Enol acetates unsaturated, oxidative cyclization

An alternative new synthetic approach to chrysene 1,2-dihydro-diol based on Method IV has recently been developed (60). This method (Figure 12) entails synthesis of 2-chrysenol via alkylation of 1-1ithio-2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene with 2-(1-naphthyl) e-thyl bromide followed by mild acid treatment to ge nerate the diketone 12. Acid-catalyzed cyclization of 12 gave the unsaturated tetracyclic ketone 13 which was transformed to 2-chrysenol via dehydrogenation of its enol acetate with o-chloranil followed by hydrolysis. Oxidation of 2-chrysenol with Fremy s salt gave chrysene... 

Different nucleophiles such as methanol, allylsilanes, silyl enol ethers, trimethylsilyl-cyanide, and arenes can be used in this process [62]. When the sulfide itself contains an unsaturated or aromatic fragment and the process is carried out in the absence of a nucleophile, an intramolecular anodic sub-stitution/cyclization might occur [61-63]. Methyl esters of 2-benzothiazolyl-2-alkyl or aryl-acetic acid, oxidized in MeOH/Et4 NCIO4 or H2SO4 in the presence of CUCI2, form 2,2-dimethoxy products (Eq. 7) [64]. 

More complex products are obtained from cyclizations in which the oxidizable functionality and the alkene are present in the same molecule. y9-Keto esters have been used extensively for Mn(III)-based oxidative cyclizations and react with Mn(OAc)3 at room temperature or slightly above [4, 10, 11, 15], They may be cyclic or acyclic and may be a-unsubstituted or may contain an a-alkyl or chloro substituent. Cycloalkanones are formed if the unsaturated chain is attached to the ketone. y-Lactones are formed from allylic acetoacetates [10, 11]. Less acidic /3-keto amides have recently been used for the formation of lactams or cycloalkanones [37]. Malonic esters have also been widely used and form radicals at 60-80 °C. Cycloalkanes are formed if an unsaturated chain is attached to the a-position. y-Lactones are formed from allylic malonates [10, 11]. yff-Diketones have been used with some success for cyclizations to both alkenes and aromatic rings [10, 11]. Other acidic carbonyl compounds such as fi-keto acids, /3-keto sulfoxides, j8-keto sulfones, and P-nitro ketones have seen limited use [10, 11]. We have recently found that oxidative cyclizations of unsaturated ketones can be carried out in high yield in acetic acid at 80 °C if the ketone selectively enolizes to one side and the product cannot enolize... 

Generation of a-Acyl Radicals. As a one-electron oxidant, Ce can promote the formation of radicals from carbonyl compounds. In the presence of interceptors such as butadiene and alkenyl acetates, the a-acyl radicals undergo addition. The carbonyl compounds may be introduced as enol silyl ethers, and the oxidative coupling of two such ethers may be accomplished. Some differences in the efficiency for oxidative cyclization of, s-, and ,f-unsaturated enol silyl ethers using CAN and other oxidants have been noted (eq 14). ... 

---