[reaction: see text] Since the discovery of organic base-catalyzed isomerization of gamma-hydroxy-alpha,beta-acetylenic esters to gamma-oxo-alpha,beta-trans-alkenyl esters in 1949, the mechanism has not been elucidated. This study shows that the mechanism involves cumulene formation, protonation with the conjugate acid of the amine, and protonation of the resulting allenol with water.

We have developed highly stereoselective methods to isomerize electron-deficient propargylic alcohols to E-enones under mild conditions (EWG = electron-withdrawing group). Among weak bases we screened, catalytic (10-20 mol %) 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) was found to be effective in most cases. When the substrate is conjugated with an amide, the addition of sodium acetate catalyzed the isomerization.

Redox isomerization is a synthetically important process because it creates two new functional groups in the product, among which is the isomerization of propargylic alcohols to conjugated enones. Although E-enones have been prepared by this approach, Z-enones could not be accessed. We previously reported DABCO-catalyzed E-selective isomerization of electron-deficient propargylic alcohols to enones and its mechanism. Based on this mechanism, we have now developed the first Z-selective redox isomerization of electron-deficient propargylic alcohol to enone using sodium bicarbonate as a catalyst.

No abstract

No abstract