Rhodium-Catalyzed Cyclization of Terminal and Internal Allenols: An Atom Economic and Highly Stereoselective Access Towards Tetrahydropyrans

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2020 Dec 21;59(52):23485-23490. doi: 10.1002/anie.202009166. Epub 2020 Oct 26.

Abstract

A comprehensive study of a diastereoselective Rh-catalyzed cyclization of terminal and internal allenols is reported. The methodology allows the atom economic and highly syn-selective access to synthetically important 2,4-disubstituted and 2,4,6-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans (THP). Furthermore, its utility and versatility are demonstrated by a great functional-group compatibility and the enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-centrolobine.

Keywords: allenes; cyclizations; diastereoselectivity; heterocycles; rhodium.