Cycloisomerization mechanism

Another rhodium vinylidene-mediated reaction for the preparation of substituted naphthalenes was discovered by Dankwardt in the course of studies on 6-endo-dig cyclizations ofenynes [6]. The majority ofhis substrates (not shown), including those bearing internal alkynes, reacted via a typical cationic cycloisomerization mechanism in the presence of alkynophilic metal complexes. In the case of silylalkynes, however, the use of [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 as a catalyst unexpectedly led to the formation of predominantly 4-silyl-l-silyloxy naphthalenes (12, Scheme 9.3). Clearly, a distinct mechanism is operative. The author s proposed catalytic cycle involves the formation of Rh(I) vinylidene intermediate 14 via 1,2-silyl-migration. A nucleophilic addition reaction is thought to occur between the enol-ether and the electrophilic vinylidene a-position of 14. Subsequent H-migration would be expected to provide the observed product. Formally a 67t-electrocyclization process, this type of reaction is promoted by W(0)-and Ru(II)-catalysts (Chapters 5 and 6). 

Double cyclization was observed with siloxy enynes when a new cycloisomerization mechanism was used that involved a cascade of 1,2- alkyl shifts [154]. 

With regard to the mechanism of the cycloisomerization, Fiirstner et al. found strong evidence of a metallacyclic intermediate. By labeling the allylic position of enynes 46 and 48, they showed that reactions yielding traws-annulated rings 47 transferred the deuterium atom to the exocychc double bond (eq. 1 in Scheme 10), whereas c -annulated rings 49 formed with complete preservation of the position of the deuterium atom (eq. 2 in Scheme 10). This corresponds well to a metallacycUc... 

Buchwald and co-workers56 found that ( )-olefins cycloisomerized upon exposure to [Cp2Ti(GO)2] giving exclusively the 1,4-diene Alder-ene products (Equation (46)). In contrast to the palladium conditions developed by Trost (see Section 10.12.4.1), the 1,4-diene is formed exclusively, even from substrates containing a tertiary carbon at the allylic position 75. It was noted, however, that heating the reaction mixture for an extended period of time in some instances led to olefin isomerization, forming 1,3-dienes. The mechanism of this titanium-catalyzed... 

The [4+ 4]-homolog of the [4 + 2]-Alder-ene reaction (Equation (48)) is thermally forbidden. However, in the presence of iron(m) 2,4-pentanedioate (Fe(acac)3) and 2,2 -bipyridine (bipy) ligand, Takacs57 found that triene 77 cyclizes to form cyclopentane 78 (Equation (49)), constituting an unprecedented formal [4 + 4]-ene cycloisomerization. The proposed mechanism for this transformation involves oxidative cyclization followed by /3-hydride elimination and reductive elimination to yield the cyclized product (Scheme 18). 

Malacria and co-workers76 were the first to report the transition metal-catalyzed intramolecular cycloisomerization of allenynes in 1996. The cobalt-mediated process was presumed to proceed via a 7r-allyl intermediate (111, Scheme 22) following C-H activation. Alkyne insertion and reductive elimination give cross-conjugated triene 112 cobalt-catalyzed olefin isomerization of the Alder-ene product is presumed to be the mechanism by which 113 is formed. While exploring the cobalt(i)-catalyzed synthesis of steroidal skeletons, Malacria and co-workers77 observed the formation of Alder-ene product 115 from cis-114 (Equation (74)) in contrast, trans-114 underwent [2 + 2 + 2]-cyclization under identical conditions to form 116 (Equation (75)). 

Using a protocol for tandem carbonylation and cycloisomerization, Mandai et al.83 were able to synthesize cyclopentene and cyclohexene derivatives in high yield, including fused and 5/>/>0-bicycles (Scheme 25). The cyclohexene Alder-ene products were not isolable methanol addition across the exocyclic double bond (in MeOH/ toluene solvent) and olefin migration (in BuOH/toluene solvent) were observed. The mechanism of methanol addition under the mild reaction conditions is unknown. In contrast to many of the other Pd conditions developed for the Alder-ene reaction, Mandai found phosphine ligands essential additionally, bidentate ligands were more effective than triphenylphosphine. 

