Synlett 2009(2): 292-296  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1087521
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Cyclohepta[de]naphthalenes and the Rearranged Abietane Framework of Microstegiol via Nicholas Reaction Chemistry

Rafiq A. Taj, Anusha Abhayawardhana, James R. Green*
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
Fax: +1(519)9737098; e-Mail: jgreen@uwindsor.ca;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 30 September 2008
Publication Date:
15 January 2009 (online)

Abstract

Nicholas reactions on 2,7-dioxygenated naphthalenes give C-1 monosubstitution and C-1/C-8 disubstitution in most ­cases. From γ-carbonyl cation monocondensation product 3b or alkyne-unsubstituted dicondensation product 4a, cyclohepta[de]naphthalenes bearing no substituents, gem-dimethyl substituents, and a ketone function, and the rearranged abietane framework of microstegiol may be prepared.

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To a solution of 2,7-dimethoxynaphthalene(1) in CH2Cl2 (0.05 M) at 0 ˚C was added propargyl alcohol complex 2 (1.1 equiv for monocondensations, 2.2 equiv for dicondensations) and BF3˙OEt2 (3 equiv). After 3 h of stirring at 0 ˚C, aq NH4Cl was added, and the mixture subjected to a conventional extractive workup. Purification by flash chromatography afforded 3 (monocondensation) or 4 and 5 (dicondensation).

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Analytical Data for Selected Compounds Compound 3a: IR (KBr): νmax = 3003, 2960, 2090, 2055
cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.71 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.70 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.22 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.04 (dd, J = 8.9, 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 5.95 (s, 1 H), 4.60 (s, 2 H), 3.97 (s, 3 H), 3.94 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 199.6, 158.4, 154.7, 133.9, 130.2, 128.6, 124.6, 120.1, 116.1, 109.7, 101.6, 96.1, 73.5, 55.4, 55.1, 29.5. MS: m/e = 484 [M+ - CO], 456 [M+ - 2 CO], 428 [M+ - 3 CO], 372 [M+ - 5 CO]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C21H14Co2O8 [M+ - 2 CO]: 455.9454; found: 455.9441.
Compound 3b: IR (KBr): νmax = 3003, 2951, 2097, 2063, 2028, 1708 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.72 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.68 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.18 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.02 (dd, J = 8.9, 2.3 Hz, 1 H), 4.64 (s, 2 H), 3.96 (s, 3 H), 3.95 (s, 3 H), 3.53 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 198.4, 171.7, 158.5, 154.7, 133.9, 130.1, 128.8, 124.4, 119.1, 116.2, 109.3, 101.1, 99.4, 79.3, 55.2, 54.9, 52.4, 29.0. MS: m/e = 570 [M+], 542 [M+ - 1 CO], 514 [M+ -2 CO], 486 [M+ - 3 CO], 458 [M+ - 4 CO], 430 [M+ - 5 CO], 402 [M+ - 6 CO]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C23H16Co2O10 [M+ - CO]: 541.9458; found: 541.9455.

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However, substitution at the propargylic site in 2 resulted in condensation reactions at C-3 in preference to C-1.

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Analytical Data for Selected Compounds Compound 4a: IR (KBr): νmax = 2917, 2090, 2051, 2021
cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.70 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2 H), 7.12 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2 H), 5.83 (s, 2 H), 5.22 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 2 H), 4.50 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 2 H), 3.99 (s, 6 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 199.6, 156.1, 131.9, 130.7, 126.5, 121.3, 110.1, 97.5, 73.8, 55.9, 30.6. MS: m/e = 808 [M+ - 1 CO], 780 [M+ - 2 CO], 752 [M+ - 3 CO], 724 [M+ - 4 CO], 696 [M+ - 5 CO], 668 [M+ - 6 CO], 640 [M+ - 7 CO], 612 [M+ - 8 CO]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C30H16Co4O14 [M+ - CO]: 807.7917; found: 807.7904.
Compound 4b: IR (KBr): νmax = 3004, 2950, 2097, 2067, 1710 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.71 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.10 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2 H), 5.19 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 2 H), 4.69 (d, J = 16.5 Hz, 2 H), 3.40 (s, 6 H), 3.46 (s, 6 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 198.2, 170.6, 156.1, 132.1, 131.0, 126.3, 120.3, 109.8, 99.9, 80.3, 55.7, 52.4, 30.9. MS: m/e = 896 [M+ - 2 CO], 840 [M+ - 4 CO], 784 [M+ -6 CO], 728 [M+ - 8 CO], 700 [M+ - 9 CO].

