High-order dipolar annulations with metal-containing reactive dipoles.

Medium-sized heterocycles are widespread among a spectrum of structurally intriguing and biologically significant natural products and synthetic pharmaceuticals. Metal-catalyzed high-order dipolar annulations resembling reactions of metal-containing reactive dipoles with dipolarophiles constitute a highly efficient and flexible strategy for constructing medium-sized heterocycles. Mechanistically, these annulation reactions usually proceeding through stepwise pathways are different from the classic high-order pericyclic reactions that follow the Woodward-Hoffman rules. More significantly, asymmetric high-order dipolar annulations using chiral organometallic catalysts have been proven successful for constructing chiral medium-sized heterocycles with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity. This review highlights the impressive advances in this area and is focused on the reactivity, scope, mechanisms and applications of high-order dipolar annulation reactions.

Dearomatization-Rearomatization Reaction of Metal-Polarized Aza-ortho-Quinone Methides.

Metal-polarized aza-ortho-quinone methides (aza-o-QMs) are a unique and efficient handle for azaheterocycle synthesis. Despite great achievements, the potential of these reactive intermediates has not yet been fully exploited, especially the new reaction modes. Herein, we disclosed an unprecedented dearomatization process of metal-polarized aza-o-QMs, affording transient dearomatized spiroaziridine intermediates. Based on this serendipity, we accomplished three sequential dearomatization-rearomatization reactions of benzimidazolines with aza-sulfur ylides, enabling the divergent synthesis of bis-nitrogen heterocycles with high efficiency and flexibility. Moreover, experimental and theoretical studies were performed to explain the proposed mechanisms and observed selectivity. Further cellular evaluation of the dibenzodiazepine products identified a hit compound for new antitumor drugs.

Utilizing Vinylcyclopropane Reactivity: Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [5+2] Dipolar Cycloadditions.

Vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) are commonly used in transition-metal-catalyzed cycloadditions, and the utilization of their recently realized reactivities to construct new cyclic architectures is of great significance in modern synthetic chemistry. Herein, a palladium-catalyzed, visible-light-driven, asymmetric [5+2] cycloaddition of VCPs with α-diazoketones is accomplished by switching the reactivity of the Pd-containing dipolar intermediate from an all-carbon 1,3-dipole to an oxo-1,5-dipole. Enantioenriched seven-membered lactones were produced with good reaction efficiencies and selectivities (23 examples, 52-92 % yields with up to 99:1 er and 12.5:1 dr). In addition, computational investigations were performed to rationalize the observed high chemo- and periselectivities.

A photoinduced Wolff rearrangement/Pd-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition sequence: an unexpected route to tetrahydrofurans.

A novel sequential reaction that combines a visible light-induced Wolff rearrangement of α-diazoketones and a Pd-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of vinyl cyclopropanes with the resulting ketenes is described in this work. Selective O-allylic alkylation was observed over C-allylic alkylation, which unexpectedly led to a series of highly functionalized tetrahydrofurans with high efficiency (20 examples, 58-99% yields).