Cyclizations of allenes

Cyclization of allene 71 using a catalyst system comprising 10 mol % Pd(OAc)2, 20 mol % PPhj and K COj in the presence of amine 72 affords isoquinolone 73 <95CC1903>. 

As typical examples of crystal-to-crystal thermal reactions, the cyclization of allene derivatives to four-membered ring compounds and the transformation of a racemic complex into a conglomerate complex are described. 

Recently, a further unique domino methodology has been reported by Lu and coworkers (Scheme 2.74) [173]. Herein, a triphenyl phosphine-catalyzed umpolung addition/cyclization of allenes and alkynes containing an electron-withdrawing group 2-316-2-318 followed by reaction with a double nucleophile 2-319 is assumed to account for the production of a broad palette of various heterocycles 2-321 and 2-323 via 2-320 and 2-322, respectively. Dihydrofurans, piperazines, morpholines and diazepanes were obtained during the process. 

Since cumulenes and alkynes are often easily interconvertible, many syntheses discussed above have allenic counterparts, especially base-catalyzed cyclizations of allenic alcohols.77 And, of course, several of the alkyne-based syntheses may well have allenic intermediates. There are, however, a few syntheses based specifically upon allene chemistry. In an important one, due to Stirling and his collaborators,78 an allenic sulfonium salt reacts with an enolate anion. Scheme 12 sketches the main features yields as high as 86% are recorded. Methoxyallene is easily metallated by butyllithium and so converted into an allenic epoxide that can be isomerized by fe/T-butoxide into a furan (Scheme 13) or an exocyclic equivalent similar to 15 clearly this method is particularly suited to the preparation of 3-methoxyfuran... 

As a result of Ag (I) catalyzed cyclization of allenic oximes (124) and (125), stable five- (126) and six-membered (127) cyclic nitrones were obtained (Scheme 2.46) (298a). Recently, a novel method of pyrroline-type nitrone formation via P-allenyl-oxime cyclization has been described (298b). 

To date, the reductive cyclization of allenic alkenes remains undeveloped. However, the reductive cyclization of activated alkene partners in the form of 1,3-dienes and conjugated enones has been achieved using late transition metal catalysts. Indeed, the hydrosilylative dimerization of 1,3-dienes reported in 1969 appears to be the first reductive... 

A single example of the reductive cyclization of allenic carbonyl compounds is reported, which employs a rhodium-based catalyst in conjunction with Et3SiH as terminal reductant.113 This protocol promotes hydrosilylation-cyclization to form both five- and six-membered rings with exceptional levels of yy -diastereocontrol. As revealed... 

Although detailed mechanistic studies are not reported, the postulated mechanism for the reductive cyclization of allenic carbonyl compounds involves entry into the catalytic cycle via silane oxidative addition. Allene silylrhodation then provides the cr-allylrhodium hydride A-18, which upon carbometallation of the appendant aldehyde gives rise to rhodium alkoxide B-14. Oxygen-hydrogen reductive elimination furnishes the hydrosilylation-cyclization product... 

A proposed mechanism of the bis(allene) cyclization involves the formation of the allyl(stannyl)palladium species 6, which undergoes carbocyclization to give vinyl(stannyl)palladium intermediate 7 (Scheme 36). Reductive elimination and cr-bond metathesis may lead to the formation of the m-pentane derivative and the bicyclic product, respectively. The cyclization of allenic aldehydes catalyzed by a palladium complex was also reported.163... 

Some congeners of indolizidine 223A (compounds 135-138) were obtained, using, as the key step, the silylstan-nylation/cyclization of allenic aldehydes as described in Scheme 34 <2004JOC9151>. 

It is interesting to mention the cyclizations of allene systems which are accompanied by rearrangements. Protonation of the bis-cumulene 74 by 5% H2SO4 in aqueous acetone produces the adamantane derivative 75 in 95% yield (equation 28)43. 

Scheme 72 Butenolides hy cathodic cyclization of allene and ketone.

Silver(I) catalyzed cyclizations of allenic alcohols (202) lead to 2,5-dihydrofurans (203) (79S743), whilst another mild method for the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans is the intramolecular oxymercuration-demercuration process. Geraniol, when treated with mer-cury(II) acetate and subsequently with sodium borohydride, gave a tetrahydrofuran. 

N-Tosyl carbamates, such as 325, derived from allylic alcohols, undergo the Pd(II)-catalysed cyclization to furnish oxazolidinones 326 under 1 atm of CO439. Analogous Pd(II)-catalysed N-cyclization of allenic N-tosylcarbamates has generated the corresponding vinylpalladium intermediate that could be further alkylated440. 

Scheme9.7. Examples of 5-endo-dig cyclizations [1 7-21] and 5-endo-trig cyclizations of allenes [22],...

The corresponding nitrogen-containing heterocycles are accessible by silver-catalyzed cyclization of allenic amines, amides, or oximes.334 Thus, Dieter and Yu335 have reported the efficient transformation of various a-aminoallenes 397 or 399 into mono- or bicyclic 3-pyrrolines 398 or 400 in the presence of AgN03 (Scheme 116). Unfortunately, a rather high catalyst loading was required. 

An electrophilic cyclization of allene 98 with phenylselenyl chloride led to the formation of selenophene 99 along with dihydroselenophene 100 (Equation 14) <2004PS(179)1681>. 

Cyclization of allenic alcohols. Silver nitrate (1-2 equiv.) promotes cyclization of the secondary allenic alcohols 1 to give mainly t7.v-2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyranes (2). Catalytic amounts of the salt can be used, but then the reaction is very slow. 

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