Rhodium‐catalyzed C−H insertions and cyclopropanations of donor/acceptor carbenes have been used for the synthesis of positional analogues of methylphenidate. The site selectivity is controlled by the catalyst and the amine protecting group. C−H functionalization of N‐Boc‐piperidine using Rh2(R‐TCPTAD)4, or N‐brosyl‐piperidine using Rh2(R‐TPPTTL)4 generated 2‐substitited analogues. In contrast, when N‐α‐oxoarylacetyl‐piperidines were used in combination with Rh2(S‐2‐Cl‐5‐BrTPCP)4, the C−H functionalization produced 4‐susbstiuted analogues. Finally, the 3‐substituted analogues were prepared indirectly by cyclopropanation of N‐Boc‐tetrahydropyridine followed by reductive regio‐ and stereoselective ring‐opening of the cyclopropanes.

Herein, we report a versatile approach for the endocyclic ring opening of bicyclic vinylcyclopropanes triggered by Heck arylations. The key step for this transformation is a β-C-elimination allowing the ring expansion of cyclopropanated pyrroles, piperidines, furans, as well as cyclopentadienes to grant access to the corresponding 1,2-dihydropyridines, 2H-pyrans, 2,3-dihydro-1H-azepines, and 1,4-cyclohexadienes, respectively. Additionally, gem-disubstituted cyclopropanated furans showed unexpected behavior by giving diastereoselectively asymmetrically substituted dienes. Mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations point toward a facile β-C-elimination with a concomitant shift of Pd along the cyclopropane moiety, which can successfully compete with the usual termination step of a Heck reaction via a syn-β-hydride elimination.

The first enantioselective synthesis of (S)-meptazinol in 14 steps from commercially available ethyl 4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyridine-1­(2H)-carboxylate, being widely used in racemic form for pain treatment, and, en route, the formal synthesis of two anti-Alzheimer’s agents are reported. A novel ring expansion of 2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]­heptanes, readily available via the stereoselective cyclopropanation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-4-ols, provides an effective entry to 3,3-disubstituted azepanes that represent the core for a variety of approved drugs.

Herein, we report a versatile approach for the endocyclic ring-opening of bicyclic vinylcyclopropanes triggered by Heck arylations. Key step for this transformation is a [1,3]-migratory shift of Pd allowing the ring expansion of cyclopropanated pyrroles, piperidines, furans as well as cyclopentadienes to grant access to the corresponding 1,2-dihydropyridines, 2<i>H</i>-pyrans, 2,3-dihydro-1<i>H</i>-azepines and 1,4-cyclohexadienes, respectively. Additionally, <i>gem</i>-disubstituted cyclopropanated furans showed unexpected behavior by giving diastereoselectively asymmetrically substituted dienes. Mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations point towards a facile [1,3]-migratory shift of Pd along the cyclopropane moiety, which can successfully compete with the usual termination step of a Heck reaction via a <i>syn</i>-b-hydride elimination.<br>