Three-Component Reaction of Cyclopropanols, DABSO, and N-(Sulfonyl)acrylamides: Preparation of Sulfone-Bridged 1,7-Dicarbonyl Compounds

A cascade reaction of cyclopropyl alcohols, DABSO (1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-disulfinate), and N-(sulfonyl)acrylamides has been developed. This tandem process went through a cyclopropanol ring opening and Michael addition sequence. The γ-keto sulfinate generated from the reaction between cyclopropanol and DABSO serves as the nucleophilic reagent, and N-(sulfonyl)acrylamide is used as the Michael addition acceptor. By utilizing this strategy, multitudinous sulfone-bridged 1,7-dicarbonyl compounds that contain both a β-sulfonyl amide unit and γ-keto sulfone skeleton were conveniently synthesized.

Three-Component Direct Phosphorylation of Aldehydes and Alkylation of Ketones: Synthesis of γ-Ketophosphine Oxides under Acidic Conditions

An effective and economical acid-promoted three-component reaction for the construction of C-P and C-C bonds for the synthesis of γ-ketophosphine oxides with water as the only byproduct was developed. Detailed mechanistic experiments confirmed that the reaction proceeds by phospha-aldol elimination, in which a benzylic carbocation is generated from the phosphorylation of aldehydes, which then reacts with ketone enolates under acidic conditions.

Transition metal-free [3 + 3] annulation of cyclopropanols with β-enamine esters to assemble nicotinate derivatives

A metal-free and efficient approach for the synthesis of structurally important nicotinates through 4-HO-TEMPO-mediated [3 + 3] annulation of cyclopropanols with β-enamine esters is presented. This protocol features high atom efficiency, green waste, simple operation and broad substrate scope. Moreover, the experiments of gram-scale synthesis and recovery of oxidants make this strategy more sustainable and practical.

Promoting Catalytic C-Selective Sulfonylation of Cyclopropanols against Conventional O-Sulfonylation Using Readily Available Sulfonyl Chlorides

Against the backdrop of the well-known O-sulfonylation of cyclopropyl alcohols with sulfonyl chlorides, we examined the feasibility of conducting regioselective C-sulfonylation. By emulating an umpolung strategy-guided design, we report for the first time the Cu(II)-catalyzed β-sulfonylation of cyclopropanols by a mechanism that potentially involves an oxidative addition of a sulfonyl radical to a metal homoenolate. Unlike reported methods, this protocol allows a practical synthetic route to γ-keto sulfone building blocks from cyclopropanols by leveraging commercially available aryl- and alkyl-sulfonyl chlorides, common reagents in organic chemistry laboratories. Using operationally simple open-flask conditions, the preparative scope of starting materials was demonstrated using an array of aryl- and alkyl-substituted sulfonyl chlorides and cyclopropanols (43 examples, up to 96% yield).

Regiocontrol via Electronics: Insights into a Ru-Catalyzed, Cu-Mediated Site-Selective Alkylation of Isoquinolones via a C-C Bond Activation of Cyclopropanols

A site-selective C(3)/C(4)-alkylation of N-pyridylisoquinolones is achieved by employing C-C bond activation of cyclopropanols under Ru(II)-catalyzed/Cu(II)-mediated conditions. The regioisomeric ratios of the products follow directly from the electronic nature of the cyclopropanols and isoquinolones used, with electron-withdrawing groups yielding predominantly the C(3)-alkylated products, whereas the electron-donating groups primarily generate the C(4)-alkylated isomers. Density functional theory calculations and detailed mechanistic investigations suggest the simultaneous existence of the singlet and triplet pathways for the C(3)- and C(4)-product formation. Further transformations of the products evolve the utility of the methodology thereby yielding scaffolds of synthetic relevance.

Visible-Light-Induced, Catalyst-Free Monofluoromethyl Sulfonylation of Alkenes with Iodine(III) Reagent and DABSO

A visible-light-induced radical relay strategy to access heterocycles bearing a monofluoromethylsufonyl moiety is reported, with PhI(OCOCH2F)2 as the CH2F radical precursor and DABSO as the SO2 source. A range of oxindoles, containing a CH2FSO2CH2- group at the C3 position, were synthesized from N-arylacrylamides in up to 97% yields. The protocol features catalyst-free photochemical tandem, mild reaction conditions, broad functional group compatibility, and good to excellent yields.

