Acid-mediated ring-expansion reaction of N-aryl-2-vinylazetidines: synthesis and unanticipated reactivity of tetrahydrobenzazocines.

The aza-Clasen rearrangement of N-aryl-2-vinylazetidines has been explored. N-Aryl-2-vinylazetidines were transformed to corresponding tetrahydrobenzazocines in good yields. Unexpectedly, the tetrahydrobenzazocine was unstable and readily isomerized to vinyltetrahydroquinoline in the presence of acid. The mechanism of this ring contraction was studied in detail.

Cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylazetidines with benzyne: a facile access to 1-benzazocine derivatives.

The cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylazetidines with benzyne proceeded smoothly without a catalyst, and various benzazocine derivatives were isolated in good to high yields. The scope of the reaction, as well as the reactions of other arynes, has been studied.

[5 + 2] Cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylaziridines and sulfonyl isocyanates. Synthesis of seven-membered cyclic ureas.

The [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylaziridines with sulfonyl isocyanates proceeded smoothly under mild conditions, and various cyclic ureas were isolated in high yields. The remarkable solvent effect on the reaction was observed, and the preferential formation of the seven-membered ring occurred when the reaction was carried out in CH(2)Cl(2). The scope and limitation were studied, and the mechanism of this reaction was discussed. This study provides a new and simple method for the synthesis of seven-membered cyclic ureas.

Selective synthesis of eight-membered cyclic ureas by the [6 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylazetidines and electron-deficient isocyanates.

The [6 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylazetidines with electron-deficient isocyanates such as tosyl isocyanate proceeded smoothly in the absence of the catalyst at room temperature, and various cyclic ureas were isolated in good to high yields. Electron-deficient allenes also reacted with the 2-vinylazetidine, and the corresponding azocine derivatives were isolated.