Synthesis 2001(16): 2500-2520
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18713
FEATUREARTICLE
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Titanocene Catalysed 5-exo Cyclisations of Unsaturated Epoxides- Reagent Control in Radical Chemistry

Andreas Gansäuer*, Marianna Pierobon, Harald Bluhm
Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
Fax: +49(228)734760; e-Mail: andreas@gansaeuer.de;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 10 August 2001
Publication Date:
05 August 2004 (online)

Abstract

A synthetic route to carbocyclic and heterocyclic [3.3.0], [4.3.0] and [5.3.0] systems containing pyrrolidine and tetrahydro-furan units and various other tetrahydrofuran derivatives is presented. The products are of relevance for natural product synthesis and for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. The titanocene catalysed reactions utilises readily available unsaturated epoxides as substrates. A model explaining the diastereoselectivity of cyclisation is presented that should allow for rational design of more selective catalysts.