Discovery of a Formal Dyotropic Rearrangement during Acid-Mediated Dioxabicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone Formation.

A new reaction mechanism for the construction of dioxabicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone skeletons via a cation cascade has been proposed and examined by DFT and ab initio computations. This mechanism features the following steps: (1) intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization with a methyl oxocarbenium cation formed by carboxylate disconnection, (2) electron-rich aromatic ring assisted methoxide loss followed by lactone formation, and (3) stepwise dyotropic rearrangement resulting in skeletal isomerization from a dioxabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanone to the dioxabicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone product observed experimentally. The high regioselectivity and driving force for the overall rearrangement were rationalized, and Lewis and Brønsted acid mediated reactivities were compared.

Gold(III)-Catalyzed Propargylic Substitution Reaction Followed by Cycloisomerization for Synthesis of Poly-Substituted Furans from N-Tosylpropargyl Amines with 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds.

The treatment of N-tosylpropargyl amines 1 with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 2 in the presence of AuBr3 (5 mol%) and AgOTf (15 mol%) afforded poly-substituted furans 3 in good-to-high yields via the gold-catalyzed cleavage of the sp3 carbon-nitrogen bond.

Intermolecular 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction of N-Carbamoyl Nitrones Generated by N-Selective Carbamoylation of Oximes with Isocyanates.

N-Selective carbamoylation reaction of oximes with isocyanates generates nitrones, which undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with various dipolarophiles to afford diverse isoxazolidines. Notably, combinations of highly electron-rich oxime and highly electron-deficient dipolarophile exhibited high reactivity, with product yields of up to 94 %. The substituent on the isoxazolidine-nitrogen atom could be successfully removed without loss of the cyclic structure. Computational studies have also elucidated the mechanism of the reaction and origin of stereoselectivity.

Directing-Group-Free Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Arylation of Aldoxime Using Oxime's Umpolung Properties.

Alkyl aldoximes without a directing group undergo palladium-catalyzed C-H arylation with aryl bromides to afford alkyl aryl ketoximes in moderate to high yields. The reaction of electron-rich aryl bromides and linear oximes proceeded to afford the coupling products in up to 98% yield. This reaction has broad scope and excellent functional group tolerance. Although reactions using hydroxyl oximes as nucleophiles have generally proceeded on the oxygen atom, this reaction selectively proceeds on oxime carbons by taking advantage of the oxime's umpolung properties and Pd reactivity.

Mechanism and the Origins of Periselectivity in Cycloaddition Reactions of Benzyne with Dienes.

Density functional theory calculations have been used to explore the reaction mechanism of (4 + 2) and (2 + 2) cycloadditions of benzyne with classical dienes. The results indicate the following: (1) (4 + 2) products arise via concerted pathways, (2) (2 + 2) products arise via stepwise pathways with diradical intermediates, and (3) these diradical intermediates are formed via isomerization of carbene intermediates. The origins of periselectivity in these reactions are analyzed using distortion/interaction analysis for the key steps, and they indicate that the tiny distortion in the very early [4 + 2] transition structure, coupled with an entropic favorability, controls selective (4 + 2) cycloaddition.

Cationic palladium(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of substituted pyridines from α,ß-unsaturated oxime ethers.

An efficient method for the synthesis of multi-substituted pyridines from ß-aryl-substituted α,ß-unsaturated oxime ethers and alkenes via Pd-catalyzed C-H activation has been developed. The method, using Pd(OAc)2 and a sterically hindered pyridine ligand, provides access to various multi-substituted pyridines with complete regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest that the pyridine products are formed by Pd-catalyzed electrophilic C-H alkenylation of α,ß-unsaturated oxime followed by aza-6π-electrocyclization. The utility of this method is showcased by the synthesis of 4-aryl-substituted pyridine derivatives, which are difficult to synthesize efficiently using previously reported Rh-catalyzed strategies with alkenes.

Electrophilic Epoxidation of α,ß-Unsaturated Oximes with Dioxiranes and Ring Opening of the Epoxides.

