Enol López

Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclopentene Derivatives from Vinyldiazo Compounds and Vinylazides through Sequential Copper-Promoted [3+2] Cycloaddition/Azide Rearrangement

The reaction of vinylazides with alkenyldiazo compounds in the presence of [Cu(CH3 CN)4 ][BF4 ] provided cyclopentene derivatives with retention of the azide functionality. This process likely involves a sequence comprising: 1) decomposition of the diazo component with generation of a copper alkenylcarbene species; 2) stepwise regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition; 3) allylic azide rearrangement. This method is compatible with a broad range of substrates. We also show that the azide-containing cycloadducts can be efficiently converted into the corresponding amine and triazole derivatives.

Recent Developments in Coinage Metal Catalyzed Transformations of Stabilized Vinyldiazo Compounds: Beyond Carbenic Pathways.

Transition metal-catalyzed transformations of vinyldiazo compounds have become a versatile tool in organic synthesis. Although several transition metals have been investigated for this purpose, this field has been mainly dominated by dirhodium catalysts. Remarkable levels of chemo-, regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity have been reached in some of these rhodium-catalyzed transformations. In the last few years coinage metals have also emerged as useful catalysts in transformations involving vinyldiazo compounds. In some cases, highly efficient catalyst-dependent protocols arising from divergent mechanistic pathways have been reported. In this Personal Account, we aim to showcase recent advances in metal coinage catalyzed transformations of vinyldiazoacetates, an exciting field of research to which our group has actively contributed in the last few years.

Gold-Catalyzed Intermolecular Formal Insertion of Aryldiazo Esters into Cp−H Bonds of Iron and Ruthenium Metallocenes

The reaction of ferrocene and ruthenocene with aryldiazo acetates in the presence of gold catalysts produced new functionalized metallocenes resulting from a C-H bond functionalization process. This process is believed to proceed through initial decomposition of the diazo component and formation of an electrophilic gold-carbene intermediate, which is subsequently involved in an electrophilic aromatic substitution. The gold-catalyzed functionalization of ruthenocene exhibited a broad scope and a notable functional-group tolerance. Interestingly, the functionalized ferrocene derivatives were found to react with molecular oxygen to yield α-aryl-α-ferrocenyl-α-hydroxyacetates. Adsorption on silica gel was found to be essential for this dioxygen activation/C(sp3 )-H bond functionalization sequence. The methodologies reported herein provide a simple and efficient approach to functionalized metallocene derivatives that are difficult to access through conventional organic functional group transformations.

Trapping para-Quinone Methide Intermediates with Ferrocene: Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation of New Phenol-Ferrocene Conjugates

The reaction of para-hydroxybenzyl alcohols with ferrocene in the presence of a catalytic amount of InCl3 provided ferrocenyl phenol derivatives, an interesting class of organometallic compounds with potential applications in medicinal chemistry. This transformation exhibited a reasonable substrate scope delivering the desired products in synthetically useful yields. Evidence of involvement of a para-quinone methide intermediate in this coupling process was also provided. Preliminary biological evaluation demonstrated that some of the ferrocene derivatives available by this methodology exhibit significant cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines with IC50 values within the range of 1.07–4.89 μM.