Intramolecular anodic olefin coupling reactions: The use of allylsilane coupling partners with allylic alkoxy groups

Intramolecular anodic olefin coupling reactions having an alkoxy substituent on the allylic carbon of an allylsilane moiety have been studied. These substrates were examined as part of an effort to determine the compatibility of the anodic olefin coupling reaction with the presence of very acid-sensitive functional groups and the construction of functionalized five-membered rings. In the initial experiment reported, an enol ether moiety was coupled to a trisubstituted allylsilane to afford a five-membered ring product without loss of the allylic alkoxy group. The reaction was stereoselective and could be used to generate a five-membered ring with three contiguous asymmetric centers. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction was best explained by a "pseudoequatorial" alkoxy group in the transition state; an argument that implied the reaction was under kinetic control. This suggestion was tested with the use of two electrolysis substrates that led to identical products through different transition states. The two substrates led to much different product ratios, proving that the reactions were not controlled by thermodynamics but rather governed by kinetic control. This observation was opposite to the conclusion reached with earlier vinylsilane-based substrates. Finally, the reactions were shown to be compatible with the presence of the alkoxy group even when challenged to form a fused bicyclic ring skeleton and a quaternary carbon. As in the initial case, the reaction to form a quaternary carbon was also highly stereoselective.