Synlett 2008(14): 2213-2214  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1078256
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

A Low-Temperature Ammonium Ylid Rearrangement: Enhanced Reactivity Engendered by Rigidity

Julien Sançon, J. B. Sweeney*
Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AD, UK
Fax: +44(118)3786331; e-Mail: j.b.sweeney@reading.ac.uk;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 8 July 2008
Publication Date:
13 August 2008 (online)

Abstract

Sigmatropic rearrangement of tetrahydropyridine-­derived ammonium is a valuable method for the preparation of substituted prolines. These reaction normally require elevated temperatures to proceed, but bicyclic tetrahydropyridine-like ylid 1 undergoes rearrangement at -15 ˚C; the extra rigidity of the azabicyclo[3.3.0]octene system preorganizes the transition state and lowers the activation energy for rearrangement.

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Key Data for 4
¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.24-1.31 (6 H, m), 2.33-2.38 (1 H, br m), 2.41 (3 H, s), 2.67-2.74 (1 H, m), 2.82 (1 H, dd, J = 8.5, 9.0 Hz), 2.90-2.97 (2 H, m), 3.80-3.88 (1 H, m), 4.18-4.31 (4 H, m), 5.31-5.34 (1 H, m), 5.83-5.86 (1 H, m). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 14.3, 14.4, 37.2, 37.4, 41.7, 58.3, 60.8, 61.0, 63.0, 78.0, 128.1, 134.8, 168.0 (C=O), 169.4. MS (ES+): m/z calcd for C14H21NO4: 268.1543; found: 268.1539.

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Key Data for 5
¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.27 (6 H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.60 (1 H, d, J = 10.8 Hz), 1.79-1.86 (1 H, m), 2.50 (3 H, s), 2.51-2.58 (2 H, m), 2.69 (1 H, dd, J = 8.5, 9.0 Hz), 3.01 (1 H, br dd, J = 2.5, 5.1 Hz), 4.11-4.23 (4 H, m), 6.05-6.17 (1 H, m). ¹³C NMR (62.5 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 14.5, 14.6, 39.4, 39.5, 40.7, 45.7, 51.1, 61.1, 62.0, 73.1, 133.2, 136.1, 170.5, 171.2. MS (ES+): m/z calcd for C14H21NO4: 268.1543; found: 268.1543.

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Key Data for 7
¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 2.28 (3 H, s), 2.28-2.35 (1 H, m), 2.35-2.41 (1 H, m), 2.60-2.70 (1 H, m), 2.75-2.85 (1 H, m), 2.90 (1 H, d), 2.90 (1 H, d), 3.50-3.57 (1 H, br m), 3.70 (3 H, s), 5.20-5.28 (1 H, m), 5.73-5.81 (1 H, m). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 39.0, 41.3, 42.6, 52.4, 55.1, 65.2, 72.3, 128.8 , 135.5, 172.3 MS (CI+): m/z (%) = 182 (100) [MH+], 122 (75), 79 and 49. HRMS: m/z calcd for C10H15NO2: 182.1182; found: 182.1181.

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The relative stereochemistry of 7 was deduced from NOE experiments, which will be reported elsewhere in due course.