Reductive intramolecular coupling of aromatic diimines is an effective method for the synthesis of a variety of nitrogen-containing macrocycles. 1,4-Diazacrown ethers 3 were effectively synthesized by intramolecular coupling of bis(imino ethers) 9 promoted by electroreduction (method A) or chemical reduction with zinc powder (method B) in the presence of methanesulfonic acid. In spite of the formation of macrocycles, the yields of 3 were relatively high. This can be explained by the formation of proton-bridged intermediates 14, in which intramolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between hydrogen and oxygen atoms of diiminium salts. Method B was more effective in the formation of 1,4-diaza-12-crown-4 derivatives 3 (n = 1) due to the template effect of Zn2+. Optically active macrocyclic bislactones 4 were synthesized stereoselectively by reductive intramolecular coupling of bis(imino esters) 20 with zinc powder (method B). The high stereoselectivity is explained by considering proton-bridged intermediate 23. The resultant compounds 4 were transformed to optically active 1,2-diarylethylenediamines 7. Various sizes of macrocyclic bislactams 5 were synthesized by reductive intramolecular coupling of bis(imino amides) 26 with zinc powder (method B). Reduction of 5 gave the corresponding macrocyclic polyamines 6.
Electroorganic chemistry. 129. Electroreductive synthesis of chiral piperazines and enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes in the presence of the chiral piperazines
Electroreduction of diimines, prepared from 1,2-diamines and aromatic aldehydes, in acidic media gave intramolecularly coupled products, 2,3-diarylpiperazines, stereoselectively. Chiral tri- and tetrasubstituted piperazines were synthesized effectively from chiral 1,2-diamines by the same electroreductive method. Chiral piperazines, prepared from 1(R),2(R)-diaminocyclohexane were effective chiral ligands of catalysts for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes.