Dearomatising Additions: Mechanism, Scope and Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Flat aromatic compounds are often cheap and readily available, making them useful starting materials, especially if they can be converted in a simple manner to non-aromatic products. There are relatively few reactions which do this, especially in a manner which also controls shape (stereoselectivity). We have recently discovered a way of carrying out addition reactions to simple aryloxazolines with loss of aromaticity, and in this proposal we seek to develop the dearomatising addition to aryloxazolines as a generlly useful and versatile synthetic method. To do this, we shall investigate the mechanism of the addition. The reaction almost certainly proceeds via radical intermediates containing single unpaired electrons, and the intermediates in the reaction pathway can therefore be studied by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR). Using these and a selection of other spectroscopic techniques we will establish (a) how the reaction works and (b) which reaction partners might best be used to extend the reaction's scope. Having doen this we will move on to apply the dearomatising addition reaction to the synthesis of valuable bioactive compounds such as carbacyclic sugar analogues (many of which are potential antiviral agents).
Organisations
Publications
Clayden J
(2010)
Tandem beta-alkylation-alpha-arylation of amines by carbolithiation and rearrangement of N-carbamoyl enamines (vinyl ureas).
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Lefranc J
(2010)
Geometry-Selective Synthesis of E or Z N -Vinyl Ureas ( N -Carbamoyl Enamines)
in Organic Letters
Clayden J
(2009)
A One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Aryl-4,5-anti-diphenyloxazolines
in Synlett