IChO 2013 · Theory problem 6

Cyclopropanes. So simple. So fancy…

Cyclopropanes bearing donor and acceptor substituents at the neighbouring C-atoms, for example, A, demonstrate high reactivity behaving similar to 1,3-zwitterion B.

Figure 1

Thus, A1 (\(\ce{X = 4-OMe}\)) undergoes the three-membered ring opening in the Lewis acid-catalyzed reaction with 1,3-dimethoxybenzene as a nucleophile giving the product C.

6.1 Write down structural formula of C.

A1 participates in cycloadditions, annulations, oligomerizations, and other processes. Thus, [3+2]-cycloaddition between A1 and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde leads to a five-membered ring in D. Complete decarboxylation of D produces E (\(\ce{C18H20O3}\)), the molecule of the latter having a plane of symmetry.

6.2 Write down structural formulae of D and E indicating their stereochemistry.

Also, A, can undergo various transformations in the absence of any reaction partners except catalysts. Some transformations typical of A1 are shown in the Scheme below.

Figure 2

To determine the structures of F – J, a set of physico-chemical data was obtained (see Table for some results). It was found that:

a) F and G are structural isomers of A1;

b) G is formed as the most stable stereoisomer;

c) H and I are structural isomers;

d) H is formed as a single diastereomer with \(C_2\) axis of symmetry (the molecule looks the same after rotation through the angle of 180°);

e) I is formed as a mixture of two diastereomers;

f) J is naphthalene derivative.

In the process leading to I, one molecule of A1 demonstrates the described above common reactivity (analogous to that of B). The other molecule of A1 behaves differently. Also, the latter behaviour is demonstrated by cyclopropane A2 (dimethyl 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)cylopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate) when treated with \(\ce{SnCl4}\) in \(\ce{CH3NO2}\) affording K as a mixture of two diastereomers. The major isomer has the centre of symmetry. Similar reactivity is shown by A2 in \(\ce{Sn(OTf)2}\)-catalyzed reaction with G furnishing L.

6.3 Write down the structural formulae of F – J, and those of L and the major isomer of K.

Ratio of the number of hydrogen-containing groups

Non-aromatic \(\ce{CH}\) Non-aromatic \(\ce{CH2}\) Non-aromatic \(\ce{CH3}\) Non-aromatic \(\ce{OH}\) Aromatic Composition
F 1 1 1+1+1 0 4 in total C 63.62%, H 6.11%
G 1+1+1 0 2+1 0 4 in total C 63.62%, H 6.11%
H 1 1 1+1+1 0 4 in total C 63.62%, H 6.11%
I 1+1+1 1+1 2+1+1+1+1 0 7 in total C 63.62%, H 6.11%
J 0 0 1+1 1 5 in total C 67.22%, H 5.22%
K 1+1 1 2+1+1+1 0 1 C 59.24%, H 6.23%
L 1+1+1+1+1 1 2+2+1+1+1+1 0 5 in total C 61.21%, H 6.18%

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

For D and H, one enantiomer is represented explicitly; its mirror image is equally compatible with the statement. E and the major isomer of K are meso compounds.

  • 6.1 — C: Dimethyl 2-[2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]propanedioate.

COC(=O)C(CC(c1ccc(OC)cc1)c1ccc(OC)cc1OC)C(=O)OC

  • 6.2 — D: Dimethyl cis-2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)oxolane-3,3-dicarboxylate. Both aryl groups lie on the same face of the five-membered ring.

COc1ccc([C@H]2CC(C(=O)OC)(C(=O)OC)[C@@H](c3ccc(OC)cc3)O2)cc1

E: cis-2,5-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)oxolane, the meso \((2R,5S)\) stereoisomer.

COc1ccc([C@H]2CC[C@@H](c3ccc(OC)cc3)O2)cc1

  • 6.3 — F: Dimethyl 2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylidene]propanedioate.

