Electroreductive cyclization

The allylstannane 474 is prepared by the reaction of allylic acetates or phosphates with tributyltin chloride and Sml2[286,308] or electroreduction[309]. Bu-iSnAlEt2 prepared in situ is used for the preparation of the allylstannane 475. These reactions correspond to inversion of an allyl cation to an allyl anion[3l0. 311], The reaction has been applied to the reductive cyclization of the alkenyl bromide in 476 with the allylic acetate to yield 477[312]. Intramolecular coupling of the allylic acetate in 478 with aryl bromide proceeds using BuiSnAlEti (479) by in situ formation of the allylstannane 480 and its reaction with the aryl bromide via transmetallation. (Another mechanistic possibility is the formation of an arylstannane and its coupling with allylic... 

The electroreductive cyclization of the furanone 118 (R = -(CH2)4CH=CH— COOMe Scheme 36) using a mercury pool cathode, a platinum anode, a saturated calomel reference electrode, and a degassed solution of dry CH3CN containing -Bu4NBr as the electrolyte, gave the spirocyclic lactones 119 and 120 in a ratio 1.0 1.1 (Scheme 37)(91T383). 

In this section primarily reductions of aldehydes, ketones, and esters with sodium, lithium, and potassium in the presence of TCS 14 are discussed closely related reductions with metals such as Zn, Mg, Mn, Sm, Ti, etc., in the presence of TCS 14 are described in Section 13.2. Treatment of ethyl isobutyrate with sodium in the presence of TCS 14 in toluene affords the O-silylated Riihlmann-acyloin-condensation product 1915, which can be readily desilylated to the free acyloin 1916 [119]. Further reactions of methyl or ethyl 1,2- or 1,4-dicarboxylates are discussed elsewhere [120-122]. The same reaction with trimethylsilyl isobutyrate affords the C,0-silylated alcohol 1917, in 72% yield, which is desilylated to 1918 [123] (Scheme 12.34). Likewise, reduction of the diesters 1919 affords the cyclized O-silylated acyloin products 1920 in high yields, which give on saponification the acyloins 1921 [119]. Whereas electroreduction on a Mg-electrode in the presence of MesSiCl 14 converts esters such as ethyl cyclohexane-carboxylate via 1922 and subsequent saponification into acyloins such as 1923 [124], electroreduction of esters such as ethyl cyclohexylcarboxylate using a Mg-electrode without Me3SiCl 14 yields 1,2-ketones such as 1924 [125] (Scheme 12.34). 

Vitamin B12 derivatives are also effective catalysts for the electroreductive cyclization of bromoalkenes in conductive microemulsions,299 300 or for ring-expansion reactions in cyclic a-(bromomethyl)-(3-keto esters in DMF.301 Vitamin Bi2 attached to an epoxy-polymer has been used in electrosynthesis of valeronitrile by reductive coupling of iodoethane and acrylonitrile.302... 

The anion radical species formed by the electroreduction of aliphatic esters show interesting reactivities, and the reduction of olefinic esters gives bicyclic products with high regio- and stereoselectivity. The electroreduction of the ester in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane affords a tricyclic product (Scheme 21) [35, 40]. The mechanism of this cyclization reaction seems to be the addition of anion radical species, formed by the reduction of the ester group, to the carbon-carbon double bond. 

Many reductive cyclizations, including many of those that are not initiated electrochemically, correspond to variations on the electrohydrocyclization theme. The so-called electroreductive-cyclization reaction, for example, involves cyclization between the /I-carbon of an electron-deficient alkene and an aldehyde or ketone tethered to it, to form a new a-bond between these formally electron deficient centers (Scheme 2). 

A demonstration of the utility of the electroreductive cyclization reaction is provided by the formal total synthesis of the antitumor agent quadrone (16, Scheme 4) [17]. The first stage of the synthesis involved a controlled potential reduction of (9) in the presence of dimethyl malonate as the proton donor. An efficient cyclization ensued, leading to the formation of the y-hydroxy ester (10)... 

Adducts (10) and (11) were each converted to the unsaturated nitrile (12) that is shown in Scheme 4. Electroreductive cyclization of (12) presented a major challenge given the highly hindered nature of the fully substituted yS-carbon of the a, yS-unsaturated subunit. Many organic transformations fail to occur when presented with a similarly crowded environment. Thus, it is significant that the controlled potential electroreductive cyclization reaction of (12) afforded a 90% isolated yield of the requisite [3.2.1] adduct (13). Steric factors clearly did not hinder this reaction, a result that is presumed to be generalizable to other electroreductive cyclizations. Cycloadduct (13) was... 

Scheme 4 Steric factors do not prohibit electroreductive cyclization.

H. Tanaka, O. Ren, S. Torii, Pd(0)/Pd(II)-mediated electroreductive cyclization of n-alkenyl-2-bromoanilines in Novel Trends in Electroorganic Synthesis (Ed. S. Torii), Kodansha, Tokyo, 1995, pp. 195,196. 

