Ketenes Lewis acid

Lewis acid promoted condensation of silyl ketene acetals (ester enolate equiv.) with aldehydes proceeds via "open" transition state to give anti aldols starting from either E- or Z- enolates. 

Silyl enol ethers are other ketone or aldehyde enolate equivalents and react with allyl carbonate to give allyl ketones or aldehydes 13,300. The transme-tallation of the 7r-allylpalladium methoxide, formed from allyl alkyl carbonate, with the silyl enol ether 464 forms the palladium enolate 465, which undergoes reductive elimination to afford the allyl ketone or aldehyde 466. For this reaction, neither fluoride anion nor a Lewis acid is necessary for the activation of silyl enol ethers. The reaction also proceed.s with metallic Pd supported on silica by a special method[301j. The ketene silyl acetal 467 derived from esters or lactones also reacts with allyl carbonates, affording allylated esters or lactones by using dppe as a ligand[302]... 

Simple olefins do not usually add well to ketenes except to ketoketenes and halogenated ketenes. Mild Lewis acids as well as bases often increase the rate of the cyclo addition. The cycloaddition of ketenes to acetylenes yields cyclobutenones. The cycloaddition of ketenes to aldehydes and ketones yields oxetanones. The reaction can also be base-cataly2ed if the reactant contains electron-poor carbonyl bonds. Optically active bases lead to chiral lactones (41—43). The dimerization of the ketene itself is the main competing reaction. This process precludes the parent compound ketene from many [2 + 2] cyclo additions. Intramolecular cycloaddition reactions of ketenes are known and have been reviewed (7). 

In stepwise additions, ketenes are usually the nucleophilic component, so that such additions can be catalyzed by Lewis acids, such as the additions of trimethylsilylketenes to aldehydes, catalyzed by BF3 (Scheme 14) (79JOC733). However, the roles can be reversed, such as in the addition of chlorocyanoketene to benzaldehyde (79JA5435). 

The Lewis acid-catalyzed addition of silyl kelene acetals occurred m high yield, and when the ketene acetal bore a substituent, the reactions occurred with modest diastereofacial selectivity [d] (equation 7) (Table 3)... 

Ketene acetals prepared from fluorinated esters by trimethylsilylation undergo Lewis acid-promoted aldol condensations giving satisfactory yields but low diastereoselectivity [27] (equation 22). 

Scheeren et al. reported the first enantioselective metal-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrones with alkenes in 1994 [26]. Their approach involved C,N-diphenylnitrone la and ketene acetals 2, in the presence of the amino acid-derived oxazaborolidinones 3 as the catalyst (Scheme 6.8). This type of boron catalyst has been used successfully for asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions [27, 28]. In this reaction the nitrone is activated, according to the inverse electron-demand, for a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with the electron-rich alkene. The reaction is thus controlled by the LUMO inone-HOMOaikene interaction. They found that coordination of the nitrone to the boron Lewis acid strongly accelerated the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with ketene acetals. The reactions of la with 2a,b, catalyzed by 20 mol% of oxazaborolidinones such as 3a,b were carried out at -78 °C. In some reactions fair enantioselectivities were induced by the catalysts, thus, 4a was obtained with an optical purity of 74% ee, however, in a low yield. The reaction involving 2b gave the C-3, C-4-cis isomer 4b as the only diastereomer of the product with 62% ee. 

Dipolar cydoadditions are one of the most useful synthetic methods to make stereochemically defined five-membered heterocydes. Although a variety of dia-stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cydoadditions have been well developed, enantioselec-tive versions are still limited [29]. Nitrones are important 1,3-dipoles that have been the target of catalyzed enantioselective reactions [66]. Three different approaches to catalyzed enantioselective reactions have been taken (1) activation of electron-defident alkenes by a chiral Lewis acid [23-26, 32-34, 67], (2) activation of nitrones in the reaction with ketene acetals [30, 31], and (3) coordination of both nitrones and allylic alcohols on a chiral catalyst [20]. Among these approaches, the dipole/HOMO-controlled reactions of electron-deficient alkenes are especially promising because a variety of combinations between chiral Lewis acids and electron-deficient alkenes have been well investigated in the study of catalyzed enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions. Enantioselectivities in catalyzed nitrone cydoadditions sometimes exceed 90% ee, but the efficiency of catalytic loading remains insufficient. 

Honk et al. concluded that this FMO model imply increased asynchronicity in the bond-making processes, and if first-order effects (electrostatic interactions) were also considered, a two-step mechanisms, with cationic intermediates become possible in some cases. It was stated that the model proposed here shows that the phenomena generally observed on catalysis can be explained by the concerted mechanism, and allows predictions of the effect of Lewis acid on the rates, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity of all concerted cycloadditions, including those of ketenes, 1,3-dipoles, and Diels-Alder reactions with inverse electron-demand [2],... 

In direct contrast, an open transition state is postulated in order to explain the preferred attack of the ketene acetal 6 to the 57-facc of aldehydes, where there is a Lewis acid coordination with... 