COC(=O)C(=CCc1ccc(OC)cc1)C(=O)OC

G: Dimethyl 2-[(\(E\))-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]propanedioate.

COC(=O)C(/C=C/c1ccc(OC)cc1)C(=O)OC

H: Tetramethyl cis-2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexane-1,1,4,4-tetracarboxylate. Both aryl groups are on the same face; the configurations are \((2R,5R)\) or \((2S,5S)\).

COc1ccc([C@H]2CC(C(=O)OC)(C(=O)OC)[C@@H](c3ccc(OC)cc3)CC2(C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC)cc1

I: Dimethyl 1-[2,2-bis(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-6-methoxy-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,2-dicarboxylate, as two diastereomers. One representative of each is:

COC(=O)C(C[C@H]1c2ccc(OC)cc2[C@H](c2ccc(OC)cc2)CC1(C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC

COC(=O)C(C[C@H]1c2ccc(OC)cc2[C@@H](c2ccc(OC)cc2)CC1(C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC

These represent the \((1S,4S)\) and \((1S,4R)\) configurations; their respective mirror images are also possible.

J: Methyl 1-hydroxy-7-methoxynaphthalene-2-carboxylate.

COC(=O)c1ccc2ccc(OC)cc2c1O

L: Dimethyl 2-{1-[2,2-bis(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-4,5,6-trimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)indan-2-yl}propanedioate. Its relative stereochemistry is not specified by the supplied data.

COC(=O)C(CC1c2cc(OC)c(OC)c(OC)c2C(c2ccc(OC)cc2)C1C(C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC

Major K: trans-9,10-Bis[2,2-bis(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexamethoxy-9,10-dihydroanthracene, the centrosymmetric meso isomer. The two side chains lie on opposite faces of the central ring.

COC(=O)C(C[C@H]1c2cc(OC)c(OC)c(OC)c2[C@H](CC(C(=O)OC)C(=O)OC)c2cc(OC)c(OC)c(OC)c21)C(=O)OC

Solution

The starting compounds are:

Compound Name SMILES
A1 Dimethyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate COC(=O)C1(C(=O)OC)CC1c1ccc(OC)cc1
A2 Dimethyl 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate COC(=O)C1(C(=O)OC)CC1c1cc(OC)c(OC)c(OC)c1

Their formulas are respectively \(\ce{C14H16O5}\) and \(\ce{C16H20O7}\).

For tracking connectivity, label the cyclopropane carbons:

  • \(a\): the carbon bearing both ester groups;
  • \(b\): the methylene carbon;
  • \(c\): the aryl-bearing methine carbon.

Cleavage of the \(a-c\) bond gives the formal reactivity represented by B: nucleophilic character at \(a\), stabilized by the two ester groups, and electrophilic character at benzylic carbon \(c\).

For A1, this formal ring-opened benzylic-cation/malonate-anion equivalent can be written as:

COC(=O)[C-](C[CH+]c1ccc(OC)cc1)C(=O)OC

This is a description of reactivity; it does not require an independently existing, freely solvated zwitterion.

6.1 — Formation of C

The aromatic partner is 1,3-dimethoxybenzene, COc1cc(OC)ccc1.

Its positions 4 and 6 are equivalent and activated by both methoxy groups: each is ortho to one methoxy group and para to the other. Attack there also avoids the more crowded position between the two methoxy groups.

The aromatic ring attacks electrophilic carbon \(c\). Rearomatization and protonation of carbon \(a\) give C, whose carbon chain is

\[ \ce{(4-MeOC6H4)-CH(2,4-(MeO)2C6H3)-CH2-CH(CO2Me)2}. \]

Thus, the incoming aromatic fragment is 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl when numbered from its new attachment point.

The balanced reaction is

\[ \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf{A1}} + \underbrace{\ce{C8H10O2}}_{\text{1,3-dimethoxybenzene}} \xrightarrow{\text{Lewis acid}} \underbrace{\ce{C22H26O7}}_{\mathbf C}. \]

The aromatic hydrogen displaced in forming the new carbon–carbon bond ultimately supplies the hydrogen gained by the malonate carbon. No small-molecule coproduct is required.

