Diastereoselective double ring closing metathesis reactions as an approach to symmetrical bicyclodienes

A new class of bicyclic dienes which contain a σ plane of symmetry are efficiently prepared in a diastereoselective fashion using ring closing metathesis reactions. These molecules have potential as starting materials for a wide range of organic targets.Key words: metathesis, catalysis, stereoselective, decalin, desymmetrization.

Synthesis of functionalized hexahydro-, octahydro-, and decahydro-1H-phenalenes via Diels–Alder reactions of 1-methylene-4a-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydronaphthalene and related dienes

The results of a study of Diels–Alder reactions of the bicyclic dienes 6–8 with a variety of dienophiles are reported. Although 6 and 7 undergo cycloaddition reactions smoothly and efficiently, thermal Diels–Alder reactions of 8 are generally sluggish or, under the conditions investigated, do not proceed at all. Additions of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to 6–8 are highly face-selective, with preferential attack of the dienophile on the side of the dienes opposite to the angular methoxycarbonyl group. Reaction of 7 with maleic anhydride (MAN) is completely face-selective and proceeds preferentially via an endo transition state. Diels–Alder reactions of 6 and 7 with methyl acrylate (MAC) and nitroethylene (NE) are entirely regioselective, but the face-selectivities, which vary from ~2:1 to ~3:1, are rather low. The use of this chemistry as a method for the synthesis of functionalized, stereochemically defined, perhydro-1H-phenalenes is demonstrated.