Dearomatization of [2.2]Paracyclophane-Derived N-Sulfonylimines through Cyclopropanation with Sulfur Ylides

J Org Chem. 2024 Jan 5;89(1):321-329. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02052. Epub 2023 Dec 12.

Abstract

An unprecedented dearomatization of [2.2]paracyclophane-derived cyclic N-sulfonylimines was conducted through cyclopropanation with sulfur ylides, giving a series of dearomative cyclopropanes with good yields. DFT calculations suggested that the dearomatization was attributed to the relatively weak aromaticity of [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives that resulted from the effect of the unique [2.2]paracyclophane skeleton and the electron-withdrawing N-sulfonyl group. Some downstream elaborations of the products were demonstrated.