Ziegler-modified Ullmann reaction

The Ziegler-modified Ullmann reaction was used for the total synthesis of pyrrolophenanthridinium alkaloid tortuosine by L.A. Flippin and co-workers. First, A/-Boc-5-methoxyindoline was lithiated at C7 with s-BuLi in the presence of TMEDA, and then it was transmetallated to the corresponding organocopper species that smoothly underwent the Ullmann reaction with a 3-iodoaryl imine. The resulting biaryl product was treated with anhydrous HCI in chloroform, which promoted the cyclization followed by dehydration to give the natural product. 

In general, imines are too reactive to be used to protect carbonyl groups. In a synthesis of juncusol, however, a bromo- and an iodocyclobexylbnine of two identical aromatic aldehydes were coupled by an Ullmann coupling reaction modified by Ziegler. The imines were cleaved by acidic hydrolysis (aq. oxalic acid, THE, 20°, 1 h, 95% yield). Imines of aromatic aldehydes have also been prepared to protect the aldehyde during ring metalation with. -BuLi. ... 

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