The theoretically inspired development of a Rh-catalyzed [3 + 2 + 1] carbocyclization of carbon- and heteroatom-tethered alkenylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) with CO for the stereoselective construction of cis-fused bicyclohexenones is described. This study demonstrates that the ring opening of alkylidenecyclopropane proceeds through a Rh(III)-trimethylenemethane complex, which undergoes rate-determining carbometalation through a transition state that accurately predicts the stereochemical outcome for this process. The experimental studies demonstrate the validity of this approach and include the first highly enantioselective reaction involving an ACP to highlight further the synthetic utility of this transformation.

Difficult-to-access chiral primary amines were formed in good to high yield and ee using a rare example of a one-pot synthesis from prochiral ketones (sequential reductive amination-hydrogenloysis). As a highlight we also demonstrate a one-pot reductive amination-hydrogenolysis-reductive amination (five reactions) of ortho-methoxyacetophenone resulting in the chiral diamine 1-(2-methoxy-A C H T U N G T R E N N U N G phenyl)ethyl-(2-pyridylmethyl)-amine (4) (58% overall yield, > 99% ee), a new organocatalyst for aqueous enantioselective aldol reactions.

The isolation and characterization of a rhodacycle intermediate implicated in rhodium-catalyzed reactions of alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) is described. The structure of the metallacycle was unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography and is catalytically competent in the rhodium-catalyzed carbocyclization and ene-cycloisomerization reactions of ACPs. This work represents a rare example of the isolation of a metallacycle in a metal-catalyzed higher-order carbocyclization reaction and thereby provides important insight into the ligand requirements for the insertion of π-components. Furthermore, it serves as a convenient synthon for the development of challenging higher-order carbocyclization reactions, as exemplified by the reaction with an activated allene.

The development of the stereoselective rhodium-catalyzed [(3+2)+2] carbocyclization of alkynylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) with substituted allenes is described. This work demonstrates that activated and unactivated allenes preferentially undergo carbometalation at the distal terminus to generate tri- and tetrasubstituted exocyclic olefins with a neutral rhodium catalyst. In addition, this method provides a strategy for the total synthesis of the guaiane family of sesquiterpenes, which are not directly accessible using alkynes as exogenous π-components. Finally, the preparation of the bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane ring system using a homologated ACP tether serves to further illustrate the versatility of this approach.

The development of the rhodium-catalyzed [(3+2)+1] carbocyclization reaction of alkynylidenecyclopropanes with carbon monoxide to construct polysubstituted phenols is described. This work offers a convenient method for the selective formation of tetra- and pentasubstituted phenols, which provide important intermediates for target directed synthesis. Finally, the ability to regiospecifically functionalize the phenols using conventional methods further illustrates the utility of this process.

The efficient and scalable synthesis of a valuable vinylcyclopropane (VCP) building block, which circumvents several problems encountered in previous syntheses, has been developed.

The development of the stereoselective rhodiumcatalyzed[ (3+ +2)+ +2] carbocyclization of alkynylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) with substituted allenes is described. This work demonstrates that activated and unactivated allenes preferentially undergo carbometalation at the distal terminus to generate tri-and tetrasubstituted exocyclic olefins with an eutral rhodium catalyst. In addition, this method provides as trategy for the total synthesis of the guaiane family of sesquiterpenes,whichare not directly accessible using alkynes as exogenous p-components.F inally,t he preparation of the bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane ring system using ahomologated ACP tether serves to further illustrate the versatility of this approach. Scheme 1. Rationalef or the development of the rhodium-catalyzed [(3+ +2)+ +2] carbocyclization of ACPs with allenes.

The isolation and characterization of a rhodacycle intermediate implicated in rhodium‐catalyzed reactions of alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) is described. The structure of the metallacycle was unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallography and is catalytically competent in the rhodium‐catalyzed carbocyclization and ene‐cycloisomerization reactions of ACPs. This work represents a rare example of the isolation of a metallacycle in a metal‐catalyzed higher‐order carbocyclization reaction and thereby provides important insight into the ligand requirements for the insertion of π‐components. Furthermore, it serves as a convenient synthon for the development of challenging higher‐order carbocyclization reactions, as exemplified by the reaction with an activated allene.