Divergent gold-catalysed reactions of cyclopropenylmethyl sulfonamides with tethered heteroaromatics

Crystal structure of methyl 2-(2-chloroacetyl)-1-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b] indole-3-carboxylate, C23H21ClN2O5

C23H21ClN2O5, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.191(3) Å, b = 10.725(5) Å, c = 11.2390(10) Å, β = 109.869(13)°, V = 1041.9(6) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0609, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1695, T = 293 K.

NHC-Ni(II)-catalyzed cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation

Isocyanides are common compounds in fine and bulk chemical syntheses. However, the direct addition of isocyanide to simple unactivated cyclopropene via transition metal catalysis is challenging. Most of the current approaches focus on 1,1-insertion of isocyanide to M-R or nucleophilc insertion. That is often complicated by the competitive homo-oligomerization reactivity occurring at room temperature, such as isocyanide 1,1-insertion by Ni(II). Here we show a (N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(II) catalyst that enables cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation. As shown in the broad substrate scope and a [trans-(N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(isocyanide)Br₂] crystal structure, the desired cross-reactivity is cooperatively controlled by the high reactivity of the cyclopropene, the sterically bulky N-heterocyclic carbene, and the strong coordination ability of the isocyanide. This direct addition strategy offers aromatic amine derivatives and complements the Dötz benzannulation and Semmelhack/Wulff 1,4-hydroquinone synthesis. Several sterically bulky, fused, and multi-substituted anilines and unsymmetric functionalized spiro-ring structures are prepared from those easily accessible starting materials expediently.

The direct addition of isocyanides to cyclopropenes is challenging. Here, the authors report a catalytic cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation catalyzed by an (N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(II) complex; this method enables the preparation of fused and multi-substituted anilines and unsymmetrically functionalized spiro-ring structures.

Construction of heterocyclic rings from cyclopropenes

Heterocyclic rings are the fundamental building blocks of biological systems and have wide applications in synthetic chemistry and medicinal science. The development of novel synthetic methodology for heterocyclic skeletons from a variety of starting materials has made great progress in the past decades. Meanwhile, highly strained cyclopropenes as reactive reagents in organic transformations have drawn much attention from chemists. The rich chemical reactivity and reaction routes have been well investigated, and some review articles related to the reactivity of cyclopropenes and the construction of carbocycles and acyclic compounds have appeared in these years. Thus, this review mainly focuses on the progress in the construction of heterocyclic rings starting from various cyclopropenes including the reactions of commonly available stable cyclopropenes, in situ generated reactive cyclopropenes and cyclopropene precursors during this decade. Firstly, the transformations of common cyclopropenes into donor-type vinyl metal carbenes via transition metal induced ring opening, direct metalation of the CC bond of metal complexes, and cycloaddition reactions with 1,3-dipoles are described. Next, the annulation reactions of reactive cyclopropenes generated in situ with donor-acceptor reagents, intramolecular nucleophilic addition, and the cycloaddition reactions with 1,3-dipoles are introduced. Then, the transformation of cyclopropene precursors such as alkyl 1-chloro- or 1-alkoxy-2-aroylcyclopropanecarboxylates into five-membered heteroaromatic compounds is also mentioned. In addition, a brief outlook of the opportunity and challenges in the field of bio-orthogonal reactions related to cyclopropenes is given.

The crystal structure of chloride monohydrate, C22H27ClN2O3

C22H27ClN2O3, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 8.6797(3) Å, b = 9.8809(3) Å, c = 24.7824(8) Å, V = 2125.42(12) Å3, Z = 4, R gt (F) = 0.0478, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1082, T = 170 K.

Silver-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition of 1,3-dienes with alkenyl-N-triftosylhydrazones: a practical approach to 1,4-cycloheptadienes

A formal [4 + 3] cycloaddition of 1,3-dienes with alkenyl-N-triftosylhydrazones was developed using silver catalysis, producing a broad spectrum of complex 1,4-cycloheptadienes with high yields and predictable stereochemistry.

Gold(iii)-catalyzed bicyclizations of alkylidenecyclopropane-tethered ynones for divergent synthesis of indene and naphthalenone-based polycycles

A gold(iii)-catalyzed cascade oxidation/cyclization of alkylidenecyclopropane-tethered ynones for the assembly of indene and naphthalenone-based polycycles by employing different N-oxides is reported.

