Carbonyl compounds reductive coupling with activated alkenes

Carbon-heteroatom double bonds can also participate in this reaction. These include both carbonyl compounds (Scheme 11.37) and imines (Scheme 11.38). Addition to aldehydes is co-catalysed by tin(II) or indium(III) salts. Under these conditions, tetrahydrofiirans are obtained. The presence or absence of the co-catalyst can also switch the reaction from one mode to another (Scheme 11.39). An indium cocatalysed cycloaddition to a 7-pyrone aldehyde 11.117 was used in a synthesis of aureothin 11.122 and A-acetylaureothamine 11.123 (Scheme 11.40). Cross-metathesis of the exo-cyc ic alkene 11.118 allowed a subsequent Suzuki coupling with a gem-dibromide 11.120 that showed the expected selectivity (Section 2.1.4.2). This reaction required the use of thallium ethoxide as the Lewis base to suppress the formation of side products. A Negishi coupling completed the synthesis of aureothin 11.122. Reduction and acylation of the nitro group yielded A-acetylaureothamine 11.123. The latter compound is active digainst Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium behind stomach ulcers. 

---