Cycloaddition Cycloisomerization

The chemical reactions possible with silver catalysis are multiple and cover cycloadditions, cycloisomerizations, allylations, aldol reactions, and even C-H bond activation. Also, asymmetric versions are known, even though they still need to be improved.3-10... 

Abstract This review gives an insight into the growing field of transition metal-catalyzed cascades. More particularly, we have focused on the construction of complex molecules from acyclic precursors. Several approaches have been devised. We have not covered palladium-mediated cyclizations, multiple Heck reactions, or ruthenium-catalyzed metathesis reactions because they are discussed in others chapters of this book. This manuscript is composed of two main parts. In the first part, we emphasize cascade sequences involving cycloaddition, cycloisomerization, or ene-type reactions. Most of these reaction sequences involve a transition metal-catalyzed step that is either followed by another reaction promoted by the same catalyst or by a purely thermal reaction. A simple change in the temperature of the reaction mixture is often the only technical requirement to go from one step to another. The second part covers the cascades relying on transition metalo carbenoid intermediates, which have recently undergone tremendous... 

The catalytic activation of alkynes and alkenes by (CsR5)Ru complexes has been extensively explored during the past decade and can lead to the creation of carbon-carbon bonds, often via the formation of a ruthenacycle intermediate after an oxidative coupling process. [2+2+2] Cycloadditions, cycloisomerizations, or dienes formation are examples of the versatility of theses complexes. The diversity and the selectivity (regio- and often stereoselectivity) of these reactions, which can proceed under mild conditions [134—136], show the interest of (CsR5)Ru catalysts for new synthetic methodologies and the future potential in organic synthesis. 

Another possibility is observed upon cyclization of hydrazides of pyrazole-carboxylic acids in the presence of CuCl in an inert atmosphere in DMF. When acetylenylcarboxylic acids are heated in the presence of CuCl in DMF, the orientation of the cycloaddition of the hydrazide group differs from that observed for cyclization in basic conditions. The cycloisomerization of hydrazides 78 in boiling DMF leads to the corresponding pyrazolopyridazines 79 in 60-71 % yields (Scheme 134 Table XXIX) (85IZV1367 85MI2). 

Next to cycloisomerizations, catalysts like 11 are also useful for [4 + 2] and even more interesting for [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions (Fig. 11), which are very... 

A so far unsolved problem is the development of asymmetric procedures for the above described Fe(0)-catalyzed cycloisomerizations and cycloadditions. The option to use the element of planar chirality might allow to successfully address this issue in future applications. 

Fiirstner A, Majima K, Martin R, Krause H, Kattnig E, Goddard R, Lehmann CW (2008) A cheap metal for a Noble task preparative and mechanistic aspects of cycloisomerization and cycloaddition reactions catalyzed by low-valent iron complexes. J Am Chem Soc 130 1992-2004... 

Similar to this cycloaddition, ferrate 40 also proved to be catalytically active in [5 + 2]-cycloadditions, as discussed for ferrate 38 (eq. 2 in Scheme 11). As for the cycloisomerization reactions, ferrate 40 also turned out to be reactive toward... 

Rather than the expected [3 + 2] cycloaddition, a novel ene-like cycloisomerization occurs on deprotonation of allyltrimethylsilyl-oxime compounds, when the j3-sp2 carbon atom of the allyltrimethylsilyl moiety is tethered to the oxime unit. The resulting nitrile oxide group serves as an enophile, and the final cyclized product still has two functional groups suitable for further manipulations. Thus, ene-like cycloisomerization of allyltrimethylsilyl-oxime 375 with NaOCl in CH2CI2 gives 82% of cyclized product 376 (423). See also Reference 424. 

It should also be mentioned that very recently, a new cycloisomerization of enynes has been shown to proceed via a rhodium-vinylidene complex,187 which, after [2 + 2]-cycloaddition and ring opening of a rhodacyclobutane, furnishes versatile cyclic dienes (Scheme 47).188 Not only does this constitute a fifth mechanistic pathway, but it also opens new opportunites for C-C bond constructions. 

Rh(III)-metallocydes derived from 1,6-enynes are postulated as reactive intermediates in catalytic [4+2] and [5+2] cycloadditions, Pauson-Khand reactions and cycloisomerizations P. Cao, B. Wang, X. Zhang, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 64901 and references cited therein. 

The proposed mechanism of the above cycloisomerizations are depicted in Scheme 11.30. The oxidative coupling of a metal to an enyne yields a bicyclic metaUacyclopentene, which is a common intermediate. The reductive elimination and subsequent retro-[2+2] cycloaddition gave vinylcyclopentene derivatives, while the two patterns of P-elimination and subsequent reductive eUmination gave cychc 1,3- and 1,4-dienes, respectively. The existence of a carbene complex intermediate might explain the isomerization of the olefinic moiety. 

Another focus of this chapter is the alkynol cycloisomerization mediated by Group 6 metal complexes. Experimental and theoretical studies showed that both exo- and endo- cycloisomerization are feasible. The cycloisomerization involves not only alkyne-to-vinylidene tautomerization but alo proton transfer steps. Therefore, the theoretical studies demonstrated that the solvent effect played a crucial role in determining the regioselectivity of cycloisomerization products. [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the metal vinylidene C=C bond in a ruthenium complex with the C=C bond of a vinyl group, together with the implication in metathesis reactions, was discussed. In addition, [2 + 2] cycloaddition of titanocene vinylidene with different unsaturated molecules was also briefly discussed. 

