Nitronates alkylation

Nucleophilic addition of methyl- or phenylphosphite n -butyl- esters to oxo-imine salts, generated by nitrone alkylation of triethyloxoniumtetrafluoro borate (Meerwein salt), leads to a-aminophosphinic acid esters (Scheme 2.201) (691). 

The wide variety of methods for the preparation of alkyl nitronates, gives rise to a broader diversity of structures compared to silyl nitronates. Alkyl nitronates can be grouped into two subclasses, acyclic and cyclic. Both subclasses participate in dipolar cycloadditions with similar reactivity, however, minor differences are manifest in their stability and stereoselectivity. Additionally, the ability to prepare cyclic nitronates allows access to a wide variety of novel, multicyclic ring stractures. 

Nitroalkanes show a related relationship between kinetic acidity and thermodynamic acidity. Additional alkyl substituents on nitromethane retard the rate of proton removal although the equilibrium is more favorable for the more highly substituted derivatives. The alkyl groups have a strong stabilizing effect on the nitronate ion, but unfavorable steric effects are dominant at the transition state for proton removal. As a result, kinetic and thermodynamic acidity show opposite responses to alkyl substitution. 

Reaction of 2-chloromethyl-4//-pyrido[l,2-u]pyrimidine-4-one 162 with various nitronate anions (4 equiv) under phase-transfer conditions with BU4NOH in H2O and CH2CI2 under photo-stimulation gave 2-ethylenic derivatives 164 (01H(55)535). These alkenes 164 were formed by single electron transfer C-alkylation and base-promoted HNO2 elimination from 163. When the ethylenic derivative 164 (R = R ) was unsymmetrical, only the E isomer was isolated. Compound 162 was treated with S-nucleophiles (sodium salt of benzyl mercaptan and benzenesulfinic acid) and the lithium salt of 4-hydroxycoumarin to give compounds 165-167, respectively. 

On the basis of this successful application of 23d, this catalyst was applied in a series of reactions (Scheme 6.22). For all eight reactions of nitrones 1 and alkenes 19 in which 23d was applied as the catalyst, diastereoselectivities >90% de were observed, and most remarkably >90% ee is obtained for all reactions involving a nitrone with an aromatic substituent whereas reactions with N-benzyl and N-alkyl nitrones led to lower enantioselectivities [65]. 

An experimentally simple ptocedure for stereoselecdvely preparing fi-nitro alcohols has been developed. The alkyl nitronates, formed by the acdon of u-butyUithiumonnitroalkanes in THF soludon, react v/ith aldehydes in the presence of isopropoxydtanium trichloride at room temperanire to give the fi-nitro alcohols enriched in the ruiri-thastereoisomers fEq. 3.711. 

Nitro compounds have been converted into various cyclic compounds via cycloaddidon reactions. In particular, nitroalkenes have proved to be nsefid in Diels-Alder reactions. Under thermal conditions, they behave as electron-deficient alkenes ind react v/ith dienes to yield 3-nitrocy-clohexenes. Nitroalkenes c in also act as heterodienes ind react v/ith olefins in the presence of Lewis acids to yield cyclic alkyl nkronates, which undergo [3- 2 cycloaddidon. Nitro compounds are precursors for nitnie oxides, alkyl nitronates, and trialkylsilyl nitronates, which undergo [3- 2 cycloaddldon reacdons. Thus, nitro compounds play important roles in the chemistry of cycloaddidon reacdons. In this chapter, recent developments of cycloaddinon chemistry of nitro compotmds and their derivadves are summarized. 

Treatment of 2- 5//-dibenz[i>,/]azepin-5-yl acetaldehyde (16), prepared in 68% yield by /V-alkylation of 5/7-dibenz[A,/]azepine with bromoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal followed by acid hydrolysis, with methyl hydroxylamine yields the isolable nitrone 17, which in refluxing toluene undergoes intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition at the CIO —Cl 1 alkene bond to give 2,3,3a, 12b-tetrahydro-2-methyl-3,8-methano-8//-dibenz[i>,/]isoxazolo[4,5-r/]azepine (18).235... 

Michael addition of alkyl organometallic reagents to a,/ -disubstituted nitroalkenes followed by protonation of the intermediate nitronate anion generally gives mixtures of syn- and anti-diastereomers with poor diastereoselectivity19. 

Alkylation gives nitronic esters, which are generally unstable to heat but break down to give an oxime and an aldehyde or ketone. 

Oximes can be alkylated by alkyl halides or sulfates. N-Alkylation is a side reaction, yielding a nitrone. " The relative yield of oxime ether and nitrone depends on the nature of the reagents, including the configuration of the oxime, and on the reaction conditions. For example, anri-benzaldoximes give nitrones, while the syn isomers give oxime ethers. " ... 

