Catalytic Cycloisomerization onto a Carbonyl Oxygen

Org Lett. 2020 Aug 7;22(15):6171-6176. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c02272. Epub 2020 Jul 22.

Abstract

We have found that terminal N-vinylindoles bearing cycloalkanone substituents are excellent hydrogen atom acceptors, generating α-aminyl radicals with a variety of catalysts (Co(II)/H2 or Co(III)Cl precatalysts with silane reductants). These radicals can be converted to internal vinylindoles but eventually add to the oxygen of the cycloalkanone substituents. These cyclizations eventually furnish a densely functionalized dihydrofuran (a net cycloisomerization). The internal vinylindoles are slowly converted to the dihydrofurans, but the final cycloisomerization/isomerization ratio is affected by the size of the cycloalkanone ring (seven- and eight-membered rings give the highest ratio). These results demonstrate how HAT can isomerize substrates in nonintuitive ways, here leading to the first HAT-promoted formation of a C-O bond.

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

  • Catalysis
  • Cyclization
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Isomerism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Silanes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Silanes
  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen