Ketones, reductive cleavage alkenes, reagents

This chapter deals mainly with the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of three 1,3-dipoles azomethine ylides, nitrile oxides, and nitrones. These three have been relatively well investigated, and examples of external reagent-mediated stereocontrolled cycloadditions of other 1,3-dipoles are quite limited. Both nitrile oxides and nitrones are 1,3-dipoles whose cycloaddition reactions with alkene dipolarophiles produce 2-isoxazolines and isoxazolidines, their dihydro derivatives. These two heterocycles have long been used as intermediates in a variety of synthetic applications because their rich functionality. When subjected to reductive cleavage of the N—O bonds of these heterocycles, for example, important building blocks such as p-hydroxy ketones (aldols), a,p-unsaturated ketones, y-amino alcohols, and so on are produced (7-12). Stereocontrolled and/or enantiocontrolled cycloadditions of nitrones are the most widely developed (6,13). Examples of enantioselective Lewis acid catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions are summarized by J0rgensen in Chapter 12 of this book, and will not be discussed further here. 

Reductive cleavage of a-ketol acetates can also be effected in moderate yield by Fe(CO)s. Ketones, esters and alkenes are unreactive toward this reagent. 

The reduction of diketones is very complex. They can be partially reduced to ketols (hydroxy ketones) or ketones, or completely reduced to hydrocarbons. Depending on the mutual distance of the two carbonyl groups and reagents used, carbon-carbon bond cleavage may occur and may be followed by recyclizations or rearrangements. Some reactions may result in the formation of alkenes. Quinones react in their own specific way. 

Aldehydes and ketones are among the most important of all compounds, both in biochemistry and in the chemical industry. Aldehydes arc normally prepared in the laboratory by oxidative cleavage of alkenes, by oxidation of primary alcohols, or by partial reduction of esters. Ketones are similarly prepared by oxidative cleavage of alkenes, by oxidation of secondary alcohols, or by addition of diorganocopper reagents to acid chlorides. 

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