Pericyclic Processes

The mechanism of the Diels-Alder cycloaddition is different from that of other reactions we ve studied because it is neither polar nor radical. Rather, the Diels-Alder reaction is a pericyclic process. Pericyclic reactions, which we ll discuss in more detail in Chapter 30, take place in a single step by a cyclic redistribution of bonding electrons. The two reactants simply join together through a cyclic transition state in which the two new carbon-carbon bonds form at the same time. 

The best way to understand how orbital symmetry affects pericyclic reactions is to look at some examples. Let s look first at a group of polyene rearrangements called electrocyclic reactions. An electrocyclic reaction is a pericyclic process that involves the cycli/ation of a conjugated polyene. One 7r bond is broken, the other 7t bonds change position, a new cr bond is formed, and a cyclic compound results. For example, a conjugated triene can be converted into a cyclohexa-diene, and a conjugated diene can be converted into a cyclobutene. 

Vinyl-substituted cyclopropanes undergo thermal rearrangement to yield cyclopentenes. Propose a mechanism for the reaction, and identify the pericyclic process involved. 

Symmetry-allowed, symmetry-disallowed (Section 30.2) A symmetry-allowed reaction is a pericyclic process that lias a favorable orbital symmetry for reaction through a concerted pathway. A symmetry-disallowed reaction is one that does not have favorable orbital symmetry for reaction through a concerted pathway. 

As we have indicated with our arrows, the mechanism of the uncatalyzed Cope rearrangement is a simple six-centered pericyclic process. Since the mechanism is so simple, it has been possible to study some rather subtle points, among them the question of whether the six-membered transition state is in the boat or the chair form. ° For the case of 3,4-dimethyl-l,5-hexadiene it was demonstrated conclusively that the transition state is in the chair form. This was shown by the stereospecific nature of the reaction The meso isomer gave the cis-trans product, while the ( ) compound gave the trans-trans diene. If the transition state is in the chair form (e.g., taking the meso isomer), one methyl must be axial and the other equatorial and the product must be the cis-trans alkene ... 

The novel [6+2] annulation approach developed by the Takeda group has also been included in a threefold anionic/pericyclic process (Scheme 2.149) [340]. The reaction leads to functionalized eight-membered rings 2-659 in a highly stereoselective manner, starting from acylsilanes 2-656 and 3-(trimethylsilyl)vinyl-lithium (2-657). After 1,2-addition and 1,2-Brook rearrangement, the cyclobutane 2-... 

The combination of an anionic and a pericyclic process has found broad application in synthetic organic chemistry. In these transformations, a primary addition is frequently followed by an elimination to give a reactive intermediate, which is then... 

As expected, some sequences also occur where a domino anionic/pericyclic process is followed by another bond-forming reaction. An example of this is an anionic/per-icyclic/anionic sequence such as the domino iminium ion formation/aza-Cope/ imino aldol (Mannich) process, which has often been used in organic synthesis, especially to construct the pyrrolidine framework. The group of Brummond [450] has recently used this approach to synthesize the core structure 2-885 of the immunosuppressant FR 901483 (2-886) [451] (Scheme 2.197). The process is most likely initiated by the acid-catalyzed formation of the iminium ion 2-882. There follows an aza-Cope rearrangement to produce 2-883, which cyclizes under formation of the aldehyde 2-884. As this compound is rather unstable, it was transformed into the stable acetal 2-885. The proposed intermediate 2-880 is quite unusual as it does not obey Bredf s rule. Recently, this approach was used successfully for a formal total synthesis of FR 901483 2-886 [452]. 

Likewise, Sheridan s group developed a photoassisted twofold [6jt + 2ji] cyclization generating tetracycloundecadienes [35], while Dittami s group has reported on several impressive domino photocyclization/pericyclic processes of substrates of type 5-104, which are represented in Scheme 5.20 [36]. 

Mesoxalates are highly reactive substrates because of their strongly polarized carbon-oxygen bond. They have been used in pericyclic processes (e.g. Diels-Alder reactions,8 ene reactions,9 [3+2]10 and [2+2]11 cycloadditions), in aldol12 and Wittig as well as Friedel-Crafts reactions.13 Further applications arise from the use of the corresponding imines in hetero Diels-Alder reactions14 and electrophilic cyclizations.15... 

The volume concludes with the preparation of four useful starting materials. The highly electrophilic tricarbonyl reagent DIMETHYL MESOXALATE finds application as a two-electron component in various pericyclic processes. 9-BROMO-9-PHENYL-FLUORENE is becoming increasingly used for the protection of primary amines, particularly amino acids and amino esters. Two methods for introducing the 9-phenylfluorenyl group are illustrated in the preparations of (S)-N-(9-PHENYLFLUOREN-9-YL)ALANINE AND (S)-DIMETHYL N-(9-PHENYLFLUOREN-9-YL)ASPARTATE. 

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