Accessing elusive σ-type cyclopropenium cation equivalents through redox gold catalysis

Cyclopropenes are the smallest unsaturated carbocycles. Removing one substituent from cyclopropenes leads to cyclopropenium cations (C3+ systems, CPCs). Stable aromatic π-type CPCs were discovered by Breslow in 1957 by removing a substituent on the aliphatic position. In contrast, σ-type CPCs-formally accessed by removing one substituent on the alkene-are unstable and relatively unexplored. Here we introduce electrophilic cyclopropenyl-gold(III) species as equivalents of σ-type CPCs, which can then react with terminal alkynes and vinylboronic acids. With catalyst loadings as low as 2 mol%, the synthesis of highly functionalized alkynyl- or alkenyl-cyclopropenes proceeded under mild conditions. A class of hypervalent iodine reagents-the cyclopropenyl benziodoxoles (CpBXs)-enabled the direct oxidation of gold(I) to gold(III) with concomitant transfer of a cyclopropenyl group. This protocol was general, tolerant to numerous functional groups and could be used for the late-stage modification of complex natural products, bioactive molecules and pharmaceuticals.

Temperature-Dependent Divergent Cyclopentadiene Synthesis through Cobalt-Catalyzed C-C Activation of Cyclopropenes

We report a temperature-dependent divergent approach to synthesize multisubstituted cyclopentadienes through cobalt-catalyzed carbon-carbon (C-C) bond activation of cyclopropenes and ring expansion with internal alkynes. By employing different heating procedures, two cyclopentadiene substitution isomers were efficiently and selectively constructed. This reaction does not require preactivation of the metal catalyst or additional reducing reagents. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the key steps are oxidative addition of the cyclopropene to cobalt catalyst, followed by alkyne insertion and 1,5-ester shift.

Advances in the Continuous Flow Synthesis of 3- and 4-Membered Ring Systems

Small carbo- and heterocyclic ring systems have experienced a significant increase in importance in recent years due to their relevance in modern pharmaceuticals, as building blocks for designer materials or as synthetic intermediates. This necessitated the development of new synthetic methods for the preparation of these strained ring systems focusing on effectiveness and scalability. The high ring strain of these entities as well as the use of high-energy reagents and intermediates has often challenged their synthesis. Continuous flow approaches have thus emerged as highly effective means to safely and reliably access these strained scaffolds. In this short review, key developments in this field are summarised showcasing the power of continuous flow approaches for accessing 3- and 4-membered ring systems via thermal, photo- and electrochemical processes.

Bisphospholane Josiphos-type Ligands in Rhodium Asymmetric Catalysis

Asymmetric catalysis has become a universal and powerful method for constructing chiral compounds. In rhodium asymmetric catalysis, bisphospholane Josiphos-type ligands and their rhodium complexes are receiving increasing attention. This review provides comprehensive information on the bisphospholane Josiphos-type ligands in rhodium asymmetric catalysis. The scope of the literature covers from 2013 to now. The application of bisphospholane Josiphos-type ligands in rhodium asymmetric catalysis is summarized as follows: (i) asymmetric addition to C(sp2 )-C(sp2 ) bonds, (ii) asymmetric addition to C(sp2 )-C(sp) bonds of allenes, (iii) asymmetric hydrogenation of C(sp2 )-N bonds, C(sp2 )-O bonds and pyridinium salts, and (iv) asymmetric silanization of C-H and O-H bonds.

Diastereoselective Hydroacylation of Cyclopropenes by Visible-Light Photocatalysis

An efficient and general strategy for the hydroacylation of cyclopropene is disclosed for synthesizing various 2-acylcyclopropane derivatives under mild reaction conditions. High functional group tolerance of this protocol features a novel route to access a divergent synthesis of acylated cyclopropane in a diastereoselective manner by photoinduced decarboxylation of α-ketoacid followed by acyl radical addition to cyclopropene. Additionally, the regioselective addition of acyl radical at the least substituted olefinic carbon center with trans-selective fashion makes this protocol more appealing toward natural product development.

