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A series of (S)-proline-based enantiopure phosphorus triamide derivatives were prepared and evaluated as HMPA alternative in samarium diiodide cyclization reactions of N-acylated indole derivatives. The expected tricyclic indoline derivatives were generally obtained in good to excellent yields, however, the induced enantioselectivities were at best moderate. In our model reaction, the phosphorus triamide derivative with a (dimethyl)hydroxymethyl group at the stereogenic center provided the cyclization product in almost quantitative yield and with an enantiomeric excess of approximately 24 %. No separate proton source is required by applying this chiral Lewis base which was recovered in 93 % yield. Bulkier substituents at the stereogenic center did not furnish improved results. Although in our preliminary study only low to moderate enantioselectivities could be achieved, the observed fast conversions and the high yields demonstrate the basic suitability of chiral pyrrolidine-based phosphoramide Lewis bases in samarium(II)-induced reactions.

The LANCA three-component reaction of lithiated alkoxy­allenes (LA), nitriles (N), and carboxylic acids (CA) smoothly provides β-alkoxy-β-ketoenamides in broad structural variety. The subsequent cyclocondensation of these compounds with hydroxylamine hydrochloride afforded a large library of pyrimidine N-oxides under mild conditions and in good yields. Their synthetic utility was further increased by the Boekelheide rearrangement leading to 4-acetoxymethyl-substituted pyrimidines. With trifluoroacetic anhydride the rearrangement proceeds even at room temperature and directly furnishes 4-hydroxymethyl-substituted pyrimidine derivatives. The key reactions are very robust and work well even in the presence of sterically demanding substituents.

To gain a deeper understanding of the formation of the synthetically important 3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐1,2‐oxazines, the 6‐endo‐trig cyclization of allenyl‐substituted hydroxylamines was experimentally investigated in detail employing a model compound. The solvent effect was moderate with respect to the rate, but crucial to suppress side‐product formation. Surprisingly, acids or bases had no big influence on the cyclization rate. With O‐deuterated allenyl hydroxylamine a high primary isotope effect was found, indicating that the proton transfer is crucial in the rate‐determining step. DFT calculations evidence that the allenyl‐substituted hydroxylamine is converted into an energetically similar zwitterionic intermediate with an allyl cation subunit. It cyclizes to the 1,2‐oxazine as the most stable species. Alternative pathways starting from the zwitterion were computationally investigated. Interestingly, it can also undergo a fragmentation to give a pentadiene derivative and a nitroso compound. The hetero Diels–Alder reaction of these components may also deliver the 1,2‐oxazine. To evaluate an alternative mechanistic scenario, calculations of the protonated allenyl‐substituted hydroxylamine were also performed.

The deprotonation of 3-aryl-substituted alkyl propargyl ethers with n-butyllithium provides an ambident anion that reacts with carbonyl compounds to provide mixtures of γ-substituted products with alkoxyallene substructure and of α-substituted propargyl ethers. The ratio of the two product types strongly depends on the solvent: in diethyl ether the γ-substituted products predominate whereas the more polar tetrahydrofuran favors the α-adducts. The primary addition products undergo 5-endo-trig or 5-endo-dig cyclizations under various reaction conditions to afford isomeric furan derivatives. The highest selectivity in favor of α-substituted products was achieved by employing a MOM-protected propargyl ether. During the protonation step no evidence for a proton shift leading to an isomeric allenyl anion was found. A brief mechanistic discussion tries to rationalize the observed regio­selectivities.

Rolf Huisgen would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. Three of his academic progeny look back on Huisgen as a person, teacher, and scientist. They underline his leading role in rebuilding the chemistry department in Munich after the Second World War and the enduring importance of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (Huisgen reaction).

The samarium diiodide promoted reductive cyclization of a series of γ-aryl ketones with acetoxy, alkoxy, and siloxy groups in ortho-, meta-, and para-positions was investigated. Only precursors with p-acetoxy, p-tert-butoxy, or p-siloxy substituents furnished decent yields of the desired 7-oxy-1,2,3,4,6,8a-hexahydronaphthalene derivatives. The products were formed without contamination with the regio­isomeric bicyclic products containing conjugated double bonds. Typical reactions exploiting the silyl enol ether moiety of the 7-(tert-butyl­dimethylsiloxy)-1,2,3,4,6,8a-hexahydronaphthalene derivative were performed, allowing stereoselective access to highly substituted hexahydro­-, octahydro-, or decahydronaphthalene derivatives.

