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1. Site-selective [2 + 2 + n ] cycloadditions for rapid, scalable access to alkynylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

   https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC06102A  

   Kiel, Gavin R.; Bergman, Harrison M.; Tilley, T. Don (March 2020, Chemical Science)

   null (Ed.)

   Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are attractive synthetic building blocks for more complex conjugated nanocarbons, but their use for this purpose requires appreciable quantities of a PAH with reactive functional groups. Despite tremendous recent advances, most synthetic methods cannot satisfy these demands. Here we present a general and scalable [2 + 2 + n ] ( n = 1 or 2) cycloaddition strategy to access PAHs that are decorated with synthetically versatile alkynyl groups and its application to seven structurally diverse PAH ring systems (thirteen new alkynylated PAHs in total). The critical discovery is the site-selectivity of an Ir-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition, which preferentially cyclizes tethered diyne units with preservation of other (peripheral) alkynyl groups . The potential for generalization of the site-selectivity to other [2 + 2 + n ] reactions is demonstrated by identification of a Cp 2 Zr-mediated [2 + 2 + 1]/metallacycle transfer sequence for synthesis of an alkynylated, selenophene-annulated PAH. The new PAHs are excellent synthons for macrocyclic conjugated nanocarbons. As a proof of concept, four were subjected to alkyne metathesis catalysis to afford large, PAH-containing arylene ethylene macrocycles, which possess a range of cavity sizes reaching well into the nanometer regime. Notably, these high-yielding macrocyclizations establish that synthetically convenient pentynyl groups can be effective for metathesis since the 4-octyne byproduct is sequestered by 5 Å MS. Most importantly, this work is a demonstration of how site-selective reactions can be harnessed to rapidly build up structural complexity in a practical, scalable fashion. 

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2. Ligand control in chemo, regio-and enantioselective cycloaddition of alkynes and 1,3-dienes

   Singh, D.; Parsutkar, M. M.; RajanBabu, T. V. (March 2022, Abstracts of papers American Chemical Society)

   Asymmetric synthesis of substituted 1,4 cyclohexadienes and cyclobutenes has received great attention in recent years. Strategies such as base metal catalyzed cycloaddition bypass the need of harsh reaction conditions which are often required for synthesis of such motifs. These strategies using base-metals as catalysts are also valuable in constructing substituted cyclic motifs from readily available and inexpensive materials such as dienes and alkynes. Such reactions can be cost effective and environmentally friendly. In past decade, low valent cobalt has shown promising reactivity in forming new C-C and C-X (e. g., X= Si, B, N) bonds in high stereoselectivity. Through our studies, we found that cationic cobalt(I) complexes can catalyze intermolecular cycloaddition reactions of alkyne and 1,3-dienes in regio-and enantioselective manner. We also discovered that the involvement of 4-pi electrons or 2-pi electrons of 1,3-dienes can be controlled by the judicious choice of ligands employed on cobalt leading to [4+2] and [2+2] cycloaddition products respectively in high regio- and stereoselectivity. This excellent selectivity complimented with moderate to good yields provided us with broadly applicable protocol for synthesis of diversely substituted enantiopure cyclic motifs with enantiomeric excesses upto 99%. The scope of this method has been expanded over simple aliphatic and aromatic 1,3-dienes and alkynes bearing various functional groups. The methodical development of this transformation along with the ligand effects and possible mechanisms will be discussed in detail. 

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3. Ligand control in chemo, regio-and enantioselective cycloaddition of alkynes and 1,3-dienes

   Singh, D.; Parsutkar, M. M.; RajanBabu, T. V. (March 2022, Abstract of Papers, ACS Spring National Meeting, , March 20-24, 2022. Abstract: CAPlus AN: 2022:2171183)