Gold Catalysis and Furans: A Powerful Match for Synthetic Connections

This review summarizes the advances made on the synthesis and functionalization of furans via gold catalysis during the period between 2016 and 2020. A separate section is dedicated to the tandem gold-catalyzed synthesis and functionalization of furans.

1 Introduction

2 Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Furans

2.1 Cycloisomerizations of Alkynyl and Cumulenyl Alcohols

2.2 Cycloisomerizations of Alkynyl and Allenyl Ketones

2.3 Reactions with External Oxidants

2.4 Miscellaneous

3 Gold-Catalyzed Functionalization of Furans

3.1 Cycloadditions

3.2 Furan Ring Decorations

3.3 Reactions Involving Furan Ring Opening

4 Gold-Catalyzed Tandem Synthesis and Functionalization of Furans­

4.1 Cycloisomerizations Followed by Gold-Catalyzed Cycloaddition

4.2 Cycloisomerizations to a Gold 1,3- or 1,4-Dipole and Intermolecular Annulation

4.3 Cycloisomerizations to a Gold Carbene and Intermolecular Trapping

5 Conclusion

Recent Advances on Synthetic Methodology Merging C-H Functionalization and C-C Cleavage

The functionalization of C-H bonds has become a major thread of research in organic synthesis that can be assessed from different angles, for instance depending on the type of catalyst employed or the overall transformation that is carried out. This review compiles recent progress in synthetic methodology that merges the functionalization of C-H bonds along with the cleavage of C-C bonds, either in intra- or intermolecular fashion. The manuscript is organized in two main sections according to the type of substrate in which the cleavage of the C-C bond takes place, basically attending to the scission of strained or unstrained C-C bonds. Furthermore, the related research works have been grouped on the basis of the mechanistic aspects of the different transformations that are carried out, i.e.,: (a) classic transition metal catalysis where organometallic intermediates are involved; (b) processes occurring via radical intermediates generated through the use of radical initiators or photochemically; and (c) reactions that are catalyzed or mediated by suitable Lewis or Brønsted acid or bases, where molecular rearrangements take place. Thus, throughout the review a wide range of synthetic approaches show that the combination of C-H and C-C cleavage in single synthetic operations can serve as a platform to achieve complex molecular skeletons in a straightforward manner, among them interesting carbo- and heterocyclic scaffolds.

Assembly of Complex 1,4-Cycloheptadienes by (4+3) Cycloaddition of Rhodium(II) and Gold(I) Non-Acceptor Carbenes

The formal (4+3) cycloaddition of 1,3-dienes with Rh(II) and Au(I) non-acceptor vinyl carbenes, generated from vinylcycloheptatrienes or alkoxyenynes, respectively, leads to 1,4-cycloheptadienes featuring complex and diverse substitution patterns, including natural dyctiopterene C' and a hydroxylated derivative of carota-1,4-diene. A complete mechanistic picture is presented, in which Au(I) and Rh(II) non-acceptor vinyl carbenes were shown to undergo a vinylcyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement or a direct (4+3) cycloaddition that takes place in a non-concerted manner.

Rhodium-catalysed tetradehydro-Diels-Alder reactions of enediynes via a rhodium-stabilized cyclic allene

Efficient methods for the synthesis of fused-aromatic rings is a critical endeavour in the creation of new pharmaceuticals and materials. A direct method for preparing these systems is the tetradehydro-Diels-Alder reaction, however this is limited by the need for harsh reaction conditions. A potential, but underdeveloped, route to these systems is via transition metal-catalysed cycloaromatisation of ene-diynes. Herein, tethered unconjugated enediynes have been shown to undergo a facile room-temperature Rh^I-catalysed intramolecular tetradehydro-Diels-Alder reaction to produce highly substituted isobenzofurans, isoindolines and an indane. Furthermore, experimental and computational studies suggest a novel mechanism involving an unprecedented and complex Rh^I/Rh^III/Rh^I/Rh^III redox cycle involving the formation of an unusual strained 7-membered rhodacyclic allene intermediate and a Rh^III-stabilized 6-membered ring allene complex.