Continuing his studies on the metallation of tetrahydro-2-benzazepine formamidines, Meyers has now shown that the previously unsuccessful deprotonation of 1-alkyl derivatives can be achieved with sec-butyllithium at -40 °C <96H(42)475>. In this way 1,1-dialkylated derivatives are now accessible. The preparation of 3//-benzazepines by chemical oxidation of 2,5- and 2,3-dihydro-l/f-l-benzazepines has been reported <96T4423>. 3Af-Diazepines are also formed by rearrangement of the 5//-tautomers which had been previously reported to be the products of electrochemical oxidation of 2,5-dihydro-lAf-l-benzazepine <95T9611>. The synthesis and radical trapping activities of a number of benzazepine derived nitrones have been reported <96T6519, 96JBC3097>. 

This homoenolate methodology has been extended to the use of nitrones 170 as electrophiles [72]. Scheldt and co-workers have shown that enantiomerically enriched y-amino esters 172 can be prepared with excellent levels of stereocontrol from an enal 27 and a nitrone 170 using the NHC derived from triazolium salt 164 (Scheme 12.37). The oxazinone product 171, formally a result of a [3-1-3] cycloaddition, is cleaved to afford the y-amino ester product 172. The reaction shows broad substrate scope, as a range of substituted aryl nitrones containing electron donating and withdrawing substituents are tolerated, while the enal component is tolerant of both alkyl and aryl substituents. 

Clerici and Porta reported that phenyl, acetyl and methyl radicals add to the Ca atom of the iminium ion, PhN+Me=CHMe, formed in situ by the titanium-catalyzed condensation of /V-methylanilinc with acetaldehyde to give PhNMeCHMePh, PhNMeCHMeAc, and PhNMeCHMe2 in 80% overall yield.83 Recently, Miyabe and co-workers studied the addition of various alkyl radicals to imine derivatives. Alkyl radicals generated from alkyl iodide and triethylborane were added to imine derivatives such as oxime ethers, hydrazones, and nitrones in an aqueous medium.84 The reaction also proceeds on solid support.85 A-sulfonylimines are also effective under such reaction conditions.86 Indium is also effective as the mediator (Eq. 11.49).87 A tandem radical addition-cyclization reaction of oxime ether and hydrazone was also developed (Eq. 11.50).88 Li and co-workers reported the synthesis of a-amino acid derivatives and amines via the addition of simple alkyl halides to imines and enamides mediated by zinc in water (Eq. 11.51).89 The zinc-mediated radical reaction of the hydrazone bearing a chiral camphorsultam provided the corresponding alkylated products with good diastereoselectivities that can be converted into enantiomerically pure a-amino acids (Eq. 11.52).90... 

Nitro groups attached to a primary and secondary alkyl group in a highly basic (pH > 13) medium exist as the nitronate (enolate) anions. These anions must be very difficult to reduce by electron transfer and are surely much more difficult to reduce than water. Since the electrohydrogenation of such nitro compounds to the corresponding amines is veiy efficient at Raney metal cathodes in 0.1 to 0.15 M KOH (or NaOH) aqueous alcohol (pH > 13) (12), as... 

The addition of alkyl nitronate anions to imines in the presence of a Lewis acid proceeds in high yield with up to 10 1 diastereoselection favoring the anti isomer. This reaction is used for the stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-diamines (Eq. 4.121).167 Scandium triflate catalyzes the addition of 1-trimethylsilyl nitropropanoate to imines with a similar selectivity.35... 

Crozet and co-workers have used S l reactions for synthesis of new heterocycles, which are expected to be biologically active (see also Section 7.3, which discusses synthesis of alkenes). For example, 2-chloromethyl-5-nitroimidazole reacts with the anion of 2-nitropropane to give 2-isopropylidene-5-nitroimidazole. It is formed via C-alkylation of the nitronate ion followed by elimination of HN02 (Eq. 5.33).51a Other derivatives of nitroimidazoles are also good substrates for SrnI reactions.5113 0... 

Branchaud and coworkers have used cobaloximes as alkyl radical precursors for the cross-coupling reaction with nitronates.57 This method is very useful for producing branched-chain monosaccharides, as shown in Eq. 5.39.57b... 

Carbon alkylation of simple nitronate anions is also possible by the reaction with /V-substi-tuted pyridiniums, as exemplified in Eq. 5.41. Such types of reactions are classified as Srm2 reactions, in which electron transfer reactions from nitronate anions to pyridiniums are involved as key steps.59... 

X,P-Dehydro-a-amino acids are prepared by elimination of HN02 from P-nitro-a-amino acids, which are prepared by reaction of a-bromoglycine derivatives with alkyl nitronates (see Eq. 7.135).181 This process is a new type of the Michael addition of nitro compounds followed by elimination of HNOz. Such unusual amino acids are interesting as enzyme inhibitors.182... 

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