6.2 — Formation and stereochemistry of D and E

The aldehyde is 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, COc1ccc(C=O)cc1.

In the formal [3+2]-cycloaddition:

  1. Carbon \(a\) bonds to the aldehyde carbonyl carbon.
  2. The aldehyde oxygen bonds to benzylic carbon \(c\).

The resulting five-membered ring follows the sequence

\[ \text{oxygen} - c - b - a - \text{former aldehyde carbon}. \]

Numbering the oxolane ring from oxygen gives aryl substituents at positions 2 and 5 and the two ester groups at position 3. Therefore D is the oxolane-3,3-dicarboxylate specified in the answers.

The balanced addition is

\[ \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf{A1}} + \underbrace{\ce{C8H8O2}}_{\text{4-methoxybenzaldehyde}} \longrightarrow \underbrace{\ce{C22H24O7}}_{\mathbf D}. \]

Complete removal of both ester-derived carboxyl groups gives a 2,5-diaryloxolane. Its stated plane of symmetry selects the cis, meso stereoisomer E. In a symmetric conformation, the plane passes through the ring oxygen and the midpoint of the opposite carbon–carbon bond, interchanging positions 2 and 5.

Consequently, the two aryl substituents in D must also be cis. In a ring drawing, draw both aryl bonds as wedges, or both as dashed bonds.

Writing the conversion as ester hydrolysis followed by complete decarboxylation gives the balanced net equation

\[ \underbrace{\ce{C22H24O7}}_{\mathbf D} +\ce{2H2O} \longrightarrow \underbrace{\ce{C18H20O3}}_{\mathbf E} +\ce{2CO2} +\ce{2CH3OH}. \]

Here water is O, carbon dioxide is O=C=O, and methanol is CO.

The formula of E is exactly the supplied \(\ce{C18H20O3}\). Its two ester-free ring methylene groups also distinguish it from D.

Although the representative SMILES for D has \(R,R\) configurations and E is \(R,S\), this does not imply inversion during decarboxylation: removal of the ester substituents changes the CIP priority ordering.

6.3 — Composition and hydrogen-count checks

Elemental analysis fixes empirical composition, but cannot by itself distinguish a compound from an atom-conserving dimer. The group counts and symmetry supply that information.

Using rounded atomic molar masses \(12.01\), \(1.01\), and \(16.00\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\) for carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen reproduces the reported percentages. For example,

\[ M(\mathbf{A1}) =14(12.01)+16(1.01)+5(16.00) =264.30\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \]

\[ w_{\mathrm C} =\frac{14(12.01)}{264.30}\times100\% =63.62\%, \qquad w_{\mathrm H} =\frac{16(1.01)}{264.30}\times100\% =6.11\%. \]

The complete checks are:

Product Molecular formula \(M\), \(\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\) Calculated C Calculated H
F, G \(\ce{C14H16O5}\) 264.30 63.62% 6.11%
H, I \(\ce{C28H32O10}\) 528.60 63.62% 6.11%
J \(\ce{C13H12O4}\) 232.25 67.22% 5.22%
K \(\ce{C32H40O14}\) 648.72 59.24% 6.23%
L \(\ce{C30H36O12}\) 588.66 61.21% 6.18%

The actual group totals in the proposed molecules are:

Product Non-aromatic \(\ce{CH}\) \(\ce{CH2}\) \(\ce{CH3}\) Aromatic H \(\ce{OH}\)
F 1 1 3 4 0
G 3 0 3 4 0
H 2 2 6 8 0
I 3 2 6 7 0
J 0 0 2 5 1
K 4 2 10 2 0
L 5 1 8 5 0

For the symmetric dimers H and K, the problem’s tabulated ratios correspond to half these molecular totals.