   Asymmetric synthesis of substituted 1,4 cyclohexadienes and cyclobutenes has received great attention in recent years. Strategies such as base metal catalyzed cycloaddition bypass the need of harsh reaction conditions which are often required for synthesis of such motifs. These strategies using base-metals as catalysts are also valuable in constructing substituted cyclic motifs from readily available and inexpensive materials such as dienes and alkynes. Such reactions can be cost effective and environmentally friendly. In past decade, low valent cobalt has shown promising reactivity in forming new C-C and C-X (e. g., X= Si, B, N) bonds in high stereoselectivity. Through our studies, we found that cationic cobalt(I) complexes can catalyze intermolecular cycloaddition reactions of alkyne and 1,3-dienes in regio-and enantioselective manner. We also discovered that the involvement of 4 pi electrons or 2 pi electrons of 1,3-dienes can be controlled by the judicious choice of ligands employed on cobalt leading to [4+2] and [2+2] cycloaddition products respectively in high regio- and stereoselectivity. This excellent selectivity complimented with moderate to good yields provided us with broadly applicable protocol for synthesis of diversely substituted enantiopure cyclic motifs with enantiomeric excesses upto 99%. The scope of this method has been expanded over simple aliphatic and aromatic 1,3-dienes and alkynes bearing various functional groups. The methodical development of this transformation along with the ligand effects and possible mechanisms will be discussed in detail. 

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4. Chemodivergent, Regio‐ and Enantioselective Cycloaddition Reactions between 1,3‐Dienes and Alkynes

   https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202216000  

   Singh, Dipshi; RajanBabu, T. V. (January 2023, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)

   Abstract Alkynes and 1,3‐dienes are among the most readily available precursors for organic synthesis. We report two distinctly different, catalyst‐dependent, modes of regio‐ and enantioselective cycloaddition reactions between these classes of compounds providing rapid access to highly functionalized 1,4‐cyclohexadienesorcyclobutenes from thesameprecursors. Complexes of an earth abundant metal, cobalt, with several commercially available chiral bisphosphine ligands with narrow bite angles catalyze [4+2]‐cycloadditions between a 1,3‐diene and an alkyne giving a cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene in excellent chemo‐, regio‐ and enantioselectivities. In sharp contrast, complex of a finely tuned phosphino‐oxazoline ligand promotes unique [2+2]‐cycloaddition between the alkyne and the terminal double bond of the diene giving a highly functionalized cyclobutene in excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. 

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5. alpha- and beta-Functionalized Ketones from 1,3-Dienes and Aldehydes: Control of Regio- and Enantioselectivity in Hydroacylation of 1,3-Dienes

   https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c06245  

   Parsutkar, M. M.; RajanBabu, T. V. (July 2021, Journal of the American Chemical Society)

   Carreira, E. M.; Schoenebeck, F. (Ed.)

   Ketones are among the most widely used intermediates in organic synthesis and their synthesis from inexpensive feedstocks could be quite impactful. Regio- and enantioselective hydroacylation reactions of dienes provide facile entry into useful ketone-bearing chiral motifs with an additional latent functionality (alkene) suitable for further elaboration. Three classes of dienes, 2- or 4-monosubstituted and 2,4-disubstitued 1,3-dienes undergo cobalt(I)-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective hydroacylation giving products with high enantiomeric ratios (er). These reactions are highly dependent on the ligands, and we have identified the most useful ligands and reaction conditions for each class of dienes. 2-Substituted and 2,4-disubstituted dienes predominantly undergo 1,2-addition, whereas 4-substituted terminal dienes give highly enantioselective 4,1- or 4,3-hydroacylation depending on the aldehyde, aliphatic aldehydes giving 4,1-addition and aromatic aldehydes giving 4,3-addition. Included among the substrates are feedstock dienes isoprene ($1.4 /kg) and myrcene ($129/kg) and several common aldehydes. We propose an oxidative dimerization mechanism that involves a Co(I)/Co(III) redox cycle that appears to be initiated by a cationic Co(I) intermediate. Studies of reactions using isolated neutral and cationic Co(I) complexes confirm the critical role of the cationic intermediates in these reactions. Enantioselective 1,2-hydroacylation of 2-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-diene reveals a hitherto undisclosed route to chiral siloxy-protected aldols. Finally, facile syntheses of the anti-inflammatory drug (S)-Flobufen (2 steps, 92% yield, >99:1 er) and the food additive (S)-Dihydrotagetone (1 step, 83% yield; 96:4 er) from isoprene illustrate the power of this method for the preparation of commercially relevant compounds. 

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