Samarium(II)-promoted cyclizations of N-acylated indolyl sulfinyl imines without electron-withdrawing groups at C-3 furnished tertiary carbinamines in good yield. Screening of the reaction conditions revealed that application of an excess of samarium diiodide in the presence of water and lithium bromide provided the cleanest reactions and the highest yields. The most striking observation during this investigation was the reductive detachment of the sulfur functional group, which most likely precedes the cyclization step. As consequence no enantioselectivity could be observed if enantiopure sulfinyl imines were employed. The mechanisms of the N−S cleavage and of the cyclization of the intermediate imines as well as the role of the additives are discussed. The presented method generates interesting polycyclic indoline derivatives; a cascade reaction involving an ethoxycarbonyl-substituted side-chain provided unique tetracyclic spiro-γ-lactams.

Alkoxyallenes are easily available and versatile building blocks for the preparation of a variety of natural products (terpenes, polyketides, alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates etc.) originating from different classes. The synthetic use of the three allene carbon atoms frequently follows the “normal” reactivity pattern showing that alkoxyallenes can be regarded as special enol ethers. Additions of alcohols or amines to alkoxyallenes form vinyl-substituted O,O- or N,O-acetals that are frequently used in ring-closing metathesis reactions. This methodology delivers crucial heterocyclic units of the target compounds. Enantioselective additions provide products with high enantiopurity. Alternatively, an “Umpolung” of reactivity of alkoxyallenes is achieved by lithiation at C-1 and subsequent reaction with electrophiles, such as alkyl halides, carbonyl compounds, imines or nitrones. High stereoselectivity of the addition step can be achieved by substrate control or auxiliary control. The high diastereo- or enantioselectivity is transferred to the subsequent acyclic or cyclic products. The cyclization of primary addition products occurs efficiently under mild conditions and provides functionalized dihydrofuran, dihydropyrrole or 1,2-oxazine derivatives. These are valuable intermediates for the synthesis of a variety of heterocyclic natural products. Nazarov cyclizations or gold catalyzed rearrangements allow the synthesis of five- and six-membered carbocyclic compounds that are also used for natural product synthesis. Dedicated to Dr. Reinhold Zimmer, a pioneer of alkoxyallene chemistry, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

The adsorption thermodynamics of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) and its five divalent derivatives di-DMAP- n (2 ≤ n ≤ 6) with gradually increasing methylene-spacer lengths n binding to planar gold surfaces has been studied by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and density functional theory (DFT). SERS intensities of the totally symmetrical breathing mode of the pyridine ring at approximately 1007 cm-1 are used to monitor the surface coverage of the DMAP and di-DMAP- n ligands on gold surfaces at different concentrations. The equilibrium constant as a measure of the binding affinity is obtained from these measurements by using a modified Langmuir isotherm. Due to multivalent binding to the gold substrate, a characteristic enhancement of the binding affinity of di-DMAP- n compared to the monovalent DMAP is observed for all divalent species. First principles calculations of the di-DMAP- n ligands on an ideal Au(111) surface model as well as step terrace models have been performed to understand the adsorption structures and the multivalent binding enhancements. Furthermore, Raman spectra of the adsorbed molecules have been studied by first principles calculations to correlate the binding affinities to experimentally determined adsorption constants. The joint experimental and theoretical investigation of an oscillatory behavior of the binding affinity as a function of the methylene-spacer length in mono- and divalent 4-(dimethylamino)pyridines reveals that the molecular architecture plays an important role for the structure-function interplay of multivalently bound adsorbates.

The LANCA three-component reaction of lithiated alkoxyallenes LA, nitriles N and carboxylic acids CA leads to β-ketoenamides KE in good to excellent yields. The scope of this reaction is very broad and almost all types of nitriles and carboxylic acids have successfully been used. The alkoxy group introduced via the allene component is also variable and hence the subsequent transformation of this substituent into a hydroxy group can be performed under different conditions. Enantiopure nitriles or carboxylic acids can also be employed leading to chiral KE with high enantiopurity and dinitriles or dicarboxylic acids also lead to the expected bis-β-ketoenamides. β-Ketoenamides incorporate a unique combination of functional groups and hence a manifold of subsequent reactions to highly substituted heterocyclic compounds is possible. An intramolecular aldol-type condensation reaction efficiently furnishes pyridin-4-ols PY that can be further modified by palladium-catalyzed reactions, e.g., to specifically substituted furopyridine derivatives. Condensations of β-ketoenamides with ammonium salts or with hydroxylamine hydrochloride afford pyrimidines PM or pyrimidine N-oxides PO with a highly flexible substitution pattern in good yields. The functional groups of these heterocycles also allow a variety of subsequent reactions to various pyrimidine derivatives. On the other hand, acid-labile alkoxy substituents such as a 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy group are required for the conversion of β-ketoenamides into 5-acetyl-substituted oxazoles OX, again compounds with high potential for subsequent functional group transformations. For acid labile β-ketoenamides bearing bulky substituents the acid treatment leads to acylamido-substituted 1,2-diketones DK that could be converted into quinoxalines QU. All classes of heterocycles accessed through the key β-ketoenamides show a unique substitution pattern – not easily accomplishable by alternative methods – and therefore many subsequent reactions are possible.

The hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of in situ-generated azoalkenes with thioketones were shown to offer a straightforward method for an efficient and regioselective synthesis of scarcely known N-substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazine derivatives. The scope of the method was fairly broad, allowing the use of a series of aryl-, ferrocenyl-, and alkyl-substituted thioketones. However, in the case of N-tosyl-substituted cycloadducts derived from 1-thioxo-2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutan-3-one and the structurally analogous 1,3-dithione, a more complicated pathway was observed. By elimination of toluene sulfinic acid, the initially formed cycloadducts afforded 2H-1,3,4-thiadiazines as final products. Advanced DFT calculations revealed that the observed high regioselectivity was due to kinetic reaction control and that the (4 + 2)-cycloadditions of sterically less unhindered thiones occurred via highly unsymmetric transition states with shorter C..S-distances (2.27–2.58 Å) and longer N..C-distances (3.02–3.57 Å). In the extreme case of the sterically very hindered 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutan-1,3-dione-derived thioketones, a zwitterionic intermediate with a fully formed C‒S bond was detected, which underwent ring closure to the 1,3,4-thiadiazine derivative in a second step. For the hypothetical formation of the regioisomeric 1,2,3-thiadiazine derivatives, the DFT calculations proposed more symmetric transition states with considerably higher energies.

Examples from different research areas of Siegfried Hunig are displayed to remind us that organic chemistry owes much more than Hunig's base to this exceptionally versatile and creative chemist. The main research lines dealing with the synthesis and physical characterization of new dyes, multistage redox systems, and organic metals will be presented as well as his contributions to enamine chemistry, the discovery of diimine as a hydrogenation agent, and nucleophilic acylation with trimethylsilyl cyanide, which are less well-known nowadays. In addition, exotic compounds with parallel C=C and N=N bonds were systematically studied in Hunig's group. Reflecting on the development of his research demonstrates both the importance of a systematic approach and how fruitful entirely unexpected results are if they meet a "well-prepared mind". During Hunig's academic career, teaching played an indisputable role. His efforts in modernizing the chemistry institute at Wurzburg and his support of young researchers in the academic system in Germany are also highlighted.

The optimized coupling of N-protected (S)-proline and (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline derivatives with (Z)-4-aminopent-3-en-2-one provided the expected β-ketoenamides in good to excellent yields. The subsequent intramolecular cyclizations afforded enantiopure pyridin-4-one derivatives with pyrrolidin-2-yl substituents. The nonaflates generated from these intermediates were excellent precursors for typical palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions. Oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid gave pyrrolidine N-oxides whose subsequent reactions were investigated. The condensation of β-ketoenamides with hydroxylamine hydrochloride furnished the corresponding enantiopure pyrimidine N-oxides in good yields. The subsequent Boekelheide rearrangement provided hydroxymethyl-substituted pyrimidine derivatives together with minor components. Overall, this study nicely demonstrates the potential of (S)-proline- or (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline-derived β-ketoenamides to approach a library of novel chiral pool-derived enantiopure functionalized pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives.

The additions of six alkoxyallenes bearing carbohydrate-derived chiral auxiliaries to imines were systematically studied. The reactions of three lithiated 1-alkoxypropa-1,2-dienes with an N-tosyl imine revealed that the diacetone fructose-derived auxiliary provided the highest diastereoselectivity of 91:9. The preferred absolute configuration of the newly formed stereogenic center was determined by subsequent ozonolysis of the allene moiety, transesterification and comparison with literature data. The analogous reactions of three axially chiral 3-nonyl-substituted 1-alkoxyallenes with these auxiliaries confirm these results and also prove that the configuration of the generated stereogenic center was only steered by the auxiliaries, whereas the chiral axis has essentially no influence. In general, four diastereomers were obtained in various portions, depending on the ratio of the two precursor allene diastereomers and on the auxiliary employed. The obtained dia­stereomeric allenyl amines were cyclized under different conditions. As expected, under basic conditions, a stereospecific cyclization occurred, whereas under silver nitrate catalysis partial isomerization at the allene stage was observed. Under both conditions the 2,5-cis-disubstituted dihydropyrroles were formed faster than the trans-isomers. Several of the 2-substituted or 2,5-disubstituted dihydropyrrole derivatives could be isolated in diastereomerically pure form and were subsequently converted into the expected pyrrolidin-3-ones by removal of the carbohydrate-derived auxiliary under acidic conditions. The desired products were obtained in good yield and with high enantiopurity. They are suitable starting materials for the synthesis of enantiopure pyrrolidine natural products.

