Alkenes, homoallylic intramolecular addition

The acylpalladium complex formed from acyl halides undergoes intramolecular alkene insertion. 2,5-Hexadienoyl chloride (894) is converted into phenol in its attempted Rosenmund reduction[759]. The reaction is explained by the oxidative addition, intramolecular alkene insertion to generate 895, and / -elimination. Chloroformate will be a useful compound for the preparation of a, /3-unsaturated esters if its oxidative addition and alkene insertion are possible. An intramolecular version is known, namely homoallylic chloroformates are converted into a-methylene-7-butyrolactones in moderate yields[760]. As another example, the homoallylic chloroformamide 896 is converted into the q-methylene- -butyrolactams 897 and 898[761]. An intermolecular version of alkene insertion into acyl chlorides is known only with bridgehead acid chlorides. Adamantanecarbonyl chloride (899) reacts with acrylonitrile to give the unsaturated ketone 900[762],... 

In intramolecular cyclopropanation, Doyle s catalysts (159) show outstanding capabilities for enantiocontrol in the cyclization of allyl and homoallyl diazoesters to bicyclic y-and <5-lactones, respectively (equations 137 and 138)198 205. The data also reveal that intramolecular cyclopropanation of Z-alkenes is generally more enantioselective than that of E-alkenes in bicyclic y-lactone formation198. Both Rh(II)-MEPY enantiomers are available and, through their use, enantiomeric products are accessible. In a few selected cases, the Pfaltz catalyst 156 also results in high-level enandoselectivity in intramolecular cyclopropanation (equation 139)194. On the other hand, the Aratani catalyst is less effective than the Doyle catalyst (159) or Pfaltz catalyst (156) in asymmetric intramolecular cyclo-propanations201. In addition, the bis-oxazoline-derived copper catalyst 157b shows lower enantioselectivity in the intramolecular cyclopropanation of allyl diazomalonate (equation 140)206. 

Acetals result from oxidative coupling of alcohols with electron-poor terminal olefins followed by a second, redox-neutral addition of alcohol [11-13]. Acrylonitrile (41) is converted to 3,3-dimethoxypropionitrile (42), an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of thiamin (vitamin Bl), by use of an alkyl nitrite oxidant [57]. A stereoselective acetalization was performed with methacrylates 43 to yield 44 with variable de [58]. Rare examples of intermolecular acetalization with nonactivated olefins are observed with chelating allyl and homoallyl amines and thioethers (45, give acetals 46) [46]. As opposed to intermolecular acetalizations, the intramolecular variety do not require activated olefins, but a suitable spatial relationship of hydroxy groups and the alkene[13]. Thus, Wacker oxidation of enediol 47 gave bicyclic acetal 48 as a precursor of a fluorinated analogue of the pheromone fron-talin[59]. 

A Lewis-basic substituent in the alkene can also promote addition of a Grignard reagent to a double or triple bond. Allyl, benzyl, and t-butyl Grignard reagents add readily to allylic and homoallylic alcohols and alkynols (equation 49). A magnesium alkoxide, formed initially, apparently assists intramolecularly in the addition. There appear to be multiple mechanistic pathways, with different stereochemistries. OR and NR2 groups also activate addition. 

In this connection, intramolecular Michael addition of 0-carbamates to a,3-unsaturated esters (Scheme 60)," iodo cyclization of allylic and homoallylic trichloroacetamidates" or aminomercuration of alkenic carbamates" has been used for the preparation of amino alcohols. 

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