Phosphine-catalyzed [4+2] annulations of 2-alkylallenoates and olefins: synthesis of multisubstituted cyclohexenes.

From our investigations on phosphine-catalyzed [4+2] annulations between α-alkyl allenoates and activated olefins for the synthesis of cyclohexenes, we discovered a hexamethylphosphorous triamide (HMPT)-catalyzed [4+2] reaction between α-alkyl allenoates 1 and arylidene malonates or arylidene cyanoacetates 2 that provides highly functionalized cyclohexenes 3 and 4 in synthetically useful yields (30-89%), with moderate to exclusive regioselectivity, and reasonable diastereoselectivity. Interestingly, the [4+2] annulations between the α-alkyl allenoates 1 and the olefins 2 manifested a polarity inversion of the 1,4-dipole synthon 1, depending on the structure of the olefin, thus providing cyclohexenes 3 exclusively when using arylidene cyanoacetates. The polarity inversion of α-alkyl allenoates from a 1,4-dipole A to B under phosphine catalysis can be explained by an equilibrium between the phosphonium dienolate C and the phosphorous ylide D.

Phosphine-catalyzed β'-umpolung addition of nucleophiles to activated α-alkyl allenes.

Highly functionalized alkenes can be prepared through phosphine-catalyzed β'-umpolung additions of nucleophiles (carbon-, oxygen-, nitrogen-, and sulfur-centered) to activated α-disubstituted allenes, providing many potentially useful synthetic intermediates in good to excellent yields, often with high levels of stereoselectivity for the product olefin geometry. Various substitution patterns around the allene are compatible with the process, showcasing the synthetic utility of allenes under the conditions of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis.

Equilibrium between a vinylogous ylide and a phosphonium dienolate zwitterion: vinylogous Wittig olefination versus vinylogous aldol-type reaction.

This paper describes the equilibrium established between a phosphonium dienolate zwitterion and a vinylogous phosphorus ylide, and their reactions with aldehydes. The reactions between ethyl 2-methyl-2,3-butadienoate and various aldehydes occur through either a phosphonium dienolate or a vinylogous ylide intermediate, depending on the presence/absence of a Lewis acid and the nature of the phosphine. We observed a rare vinylogous Wittig olefination from the reaction between ethyl 2-methyl-2,3-butadienoate and an electron-deficient aromatic aldehyde in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of an electron-deficient triarylphosphine and a catalytic amount of a Lewis acid (e.

Phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation: synthesis of cyclohexenes.

Phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulations of α-alkylallenoates with activated olefins allow the efficient syntheses of cyclohexenes. Hexamethylphosphorous triamide (HMPT)-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulations of α-alkylallenoates with arylidenemalononitriles provided highly functionalized 5,5-dicyano-4,6-disubstituted cyclohex-1-enecarboxylates in excellent yields (77–98%) and moderate to high diastereoselectivities (1:2–12:1). Remarkably, the corresponding triarylphosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulations of α-methylallenoate with arylidenemalononitriles manifested a polarity inversion of the 1,4-dipole synthon, providing 4,4-dicyano-5-substituted cyclohex-1-enecarboxylates in excellent yields (80–93%).

An application of the phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation in indole alkaloid synthesis: formal syntheses of (+/-)-alstonerine and (+/-)-macroline.

[reaction: see text] An application of the phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation in the formal synthesis of alstonerine and macroline is reported. A phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] reaction between imine 7a and allene 8 formed the D ring of the target indole alkaloids. A subsequent intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation provided the C ring of the bridged tetracycle.