The three-component reaction of lithiated methoxyallene, nitriles and trichloroacetic acid gave three model β-keto enamides that were starting materials for the synthesis of trichloromethyl-substituted pyridine and pyrimidine N-oxide derivatives. Upon treatment with acetic anhydride, the methyl group of the prepared pyrimidine N-oxides was converted into an acetoxymethyl group by a Boekelheide rearrangement. A few typical experiments also revealed that the trichloromethyl group of the prepared pyrimidine N-oxides can be replaced by an alkoxy or a hydroxy group, or transformed into an arylthiomethyl group. An alternative approach to β-keto enamides via the corresponding β-keto enamines was also examined and provided the expected 4-hydroxy-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine derivative in good yield.

From easily available aminopyran and aminooxepane derivatives and 2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate the corresponding thiourea derivatives were prepared. One compound was further modified by introducing a tertiary amino group. The four catalysts were then examined as catalysts in a Michael addition of acetylacetone to β-nitrostyrene. A 1:1 mixture of one of these thioureas with an (S)-prolinol derivative was also tested as catalyst, but no synergetic effect was found. The best yield achieved was 88% and the highest ee amounted to 39%. In a preliminary experiment, the aldol reaction of acetone with isatin was investigated. One catalyst provided the expected aldol product in low yield, but in excellent enantioselectivity.

The 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of diazomethane and diazoethane with methyl 3-(diethylamino)propiolate were investigated experimentally and computationally by employing density functional theory (DFT). The experiments provided methyl 3-(diethylamino)-pyrazole-4-carboxylates as the only isolated regioisomers. The constitution of these cycloadducts was secured by independent synthesis and decarboxylation to 3-(diethylamino)pyrazoles. The calculations fully support the experimental findings. For the preferred pathway of the diazomethane cycloaddition with the alkyne, a kinetic preference of 9.6 kJmol(-1) was calculated in Et2O solution. The computational analysis was extended to other alkynes, for instance to heteroatom-substituted alkynes such as ethoxyethyne and (ethylthio)ethyne. Again, the calculations nicely explain the switch in regioselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of diazomethane with these two alkynes, which has been reported earlier by the group of Arens.

Two routes to 3-alkyl-substituted 1-alkoxyallenes are investigated. The deprotonation and alkylation at C-3 of methoxyallene requires prior silylation at C-1 and provides mixtures of the expected products and 1-alkyl-substituted methyl propargyl ethers as minor component. The desilylation of these mixtures affords the desired 3-alkyl-substituted 1-methoxyallenes together with the 1-alkyl-substituted isomers in moderate overall yields. Following the second route, the disadvantages of this three-step method are avoided. In analogy to Brandsma, C-3 alkylation of methyl propargyl ether and subsequent isomerization under basic conditions affords two of the desired 3-alkyl-substituted methoxyallenes in good yields. This method is also applied to propargyl ethers bearing a diacetone-fructose-derived auxiliary. Two diastereomeric 3-alkyl-substituted 1-alkoxyallenes are formed during the isomerization, the ratio being strongly dependent on the reaction conditions. The mechanistic aspects of these observations are discussed on the basis of deuteration experiments and the configurational stability of the ambident propargyl-allenyl carbanion involved.

Computational studies have been performed on potassium alkoxide-allenes, as well as potassium and lithium amido-allenes to probe the mechanism of their cyclizations to dihydrofurans and to 2,5-dihydropyrroles. A long-standing proposal envisaged electron transfer from dimsyl anions (formed by deprotonation of the solvent DMSO) but this pathway shows an exceptionally high kinetic barrier, while direct 5-endo-trig cyclization of the alkoxides and amides is much more easily achievable. The energy profiles for 4-exo-trig cyclizations onto the allenes are also explored, and the preferred formation of the observed five-membered products is rationalized.