Silver(I)-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Hydroborylation of Cyclopropenes

An effective (NHC)AgCl catalysis was developed in the hydroborylation of cyclopropenes with B2pin2, delivering a variety of cyclopylboronates in a stereoselective manner, which could be easily transformed for the construction of versatile cyclopropanes. This protocol works effectively under mild reaction conditions in an open-air atmosphere, and it was easy to apply on a gram scale. This novel method in detail was also explored by control experiments, providing a number of key insights. The kinetic process followed by 1H NMR indicated that the reaction was finished in 15 min. Furthermore, the mechanism of silver(I)-catalyzed hydroborylation of cyclopropenes was proposed, with the protonation by methanol as the rate-determining step.

Semipinacol Rearrangement of Cyclopropenylcarbinols for the Synthesis of Highly Substituted Cyclopropanes

An electrophile-induced semipinacol rearrangement of cyclopropenylcarbinols is reported. This transformation gives access to various polyfunctionalized cyclopropanes under mild metal-free conditions. The scope of the reaction includes iodine, sulfur and selenium electrophiles, aryl and strained ring migrating groups, and diverse substitution patterns on the cyclopropene. The reaction is particularly efficient for the synthesis of small ring-containing spirocycles, which are important rigid three-dimensional building blocks for medicinal chemistry.

[3+2]-Cycloaddition Reactions of gem-Difluorocyclopropenes with Azomethine Ylides - Access to Novel Fluorinated Scaffolds

The introduction of fluorinated moieties into drugs as well as the increase of their overall three-dimensionality have become key strategies amongst medicinal chemists to generate sets of compounds with favorable drug-like properties. However, the introduction of fluorinated cyclopropane ring systems which combines both strategies is not widely exploited to date. This paper reports synthetic strategies exploiting the reactivity of gem-difluorocyclopropenes in dipolar cycloaddition reactions with azomethine ylides to afford sets of new fluorine-containing 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes. In addition, the unexpected formation of complex trifluorinated scaffolds arising from proline esters and gem-difluorocyclopropenes is highlighted along with computational studies to elucidate the underlying mechanism. This study presents new avenues towards pharmaceutically relevant fluorinated 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes that are accessible via robust and short synthetic sequences.

Copper-Phosphido Catalysis: Enantioselective Addition of Phosphines to Cyclopropenes

We describe a copper catalyst that promotes the addition of phosphines to cyclopropenes at ambient temperature. A range of cyclopropylphosphines bearing different steric and electronic properties can now be accessed in high yields and enantioselectivities. Enrichment of phosphorus stereocenters is also demonstrated via a Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation (DyKAT) process. A combined experimental and theoretical mechanistic study supports an elementary step featuring insertion of a CuI -phosphido into a carbon-carbon double bond. Density functional theory calculations reveal migratory insertion as the rate- and stereo-determining step, followed by a syn-protodemetalation.

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Hydrophosphination of Cyclopropenes under Lanthanocene Catalysis

The asymmetric hydrophosphination of cyclopropenes with phosphines is of much interest and importance, but has remained hardly explored to date probably because of the lack of suitable catalysts. We report here the diastereo- and enantioselective hydrophosphination of 3,3-disubstituted cyclopropenes with phosphines by a chiral lanthanocene catalyst bearing the C2 -symmetric 5,6-dioxy-4,7-trans-dialkyl-substituted tetrahydroindenyl ligands. This protocol offers a selective and efficient route for the synthesis of a new family of chiral phosphinocyclopropane derivatives, featuring 100 % atom efficiency, good diastereo- and enantioselectivity, broad substrate scope, and no need for a directing group.

Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction of Cyclopropenyl Vinylarenes: Access to Benzonorcarane Derivatives

Intramolecular Diels-Alder vinylarene reaction (IMDAV) is a [4 + 2] cycloaddition that employs styrene derivatives as conjugated dienes, whose poor reactivity arises from the required loss of aromaticity, which is recovered by a subsequent [1,3]-H shift. Herein, we describe the use of cyclopropene as a dienophile, harnessing its strain energy to drive the IMDAV reaction. Benzonorcarane scaffolds form in good yields, excellent stereoselectivity, and broad functional tolerance. Theoretical calculations and NMR studies have revealed significant mechanistic insights.

