed. The transformation is catalyzed by a Rh-(P,olefin) complex formed in situ from [{Rh(cod)Cl}2] and a readily available phosphoramidite ligand. The method furnishes an assortment of diverse allenes in high yields and excellent enantiospecificity under mild conditions.

Conditions for a Rh(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction with methyl substituted allenes and alkynes

The direct installation of the C4 and C10 methyl groups present in the 6,12-guaianolide framework using a Rh(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction of methyl subsituted allenes and alkynes is described. High yields of bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes are afforded when low reaction concentrations involving syringe pump addition of the allene-yne to the catalyst are used.

Reactivity and chemoselectivity of allenes in Rh(I)-catalyzed intermolecular (5 + 2) cycloadditions with vinylcyclopropanes: allene-mediated rhodacycle formation can poison Rh(I)-catalyzed cycloadditions

Allenes are important 2π building blocks in organic synthesis and engage as 2-carbon components in many metal-catalyzed reactions. Wender and co-workers discovered that methyl substituents on the terminal allene double bond counterintuitively change the reactivities of allenes in [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed intermolecular (5 + 2) cycloadditions with vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs). More sterically encumbered allenes afford higher cycloadduct yields, and such effects are also observed in other Rh(I)-catalyzed intermolecular cycloadditions. Through density functional theory calculations (B3LYP and M06) and experiment, we explored this enigmatic reactivity and selectivity of allenes in [Rh(CO)2Cl]2-catalyzed intermolecular (5 + 2) cycloadditions with VCPs. The apparent low reactivity of terminally unsubstituted allenes is associated with a competing allene dimerization that irreversibly sequesters rhodium. With terminally substituted allenes, steric repulsion between the terminal substituents significantly increases the barrier of allene dimerization while the barrier of the (5 + 2) cycloaddition is not affected, and thus the cycloaddition prevails. Computation has also revealed the origin of chemoselectivity in (5 + 2) cycloadditions with allene-ynes. Although simple allene and acetylene have similar reaction barriers, intermolecular (5 + 2) cycloadditions of allene-ynes occur exclusively at the terminal allene double bond. The terminal double bond is more reactive due to the enhanced d-π* backdonation. At the same time, insertion of the internal double bond of an allene-yne has a higher barrier as it would break π conjugation. Substituted alkynes are more difficult to insert compared with acetylene, because of the steric repulsion from the additional substituents. This leads to the greater reactivity of the allene double bond relative to the alkynyl group in allene-ynes.

Electrophilic activation of allenenes and allenynes: analogies and differences between Brønsted and Lewis acid activation

This review focuses on electrophilic activation of allenes by an acid. Key mechanistic features are presented together with recent synthetic applications.

Combining NHC-Cu and Brønsted base catalysis: enantioselective allylic substitution/conjugate additions with alkynylaluminum reagents and stereospecific isomerization of the products to trisubstituted allenes

All-catalytic route to trisubstituted allenes: The first examples of catalytic enantioselective allylic substitution reactions that involve alkyne-based nucleophiles and lead to products having tertiary stereogenic centers are followed by an exceptionally stereospecific amine-catalyzed isomerization to trisubstituted allenes (see picture; NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene).