Blockade of persistent colored isomer formation in photochromic 3H-naphthopyrans by excited-state intramolecular proton transfer.

In photochemistry the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer process (ESIPT) is often observed as a highly efficient singlet excited state depletion pathway, which in the presence of a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond may proceed on a subpicosecond time scale. The present work describes the suppression of unwanted transoid-trans isomer formation in photochromic 3H-naphthopyran derivatives by the introduction of a 5-hydroxy substituent. According to time-resolved spectroscopy experiments and excited-state ab initio calculations, transoid-cis → transoid-trans photoisomerization is reduced by a competitive ESIPT channel in nonpolar solvent (cyclohexane). Upon specific solute-solvent interactions (methanol, acetonitrile) the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the transoid-cis form is perturbed, favoring the internal conversion S1 → S0 process as photostabilizing channel.

A sulfone-based strategy for the preparation of 2,4-disubstituted furan derivatives.

2,4-Disubstituted furans are prepared by treating 2,3-dibromo-1-phenylsulfonyl-1-propene (DBP, 2) with 1,3-diketones under basic conditions. The furan-forming step involves a deacetylation, and the selectivity of this process depends upon the steric demand of the R group. The substituent in position 4 is elaborated by reaction of sulfonyl carbanions with alkyl halides, acyl halides, and aldehydes. Oxidative or reductive desulfonylation produces the 2,4-disubstituted furans in 60-92% yield. This strategy has been used to prepare rabdoketone A (12) and the naturally occurring nematotoxic furoic acid 13.

Novel aerobic oxidation of primary sulfones to carboxylic acids.

Primary alkyl aryl sulfones are converted to the corresponding carboxylic acids in fair to excellent yield through double deprotonation and exposure to atmospheric oxygen. The methodology allows for the convenient synthesis of (13)C labeled carboxylic acids.

Phenylsulfonyl ene-allenes as efficient precursors to bicyclic systems via intramolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions.

Various phenylsulfonyl allene derivatives were prepared with double bonds tethered either to the alpha-position or the gamma-position of the allene. These substrates underwent a highly regio- and stereospecific thermal [2 + 2]-cycloaddition across the nonactivated cumulene double bond, forming distal cycloadducts (i.e., 57) in the case of alpha-tethered allenes and proximal adducts (i.e., 25) in the case of gamma-tethered allenes. The mechanistic rationale for the observed stereospecificity involves initial diradical formation, followed by a rapid ring closure to the more stable cis-fused ring system. The tether may be equipped with heteroatoms, allowing for the formation of fused heterocycles (e.g., 61), and the cycloaddition can be facilitated by the introduction of sterically bulky groups and/or by conformational rigidity to the tether. Other modes of cyclization were observed in the presence of sodium benzenesulfinate or Lewis acids, in which cases polar mechanisms prevail. The chemoselectivity is reversed for [4 + 2]-cycloadditions, which prefer instead to engage the vinyl sulfone moiety, independent of whether the tether is attached to the alpha- or gamma-position of the allene.

2,3-Bis(phenylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene: Substrate for Michael Donor/Acceptors in a Novel Synthesis of Fused Cyclopentenes.

The reaction of 2,3-bis(phenylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene with the anion of various 1-substituted dimethyl 1-pentenedioates has been investigated with the purpose of devising a tandem conjugate addition-[3 + 2]-anionic cyclization route for the synthesis of bicyclo[3.3.0]octenes. The reaction proceeds with complete stereospecificity as was evidenced by treating (E)- and (Z)-dimethyl (3-cyano-2-propenyl)propanedioate with NaH in the presence of the bis(phenylsulfonyl)diene. In both cases only a single cycloadduct was obtained with no detectable signs of the other diastereomer. The overall process involves a series of three sequential conjugate additions followed by benzenesulfinate ion ejection. The success of the method is dependent on the electrophilicity of the proximal pi-bond. When 2-((5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuranyl)methyl)malonic acid dimethyl ester was used, a mixture of the tricyclic adduct as well as an allene was obtained. In this case, elimination of the benzenesulfinate group from the initially formed sulfone-stabilized carbanion is competitive with the intramolecular [3 + 2]-annulation process. The base-induced reaction of dimethyl 2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-pentenedioate with the bis(phenylsulfonyl)diene was also studied. Even though the position of the acceptor moiety on the pi-bond was altered, the tandem Michael reaction sequence still occurs. The course of the reaction is dependent upon the length of the tether as well as the relative placement of the electron-withdrawing group on the olefin. Reaction with gamma-substituted beta,gamma-alkenyl derivatives leads to bicyclo[3.3.0]octenes, whereas beta-substituted beta,gamma-alkenyl reagents provide bicyclo[3.3.0]octenes derived from a novel alpha-elimination reaction.