Cyclopropanation using iodonium ylides

Carbenoid sources other than those derived from diazo precursors for catalytic cyclopropanation reactions are currently limited. Inter- and intramolecular catalytic cyclopropanation using iodonium ylide have been reported. Simple olefins react with iodonium ylides of the type shown in equations 83 and 84, catalysed by copper catalysts, to give cyclopropane adducts in moderate yield127 128. In contrast to the intermolecular cyclopropanation, intramolecular cyclopropanation using iodonium ylides affords high yields of products (equations 85 and 86). The key intermediate 88 for the 3,5-cyclovitamin D ring A synthon 89 was prepared in 80% yield as a diastereomeric mixture (70 30) via intramolecular cyclopropanation from iodonium ylide 87 (equation 87)1 0. 

Table 2. Copper Salt Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclopropanation Using Iodonium Ylides Derived from 3-Oxohept-6-enoic Esters or / -Oxobut-3-enyl Sulfones...

Intramolecular Cyclopropanation Using Iodonium Ylides Typical Procedure 50... 

The catalytical decomposition of iodonium ylides is especially useful as a method of cyclization via intramolecular cycloaddition or bond insertion [146 -148]. Several representative examples of these cyclizations are shown in Scheme 73. Specifically, the intramolecular cyclopropanation of ylide 203 leading to product 204 was used in the synthesis of the 3,5-cyclovitamin D ring A synthon [146]. The copper(I) catalyzed decomposition of phenyliodonium ylides 205 affords the corresponding substituted tetralones 206 in good preparative yields [147]. Under similar conditions,iodonium ylides 207 undergo regio-and stereoselective intramolecular cyclopropanation to form the key bicy-clo[3.1.0]hexane intermediates 208 for prostaglandin synthesis [148]. 

Obtained from active methylene compounds, such as malonic esters, -0x0 esters and jS-oxo sulfones, iodonium ylides serve as precursors of the corresponding carbenes. Their decomposition by a catalytic amount of a copper salt in the presence of a C-C double bond has been used for inter- and intramolecular cyclopropanation reactions. Thus, reaction of cyclohexene with bis(methoxycarbonyl)methylene(phenyl)iodine(III) under the catalytic action of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) yielded dimethyl bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-7,7-dicarboxylate (1) (38%, mp 91-93°C) in addition to tetrakis(methoxycarbonyl)ethene (41%). ... 

The most versatile carbene precursors are a-diazocarbonyl compounds such as diazoacetic acid esters because they are readily prepared, easy to handle and much more stable than ordinary diazoalkanes [10,38]. Nevertheless, one should always be aware of the potential hazards of diazo compounds in general [39],but if the necessary precautions are taken, they can be safely handled even on an industrial scale [18]. The most frequently used reagent is commercially available ethyl diazoacetate. Besides a-diazocarbonyl reagents, diazomethane [40,41 ] and a y-diazoacrylate derivative [42] have been used in enantioselective Cu-cata-lyzed cyclopropanations but the scope of these reactions has not been studied systematically. It has been shown in certain cases that diazo compounds can be replaced by other carbene precursors such as iodonium ylides, sulfonium yUdes, or lithiated sulfones [8,43],but successful applications of these reagents in enantioselective Cu-catalyzed reactions have not been reported yet. 

A particularly useful reagent in these carbenoid reactions is the highly soluble and reactive iodonium ylide 780 derived from malonate methyl ester and bearing an ortfw methoxy substituent on the phenyl ring [1059]. This reagent shows higher reactivity than common phenyliodonium ylides in the Rh-catalyzed cyclopropanation, C-H insertion and transylidation reactions under homogeneous conditions. Scheme 3.307 shows representative examples of the carbenoid reactions of ylide 780 [1059]. 

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