Metal-Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions of 2,3,4-Trien-1-ols: A Joint Experimental-Computational Study

Controlled preparation of tri- and tetrasubstituted furans, as well as carbazoles has been achieved through chemo- and regioselective metal-catalyzed cyclization reactions of cumulenic alcohols. The gold- and palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of cumulenols, including indole-tethered 2,3,4-trien-1-ols, to trisubstituted furans was effective, due to a 5-endo-dig oxycyclization by attack of the hydroxy group onto the central cumulene double bond. In contrast, palladium-catalyzed heterocyclization/coupling reactions with 3-bromoprop-1-enes furnished tetrasubstituted furans. Also studied was the palladium-catalyzed cyclization/coupling sequence involving protected indole-tethered 2,3,4-trien-1-ols and 3-bromoprop-1-enes that exclusively generated trisubstituted carbazole derivatives. These results could be explained through a selective 6-endo-dig cumulenic hydroarylation, followed by aromatization. DFT calculations were carried out to understand this difference in reactivity.