Three-Membered Aluminacycles

Three-membered-ring scaffolds of carbocycles, namely, cyclopropanes and cyclopropenes, are ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. These molecules exhibit a peculiar reactivity, and their applications as synthetic intermediates and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis have been extensively studied over the past century. The incorporation of heteroatoms into three-membered cyclic structures has attracted significant attention, reflecting fundamental differences in their electronic/geometric structures and reactivities compared to their carbon congeners and their associated potential for exploitation in applications. Recently, the chemistry of low-valent aluminum species, alumylenes, dialumenes, and aluminyl anions, has dramatically developed, which has allowed access to hitherto unprecedented aluminacycles. This Perspective focuses upon advances in the chemistry of three-membered aluminacycles, including their synthetic protocols, spectroscopic and structural properties, and reactivity toward various substrates and small molecules.

Copper-catalyzed multicomponent assembly of γ-butenolides via the interception of carbonyl ylides with iminium ions

A Cu(I)-catalyzed three-component reaction of cyclopropenes, enamines and aldehydes has been realized. This reaction proceeds via the interception of carbonyl oxonium ylide intermediates with α, β-unsaturated iminium ions that are in situ generated from enamines and aldehydes under the catalysis of Cu(MeCN)₄PF₆, leading to the desired γ-butenolide derivatives in good yields and with moderate diastereoselectivities. Access to these derivatives with tethered ketone and alkynal groups will expand the structural diversity of multi-substituted butenolides.

Palladium Hydride-Enabled Hydroalkenylation of Strained Molecules

We report the first palladium hydride enabled hydroalkenylation of strained molecules. This new mild protocol proceeds via a regio- and chemoselective hydropalladation step, followed by a photoinduced radical alkyl Heck reaction. This methodology represents a new reactivity mode for strained molecules and opens new avenues for photoinduced palladium catalysis. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and can be applied to complex structures, delivering a diverse array of highly valuable and modifiable alkenylated cyclobutanes and cyclopropanes. A hydroalkenylation/diastereoselective rearrangement cascade toward a cyclopentene scaffold has also been demonstrated.

Preparation of Chiral Enantioenriched Densely Substituted Cyclopropyl Azoles, Amines, and Ethers via Formal SN2′ Substitution of Bromocylopropanes

Enantiomerically enriched cyclopropyl ethers, amines, and cyclopropylazole derivatives possessing three stereogenic carbon atoms in a small cycle are obtained via the diastereoselective, formal nucleophilic substitution of chiral, non-racemic bromocyclopropanes. The key feature of this methodology is the utilization of the chiral center of the cyclopropene intermediate, which governs the configuration of the two adjacent stereocenters that are successively installed via 1,4-addition/epimerization sequence.

One Pot Synthesis of Spirocycles and Cyclopropa[b]pyrans by Alkenylation-Rearrangement of Cyclopropenes

A one pot alkenylation followed by a stereoselective Alder-ene cycloisomerization of cyclopropenes give (aza)spiro[2.4]heptanes and spiro[2.5]octanes in high yields. Total trans diastereoselectivity is achieved for spiro[2.4]heptanes if the cyclopropene is monosubstituted in C3. When an α,β-unsaturatedcarbonyl-containing bromide is used, an alternative cyclization takes place giving cyclopenta[c]cyclopropa[b]pyrans.

Catalytic cyclopropanation reactions with α-silyl-, germanyl- and stannyl carbenes generated from cyclopropenes

Silylcyclopropenes are employed as precursors of α-silyl vinyl carbenes and trapped with alkenes. Cyclopropylsilanes were obtained in good yields with ample scope and complete regio- and diastereoselectivity. Stereoretentive protodesilylations enabled access to cis-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanes. Cyclopropylstannanes and -germanes can also be prepared from the corresponding cyclopropenes.

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.

Visible-Light-Induced Organocatalyzed [2+1] Cyclization of Alkynes and Trifluoroacetylsilanes

The synthesis of common cyclopropenes has been widely studied, but the synthesis of cyclopropenols is a significant challenge. Herein, we highlight our recent work on the synthesis of trifluoromethylated cyclopropenols through [2+1] cycloaddition reaction between alkynes and trifluoroacetylsilanes under visible-light-induced organocatalysis. The novel amphiphilic donor-acceptor carbenes derived from trifluoroacetylsilanes can react effectively with both activated and unactivated alkynes. Broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance have been achieved. Besides, the synthetic potential of this reaction was highlighted by a gram-scale reaction and the one-pot diastereoselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated cyclopropanols.

