Convenient Access to 2,3-Disubstituted-cyclobut-2-en-1-ones under Suzuki Conditions and Their Synthetic Utility.

A regioselective synthesis of general applicability has been designed for the one-pot preparation of 2,3-disubstituted-cyclobutenones from iodoalkynes through cyclobutenylation, Suzuki CC coupling, and ketone formation. This one-pot methodology has been applied to the selective synthesis of an orally active cyclooxygenase II inhibitor. Furthermore, the obtained cyclobut-2-en-1-ones were used as synthons in several transformations, such as, the preparation of ß-lactams, phthalazines, cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ones, and cyclopent-3-en-1-ones.

Gold-Catalyzed Divergent Ring-Closing Modes of Indole-Tethered Amino Allenynes.

Indole-tethered amino allenynes were chemodivergently cyclized for the controlled preparation of fused polycyclic indoles using gold catalysis. Double cyclization of terminal allenynes afforded hexacyclic 15 H-indolo[1,2,3-de]quinolino[3,2,1-ij]quinoxalines, in which allenynes bearing a substituted alkyne at the terminal end generated 12,13-dihydro-7 H-indolo[3,2-c]acridines, which are 5-membered cyclized adducts. Density functional theory calculations were performed to shed light on this difference in reactivity.

Divergence in Ynone Reactivity: Atypical Cyclization by 3,4-Difunctionalization versus Rare Bis(cyclization).

Functionalized ynones can be activated by Tf2 C=CH2 , which was generated in situ, to form zwitterionic species. These species were trapped in an intramolecular fashion by several nucleophiles to generate two major types of triflones in a divergent manner. Through fine-tuning of the reaction temperature, bis(triflyl)-6-membered- or (triflyl)-5-membered-fused-heterocycles were achieved in reasonable yields in a totally selective manner. In this way, bis(triflyl)flavones, bis(triflyl)thioflavones, bis(triflyl)selenoflavones, (triflyl)benzothienopyrans, (triflyl)benzoselenophenopyrans, (triflyl)vinyl aurones, and (triflyl)pyranoindoles were constructed. Conceivable mechanistic pathways were suggested on the basis of the isolation of several intermediates and the results from control experiments.

A Facile Synthesis of Blue Luminescent [7]Helicenocarbazoles Based on Gold-Catalyzed Rearrangement-Iodonium Migration and Suzuki-Miyaura Benzannulation Reactions.

New azahelicenes having interesting photophysical properties have been prepared in a four-step sequence. These [7]helicenocarbazoles are efficient blue luminophores, demonstrating the utility of gold catalysis in the preparation of advanced materials.

De Novo Synthesis of α-Hydroxy Ketones by Gallic Acid-Promoted Aerobic Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Diazonium Salts.

An unprecedented metal-free direct preparation of unprotected α-hydroxy ketones from terminal alkynes under mild conditions with diazonium salts as the arene source and without the requirement of irradiation is described. The process is general and fully compatible with a wide variety of substitution in both reactants. Experimental and computational evidence strongly suggest the involvement of radical species in the transformation.

Cationic AuIII versus AuI : Catalyst-Controlled Divergent Reactivity of Alkyne-Tethered Lactams.

Switchable reactivity through cationic gold-based catalyst control built on the oxidation state, namely cationic AuIII versus AuI , has been achieved in the direct functionalization of 2-azetidinone-tethered alkynyl indoles.

Allenols versus Allenones: Rhodium-Catalyzed Regiodivergent and Tunable Allene Reactivity with Triazoles.

2-Pyrrolines and 6-oxo-hexa-2,4-dienals have been prepared through the divergent reactions of 1-benzenesulfonyl-4-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles with functionalized allenes. The rhodium-catalyzed reactions between allenols and 1-benzenesulfonyl-4-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles yielded 2-pyrrolines. This transformation is compatible with the presence of aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, amide, and halogen functional groups. Interestingly, a reactivity switch took place when the allene-tethered alcohol substrate was replaced by its ketone counterpart. When the rhodium-catalyzed reaction of 1-benzenesulfonyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole was performed with allenones, acyclic 6-oxo-hexa-2,4-dienals were stereoselectively formed as (2Z,4E) isomers.

Photoinduced Gold-Catalyzed Domino C(sp) Arylation/Oxyarylation of TMS-Terminated Alkynols with Arenediazonium Salts.

