Highly stereoselective intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of conjugated aminodienes catalyzed by organolanthanides

Efficient intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of primary and secondary conjugated aminodienes can be effected by using organolanthanide precatalysts of the type Cp-2LnCH(TMS)2 (Cp- = η5-Me5C5; Ln = La, Sm, Y; TMS = SiMe3) and CGCSmN(TMS)2 (CGC = Me2Si(η5-Me4C5)(tBuN)). The transformation proceeds cleanly (≥ 90% conversion) at 25-60 °C with good rates and high regioselectivities, and with electronic effects leading to significant rate enhancements. Some features of the reaction parallel monosubstituted aminoalkene hydroamination/cyclization, including rate law (zero order in [aminodiene]), and rate enhancements observed with larger lanthanide ionic radii and/or more open catalyst ligation structures. Good to excellent diastereoselectivity is obtained in the synthesis of 2,5-trans-disubstituted pyrrolidines (80% de) and 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidines (99% de) with using the corresponding α-methyl aminodiene precursors. Formation of 2-(prop-1-enyl)piperidine with the chiral C1-symmetric precatalyst (S)-Me2Si(OHF)(CpR*)SmN(TMS)2 (OHF = η5-octahydrofluorenyl; Cp = η5-C5H3; R* = (-)-menthyl) proceeds with up to 69% ee. Copyright © 2002 American Chemical Society.