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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Efficient Construction of Drug-like Bispirocyclic Scaffolds Via Organocatalytic Cycloadditions of α-Imino γ-Lactones and Alkylidene Pyrazolones
Published on: February 7, 2019
Unusually reactive and selective carbonyl ylides for three-component cycloaddition reactions
Andrew DeAngelis1, Michael T Taylor, Joseph M Fox
1Brown Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA.
This study details a new Rh-catalyzed reaction forming functionalized furan products. Alkyl-substituted carbonyl ylides exhibit broader reactivity and high selectivity in these three-component reactions.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Synthetic Methodology
Background:
- Carbonyl ylides are versatile intermediates in organic synthesis.
- Previous methods using ethyl diazoacetate or alpha-aryl-alpha-diazoesters had limitations in scope and reactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel Rh-catalyzed three-component reaction for synthesizing functionalized dihydro- and tetrahydrofuran derivatives.
- To explore the reactivity of alkyl-substituted carbonyl ylides.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a three-component reaction involving aldehydes, alpha-alkyl-alpha-diazoesters, and dipolarophiles.
- Employed Rhodium (Rh) catalysis to generate alkyl-substituted carbonyl ylides.
- Investigated cycloaddition reactions of the generated ylides.
Main Results:
- Achieved the formation of highly functionalized dihydro- and tetrahydrofuran products.
- Demonstrated a broader scope of reactivity for alkyl-substituted carbonyl ylides compared to previous methods.
- Observed high regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity in the reactions.
Conclusions:
- The developed Rh-catalyzed method provides efficient access to complex furan structures.
- Alkyl-substituted carbonyl ylides are highly reactive and selective intermediates.
- The observed selectivity can be explained by an asynchronous, endo-selective transition state model.
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