Asymmetric Induction in Mn(III)-Based Oxidative Free-Radical Cyclizations of Phenylmenthyl Acetoacetates and 2,5-Dimethylpyrrolidine Acetoacetamides

Abstract

Mn(III)-based oxidative free-radical cyclization of phenylmenthyl ester 1e afforded 90% of 13 with 86% de. Cyclization of 31b provided 56% of (+)-podocarpic acid precursor 32e with 82% de. The direction of de was opposite in these two cases. Oxidative cyclization of α-methyl β-keto ester 44b gave a 1:1.6 mixture of 46b and 47b while α-propyl β-keto ester 44d produced a >10:1 mixture of 46d and 47d indicating that the extent and direction of de is dependent on the size of the α-substituent. The reaction proceeds through transition states 12 and 56 with large α-substituents and through transition states 19 and 57 with small α-substituents. The de depends on the double-bond substitution pattern as shown by the decreased de with 37b and 37d, and selectivity in the 5-exo cyclization of 64b, 65b, 70b, and 71b is low. © 1993, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.