Ylides azomethine

Similar to carbonyl ylides, azomethine ylides are normally generated as transient species in situ, and a number of protocols have been established so far [22]. Among them, the transition-metal-mediated procedures have enj oyed great privileges in terms of milder reaction conditions, better selectivities, and broad functional group tolerance. This part focuses on the recent development of transition-metal-mediated in situ generation of (metal-containing) azomethine ylides as well as their applications for the synthesis of aromatic compounds. 

In 2007, Galliford and Scheldt have described an intriguing Rh(II)-catalyzed three-component assembly reaction of imines 26, diazoacetonitrile (27), and DMAD to furnish polysubstituted pyrroles 28, in which azomethine ylides A might be generated 

The scope of these reactions has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The examples listed in Table 4.17 suggest that azomethine ylides generated by intramolecular, carbene-mediated N-alkylation of imines enable convergent and fast 

Functionalized N-triethylene glycol pyrrolidino-CNTs (Fig. 1.10a) allowed electrochemistry and quantum chemical calculations to be carried out to investigate the bulk electronic properties [167]. Functionalization obviously modified the electronic state of pristine CNTs however, some of the metallic character was retained and the overall electron density of states (DOS) was not strongly affected [167]. Pyrrolidino-SWCNTs and -MWCNTs bearing a free amino-terminal N-oligoethy-lene glycol moiety formed supramolecular associates with plasmid DNA through ionic interactions. The complexes were able to penetrate within cells. SWCNTs 

Gamer and co-workers have once again illustrated the power of tether-mediated synthesis. In their example, the intermolecular reaction gave the undesired exo cycloadducts with no diastereofacial selectivity. Connecting the two reacting systems provided access to endo addition products. With further refinement of the tether length, the re si diastereofacial selectivity was successfully addressed. 

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Azomethine ylides are also frequently obtained by ring opening of aziridines, and the analogous carbonyl ylides from oxiranes. These aspects are dealt with in Section 3.03.5.1. A variety of five-membered heterocycles can also function as masked 1,3-dipoles and this aspect is considered in Section 3.03.5.2. 

As the sp nitrogen atom in many heterocycles can be alkylated and aminated, the construction of an azomethine ylide or azomethine imine dipole is readily attainable as shown in Scheme 13. These ylides are very reactive and undergo cycloaddition with a... 

Scheme 13 Azomethine ylides and azomethine imines incorporated in heterocyclic systems...

Azomethine ylides (Section 4.03.6.1.1) have been generated from a wide variety of aziridines using both thermal and photochemical methods. With carbon-carbon unsaturated dipolarophiles, pyrrolines or pyrrolidines are obtained. With hetero double bonds, however, ring systems of interest to this discussion result. 

The high reactivity of azomethine ylides allows addition to aromatic systems (71TL481). For example, trans-aziridine (30) adds to phenanthrene to give the fran5-phenanthropyr-rolidine (31). The reversal of expected stereochemistry is again attributed to azomethine ylide interconversion being allowed by the low reactivity of the aromatic system. 

Aroylaziridines (32) and aromatic aldehydes react to give oxazolidines (33), the stereochemistry of which suggests reaction very largely through the trans-azomethine ylide, irrespective of the aziridine configuration (70JCS(C)2383). 

Aziridines, e.g. (91), undergo thermal ring opening in a conrotatory manner to generate azomethine ylides. These azomethine ylides are 47r-components and can participate in [4 + 2] cycloadditions with 1-azirines acting as the 27r-component 73HCA1351). 

There are at least two mechanisms available for aziridine cis-trans isomerism. The first is base-catalyzed and proceeds via an intermediate carbanion (235). The second mechanism can be either thermally or photochemically initiated and proceeds by way of an intermediate azomethine ylide. The absence of a catalytic effect and interception of the 1,3-dipole intermediate provide support for this route. A variety of aziridinyl ketones have been found to undergo equilibration when subjected to base-catalyzed conditions (65JA1050). In most of these cases the cis isomer is more stable than the trans. Base-catalyzed isotope exchange has also been observed in at least one molecule which lacks a stabilizing carbonyl group (72TL3591). 

Equilibration of aziridines via azomethine ylides has been reported for a variety of structures (67JA1753). Most aziridines equilibrated by this method show greater cis stability. An energy barrier has been detected between the two isomeric azomethine ylides (69AG(E)602>. 

The azomethine ylide strategy for (3-lactam synthesis 99JHC1365. 

For the reactions of other 1,3-dipoles, the catalyst-induced control of the enantio-selectivity is achieved by other principles. Both for the metal-catalyzed reactions of azomethine ylides, carbonyl ylides and nitrile oxides the catalyst is crucial for the in situ formation of the 1,3-dipole from a precursor. After formation the 1,3-di-pole is coordinated to the catalyst because of a favored chelation and/or stabiliza-... 

For azomethine ylides and carbonyl ylides, the diastereoselectivity is more complex as the presence of an additional chiral center in the product allows for the formation of four diastereomers. Since the few reactions that are described in this chapter of these dipoles give rise to only one diastereomer, this topic will not be mentioned further here [10]. 

Cobalt, Manganese, and Silver Catalysts for Reactions of Azomethine Ylides... 

The first report on metal-catalyzed asymmetric azomethine ylide cycloaddition reactions appeared some years before this topic was described for other 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions [86]. However, since then the activity in this area has been very limited in spite of the fact that azomethine ylides are often stabilized by metal salts as shown in Scheme 6.40. 

Although the first metal-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction involved azomethine ylides, there has not been any significant activity in this area since then. The reactions that were described implied one of more equivalents of the chiral catalyst, and further development into a catalytic version has not been reported. 

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