Intramolecular, Interrupted Homo-Nazarov Cascade Biscyclizations to Angular (Hetero)Aryl-Fused Polycycles.

Herein, a SnCl -catalyzed intramolecular, interrupted homo-Nazarov cascade biscyclization to access angular (hetero)aryl-fused polycycles is reported. Subsequent decarboxylation of the readily enolizable products afforded the angular products in up to 71 % yield over two steps, with the trans-diastereomers as the major products. The cyclopropyl homo-Nazarov cyclization precursors were formed using a scalable and modular synthetic route that, ultimately, offers access to 6,6,6-, 6,6,5-, 6,5,6-, 6,6,5,6-, and 6,6,6,5-fused angular polycyclic products.

α-Alkylidene-γ-butyrolactone Formation via Bi(OTf)-Catalyzed, Dehydrative, Ring-Opening Cyclizations of Cyclopropyl Carbinols: Understanding Substituent Effects and Predicting E/Z Selectivity.

A Bi(OTf)-catalyzed ring-opening cyclization of (hetero)aryl cyclopropyl carbinols to form α-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactones (ABLs) is reported. This transformation represents different chemoselectivity from previous reports that demonstrated formation of (hetero)aryl-fused cyclohexa-1,3-dienes upon acid-promoted cyclopropyl carbinol ring opening. ABLs are obtained in up to 89% yield with a general preference for the E-isomers.

Catalytic, Interrupted Formal Homo-Nazarov Cyclization with (Hetero)arenes: Access to α-(Hetero)aryl Cyclohexanones.

The first examples of a Lewis-acid catalyzed (hetero)arene interrupted, formal homo-Nazarov cyclization have been disclosed. Using SnCl4 as the catalyst, alkenyl cyclopropyl ketones undergo ring-opening cyclization to form six-membered cyclic oxyallyl cations. Subsequent intermolecular Friedel-Crafts-type arylation with various electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes provides functionalized α-(hetero)arylated cyclohexanones, a scaffold present in many natural products and bioactive compounds, in yields up to 88% and diastereomeric ratios up to 12:1.

Catalysis and chemodivergence in the interrupted, formal homo-Nazarov cyclization using allylsilanes.

A chemodivergent, Lewis acid catalyzed allylsilane interrupted formal homo-Nazarov cyclization is disclosed. With catalytic amounts of SnCl4 and in the presence of allyltrimethylsilane, a formal Hosomi-Sakurai-type allylation of the oxyallyl cation intermediate is observed. A variety of functionalized donor-acceptor cyclopropanes and allylsilanes were shown to be amenable to the reaction transformation and the allyl products were formed in up to 92% yield.