F and G: ring opening and alkene isomerization

The one methine and one methylene group of F fit

\[ \ce{Ar-CH2-CH=C(CO2Me)2}, \]

where \(\mathrm{Ar}\) denotes 4-methoxyphenyl.

Relative to the original \(c-b-a\) carbon sequence, the net change transfers a hydrogen from \(b\) to \(c\) and forms the \(b=a\) double bond.

The two ester groups occupy different positions relative to the alkene’s hydrogen and benzyl substituent, accounting for two distinct ester-methyl entries, in addition to the aromatic methoxy group.

Double-bond migration gives G:

\[ \ce{Ar-CH=CH-CH(CO2Me)2}. \]

This structure has three methine groups and no methylene group. Its alkene is conjugated with the aromatic ring. The more stable geometrical isomer is \(E\), with the aryl and malonate substituents on opposite sides of the double bond.

All three transformations are atom-conserving isomerizations:

\[ \begin{aligned} \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf{A1}} &\xrightarrow[0\,^\circ\mathrm C]{\ce{GaCl3}} \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf F},\\[3pt] \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf F} &\xrightarrow[20\,^\circ\mathrm C]{\ce{GaCl3}} \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf G},\\[3pt] \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf{A1}} &\xrightarrow[40\,^\circ\mathrm C]{\ce{Sn(OTf)2}} \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf G}. \end{aligned} \]

H: coupling of two ordinary three-carbon units

Two molecules of A1 can combine through their normal donor–acceptor reactivity. The new bonds connect \(a\) of each molecule to \(c\) of the other:

\[ a_1-c_2,\qquad a_2-c_1. \]

The resulting six-membered ring has the sequence

\[ a_1-b_1-c_1-a_2-b_2-c_2. \]

It therefore contains two geminal diester-bearing carbons, two methylene carbons, and two aryl-bearing methine carbons: precisely the cyclohexane structure H.

The \(C_2\) symmetry clue selects the cis relationship between the two aryl groups, corresponding to the \(R,R/S,S\) enantiomeric pair. A flattened ring drawing should show both aryl bonds wedged or both dashed. This specifies relative configuration, not a unique cyclohexane conformation.

\[ \ce{2C14H16O5} \xrightarrow[-25\,^\circ\mathrm C]{\ce{AlCl3}} \underbrace{\ce{C28H32O10}}_{\mathbf H}. \]

I: aromatic-ring participation by one cyclopropane

The alternative reactivity involves the aromatic carbon ortho to the cyclopropyl substituent. Instead of using the malonate carbon as the second bond-forming terminus, the molecule uses this aromatic carbon.

The participating three-carbon sequence is now

\[ c-\text{ipso aromatic carbon}-\text{ortho aromatic carbon}. \]

Aromatic substitution supplies a proton that ultimately converts the ester-bearing terminus into \(\ce{CH(CO2Me)2}\). Thus, the benzylic carbon retains a \(\ce{-CH2CH(CO2Me)2}\) side chain.

For I, one molecule uses its ordinary \(c-b-a\) unit and the other uses this aromatic three-carbon unit. Their union produces a six-membered ring fused to the latter molecule’s benzene ring: a tetralin skeleton.

Numbering that tetralin ring gives:

  • position 1: \(\ce{-CH2CH(CO2Me)2}\);
  • position 2: two methoxycarbonyl groups;
  • position 4: 4-methoxyphenyl;
  • position 6: methoxy.

One aromatic hydrogen is replaced, reducing the aromatic total from eight to seven. The product has three non-aromatic methines and two methylenes, matching the table.

Positions 1 and 4 are stereogenic, allowing the two stated relative configurations.

\[ \ce{2C14H16O5} \xrightarrow[20\,^\circ\mathrm C]{\ce{SnCl4}} \underbrace{\ce{C28H32O10}}_{\mathbf I}. \]

J: cyclization to a naphthol

The composition and hydrogen counts require:

  • a naphthalene nucleus;
  • one aromatic methoxy group;
  • one methyl ester;
  • one phenolic hydroxyl group.

