Halocyclopropane ring-opening reactions

This chapter focuses on the use of silver(I) salts as Lewis acids in the ring-opening reactions of halocyclopropanes. Both the classical and most recent examples of this type of chemistry are examined with emphasis on the use of this simple transformation to build up complex intermediates that are potentially useful in the construction of natural products. 

The construction of complex intermediates from simple and readily available starting materials has been accomplished using the electrocyclic ring-opening reaction of halocyclopropanes. This is typically achieved through interception of the cationic haloallyl intermediate by solvent, the silver(I) counteranion, or some alternate tethered heteroatom or carbon-based nucleophile. Examples of these processes are described below. 

While cationic ring opening of halocyclopropanes can be induced under strictly thermal conditions, it is most often performed in the presence of a Lewis acid.8 The Lewis acids commonly used in these reactions are silver(I) salts due the inherent halophilicity of the silver cation. The silver(I)-mediated reactions can be carried out at lower temperatures due to activation of the departing halide by coordination to silver in what has been described as a highly concerted push-pull mechanism.13 Under these conditions the halide-substituted carbon atom bears slightly increased positive character, which enables the cationic ring opening to proceed under mild conditions (Fig. 4.4). 

The silver(I)-mediated electrocyclic ring opening of halocyclopropanes has been used to induce extensive skeletal rearrangements in gcm-dibromospiropentanes, providing rapid construction of naphthalenes and/or indenes (Scheme4.21 ).34 A variety of Lewis acids, Brpnsted acids, and solvent effects were carefully examined before optimal conditions were identified. It was found that subjection of spirocycle 60 to silver acetate in trifluoroacetic acid afforded rearrangement products 61 and 62 in moderate to good yields. The proposed mechanism of the reaction is illustrated in Scheme 4.21. 

The cascade sequences presented herein demonstrate unprecedented modes of reactivity in Nazarov chemistry that are initiated by the silver(I)-promoted ring opening of halocyclopropanes. The ease with which the gem-dichlorocyclopropanes can be prepared, the relatively mild reaction conditions, and the efficiency of these processes make these substrates attractive intermediates for an application in natural product synthesis. 

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