No abstract

Cyclohexadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating an azaspirocyclic ring system have been prepared from (η6-N-benzyl acetoacetamide)CpRu(II) precursors via an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic addition/enolate trapping reaction sequence. The spirocyclization process was found to be applicable to a variety of alkyl-, alkoxy-, and chloro-substituted N-benzyl acetoacetamide ligands, and isolated yields of the cyclohexadienyl products ranged from 44% to 86%. In contrast, related arene ruthenium complexes prepared from benzyl acetoacetate and phenethyl acetoacetamide failed to undergo spirocyclization, but were found to participate in intramolecular SNAr reactions (leading to formation of tetralone and benzazepinone ring systems, respectively). Thus, the conformational mobility of the side chain linking the nucleophilic center to the coordinated arene ring appears to be important in governing the regioselectivity of aromatic addition in these reactions. Several spirolactam complexes were reduced with LiAlH4 to the corresponding Ru-coordinated spirocyclic amines; however, attempts to remove the cyclohexadienyl moiety from the CpRu(II) center via ligand protonation were unsuccessful.

Arene ruthenium complexes possessing beta-amido phosphonate side chains participate in intramolecular spirocyclization reactions to deliver stable cyclohexadienyl ruthenium adducts. Spirocyclization is accomplished via a tandem two-step sequence that involves stereoselective nucleophilic aromatic addition to the ipso position of the coordinated arene, followed by intermolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination. The resulting eta5-cyclohexadienyl complexes can then be diastereoselectively converted to metal-free azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives upon oxidative demetalation in the presence of suitable nucleophiles. An asymmetric spirocyclization was demonstrated through application of this procedure to a beta-amido phosphonate prepared from (S)-(-)-alpha-methyl benzylamine. The expected spirolactam product was obtained as a single enantiomer.

Electron-rich alkoxy- and chloro-substituted azaspirocyclic cyclohexadienyl Ru(II) complexes have been converted to either azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives or functionalized tetrahydroisoquinolines by treatment with suitable oxidizing agents. Copper(II) chloride was found to provide demetalated products in high yield relative to the other oxidants examined (FeCl(3), DDQ, CAN, [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)], phenyliodine diacetate, IBX). In certain instances, the efficiency of oxidative demetalation was enhanced by the inclusion of chloride ion additives in the reaction. Pyridinium dichromate (PDC) was also found to effect the demetalation of a wide range of cyclohexadienyl Ru complexes; however, isolated yields of metal-free products were exceedingly low. The cyclohexadienyl ruthenium complexes used in this study were prepared from (arene)Ru(II) precursors; thus, the isolation of alicyclic cyclohexadienone derivatives upon demetalation constitutes completion of a Ru-mediated dearomatization process.