Synthetic Organic Chemistry Based on Small Ring Compounds

Surprising Reactivity in NiXantphos/Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation of Substituted Cyclopropyl Nitriles

α-Arylations of cyclopropyl and related nitriles provide access to important synthetic intermediates and pharmacophores for biologically active molecules. However, robust methods for coupling of sterically encumbered partners have remained elusive. Through optimization using high-throughput experimentation (HTE), the NiXantphos ligand was found to be effective in the coupling of sterically hindered β-substituted cyclopropyl nitriles with a number of aryl groups and heterocycles, including those containing acidic N-H and O-H bonds.

Cycloaddition reactions for antiviral compounds

Prominent in the current stage of drug development, antiviral compounds can be efficiently prepared through cycloaddition reactions. The chapter reports the use of classical Diels–Alder and their hetero version for the design and synthesis of compounds that were tested for their antiviral activities against a variety of viruses. Furthermore, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of selected 1,3-dipoles, such as azides, nitrones, and nitrile oxides, are reviewed in the light of their application in the preparation of key intermediates for antiviral synthesis. A few examples of [2+2] cycloaddition reactions are also presented. The products obtained from these pericyclic reaction approaches were all tested for their activities in terms of blocking the virus replication, and the relevant biological data are highlighted.

Cyclobutenones and Benzocyclobutenones: Versatile Synthons in Organic Synthesis

Cyclobutenones, four-membered ketones bearing an unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond, and their structural sibling benzocyclobutenones, possess unique reactivity. Owing to their inherent high ring strain, such structures readily undergo ring opening under a variety of conditions, including thermolysis, photolysis, and transition metal catalysis, to afford reactive intermediates that can be trapped with nucleophiles, dienophiles, and unsaturated bonds. Their electron-deficient enone moieties are good electrophiles for facile nucleophilic addition. Such properties render cyclobutenones versatile synthons, serving as excellent coupling partners in a vast array of synthetically valuable transformations.

Rh-catalyzed Reagent-Free Ring Expansion of Cyclobutenones and Benzocyclobutenones

Here we report a reagent-free rhodium-catalyzed ring-expansion reaction via C-C cleavage of cyclobutenones. A variety of poly-substituted cyclopentenones and 1-indanones can be synthesized from simple cyclobutenones and benzocyclobutenones. The reaction condition is near pH neutral without additional oxidants or reductants. The potential for developing a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of this reaction has also been demonstrated. Further study supports the proposed pathway involving Rh-insertion into the cyclobutenone C-C bond, followed by β-hydrogen elimination, olefin insertion and reductive elimination.

Nickel-Catalyzed Chemo-, Regio- and Diastereoselective Bond Formation through Proximal C-C Cleavage of Benzocyclobutenones

The first catalytic intermolecular proximal C1-C2 cleavage of benzocyclobutenones (BCB) without prior carbonyl activation or employing noble metals has been developed. This protocol operates at room temperature and is characterized by an exquisite chemo-, regio- and diastereoselectivity profile, constituting a unique platform for preparing an array of elusive carbocyclic skeletons.

An efficient synthetic route to 1,3-bis(arylethynyl)isobenzofuran using alkoxybenzocyclobutenone as a reactive platform

An efficient synthetic method of 1,3-bis(arylethynyl)isobenzofurans is developed.

Applications of 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallics in the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopropylboronate esters, trisubstituted cyclopropanols and 2,3-disubstituted cyclobutanones

1-Alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallics are potentially very useful in stereoselective organic synthesis but are relatively unexplored. Introduced herein is a practical application of 1-alkenyl-1,1-heterobimetallic intermediates in the synthesis of versatile cyclopropyl alcohol boronate esters, which are valuable building blocks. Thus, hydroboration of 1-alkynyl-1-boronate esters with dicyclohexylborane generates 1-alkenyl-1,1-diboro species. In situ transmetalation with dialkylzinc reagents furnishes 1-alkenyl-1,1-borozinc heterobimetallic intermediates. Addition of the more reactive ZnC bond to aldehydes generates the key B(pin) substituted allylic alkoxide intermediates. An in situ alkoxide directed cyclopropanation proceeds with the formation of two more CC bonds, affording cyclopropyl alcohol boronate esters with three new stereocenters in 58-89% isolated yields and excellent diastereoselectivities (>15:1 dr). Oxidation of the BC bond provides trisubstituted alpha-hydroxycyclopropyl carbinols as single diastereomers in good to excellent yields (75-93%). Facile pinacol-type rearrangement of the alpha-hydroxycyclopropyl carbinols provides access to both cis- and trans-2,3-disubstituted cyclobutanones with high stereoselectivity (>17:1 dr in most cases) from a common starting material. This methodology has been applied in the synthesis of quercus lactones A and B.

Electrophilic C12 building blocks for alkaloids: formal total synthesis of (+/-)-maritidine

Silyl-protected benzyl alcohol derivatives and the salt 1 are used to form ortho-substituted C12 electrophilic organoiron building blocks which are converted into a spirocyclic cyclohexenone to complete a formal total synthesis of (+/-)-maritidine (5). The choice of TBDPS protection was shown to be better than TIPS and compatible with ipso nucleophile addition to form a quaternary center. The reaction sequence is the first example of a successful application in the synthesis of an arylcyclohexadienyliron complex with an ortho-carbon substituent in the position required for Amaryllidaceae alkaloids of this type.