.
Angewandte
Communications
bonds have shown that electron-deficient phosphine ligands
accelerate this process.[23]
In summary, we present highly efficient palladium-cata-
lyzed cyclizations of oxime esters with cyclic alkenes as the
basis of a general entry to perhydroindole and related
[8] Pd-catalyzed intramolecular aryl C H amination: Y. Tan, J. F.
raphy was used to confirm the formation and geometry of the
imino-PdII intermediate.
scaffolds. The chemistry is reliant upon the use of
[9] Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative nitrene generation: K. Okamoto,
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 40, 11470
[10] a) A. Fꢀrstner, K. Radkowski, H. Peters, Angew. Chem. 2005,
117, 2837; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 2777; b) A. Fꢀrstner,
K. Radkowski, H. Peters, G. Seidel, C. Wirtz, R. Mynott, C. W.
3
À
P(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)3 for the key C(sp ) N bond-forming
process and this facilitates cyclizations with enhanced levels
of efficiency across a range of sterically and electronically
distinct substrates. The rigid N-heterobicyclic products arising
from these studies can easily be accessed in enantioenriched
form and are readily manipulated through both the imine and
alkene functionalities. Future studies will focus upon the
development of enhanced catalyst systems and applications to
the synthesis of other chiral N-heterocyclic classes.
volatility of cyclization product 2 were noted as complicating
3
À
factors in its isolation. For the observation of C(sp ) N bond
formation as a minor byproduct under Narasaka– Heck con-
ditions, see reference [3a].
[11] The oxime esters employed in this study were synthesized in high
yield from the corresponding carbonyl compounds. These, in
turn, were prepared by alkylation of the corresponding b-keto
ester or hydrazone with the appropriate cyclic allylic bromides;
details are provided in the Supporting Information. Pentafluor-
obenzoyl esters were chosen, as they have been established to be
largely resistant to Beckmann rearrangement (see refer-
ence [3]). We have also evaluated other oxime ester derivatives
(for example, benzoyl, pivaloyl, and picalinoyl), but these were
less effective; full details will be reported in due course.
[12] Oxime ester starting materials were usually obtained as a
mixture of geometric isomers. Previous studies have established
that this is inconsequential, as interconversion occurs at the stage
of the imino-PdII intermediate (see reference [3]). Unambiguous
assignment of oxime ester geometry by NMR is not readily
achievable.
[13] Reactions were monitored by TLC until full consumption of
starting material occurred. Under optimized conditions, pro-
longed reaction times do not adversely affect product yield.
[14] In the case of P(2-furyl)3, complete consumption of 3a occurred,
but significant quantities of ketone hydrolysis product were
observed. When P(C6F5)3 was used, the conversion of 3a was
low. These observations point to a potentially narrow steric and/
or electronic window for effective ligands for these specific
processes.
Received: October 25, 2011
Published online: January 9, 2012
Keywords: asymmetric synthesis · homogeneous catalysis ·
.
Narasaka–Heck reactions · N-heterocycles
[1] For an insightful discussion, see: F. Lovering, J. Bikker, C.
[2] Over 95% of the 40 best-selling brand name drugs contain
nitrogen. Of these, approximately three-quarters contain N-
[3] a) H. Tsutsui, K. Narasaka, Chem. Lett. 1999, 28, 45; b) H.
[4] Imidazoles: a) S. Zaman, K. Mitsuru, A. D. Abell, Org. Lett.
2005, 7, 609; Azaazulenes: b) M. Kitamura, S. Chiba, O. Saku, K.
Narasaka, Chem. Lett. 2002, 31, 606; c) S. Chiba, M. Kitamura,
Isoquinolines and pyridines: d) H. Tsutsui, K. Narasaka, Chem.
Lett. 2001, 30, 526; e) M. Kitamura, D. Kudo, K. Narasaka,
ARKIVOC 2006, (iii), 148; f) J.-L. Zhu, Y.-L. Su, Y.-H. Chan, I.-
also reference [3].
[5] Heck cascades: a) M. Kitamura, S. Zaman, K. Narasaka, Synlett
2001, 974; b) S. Zaman, M. Kitamura, K. Narasaka, Bull. Chem.
bonylative cascades: S. Zaman, M. Kitamura, A. D. Abell, Aust.
[6] Hydrazonium salts: M. Kitamura, H. Yanagisawa, M. Yamane,
K. Narasaka, Heterocycles 2005, 65, 273; diethylphosphinylox-
ime esters: J. L. Zhu, Y. H. Chan, Synlett 2008, 1250; for other
activating groups, see references [3a,b] and [5e].
[15] a) C. P. Butts, C. R. Jones, E. C. Towers, J. L. Flynn, L. Appleby,
are given in the Supporting Information.
[16] At lower temperatures, the rate of hydrolysis is competitive with
the rate of cyclization in these cases. Our observations are that
aryl-substituted oxime esters undergo cyclization at faster rates
than alkyl-substituted variants. After oxidative addition, there is
a requirement for the imino-PdII moiety to be oriented towards
the alkene. Geometric interconversion to this configuration is
likely enhanced by higher reaction temperatures and bulkier R1
substituents. The comparatively low steric bulk of the alkyl
substituent of 3d may explain the inefficiencies observed at
lower temperatures for this substrate; this will be a focus of
future studies. It is unclear whether hydrolysis to the corre-
sponding ketone occurs directly from the oxime ester or via the
presumed imino-PdII intermediate. Reactions run in the absence
of palladium result in minimal oxime ester hydrolysis, but these
conditions do not exactly mimic a catalytically active system.
The use of drying agents (for example, molecular sieves or
Na2SO4) was only marginally beneficial. Taken together, these
observations suggest that the ketone is formed by protodepalla-
dation to the corresponding imine and subsequent hydrolysis
upon workup.
[7] Cu-catalyzed intermolecular cross-couplings: a) Z.-H. Ren, Z.-
1678
ꢀ 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 1675 –1679