Stereochemistry of Carbenic 1,2-Vinyl Shifts

Borane-Catalyzed C-F Bond Functionalization of gem-Difluorocyclopropenes Enables the Synthesis of Orphaned Cyclopropanes

Herein, we disclose an approach to synthesize tert-alkyl cyclopropanes by leveraging C-F bond functionalization of gem-difluorocyclopropenes using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane catalysis. The reaction proceeds through the intermediacy of a fluorocyclopropenium ion, which was confirmed by the isolation of [Ph2(C6D5)C3]+[(C6F5)3BF]-. We found that silylketene acetal nucleophiles were optimal reaction partners with fluorocyclopropenium ion intermediates yielding fully substituted cyclopropenes functionalized with two α-tert-alkyl centers (63-93% yield). The regioselectivity of the addition to cyclopropenium ions is controlled by their steric and electronic properties and enables access to 3,3-bis(difluoromethyl)cyclopropenes in short order. The resulting cyclopropene products are readily reduced to the corresponding orphaned cyclopropanes under hydrogenation conditions. Quantum chemical calculations reveal the nature of the C-F bond cleavage steps and provide evidence for catalysis by boron and not silylated oxonium ions, though Si-F bond formation is the enthalpic driving force for the reaction.

Origins of Stereospecificity and Divergent Reactivity of Pd-Catalyzed Cross Coupling with α,α-Disubstituted Alkenyl Hydrazones

This article presents an exploration of stereospecificity and divergent reactivity of Pd-catalyzed α,α-disubstituted alkenyl hydrazones to synthesize 1,4-dienes in the Z configuration and vinylcyclopropane. We calculated the energy profiles of four α,α-disubstituted alkenyl hydrazones. The results show that the energy profiles of the whole catalytic cycle are basically the same before the syn-carbopalladation step. Subsequent syn-β-C elimination yields skipping dienes, or direct β-H elimination yields vinylcyclopropane. Current theoretical calculations reveal that the stereospecificity and the divergent reactivity of reactions result from the competition between syn-β-C elimination and β-H elimination. The C-C bond rotation and subsequent syn-β-C elimination step control the stereospecificity of the reaction by changing the olefin stereostructure from E to Z configuration. The steric factor of α-substituted groups mediates the transformation between syn-β-C elimination and β-H elimination. The results are of great significance for the scientific design of substrates to achieve accurate synthesis of target products.

Divergent Reactivity of α,α-Disubstituted Alkenyl Hydrazones: Bench Stable Cyclopropylcarbinyl Equivalents

Herein we report the divergent reactivity of 2,2-dialkyl-3-(E)-alkenyl N-tosylhydrazones using Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling conditions, which enable the Z-selective synthesis of 3-aryl-1,4-dienes and gem-dialkyl vinylcyclopropanes. We found that the dialkylbiaryl phosphine ligand SPhos was the optimal ligand for this transformation producing skipped dienes in up to 83% isolated yield. The ratio of skipped diene to vinylcyclopropane is dependent on both the structure of the α,α-disubstituted hydrazones and the aryl halide partner. Using sterically encumbered aryl bromides provided the trans-cyclopropane products selectively in up to 69% yield. The reaction is stereospecific and stereoselective and occurs alongside a competing 1,2-alkenyl group migration pathway.

Ligand-Free Iron-Catalyzed Carbon(sp2)-Carbon(sp2) Cross-Coupling of Alkenyllithium with Vinyl Halides

An efficient ligand-free iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction involving alkenyllithium and vinyl iodides was developed to form diene species in moderate to good yields. This new iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction provides a mild, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly avenue toward synthesis of diversified diene derivatives.

Intermolecular reactions of foiled carbenes with N-H bonds: evidence for an ylidic pathway

The chemistry of endo-tricyclo[6.2.1.0 (2.7)]undec-9-en-11-ylidene (10), an archetypal foiled carbene, has been investigated. The intermolecular reactions of 10 are most conveniently performed with oxadiazoline 6 because the corresponding diazirine can be obtained only in very low yield. Furthermore, the aziridinyl imine is difficult to decompose and the tosylhydrazone sodium salt poorly soluble in common organic solvents. Photolysis of 6 in diethylamine leads merely to a reduction of the diazo group and regeneration of acetyl hydrazone 5, whereas thermolysis cleanly affords tertiary amine 12(anti) in 77% yield. Calculations show that even stabilized-nucleophilic carbenes react with amines through an ylidic pathway and not by a concerted insertion into the N-H bond. Nevertheless, in the gas phase, norbornen-7-ylidene (13) is predicted to be stabilized by one molecule of NH3 more efficiently through a hydrogen bond than by ylide formation.

o-DPPB-Directed Copper-Mediated and -Catalyzed Allylic Substitution with Grignard Reagents

The ortho-diphenylphosphanylbenzoyl (o-DPPB) group was explored as a directing leaving group in copper-mediated and copper-catalyzed allylic substitution with Grignard reagents. Complete control of chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity with complete syn-1,3-chirality transfer was observed as a result of the directed nature of the reaction. No excess of organometallic reagent is required and the directing group can be recovered quantitatively. Coordination studies in the solid state and in solution have shown that two substrates are bound via the phosphine function of the directing group at copper. Dynamic NMR experiments in solution are in agreement with a ligand-exchange process at copper, a prerequisite for the development of a substoichiometric process.

Inter- and innermolecular reactions of chloro(phenyl)carbene

Supramolecular photolyses of 3-chloro-3-phenyl-3H-diazirine (8) were performed within cyclodextrin (CyD) hosts to determine whether these toroidal inclusion compounds could alter the reactivity of the ensuing carbene reaction intermediate, chloro(phenyl)carbene (9). Remarkably, no intramolecular products stemming from carbene 9 could be detected. Instead, modified CyDs were formed via so-called innermolecular reactions. Hence, diazirine 8 was photolyzed in various conventional solvents to gauge the intermolecular reactivity of carbene 9. Relevant results were used to rationalize the CyD innermolecular reaction products.