Synthesis of Substituted Naphthalenes via a Catalytic Ring-Expansion Rearrangement

Catalysis with Diboron(4)/Pyridine: Application to the Broad-Scope [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Cyclopropanes and Alkenes

In contrast to the extensive but non-recyclable use of tetraalkoxydiboron(4) compounds as stoichiometric reagents in diverse reactions, this article reports an atom-economical reaction using a commercial diboron(4) as the catalyst. The key to success was designing a catalytic cycle for radical [3 + 2] cycloaddition involving a pyridine cocatalyst to generate from the diboron(4) catalyst and reversibly mediate the transfer of boronyl radicals. In comparison with known [3 + 2] cycloaddition with transition metal-based catalysts, the current reaction features not only metal-free conditions, inexpensive and stable catalysts, and simple operation but also remarkably broadened substrate scope. In particular, previously unusable cyclopropyl ketones without an activating group and/or alkenes with 1,2-disubstitution and 1,1,2-trisubstitution patterns were successfully used for the first time. Consequently, challenging cyclopentane compounds with various levels of substitution (65 examples, 57 new products, up to six substituents at all five ring atoms) were readily prepared in generally high to excellent yield and diastereoselectivity. The reaction was also successfully applied in concise formal synthesis of an anti-obesity drug and building natural product-like complex bridged or spirocyclic compounds. Mechanistic experiments and computational investigation support the proposed radical relay catalysis featuring a pyridine-assisted boronyl radical catalyst. Overall, this work demonstrates the first approach to use tetraalkoxydiboron(4) compounds as catalysts and may lead to the development of new, green, and efficient transition metal-like boron-catalyzed organic reactions.

Cascade aryne insertion/vinylogous aldol reaction of vinyl-substituted β-keto/enol carbonyls

Cyclic and acyclic vinyl substituted β-keto/enol carbonyl substrates, on reaction with arynes, result in differentially substituted naphthyl carbocycles, hitherto difficult to synthesize with existing protocols. While the substitutions on the arynes have no role, the ring size of the cyclic β-keto/enol esters has a profound influence on the product formation.

Recursive Anion-Triggered Tandem Reactions of ortho-Bis-ynones: Tunable Synthesis of 1-Indenones and Cyclopenta[a]inden-8(2H)-ones

Recursive anion-mediated activation of o-bis-ynones sets off a Michael addition-aldol reaction-dehydrative rearrangement cascade, leading to the one-pot synthesis of 1-indenones via orthogonal interplay between the two ortho-ynone moieties. Repeating the recursive anion engagement with the 1-indenones unfolded access to a functionally embellished cyclopenta[a]inden-8(2H)-one core and its spiroannulated analogues either directly or stepwise through tandem 1,6-Michael-type addition-6π electrocyclization and an in situ oxidation sequence.

Silylcyclopropanes by Selective [1,4]-Wittig Rearrangement of 4-Silyl-5,6-dihydropyrans

4-Silyl-5,6-dihydropyrans undergo remarkably selective [1,4]-Wittig rearrangements to give silylcyclopropanes in good yields. The selectivity is independent of the silyl group, but it is influenced by the electronic character of the migrating center. Electron-rich and electron-neutral (hetero)aryl groups and aliphatic substituents at the migrating center lead to exclusive [1,4]-migration, whereas electron-deficient aryl groups predominantly afford [1,2]-Wittig products.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Ligand-Free Tandem One-Pot or Sequential Annulation via Knoevenagel Intermediates: An Entry into Multifunctional Naphthalenes, Phenanthrenes, Quinolines, and Benzo[b]carbazoles

A simple but efficient one-pot or sequential copper-catalyzed protocol using 2-bromoaldehydes and active methylene group containing substrates that affords multifunctional naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, quinolines, and benzo[b]carbazoles via Knoevenagel condensation, C-arylation, and decarboxylation, followed by aromatization, is developed. The reaction utilizes the potential of Knoevenagel intermediates and does not require any ancillary ligand. The phenanthrene products thus obtained show moderate fluorescence activity. Structural elaboration of the products to obtain dihydrobenzoquinazolines is also highlighted.

Metal-free cascade rearrangement/radical addition/oxidative C–H annulation of propargyl alcohols with sodium sulfinates: access to 2-sulfenylindenones

A facile protocol for the construction of 2-sulfenylindenones via one-pot cascade rearrangement/radical addition/oxidative C–H cyclization of propargyl alcohols with sodium sulfinates has been developed.