A selective and convenient synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted α,ß-unsaturated ketones, as well as 2,3-diarylbenzofurans has been developed with the aid of light and taking advantage of a cooperative gold/photoredox-catalyzed 2-fold arylation reaction of TMS-terminated alkynols. The reaction of 3-(trimethylsilyl)prop-2-yn-1-ols was competent to generate diarylated α,ß-unsaturated ketones; whereas the photoredox sequence involving 2-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]phenol exclusively afforded 2,3-diarylbenzofurans. The reaction of terminal alkynes proceeded in poor yields while the use of bulkier silyl groups, such as TIPS, resulted unproductive. Apparently, the C(sp) arylation reaction is the first event on the domino bis-arylative sequence. These results could be explained through the intermediation of arylgold(III) species and several single electron transfer processes.

Direct Metal-Free Entry to Aminocyclobutenes or Aminocyclobutenols from Ynamides: Synthetic Applications.

The [2+2] cycloaddition of ynamides with the highly polarized reagent Tf2 C=CH2 has been developed to regioselectively afford bis(triflyl)aminocyclobutenes in the absence of catalyst under mild conditions. Incidentally, with the ynamides bearing electron-rich aromatic rings at the C-terminal, an interesting reactivity switch was observed; a cyclization/hydroxylation sequence yielded 2-amino-3-(triflyl)cyclobut-2-enols. Aminocyclobutene construction with addition of alcohols resulted in the formation of aminocyclobutenyl ethers through a cyclization/hydroalkoxylation process. Moreover, the utility of functionalized aminocyclobutenes as precursors for further elaboration was demonstrated with the preparation of α-amino-ß,γ-unsaturated ketones and 3-(triflyl)buta-1,3-dien-2-amines through 4 π-electrocyclic ring opening.

Metal-Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions of 2,3,4-Trien-1-ols: A Joint Experimental-Computational Study.

Controlled preparation of tri- and tetrasubstituted furans, as well as carbazoles has been achieved through chemo- and regioselective metal-catalyzed cyclization reactions of cumulenic alcohols. The gold- and palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of cumulenols, including indole-tethered 2,3,4-trien-1-ols, to trisubstituted furans was effective, due to a 5-endo-dig oxycyclization by attack of the hydroxy group onto the central cumulene double bond. In contrast, palladium-catalyzed heterocyclization/coupling reactions with 3-bromoprop-1-enes furnished tetrasubstituted furans. Also studied was the palladium-catalyzed cyclization/coupling sequence involving protected indole-tethered 2,3,4-trien-1-ols and 3-bromoprop-1-enes that exclusively generated trisubstituted carbazole derivatives. These results could be explained through a selective 6-endo-dig cumulenic hydroarylation, followed by aromatization. DFT calculations were carried out to understand this difference in reactivity.

Metal-Free Allene-Based Synthesis of Enantiopure Fused Polycyclic Sultones.

The controlled metal-free preparation of fused δ-sultone derivatives has been developed starting from hydroxyallenynes. The use of 2-(3,3-diethyltriaz-1-enyl)-4-methylbenzene-1-sulfonyl chloride in a sulfonylation/rearrangement sequence gives access to 1,3-dien-2-yl arenesulfonates. These functionalized enynes suffered a direct cyclization/desaturation radical cascade, allowing the synthesis of a variety of enynyl [1,2]oxathiine 1,1-dioxides. Stereoselective cyclization of the readily formed core through intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction has also been demonstrated, affording ß-lactam- and glucofuranoside-fused δ-sultone polycycles. These selective reactions have been studied experimentally and additionally, their reaction mechanisms have been investigated computationally by means of density functional theory calculations.

Tunable Metal-Catalyzed Heterocyclization Reactions of Allenic Amino Alcohols: An Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Controlled preparation of 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles, 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans, and pyrroles has been achieved through switchable chemo- and regioselectivity in the metal-catalyzed heterocyclization reactions of allenic amino alcohols. The gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization reaction of α-amino-ß-hydroxyallenes was effective as 5-endo cyclization by addition of amino functionality to the distal allene carbon to yield enantiopure 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles, whereas their palladium-catalyzed cyclizative coupling reactions furnished 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans through a chemo- and regioselective 6-endo cycloetherification. Conversely, the gold-catalyzed heterocyclization reaction of ß-amino-γ-hydroxyallenes generated exclusively pyrrole derivatives. These results could be explained through a chemo- and regioselective 5-exo aminocyclization to the central allene carbon followed by aromatization. Chemo- and regioselectivity depend on both linker elongation as well as the type of catalyst. This behavior can be justified by means of density functional theory calculations.

