A New Pd-Catalyzed Cascade Reaction for the Synthesis of Strained Aromatic Polycycles

Cascade reactions of HDDA-benzynes with tethered cyclohexadienones: strain-driven events originating from ortho-annulated benzocyclobutenes

Intramolecular net [2 + 2] cycloadditions between benzyne intermediates and an electron-deficient alkene to give benzocyclobutene intermediates are relatively rare. Benzynes are electrophilic and generally engage nucleophiles or electron-rich π-systems. We describe here reactions in which an alkene of a tethered enone traps thermally generated benzynes in a variety of interesting ways. The number of atoms that link the benzyne to C4 of a cyclohexa-2,5-dienone induces varying amounts of strain in the intermediates and products. This leads to a variety of different reaction outcomes by way of various strain-releasing events that are mechanistically intriguing. This work demonstrates an underappreciated class of strain that originates from the adjacent fusion of two rings to both C1-C2 and C2-C3 of a benzenoid ring - i.e. 'ortho-annulation strain'. DFT computations shed considerable light on the mechanistic diversions among various reaction pathways as well as allow more fundamental evaluation of the strain in a homologous series of ortho-annulated carbocycles.

Bimetal Cooperatively Catalyzed Arylalkynylation of Alkynylsilanes

An unprecedented Pd/Rh cooperatively catalyzed arylalkynylation of alkynylsilanes was developed to merge an alkynylidene moiety with benzosilacycle. These silaarenes possess a particular aggregation-induced emission behavior. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that the relay trimetallic transmetalation plays a pivotal role in governing this transformation.

Palladium-Catalyzed anti-Carbosilylation of Alkynes to Access Isoquinolinone-Containing Exocyclic Vinylsilanes

A Pd-catalyzed trans-selective carbosilylation reaction of alkynes has been developed. The trans-vinylpalladium species, generated through intramolecular syn-carbopalladation of alkynes and subsequent cis-trans isomerization, were captured by hexamethyldisilane to form multisubstituted vinylsilanes. This reaction provides a useful strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of isoquinolinone-containing exocyclic tetrasubstituted vinylsilanes.

Elucidating the mechanism and origins of selectivity on catalyst-dependent cyclization reactions to form polycyclic indolines from a theoretical study

There is a significant role for bioactive polycyclic indolines in the pharmaceutical science field. In this paper, a systematic DFT study at the M06-D3/SMD/BS2//B3LYP-D3/BS1 level is adopted to investigate the cyclization reaction catalyzed by Rh₂(esp)₂ and InCl₃ to generate polycyclic indolines. Luckily, the simplification of the Rh₂(esp)₂ computational model is feasible, and successfully used in this study. The computational results detailed indicate the reaction mechanisms catalyzed by different catalysts, and the regio- and diastereo-selectivity. The regio-selectivity is controlled by the weak interaction (reflected in repulsive interaction) of the key transition state in the InCl₃-catalyzed pathway, and the larger distortion energy makes the regio-selectivity more obvious in the pathway catalyzed by Rh₂(esp)₂. It is important that this theoretical study suggests the significance of the catalyst in the reaction system in detail by NBO and FMO analysis. This paper is a good explanation of the experimental phenomenon caused by the catalyst where InCl₃ is more significant than Rh₂(esp)₂. The reaction mechanism and the importance of the catalysts are revealed in detail by this particular theoretical study.

The mechanism and origins of selectivities of multiply catalyzed cyclization reactions catalyzed by Rh₂(esp)₂ and InCl₃ are investigated by DFT calculations as well as distortion/interaction and noncovalent interaction (NCI) analyses.

Cross-Coupling Reactions of Double or Triple Electrophilic Templates for Alkene Synthesis

This short review summarizes the latest advances in the cross-coupling reactions of double and triple electrophilic templates bearing halogen atoms and an activated C–O bond. Reactions involving the formation of a C–C bond as part of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted double bond systems are highlighted.

1 Introduction

2 Cross-Coupling Reactions of Halovinyl Tosylates

3 Cross-Coupling Reactions of Halovinyl Triflates

4 Cross-Coupling Reactions of Halovinyl Phosphates

5 Cross-Coupling Reactions of Halovinyl Esters

6 Conclusion

From 1,2-difunctionalisation to cyanide-transfer cascades - Pd-catalysed cyanosulfenylation of internal (oligo)alkynes

Internal alkynes substituted by aliphatic or aromatic moieties or by heteroatoms were converted into sulphur-substituted acrylonitrile derivatives. Key is the use of Pd catalysis, which allows the addition of aromatic and aliphatic thiocyanates in an intra- and intermolecular manner. Substrates with several alkyne units underwent further carbopalladation steps after the initial thiopalladation step, thus generating in a cascade-like fashion an oligoene unit with sulphur at one terminus and the cyano group at the other.

The intra- and intermolecular Pd-catalysed cyanosulfenylation of internal alkynes enables the formation of tetrasubstituted thioacrylonitriles and is extended to oligoyne systems leading to oligoenes and a cyanide transfer over four or six atoms.

Intramolecular trans-Carbocarbonation of Internal Alkynes by a Cascade of Formal anti-Carbopalladation/Cyclopropanol Opening

An intramolecular cascade reaction consisting of a formal anti-carbopalladation terminated by the ring-opening of a cyclopropanol unit is presented. The products, which involve tetrasubstituted alkene units embedded in an oligocyclic ring system, are generated in moderate to excellent yield. The opening of the cyclopropanol unit leads to a keto group in the γ-position to the emerging double bond.

