Stereoselective synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans using an intramolecular allylation strategy

Structural complexity through multicomponent cycloaddition cascades enabled by dual-purpose, reactivity regenerating 1,2,3-triene equivalents

Multicomponent reactions allow for more bond-forming events per synthetic operation, enabling more step- and time-economical conversion of simple starting materials to complex and thus value-added targets. These processes invariably require that reactivity be relayed from intermediate to intermediate over several mechanistic steps until a termination event produces the final product. Here, we report a multicomponent process in which a novel 1,2,3-butatriene equivalent (TMSBO: TMSCH2C≡CCH2OH) engages chemospecifically as a two-carbon alkyne component in a metal-catalysed [5 + 2] cycloaddition with a vinylcyclopropane to produce an intermediate cycloadduct. Under the reaction conditions, this intermediate undergoes a remarkably rapid 1,4-Peterson elimination, producing a reactive four-carbon diene intermediate that is readily intercepted in either a metal-catalysed or thermal [4 + 2] cycloaddition. TMSBO thus serves as an yne-to-diene transmissive reagent coupling two powerful and convergent cycloadditions--the homologous Diels-Alder and Diels-Alder cycloadditions--through a vinylogous Peterson elimination, and enabling flexible access to diverse polycycles.

Efficient, highly diastereoselective MS 4 Å-promoted one-pot, three-component synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted-4-tosyloxytetrahydropyrans via Prins cyclization

A simple, efficient and highly diastereoselective one-pot three-component synthesis of functionalized 2,6-disubstituted-4-tosyloxytetrahydropyrans was performed. The synthesis features an optimized Prins cyclization in which an aromatic homoallylic alcohol, an aromatic/aliphatic aldehyde, and p-toluenesulfonic acid (catalyst and reagent) are reacted in the presence of molecular sieves (MS) 4 Å at reflux in dichloromethane to afford excellent yields (72–96%) within short reaction times (20–90 min). The MS 4 Å-promoted synthesis proved to be versatile enough to provide an array of symmetrical and unsymmetrical tetrahydropyran derivatives in economical manner. Furthermore, cleavage of the 4-tosyl group under mild conditions afforded 4-hydroxytetrahydropyran in excellent yields (95–96%).

The Intramolecular Asymmetric Allylation of Aldehydes via Organo-SOMO Catalysis: A Novel Approach to Ring Construction

The intramolecular asymmetric cyclization of aldehydes has been accomplished using singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) catalysis. Selective oxidation of chiral enamines (formed by the condensation of an aldehyde and a secondary amine catalyst) leads to the formation of a 3π-electron radical species. These chiral SOMO-activated radical cations undergo enantioselective cyclization with an array of pendent allylsilanes thus efficiently providing a new approach to the construction of five-, six- and seven-membered carbocycles and heterocycles.

Diastereoselective, three-component cascade synthesis of tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans employing the tandem Mukaiyama aldol-lactonization process

A full account of studies leading to the development of a cascade sequence that generates as many as two C-C bonds, one C-O bond, and three new stereocenters providing substituted tetrahydrofurans (THFs) from simple gamma-ketoaldehydes and thiopyridyl ketene acetals is described. The process involves a tandem Mukaiyama aldol-lactonization (TMAL) and accumulated evidence suggests the intermediacy of a silylated beta-lactone that is intercepted by the pendant ketone. Formation of a cyclic oxocarbenium is followed by reduction with silicon-based nucleophiles leading to a highly diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrofurans. This cascade process has now been extended to the synthesis of tetrahydropyrans from simple delta-ketoaldehydes. The stereochemical outcome of the cascade processes described was determined by NOE correlations, coupling constant analysis, and X-ray crystallography of the derived oxygen heterocycles and is in accord with established and recently proposed models for nucleophilic additions to cyclic 5- and 6-membered oxocarbenium ions. The utility of this process was demonstrated by the synthesis of the tetrahydrofuran fragment of colopsinol B.

Crystal and molecular structures of three 2-substituted 4-methyloxan-4-ol derivatives studied by X-ray crystallography and by PM6 calculations

The conformational features of three 2-substituted 4-methyloxan-4-ol (tetrahydropyran) derivatives were investigated by single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies and the geometries were optimized using semi-empirical PM6 methods. The tetrahydropyran ring in each of (I)–(III) adopts a chair conformation with their hydroxyl groups occupying equatorial, axial and axial positions, respectively. The strongest hydrogen bonding interactions apparent in each of the respective crystal structures, as judged from distance and angle considerations, involve the ring-bound O2-hydroxyl group and tetrahydropyran ring oxygen atom. These hydrogen bonds lead to a supramolecular chain with a linear topology in each case but generated by glide symmetry in (I) and (II), and 21-screw symmetry in (III). In the latter, a two dimensional array constructed by O—H…O bonding is found leading to undulating layers. Despite the absence of additional O—H…O hydrogen bonding sites, two dimensional arrays are also generated in each of (I) and (II), but this time mediated by C—H…O contacts that lead to flat layers. The theoretical structures for each of (I) and (III) differ from their respective experimental structures in terms of the relative orientation of the aromatic substituent. By contrast, for (II), there is close agreement between the experimental and theoretical structures. (I) C12H16O2, monoclinic, Cc, a = 18.7887(8), b = 6.0634(2), c = 10.4178(4) Å, β = 116.945(7)°, V = 1057.99(10) Å3, Z = 4, R 1 = 0.029; (II) C13H18O3, orthorhombic Pc21n, a = 9.3664(17), b = 10.0472(18), c = 12.240(2) Å, V = 1151.9(3) Å3, Z = 4, R 1 = 0.037; (III) C13H18O4, orthorhombic P212121, a = 9.814(3), b = 9.966(2), c = 11.845(2) Å; V = 1158.5(5) Å3, Z = 4, R 1 = 0.079.