Electroreduction of y- and 5-cyano ketones in isoPrOH with a Sn cathode gave a-hydroxyketones with good diastereo-selectivities as cyclization products. The reaction has been used as a key step for the synthesis of, for example, guaiazulene, triquinanes, and dihydrojasmone. Similarly, the corresponding intermolecular couplings were realized [315]. 

The electroreductive cyclization of the halogenated ether (169) or a halo-genated ester using Ni(II) complexes (171) and (172) proceeds in the manner shown in Scheme 69 [286]. The radical... 

Cobaloxime(I), electrochemically regenerated from chloro(pyridine)-cobaloxime (III) (232), has been employed as a mediator in the reductive cleavage of the C—Br bond of 2-bromoalkyl 2-alkynyl ethers (253), giving (254) through radical trapping ofthe internal olefin (Scheme 95) [390]. An interesting feature of the radical cyclization (253) (254) is the reaction in methanol, unlike the trialkyltin hydride-promoted radical reactions that need an aprotic nonpolar solvent. An improved procedure for the electroreductive radical cyclization of (253) has been attained by the combined use of cobaloxime(III) (232) and a zinc plate as a sacrificial anode in an undivided cell [391]. The procedure is advantageous in terms of the turnover of the catalyst and the convenience of the operation. 

As noted previously, many of the cathodic cyclizations discussed in this article are variations on the electrohydrocyclization theme developed by Baizer and coworkers [8-14,16,17,21], The next section of this article, for example, deals with what has been referred to as the electroreductive cyclization (ERC) reaction, a process that leads to cycUzation between an electron-deficient alkene and an aldehyde or ketone. With this thought in mind, several of the section titles are formulated to highlight the functional groups to be joined the following is representative. 

Electroreductive Cyclization Electron Deficient Alkene/Carbonyl... 

The mechanism of the electroreductive cyclization reaction has been studied in some detail [22], The initial thought was that it occurred via the cyclization of the radical anion derived, for example, from 25 in the first reduction step. A moment s reflection, however, reveals that there are many more mechanistically viable pathways, especially when one realizes that the transformation involves five steps - two electron transfers (symbolized below by e and d , the latter corresponding to a homogeneous process), two protonations ( p ), and cyclization ( c ). In principle, these could occur in any order, and with any one of the steps being rate-determining. 

The utility of electroreductive cyclization chemistry is demonstrated quite nicely in its application to a formal total synthesis of quadrone (59) [41]. This fungal metabolite isolated from Aspergillus terreus, displays in vivo and in vitro cytotoxicity. One approach focuses upon three transformations, two involving... 

As indicated by the conversion of 70 to 71, the electroreductive cyclization reaction provides as excellent method for the assembly of the bicyclo[3.2.1]oc-tane ring system. Several additional examples are portrayed in the following equations. In general, the use of an unsaturated nitrile rather than the corresponding ester is preferred, as this precludes lactone formation, and therefore... 

Another occasionally troublesome process is related to the tendency of some substrates to preferentially, or competitively, undergo acid-base chemistry [43,44]. Of course, this is not surprising, considering the nature of the putative intermediates. One system where this process diminishes the efficiency of the electroreductive cyclization is that of compound 84. In this reaction, no more... 

Esters are difficult to reduce, and are inert to many of the conditions used in electroreductive processes. A recent investigation has demonstrated that they can easily be reduced at a magnesium cathode in the presence of t-BuOH [52,53]. When tethered to an alkene, cyclization occurs to afford a cyclic alcohol. Two examples are illustrated, the second being a key step in a synthesis of racemic muscone [53]. 

Amputch MA, Little RD (1991) Tetrahedron 47 383. Utley JHP, (1987) Electrogenerated bases. In Steckhan E (ed) Topics in current chemistry. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 133 Little RD, Sowell CG (1991) Stereoselection in electroreductive cyclization. Construction of a Corey lactone precurser. In Little RD, Weinberg NL (eds) Electroorganic synthesis, festschrift for Manuel M. Baizer. Dekker, New York, p 323 Shono T, Mitani M (1971) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 93 5284... 

We can also mention that one example of electroreductive cyclization of N-alkenyl-2-bromoanilines has recently been reported using Pd-PPhs as catalyst [79]. 

The electroreductive cyclization reaction of 6-heptene-2-one 166, producing CIS-1,2-dimethylcyclopentanol 169, was discovered more than twenty years ago [166]. In agreement with Baldwin s rules, the 5-exo product is obtained in a good yield. Since that time, the mechanism of this remarkable regio- and stereoselective reaction has been elucidated by Kariv-Miller et al. [167-169]. Reversible cyclization of the initially formed ketyl radical anion 167 provides either the cis or the trans distonic radical anion. Subsequent electron transfer and protonation from the kinetically preferred 168 leads to the major cis product 169. The thermodynamically preferred 170 is considered as a source of the trace amounts of the trans by-product 171 (Scheme 32). 

