Copper(II)-salt-promoted oxidative ring-opening reactions of bicyclic cyclopropanol derivatives via radical pathways

Cu(OTf)2-Catalyzed Intramolecular Radical Cascade Reactions for the Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Quinoline-Annulated Polyheterocyclic Frameworks

Compound libraries with high levels of structural diversity and novelty could cover underexploited chemical space and thus have been highly pursued in drug discovery. Herein, we report the first Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed intramolecular radical cascade reactions that enable the diversity-oriented synthesis of quinoline-annulated polyheterocyclic compounds (7 unique scaffolds, 66 examples) in an efficient manner. This work demonstrates an alternative route to access the natural product- and druglike compound collection with high levels of structural diversity and novelty.

Catalytic radical cascade cyclization of alkene-tethered enones to fused bicyclic cyclopropanols

Fused bicyclic cyclopropanols were achieved via an unprecedented HAT-triggered radical cascade reaction of alkene-tethered enones in the presence of an iron catalyst.

Copper-mediated tandem ring-opening/cyclization reactions of cyclopropanols with aryldiazonium salts: synthesis of N-arylpyrazoles

A general method for the synthesis of structurally diverse N-arylpyrazoles from readily available cyclopropanols and aryldiazonium salts is disclosed.

Catalytic Cyclopropanol Ring Opening for Divergent Syntheses of γ-Butyrolactones and δ-Ketoesters Containing All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

Catalytic ring opening cross coupling reactions of strained cyclopropanols have been useful for the syntheses of various β-substituted carbonyl products. Among these ring opening cross coupling reactions, the formation of α,β-unsaturated enone byproducts often competes with the desired cross coupling processes and has been a challenging synthetic problem to be addressed. Herein, we describe our efforts in developing divergent syntheses of a wide range of γ-butyrolactones and δ-ketoesters containing all-carbon quaternary centers via copper-catalyzed cyclopropanol ring opening cross couplings with 2-bromo-2,2-dialkyl esters. Our mechanistic studies reveal that unlike the previously reported cases, the formation of α,β-unsaturated enone intermediates is actually essential for the γ-butyrolactone synthesis and also contributes to the formation of the δ-ketoester product. The γ-butyrolactone synthesis is proposed to go through an intermolecular radical conjugate addition to the in situ generated α,β-unsaturated enone followed by an intramolecular radical cyclization to the ester carbonyl double bond. The reactions are effective to build all-carbon quaternary centers and have broad substrate scope.

Radical Cyclopropanol Ring Opening Initiated Tandem Cyclizations for Efficient Synthesis of Phenanthridines and Oxindoles

β-Keto radicals can be readily generated from single-electron oxidation and ring opening of cyclopropanols. Herein, we report new ways of trapping β-keto radicals derived from Mn(III)-mediated oxidative cyclopropanol ring opening with biaryl isonitriles and N-aryl acrylamides derived from anilines. Through tandem radical cyclization processes, substituted phenanthridines and oxindoles can be synthesized in one step and good to excellent yield. These new synthetic methods feature broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions, efficiently form two carbon-carbon bonds, and use cheap and commercially available manganese salts as oxidants. Concomitant installation of ketone functionality in the final products provides a handle for further functionalization of these important and biologically relevant scaffolds.

Cu-Mediated Rearrangements of Allenylcyclopropanols to Cyclopentenones: Two Divergent Pathways

Two CuCN-mediated rearrangement reactions of allenylcyclopropanols to cyclopentenones have been achieved by means of Et₂Zn/CuCN·2LiCl or CuCN·2LiCl to afford 5-alkyl or 4-alkyl cyclopentenone regioisomers: the former conditions afford 5-alkyl substituted cyclopentenones via β-carbon elimination, whereas the latter result in the 4-alkyl substituted regioisomers with concomitant oxidation at the γ-position, via a free radical mechanism.

Synthesis of γ-keto sulfones by copper-catalyzed oxidative sulfonylation of tertiary cyclopropanols

Preparation of γ-keto sulfones via ring-opening sulfonylation of cyclopropanols.

Copper-Catalyzed Cyclopropanol Ring Opening Csp(3)-Csp(3) Cross-Couplings with (Fluoro)Alkyl Halides

Novel and general copper-catalyzed cyclopropanol ring opening cross-coupling reactions with difluoroalkyl bromides, perfluoroalkyl iodides, monofluoroalkyl bromides, and 2-bromo-2-alkylesters to synthesize various β-(fluoro)alkylated ketones are reported. The reactions feature mild conditions and excellent functional group compatibility and can be scaled up to gram scale. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest the involvement of radical intermediates. The difluoroalkyl-alkyl cross-coupling products can also be readily converted to more valuable and diverse gem-difluoro-containing compounds by taking advantage of the carbonyl group resulting from cyclopropanol ring opening.

Efficient Synthesis of β-CF3/SCF3-Substituted Carbonyls via Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring-Opening Cross-Coupling of Cyclopropanols

The first copper-catalyzed ring-opening electrophilic trifluoromethylation and trifluoromethylthiolation of cyclopropanols to form Csp3-CF3 and Csp3-SCF3 bonds have been realized. These transformations are efficient for the synthesis of β-CF3- and β-SCF3-substituted carbonyl compounds that are otherwise challenging to access. The reaction conditions are mild and tolerate a wide range of functional groups. Application to a concise synthesis of LY2409021, a glucagon receptor antagonist that is used in clinical trials for type 2 diabetes mellitus, is reported as well.

An Umpolung Strategy for the Synthesis of β-Aminoketones via Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination of Cyclopropanols

A novel copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of cyclopropanols with O-benzoyl-N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines to synthesize various β-aminoketones via a sequence that includes C-C bond cleavage and Csp(3)-N bond formation is reported. The reaction conditions are mild and tolerate a wide range of functional groups including benzoate, tosylate, expoxide, and α,β-unsaturated carbonyls, which are incompatible in the traditional amine nucleophilic conjugate addition and the Mannich reaction conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies and a proposed catalytic cycle of this umpolung β-aminoketone synthesis process have been described as well.