Radical cyclization, with polyenes

Removable cation-stabilizing auxiliaries have been investigated for polyene cyclizations. For example, a silyl-assisted carbocation cyclization has been used in an efficient total synthesis of lanosterol. Other conditions for the cyclization of polyenes and of ene-ynes to steroids have been investigated. Oxidative free-radical cyclizations of polyenes produce steroid nuclei with exquisite stereocontrol Besides the aforementioned A-ring aromatic steroids and contraceptive agents, partial synthesis from steroid raw materials has also accounted for the vast majority of industrial-scale steroid synthesis. 

In addition to cationic cyclizations, other conditions for the cyclization of polyenes and of ene-ynes to steroids have been investigated. Oxidative free-radical cyclizations of polyenes produce steroid nuclei with exquisite stereocontrol. For example, treatment of (259) and (260) with Mn(III) and Cu(II) afford the D-homo-5a-androstane-3-ones (261) and (262), respectively, in approximately 30% yield. In this cyclization, seven asymmetric centers are established in one chemical step (226,227). Another intramolecular cyclization reaction of iodo-ene poly-ynes was reported using a carbopaUadation cascade terminated by carbonylation. This carbometalation—carbonylation cascade using CO at 111 kPa (1.1 atm) at 70°C converted an acycHc iodo—tetra-yne (263) to a D-homo-steroid nucleus (264) [162878-44-6] in approximately 80% yield in one chemical step (228). Intramolecular aimulations between two alkynes and a chromium or tungsten carbene complex have been examined for the formation of a variety of different fiised-ring systems. A tandem Diels-Alder—two-alkyne annulation of a triynylcarbene complex demonstrated the feasibiHty of this strategy for the synthesis of steroid nuclei. Complex (265) was prepared in two steps from commercially available materials. Treatment of (265) with Danishefsky s diene in CH CN at room temperature under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide (101.3 kPa = 1 atm), followed by heating the reaction mixture to 110°C, provided (266) in 62% yield (TBS = tert — butyldimethylsilyl). In a second experiment, a sequential Diels-Alder—two-alkyne annulation of triynylcarbene complex (267) afforded a nonaromatic steroid nucleus (269) in approximately 50% overall yield from the acycHc precursors (229). 

As with carbocation-initiated polyene cyclizations, radical cyclizations can proceed through several successive steps if the steric and electronic properties of the reactant provide potential reaction sites. Cyclization may be followed by a second intramolecular step or by an intermolecular addition or alkylation. Intermediate radicals can be constructed so that hydrogen atom transfer can occur as part of the overall process. For example, 2-bromohexenes having radical stabilizing substituents at C(6) can undergo cyclization after a hydrogen atom transfer step.348... 

As with carbocation-inititated polyene cyclizations, radical cyclizations can proceed through several successive steps if the steric and electronic properties of the reactant 249 250 251 252... 

Zhang, J., and Xu, X., Total synthesis of 6-ep/-sarsolilide A, Tetrahedron Lett., 41, 941, 2000. Boehm, H.M.. I landa, S., Pattenden, G., Roberts. L.. Blake, A.J., and Li, W.-S., Cascade radical cyclizations leading lo steroid ring constructions. Regio- and stereo-chemical studies using ester- and fluoroalkene substituted polyene acyl radical intermediates.,/. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 3522, 2000. Hampton, A.. Sasaki, T, and Paul, B., Synthesis of 6 -cyano-6 -deoxyhomoadenosine-6 -phosphonic acid and its phosphoryl and pyrophosphoryl anhydrides and studies of their interactions with adenine nucleotide utilizing enzymes, J. Am. Chem. Soc.. 95. 4404, 1973. 

There are many synthetic examples that use radical cyclization as a key step, and the radical precursor is not limited to iodides or bromides. In Pattenden s synthesis of pentalenene, conjugated selenyl ester 156 was treated with Bu3SnH and AIBN to give a 45% yield of tricyclic ketone 159. Loss of PhSe generated the acyl radical 157, which exists in equilibrium with the ketene radical 156. Radical cyclization via the latter intermediate leads to 159. Cyclization via aryl radicals is also possible. In Schultz s synthesis of hexahydro-phenanthren-2-one derivatives, " aryl bromide 160 was cyclized to 161 in 78% yield under standard conditions. Radical cascade reactions have become quite popular for the synthesis of polycyclic ring systems. In these reaction, polyenes are subjected to radical cyclization, generating tricyclic or even tetracyclic ring systems. 5 Chiral auxiliaries have been used effectively in radical cyclization reactions. ... 

Another important feature is the oxidative radical cyclization of a polyene chain to give a sLx-manbaed ring this reaction proceeds with high stereoselectivity through chair transition states [100]. Thus, cyclization mediated by Mn is a powerful approach for the synthesis of benzo-fused polycyclic natural products, such as 123 from 122 (Eq. 9.24) ... 

Acyl radicals can be generated and they cyclize in the usual manner. A polyene-cyclization reaction generated four rings, initiating the sequence by treatment of a phenylseleno ester with Bu3SnH/AIBN to form the acyl radical, which added to the first alkene unit. The newly formed carbon radical added to the next alkene, and so on. Acyl radicals generated firom Ts(R)NCOSePh derivatives cyclize to form lactams. ... 

The present volume contains 13 chapters written by experts from 11 countries, and treats topics that were not covered, or that are complementary to topics covered in Volume 1. They include chapters on mass spectra and NMR, two chapters on photochemistry complementing an earlier chapter on synthetic application of the photochemistry of dienes and polyenes. Two chapters deal with intermolecular cyclization and with cycloadditions, and complement a chapter in Volume 1 on intramolecular cyclization, while the chapter on reactions of dienes in water and hydrogen-bonding environments deals partially with cycloaddition in unusual media and complements the earlier chapter on reactions under pressure. The chapters on nucleophiliic and electrophilic additions complements the earlier chapter on radical addition. The chapter on reduction complements the earlier ones on oxidation. Chapters on organometallic complexes, synthetic applications and rearrangement of dienes and polyenes are additional topics discussed. 

Preparation of an oestrone analogue has been made by treatment of a polyene iodide with (TMS)3SiH via a radical cascade involving a 13-endo macrocyclization followed by successive opening of a cyclopropane ring and a 6-exo/5-exo transannular cyclization (equation 52)104. 

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