Double cationic propargylation: from linear to polycyclic ethers

Reaction of Alkynyl- and Alkenyltrifluoroborates with Propargyldicobalt Cations: Alkynylation, Alkenylation, and Cyclopropanation Product Pathways

The Lewis acid-mediated Nicholas reactions of propargyl acetate-Co₂(CO)₆ complexes with a series of potassium alkynyltrifluoroborates and potassium alkenyltrifluoroborates are described. Alkynyltrifluoroborates directly alkynylate the intermediate propargyldicobalt cations. In contrast, alkenyltrifluoroborates proceed through one of the three modes of dominant reactivity: C-2-substituted alkenyltrifluorobrates directly alkenylate, predominantly with the retention of stereochemistry. C-1-substituted alkenyltrifluoroborates alkenylate at C-2. Potassium vinyltrifluoroborate incorporates a cyclopropane at the site propargyl to alkynedicobalt. Computational analysis of these systems explains the differential modes of reactivity of alkenyltrifluoroborates and outlines the probable mechanisms for the formation of each product.

β-Hydroxy-γ-lactones as nucleophiles in the Nicholas reaction for the synthesis of oxepene rings. Enantioselective formal synthesis of (−)-isolaurepinnacin and (+)-rogioloxepane A

The enantioselective formal synthesis of (−)-isolaurepinnacin and (+)-rogioloxepane A has been achieved.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of (2R,3R)-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans. Part 2: Effect of side chain homologation

In this study, we synthesized a series of enantiomerically pure (2R,3R)- and (2R,3S)-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans bearing a CH2O spacer group on the side chain at position 2 of the heterocyclic ring. The in vitro antiproliferative activities of the compounds were examined in the human solid tumor cell lines A2780 (ovarian cancer), SW1573 (non-small cell lung cancer), and WiDr (colon cancer). Overall, the results point out the relevance for antiproliferative activity of the distance between the heterocycle and the unsaturated group.

[1,3]-Transfer of Chirality during the Nicholas Reaction in γ-Benzyloxy Propargylic Alcohols

A highly regio- and stereoselective intramolecular [1,5]-hydrogen-transfer process is described. Treatment of gamma-benzyl-protected Co2(CO)6-alpha,gamma-acetylenic diols with BF3 x OEt2 provides bis-homopropargylic alcohols. The reaction occurs within seconds, tolerates a wide range of functionalities, and provides good yields. When the ether group is located at a stereochemically defined carbon atom, the rearrangement occurs with high stereoselectivity, transferring the chirality of the carbinol center to the newly created stereocenter. The cleavage of the benzyloxy group is totally regioselective when additional benzyl ethers are present. The scope and limitations of this novel process in densely substituted substrates are evaluated, and possible competitive reactions and/or stereochemical influences are also described. A mechanism based on a highly ordered chair-like transition state substantiated by a theoretical study is also included.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of 1-acetylen-2,3-di-o-benzyl-tetrahydrofurans, 1,4-anhydro-arabinitol, and alpha,beta-dihydroxy-gamma-alkyl-butyrolactones

This article describes a concise and efficient synthesis of 1-acetylen-2,3-di-O-benzyl-tetrahydrofurans from tartaric acid esters using as the key step the stereocontrolled cyclization of Co(2)(CO)(6)-complexed propargylic diols. This molecule led to enantiomerically pure 1,4-anhydro-arabinitol and alpha,beta-dihydroxy-gamma-alkyl-butyrolactones. In the latter case, the critical methylene oxidation at the oxygen vicinal position was performed by RuO(4).