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Compound 6: IR (KBr): νmax = 3291, 2932, 2107, 1618
cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.72 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.18 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2 H), 4.31 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 4 H), 4.03 (s, 6 H), 2.16 (t, J = 2.6 Hz, 2 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 156.7, 133.5, 130.1, 126.2, 117.3, 111.0, 84.7, 69.1, 56.9, 17.3. MS: m/e = 264 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C18H16O2 [M+] = 264.1150; found: 264.1153.
Compound 7: IR (KBr): νmax = 3077, 2934, 1614 cm. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.72 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2 H), 7.18 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2 H), 6.23 (m, 2 H), 5.09 (dd J = 10.3, 1.9 Hz, 2 H), 4.84 (dd, J = 17.3, 1.9 Hz, 2 H), 3.93 (s, 6 H), 3.91 (m, 4 H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 156.7, 139.0, 134.9, 129.4, 126.3, 120.4, 114.5, 111.0, 56.8, 30.9. MS: m/e = 268 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C18H20O2 [M+]: 268.1463; found: 268.1466.
Compound 8: IR (KBr): νmax = 3033, 2934, 1616 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.59 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.11 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2 H), 6.19 (m, 2 H), 4.02 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 4 H), 3.92 (s, 6 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 153.9, 134.8, 130.9, 128.3, 126.8, 120.2, 111.9, 57.2, 24.2. MS: m/e = 240 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C16H16O2 [M+]: 240.1150; found: 240.1150.

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Analytical Data for Selected Compounds Compound 10: IR (KBr): νmax = 2956, 2233, 1712, 1628
cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.72 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.69 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.22 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.05 (dd, J = 8.9, 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 4.11 (s, 2 H), 3.97 (s, 3 H), 3.96 (s, 3 H), 3.70 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 158.4, 154.6, 154.0, 133.7, 129.9, 128.9, 124.3, 116.1, 113.6, 110.1, 101.2, 87.7, 71.9, 56.1, 55.0, 52.2, 14.5. MS: m/e = 284 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C17H16O4 [M+]: 284.1049; found: 284.1033.
Compound 11: IR (KBr): νmax = 2954, 1740, 1628 cm. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.69 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.66 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.32 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.12 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.03 (dd, J = 8.9, 2.0 Hz, 1 H), 3.98 (s, 3 H), 3.93 (s, 3 H), 3.70 (s, 3 H), 3.11 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 2.44 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2 H), 2.00 (m, 2 H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 174.0, 158.1, 154.8, 134.1, 129.8, 127.3, 124.5, 121.2, 115.7, 110.2, 101.6, 55.9, 55.1, 51.2, 33.4, 24.2, 24.1. MS: m/e = 288 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C17H20O4 [M+]: 288.1362; found: 288.1360.
Compound 13: IR (KBr): νmax = 3422 (br), 2966, 1627 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.70 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.66 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.24 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.05 (dd, J = 8.9, 2.3 Hz, 1 H), 3.952 (s, 3 H), 3.945 (s, 3 H), 3.09 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 1.75 (m, 2 H), 1.69 (m, 2 H) 1.38 (br s, 1 H), 1.23 (s, 6 H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 158.0, 154.8, 134.1, 130.0, 127.1, 124.7, 122.6, 115.5, 110.8, 102.0, 70.9, 56.3, 55.1, 43.8, 29.1, 25.4, 24.4. MS: m/e = 288 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C18H24O3 [M+]: 288.1725; found: 288.1713.
Compound 9: IR (KBr): νmax = 2929, 1612 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.54 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.52 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.09 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.07 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 3.95 (s, 3 H), 3.92 (s, 3 H), 3.00 (br m, 2 H), 1.96 (m, 2 H), 1.70 (m, 2 H), 1.52 (s, 6 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 158.8, 154.5, 137.6, 131.7, 127.3, 126.9, 125.4, 122.9, 112.1, 111.6, 84.6, 57.4, 56.0, 41.1, 39.4, 25.5, 22.1. MS: m/e = 270 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C18H22O2 [M+]: 270.1620; found: 270.1614.

