We examined the reactivity of dimethylaminodiazafulvene 1 toward Fischer alkenylcarbene 2 and alkynylcarbene 3 complexes. Diazafulvene 1 reacts with alkenylcarbenes 2 through a formal [6+3] heterocyclization in a regio- and stereoselective manner to afford dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines 4. Acid-promoted dimethylamine elimination in compound 4 c gives rise to the aromatic imidazo pyridine 5. A likely mechanism for this reaction is a 1,2-nucleophilic addition/[1,2]-shift metal-promoted cyclization sequence. On the other hand, diazafulvene 1 and alkynyl carbenes 3 undergo a [6+2] cyclization to afford pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole carbene complex 6 that can be readily oxidized to the corresponding esters 7. When enynylcarbenes 3 e-i are treated with diazafulvene 1, consecutive and diastereoselective [6+2]/cyclopentannulation cyclization reactions take place affording new polycyclic complex systems 8, 9, and 12 that can be appropriately demetallated to the corresponding imidazole-based polyfused systems 10, 11, and 13 respectively. Finally, enynylcarbenes 3 d,f undergo consecutive [6+2]/[5+1] cyclization reactions with diazafulvene 1 and tBuNC, respectively, to yield tetracyclic adducts 14 and 15. All these processes result in high yields and provide a route to the preparation of imidazopyridines and pyrroloimidazoles as well as other polycyclic molecules that contain imidazole groups, which are interesting from a pharmacological and biological point of view.

The reactivity of alkynyl and enynyl Fischer carbene complexes towards 8-azaheptafulvenes is examined. Alkynyl carbenes 1 a-f undergo regioselective [8+2] heterocyclization with 8-aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes 2 a, b providing cycloheptapyrroles 3 and 4 with metal carbene or ester functionality at C3. Moreover, consecutive cyclization reactions are involved when enynyl carbenes are used. Thus, the cyclopenta[b]pyrrole framework 7 is formed by the consecutive [8+2] cyclization and cyclopentannulation reactions. The initially formed cyclopentannulation adduct can be intercepted through a Diels-Alder reaction with classic dienophiles to afford increasing structural complexity (compounds 8 and 9). More importantly, the construction of the indole skeleton is accomplished with a high degree of substitution and functionalization (compounds 11-15) by a one-pot sequence that involves [8+2] cyclization, R--NC or CO insertion, and ring closure.

The reactivity of Fischer alkenyl carbenes toward 8-azaheptafulvenes is examined. Alkenyl carbenes react with 8-azaheptafulvenes with complete regio- and stereoselectivity through formal [8+3] and [8+2] heterocyclization reactions, which show an unprecedented dependence on the C(beta) substituent at the alkenyl carbene complex. Thus, the formal [8+3] heterocyclization reaction is completely favored in carbene complexes that bear a coordinating moiety to give tetrahydrocyclohepta[b]pyridin-2-ones. Otherwise, alkenyl carbenes that lack appropriate coordinating groups undergo a formal [8+2] cyclization with 8-azaheptafulvenes to give compounds that bear a tetrahydroazaazulene structure. A likely mechanism for these reactions would follow well-established models and would involve a 1,4-addition/cyclization in the case of the [8+2] cyclization or a 1,2-addition/[1,2] shift-metal-promoted cyclization for the [8+3] reaction. The presence of a coordinating moiety in the carbene would favor the [1,2] metal shift through transition-state stabilization to lead to the [8+3] product. All these processes provide an entry into the tetrahydroazaazulene and cycloheptapyridone frameworks present in the structure of biologically active molecules.

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