Electrophilic Hydrazination of Cyclopropanols Using Azodicarboxylates via Copper(II) Catalysis: An Umpolung Strategy to Access β-Hydrazino Ketone Motifs

The scope of an umpolung approach to expand synthetic access to bifunctional γ-keto hydrazine intermediates via electrophilic amination of β-homoenolates derived from cyclopropanol precursors that took advantage of azodicarboxylates or azodicarboxamides as electron-deficient nitrogen sources was examined. This new synthetic procedure avails commercially available or readily accessible starting materials along with a ligand-free Cu(II) salt as an inexpensive catalyst. Using this operationally simple reaction, which proceeds under mild conditions (open-flask and ambient temperature) and is suitable for multigram scale, preparative applications were established with a range of aryl- and alkyl-substituted cyclopropanols and azodicarboxylate/azodicarboxamide substrates (26 examples, 74-95% yields). Further, the obtained products have been shown to provide convenient synthetic access to γ-hydroxy hydrazide, γ-amino hydrazide, and heterocyclic derivatives.

Orchestrating a β-Hydride Elimination Pathway in Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Arylation/Alkenylation of Cyclopropanols Using Organoboron Reagents

The scope of chemoselective β-hydride elimination in the context of arylation/alkenylation of homoenolates from cyclopropanol precursors using organoboronic reagents as transmetalation coupling partners was examined. The reaction optimization paradigm revealed a simple ligand-free Pd(II) catalytic system to be most efficient under open air conditions. The preparative scope, which was investigated with 48 examples, supported the applicability of this reaction to a wide range of substrates tolerating a variety of functional groups while delivering β-substituted enone and dienone derivatives in 62-95% yields.

Palladium-catalyzed selective C-C bond cleavage and stereoselective alkenylation between cyclopropanol and 1,3-diyne: one-step synthesis of diverse conjugated enynes

The stereoselective synthesis of 1,3-enynes from 1,3-diynes is demonstrated by palladium-catalyzed selective C–C bond cleavage of cyclopropanol. Exclusive formation of mono-alkenylated adducts was achieved by eliminating the possibility of di-functionalization with high stereoselectivity. Indeed, this protocol worked very well with electronically and sterically diverse substrates. Several studies, including deuterium labeling experiments and intermolecular competitive experiments, were carried out to understand the mechanistic details. The atomic-level mechanism followed in the catalytic process was also validated using DFT calculations, and the rate-controlling states in the catalytic cycle were identified. Furthermore, preliminary mechanistic investigations with radical scavengers revealed the non-involvement of the radical pathway in this transformation.

Palladium-catalyzed tandem activation and functionalization of readily accessible cyclopropanols have been demonstrated to access valuable conjugated enynes from 1,3-diynes with high stereo-selectivity.

Visible-Light-Induced C4-Selective Functionalization of Pyridinium Salts with Cyclopropanols

The site-selective C-H functionalization of heteroarenes is of considerable importance for streamlining the rapid modification of bioactive molecules. Herein, we report a general strategy for visible-light-induced β-carbonyl alkylation at the C4 position of pyridines with high site selectivity using various cyclopropanols and N-amidopyridinium salts. In this process, hydrogen-atom transfer between the generated sulfonamidyl radicals and O-H bonds of cyclopropanols generates β-carbonyl radicals, providing efficient access to synthetically valuable β-pyridylated (aryl)ketones, aldehydes, and esters with broad functional-group tolerance. In addition, the mild method serves as an effective tool for the site-selective late-stage functionalization of complex and medicinally relevant molecules.

Iron catalyzed tandem ring opening/1,6-conjugate addition of cyclopropanols with p-quinone methides: new access to γ,γ-diaryl ketones

An iron(III) catalyzed tandem ring opening/1,6-conjugate addition of cyclopropanols to p-quinone methides leading to γ,γ-diaryl ketones has been described. This catalytic protocol provides a novel and efficient method to access γ,γ-diaryl ketone derivatives in good to excellent yields with high functional group tolerance. Importantly, γ,γ-diaryl ketone can be further functionalized to give a versatile set of useful products.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Oxazolines with Cyclopropanols: Synthesis of Isoindolinones

The synthesis of C3-substituted isoindolin-1-ones from oxazolines and cyclopropanols has been achieved with oxazoline as a bifunctional nucleophilic directing group. The reaction proceeds by the cleavage of three chemical bonds and allows the formation of three new chemical bonds, a C-N bond, a C-C bond, and a C-O bond, in a single step.

Visible-light-mediated cascade cyanoalkylsulfonylation/cyclization of alkynoates leading to coumarins via SO2 insertion

A visible-light-mediated cascade cyanoalkylsulfonylation/cyclization of alkynoates with cycloketone oxime compounds for the preparation of 3-cyanoalkylsulfonylcoumarins via SO₂ insertion is reported.

