Self Cycloaddition of o-Naphthoquinone Nitrosomethide to (±) Spiro{naphthalene(naphthopyranofurazan)}-one Oxide: An Insight into its Formation

2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde oxime was oxidized by AgO (or Ag2 O), in presence of N-methyl morpholine N-oxide (NMMO), to the title spiro adduct-dimer (±)-Spiro{naphthalene-1(2H),4'-(naphtho[2',1':2,3]pyrano[4,5-c]furazan)}-2-one-11'-oxide by a Diels-Alder(D-A) type self-cycloaddition, through the agency of an o-naphthoquinone nitrosomethide (o-NQM). Moreover, 2-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde oxime was prepared and subjected to the same oxidation conditions. Its sterically guided result, 9-methoxynaphtho[1,2-d]isoxazole, was isolated, instead of the expected spiro adduct. The peri intramolecular H bonding in the oxime is considered to have a key contribution to the outcome. Geometry and energy features of the oxidant- and stereo-guided selectivity of both oxidation outcomes have been explored by DFT, perturbation theory and coupled cluster calculations. The reaction free energy of the D-A intermolecular cycloaddition is calculated at -82.0 kcal/mol, indicating its predominance over the intramolecular cyclization of ca. -37.6 kcal/mol. The cycloaddition is facilitated by NMMO through dipolar interactions and hydrogen bonding with both metal complexes and o-NQM. The 8(peri)-OMe substitution of the reactant oxime sterically impedes formation of the spiro adduct, instead it undergoes a more facile cyclodehydration to the isoxazole structure by ca. 4.9 kcal/mol.

Synthesis of Chiral Propargylamines, Chiral 1,2-Dihydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans and Naphtho[2,1-b]furans with C-Alkynyl N,N'-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-aminals and β-Naphthols

Chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed couplings of C-alkynyl N,N'-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-aminals with β-naphthols led to chiral propargylamines in moderate to high yields with high to excellent enantioselectivity, in which the reactions underwent sequential chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed in situ formation of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-imines (N-Boc-imines) from the aminals, and 1,2-addition of β-naphthols to the N-Boc-imines. Chiral 1,2-dihydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans and naphtho[2,1-b]furans were prepared with satisfactory results when 10 mol% AgOAc and 20 mol% 2,6-lutidine or 1.2 equiv. of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) were added to the resulting chiral propargylamines solution, respectively.

Intramolecular N-Me and N-H aminoetherification for the synthesis of N-unprotected 3-amino-O-heterocycles

A mild Rh-catalyzed method for synthesis of cyclic unprotected N-Me and N-H 2,3-aminoethers using an olefin aziridination-aziridine ring-opening domino reaction has been developed. The method is readily applicable to the stereocontrolled synthesis of a variety of 2,3-disubstituted aminoether O-heterocyclic scaffolds, including tetrahydrofurans, tetrahydropyrans and chromanes.

Enantioselective Catalytic [4+1]-Cyclization of ortho-Hydroxy-para-Quinone Methides with Allenoates

The first highly asymmetric catalytic synthesis of densely functionalized dihydrobenzofurans is reported, which starts from ortho-hydroxy-containing para-quinone methides. The reaction relies on an unprecedented formal [4+1]-annulation of these quinone methides with allenoates in the presence of a commercially available chiral phosphine catalyst. The chiral dihydrobenzofurans were obtained as single diastereomers in yields up to 90 % and with enantiomeric ratios up to 95:5.

K3PO4-promoted domino reactions: diastereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from salicyl N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines and sulfur ylides

An efficient domino annulation between sulfur ylides and salicyl N-tert-butylsulfinyl imines was developed. The reaction proceeds with a diastereodivergent process, the configuration of the sulfinyl group determining the stereochemical course of the reaction. The method allows the synthesis of a highly substituted trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran skeleton with high yield and good chemo- and diastereoselectivity.

Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed [4 + 1]-Cycloannulation Reaction of ortho-Quinone Methides and Diazoketones: Catalytic, Enantioselective Access toward cis-2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans

A highly straightforward route to enantiomerically highly enriched cis-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans has been achieved via addition of α-diazocarbonyl compounds to in situ generated o-QMs catalyzed by a chiral Brønsted acid. This catalytic strategy provides a direct access to 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans in high yields and with up to 91:9 dr and 99:1 er at ambient temperature. Moreover, a unique phenonium-type rearrangement accounts for product formation with an inverted 2,3-substitution pattern.