Synlett 2006(11): 1645-1656  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947331
ACCOUNT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Gold- and Copper-Catalyzed [4+2] Benzannulations between Enynal or Enynone Units and 2π-Systems

Naoki Asao*
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
Fax: +81(22)7956784; e-Mail: asao@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 8 February 2006
Publication Date:
04 July 2006 (online)

Abstract

Gold-catalyzed formal [4+2] benzannulation between enynal or enynone units, including ortho-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes, and 2π-systems, such as alkynes and carbonyl compounds (enol forms), produces aromatic ketones in good to high yields. By simply changing the catalyst from gold to copper-Brønsted acid system, decarbonylated aromatic compounds can be prepared in the reactions using alkynes as the 2π-system. An efficient synthetic approach to angucyclinone antibiotics, (+)-ochromycinone and (+)-rubiginone B2, is developed by applying the present benzannulation to an intramolecular version. The reaction proceeds most probably through the formation of the benzo[c]pyrylium ate complex via the intramolecular nucleophilic addition of the carbonyl oxygen atom to the alkyne part of enynal or enynone units, which is induced by carbophilic gold and copper catalysts.

1 Introduction

2 Gold-Catalyzed Reaction of Enynal or Enynone Units with Acetylenic Compounds

3 Copper-Catalyzed Reaction of Enynal Units with ­Acetylenic Compounds

4 Copper-Catalyzed Reaction of Enynal or Enynone Units with Alkenes

5 Gold-Catalyzed Reaction of Enynal Units with Carbonyl Compounds

6 Gold- and Copper-Catalyzed Intramolecular Benz­annulation and Cycloaddition

7 Gold-Catalyzed Intramolecular Benzannulation as a ­Synthetic Tool for Angucyclinone Antibiotics

8 Summary

37

When the Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed reaction of 4a with 23a was conducted in THF, we could not detect the formation of 32a.

38

A protic catalyst, which is formed from AuBr3 in water, might promote the enolization process, see ref. 33.