A metal-free reaction of sulfur dioxide, cyclopropanols and electron-deficient olefins

The importance of γ-keto sulfones in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis is known. An efficient route to γ-keto sulfones via a metal-free reaction of cyclopropanols, sulfur dioxide and electron-deficient olefins is achieved. This reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions without the need of catalyst, oxidant or additive. A plausible mechanism is proposed, which occurs through a γ-keto sulfinate intermediate generated in situ from the reaction of cyclopropanol with sulfur dioxide. The γ-keto sulfinate intermediate would be trapped by the electron-deficient olefin, resulting in the formation of γ-keto sulfones. Various functional groups in the cyclopropanols and electron-deficient olefins are compatible in this transformation.

Silver-promoted oxidative sulfonylation and ring-expansion of vinylcyclopropanes with sodium sulfinates leading to dihydronaphthalene derivatives

Silver-promoted sulfonylation and ring-expansion of vinylcyclopropanes with sodium sulfinates is established for the construction of 1-sulfonylmethylated 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes. This sulfonylation process involves a radical pathway, including sulfonyl radical formation, radical addition, ring-opening and cyclization. The 1-sulfonylmethylated 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes can be converted into other useful products.

General Synthesis of Cyclopropanols via Organometallic Addition to 1-Sulfonylcyclopropanols as Cyclopropanone Precursors

The addition of organometallic reagents to ketones constitutes one of the most straightforward synthetic approaches to tertiary alcohols. However, due to the absence of a well-behaved class of cyclopropanone surrogates accessible in enantioenriched form, such a trivial synthetic disconnection has received very little attention in the literature for the formation of tertiary cyclopropanols. In this work, we report a simple and high-yielding synthesis of 1-substituted cyclopropanols via the addition of diverse organometallic reagents to 1-phenylsulfonylcyclopropanols, acting here as in situ precursors of the corresponding cyclopropanones. The transformation is shown to be amenable to sp-, sp²-, or sp³-hybridized organometallic C-nucleophiles under mild conditions, and the use of enantioenriched substrates led to highly diastereoselective additions and the formation of optically active cyclopropanols.

A silver-catalyzed radical ring-opening reaction of cyclopropanols with sulfonyl oxime ethers

A silver-catalyzed ring-opening reaction of cyclopropanols with sulfonyl oxime ethers has been developed. The protocol was conducted under mild reaction conditions to provide a series of γ-keto oxime ethers with moderate to good yields. The reaction proceeded in a stereoselective manner for CF3-containing oxime ethers to provide a single stereoisomer, while an inseparable E and Z mixture was obtained for CN-containing oxime ethers. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeded via a radical mechanism.

Copper catalysed oxidative α-sulfonylation of branched aldehydes using the acid enhanced reactivity of manganese(iv) oxide

The oxidative coupling of secondary aldehydes and sulfinate salts is achieved using copper catalysis to form α-sulfonyl aldehydes. The use of an acidic co-solvent is important to adjust the oxidation potential of MnO2 as an oxidant. A broad range of sulfonylated aldehydes is prepared, and their further functionalisation is demonstrated. A dual ionic/radical pathway mechanism is proposed.

Divergent Access to Histone Deacetylase Inhibitory Cyclopeptides via a Late-Stage Cyclopropane Ring Cleavage Strategy. Short Synthesis of Chlamydocin

A unified step-economical strategy for accessing histone deacetylase inhibitory peptides is proposed, based on the late-stage installation of multiple zinc-binding functionalities via the cleavage of the strained cyclopropane ring in the common pluripotent cyclopropanol precursor. The efficacy of the proposed diversity-oriented approach has been validated by short stereoselective synthesis of natural product chlamydocin, containing a challenging-to-install fragment of (2S,9S)-2-amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoic acid (Aoe) and a range of its analogues, derivatives of 2-amino-8-oxodecanoic and 2-aminosuberic acids.

Oxidative radical ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives

The ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives has drawn great attention in the past several decades. In this review, recent efforts in the development of oxidative radical ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives, including methylenecyclopropanes, cyclopropyl olefins and cyclopropanols, are described. We hope this review will be of sufficient interest for the scientific community to further advance the application of oxidative radical strategies in the ring-opening/cyclization of cyclopropane derivatives.

Anionic Triflyldiazomethane: Generation and Its Application for Synthesis of Pyrazole-3-triflones via [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

The synthesis of pyrazole triflones containing a triflyl group at the 3-position is disclosed. Treatment of 2-diazo-1-phenyl-2-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)ethan-1-one with nitroalkenes under basic conditions gave pharmaceutically attractive pyrazole 3-triflones in good to high yields. The generation of anionic triflyldiazomethane species followed by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with nitroalkenes is proposed for this transformation. 3-(Difluoromethanesulfonyl)pyrazoles were also synthesized by using a previously unknown anionic (difluoromethanesulfonyl)diazomethane species under a similar strategy.