The Lewis acid induced reaction of silyl enol ethers and silyl ketene (thio)acetals with 4-acetoxyazetidinones is often used for introduction of a carbon substituent in the 4-position of the jS-lactam ring. Numerous examples are known, both with and without substituents at nitrogen, some of which are shown. 

As an alternative to lithium enolates. silyl enolates or ketene acetals may be used in a complementary route to pentanedioates. The reaction requires Lewis acid catalysis, for example aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate (modest diastereoselectivity with unsaturated esters)72 74 antimony(V) chloride/tin(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate (predominant formation of anti-adducts with the more reactive a,/5-unsaturated thioesters)75 montmorillonite clay (modest to good yields but poor diastereoselectivity with unsaturated esters)76 or high pressure77. 

For example, using (/ )-5-trimethylsilyl-2-cyclohexenone as the chiral Michael acceptor, optically active m // .v-3.5-disubstituied cyclohexanones 1 are obtained via a Lewis acid catalyzed addition of silylenol ethers or ketene acetals. 

The pivotal step in this sequence is an electrophilic substitution on indole. Although the use of l,3-dithian-2-yl carbanions is well documented, it has been shown only recently that 1,3-dithian-2-yl carbenium ions can be used in a Priedel-Crafts type reaction. This was accomplished initially using 2-methoxy-l,3-dithiane [1,3-Dithiane, 2-methoxy-] or 2-metlioxy-l,3-dithiolane [1,3-Dithiolane, 2-methoxy-] and titanium tetrachloride [Titanate(l —), tetrachloro-] as the Lewis acid catalyst.9 2-Substituted lysergic acid derivatives and 3-substituted indoles have been prepared under these conditions, but the method is limited in scope by the difficulties of preparing substituted 2-methoxy-1,3-dithianes. l,3-Dithian-2-yl carbenium ions have also been prepared by protonation of ketene dithioacetals with trifluoroacetic acid,10 but this reaction cannot be used to introduce 1,3-dithiane moieties into indole. 

Ketenes react with tertiary allylic amines in the presence of Lewis acids to give zwitterionic intermediates which undergo [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement [119]. Photolysis of chromium carbene complexes in the presence of tertiary amines results in similar chemistry [120]. Cyclic (Table 21) and strained allylic amines (Eq. 34) work best, while acylic amines are less reactive (Eq. 35). 

Thermal [2h-2] cycloaddition reactions of carbonyl compounds were catalyzed by a Lewis acid. The catalyst forms complexes with the carbonyl compounds and enhances the electron-accepting power. The reaction shifts from the delocalization band to the pseudoexcitation band. Catalyzed [2h-2] cycloaddition reactions were observed with acetylenic compounds [28] and ketenes [29-31]. 

Hepatite Virus NS3/4A having the pyrrolidine-5,5-trans-lactam skeleton [83], starting from (R)- and (S)-methionine, respectively. The key step is the addition of the proper silyl ketene acetal to an iminium ion, e.g., that generated by treatment of the intermediate 177 with boron trifluoride, which provided the adduct 178 with better diastereoselectivity than other Lewis acids. Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS3/4A were efficiently prepared by a similar route from (S)-methionine [83]. The addition of indole to a chiral (z-amino iminium ion was a completely diastereoselective step in a reported synthesis of tilivalline, a natural molecule which displays strong cytotoxicity towards mouse leukemia L 1210 [84]. 

The Mukaiyama aldol reaction refers to Lewis acid-catalyzed aldol addition reactions of silyl enol ethers, silyl ketene acetals, and similar enolate equivalents,48 Silyl enol ethers are not sufficiently nucleophilic to react directly with aldehydes or ketones. However, Lewis acids cause reaction to occur by coordination at the carbonyl oxygen, activating the carbonyl group to nucleophilic attack. 

Lewis acids such as TiCl4 and SnCl4 induce addition of both silyl enol ethers and ketene silyl acetals to aldehydes.49... 

Scheme 2.2 illustrates several examples of the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. Entries 1 to 3 are cases of addition reactions with silyl enol ethers as the nucleophile and TiCl4 as the Lewis acid. Entry 2 demonstrates steric approach control with respect to the silyl enol ether, but in this case the relative configuration of the hydroxyl group was not assigned. Entry 4 shows a fully substituted silyl enol ether. The favored product places the larger C(2) substituent syn to the hydroxy group. Entry 5 uses a silyl ketene thioacetal. This reaction proceeds through an open TS and favors the anti product. 

Entries 4 and 9 are closely related structures that illustrate the ability to control stereochemistry by choice of the Lewis acid. In Entry 4, the Lewis acid is BF3 and the (3-oxygen is protected as a f-butyldiphenylsilyl derivative. This leads to reaction through an open TS, and the reaction is under steric control, resulting in the 3,4-syn product. In Entry 9, the enolate is formed using di-n-butylboron triflate (1.2 equiv.), which permits the aldehyde to form a chelate. The chelated aldehyde then reacts via an open TS with respect to the silyl ketene acetal, and the 3,4-anti isomer dominates by more than 20 1. 

