Tandem Inter [4 + 2]/Intra [3 + 2] Cycloadditions. 17. The Spiro Mode. Efficient and Highly Selective Synthesis of Azapropellanes

Abstract

A new variant of the tandem inter [4 + 2]/intra [3 + 2] nitroalkene cycloaddition has been developed. Intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of a 2-nitroalkene (bearing an unsaturated ester moiety, the dipolarophile) with a vinyl ether produces a cyclic nitronate substituted at C(3) wherein the only stereogenic center is the anomeric carbon C(6). Since the dipolarophile is attached to a tether extending from the C(3) of the nitronate (α-carbon of the nitroalkene), the intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition affords a spiro tricyclic nitroso acetal. The cycloaddition proceeds smoothly for three- and four-atom tethers to afford five- and six-membered rings. Both E- and Z-unsaturated esters serve well as dipolarophiles, but the E-isomers react more selectively. Hydrogenolysis of the nitroso acetals affords the spiro tricyclic α-hydroxy lactams in good yield. Remarkably high levels of asymmetric induction are observed with the use of a chiral vinyl ether derived from (1R,2S)-2-phenylcyclohexanol. The origin of asy...