Intramolecular Pd-Catalyzed Formal anti-Carboalkoxylation of Alkynes: Access to Tetrasubstituted Enol Ethers

An intramolecular Pd-catalyzed formal anti-carboalkoxylation reaction is presented that provides access to tetrasubstituted enol ethers. The key to success is a cascade consisting of a formal anti-carbopalladation of a carbon-carbon triple bond followed by a nucleophilic attack of a hydroxy group at the emerging vinyl organopalladium species. The desired transformation proceeded smoothly with primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, and even with phenols. Depending on the substitution pattern of the enol ethers, a further Tsuji-Trost-type step may occur resulting in oligocyclic ketals.

trans-Carbocarbonation of Internal Alkynes through a Formal anti-Carbopalladation/C-H Activation Cascade

An intramolecular Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction is presented that consists of a formal anti-carbopalladation of a C-C triple bond followed by C-H activation. As a result, oligocyclic ring systems with an embedded tetrasubstituted double bond are formed. The key to success in affording the trans geometry of the emerging double bond are alkyne units with residues that must not undergo β-hydride elimination (e.g., t-butyl or silyl groups). Silyl groups proved to be a perfect handle to further convert the tetrasubstituted alkenes. The evaluation of kinetic data with a deuterium-labeled compound and X-ray analyses of trapped intermediates provided additional insight into the catalytic cycle.

Total Synthesis of the Schisandraceae Nortriterpenoid Rubriflordilactone A

Full details of the total synthesis of the Schisandraceae nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are reported. Palladium- and cobalt-catalyzed polycyclizations were employed as key strategies to construct the central pentasubstituted arene from bromoendiyne and triyne precursors. This required the independent assembly of two AB ring aldehydes for combination with a common diyne component. A number of model systems were explored to investigate these two methodologies, and also to establish routes for the installation of the challenging benzopyran and butenolide rings.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Lysergol: A Formal anti-Carbopalladation/Heck Cascade as the Key Step

The enantioselective synthesis of (+)-lysergol was completed in 12 steps and an overall yield of 13% starting from a known literature precursor. The key step relies on a domino reaction containing a formal anti-carbopalladation, which is terminated by a β-silyl-directed Heck reaction. During this transformation, the two six-membered rings of the ergot scaffold are formed in a completely stereospecific manner.

Regioselective access of alkylidendibenzo[c,f]oxocine framework via cyclocarbopalladation/cross-coupling cascade reactions and reductive Heck strategy

Palladium-catalyzed dual strategies of cascade cyclocarbopalladation/cross-coupling of alkynes and a reductive Heck reaction have been developed to construct dibenzo[c,f]oxocine frameworks with tri- and tetra-substituted exo-cyclic alkenes with high stereo- and regio-control.

Carbopalladation Cascades Using Carbon-Carbon Triple Bonds: Recent Advances to Access Complex Scaffolds

Alkynes are one of the most versatile functional groups as synthetic handles. They allow for a direct access to partially or fully substituted alkenes through difunctionalization reactions. A prominently utilized transformation for these sequences is the carbopalladation of alkynes, which can be followed by various termination steps such as aromatizations, dearomatizations, cross-coupling reactions, or pericyclic processes, amongst others. This Minireview provides an overview of the recent literature published in the field of carbopalladation chemistry, both with a focus on methodology as well as its application in the syntheses of complex molecular scaffolds, natural products, and functional molecules.

Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Carbocyclization of (1,n)-Diynes and Bromophenols: An Efficient Route to Tricyclic Scaffolds

A novel palladium(0)-catalyzed dearomative cyclization reaction of bromophenols with (1,n)-diynes has been developed for building two new types of tricyclic architectures containing a quaternary carbon center. This method employs inexpensive bromophenols, and easily accessible tethered diynes. It exhibits a broad substrate scope and tolerates various functional groups. Preliminary results with commercially available chiral ligands indicate that enantioselective variants are feasible for both cyclization processes.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Rubriflordilactone A

Two enantioselective total syntheses of the nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are described, which use palladium- or cobalt-catalyzed cyclizations to form the CDE rings, and converge on a late-stage synthetic intermediate. These key processes are set up through the convergent coupling of a common diyne component with appropriate AB-ring aldehydes, a strategy that sets the stage for the synthetic exploration of other members of this family of natural products.

Carbopalladation of bromoene-alkynylsilanes: mechanistic insights and synthesis of fused-ring bicyclic silanes and phenols

Palladium-catalyzed cyclizations of silylated bromoenynes lead to bicyclic cyclohexadienes that are precursors to enones and phenols. Novel cyclization pathways and mechanistic insights are also disclosed.

Synthesis of unique scaffolds via Diels-Alder cycloadditions of tetrasubstituted cyclohexadienes

Diels-Alder cycloadditions of highly substituted cyclohexadienes derived from rhodium-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cyclizations are reported. Reactive heterodienophiles, including singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)), 4-substituted-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones (TADs), and aryl- and acylnitroso compounds were employed, yielding novel heterocyclic products.

Intramolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclizations of diynes with enones

The Rh(I)-catalyzed inter- and intramolecular [2+2+2] cyclization of diynes with alpha,beta-unsaturated enones proceeds with microwave promotion in good yields. This chemistry was applied to the synthesis of (-)-alcyopterosin I.