Apart from PET-reductive cyclization, chemical reduction has also been applied to the total synthesis of natural products such as capnellenediol 186 [184]. Naphthalene sodium is shown to be a suitable oxidant for generating ketyl radical anions which cyclize efficiently in a 5-exo-dig mode. In contrast, electroreductive cyclization of 184 does not lead to 185, but exclusively to the thermodynamically preferred 5-exo isomer with a remaining double bond in the endocyclic position [185] (Scheme 35). The steroid precursor 4.5-secocholes-tan-5-one 187, in which the lOa-side chain is varied, has been cyclized under the same conditions [186-188] (Scheme 36). Reduction with naphthalene sodium or sodium in ether exclusively produces the A B-cis steroid 188 with an exo double... 

A series of bicyclo[3.3.0]octanols are accessible by electroreductive tandem cyclization of linear allyl pentenyl ketones 189, as shown by Kariv-Miller et al. [189]. The electrolyses are carried out with an Hg-pool cathode and a Pt-flag anode. As electrolyte, tetrabutylammonium tetrafluororborate is used. The reaction is stereoselective, yielding only two isomers 192 and 193. In a competing reaction, a small amount of the monocyclic alcohol is formed. Since all the monocycles have the 1-allyl and the 2-methyl group in trans geometry it is assumed that this terminates the reaction. The formation of a bicyclic product requires that the first cyclization provides the cis radical anion which leads to cis-ring juncture [190] (Scheme 37). 

The electroreductive cyclization of ketones and aldehydes linked to cc,P-unsaturated esters 205 has been investigated by Little and co-workers. Good... 

Little has investigated monoactivated and doubly activated alkenes tethered to butenolide with respect to electroreductive cyclization [202]. The geminally activated systems 227 undergo cyclization to diastereomeric products 228 and 229 in an 1 1 mixture, whereas both the a,j8-unsaturated monoester and a,/ -unsaturated mononitrile fail to cyclize. Only saturation of the C-C double bond of butenolide is observed. The author explains these results by distinct reactivity and lifetime of the intermediate radical anions. The radical anions derived from the monoactivated olefins are less delocalized than those of 227 and therefore should be shorter lived and more reactive. In this case preferential saturation occurs. The radical anions derived from the doubly activated alkene 227 are comparatively long-lived and less basic and thus capable of attacking the C-C double bond of the butenolide moiety. A decrease in saturation, accompanied by a marked increase in cyclization, is observed. 

Electroreductive one-electron initiation of cyclization was described for the series of E,E-, 1-dibenzoyl-l,6-heptadiene and its derivatives (Roh et al. 2002, Felton and Bauld 2004). In this case, the catalytic effect was also observed (the actual consumption of electricity was substantially less than theoretical). The same bis(enones) can also be cyclized on the action of the sodium salt of chrysene anion-radical in THF, but with no catalytic effect. Optimum yields were obtained only when 70-120 mol% of the initiator was used, relative to a substrate (Yang et al. 2004). The authors suggest that tight ion pairing of the sodium cation with the product anion-radical in THF (which is a somewhat nonpolar solvent) slows down the intermolecular electron transfer to the bis(enone) molecules. Such an electron transfer would be required for chain propagation. 

On the other hand, since oxime ethers were electrochemically more inert than ketones under the electroreduction conditions, the electroreductive intra- and inter-molecular coupling of ketones with oxime ethers proceeded via anion radicals in good yields (equations 5 and 6) °4i. Moreover, cobaloxime-mediated intramolecular radical addition onto oxime functions in the electrolysis media proceeded to afford the cyclized aminoethers (equation 7). ... 

Electroreductive cyclization of dimethyl 5-bromopent-l-ene-l,1-diearboxylate at —1.85 V (SCE) in dimethylformamide containing tetrabutylammonium bromide gave dimethyl cyclobutyl-malonate (19) in 65-80% yield.18 The mechanism of this electrochemical reaction is, however, unclear. 

In several examples the reductive halide-hydrogen exchange has been studied on a preparative scale. For example, the indirect electroreduction of 2-chloropyridine in DMF using anthracene as mediator gives pyridine in 83-86 % yield 2 . For the dehalogenation of 1-chlorohexane (80% yield), naphthalene is applied as redox catalyst. Similarly, 6-chloro-hexene yields 1-hexene (60%) and methylcyclopentane (25%), which is the product of the radical cyclization . The indirect electrochemical reduction of p- and y-bromocarboxylic esters forms coupling and elimination products besides the dehalogenated products... 

L18a]. 1-Oxo analogues react similarly but under UV light. Electroreductive cyclizations and biomimetic transformations are also reported. 

Little s group has reported electroreductive cyclizations involving ,/l-unsaturated esters (equation 34)96. Based upon CV measurements, the conjugated ester rather than the aldehyde or ketone is suggested to be the electron acceptor. Although direct cyclization of... 

Reductive cyclization of a/p/M-bromoacetamides and 3-bromopropanamide to beta-lactams has been performed by electroreduction in the presence or absence of a probase 41). The cyclization seems to involve the reductive cleavage of carbon-halogen bonds generating carbanions which would act as nucleophiles or bases in the electrolysis media. 

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