Total synthesis and proof of relative stereochemistry of (-)-aureonitol

Two trisubstituted epimeric tetrahydrofurans, 1 and 2, have been synthesized in order to confirm the relative stereochemistry in the natural product aureonitol. The key step in the synthesis of 1 and 2 involved a stereoselective intramolecular allylation of an allylsilane with an aldehyde, which introduced the stereotriad in the five-membered ring. The major tetrahydrofuran diastereoisomer 18 from this cyclization reaction was subsequently elaborated to tetrahydrofuran 1. Its 3-epimer (2) was then prepared from 1 via an oxidation-reduction sequence. Compound 1 exhibits identical (1)H NMR data to those reported for aureonitol, which was isolated from Helichrysum aureonitons by Bohlmann in 1979, whereas the (1)H NMR data for 2 are markedly different. The (1)H NMR data (in CDCl3, CD3OD, and C6D6) and (13)C NMR data (in CDCl3) for 1 are also identical with those reported for a natural product isolated from various Chaetomium sp. by Abraham, Seto, and Teuscher. These findings support Abraham's conclusion that the structure of aureonitol should be revised from 2 to 1. The enantioselective synthesis of 1 has also confirmed that (-)-aureonitol isolated by Abraham contains the (2S,3R,4S) absolute configuration of stereocenters on the tetrahydrofuran ring.

Temporary silicon connection strategies in intramolecular allylation of aldehydes with allylsilanes

Three gamma-(amino)silyl-substituted allylsilanes 14a-c have been prepared in three steps from the corresponding dialkyldichlorosilane. The aminosilyl group has been used to link this allylsilane nucleophile to a series of beta-hydroxy aldehydes through a silyl ether temporary connection. The size of the alkyl substituents at the silyl ether tether governs the outcome of the reaction on exposure to acid. Thus, treatment of aldehyde (E)-9aa, which contains a dimethylsilyl ether connection between the aldehyde and allylsilane, with a range of Lewis and Brønsted acid activators provides an (E)-diene product. The mechanism of formation of this undesired product is discussed. Systems containing a sterically more bulky diethylsilyl ether connection react differently: thus in the presence of TMSOTf and a Brønsted acid scavenger, intramolecular allylation proceeds smoothly to provide two out of the possible four diastereoisomeric oxasilacycles, 23 (major) and 21 (minor). A diene product again accounts for the remaining mass balance in the reaction. This side product can be completely suppressed by using a sterically even more bulky diisopropylsilyl ether connection in the cyclization precursor, although this is now at the expense of a slight erosion in the 1,3-stereoinduction in the allylation products. The sense of 1,3-stereoinduction observed in these intramolecular allylations has been rationalized by using an electrostatic argument, which can also explain the stereochemical outcome of a number of related reactions. Levels of 1,4-stereoinduction in the intramolecular allylation are more modest but can be significantly improved in some cases by using a tethered (Z)-allylsilane in place of its (E)-stereoisomer. Oxidation of the major diastereoisomeric allylation product 23 under Tamao-Kumada conditions provides an entry into stereodefined 1,2-anti-2,4-syn triols 28.

Tether-directed synthesis of highly substituted oxasilacycles via an intramolecular allylation employing allylsilanes

Background

Using a silyl tether to unite an aldehyde electrophile and allylsilane nucleophile into a single molecule allows a subsequent Lewis-acid-mediated allylation to proceed in an intramolecular sense and therefore receive all the benefits associated with such processes. However, with the ability to cleave the tether post allylation, a product that is the result of a net intermolecular reaction can be obtained. In the present study, four diastereoisomeric β-silyloxy-α-methyl aldehydes, which contain an allylsilane tethered through the β-carbinol centre, have been prepared, in order to probe how the relative configuration of the two stereogenic centres affects the efficiency and selectivity of the intramolecular allylation.

Results

Syn-aldehydes, syn-4a and syn-4b, both react poorly, affording all four possible diastereoisomeric oxasilacycle products. In contrast, the anti aldehydes anti-4a and anti-4b react analogously to substrates that lack substitution at the α-site, affording only two of the four possible allylation products.

Conclusion

The outcome of the reaction with anti-aldehydes is in accord with reaction proceeding through a chair-like transition state (T.S.). In these systems, the sense of 1,3-stereoinduction can be rationalised by the aldehyde electrophile adopting a pseudoaxial orientation, which will minimise dipole-dipole interactions in the T.S. The 1,4-stereoinduction in these substrates is modest and seems to be modulated by the R substituent in the starting material. In the case of the syn-substrates, cyclisation through a chair T.S. is unlikely as this would require the methyl substituent α to the reacting carbonyl group to adopt an unfavourable pseudoaxial position. It is therefore proposed that these substrates react through poorly-defined T.S.s and consequently exhibit essentially no stereoselectivity.