Dewar Heterocycles as Versatile Monomers for Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We report the utility of readily available heterocycles as precursors to unique ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) monomers. Photochemical valence isomerization reactions of pyridones, dihydropyridines, and pyrones dearomatize the parent heterocycles to their highly strained Dewar isomers, which readily engage in controlled ROMP reactions using Grubbs catalysts. This strategy is used to access novel polymer backbones that contain strained β-lactam and azetidine cores, which can be further derivatized using post-polymerization chemistries. We demonstrate this through the synthesis of water-soluble β-amino acid polymers and soluble poly(acetylene) derivatives.

Dewar Heterocycles as Versatile Monomers for Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We report the utility of readily available heterocycles as precursors to unique ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) monomers. Photochemical valence isomerization reactions of pyridones, dihydropyridines, and pyrones dearomatize the parent heterocycles to their highly strained Dewar isomers, which readily engage in controlled ROMP reactions using Grubbs catalysts. This strategy is used to access novel polymer backbones that contain strained β-lactam and azetidine cores, which can be further derivatized using post-polymerization chemistries. We demonstrate this through the synthesis of water-soluble β-amino acid polymers and soluble poly(acetylene) derivatives.

A Concise Total Synthesis of (±)-Vibralactone

Disclosed is a four-step synthesis of (<i>±</i>)-vibralactone, a biologically active terpenoid natural product. A key photochemical valence isomerization of 3-prenyl-pyran-2-one forges both the all-carbon quaternary stereocenter and the β-lactone at an early stage. Cyclopropanation of the resulting bicyclic β-lactone furnishes a strained housane structure that is converted to the natural product through a sequential ring expansion and reduction strategy. Our concise and modular route to the natural product provides the shortest total synthesis of (<i>±</i>)-vibralactone reported to date. <br>

A Concise Total Synthesis of (±)-Vibralactone

Disclosed is a four-step synthesis of (<i>±</i>)-vibralactone, a biologically active terpenoid natural product. A key photochemical valence isomerization of 3-prenyl-pyran-2-one forges both the all-carbon quaternary stereocenter and the β-lactone at an early stage. Cyclopropanation of the resulting bicyclic β-lactone furnishes a strained housane structure that is converted to the natural product through a sequential ring expansion and reduction strategy. Our concise and modular route to the natural product provides the shortest total synthesis of (<i>±</i>)-vibralactone reported to date. <br>

A Concise Total Synthesis of (±)-Vibralactone

Disclosed is a four-step synthesis of (<i>±</i>)-vibralactone, a biologically active terpenoid natural product. A key photochemical valence isomerization of 3-prenyl-pyran-2-one forges both the all-carbon quaternary stereocenter and the β-lactone at an early stage. Cyclopropanation of the resulting bicyclic β-lactone furnishes a strained housane structure that is converted to the natural product through a sequential ring expansion and reduction strategy. Our concise and modular route to the natural product provides the shortest total synthesis of (<i>±</i>)-vibralactone reported to date. <br>