Iodine-catalyzed prins cyclization of homoallylic alcohols and aldehydes

Molecules. 2013 Sep 10;18(9):11100-30. doi: 10.3390/molecules180911100.

Abstract

The iodine-catalyzed Prins cyclization of homoallylic alcohols and aldehydes was investigated under metal-free conditions and without additives. Anhydrous conditions and inert atmosphere are not required. The reaction of 2-(3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1-yl)propan-1-ol and 21 aldehydes (aliphatic and aromatic) in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of 5 mol % of iodine gave 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[f]isochromenes in 54%-86% yield. Under similar conditions, the Prins cyclization of six alcohols containing an endocyclic double bond (primary, secondary, or tertiary) led to dihydropyrans in 52%-91% yield. The acyclic homoallylic alcohols gave 4-iodo-tetrahydropyran in 29%-41% yield in the presence of 50 mol % of iodine. This type of substrate is the main limitation of the methodology. The relative configuration of the products was assigned by NMR and X-ray analysis. The mechanism and the ratio of the products are discussed, based on DFT calculations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry
  • Aldehydes / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cyclization
  • Iodine / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Pyrans / chemical synthesis*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Aldehydes
  • Pyrans
  • Iodine