Cyclic ß-hydroxy-α-nitrosulfone isomers readily interconvert via open-chain aldehyde forms.

Two structurally diverse cyclic ß-hydroxy-α-nitrosulfones have been prepared and their isomerisation reactions studied. These cyclic ß-hydroxy-α-nitrosulfones undergo isomer equilibration via open-chain aldehyde forms under a variety of mild conditions. Michael condensation of 1,1'-[(1,3-dinitro-1,3-propanediyl)bis(sulfonyl)]bis(benzene) with propenal and subsequent cyclisation afforded 2,4-dinitro-2,4-bis(phenylsulfonyl)cyclohexanol in 98% yield as a mixture of four diastereomers. Sequential chromatography and recrystallization afford pure (1R,2R,4S)-rel-2,4-dinitro-2,4-bis(phenylsulfonyl)cyclohexanol based on spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic data. This diastereomer equilibrates with the other three possible diastereomers under a variety of mild conditions: during silica gel chromatography, when dissolved in basic solution, and when dissolved in neutral polar solvents. Open-chain aldehyde forms are implicated as intermediates in isomer interconversion. Condensation of 1-methyl-4-[(nitromethyl)sulfonyl]benzene and pentanedial gives 2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-nitrocyclohexane-1,3-diol as predominantly two diastereomers. Purification affords pure racemic diastereomer in 55% yield. This racemic diastereomer interconverts with several other isomers during silica gel chromatography. These isomers were identified as one, likely two, diastereomeric meso 2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-nitrocyclohexane-1,3-diol isomers and four cyclic hemiacetal constitutional isomers. When dissolved in neutral polar solvents, the racemic diastereomer also interconverts with meso diastereomers and cyclic hemiacetals showing a marked solvent dependence. Reaction of the racemic diastereomer with triethylamine in dichloromethane results in isomerisation as well as substantial reversion to 1-methyl-4-[(nitromethyl)sulfonyl]benzene and pentanedial. Reaction with triethylamine in DMSO as well as simply warming in DMSO results in ring opening and concomitant dehydration to afford (E)-6-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-6-nitrohex-4-enal.

Sequential Diels-Alder/[3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reactions of ß-nitrostyrene with 3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene.

The tin(IV)-catalyzed reaction of ß-nitrostyrene with (E)-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene in toluene afforded two major nitronic ester cycloadducts in 27% and 29% yield that arise from the reaction at the less substituted diene double bond. Also present were four cycloadducts from the reaction at the higher substituted diene double bond, two of which were the formal cycloadducts of (Z)-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene. A Friedel-Crafts alkylation product from the reaction of the diene, ß-nitrostyrene, and toluene was also obtained in 10% yield. The tin(IV)-catalyzed reaction of ß-nitrostyrene with (Z)-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene in dichloromethane afforded four nitronic ester cycloadducts all derived from the reaction at the higher substituted double bond. One cycloadduct was isolated in 45% yield and two others are formal adducts of the E-isomer of the diene. The product formation in these reactions is consistent with a stepwise mechanism involving a zwitterionic intermediate. The initially isolated nitronic ester cycloadducts underwent tin(IV)-catalyzed interconversion, presumably via zwitterion intermediates. Cycloadducts derived from the reaction at the less substituted double bond of (E)-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene underwent a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement on heating to afford 4-nitrocyclohexenes. Cycloadducts derived from the reaction at the higher substituted diene double bond of either diene failed to undergo a thermal rearrangement. Rates and success of the rearrangement are consistent with a concerted mechanism possessing a dipolar transition state. An initial assessment of substituent effects on the rearrangement process is presented.

Formation and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of O-allyl nitronic esters: a new route to gamma,delta-unsaturated nitro compounds.

O-Allyl nitronic esters that are obtained from tin(IV) catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions undergo thermal rearrangement to gamma,delta-unsaturated nitro compounds.

Competing Diels-Alder reactions of activated nitroethylene derivatives and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of the cycloadducts.

Diels-Alder reaction of nitroethylene derivatives with cyclohexa-1,3-diene afforded three pericyclic products some of which could be converted to others via a new [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement or via a Claisen rearrangement.

Preparation, properties, and chemical reactivity of alpha-nitrosulfoximines, chiral analogues of alpha-nitrosulfones.

Racemic N-methyl-S-(nitromethyl)-S-phenylsulfoximine (2) was prepared in 87% yield via alkaline nitration of N,S-dimethyl-S-phenylsulfoximine. Optically active N-methyl-S-(nitromethyl)-S-phenylsulfoximine (both enantiomers) was prepared in similar fashion. Reaction of racemic 2 with p-chlorophenyl isocyanate and a catalytic quantity of triethylamine in the presence of furan afforded dihydrofuroisoxazole 5, the product of nitrile oxide cycloaddition, in 42% yield (65:35 diastereomer ratio). Reaction of the dihydrofuroisoxazole 5 with phenyllithium and methyllithium afforded replacement of the sulfoximine group by phenyl and methyl, respectively. Reaction of racemic 2 with aromatic isocyanates and potassium carbonate afforded C-acylation products in 70-78% yield which existed as the ylide tautomers 9a,b. Methylation of racemic 2 afforded the C-alkylate N-methyl-S-(1-nitroethyl)-S-phenylsulfoximine (13), existing as the neutral tautomer.