Dendralene synthesis transformations

In the 1970s and 1980s, it was discovered that electron-deficient alkenes, such as tetracyanoethylene (TCNE, 55) reacted with metallated alkynes 54 to furnish a metallated hexasubstituted 1,3-diene unit 56, an overall transformation akin to enyne metathesis (Scheme 1.8) [37, 39]. In a recent (2012) addition to this work, the Bruce group reported the synthesis of a ruthenated [3]dendralene 58 via insertion of phenylacetylene (57) into 56 (Scheme 1.8) [38]. The metallated dendralene synthesis is low yielding and, as yet, an isolated example, but presents an interesting avenue for future investigations. 

The double alkenylation approach (Scheme 1.1) has only been exploited relatively recently, most probably because of the rise to prominence of cross-coupling methodologies in recent times. The first double cross-couplings between 1,1-dihaloalkenes and metalloalkenes were isolated examples appearing in 1998 [9] and 2000 [10]. In 2002, Oh and Lim [11] reported a series of double Suzuki-Miyaura reactions between a 1,1-dibromoalkene 6 and alkenyl boronic acids 7 (Scheme 1.2). In 2007 and 2008, the Sherburn research group reported syntheses of substituted [3] dendralenes [12] and the state-of-the-art synthesis of [5]dendralene [13] respectively, transforming a 1,1-dihaloalkene via double... 

Aside from the synthesis of dendralenes from nondendralenic materials, there also exist a variety of transformations that can be applied to a preexisting dendralene framework to add further functionality. Most of these examples form part of exploratory studies to test the reactivity of dendralenes nevertheless, they show potential for the synthesis of a variety of functionalized dendralenes. Broadly, these can be divided into transformations that reduce the length of the [ ]dendralene framework (e.g., n- n—1), ones that functionalize and preserve an existing [n] dendralene framework (i.e., n n), or ones that add extra branched alkenes to form a higher [njdendralene (e.g., n- n+1). 

Halodendralenes are valuable substrates for dendralene to dendralene transformations that preserve or extend the dendralene framework. They are intermediates in the synthesis of [7]- and [8]dendralene (Scheme 1.26) [23], as are their nucleophilic relatives, pinacolatoboryldendralenes, in the synthesis of substituted [4]-, [5]-, and [6] dendraienes [25, 27]. (Pseudo)halodendralenes have also been used in Stille [209] and Sonagashira cross-couplings [178, 210]. Dendralene dimers can be obtained via homocoupling of halodendralenes [211]. Dendralene frameworks can also be extended by uncatalyzed metathesis reactions on alkyne-containing dendraienes, and olefination reactions on carbonyl-containing ones [1, 211-214], each of which has been discussed. 

Electrocyclization reactions are powerful synthetic tools to prepare compounds of great molecular diversity. These reactions allow for the formation of many substituted cyclic and polycychc compounds important in medicine, materials science, cosmetics, and so on. The well-established mechanisms and predictable outcomes of electrocyclization reactions permit the elaboration of logical blueprints for the synthesis of important molecules. Among these, the Nazarov cyclization is a salient member of the family. Reported first in 1941 by Ivan Nikolaevich Nazarov [1], this reaction has been studied extensively and many variations and applications have been developed over the years. In this chapter, we will present selected examples highlighting the versatility and synthetic power of this transformation [2]. In its simplest form, the Nazarov employs a divinyl ketone as the starting material, a cross-conjugated compound which can be regarded as a 3 -oxa-[3]dendralene. 

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