α,ß-Unsaturated oximes underwent electrophilic epoxidation with in-situ-generated dimethyldioxirane to give the corresponding epoxides in good yields. This reaction is an example of "carbonyl umpolung" by transformation of α,ß-unsaturated ketones to their oximes. Nucleophilic ring-opening reactions of the epoxides afforded α-substituted products. Shi asymmetric epoxidation of the oximes proceeded with moderate enantioselectivity.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Substituted Pyridine Synthesis from α,ß-Unsaturated Oxime Ethers via a C-H Alkenylation/Aza-6π-Electrocyclization Approach.

An efficient synthetic method for multisubstituted pyridines from ß-aryl-substituted α,ß-unsaturated oxime ethers and alkenes via Pd-catalyzed C-H activation has been developed. Systematic optimization of catalyst ligands revealed that sterically hindered pyridines increased the reactivity. Mechanistic studies suggested that the products are formed by Pd-catalyzed ß-alkenylation of α,ß-unsaturated oxime followed by aza-6π-electrocyclization. Various oximes and alkenes could be utilized to afford multisubstituted pyridines with complete regioselectivity. The usefulness of this methodology was showcased by the synthesis of 4-aryl-substituted pyridine derivatives, which are difficult to access with previously reported Rh-catalyzed approaches with alkenes.

Synthesis and Formation Mechanism of a Compound with an Unprecedented Skeleton: Dodecahydro-4,10:5,9-diepoxydipyrrolo[3,4-b:3',4'-f][1,5]diazocine.

The reaction of N-(2-{[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]imino}ethyl)-4-methyl-N-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (6b) with BF3·OEt2 afforded a compound with an unprecedented dodecahydro-4,10 : 5,9-diepoxydipyrrolo[3,4-b:3',4'-f][1,5]diazocine skeleton (7) after aqueous work-up. The formation mechanism of meso-7 appears to involve dimerization of the hydrated forms (6aS)-C and (6aR)-C of the initial racemic product 9 via cation B generated by facile protonation at the C3a position of 9. Extensive computational studies revealed that the driving force of the facile hydration of 9 is probably release of the ring strain of 9, which arises in part from the bent sp2-hybridized C3a carbon.

Thioether Ligand-Enabled Cationic Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Electrophilic C-H Arylation of α,ß-Unsaturated Oxime Ethers.

The use of the cationic palladium(II) catalyst realized electrophilic C-H arylation of α,ß-unsaturated O-SEM oximes with arylboronic acids. This Pd-catalyzed electrophilic C-H arylation is facilitated by employing alkyl aryl thioether ligands, and optimization of the ligand structure greatly improves the yield. The resulting α,ß-unsaturated oximes would provide access to multisubstituted heterocyclic compounds.

Inverse-Electron-Demand oxa-Diels-Alder Reactions of α-Keto-ß,γ-unsaturated Esters and α,ß-Unsaturated Hydrazones.

A concise synthetic method for dihydropyrans has been developed by inverse-electron-demand oxa-Diels-Alder reaction of α-keto-ß,γ-unsaturated esters with α,ß-unsaturated hydrazones as electron-rich olefins. This reaction is catalyzed by Eu(hfc)3 and proceeds in an endo-selective manner. This umpolung cycloaddition affords a variety of substituted dihydropyrans stereoselectively in high yields. In addition, indirect synthesis of formyl-substituted dihydropyran was achieved by dehydrazonation of the cycloadduct. This method is expected to be useful for the synthesis of dihydropyrans and tetrahydropyrans with unusual substitution patterns.

Inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions of α,ß-unsaturated hydrazones with 3-methoxycarbonyl α-pyrones.

Inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions of 3-electron-withdrawing group substituted α-pyrones with α,ß-unsaturated hydrazones as electron-rich counterparts are catalyzed by Eu(hfc)3 to afford bicyclic lactone cycloadducts. This is an example of umpolung cycloaddition based on functional transformation of carbonyls to hydrazones. A subsequent dehydrazonation reaction enables indirect synthesis of carbonyl group-containing bicyclic lactones, which cannot be easily obtained by the cycloaddition of α-pyrones and enals.

