Stereoselective synthesis trans cyclopentane

RhH(PPh3)4 (1 mol%) exhibited higher catalytic activity and promoted a complete reversal in stereoselectivity to provide the trans isomer of 24 and 25 as the major reaction product. The czs-cyclopentane 29, derived from optically active 28, was converted to the differentially protected cyclopentane triol 29, which, in turn, converted to the differentially protected tetrad 30, a key intermediate in the synthesis of enantiopure bioactive carbo-cyclic nucleosides [19]. 

One early example was reported by Chatteijee in 1979 for stereospecific synthesis of the sesquiterpene isocomene by transannular cationic cyclization. The acid-catalyzed cyclization of epoxide 152 through transannular participation of the remote double bond led to the formation of 153 (Scheme 20.37), which was further transformed to isocomene. The reaction was stereoselective since formation of any other diastereomers will lead to the formation of much strained polycyclic systems with trans-fased cyclopentanes. 

The product distribution depends on the nickel-phosphine ratio and the best yield of A (70% cis/trans = 19/1) is obtained when bisdiene is treated in toluene at 60 °C with llmol% Ni(COD)2 and 33mol% PhjP [124]. When a phosphite ligand is used, cyclohexene B or cyclopentane C derivatives are the major products. Functional groups such as esters, ketones, or ethers remain intact under the reaction conditions. The reaction is stereoselective and has been used for the synthesis of polycyclic natural products [125-128]. For example, the key intermediate for the enantioselective synthesis (-H)-asteriscanolide is obtained from a similar synthetic route [128]. The use of this strategy for the construction of a taxan skeleton has been briefly explored [129]. 

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