On the origin of cis selectivity in the cyclization of N-protected 2-substituted 3-aza-5-hexenyl radicals: a density functional study.

Cyclization of the N-dimethylphosphinoyl-2-methyl-3-aza-5-hexenyl radical has been studied at the UB3LYP/6-31+G(d)//UB3LYP/6-31G(d) hybrid density functional level. The corresponding radical precursor has been synthesized and found to give cis/trans ratios of up to 10/1 in reductive radical cyclizations. The relative energies of reactant and transition state conformers were determined. In discord with the Beckwith-Houk model, it has been found that chair-axial transition states, which lead to cis products, are lowest in energy, rationalizing the observed experimental diastereoselectivity.

Radical carbonylation/reductive cyclization for the construction of tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones.

Beta-hydroxyalkyl aryl chalcogenides obtained by regioselective ring-opening of epoxides with benzeneselenolate or -tellurolate were found to undergo efficient hetero-Michael addition when treated with ethyl propiolate. Subsequent carbonylation/reductive cyclization of the resulting vinylogous carbonates in the presence of AIBN/TTMSS and carbon monoxide (80 atm) afforded 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran-3-ones, predominantly as cis isomers (cis/trans = 4/1-9/1). Starting from a polymer-supported diaryl diselenide, the methodology was also successfully extended to solid-phase synthesis. Vinylogous carbamates prepared by hetero-Michael addition of aziridines to electron-deficient alkynes were regioselectively ring-opened with benzeneselenolate from the sterically least hindered side. Radical carbonylation/reductive cyclization of the resulting N-vinyl-beta-amino-alkyl phenyl selenides afforded 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidin-3-ones, predominantly as cis isomers (cis/trans = 3/1-12/1).

Construction of tetrahydrofuran-3-ones from readily available organochalcogen precursors via radical carbonylation/reductive cyclization.

[reaction: see text] beta-Hydroxyalkyl aryl chalcogenides, readily available by regioselective ring-opening of epoxides with nucleophilic benzeneselenolate or tellurolate, were O-alkylated by treatment with ethyl propiolate or (E)-1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene. Subsequent carbonylation/reductive cyclization in the presence of AIBN/TTMSS and carbon monoxide (80 atm) afforded tetrahydrofuran-3-ones in moderate to good yields.