Stereoselective access to Z and E macrocycles by ruthenium-catalyzed Z-selective ring-closing metathesis and ethenolysis

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Jan 9;135(1):94-7. doi: 10.1021/ja311241q. Epub 2012 Dec 21.

Abstract

The first report of Z-selective macrocyclizations using a ruthenium-based metathesis catalyst is described. The selectivity for Z macrocycles is consistently high for a diverse set of substrates with a variety of functional groups and ring sizes. The same catalyst was also employed for the Z-selective ethenolysis of a mixture of E and Z macrocycles, providing the pure E isomer. Notably, an ethylene pressure of only 1 atm was required. These methodologies were successfully applied to the construction of several olfactory macrocycles as well as the formal total synthesis of the cytotoxic alkaloid motuporamine C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Cyclization
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ruthenium / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Ruthenium