Ring contraction reactions promoted by thallium(III) salts

Author(s)

Luiz Fernando da Silva Junior

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 1999-03-04

Examining board members

Helena Maria Carvalho Ferraz; Peter Bakuzis; Timothy John Brocksom; Ronaldo Aloise Pilli; Hans Viertler

• Advisor: Helena Maria Carvalho Ferraz

Abstract

This thesis presents studies toward the ring contraction of ketones and olefins promoted by thallium(III) The reaction of alkylcyclohexanones and cis and trans-2-decalones with TTN in CH2Cl2 led to the corresponding ring contraction products in very good yields, providing there is no methyl group at α-carbonyl position. The reaction of 3- and 4-alkylcyclohexanones, as well as trans-2-decalones, occurred with high degree of selectivity. The observed diastereoselectivities agree with the McKillop\'s mechanism. The indan ring system was constructed by three different protocols. The reaction of 1-tetralones with TTN/K-10 in pentane afforded methyl 1-indanecarboxylates in reasonable yields, while treatment of 1,2-dihydronaphathlenes with TTN in MeOH furnished the corresponding ring contraction products in good yields, as long as there is no alkyl group at the double bond. Finally, the reaction of two homoallylic alcohols, bearing an endocyclic double bond, with TTN in a 1:1 mixture of AcOH and H2O, led to 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-1-indenyl)-3-hydroxypropan-1-ones in excellent yields. (AU)