Directed Simmons-Smith

Carl R. Johnson, Michael R. Barbachyn fi-Hydroxysulfoximine-Directed Simmons-Smith Cyclopropanations. Synthesis of (-)- and (+)-Thujopsene, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 104,4290-4291 (1982)... 

A combination of resolution and diastereofacial cyclopropanation has been used to prepare a variety of cyclopropyl ketones with high optical purity77. Optically active lithiated (S)-N,S-dimethyl-S-phenylsulfoximine (17) is added to prostereogenic enones such as 16, and the resulting diastereomeric allylic alcohols 18 are separated by column chromatography. Hydroxyl-directed Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation (see Section 1.6.1.5.1.2.) provides intermediates which are thermally decomposed to release the optically pure cyclopropyl ketones 20 and the sulfoximine 19. 

Consider the C2-symmetrical precursor 28, in which both acetoxy groups are homotopic (identical). Desymmetrization by hydrolysis of just one acetyl residue could be readily achieved late in a projected synthesis. This would enable a hydroxyl-directed Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation. Mitsunobu esterihcation (with inversion of configuration) would then set the stage for a concluding alkyne metathesis [39] (Scheme 3.24). This approach does not yet address the formation of the stereogenic center in the middle of the target structure, be it by oxidation to a ketone and stereoselective reduction. 

The landmark report by Winstein et al. (Scheme 3.6) on the powerful accelerating and directing effect of a proximal hydroxyl group would become one of the most critical in the development of the Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation reactions [11]. A clear syw directing effect is observed, implying coordination of the reagent to the alcohol before methylene transfer. This characteristic served as the basis of subsequent developments for stereocontrolled reactions with many classes of chiral allylic cycloalkenols and indirectly for chiral auxiliaries and catalysts. A full understanding of this phenomenon would not only be informative, but it would have practical applications in the rationalization of asymmetric catalytic reactions. 

The discovery of viable substrate-direction represents a major turning point in the development of the Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation. This important phenomenon underlies all of the asymmetric variants developed for the cyclopropanation. However, more information regarding the consequences of this coordinative interaction would be required before the appearance of a catalytic, asymmetric method. The first steps in this direction are found in studies of chiral auxiliary-based methods. 

Upon removal of the auxiliary, an enantioenriched product could be obtained. The application of chiral auxiliary-based methods to Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation not only provided a useful synthetic strategy, but it also served to substantiate earlier mechanistic hypotheses regarding the directing influence of oxygen-containing functional groups on the zinc reagent [6dj. 

These optimization studies are an important step in the study of Simmons-Smith cyciopropanations since they allowed for the development of a selective, catalytic method for introduction of a simple methylene unit. However, they also provide insights into the basic mechanism of this process. Together with earlier studies regarding carbenoid structure, the true nature of the reactive carbenoid, lCH2Znl, was confirmed. On the basis of these results, a revised transition structure was proposed. Although there is no direct evidence for such a transition... 

Owing to the widespread use of ultrasonic cleaning baths, it is not surprising that many early sonochemical experiments were directed at reactions where dirty metal surfaces were thought to be the cause of inefficiencies. Reactions typified by Grignard and Simmons Smith reactions (Scheme 7.11) are often not predictable, sometimes having long induction periods followed by violent exotherms. Frequently, small... 

The direct reaction of zinc metal with organic iodides dates back to the work of Frankland(67). Several modifications have been suggested since that time to increase the reactivity of the metal. The majority of these modifications have employed zinc-copper couples(68-72), sodium-zinc alloys(73), or zinc-silver couples(77). Some recent work has indicated that certain zinc-copper couples will react with alkyl bromides to give modest yields of dialkylzinc compounds(74,73). However, all attempts to react zinc with aryl iodides or bromides have met with failure. The primary use of zinc couples has been in the Simmons-Smith reaction. This reaction has been primarily used with diiodomethane as 1,1-dibromides or longer chain diiodides have proven to be too unneactive even with the most reactive zinc couples. 

With the aid of density functional theory, the ZnCl2 acceleration of the Simmons-Smith reaction of ethylene and allyl alcohol has been investigated. A pathway involving direct Lewis acid acceleration of the leaving halogen atom (327) was found to be a more facile process than the more popular pathway involving 1,2-chlorine migration (328). 

Methylene can be transferred directly from the reagent mixture, CHjIj + Zn-Cu alloy, to the alkene without being generated as an intermediate (Simmons-Smith reaction). 

Enol esters have been used under Simmons-Smith conditions, and the prodncts are valuable precursors for cyclopropanols. Alternatively, the Uthinm enolate which can be obtained from the corresponding enol ester can be converted into the cyclopropanol derivative (equation 22). The direct cyclopropanation of zinc or lithinm enolates nsing... 

The intermediates in the Simmons-Smith reaction show much more controlled reactivity than, for example, diazoalkanes. Competing side reactions are greatly reduced, and insertion reactions are generally not seen. For example, the free hydroxy group is tolerated as indicated by the above discussion of directing effects. The reaction is also compatible with many other functional groups. 

Allylcopper/zinc reagents can be prepared directly by reaction of vinyl copper reagents with (iodomethyl)zinc iodide, the Simmons-Smith reagent. These allylcopper/zinc reagents do not couple with an alkyl iodide or benzyl bromide, but react readily with electrophiles such as aldehydes, ketones, or imines.3 This approach to organodimetallic reagents is apparently limited (see Iodomethylzinc iodide, this volume). 

Numerous methods or procedures have been reported for the activation of zinc5 and the cyclopropanation of the steroid derivatives 1 and of 2-cyclo-hexen-l-one serve as examples to illustrate two commonly used methods to activate the zinc dust (Equations 13.1 and 13.2, Protocols 1 and 2).67 The first reaction is a nice example of the directing ability and acceleration effect of an alcohol or of the zinc alkoxides under the Simmons-Smith conditions. 

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