Synthesis of Cyclopropenols Enabled by Visible-Light-Induced Organocatalyzed [2+1] Cyclization

Although the synthesis of common cyclopropenes has been well studied, the access to cyclopropenols is rather limited. Herein, we report the first synthesis of α-trifluoromethylated cyclopropenols via 2+1 cycloaddition reactions between alkynes and trifluoroacylsilanes, enabled by visible-light-induced organocatalysis. The novel ambiphilic donor-acceptor carbenes derived from trifluoroacetylsilanes reacted efficiently with both activated and non-activated alkynes. The reaction features simple operation, mild conditions, broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. The synthetic potential of the reaction is highlighted by the gram-scale reactions and first synthesis of α-trifluoromethylated cyclopropanols through the combination of the 2+1 cyclization and high diastereoselective hydrogenation reaction in one pot.

Straightforward Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Indanes and Tetralines through Ene-Cyclopropene Rearrangement Mediated by Ruthenium

Ene-cyclopropenes give functionalized indanes and tetralines in the presence of ruthenium dimeric catalysts. This reaction involves the cyclopropene opening by the metal catalysts with a different regioselectivity respective to gold chlorides and produces totally different products than when using semisandwich ruthenium complexes. Here, the process leads to a bridged 7-oxanorbornene-type intermediate that is converted into a functionalized aromatic ring through deoxygenative aromatization. Alternative reaction pathways occur with substrates with no possible aromatization.

Catalytic regio- and stereoselective silicon–carbon bond formations on unsymmetric gem-difluorocyclopropenes by capture of silyl metal species

A highly regioselective silylation of unsymmetric gem-difluorocyclopropenes was achieved by the capture of in-situ formed silyl metal intermediates, which gave structurally diverse silyldifluorocyclopropanes with good yields and stereoselectivity.

Mechanistic differences between aryl iodide electrophiles and pronucleophiles in Pd-catalyzed coupling with cyclopropenes: a DFT study

Computational studies were carried out to investigate the mechanisms of Pd-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of cyclopropenes with pronucleophiles (H-Nu) and aryl iodide electrophiles, respectively.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Dearomative Rearrangement of 2-Oxypyridines with Cyclopropenes: Access to N-Alkylated 2-Pyridones

A rhodium-catalyzed dearomative O-to-N rearrangement reaction of 2-oxypyridines has been developed by using cyclopropenes as the carbene precursors. This protocol features broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions, providing a...

Access to Bromo-γ-butenolides via Zwitterion-Catalyzed Rearrangement of Cyclopropene Carboxylic Acids

γ-Butenolides are useful structural motifs in many pharmaceutically relevant compounds. In particular, halogenated γ-butenolides are attractive building blocks because the halogen handles can readily be manipulated to give various functional molecules. In this study, a catalytic synthesis of halogenated γ-butenolides from cyclopropene carboxylic acids was developed using zwitterionic catalysts and N-haloamides as the halogen sources. The catalytic protocol could also be applied to the synthesis of halogenated pyrrolones by using cyclopropene amides as the starting materials.

Cascade Ring-Opening Dual Halogenation of Cyclopropenones with Saturated Oxygen Heterocycles

Represented is a CuX₂- or I₂-promoted ring-opening dual halogenation of cyclopropenones with saturated oxygen heterocycles, providing an efficient method for the synthesis of 3-haloacrylates. The ring-opening reaction enables the construction of two C-X (X = Cl, Br, or I) bonds and a C-O bond as well as the cleavage of two C-O bonds and a C-C bond in a single step. This protocol is highly atom economical, has an excellent substrate scope, and exhibits the ability for gram-scale reaction.

