Isohypsic transformation

Almost any isohypsic transformation is feasible within the limits of a given oxidation level, as isohypsic transformations do not affect oxidation status and imply most usual substitution, addition or elimination reactions. 

Non-isohypsic transformations are feasible only for certain types of derivatives, namely those especially apt to undergo oxidation or reduction. 

Isohypsic Transformations. Synthetic Equivalency of Functional Groups of the Same Oxidation Level... 

Perhaps the most notable type of isohypsic transformation of carbonyl compounds and alkynes is their conversion into the synthetic equivalents of carbanions according to Scheme 2.48. We have already seen the pronounced role played by these carbanions and their covalent equivalents in constructing... 

Another isohypsic transformation of special significance involves elimination of H-X elements from allylic derivatives to form 1,3-dienes. Besides being extremely important compounds as monomers, 1,3-dienes occupy a unique position in synthetic practice as components in the Diels-Alder reaction. One of the common routes of synthesis of 1,3-dienes also employs a vinyl Grignard addition to carbonyl compounds as the initial step (Scheme 2.55). Allylic alcohols thus formed can easily undergo 1,2-elimination (in some cases it is preferable first to transform the alcohols into their respective acetates). 

At oxidation level 3, acid chlorides occupy a key position, since they may serve as a nearly universal substrate for an isohypsic transformation into any kind of carboxylic acid derivative. Acid halides are electrophiles that are synthetically equivalent to acyl cations (RCO ). In this capacity they are used for the synthesis of such important compounds as esters, amides (and hence, nitriles), thioesters, etc. (see Scheme 2.57), and for the formation of C-C bonds in the Friedel-Crafts reaction (see above). Acid chlorides may readily lose HCl upon treatment with triethylamine. This isohypsic conversion leads to ketenes, important reagents widely employed in [2 + 2] cycloadditions, as we will see later. 

Non-isohypsic Transformations as Pathways Connecting Different Oxidation Levels... 

Non-isohypsic transformations are especially important in the syntheses of various nitrogen-containing derivatives. A common route for obtaining amines is the reduction of nitrogen-containing derivatives of carboxylic acids (nitriles or amides), aldehydes and ketones (imines) ... 

Another non-isohypsic transformation, addition of halogens to a double bond, is probably the oldest known reaction of unsaturated compounds. It is widely used for both industrial and laboratory purposes. The products formed, 1,2-dihaloalkanes, are valuable for conversion into vinyl halides (such as vinyl chloride monomers for the production of PVC) or alkynes ... 

As we have already shown, the creation of novel carbon-carbon bonds usually results in the formation of functionalized derivatives (the Wurtz coupling and Friedel-Crafts alkylation are probably the only exceptions). That is why a set of special reductive methods was devised to remove residual functionality that is unwanted in the final structure. The well-known hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes belongs to this group of non-isohypsic transformations. Several other pathways available for the reductive removal of various functions will briefly be considered below. 

As illustrated, the major steps in the conversion of 140 to 139 correspond to non-isohypsic transformations of functional groups the reduction of an aldehyde to a primary alcohol, the oxidation of a secondary alcohol to a ketone, and the oxidation of a primary alcohol to a carboxylic acid. The introduction and removal of the isopropylidene protecting groups and the use of the bacterium Aeetobacter suboxydans (a non-typical oxidizing agent) ensures selectivity in the reactions of the polyfunctional intermediate compounds. 

Not surprisingly, the hydrolysis of nitriles is the most atom economical reaction. The isohypsic transformations are the acid chloride-Schotten-Baumann sequence, carbodiimide and carbonyl-diimidazole methods, and the hydrolysis of nitriles. The oxidation of nitriles with hydrogen peroxide is hyperhypsic for the reasons mentioned in Section 9.1.1 for the nitrile to carboxylic acid transformation. The umpolung method, which electronically reverses the roles of the reacting partners, is hypohypsic since a net oxidation has occurred at the reactive carbon atom. This is a novel... 

This product can be hydrolyzed further in the presence of aqueous acetic acid. However, the chiral auxiliary is not displaced in the last step and lactam 198 forms instead of 195. These are overall isohypsic transformations the nitrogen atom is reduced and the acetal carbon is oxidized. 

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