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Analytical Data for Selected Compounds Compound 17: IR (KBr): νmax = 3004, 2952, 2099, 2063, 2029,1765, 1709 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.82 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H) 7.61 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.26 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.11 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.2 Hz, 1 H), 4.60 (s, 2 H), 3.96 (s, 3 H), 3.75 (s, 3 H), 2.33 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 198.0, 170.5, 169.4, 154.7, 149.3, 133.2, 130.0, 128.8, 126.8, 120.0, 118.6, 114.1, 111.8, 98.5, 93.9, 55.2, 52.5, 28.2, 20.8. MS: m/e = 542 [M+ - 2 CO], 514 [M+ - 3 CO], 486 [M+ - 4 CO], 458 [M+ - 5 CO], 430 [M+ - 6 CO]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C24H16Co2O11 [M+ - 3 CO]: 513.9509; found: 513.9511.
Compound 18: IR (KBr). νmax = 2917, 2234, 1761, 1712 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.81 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2 H), 7.62 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.26 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.15 (dd. J = 8.8, 2.1 Hz, 1 H), 4.08 (s, 2 H), 3.99 (s, 3 H), 3.71 (s, 3 H), 2.38 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 169.4, 154.7, 154.0, 149.4, 133.1, 129.9, 129.2, 126.9, 118.8, 114.8, 113.7, 112.7, 87.4, 72.0, 56.3, 52.3, 21.0, 14.6. MS: m/e = 312 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C18H16O5 [M+]: 312.0998; found: 312.0991.
Compound 19: IR (KBr): νmax 3067, 2950, 1759, 1734 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3 ): δ = 7.75 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.67 (d, J = 1.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.65 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.16 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.09 (dd, J = 8.8, 1.9 Hz, 1 H), 3.85 (s, 3 H), 3.64 (s, 3 H), 3.08 (t, J = 17.6 Hz, 2 H), 2.39 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2 H), 2.33 (s, 3 H), 1.99 (m, 2 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 173.9, 169.5, 154.9, 149.1, 133.6, 129.9, 127.6, 127.1, 122.3, 118.4, 114.0, 112.7, 56.1, 51.2, 33.5, 24.7, 24.0, 21.1. MS: m/e = 316 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C18H20O5 [M+]: 316.1311; found: 316.1316.
Compound 20: IR (KBr): νmax = 3385 (br), 2924, 1703, 1626 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, acetone-d 6): δ = 7.63 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.62 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.28 (br s, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 6.93 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.1 Hz, 1 H), 3.87 (s, 3 H), 2.99 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 2 H), 2.35 (m, 2 H), 1.85 (m, 2 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, acetone-d 6): δ = 174.5, 156.0, 155.1, 134.8, 130.2, 127.7, 124.5, 120.7, 115.7, 110.3, 104.8, 55.8, 33.3, 24.8, 24.1. MS: m/e = 260 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C15H16O4 [M+]: 260.1049; found: 260.1045.
Compound 15: IR (KBr): νmax = 3009, 2970, 1616 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 12.73 (s, 1 H), 7.71 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.63 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.12 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 6.93 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 3.95 (s, 3 H), 3.01 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2 H), 2.71 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2 H), 2.39 (m, 2 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 207.4, 162.5, 157.3, 136.2, 135.7, 128.6, 123.2, 122.3, 116.5, 115.2, 110.3, 56.2, 42.3, 29.5, 25.4. MS: m/e = 242 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C15H14O3 [M+]: 242.0943; found: 242.0931.

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Analytical Data for Selected Compounds Compound 21: IR (KBr): νmax = 3358, 2967 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.10 (br s, 1 H), 7.65 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.61 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.33 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.08 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.01 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.2 Hz, 1 H), 3.91 (s, 3 H), 2.95 (br t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2 H), 2.60 (br s, 1 H), 1.65 (m,
4 H), 1.21 (s, 6 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 154.6, 154.5, 134.4, 130.3, 127.3, 124.5, 122.1, 115.6, 110.7, 105.3, 72.0, 56.4, 43.5, 29.1, 25.4, 24.3. MS: m/e = 274 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C17H22O3: 274.1569; found: 274.1574.
Compound 22: IR (KBr): νmax = 2934, 1653, 1615 cm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.29 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.79 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 5.97 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1 H), 3.84 (s, 3 H), 3.63 (s, 1 H), 3.36 (m, 1 H), 2.42 (m, 1 H), 1.84 (m, 1 H), 1.51 (m, 1 H), 1.38 (m, 1 H), 1.27 (m, 1 H), 1.17 (s, 3 H), 0.66 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 203.2, 157.7, 145.5, 140.8, 129.4, 127.9, 124.4, 123.5, 108.9, 58.3, 55.7, 43.2, 37.0, 27.4, 24.2, 21.5, 20.2. MS: m/e 256 [M+]. HRMS: m/e calcd for C17H20O2: 256.1463; found: 256.1457.