The acquisition of cycloisomerization products without deuterium incorporation is inconsistent with a hydrometallative mechanism. Furthermore, the ab-... 

This system was described in one report and has been synthesized by a copper-assisted cycloisomerization of alkynyl imines. The authors proposed the following mechanism at first, 372 could undergo a base-induced propargyl-allenyl isomerization to form 373 next, coordination of copper to the terminal double bond of the allene (intermediate 374) would make it subjected to intramolecular nucleophilic attack to produce a zwitterion 375. The latter would isomerize into the more stable zwitterionic intermediate 376, which would be transformed to the thiazole 377 (Scheme 55) <2001JA2074>. 

Marshall et al. noted that under the catalysis of Ag+ or Rh+, 1,2-allenyl ketone or aldehyde 417 may undergo cycloisomerization to afford furans 418. The reaction proceeded via the interaction of Ag+ or Rh+ with the relatively electron-rich C=C bond in the allene moiety followed by nucleophilic attack of the carbonyl oxygen [187]. Through a labeling study, it was found that the reaction proceeds by the mechanism shown in Scheme 10.162 [188]. 

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. 

Cycloisomerization of 1,6-diene 25 is effected by a number of transition metal catalysts. For example, both rhodium trichloride [22, 23] and Wilkinson s catalyst [24, 25] promote this reaction efficiently to give methylenecyclopentane 26 (Scheme 7.12). In the latter case, the active catalyst species is beheved to be [Rh(PPh3)2HCl2]. A mechanism proposed for this cycloisomerization is shown in Scheme 7.13. Coordination of a diene to [Rh(PPh3)2HCl2] and insertion of one of the olefin moieties of the diene into the [Rh]-H bond gives complex II.3a. Carbocychzation affords alkyl-[Rh] intermediate II.3i,. Subsequent reductive ehmination of the methylenecyclopentane regenerates the active catalyst species. 

In 2002, Musaev and coworkers performed the first theoretical investigation of the mechanism with the aid of density functional theory calculations [26]. They first studied the mechanism of cycloisomerization in the absence of a tungsten catalyst, as shown in Scheme 4.14. The D FT calculations showed that the exo-cycloisomerization of 4-pentyn-l-ol via a concerted transition state leading to a five-membered-ring exo product had a high barrier (52.0 kcalmol ) (path a of Scheme 4.14). The pathways leading to a six-membered-ring endo product have also been calculated (paths b and c... 

In 2005, Barluenga and coworkers investigated theoretically the role of amine in the [W(CO)5]-catalyzed endo- or exo-cylcoisomerization reactions [122]. The barriers calculated for the rate determining steps of both the endo- and exo-mechanisms are comparable (the difference is only 1.3 kcal mol ), demonstrating that small changes in the reaction conditions or the structures of the starting alkynols may affect the distribution of the endo- and exo-cycloisomerization products. 

Scheme 9.5 Proposed mechanism of Rh (I)-catalyzed N-propargyl enamine cycloisomerization.

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. 

In2000, Hashmi and coworkers reported that certain alkynyl furans (151) undergo rapid cycloisomerization to give bicyclic phenols (152) in the presence of AUCI3 at room temperature (Equation 9.16) [51]. A number of late-transition metal catalysts promote this transformation [52]. Echavarren and coworkers have studied the Pt-catalyzed variant [53], which is believed to proceed via a mechanism involving Pt-cydopropylcarbene intermediates [54]. 

There are some experimental [55] and computational [56] hints to the effect that vinylidene intermediates may be involved in the Au(III) system. At this time, it is unclear vhether all of the metals that catalyze furan/alkyne cycloisomerization operate by the same mechanism. 

