A new photoredox‐catalyzed decarboxylative radical addition approach to functionalized cyclobutanes is described. The reaction involves an unprecedented formal Giese‐type addition of C(sp3)‐centered radicals to highly strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. The mild photoredox conditions, which make use of a readily available and bench stable phenyl sulfonyl bicyclo[1.1.0]butane, proved to be amenable to a diverse range of α‐amino and α‐oxy carboxylic acids, providing a concise route to 1,3‐disubstituted cyclobutanes. Furthermore, kinetic studies and DFT calculations unveiled mechanistic details on bicyclo[1.1.0]butane reactivity relative to the corresponding olefin system.

A novel transformation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate aryne precursors is described.

Glycolates or glycinates derived from diversely substituted secondary cyclopropenylcarbinols have been involved for the first time in an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement. This reaction allows an efficient and stereoselective access to highly functionalized alkylidenecyclopropanes possessing an α-hydroxy or α-amino acid subunit, which in turn are valuable precursors of substituted cyclopropanes by diastereoselective hydrogenation of the exocyclic alkene.

Epoxy isonitrile containing natural products often possess specific and potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogens. This scaffold, however, is extremely labile under acidic and basic conditions, undergoing a Payne rearrangement to produce a stable epoxy ketone metabolite and releasing hydrogen cyanide. We synthesized and performed biological assays with epoxy ketone containing metabolites and identified that the epoxy isonitrile moiety is pertinent for biological activity. Serendipitously, we discovered an α,β-unsaturated epoxy ketone analogue that exhibited moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

The baulamycins were identified as in vitro siderophore biosynthesis inhibitors. Diverted total synthesis was used to construct the natural products and eight strategic analogues, three of which had improved inhibitory activity. Biological testing then revealed that membrane damage is the predominant mode of action in Staphylococcus aureus cells.

A one-pot difluorocyclopropenation/Ireland-Claisen rearrangement sequence applied to readily available propargyl glycolates was developed as a route toward functionalized alkylidene(gem-difluorocyclopropanes). This strategy conveniently avoids the isolation of the unstable 3,3-difluorocyclopropenylcarbinyl glycolates arising from the difluorocyclopropenation. The Ireland-Claisen rearrangement proceeds with high diastereoselectivity and chirality transfer to afford alkylidene(gem-difluorocyclopropanes) incorporating a quaternary stereocenter and a protected glycolic acid moiety, which are useful building blocks for the preparation of functionalized gem-difluorocyclopropanes.

Cyclopropenes constitute useful precursors of other classes of compounds incorporating a three-membered ring. Although the transformation of substituted cyclopropenes into alkylidenecyclopropanes can be accomplished through different strategies, this review is focusing specifically on the use of [2,3]- and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements involving cyclopropenylcarbinol derivatives as substrates. These sigmatropic rearrangements, which have been developed in recent years, allow a remarkably efficient and stereoselective access to a wide variety of heterosubstituted and/or functionalized alkylidenecyclopropanes which would not be readily accessible by other strategies. The different [2,3]- and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of cyclopropenylcarbinol derivatives disclosed to date, as well as the analysis of their substrate scope and some applications of the products arising from those reactions, are presented in this review.

An ew photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative radical addition approacht of unctionalizedc yclobutanes is described. The reaction involves an unprecedented formal Giese-type addition of C(sp 3 )-centered radicals to highly strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes. The mild photoredox conditions,w hichm ake use of ar eadily available and benchs table phenyl sulfonyl bicyclo[1.1.0]butane,proved to be amenable to ad iverse range of a-amino and a-oxy carboxylic acids, providing ac oncise route to 1,3-disubstituted cyclobutanes. Furthermore,k inetic studies and DFT calculations unveiled mechanistic details on bicyclo[1.1.0]butane reactivity relative to the corresponding olefin system. Scheme 1. Cyclobutanes in medicinal chemistry A) and decarboxylative conjugater adical addition B).