ABSTRACT
In the presence of rhodium(I) hydride catalysts, tertiary N-allylamines are known to isomerise into E enamines. In contrast, we have recently found that N-allylaziridines isomerise to form Z enamines. On the basis of literature data, the most likely mechanism of isomerisation would involve a rhodium hydride addition/beta-hydride elimination sequence. We show that the observed selectivity cannot be adequately explained by this pathway and is more consistent with initial CH-activation followed by rearrangement to form a five-membered cyclometallated rhodium intermediate. This intermediate subsequently undergoes reductive elimination to form a C--H bond. The resulting geometrically stable Z enamines are useful building blocks for stereoselective synthesis.
Subject(s)
Amines/chemical synthesis , Aziridines/chemistry , Rhodium/chemistry , Amines/chemistry , Catalysis , Molecular Structure , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
Rhodium (I)-catalyzed isomerization of N-allylaziridines affords isolable Z-enamines in excellent yields and with high stereoselectivity. Cationic [Rh(BINAP)(COD)]OTf and RhH(CO)(PPh3)3 follow the same selectivity toward the Z-isomers. This selectivity is not observed with other N-allylamines which give the thermodynamically more stable E-isomers. These unexpected results suggest a possible deviation from the commonly accepted mechanism of isomerization. Preliminary results show that the Z-enamines undergo cycloaddition with DMAD to form highly strained N-cyclobutenyl aziridines.
Subject(s)
Allyl Compounds/chemistry , Amines/chemical synthesis , Aziridines/chemistry , Catalysis , Rhodium , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
[reaction: see text] Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of vinyl- and arylstannanes with pi-electron-deficient heteroaromatics was performed in good yields. This Stille-type reaction was carried out with a methylthioether function as an electrophile in the presence of a copper(I) bromide-dimethyl sulfide complex.
