Developing diversity-oriented synthetic approaches for
medium-sized
rings is of great interest, and the divergent synthesis of medium-sized
rings with different ring sizes poses a challenging task. In this
study, we present a catalyst-controlled switchable (5 + 4)/(3 + 4)
cycloaddition strategy for the divergent synthesis of seven- and nine-membered
heterocycles. Utilizing two different 4-aminopyridine Lewis base catalysts,
pyrazole-fused benzazepines or benzoxazonines can be efficiently assembled
from the same substrates. These products exhibit good stability without
interconversion under the reaction conditions or elevated temperatures.
The origin of the catalyst-controlled chemoselectivity was elucidated
by means of computational studies involving DFT calculations, distortion/interaction
analysis, and noncovalent interaction analysis.