Double Michael addition with extended acceptors

In some instances, particularly when a dependence of the stereochemistry on the double-bond geometry of either the acceptor or donor is observed, it appears likely that the stereochemistry-determining step is the initial conjugate addition. The stereochemical consequences of Lewis-acid-mediated additions of silyl enol ethers (116) and allylsilanes (117,118) have frequently been rationalized by open-extended transition states. Similar pathways seem likely with the Mukaiyama-Michael addition (vide infra) (77,79). 

Van Leusen and co-workers also demonstrated the utility of dilithio-tosylmethyl isocyanide (dilithio-TosMIC) to extend the scope of the application. Dilithio-TosMIC is readily formed from TosMIC and two equivalents of n-butyllithium (BuLi) in THF at -70"C. Dilithio-TosMIC converts ethyl benzoate to oxazole 14 in 70% yield whereas TosMIC monoanion does not react. In addition, unsaturated, conjugated esters (15) react with dilithio-TosMIC exclusively through the ester carbonyl to provide oxazoles (16). On the other hand, use of the softer TosMIC-monoanion provides pyrroles through reaction of the carbon-carbon double bond in the Michael acceptor. 

Similar models explain the 1,8-, 1,10- and 1,12-addition reactions to the extended Michael acceptors 91, 93 and 95, respectively (Schemes 2.32 and 2.33). Again, these transformations start with the formation of a cuprate Jt-complex at the double bond neighbouring the acceptor group [61a]. Subsequently, an equilibrating mixture of a-copper(III) intermediates is presumably formed and the regioselectivity of the reaction may then be governed by the different relative rates of the reductive elimination step of these intermediates. Consequently, the exclusive formation of allenic prod-... 

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