On the other hand, Takacs and coworkers added organometallic reducing agents to the reaction mixture and promoted the formation of low-valent iron(O) bipyridine complexes. The mechanism of the low-valent iron-catalyzed Alder-ene reaction involves coordination of the two starting materials within the ligand sphere of the iron, which makes the Woodward-Hoffmann rules for such reactions obsolete [11]. Thereby, the scope of the reactions was broadened so that alkenes and 1,3-dienes could also be used as educts in a formal [4 + 4]-cycloisomerization (Scheme 9.3) [12]. Intriguingly, the diastereoselectivity of the cydopentane products can be influenced by either the application of the 2Z-isomer 3 or the 2 E-isomer 4. Especially the E-isomers 4 gave almost exclusive cis selectivity [13]. 

Mild Ni(0)-catalysed rearrangements of l-acyl-2-vinylcyclopropanes to substituted dihydrofurans have been developed.86 The room temperature isomerizations afford dihydrofuran products in high yield. A highly substituted, stereochemically defined cyclopropane has been employed in the rearrangement to evaluate the reaction mechanism. The Cu(II)-catalysed cycloisomerization of tertiary 5-en-l-yn-3-ols with a 1,2-alkyl shift affords stereoselectively tri- and tetra-cyclic compounds of high molecular complexity (Scheme 29).87 A proposed mechanism has been outlined in which... 

Murai et al. showed that the cycloisomerization of enynes catalyzed by PtCl2 has several feasible pathways (1) to 1,3-dienes via a formal metathesis, (2) to a 1,4-diene if the enyne substrates contains an allylsilane or stannane, (3) to a homo-allylic ether if it the reaction is performed in an alcoholic medium, or (4) to bicycle[4.1.0]heptene derivatives (Scheme 4) [26]. Further studies conducted by other groups have indicated the cyclization might proceed via a cationic mechanism triggered by coordination of Pt(II) with the alkyne moiety [27, 28]. Very recently, Oi and coworkers also observed a formal metathesis reaction mediated by a cationic Pt complex [29]. 

A ruthenium based catalytic system was developed by Trost and coworkers and used for the intermolecular Alder-ene reaction of unactivated alkynes and alkenes [30]. In initial attempts to develop an intramolecular version it was found that CpRu(COD)Cl catalyzed 1,6-enyne cycloisomerizations only if the olefins were monosubstituted. They recently discovered that if the cationic ruthenium catalyst CpRu(CH3CN)3+PF6 is used the reaction can tolerate 1,2-di- or tri-substituted alkenes and enables the cycloisomerization of 1,6- and 1,7-enynes [31]. The formation of metallacyclopentene and a /3-hydride elimination mechanism was proposed and the cycloisomerization product was formed in favor of the 1,4-diene. A... 

Considering the mechanistic rationales of the transition metal-catalyzed enyne cycloisomerization, different catalytic pathways have been proposed, depending on the reaction conditions and the choice of metal catalyst [3-5, 45], Complexation of the transition metal to alkene or alkyne moieties can activate one or both of them. Depending on the manner of formation of the intermediates, three major mechanisms have been proposed. The simultaneous coordination of both unsaturated bonds to the transition metal led to the formation of metallacydes, which is the most common pathway in transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions. Hydrometalation of the alkyne led to the corresponding vinylmetal species, which reacts in turn with olefins via carbometalation. The last possible pathway involves the formation of a Jt-allyl complex which could further react with the alkyne moiety. The Jt-allyl complex could be formed either with a functional group at the allylic position or via direct C-H activation. Here the three major pathways will be discussed in a generalized form to illustrate the mechanisms (Scheme 8). 

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. 

Scheme 15 Mechanisms of the palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of acyclic 1, -enynes ( = 6,7) [66-68]...