Under optimized conditions, cycloisomerizations of a number of functionalized hept-l-en-6-ynes took place in good-to-excellent yields (Table 9.3). Heteroatom substitution was tolerated both within the tether and on its periphery. Alkynyl silanes and selenides underwent rearrangement to provide cyclized products in moderate yield (entries 6 and 7). One example of seven-membered ring formation was reported (entry 5). Surprisingly, though, substitution was not tolerated on the alkene moiety of the reacting enyne. The authors surmize that steric congestion retards the desired [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction to the point that side reactions, such as alkyne dimerization, become dominant. 

Double cyclization of iodoenynes is proposed to occur through a Rh(I)-acetylide intermediate 106, which is in equilibrium with vinylidene lOS (Scheme 9.18). Organic base deprotonates the metal center in the course of nucleophilic displacement and removes HI from the reaction medium. Once alkenylidene complex 107 is generated, it undergoes [2 + 2]-cycloaddition and subsequent breakdown to release cycloisomerized product 110 in the same fashion as that discussed previously (Scheme 9.4). Deuterium labeling studies support this mechanism. 

As a part of a program directed toward the synthesis of the potent topisomerase I inhibitors, the lamellarins (e.g., 153 and 154), Porco has reported the silver triflate-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization-azomethine ylide cycloaddition of 155 (Scheme 2.42).75 The postulated mechanism of this intriguing and highly efficient process is shown in Scheme 2.43. Silver-catalyzed addition of the imine nitrogen to the alkyne results, on subsequent deprotonation, in the formation of an azomethine ylide 160. This ylide participates in [3+2] cycloaddition with the alkyne component leading to formation of a dehydropyrrole 161. Finally, oxidation by adventitious oxygen leads to formation of the product 162. 

Copper(I) catalysis is very well established to promote intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions of l,n-dienes (review [351]). The methodology recently enjoyed a number of applications [352-354], It is assumed that CuOTf, which is commonly applied as the catalyst, coordinates the diene and in this way mediates a preorganization. The Ghosh group recently reported a number of CuOTf-catalyzed photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reactions, in which an organocopper radical complex was proposed as a cyclization intermediate (which should, however, have a formal Cu(II) oxidation state) (selected references [355-357]). A radical complex must, however, not be invoked, since the process may either proceed by a [2+2] photocycloaddition in the coordination sphere of copper without changing the oxidation state or according to a cycloisomerization/reductive elimination process. 

The photocycloaddition of (cyclic) a,(B-unsaturated ketones to alkenes affording cyclobutanes as products comprises the four reaction types shown in Sch. 1, i.e., (a) intermolecular enone + alkene cycloaddition (b) cycloisomerization of alkenylsubstituted enones (c) photocyclodimerization of enones, one ground state enone molecule acting as alkene and (d) cycloisomerization of fe-enones. 

The first such reaction published in 1908 by Ciamician and Silber was the light induced carvone —> carvonecamphor isomerization, corresponding to type b [1]. Between 1930 and 1960 some examples of photodimerizations (type c) of steroidal cyclohexenones and 3-alkylcyclohexenones were reported [2-5]. In 1964, Eaton and Cole accomplished the synthesis of cubane, wherein the key step is again a type b) photocycloisomerization [6]. The first examples of type a) reactions were the cyclopent-2-enone + cyclopentene photocycloaddition (Eaton, 1962) and then the photoaddition of cyclohex-2-enone to a variety of alkenes (Corey, 1964) [7,8]. Very soon thereafter the first reviews on photocycloaddition of a,(3-unsaturated ketones to alkenes appeared [9,10]. Finally, one early example of a type d) isomerization was communicated in 1981 [11]. This chapter will focus mainly on intermolecular enone + alkene cycloadditions, i.e., type a), reactions and also comprise some recent developments in the intramolecular, i.e., type b) cycloisomerizations. 

Ruthenium catalysis has been extensively explored during the past decade [114]. Newly developed carbon-carbon bond forming cyclizations such as [2+2+2] cycloaddition, RCMs, and cycloisomerizations have dramatically expanded the scope of heterocycle synthesis. Relatively unexplored catalytic carbon-heteroatom bond formations have also made significant contributions to this area. Further progress in ruthenium catalysis will not only improve the conventional synthetic methodologies, but will also open the way to an unprecedented class of heterocyclic compounds, which might have a significant potential as pharmaceuticals or functional materials. 

Silver salts or reagents have received much attention in preparative organic chemistry because they are useful catalysts for various transformations involving C-G and C-heteroatom bond formation.309 Especially, the silver(i)/ BINAP (2,2 -bis(diphenylphosphino)-l,T-binaphthalene) system is a very effective catalyst for a variety of enantio-selective reactions, including aldol, nitroso aldol, allylation, Mannich, and ene reactions. Moreover, silver salts are known to efficiently catalyze cycloisomerization and cycloaddition reactions of various unsaturated substrates. Recently, new directions in silver catalysis were opened by the development of unique silver complexes that catalyze aza-Diels-Alder reactions, as well as carbene insertions into C-H bonds. 

Keywords Cascade Skeletal rearrangement Cycloisomerization Cycloaddition Carbenoid... 

An intramolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynenitriles <07OL1295> diyne esters <07T12853> and alkynevinyl oximes <07TL6852> also afforded pyridine versions of dihydrobenzo[c]furans. Trost prepared these pyridine derivatives employing a similar ruthenium-catalyzed cycloisomerization-6 cyclization route as depicted in the following scheme <07OL1473>. 

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