The scope of the conjugate addition reaction can be further expanded by use of Lewis acids in conjunction with enolate equivalents, especially silyl enol ethers and silyl ketene acetals. The adduct is stabilized by a new bond to the Lewis acid and products are formed from the adduct. 

Silyl enol ethers and silyl ketene acetals also offer both enhanced reactivity and a favorable termination step. Electrophilic attack is followed by desilylation to give an a-substituted carbonyl compound. The carbocations can be generated from tertiary chlorides and a Lewis acid, such as TiCl4. This reaction provides a method for introducing tertiary alkyl groups a to a carbonyl, a transformation that cannot be achieved by base-catalyzed alkylation because of the strong tendency for tertiary halides to undergo elimination. 

Dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones (e. g., 4-195) are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of several natural products [67]. Hattori, Miyano and coworkers [68] have recently shown that these compounds can be easily obtained in high yield by a Pd2+-catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition of ct, 3-unsaturated aldehydes 4-192 with ketene 4-193, followed by an allylic rearrangement of the intermediate 4-194 (Scheme 4.42). In this reaction the Pd2+-compound acts as a mild Lewis acid. a,(3-unsaturated ketones can also be used, but the yields are below 20%. 

Alkylation of ketene silyl acetals with nitroalkenes has several limitations such as modest yield, lack of generality, and inconveniently low reaction temperatures. Tucker and coworkers have found that sterically encumbered Lewis acids such as MAD give better results than other Lewis acids (Eq. 4.64).83... 

The use of oxygen-containing dienophiles such as enol ethers, silyl enol ethers, or ketene acetals has received considerable attention. Yoshikoshi and coworkers have developed the simple addition of silyl enol ethers to nitroalkenes. Many Lewis acids are effective in promoting the reaction, and the products are converted into 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds after hydrolysis of the adducts (see Section 4.1.3 Michael addition).156 The trimethylsilyl enol ether of cyclohexanone reacts with nitrostyrenes in the presence of titanium dichloride diisopropoxide [Ti(Oi-Pr)2Cl2], as shown in Eq. 8.99.157 Endo approach (with respect to the carbocyclic ring) is favored in the presence of Ti(Oi-Pr)2Cl2. Titanium tetrachloride affords the nitronates nonselectively. 

The controlled polymerization of (meth)acrylates was achieved by anionic polymerization. However, special bulky initiators and very low temperatures (- 78 °C) must be employed in order to avoid side reactions. An alternative procedure for achieving the same results by conducting the polymerization at room temperature was proposed by Webster and Sogah [84], The technique, called group transfer polymerization, involves a catalyzed silicon-mediated sequential Michael addition of a, /f-unsaluralcd esters using silyl ketene acetals as initiators. Nucleophilic (anionic) or Lewis acid catalysts are necessary for the polymerization. Nucleophilic catalysts activate the initiator and are usually employed for the polymerization of methacrylates, whereas Lewis acids activate the monomer and are more suitable for the polymerization of acrylates [85,86]. 

It was first observed that reactions of imines with ketene silyl acetals proceeded smoothly in the presence of 5mol.% Yb(OTf)3 to afford the corresponding /3-amino ester derivatives in moderate yields.50 However, Sc(OTf)3 was found to be a more active catalyst in this reaction. Benzoylhy-drazones also react with ketene silyl acetals in the presence of a catalytic amount of Sc(OTf)3 to afford the corresponding adducts in high yields (Scheme 11).51 In contrast, catalytic activation of benzoylhydrazones by use of a typical Lewis acid such as TiCl4, SnCl4, or BF3-OEt2, etc. is not effective. 

Silyl ketene acetal addition to nitrone (292) is likely to generate four diastere-omers. Depending on the employed Lewis acid, either O-silylhydroxylamines or free hydroxylamines (Scheme 2.175) are obtained (635). 

Silyloxy)alkenes were first reported by Mukaiyama as the requisite latent enolate equivalent to react with aldehydes in the presence of Lewis acid activators. This process is now referred to as the Mukaiyama aldol reaction (Scheme 3-12). In the presence of Lewis acid, anti-aldol condensation products can be obtained in most cases via the reaction of aldehydes and silyl ketene acetals generated from propionates under kinetic control. 

The Lewis acid catalyst 53 is now referred to as the Narasaka catalyst. This catalyst can be generated in situ from the reaction of dichlorodiisopropoxy-titanium and a diol chiral ligand derived from tartaric acid. This compound can also catalyze [2+2] cycloaddition reactions with high enantioselectivity. For example, as depicted in Scheme 5-20, in the reaction of alkenes bearing al-kylthio groups (ketene dithioacetals, alkenyl sulfides, and alkynyl sulfides) with electron-deficient olefins, the corresponding cyclobutane or methylenecyclobu-tene derivatives can be obtained in high enantiomeric excess.18... 

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