Gold-catalyzed cyclization reactions of allenol and alkynol derivatives.

Although gold is chemically inert as a bulk metal, the landmark discovery that gold nanoparticles can be effective catalysts has opened up new and exciting research opportunities in the field. In recent years, there has been growth in the number of reactions catalyzed by gold complexes [gold(I) and gold(III)], usually as homogeneous catalysts, because they are soft Lewis acids. In addition, alkynes and allenes have interesting reactivities and selectivities, notably their ability to produce complex structures in very few steps. In this Account, we describe our work in gold catalysis with a focus on the formation of C-C and C-O bonds using allenes and alkynes as starting materials. Of these, oxa- and carbo-cyclizations are perhaps the best known and most frequently studied. We have divided those contributions into sections arranged according to the nature of the starting material (allene versus alkyne). Gold-catalyzed carbocyclizations in allenyl C2-linked indoles, allenyl-ß-lactams, and allenyl sugars follow different mechanistic pathways. The cyclization of indole-tethered allenols results in the efficient synthesis of carbazole derivatives, for example. However, the compound produced from gold-catalyzed 9-endo carbocyclization of (aryloxy)allenyl-tethered 2-azetidinones is in noticeable contrast to the 5-exo hydroalkylation product that results from allenyl sugars. We have illustrated the unusual preference for the 4-exo-dig cyclization in allene chemistry, as well as the rare ß-hydride elimination reaction, in gold catalysis from readily available α-allenols. We have also observed in γ-allenols that a (methoxymethyl)oxy protecting group not only masks a hydroxyl functionality but also exerts directing effects as a controlling unit in a gold-catalyzed regioselectivity reversal. Our recent work has also led to a combined experimental and computational study on regioselective gold-catalyzed synthetic routes to 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones (kinetically controlled products) and 1,3-oxazin-2-one derivatives (thermodynamically favored) from easily accessible allenic carbamates. In addition, we discuss the direct gold-catalyzed cycloketalization of alkynyldioxolanes, as well as aminoketalization of alkynyloxazolidines. We performed labeling studies and density functional calculations to gain insight into the mechanisms of the bis-heterocyclization reactions. We also describe the controlled gold-catalyzed reactions of primary and secondary propargylic hydroperoxides with a variety of nucleophiles including alcohols and phenols, allowing the direct synthesis of ß-functionalized ketones. Through computations and (18)O-labeling experiments, we discovered various aspects of the controlled reactivity of propargylic hydroperoxides with external nucleophiles under gold catalysis. The mechanism resembles a Meyer-Schuster rearrangement, but notably, the presence and geometry characteristics of the OOH functional group allow a new pathway to happen, which cannot apply to propargylic alcohols.

A versatile synthesis of ß-lactam-fused oxacycles through the palladium-catalyzed chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective cyclization of allenic diols.

Chemo-, regio- and stereocontrolled palladium-catalyzed preparations of enantiopure morpholines, oxocines, and dioxonines have been developed starting from 2-azetidinone-tethered γ,δ-, δ,ε-, and ε,ζ-allendiols. The palladium-catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of γ,δ-allendiols 2 with allyl bromide or lithium bromide was effective as 8-endo cyclization by attack of the primary hydroxy group to the terminal allene carbon to afford enantiopure functionalized oxocines; whereas the palladium-catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of 2-azetidinone-tethered ε,ζ-allendiols 4 furnished dioxonines 16 through a totally chemo- and regioselective 9-endo oxycyclization. By contrast, the palladium-catalyzed cyclizative coupling reaction of 2-azetidinone-tethered δ,ε-allendiols 3 with aryl and alkenyl halides exclusively generated six-membered-ring compounds 14 a and 15 a. These results could be explained through a 6-exo cyclization by chemo- and regiospecific attack of the secondary hydroxy group to the internal allene carbon. Chemo- and regiocontrol issues are mainly influenced by the length of the tether rather than by the nature of the metal catalysts and substituents. This reactivity can be rationalized by means of density functional theory calculations.

