1,2-Disubstituted Alkenes as Migratory Insertion Participants in Zn(II)-Promoted Metalloamination/Cyclization of N,N-Dimethylhydrazinoalkenes.

Diethylzinc-mediated metalloamination/cyclization of unsaturated N,N-dimethylhydrazines has been extended to the use of 1,2-disubstituted alkenes as N-Zn migratory insertion acceptors. Representative 2-arylethenes and vinylcyclopropanes readily serve as reaction participants in metalloamination/cyclization-allylation cascades.

Divergent Stereocontrolled Synthesis of the Enantiopure Tetracyclic Cores of Asparagamine A and Stemofoline via an Intramolecular 2-Propylidine-1,3-(bis)silane Bicyclization.

A concise and highly diastereoselective synthesis of the polyfused tetracyclic cores of the Stemona alkaloids asparagamine A and stemofoline that relies on a 2-propylidine-1,3-(bis)silane bicyclization onto a enantiodefined pyrrolidine 2,5-di(cation) equivalent derived from l-malic acid is reported. A crucial feature of this divergent synthetic approach involves the solvolysis of a transient and highly labile tertiary-propargylic hydroxylactam trifluoroacetate in the strongly ionizing medium 5 M LiClO4/Et2O. The acyliminium ion generated in this manner undergoes stereospecific interception by the aforementioned (bis)silane nucleophile.