Sequential σ-Bond Insertion/Benzannulation Involving Arynes: Selective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Naphthalenes

An interesting σ-bond insertion/benzannulation reaction for the synthesis of polysubstituted naphthalene derivatives has been developed from readily accessible ketones, arynes, and alkynoates. This practical and transition-metal-free method provides a novel route to diverse naphthalenes through a substrate-controlled rearrangement reaction with the cleavage of C-C bonds.

Stereoselective synthesis of sulfonated 1-indenones via radical-triggered multi-component cyclization of β-alkynyl propenones

New radical-triggered multi-component cyclizations of β-alkynyl propenones have been developed, leading to 50 examples of sulfonated 1-indenones with generally good yields and high levels of stereoselectivity.

Silver-mediated radical 5-exo-dig cyclization of 2-alkynylbenzonitriles: synthesis of phosphinylated 1-indenones

A new silver-mediated 5-exo-dig cyclization of 2-alkynylbenzonitriles with disubstituted phosphine oxide and H₂O has been developed.

Rapid Access to Orthogonally Functionalized Naphthalenes: Application to the Total Synthesis of the Anticancer Agent Chartarin

We report the synthesis of orthogonally functionalized naphthalenes from simple, commercially available indanones in four steps. The developed method proceeds through a two-step process that features a thermally induced fragmentation of a cyclopropane indanone with simultaneous 1,2-chloride shift. Migration of the chloride substituent occurs in a regioselective manner to preferentially afford the para-chloronaphthol substitution pattern. The obtained naphthols are versatile building blocks that can be selectively modified and used for the efficient construction of biologically active molecules. This has enabled the total synthesis of the potent anticancer natural product chartarin through a highly convergent retrosynthetic bond disconnection.

Hydrazone-palladium catalyzed annulation of 1-allyl-2-bromobenzene derivatives with internal alkynes

Annulation of 1-allyl-2-bromobenzene derivatives with internal alkynes using a hydrazone-palladium catalyst system proceeded smoothly and gave the corresponding polysubstituted naphthalene derivatives in good to high yields.

Ring Opening of Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ones: A Versatile Synthetic Platform for the Construction of Substituted Benzoates

Described is the development of a highly efficient 2π disrotatory ring-opening aromatization sequence using bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ones. This unprecedented transformation efficiently proceeds under thermal conditions and allows facile construction of uniquely substituted and polyfunctionalized benzoates. In the presence of either amines or alcohols formation of substituted anilines or ethers, respectively, is achieved. Additionally, the utility of this method was demonstrated in a short synthesis of sekikaic acid methyl ester.

CuO/I2-mediated intramolecular annulation for the synthesis of 2-aroyl-3-hydroxy-4-iodonaphthalenes

A novel method for the direct synthesis of 2-aroyl-3-hydroxy-4-iodonaphthalenes has been developed via CuO/I₂-mediated domino reactions.

A direct catalytic ring expansion approach to o-fluoronaphthols and o/p-fluorophenols from indanones and 2-cyclopentenones

A catalytic ring expansion of indanones to o-fluoronaphthols is described by taking advantage of the multi-reactivities of TMSCF₂Br.

"Nok": a phytosterol-based amphiphile enabling transition-metal-catalyzed couplings in water at room temperature

The third-generation designer amphiphile/surfactant, "Nok" (i.e., SPGS-550-M; β-sitosterol methoxypolyethyleneglycol succinate), soon to be commercially available from Aldrich, can be prepared in two steps using an abundant plant feedstock and β-sitosterol, together with succinic anhydride and PEG-550-M. Upon dissolution in water, it forms nanomicelles that serve as nanoreactors, which can be characterized by both cryo-TEM and dynamic light scattering analyses. Several transition-metal-catalyzed reactions have been run under micellar conditions to evaluate this surfactant relative to results obtained in nanoparticles composed of TPGS-750-M (i.e., a second-generation surfactant). It is shown that Nok usually affords yields that are, in general, as good or better than those typically obtained with TPGS-750-M, and yet is far less costly.

Stereospecific synthesis of highly functionalized benzo[3.1.0]bicycloalkanes via multistep cascade reactions

A facile approach for the synthesis of benzo[3.1.0]bicycloalkanesviaalkylation/cyclopropanation cascade reactions of benzyl bromide with triphenylphosphonium bromide.

MeOTf-induced carboannulation of arylnitriles and aromatic alkynes: a new metal-free strategy to construct indenones

MeOTf-induced carboannulation of arylnitriles and aromatic alkynes for synthesis of indenones and their derivatives under metal-free conditions has been described.