Revisiting keteniminium salts: more than the nitrogen analogs of ketenes.

Keteniminium salts are powerful electrophilic heterocumulene reagents well-known for their selectivity and stereocontrol in [2+2] cycloadditions to olefins and carbonyl derivatives. Furthermore, they are readily accessible from stable and simple precursors under a variety of different conditions. Herein, we present the chemistry of keteniminium salts with the hindsight of time, describe preparation methods, recent [2+2] chemistry, mechanistic studies, and assorted applications that significantly extend the scope of utility of these unique electrophilic heterocumulenes.

Aminocyclopropanes as precursors of endoperoxides with antimalarial activity.

This contribution describes the synthesis of several novel bicyclic α-amino endoperoxides, including CF(3)-substituted compounds, prepared by the aerobic electrochemical oxidation of a family of bicyclic aminocyclopropanes. These, in turn, are readily synthesised by a titanium-mediated intramolecular cyclopropanation process (Kulinkovich-de Meijere reaction), starting from N-alkenyl amides that contain a vic-disubstituted double bond, with high diastereoselectivity. An evaluation of the biological activities of several of the molecules produced, against the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is also presented.