Boron trifluoride-induced, new stereospecific rearrangements of chiral epoxy ethers. Ready access to enantiopure 4-(diarylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolanes and 4,5-disubstituted tetrahydrobenzo[c]oxepin-4-ols

J Org Chem. 2006 Feb 17;71(4):1537-44. doi: 10.1021/jo052208e.

Abstract

Upon treatment with BF3.Et2O at low temperature, enantiopure benzyl-type ethers of arylglycidols with electron withdrawing substituents at the skeletal aryl group and electron donating substituents at the benzyl group undergo stereospecific rearrangements of Friedel-Crafts type, leading to enantiopure 4-diarylmethyl-1,3-dioxolanes (2) or to enantiopure trans-4,5 disubstituted tetrahydrobenzo[c]oxepin-4-ols (5). The course of the reactions is controlled by the substitution pattern at the benzyl ether: While benzylic systems activated toward ipso substitution afford diarylmethanes 2 through a Friedel-Crafts reaction followed by fragmentation, benzylic systems activated toward ortho attack lead to enantiopure oxepinols 5 through a 7-endo-tet ring closure of Friedel-Crafts type.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry
  • Boranes / chemistry
  • Dioxolanes / chemical synthesis*
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemistry
  • Ethers / chemistry
  • Oxepins / chemical synthesis*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Boranes
  • Dioxolanes
  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Ethers
  • Oxepins
  • boron trifluoride