David S. Pugh

First C−H Activation Route to Oxindoles using Copper Catalysis

The preparation of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles by a formal C-H, Ar-H coupling of anilides is described. Highly efficient conditions have been identified using catalytic (5 mol %) Cu(OAc)(2).H(2)O with atmospheric oxygen as the reoxidant; no additional base is required, and the reaction can be run in toluene or mesitylene. Optimization studies are reported together with a scope and limitation investigation based on variation of the anilide precursors. The application of this methodology to prepare a key intermediate for the total synthesis of the anticancer, analgesic oxindole alkaloid Horsfiline is also described.

gem-Dimethylcyclopropanation of dibenzylideneacetone using triisopropyl sulfoxonium tetrafluoroborate.

The reaction between dibenzylideneacetone (dba) and triisopropyl sulfoxonium tetrafluoroborate has been reinvestigated. The stereochemistry of the major diasteromeric bis(gem-dimethylcyclopropane) adduct has now been assigned as [(1RS,3RS)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylcyclopropyl][(1SR,3SR)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylcyclopropyl]methanone, C(23)H(26)O, by X-ray crystallographic studies on a twinned crystal. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules of the adduct, the conformations of which differ in the orientation of the phenyl ring relative to the adjacent cyclopropanated double bond. The carbonyl groups of each adduct are aligned approximately along the a axis and in opposite directions to each other. The molecules pack to give a sinusoidal pattern along the b axis. This is the first acyclic bis(dimethylcyclopropyl) ketone for which an X-ray crystal structure determination has been reported, and is also the first bis-cyclopropanated dba analogue. The knowledge that the major diastereomer has the meso structure (and therefore the confirmation that the minor isomer is the racemate) will prove invaluable in future studies to utilize bis(dimethylcyclopropyl) ketones as reagents, in rearrangement processes, and as potential ligands and ligand precursors in organometallic chemistry.