Copper compounds reaction with diazoalkanes

Condensation with carbonyl compounds. Formation of epoxides from aldehydes by reaction with sulfonium ylides is subject to asymmetric induction. The latter species have been generated from 91, 92, and 93, and also those derived from monoterpenes, e.g., 94 " and 95.- Of course the ylides can be obtained in situ by deprotonation of sulfonium salts or copper-catalyzed decomposition of diazoalkanes (with the carbenoids trapped by the sulfides). 

The copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation of alkenes with diazoalkanes is a particularly important synthetic reaction (277). The reaction of styrene and ethyl diazoacetate catalyzed by bis[/V-(7 )- or (5)-a-phenyl-ethylsalicylaldiminato]Cu(II), reported in 1966, gives the cyclopropane adducts in less than 10% ee and was the first example of transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective reaction of prochiral compounds in homogeneous phase (Scheme 90) (272). Later systematic screening of the chiral Schiff base-Cu catalysts resulted in the innovative synthesis of a series of important cyclopropane derivatives such as chrysanthemic acid, which was produced in greater than 90% ee (Scheme 90) (273). The catalyst precursor has a dimeric Cu(II) structure, but the actual catalyst is in the Cu(I) oxidation state (274). (S)-2,2-Dimethylcyclopropanecar-boxylic acid thus formed is now used for commercial synthesis of ci-lastatin, an excellent inhibitor of dehydropeptidase-I that increases the in vivo stability of the caibapenem antibiotic imipenem (Sumitomo Chemical Co. and Merck Sharp Dohme Co.). Attempted enantioselective cyclopropanation using 1,1-diphenylethylene and ethyl diazoacetate has met with limited success (211b). A related Schiff base ligand achieved the best result, 66% optical yield, in the reaction of 1,1-diphenylethylene and ethyl diazoacetate (275). 

The reaction system (6-37) includes the thermal azo-extrusion of a cyclic azo compound to a cyclopropane derivative and the direct formation of cyclopropanes, catalyzed by metal complexes. Synthetic routes to cyclopropane derivatives became an important subject in the last two decades, and one frequently used method is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a diazoalkane to an alkene followed by thermal or photolytic azo-extrusion of the 4,5-dihydro-3//-pyrazole formed to the cyclopropane derivative (6-37 A). This route can be followed in many cases without isolation, or even without direct observation, of the 4,5-dihydro-3//-pyrazole. Therefore, it is formally very similar to cyclopropane formation from alkenes with diazoalkanes, in which a carbene is first formed by azo-extrusion of the diazoalkane (see Sect. 8.3). As shown in pathway (6-37 B), this step can be catalyzed by copper, palladium, or rhodium complexes (see Sects. 8.2, 8.7, and 8.8). There are cases where it is not clearly known whether route A or B is followed. Scheme 6-37 also includes... 

Reaction of diazo compounds with a variety of transition metal compounds leads to evolution of nitrogen and formation of products of the same general type as those formed by thermal and photochemical decomposition of diazoalkanes. These transition metal-catalyzed reactions in general appear to involve carbenoid intermediates in which the carbene becomes bound to the metal.83 The metals which have been used most frequently in synthesis are copper and rhodium. 

RC=CKWG) yields 2,4-di-EWG-substituted pyrroles in the presence of copper catalyst but 2,3-di-EWG-substituted pyrroles in the presence of a phosphine catalyst.74 The 3 + 2-cycloaddition of diazoalkanes to (6 )-3-p-tolylsulfinylfuran-2(5//)-one produces diastereoisomeric pyrazolines in almost quantitative yield and with des >98%. (g) The sulfinyl group is responsible for the complete control of the n-facial selectivity in all these reactions.75 The Rh(II)-catalysed intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of diazoamides (57) with alkenyl and heteroaromatic n -bonds yields pen-tacyclic compounds (59), via the ylide (58), in good to excellent yields and in a (g) stereocontrolled manner (Scheme 15).76... 

Polymer-supported benzenesulfonyl azides have been developed as a safe diazotransfer reagent. ° These compounds, including CH2N2 and other diazoalkanes, react with metals or metal salts (copper, paUadium, and rhodium are most commonly used) to give the carbene complexes that add CRR to double bonds. Diazoketones and diazoesters with alkenes to give the cyclopropane derivative, usually with a transition-metal catalyst, such as a copper complex. The ruthenium catalyst reaction of diazoesters with an alkyne give a cyclopropene. An X-ray structure of an osmium catalyst intermediate has been determined. Electron-rich alkenes react faster than simple alkenes. ... 

Rhodium(Il) acetate (Structure 3), a dinuclear molecule of D4 symmetry and vacant coordination sites (—>) at each metal atom, is the most commonly employed catalyst for this reaction. Copper catalysts are no longer used because they are inferior in terms of both activity and selectivity. The diazoalkane constitution in eq. (1) includes compounds with... 

Due to their tendency to undergo side reactions and the lack of stereospecificity, free methylene or alkylcarbenes, as generated from diazoalkanes by photolysis or thermal nitrogen extrusion, are of minor synthetic importance for [2 4- 1] cycloadditions. However, transition metal catalysis, most commonly with copper or palladium compounds, offers a convenient solution to this problem (Vol. E19b. p 278)s. Probably the most active catalyst is copper(I) trifluoromcthanesulfonate9. The simple diastereoselectivity of these reactions is often negligible, as demonstrated by the copper(I) chloride or palladium(II) bis(benzonitrilo)dichloride promoted cyclopropanation of phenylethene with diazoethane10. 

Addition of certain copper salts to solutions of diazo compounds also leads to evolution of nitrogen and formation of products of the same general types as those formed in thermal and photochemical decompositions of diazoalkanes. The weight of the evidence, however, indicates that free carbene intermediates are not involved in such reactions. Instead, complexes of the carbene unit with the metal ion catalyst seem to be the actual reactants. Such a complex would be an example of a carbenoid species. Although the product suggests the involvement of a carbene-like reactivity, other evidence rules out a completely free carbene of the type generated by photochemical expulsion of a molecule of nitrogen. 

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