The corresponding formula is \(\ce{C13H12O4}\). Compared with A1, the difference is exactly methanol:

\[ \ce{C14H16O5 - C13H12O4 = CH4O}. \]

The connectivity can be followed from the open-chain skeleton of G. An aromatic ortho carbon forms a bond to one ester carbonyl carbon, closing a six-membered ring. Methanol elimination and aromatizing proton transfer give the naphthol.

Tracing the atoms places the hydroxyl group at position 1, the remaining ester at position 2, and the original para-methoxy substituent at position 7.

\[ \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf{A1}} \xrightarrow{250\,^\circ\mathrm C} \underbrace{\ce{C13H12O4}}_{\mathbf J} +\ce{CH3OH}. \]

The resulting structure has five aromatic hydrogens, two methyl groups, one hydroxyl group, and no non-aromatic methine or methylene groups.

L: annulation of A2 with G

Here A2 supplies the aromatic three-carbon unit described for I, while G supplies its two alkene carbons. Their combination therefore forms a five-membered ring fused to the trimethoxy-substituted benzene ring: an indane.

The regioselectivity follows benzylic stabilization. Bond formation between the benzylic electrophilic carbon of opened A2 and the alkene carbon of G adjacent to its malonate group leaves positive character at the aryl-bearing alkene carbon. Intramolecular aromatic attack then closes the ring.

The indane substituents are consequently:

  • position 1: \(\ce{-CH2CH(CO2Me)2}\), from A2;
  • position 2: \(\ce{-CH(CO2Me)2}\), from G;
  • position 3: 4-methoxyphenyl, from G;
  • positions 4, 5, and 6: methoxy groups, from A2.

The balanced reaction is

\[ \underbrace{\ce{C16H20O7}}_{\mathbf{A2}} + \underbrace{\ce{C14H16O5}}_{\mathbf G} \xrightarrow{\ce{Sn(OTf)2}} \underbrace{\ce{C30H36O12}}_{\mathbf L}. \]

The three saturated indane carbons and the two malonate methines account for all five non-aromatic \(\ce{CH}\) groups. Only the side chain at position 1 contains a methylene group. Aromatic substitution leaves five aromatic hydrogens.

Major K: aromatic participation by both molecules

When two molecules of A2 both use their aromatic three-carbon units, each benzylic carbon forms a bond to an ortho carbon of the other aromatic ring.

This closes the central six-membered ring of a 9,10-dihydroanthracene. Both original malonate-bearing fragments remain as \(\ce{-CH2CH(CO2Me)2}\) side chains at positions 9 and 10.

Each aromatic ring loses one hydrogen through substitution. The product therefore has:

  • two aromatic hydrogens altogether;
  • two central-ring methines;
  • two malonate methines;
  • two side-chain methylene groups;
  • ten methyl groups.

The stated centre of symmetry selects the trans arrangement of the two side chains. In a conventional drawing, one side-chain bond is wedged and the other dashed. Inversion through the centre exchanges positions 9 and 10 and the two substituted aromatic rings. This is the meso stereoisomer encoded in the answer.

\[ \ce{2C16H20O7} \xrightarrow[\ce{CH3NO2}]{\ce{SnCl4}} \underbrace{\ce{C32H40O14}}_{\mathbf K}. \]

For completeness, the reaction auxiliaries are gallium(III) chloride, Cl[Ga](Cl)Cl; aluminium(III) chloride, Cl[Al](Cl)Cl; tin(IV) chloride, Cl[Sn](Cl)(Cl)Cl; tin(II) triflate, [Sn+2].O=S(=O)([O-])C(F)(F)F.O=S(=O)([O-])C(F)(F)F; and nitromethane, C[N+](=O)[O-]. These SMILES do not specify their solution coordination structures.

The solution was checked against the official solution. Where this solution differs from the official solution, the official solution contains an error or a misprint.