A Benchmark Study of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics-Molecular Mechanics Methods for Carbocation Chemistry

Carbocations play key roles in classical organic reactions and have also been implicated in several enzyme families. A hallmark of carbocation chemistry is multitudes of competing reaction pathways, and to be able to distinguish between pathways with quantum chemical calculations, it is necessary to approach chemical accuracy for relative energies between carbocations. Here, we present an extensive study of the performance of selected density functional theory (DFT) methods in describing the thermochemistry and kinetics of carbocations and their corresponding neutral alkenes both in the gas-phase and within a hybrid quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics (QM/MM) framework. The density functionals are benchmarked against accurate ab initio methods such as CBS-QB3 and DLPNO-CCSD(T). Based on the findings in the gas-phase calculations of carbocations and alkenes, the best functionals are chosen and tested further for non-covalent interactions in model systems using QM and QM/MM methods. We compute the interaction energies between a model carbocation/alkane and model π, dipole, and hydrophobic systems using DFT and QM(DFT)/MM and compare with DLPNO-CCSD(T). These latter model systems are representative of side chains of amino acids such as phenylalanine/tyrosine, tryptophan, asparagine/glutamine, serine/threonine, methionine, and other hydrophobic groups. The Lennard-Jones parameters of the QM atoms in QM(DFT)/MM calculations are modified to obtain an optimal fit with the QM energies. Finally, a selected carbocation reaction is studied in the gas phase and in implicit chloroform solvent using QM and in explicit chloroform solvent using QM/MM and umbrella sampling simulations. This study highlights the highest accuracy possible with selected density functionals and QM/MM methods but also some limitations in using QM/MM methods for carbocation systems.

Recent advances in the organocatalytic applications of cyclopropene- and cyclopropenium-based small molecules

The development of novel small molecule-based catalysts for organic transformations has increased noticeably in the last two decades. A very recent addition to this particular research area is cyclopropene- and cyclopropenium-based catalysts. At one point in time, particularly in the mid-20^th century, much attention was focused on the structural aspects and physical properties of cyclopropene-based compounds. However, a paradigm shift was observed in the late 20^th century, and the focus shifted to the synthetic utility of these compounds. In fact, a wide range of cyclopropene derivatives have been found serving as valuable synthons for the construction of carbocycles, heterocycles and other useful organic compounds. In the last few years, the catalytic applications of cyclopropene/cyclopropenium-based compounds have been uncovered and many synthetic protocols have been developed using cyclopropene-based compounds as organocatalysts. Therefore, the main objective of this review is to highlight recent developments in the catalytic applications of cyclopropene-based small molecules in different areas of organocatalysis such as phase-transfer catalysis (PTC), Brønsted base catalysis, hydrogen-bond donor catalysis, nucleophilic carbene catalysis, and electrophotocatalysis developed within the past two decades.

Palladium-Catalyzed Living/Controlled Vinyl Addition Polymerization of Cyclopropenes

Despite the various utilities of cyclopropenes (CPEs) in organic synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), their vinyl addition polymerization has been sporadically explored, and the corresponding living/controlled polymerization remains a formidable challenge. The major obstacle is the intrinsic instability of the intermediate and the kinetic barrier for propagation. Herein a living/controlled vinyl addition polymerization of 3-methyl-3-carboxymethyl CPEs, catalyzed by [Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ ligated by a sulfinamide bisphosphine ligand, is demonstrated. A plot of the number-average molecular weight (M_n) versus the conversion was found to be linear during the polymerization, with the molecular weight dispersity (M_w/M_n) remaining narrow. The M_n values increased linearly with the increase in the initial feed ratio of monomer to catalyst. Furthermore, controlled block copolymerization via sequential monomer addition was successful. All of these points corroborate the living nature of this polymerization. The synergistic coordination action of the catalyst ligand and the lateral carbonyl group in the cyclopropene moiety plays a key role in achieving the efficient polymerization in a living/controlled manner.

Synthesis of Quinolines via the Metal-free Visible-Light-Mediated Radical Azidation of Cyclopropenes

We report the synthesis of quinolines using cyclopropenes and an azidobenziodazolone (ABZ) hypervalent iodine reagent as an azide radical source under visible-light irradiation. Multisubstituted quinoline products were obtained in 34-81% yield. The reaction was most efficient for 3-trifluoromethylcyclopropenes, affording valuable 4-trifluoromethylquinolines. The transformation probably proceeds through the cyclization of an iminyl radical formed by the addition of the azide radical on the cyclopropene double bond, followed by ring-opening and fragmentation.

