Insertion reactions synthesis

The main example of a category I indole synthesis is the Hemetsberger procedure for preparation of indole-2-carboxylate esters from ot-azidocinna-mates[l]. The procedure involves condensation of an aromatic aldehyde with an azidoacetate ester, followed by thermolysis of the resulting a-azidocinna-mate. The conditions used for the base-catalysed condensation are critical since the azidoacetate enolate can decompose by elimination of nitrogen. Conditions developed by Moody usually give good yields[2]. This involves slow addition of the aldehyde and 3-5 equiv. of the azide to a cold solution of sodium ethoxide. While the thermolysis might be viewed as a nitrene insertion reaction, it has been demonstrated that azirine intermediates can be isolated at intermediate temperatures[3]. 

With nonracemic chiral diazoacetates the insertion process occurs with evident match/mismatch characteristics. This has been demonstrated in reactions of optically pure 2-methylcyclohexyl diazoacetates (Eq. 9) [85] and in carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions of steroidal diazoacetates (Eq. 10) [86], as well as with the synthesis of pyrrolizidines 36 and 37 [84]. The mechanistic preference for formation of a /J-lactone in Eq. 10 over insertion into the 4-position is not clear,but there are other examples of /J-lactone formation [87]. In these and related examples, selectivities in match/mismatch examples are high, and future investigations are anticipated to show even greater applicability. 

The highly reactive species methylene inserts into C—H bonds,both aliphatic and aromatic,though with aromatic compounds ring expansion is also possible (see 15-62). This version of the reaction is useless for synthetic purposes because of its nonselectivity (see p. 248). This contrasts with the metal carbene insertion reaction, which can be highly selective, and is very useful in synthesis. Alkylcarbenes usually rearrange rather than give insertion (p. 249), but, when this is impossible. 

Scheme 19 Synthesis by the insertion reaction of sulfur atoms into the M-C and M-M bond...

Much of the recent interest in insertion reactions undeniably stems from the emphasis placed on development of homogeneous catalysis as a rational discipline. One or more insertion is involved in such catalytic processes as the hydroformylation (31) or the polymerization of olefins 26, 75) and isocyanides 244). In addition, many insertion reactions have been successfully employed in organic and organometallic synthesis. The research in this general area has helped systematize a large body of previously unrelated facts and opened new areas of chemistry for investigation. Heck 114) and Lappert and Prokai 161) provide a comprehensive compilation and a systematic discussion of a wide variety of insertion reactions in two relatively recent (1965 and 1967) reviews. 

Carbenoid N-H insertion of amines with diazoacetates provides a useful means for the synthesis of ot-amino esters. Fe(III) porphyrins [64] and Fe(III/IV) corroles [65] are efficient catalysts for N-H carbenoid insertion of various aromatic and aliphatic amines using EDA as a carbene source (Scheme 16). The insertion reactions occur at room temperature and can be completed in short reaction times and with high product yields. It is performed in a one-pot fashion without the need for slow... 

Insertion reactions are processes in which a reactive intermediate, in this case a carbene, interposes itself into an existing bond. In terms of synthesis, this usually involves C—H bonds. Many singlet carbenes are sufficiently reactive that insertion can occur as a one-step process. 

Chapter 10 considers the role of reactive intermediates—carbocations, carbenes, and radicals—in synthesis. The carbocation reactions covered include the carbonyl-ene reaction, polyolefin cyclization, and carbocation rearrangements. In the carbene section, addition (cyclopropanation) and insertion reactions are emphasized. Recent development of catalysts that provide both selectivity and enantioselectivity are discussed, and both intermolecular and intramolecular (cyclization) addition reactions of radicals are dealt with. The use of atom transfer steps and tandem sequences in synthesis is also illustrated. 

Perhaps the synthesis of hydrocarbons is best understood. There are three main classes of reactions leading to complex hydrocarbons carbon insertion, condensation, and radiative association. Carbon insertion reactions are between C+ ions and smaller hydrocarbon neutrals viz.,... 

Neutral-neutral reactions are also involved in the synthesis of hydrocarbons, but here the evidence is less clear since, even for those systems studied in the laboratory, reaction products are rarely available. Unlike reactions involving O atoms, those involving C atoms and unsaturated hydrocarbons appear to be rapid, at least at room temperature and above.46,47 If the products of these reactions are analogous to ion-molecule insertion reactions, they can lead to molecular synthesis for example ... 

