Insights into the β-Sultam Ring Formation in the Sulfa-Staudinger Cycloadditions

Aryne and CO2-based formal [2 + 2 + 2] annulation to access tetrahydroisoquinoline-fused benzoxazinones

Tetrahydroisoquinoline and its fused polyheterocycles are prevalent structural motifs found in numerous natural products. In this study, we report a highly efficient and convergent synthetic approach for the construction of tetrahydroisoquinoline-fused polyheterocycles through a three-component formal [2 + 2 + 2] annulation process by combining 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines, CO2, and benzynes. Notably, electron-rich 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines and electron-deficient benzynes exhibit greater reactivity in this annulation. Moreover, this method benefits from the convergent synthesis and the utilization of carbon dioxide, providing a valuable strategy for the facile synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline-fused polyheterocycles, with potential applications in the discovery and development of novel organic molecules.

Direct synthesis of highly strained bifunctionalized 2H-thiete 1,1-dioxides

Various bifunctionalized dialkyl 2H-thiete-2,3-dicarboxylate 1,1-dioxides are directly and convergently synthesized from readily available sulfonyl chlorides and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates via the pyridine-mediated [2 + 2] annulation.

Role of imine isomerization in the stereocontrol of the Staudinger reaction between ketenes and imines

Computational–experimental analysis has allowed determining that the stereochemistry of the Staudinger reaction between ketenes and imines is strongly associated with the nature of the imine, which affects the two steps of the reaction. The first step, namely the nucleophilic attack of the sp²-hybridized nitrogen atom of the imine on the sp-hybridized carbon atom of the ketene, is affected by the energetically accessible in situ isomerization patterns of the imine. The second step consists of a conrotatory electrocyclization of the zwitterionic intermediate formed in the previous step. This latter pericyclic step depends on the inward/outward torquoelectronic effects generated by the substituents of the imine. The impact of these factors on the stereochemistry of this reaction has been analyzed kinetically by numerical methods. The results of these simulations are compatible with the experimental results and support these conclusions.

Experimental and computational studies reveal the importance of isomerization pathways in the Staudinger reaction between ketenes and imines. In the studied cases, the stereochemistry is determined by the pre-cycloaddition isomerization step.

Synthesis of β-Phosphinolactams from Phosphenes and Imines

Various cis-β-phosphinolactams are synthesized stereoselectively for the first time from imines and diazo(aryl)methyl(diaryl)phosphine oxides under microwave irradiation. Diazo(aryl)methyl(diaryl)phosphine oxides first undergo the Wolf rearrangement to generate phosphenes. Imines nucleophilically attack the phosphenes followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic addition via less steric transition states to give final cis-β-phosphinolactams. C-Styrylimines generally give rise to β-phosphinolactams in higher yields than C-arylimines. The stereoselectivity and proposed mechanism are rationalized by DFT theoretical calculation.

Chiral Synthesis of McGeachin-Type Bisaminals

Bridged [3.3.1]-bisaminal structures, namely 6,12-epiminodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocines, are herein named McGeachin-type bisaminals. The TsOH-catalyzed chiral synthesis of McGeachin-type bisaminals is first developed by condensation of two molecules of 2-(methylamino)benzaldehyde and one molecule of chiral amines. Two chiral diastereomers are generated simultaneously and are isolated by column chromatography in a total yield of up to 99%. The absolute structure of one stereoisomer was determined by X-ray crystallography.

Microwave-assisted periselective annulation of triarylphosphenes with aldehydes and ketones

The reaction of diazo(aryl)methyl(diaryl)phosphine oxides with aldehydes and ketones generates benzo-δ-phosphinolactones in low to good yields with 1,1-diarylalk-1-enes as byproducts under microwave irradiation. Diazo(aryl)methyl(diaryl)phosphine oxides first undergo a Wolff rearrangement to form diaryl(aryl)phosphenes, which further react with aldehydes and ketones to afford benzo-δ-phosphinolactones and β-phosphinolactones. The latter are unstable under heating and fragment into the corresponding 1,1-diarylalk-1-enes and arylphosphine dioxides under reaction conditions. The arylphosphine dioxides become arylphosphonic acids during workup. The periselectivity in the annulation shows that the reaction of diaryl(aryl)phosphenes with most aldehydes and ketones favors phosphene phenyl participation in (4 + 2) annulation over (2 + 2) annulation.

Thermal conversion of primary alcohols to disulfidesviaxanthate intermediates: an extension to the Chugaev elimination

Heating primaryO-alkylS-difluoro(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl xanthates yields disulfides. This extends to the Chugaev elimination.

Ortho-Nitro Effect on the Diastereoselective Control in Sulfa-Staudinger and Staudinger Cycloadditions

The ortho-nitro effect was discovered in sulfa-Staudinger cycloadditions of ethoxycarbonylsulfene with linear imines. When an ortho-nitro group is present at the C-aryl substituents of linear imines, the sulfa-Staudinger cycloadditions deliver cis-β-sultams in considerable amounts, together with the predominant trans-β-sultams. In other cases, the above sulfa-Staudinger cycloadditions give rise to trans-β-sultams exclusively. Further mechanistic rationalization discloses that the ortho-nitro effect is attributed to its strong electron-withdrawing inductive effect. Similarly, the ortho-nitro effect also exists in Staudinger cycloadditions of ethoxycarbonyl ketene with the imines. The current research provides further insights into the diastereoselective control in sulfa-Staudinger and Staudinger cycloadditions.

Sterically controlled diastereoselectivity in thio-Staudinger cycloadditions of alkyl/alkenyl/aryl-substituted thioketenes

Diastereoselectivity in [2 + 2] cycloadditions of alkyl/alkenyl/arylthioketenes and imines, named as thio-Staudinger cycloaddition, was rationalized and verified.

Stereochemistry and mechanistic insights in the [2t + 2i + 2i] annulations of thioketenes and imines

The mechanism and stereochemistry of [2^t + 2ⁱ + 2ⁱ] annulations between one thioketene molecule and two imine molecules have been studied experimentally and theoretically.

Tertiary amine-catalyzed and direct synthesis of α-chloroalkanesulfonylhydrazines from azodicarboxylates and sulfonyl chlorides

α-Chloroalkanesulfonylhydrazines were synthesized directly and efficiently from alkanesulfonyl chlorides and dialkyl azodicarboxylates under the catalysis of tertiary amines.

Synthesis of 2-oxophosphorindolines via the copper-catalyzed intramolecular aromatic C–H insertion of diazophosphonamidates

2-Ethoxy-2-oxophosphorindolines, benzo-γ-phospholactams, were synthesized efficiently with up to 97% yield through the copper-catalyzed intramolecular aromatic C–H insertion of diazophosphonamidates.

Temperature-dependent annuloselectivity and stereochemistry in the reactions of methanesulfonyl sulfene with imines

The annuloselectivity in the reactions of methanesulfonyl sulfene and imines varies with temperature. At 20 °C, the [2^s+ 2ⁱ] annulation occurs exclusively, while at −78 °C, the [2^s+ 2ⁱ+ 2ⁱ] annulation ofN-methyl imines takes place specifically.

Annuloselectivity and stereochemistry in the sulfa-Staudinger cycloadditions of cyclic imines

The annuloselectivity and the stereochemistry in the [2^s+ 2ⁱ+ 2ⁱ] annulations in the sulfa-Staudinger cycloadditions of cyclic imines are controlled by the steric hindrance of cyclic imines. A stepwise [4 + 2] annulation mechanism is proposed.