The reactivity of epoxides with lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide in combination with organolithiums or grignard reagents

J Org Chem. 2007 Jun 22;72(13):4763-73. doi: 10.1021/jo070291v. Epub 2007 May 26.

Abstract

The scope and limitations of lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP)-modified reductive alkylation of epoxides is detailed. A variety of organolithiums are added to terminal and 2,2-disubstituted epoxides in the presence of LTMP to generate alkenes in a completely regio- and highly stereoselective manner. Arylated alkenes, dienes, allylsilanes, and enynes are accessed using this procedure. The methodology is applied in the synthesis of the roller leaf moth pheromone, (3E,5Z)-dodecadienyl acetate. The corresponding reaction without LTMP has also been examined, and a study using deuterated epoxides provides insight into the mechanism. In the presence of LTMP, Grignard reagents are also shown to produce E-alkenes directly from epoxides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / chemistry
  • Alkenes / chemistry
  • Amides / chemistry
  • Deuterium / chemistry
  • Dodecanol / analogs & derivatives
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemistry*
  • Lithium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Pyridines / chemistry*
  • Sex Attractants
  • Silanes / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • 3,5-dodecadienyl acetate
  • Acetates
  • Alkenes
  • Amides
  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Lithium Compounds
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Pyridines
  • Sex Attractants
  • Silanes
  • allylsilane
  • lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide
  • Dodecanol
  • Deuterium