Efficient Synthesis of Imino-methano Tröger Bases by Nitrene Insertions into C–N Bonds

Unveiling Route for the Synthesis of Tröger's Bases Through Azide Rearrangement

This study introduces a novel method for producing Tröger's bases by utilizing the rearrangement chemistry of benzyl azide. This method offers a convenient and adaptable pathway for synthesizing these important molecular structures with potential for further advancements. By reacting benzyl azide derivatives with TfOH under the presence of water, this process generates iminium ion, formaldehyde, and aniline intermediates in situ. Notably, this conversion is reversible under acidic conditions, allowing for the regeneration of the iminium ion and ultimately leading to the formation of the desired Tröger's base product. Additionally, this method could decrease the risk of exposure to an excess amount of formaldehyde.

Aminimide Synthesis Using Concerted Amination Reactions of Alkenes: Scope and Mechanistic Information

Aminimides are key intermediates in the thermal cycloadditions of suitable alkenyl-hydrazine derivatives. Substrate modifications (β-N,N-dialkyl) allowed the isolation of these reactive intermediates, and the analysis of their stereochemistry provided support for concerted (Cope-type) hydroamination and concerted [3 + 2] aminocarbonylation reaction pathways. This work also establishes the applicability of these approaches to form complex aminimides in moderate to excellent yields.

Chemoselective Intramolecular Formal Insertion Reaction of Rh-Nitrenes into an Amide Bond Over C-H Insertion

The past few decades have witnessed extensive efforts to disclose the unique reactivity of metal-nitrenes, because they could be a powerful synthetic tool for introducing the amine functionality into unactivated chemical bonds. The reactivity of metal-nitrenes, however, is currently mainly confined to aziridination (an insertion into a C=C bond) and C-H amination (an insertion into a C-H bond). Nitrene insertion into an amide C-N bond, however, has not been reported so far. In this work we have developed a rhodium-catalyzed one-nitrogen insertion into amide C-N and sulfonamide S-N bonds. Experimental and theoretical analyses based on density functional theory indicate that the formal amide insertion proceeds via a rhodium-coordinated ammonium ylide formed between the nitrene and the amide nitrogen, followed by acyl group transfer concomitant with C-N bond cleavage. Mechanistic studies have allowed rationalization of the origin of the chemoselectivity observed between the C-H and amide insertion reactions. The methodology presented herein is the first example of an insertion of nitrene into amide bonds and provides facile access to unique diazacyclic systems with an N-N bond linkage.

Dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed ortho C-H amination of sterically congested N,N-dialkylanilines

Dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed ortho C-H amination of N,N-dialkylanilines has been developed. Sterically congested 1,2-diaminobenzenes were obtained in high yields with excellent chemo- and regioselectivities from para-substituted anilines and even from para-unsubstituted anilines. The ortho selectivity observed was rationalized in terms of the interaction between the dialkylamino group and a Rh(ii)-nitrene intermediate.

Accessing N-Stereogenicity through a Double Aza-Michael Reaction: Mechanistic Insights

Further development of the chemistry and applications of chiral compounds that possess configurationally stable stereogenic nitrogen atoms is hampered by the lack of efficient strategies to access such compounds in an enantiomerically pure form. Esters of propiolic acid and chiral alcohols were evaluated as cheap and readily available Michael acceptors in a diastereoselective synthesis of N-stereogenic compounds by means of a double aza-Michael conjugate addition. Diastereomeric ratios of up to 74:26 and high yields were achieved with (-)-menthyl propiolate as a substrate. Furthermore, a detailed mechanistic investigation was undertaken to shed some light on the course of this domino transformation. Kinetic studies revealed that the protic-solvent additive acts as a Brønsted acid and activates the ester toward the initial attack of the tetrahydrodiazocine partner. Conversely, acidic conditions proved unfavorable during the final cyclization step that provides the product.