The photoelimination of nitrogen from diazo compounds provides a simple and versatile route for the generation of carbenes, and in certain instances, insertion reactions of carbenes can be employed in the synthesis of heterocycles. Carbenes are believed to be involved at least in part in the photochemically induced conversion of N,N-diethyldiazoacetamide (439) into the y-lactam 440 and the /Mactam 441,365 and a similar approach has been successfully employed in the synthesis of a carbapen-2-em366 and of 7-methylcephalosporin analogues.367 Carbene insertion of a different type has been observed on irradiation of the 6-anilino-5-diazouracils 442 to give the indolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 443.368 Ring contractions in heterocycles... 

An initial step of orthometallation probably also occurs when aniline is allowed to react with ethylene in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst. 2-Methylquinoline (10 turnovers relative to the metal) and JV-ethylaniline (30 turnovers) are formed after 72 h in what are probably two independent reaction pathways (Scheme 144).216 It is interesting to note that the intramolecular cyclization step in the proposed216 mechanism (Scheme 144) has precedent in the palladium-promoted quinoline synthesis reported by Hegedus et al.16 (see Scheme 142), but the transformation 118->119 is unusual in the chemistry of organometallic insertion reactions.106... 

It is noteworthy to mention that employment of silver(i) trifluoroacetate in place of silver(i) acetate, as in the case of A-confused porphyrin, did not give the desired products. This has been attributed to the better basicity of the acetate anion than the trifluoroacetate, which aided the deprotonation of the three interior GH/NH protons at the carbaporphyrin ligand. Besides, it has been noticed that an excessive amount of silver acetate was required for the synthesis. The mechanism of the silver insertion reaction for this type of ligands was proposed, according to what Bruckner had proposed for the synthesis of silver(m) w -triarylcorroles.218,236 The reaction was suggested to occur via a disproportionation reaction, with the supportive observation of silver deposit formation after the reaction.237... 

Nickel halides and nickel complexes resulting from oxidative addition can also give rise to subsequent replacement and insertion reactions. Replacement reactions have been described mainly with arylnickel halide complexes (examples 23, 29, and 31, Table III). Carbanionic species replace halide ions and can undergo coupling or insertion reactions. An example of application of a carbanionic reaction to the synthesis of a natural product is the coupling step between an aromatic iodo-derivative and an active methylene group to form cephalotaxinone (example 23, Table III). 

The intramolecular C-H insertion reaction of carbene species has been used in a number of studies for the synthesis of strained molecules and cage com-... 

A very impressive application of this chemistry is the total synthesis of (—)-ephedradine A 102.222 The key intermediate /rcarboxylic acid ester 101 was synthesized by intramolecular C-H insertion reaction. Upon treatment with a catalytic amount of Rh2(Y-DOSP)4, aryl diazo ester 100 possessing a chiral auxiliary underwent a C-H insertion reaction to give 101 in 63% yield and 86% de (Equation (83)). 

The intramolecular insertion reactions of nitrenoids into G-H bonds as described above provide an attractive alternative to conventional methods of amine formation. Both carbamate and sulfamate C-H insertions have been applied successfully to the total syntheses of natural products. - The first application of carbamate G-H insertion was reported by Trost in the total synthesis of methyl-L-callipeltose 118 (Equation (92)).230 Intermolecular G-H insertion of carbamate 117 using 10mol% Rh2(OAc)4, PhI(OAc)4, and DTBMP (2,6-di-/ / -butyl-4-methylpyridine) in dichloromethane (40 °C) furnished methyl-L-callipeltose 118 in 63% yield. In an another independent total synthesis of 118, Panek performed this step in refluxing benzene and improved the yield to 93%.231... 

Carbene C-H (and Si-H, [695]) insertion is characteristic of electrophilic carbene complexes. In particular the insertion reactions of acceptor-substituted carbene complexes (Section 4.2) have become a valuable tool for organic synthesis. 

Hence, cationic iron carbene complexes such as Cp(CO)2Fe =CHCHZR, in which Z is an electron-withdrawing group, might also be suitable for intermolecular cyclopropanation or C-H insertion reactions. The use of such carbene complexes in organic synthesis has not yet been thoroughly investigated, but could fruitfully supplement the chemistry of acceptor-substituted carbenes. 

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