Enantioselective Hydrothiolation: Diverging Cyclopropenes through Ligand Control

In this article, we advance Rh-catalyzed hydrothiolation through the divergent reactivity of cyclopropenes. Cyclopropenes undergo hydrothiolation to provide cyclopropyl sulfides or allylic sulfides. The choice of bisphosphine ligand dictates whether the pathway involves ring-retention or ring-opening. Mechanistic studies reveal the origin for this switchable selectivity. Our results suggest the two pathways share a common cyclopropyl-Rh(III) intermediate. Electron-rich Josiphos ligands promote direct reductive elimination from this intermediate to afford cyclopropyl sulfides in high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Alternatively, atropisomeric ligands (such as DTBM-BINAP) enable ring-opening from the cyclopropyl-Rh(III) intermediate to generate allylic sulfides with high enantio- and regiocontrol.

Azide Radical Initiated Ring Opening of Cyclopropenes Leading to Alkenyl Nitriles and Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

We report herein a radical-mediated amination of cyclopropenes. The transformation proceeds through a cleavage of the three-membered ring after the addition of an azide radical on the strained double bond and leads to tetrasubstituted alkenyl nitrile derivatives upon loss of N₂ . With 1,2-diaryl substituted cyclopropenes, this methodology could be extended to a one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). This transformation allows the synthesis of nitrile-substituted alkenes and aromatic compounds from rapidly accessed cyclopropenes using only commercially available reagents.

Polymerization of Cyclopropenes: Taming the Strain for the Synthesis of Controlled and Sequence-Regulated Polymers

Cyclopropenes (CPEs) are highly strained cyclic olefins, yet there are surprisingly limited examples leveraging their high strain energy for polymerization. In the past, attempts had been made to polymerize CPEs via cationic and insertion polymerization, but side reactions often gave uncontrolled polymers with mixed backbone structures. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) represents an ideal strategy for polymerizing CPEs to access new types of polymers. The proximity of substituents to the olefin in the small framework of CPEs offers a modular handle to tune the kinetic barrier to propagation by the modulation of the substituents. While the first few studies focused on the homopolymerization of simple alkyl or phenyl disubstituted CPEs, we recently explored the metathesis of a wide range of CPEs with different substituents using Grubbs catalysts and discovered surprising and diverse reactivities that are contingent on the positions, sterics, and electronics of substituents. The observed reactivities ranged from living homopolymerization to catalyst deactivation to single addition to the catalyst without homopropagation. In particular, the exclusively single addition reactivity found in two families of CPEs, with either bis(methanol ester) or phenyl and methanol ester substituents at the allylic position, is unusual for any monomer and perhaps counterintuitive for highly strained cycles. These single-addition CPEs could, however, be copolymerized with low-strain cyclic olefins to generate perfectly alternating copolymers with controlled molecular weights and low dispersity and to introduce degradable backbone linkages. A single equivalent (relative to the active chain end) of such CPEs could also be added to the active chain end of living ROMP polymers to install functional terminal groups or during living ROMP to place single units of functional moieties or side chains at any desired chain locations in narrow-disperse homopolymers and block copolymers. This account summarizes the polymerization of CPEs with a focus on our journey to uncover the rich and unique metathesis reactivities of CPEs and their utility in synthesizing well-controlled and sequence-regulated polymers. It provides the first collective structure-metathesis reactivity relationships for CPEs in the context of polymer chemistry and an understanding of the interactions between the catalyst and the substituents of appended ring-opened CPEs. It may become clear from this Account that the exploration of strained cycles in polymer chemistry can be quite fruitful in discovering new chemistry and accessing new types of polymer materials.

Isolable Copper(I) η2-Cyclopropene Complexes

Treatment of bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligand supported [(CF₃)₂Bp]Cu(NCMe) with 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropenes produced thermally stable copper(I) η²-cyclopropene complexes amenable to detailed solution and solid-state analysis. The [(CF₃)₂Bp]Cu(NCMe) also catalyzed [2 + 1]-cycloaddition chemistry of terminal and internal alkynes with ethyl diazoacetate affording cyclopropenes, including those used as ligands in this work. The tris(pyrazolyl)borate [(CF₃)₂Tp]Cu(NCMe) is a competent catalyst for this process as well. The treatment of [(CF₃)₂Tp]Cu with ethyl 2,3-diethylcycloprop-2-enecarboxylate substrate gave an O-bonded rather than a η²-cyclopropene copper complex.