The mechanism of these transformations seems to be substrate-dependent and only the cycloisomerization of aryl and primary iodides was thought to proceed as shown in Scheme 31. The stereoselectivity of the isomerization of 110 to 111 is better accommodated with the intermediacy of l-methyl-5-hexenyl radical59. Later, it was proposed that the isomerization of 6 to 109 also proceeds via a radical-mediated atom transfer process initiated by homolytic fragmentation of an ate-complex intermediate 112 (Scheme 32)60. 

Pd-catalyzed cycloisomerization of (Z)-2-en-4-yne-l-thiols 111 gives substituted thiophenes 112. The mechanism involves electrophilic activation of the alkyne moiety by Pd(ll) followed by intramolecular cyclization, protonolysis, and aromatization (Scheme 25) <20000L351>. S-Endo cyclization of alkynyl thiols 113 using a Mo, W, or Cr catalyst affords dihydrothiophene 114 <2000S970>. 

A number of cycloisomerization reactions of enynes to construct five-membered car-bocycles with a variety of transition metal catalysts have been reported thus far [24]. The mechanisms that have been proposed for the cycloisomerization of enynes include 1) hydrometallation of alkyne followed by carbometallation of the olefin ... 

A mechanism which involved the allylic carbon-hydrogen bond activation of the alkene moiety was proposed for the cycloisomerization of 1,6-diyne to alkylidenecy-cloheptene on the basis of stereochemical consideration and deuterium labeling experiment (Scheme 12.7). 

The alcoholic solvent was essential for this catalytic cycloisomerization [27]. On the basis of studies using the known ruthenium hydrides and deuterium-labeling substrates, a mechanism involving an intermediary ruthenacyclopentane was proposed (Eq. 12.25). 

Trost and co-workers have made great strides in developing the palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynes into a powerful ring-forming method [39]. In most cases, the intimate details of these reactions are unknown. They are considered here, since a Heck cyclization is a potential step of one possible mechanistic sequence [40]. Two plausible mechanisms for palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynes are depicted in Scheme 6-17. In the Heck pathway (101 102 103104), hydropalladation of the alkyne is... 

In the case of the cyclic substrate 51, the intervention of a C-H insertion pathway reveals itself in terms of the diastereoselectivity, not regioselectivity. Thus, exposure of enyne 51 to the standard Ru catalyst at ambient temperature produced the transfused bicyclo[5.4.0]undecene 52 (Equation 1.60, path a) [55]. If a metallacycle mechanism was operative, coordination of the metal with both the alkene and alkyne must occur to form the cis-fused product. On the other hand, coordination of the Ru with the Lewis basic bridgehead substituent directs it to abstract an allylic C-H on the same face as the substituent, which then leads to the trans-fused product as observed. On the other hand, cycloisomerization using a Pd(0) precatalyst does indeed lead to the Z-fused bicycle (Equation 1.60, path b). 

Shortly after the discovery of enyne metathesis, Trost began developing cycloisomerization reactions of enynes using Pd(ll) and Pt(ll) metallacyclic catalysts (429-433), which are mechanistically divergent from the metal-carbene reactions. The first of these metal catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of 1,6-enynes appeared in 1985 (434). The reaction mechanism is proposed to involve initial enyne n complexation of the metal catalyst, which in this case is a cyclometalated Pd(II) cyclopentadiene, followed by oxidative cyclometala-tion of the enyne to form a tetradentate, putative Pd(IV) intermediate [Scheme 42(a)]. Subsequent reductive elimination of the cyclometalated catalyst releases a cyclobutene that rings opens to the 1,3-diene product. Although this scheme represents the fundamental mechanism for enyne metathesis and is useful in the synthesis of complex 1,3-cyclic dienes [Scheme 42(fe)], variations in the reaction pathway due to selective n complexation or alternative cyclobutene reactivity (e.g., isomerization, p-hydride elimination, path 2, Scheme 40) leads to variability in the reaction products. Strong evidence for intermediacy of cyclobutene species derives from the stereospecificity of the reaction. Alkene... 

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