Stereoconvergent, cyclization

The observation of a stereoconvergent cyclization by Roy et al. [18], as shown in the third example, is of special interest from a synthetic point of view because it exploits the configurational lability of radicals in a favorable manner. The other examples, i. e. Nugent and RajanBabu s cyclization of a carbohydrate-derived epoxide [5d] and Clive s quinane synthesis [19], amply demonstrate the usefulness of the titanocene-initiated epoxide opening. 

These palladium- or nickel-catalyzed reactions are radical reactions leading to an organometallic product. By using a precursor such as 37 as a 1 1 mixture of diastereoisomers, the palladium-catalyzed cyclization provides in a stereoconvergent way the cyclopentylmethylzinc derivative 38 which, after allylation, produces the unsaturated ester 39 in 71% yield". The intermediate radical cyclizes via a transition state A where all the substituents are in an equatorial position. Interestingly, the analogous reaction using Ni(acac)2 as a catalyst allows the preparation of heterocyclic compounds such as 40. The... 

In a parallel study, it was found that chelating chiral diamines 208 or 209 are well suited as ligands to promote Kumada-type couplings of primary and secondary alkyl halides 202 with aryl Grignard reagents 203 (entry 4) [281]. This reaction was applicable to alkyl bromides and alkyl iodides, while alkyl chlorides gave only low yields. Acetal and ester functions are tolerated. A notable feature is the stereoretentive arylation of fra s-a-bromo acetals with excellent diastereo-selectivity. The involvement of radicals is supported by the stereoconvergent formation of cxo-phenvI norbornane from both endo- or exo-bromonorbomane (cf. Part 1, Fig. 9) and radical 5-exo cyclizations (see below). 

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