A novel tandem [2 + 2] cycloaddition-Dieckmann condensation with ynolate anions. Efficient synthesis of substituted cycloalkenones and naphthalenes via formal [n + 1] cycloaddition

Efficient construction of a β-naphthol library under continuous flow conditions

A β-naphthol library has been efficiently constructed utilizing a mild continuous flow procedure, relying on a tandem Friedel-Crafts reaction and starting from readily available arylacetyl chloride and alkynes. Multiple functionalized β-naphthols can be acquired within 160 s in generally high yields (up to 83%). Using an electron-rich phenylacetyl chloride derivative (4-OH- or 4-MeO-) provides spirofused triene dione as the primary product. A scale-up preparation affords a throughput of 4.70 g h-1, indicating potential large-scale application. Herein, we present a rapid, reliable, and scalable method to obtain various β-naphthols in the compound library.

Cycloaddition Initiated by Ynolates: High-Energy Dianion Equivalents as a Molecular Glue

In this paper, ynolate-initiated cycloaddition (annulation) to form a range of carbocycles and heterocycles is described. Ynolates consist of a ketene anion equivalent, which contains both nucleophilic and electrophilic moieties, and a carbodianion equivalent that achieves double addition. Hence, in addition to the usual [n+2] cycloaddition, ynolates can perform formal [n+1]-type annulations. Their high-energy performance has been demonstrated by their triple addition to arynes to generate triptycenes, in which the C–C triple bond of ynolates is cleaved. The synthetic applications of these methods, including natural products synthesis, are also described.

1 Introduction

2 Preparation of Ynolates

2.1 Double Lithiation

2.2 Flow Synthesis

2.3 Double Deprotonation

3 [2+2] Cycloaddition to C=O Bond

3.1 To Aldehydes and Ketones

3.2 Sequential Cycloaddition

4 [2+2] Cycloaddition to Imino Groups

Lewis Acids Catalyzed Annulations of Ynamides with Acyl Chlorides for Constructing 4-Amino-2-naphthol Derivatives and 3-Aminocyclobutenones

Two complementary synthetic manifestations leading to highly substituted 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol derivatives via Lewis acids catalyzed annulations of ynamides with acyl chlorides are described here. A one-pot synthesis of 4-amino-2-naphthol derivatives is accomplished via a ZnI₂-catalyzed tandem Friedel-Crafts reaction sequence. While in the presence of Pd(0) catalyst, a [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of ynamides with monosubstituted ketenes that were generated from the dehydrohalogenation of suitable acyl chlorides leads to efficient formation of 3-aminocyclobutenones, which were subsequently modified to generate 3-amino-1-naphthols in excellent yields.

Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted naphthalenes through a cascade reaction triggered by silyl acetal activation

Through a fluoride-induced cascade reaction of lactol silyl ethers, 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted naphthalenes were synthesized in a regioselective manner.

Silver-Promoted Benzannulations of Siloxy Alkynes with Pyridinium and Isoquinolinium Salts

We describe the development of efficient benzannulations of siloxy alkynes with pyridinium and isoquinolinium salts. Such reactions are successfully promoted by a stoichiometric amount of silver(I) benzolate under mild reaction conditions. This process proceeds via a formal inverse-electron demand Diels-Alder reaction, followed by fragmentation of the initially produced bicyclic adducts to deliver a range of synthetically useful phenols and naphthols.

Silver-catalyzed formal inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction of 1,2-diazines and siloxy alkynes

A highly effective silver-catalyzed formal inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction of 1,2-diazines and siloxy alkynes has been developed. The reactions provide ready access to a wide range of siloxy naphthalenes and anthracenes, which are formed in good to high yields, under mild reaction conditions, using low catalyst loadings.

Synthesis of Multisubstituted Furans, Pyrroles, and Thiophenes via Ynolates

An efficient synthetic method for the preparation of multisubstituted furans, thiophenes, and pyrroles using ynolates was developed. This novel formal [4 + 1] annulation by C2-C3 and C3-C4 bond formations includes cycloaddition, cyclization, decarboxylation, and dehydration as key steps.

Stereoselective olefination of unfunctionalized ketones via ynolates

Ynolates react with ketones at room temperature to afford alpha,beta,beta-trisubstituted acrylates (tetrasubstituted olefins) with 2:1-8:1 geometrical selectivities. This can be regarded as a new olefination reaction of ketones giving tetrasubstituted olefins in good yield, even in the case of sterically hindered substrates. The reaction mechanism involves cycloaddition of ynolates with a carbonyl group and subsequent thermal electrocyclic ring-opening of the resulting beta-lactone enolates. The stereoselectivity is determined in the ring-opening, which is regulated by torquoselectivity. In this paper, we describe the scope and limitations of olefination of ketones via ynolates and discuss the stereocontrol mechanism.

Synthesis of alpha,alpha-dibromo esters as precursors of ynolates

Aliphatic alpha,alpha-dibromo esters, precursors of ynolates, were synthesized via bromination of lithium alpha-bromo ester enolates with 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane in good yields. alpha-Trimethylsilyl-alpha,alpha-dibromo esters were synthesized via radical bromination.

Lactone enols are stable in the gas phase but highly unstable in solution

2-Hydroxyoxol-2-ene (C(5)-1), the enol tautomer of gamma-butyrolactone, was generated in the gas phase as the first representative of the hitherto elusive class of lactone enols and shown by neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry to be remarkably stable as an isolated species. Ab initio calculations by QCISD(T)/6-311+G(3df,2p) provided the enthalpies of formation, proton affinities, and gas-phase basicities for gaseous lactone enols with four- (C(4)-1), five- (C(5)-1), and six-membered rings (C(6)-1). The acid-base properties of C(4)-C(6) lactones and enols and reference carboxylic acid enols CH(2)=C(OH)(2) (3) and CH(2)=C(OH)OCH(3) (4) were also calculated in aqueous solution. The C(4)-C(6) lactone enols show gas-phase proton affinities in the range of 933-944 kJ mol(-)(1) and acidities in the range of 1401-1458 kJ mol(-)(1). In aqueous solution, the lactone enols are 15-20 orders of magnitude more acidic than the corresponding lactones, with enol pK(a) values increasing from 5.6 (C(4)-1) to 14.5 (C(6)-1). Lactone enols are moderately weak bases in water with pK(BH) in the range of 3.9-8.1, whereas the lactones are extremely weak bases of pK(BH) in the range of -10.5 to -17.4. The acid-base properties of lactone enols point to their high reactivity in protic solvents and explain why no lactone enols have been detected thus far in solution studies.