Dienophiles masked functionality

The synthetic utility of the D-A reaction can be expanded by the use of dienophiles that contain masked functionality and are the synthetic equivalents of unreactive or inaccessible compounds. (See Section 13.1.2 for a more complete discussion of the concept of synthetic equivalents.) For example, a-chloroacrylonitrile shows satisfactory reactivity as a dienophile. The a-chloronitrile functionality in the adduct can be hydrolyzed to a carbonyl group. Thus, a-chloroacrylonitrile can function as the equivalent of ketene, CH2=C=0,63 which is not a suitable dienophile because it has a tendency to react with dienes by [2 + 2] cycloaddition, rather than the desired [4 + 2] fashion. 

The use of 2-vinyldioxolane, the ethylene glycol acetal of acrolein, as a dienophile illustrates application of the masked functionality concept in a different way. The acetal itself would not be expected to be a reactive dienophile, but in the presence of a catalytic amount of acid the acetal is in equilibrium with the electrophilic oxonium ion. 

Many other examples of synthetic equivalent groups have been developed. For example, in Chapter 6 we discussed the use of diene and dienophiles with masked functionality in the Diels-Alder reaction. It should be recognized that there is no absolute difference between what is termed a reagent and a synthetic equivalent group. For example, we think of potassium cyanide as a reagent, but the cyanide ion is a nucleophilic equivalent of a carboxy group. This reactivity is evident in the classical preparation of carboxylic acids from alkyl halides via nitrile intermediates. 

The synthetic utility of the Diels-Alder reaction can be significantly expanded by the use of dienophiles that contain masked functionality and are the synthetic equivalent of unreactive or inaccessible species. For example, a-chloroacrylonitrile... 

Many other examples of synthetip equivalent groups have been developed. For example, in Chapter 6 the use of dienes and dienophiles with masked functionality... 

The oxazoles and their derivatives have played a variety of fascinating roles in the preparation of new molecular systems. Much of this chemistry stems from their ability to serve as diene components (azabutadiene equivalents) in reactions with a variety of dienophilic agents, to undergo nuclear metallation, to activate attached aryl or alkyl groups to deprotonation (thus functioning as masked aldehydes, ketones or carboxylic acid groups), and to serve as useful electrophiles on conversion to AT-alkylated salts. 

Use as an Electrophile. The chlorosilane function is highly electrophilic and can react with a variety of nucleophiles, for instance with an aryllithium carbanion, to provide silyl derivatives. The (bromomethyl)chlorodimethylsilane can also be utilized as a bis-electrophilic reagent, thanks to the bromomethylene function. Initial substitution of chlorine by an aryllithium or an aryl Grignard followed by the displacement of bromine by a phenoxide anion provided valuable linkages for solid phase s)m-thesis. Based on the same idea, Martin proposed a new synthesis of unsymmetrical C-aryl glycosides. Orthometallation of a furyl moiety followed by silylation sets a diene on a silicon tether. The masked dienophile (a benzyne) is then introduced by 0-alkylation. The cycloadduct was then converted to various naphthol derivatives (eq 25). 

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