Synfacts 2008(3): 0283-0283  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1042691
Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis and Stereoselective Reactions
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Catalytic Nucleophilic Ring Closure ofπ-Allylpalladium Intermediates

Contributor(s):Mark Lautens, Praew Thansandote
R. Shintani*, S. Park, T. Hayashi*
Kyoto University, Japan
Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Spiro[2.4]heptanes: Ligand-Dependent Position Control in the Nucleophilic Attack to a π-Allylpalladium Intermediate
J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2007,  129:  14866-14867  
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 February 2008 (online)


Significance

The authors describe the development of a palladium-catalyzed intermolecular ­cycloaddition that involves a nucleophliic ring closure to the central carbon of a π-allylpalladium intermediate. Spiro[2,4]heptanes are obtained in good yields and moderate diastereoselectivities using small phosphite ligands. If bulky phosphine ligands are used, a selective [4+2] cycloaddition occurs, leading to exo-methylene cyclohexane products.

Comment

The influence of the size of the ligand on product distribution may suggest that the π-allylpalladium intermediate Pd(π-allyl)L 2 leads to ring closure via central carbon attack, while the Pd(π-allyl)L 1 intermediate leads to cyclohexane formation via terminal attack by the nucleophile. Though moderate diastereoselectivity is shown, this transformation could be widely applicable if an asymmetric variant is developed.