Divergent reactivity of homologue ortho-allenylbenzaldehydes controlled by the tether length: chromone versus chromene formation.

The divergent behavior of two homologue allenals, namely, 2-(buta-2,3-dienyloxy)- and 2-(propa-1,2-dienyloxy)benzaldehydes, as cyclization substrates is described. 2-(Buta-2,3-dienyloxy)benzaldehydes suffers a formal allenic carbocyclization reaction to afford chromenes, whereas 2-(propa-1,2-dienyloxy)benzaldehydes react to yield chromones. The formation of chromenes is strictly a formal hydroarylation process divided into two parts, namely, allenic Claisen-type rearrangement and oxycyclization. An unknown N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed allenic hydroacylation reaction must be invoked to account for the preparation of chromones. ortho-Allenylbenzaldehydes bearing either electron-donating substituents or electron-withdrawing substituents worked well to afford both the hydroarylation and hydroacylation products. This unexpected difference in reactivity can be rationalized by means of density functional theory calculations.

Gold as Catalyst for the Hydroarylation and Domino Hydroarylation/N1-C4 Cleavage of ß-Lactam-Tethered Allenyl Indoles.

Gold-catalyzed hydroarylation reaction of ß-lactam-tethered allenyl indoles gives azeto-oxepino[4,5-b]indol-2-ones, tetrahydroazeto-azocino[3,4-b]indol-2-ones, and hexahydroazeto-azepino[3,4-b]indol-2-ones with very high levels of stereo- and regioselectivity, the 7-exo and 8-endo carbocyclization modes by attack of the indole group toward either the internal or the terminal allene carbon, respectively, being favored. Hydroarylation across the central carbon of the allene moiety has not been detected. The controlled gold-catalyzed annulations allowed the formation of fused ß-lactams without harming the sensitive four-membered heterocycle. Besides, a novel gold-catalyzed domino process, namely, the allenic hydroarylation/N1-C4 ß-lactam bond breakage to afford dihydro-oxepino[4,5-b]indole-4-carboxamides, has been discovered.

An Alternative to Precious Metals: Hg(ClO4)2·3H2O as a Cheap and Water-Tolerant Catalyst for the Cycloisomerization of Allenols.

Hg(ClO4)2·3H2O, a cheap, water-tolerant, and stable salt, catalyzes the cycloisomerization reaction or α-allenols to 2,5-dihydrofurans in an efficient and selective manner. The reaction is general and can be applied to differently functionalized substrates, including alkyl-substituted, aryl-substituted, enantiopure, and tertiary allenols. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to obtain insight into various aspects of the controlled reactivity of α-allenols under mercury catalysis. They suggest a dual activation of the allenol by the Hg complex that drives the reaction to the chemoselective formation of 2,5-dihydrofurans.

Gallium-catalyzed domino arylation/oxycyclization of allenes with phenols.

The synthesis of dihydrobenzofuran-appended oxindoles has been accomplished taking advantage of an unprecedented reaction between allenols and phenols under metal catalysis.

Investigation of the Passerini and Ugi reactions in ß-lactam aldehydes. Synthetic applications.

Passerini (P-3CR) and Ugi (U-4CR) reactions were investigated in 4-oxoazetidine-2-carboxaldehydes, affording the corresponding Passerini and Ugi adducts with moderate diastereoselectivity in high yields. Fortunately, the obtained mixtures of isomers syn/anti were separated in most cases. The scope of both IMCRs has been studied using a variety of isocyanides, carboxylic acids and amines. Ugi adducts were used for the preparation of unusual 2-azetidinones fused to medium-sized rings via RCM. In addition, ß-lactam-diketopiperazine hybrids have also been prepared from the corresponding Ugi adducts.

Cyclization reactions of bis(allenes) for the synthesis of polycarbo(hetero)cycles.

The chemistry of allenes is an appealing topic which fascinates chemists nowadays. Their reactivity and versatility makes this skeleton a useful moiety to create a great variety of structures depending on the functional groups attached and the reaction conditions used. Recently, there is a growing interest in the study of the reactivity of bis(allenes) inspired in the chemistry developed in simple allenes. In this review a collection of examples of cyclization reactions of bis(allenes) is presented as well as the future perspectives.