Total Synthesis of Neodysiherbaine A via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of a Chiral Nitrone Template.

The total synthesis of neodysiherbaine A was achieved via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a chiral nitrone template with a sugar-derived allyl alcohol in the presence of MgBr2·OEt2. This cycloaddition constructed the C2 and C4 asymmetric centers in a single step. Then reductive cleavage, intramolecular SN2 reaction of the tertiary alcohol, and oxidation of the primary alcohol afforded neodysiherbaine A.

First Total Syntheses of Tetracenomycins†C and X.

The first total syntheses of tetracenomycins C and X were achieved, featuring 1) preparation of a hexasubstituted naphthonitrile oxide by successive benzyne cycloadditions and an oxidative ring-opening reaction; 2) a novel ortho-quinone mono-acetal as the A-ring unit; 3) construction of three contiguous stereogenic centers by an asymmetric benzoin cyclization, an isoxazole oxidation, and a stereoselective reduction.

Thiyl radical-mediated cyclization of ω-alkynyl O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloximes.

ω-Alkynyl O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloximes, upon treatment with odorless 4-tert-butylbenzenethiol in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in refluxing benzene, underwent addition of a thiyl radical to the alkynyl group followed by radical cyclization of the corresponding vinyl radical onto the O-silyloxime moiety to give cyclic O-silylhydroxylamines in good yields. The reactivity of O-silyloximes in radical cyclization was similar to or even higher than that of O-benzyloximes. Facile removal of the silyl group of the cyclization products leading to hydroxylamines and nitrone formation of the hydroxylamines were also demonstrated.

Utilization of electron-donating α,ß-unsaturated oximes: regioselective inverse 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones.

The cycloaddition of nitrones with α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (enones) afforded predominantly 4-acylisoxazolidines, whereas the cycloaddition of the corresponding oximes afforded 5-iminoisoxazolidines. This inverse regioselection is due to HOMO activation by the oxime functionality.

Gold(I)/(III)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Cyclic Ethers; Valency-Controlled Cyclization Modes.

Strategic use of oxophilic (hard) gold(III) and π-philic (soft) gold(I) catalysts provides access to two types of cyclic ethers from propargylic alcohols. Thus, heating propargylic alcohols with an oxophilic gold(III) catalyst (AuBr3) results in cyclization to afford cyclic ethers bearing an acetylenic moiety, due to coordination of gold(III) to the oxygen of the propargylic hydroxyl group. On the other hand, propargylic alcohols with a π-philic gold(I) catalyst (Ph3PAuNTf2) induces Meyer-Schuster rearrangement to afford α,ß-unsaturated ketones, which undergo gold(III)-catalyzed intramolecular oxa-Michael addition to afford cyclic ethers bearing a carbonyl group, due to coordination of gold(III) to the oxygen of the carbonyl group.

BF3-Mediated cis-Selective Cycloaddition of O-Silyloxime with Alkenes.

A C-amide-substituted O-silylated oxime, (E)-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxyimino)acetic acid N,N-dimethylamide (8b), on treatment with 2.2 equiv of BF3·OEt2, in situ generated boracyclic nitrone-type intermediate BF3·14, which underwent cycloaddition with alkenes to give 3,5-cis-isoxazolidines as the major products. The mechanism was strongly supported by isolation of the reaction intermediate 14 that was characterized by X-ray diffraction and its further reaction. This cycloaddition was successfully applied to the synthesis of syn-HPA-12 known as an inhibitor of CERT that mediates the transport of ceramide.

Synthesis of isoxazoles en route to semi-aromatized polyketides: dehydrogenation of benzonitrile oxide-para-quinone acetal cycloadducts.

A variety of highly functionalized polycyclic isoxazoles are prepared by a two-step protocol: (1) 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of o,o'-disubstituted benzonitrile oxides to para-quinone mono-acetals, then (2) dehydrogenation. The cycloaddition proceeds in a regioselective manner, favouring the formation of the 4-acyl cycloadducts, which are suitable intermediates for the synthesis of semi-aromatized polycyclic targets derived from polyketide type-II biosynthesis.