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{{Short description|Chemical reaction in organic chemistry}}
The '''Robinson annulation''' is an [[organic reaction]] used to create a six-membered ring α,β-[[saturation (chemistry)|unsaturated]] [[ketone]] using a ketone (or [[aldehyde]]) and [[methyl vinyl ketone]].<ref>Rapson, W. S.; Robinson, R.; ''J. Chem. Soc.'' '''1935''', 1285.</ref><ref>Bergmann, E. D.; Gingberg, D.; Pappo, R. ''Org. React.'' '''1959''', ''10'', 179. (Review)</ref><ref>Gawley, R. E. ''Synthesis'' '''1976''', 777-794. (Review)</ref> It is named after [[Robert Robinson (scientist)|Sir Robert Robinson]], the British chemist who discovered it while he was at the [[University of Oxford]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Reactionbox
| Name = Robinson annulation
| Type = Ring forming reaction
| NamedAfter = [[Robert Robinson (organic chemist)|Robert Robinson]]
| Section3 = {{Reactionbox Identifiers
| OrganicChemistryNamed = robinson-annulation
| RSC_ontology_id = 0000380
}}
}}
The '''Robinson annulation''' is a [[chemical reaction]] used in [[organic chemistry]] for ring formation. It was discovered by [[Robert Robinson (organic chemist)|Robert Robinson]] in 1935 as a method to create a six membered ring by forming three new carbon–carbon bonds.<ref name="Original Article">{{cite journal|last=Rapson|first=William Sage|author2=Robinson, Robert |title=307. Experiments on the synthesis of substances related to the sterols. Part II. A new general method for the synthesis of substituted cyclohexenones|journal=Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed)|year=1935|pages=1285|doi=10.1039/JR9350001285}}</ref> The method uses a [[ketone]] and a [[methyl vinyl ketone]] to form an α,β-unsaturated ketone in a [[cyclohexane]] ring by a [[Michael addition]] followed by an [[aldol condensation]]. This procedure is one of the key methods to form fused ring systems.
[[File:Reaction Scheme for Robinson Annulation.svg|center|350px|Robinson annulation reaction]]


Formation of [[cyclohexenone]] and derivatives are important in [[chemistry]] for their application to the synthesis of many natural products and other interesting organic compounds such as [[antibiotics]] and [[steroids]].<ref name="Tetra">{{cite journal|last=Heathcock|first=Clayton H.|author2=Ellis, John E. |author3=McMurry, John E. |author4=Coppolino, Anthony |title=Acid-catalyzed Robinson Annelations|journal=Tetrahedron Letters|year=1971|volume=12|issue=52|pages=4995–96|doi=10.1016/s0040-4039(01)97609-9}}</ref> Specifically, the synthesis of [[cortisone]] is completed through the use of the Robinson annulation.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Acheson|first=R. M.|author2=Robinson, Robert |title=198. Experiments bearing on the synthesis of cortisone. Part I. Some cyclopentenone derivatives|journal=Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed)|year=1952|pages=1127|doi=10.1039/JR9520001127}}</ref>
[[Image:Robinson Annulation Scheme.png|center|350px|The Robinson annulation]]


The initial paper on the Robinson annulation was published by [[William Sage Rapson|William Rapson]] and Robert Robinson while Rapson studied at Oxford with professor Robinson. Before their work, cyclohexenone syntheses were not derived from the α,β-unsaturated ketone component. Initial approaches coupled the methyl vinyl ketone with a [[naphthol]] to give a naphtholoxide, but this procedure was not sufficient to form the desired cyclohexenone. This was attributed to unsuitable conditions of the reaction.<ref name="Original Article"/>
In addition to methyl vinyl ketone, 1-chloro-3-propanone <ref>[[Clayton Heathcock|Heathcock, C. H.]]; Ellis, J. E.; McMurry, J. E.; Coppolino, A. ''[[Tetrahedron Lett.]]'' '''1971''', ''12'', 4995.</ref> <ref>[[Clayton Heathcock|Heathcock, C. H.]]; Mahaim, C.; Schlecht, M. F.; Utawanit, T. ''[[J. Org. Chem.]]'' '''1984''', ''49'', 3264. ({{DOI|10.1021/jo00192a004}})</ref> and [[isoxazole]]s <ref>McMurry, J. E. ''[[Organic Syntheses]]'', Coll. Vol. 6, p.781 (1988); Vol. 53, p.70 (1973). ([http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv6p0781 Article])</ref> will give the same product.

The [[Wieland-Miescher ketone]] is the Robinson annulation product of 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione and [[methyl vinyl ketone]] while the Hajos-Parrish ketone is the product of 2-methyl-1,3-cyclopentanedione and [[methyl vinyl ketone]].


Robinson and Rapson found in 1935 that the interaction between cyclohexanone and α,β-unsaturated ketone afforded the desired cyclohexenone. It remains one of the key methods for the construction of six membered ring compounds. Since it is so widely used, there are many aspects of the reaction that have been investigated such as variations of the substrates and reaction conditions as discussed in the scope and variations section.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ho|first=Tse-Lok|title=Tandem organic reactions|year=1992|publisher=Wiley|location=New York|isbn=978-0-471-57022-6}}</ref> Robert Robinson won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1947 for his contribution to the study of alkaloids.<ref>{{cite book|last=McMurry|author-link=John E. McMurry|first=John|title=Organic chemistry|year=2008|publisher=Thomson Brooks/Cole|location=Belmont, CA|isbn=978-0-495-11258-7|edition=7th}}</ref>


==Reaction mechanism==
==Reaction mechanism==
[[File:Robinson annulation.png|500x500px|alt=|thumb|Arrow pushing for the Robinson annulation between 2-methylcyclohexan-1-one and but-3-en-2-one in the presence of sodium ethoxide as the base]]The original procedure of the Robinson annulation begins with the [[nucleophilic attack]] of a ketone in a [[Michael reaction]] on a vinyl ketone to produce the intermediate Michael adduct. Subsequent aldol type ring closure leads to the keto alcohol, which is then followed by dehydration to produce the annulation product.
Methyl vinyl ketone (or variants thereof) are essential for the [[annulation]] as they are simultaneously a [[Michael acceptor]] and able to take part in an [[aldol condensation]]. The first step in the Robinson annulation is a [[Michael reaction|Michael addition]] followed by an [[aldol reaction]] as the [[annulation]] step in the process. The reaction then proceeds as an aldol condensation to make the desired [[cyclohexenone]] ring.


In the Michael reaction, the [[ketone]] is deprotonated by a base to form an [[enolate]] nucleophile which attacks the electron acceptor (in red). This acceptor is generally an α,β-unsaturated ketone, although [[aldehydes]], acid derivatives and similar compounds can work as well (see scope). In the example shown here, regioselectivity is dictated by the formation of the thermodynamic enolate. Alternatively, the regioselectivity is often controlled by using a β-diketone or β-ketoester as the enolate component, since deprotonation at the carbon flanked by the carbonyl groups is strongly favored. The intramolecular [[aldol condensation]] then takes place in such a way that installs the six-membered ring. In the final product, the three carbon atoms of the α,β-unsaturated system and the carbon α to its carbonyl group make up the four-carbon bridge of the newly installed ring.
[[Image:Robinson Annulation Mechanism.png|center|650px|The mechanism of the Robinson annulation]]


In order to avoid a reaction between the original [[enolate]] and the [[cyclohexenone]] product, the initial Michael adduct is often isolated first and then cyclized to give the desired octalone in a separate step.<ref name=Gawley>{{cite journal|last=Gawley|first=Robert E.|title=The Robinson Annelation and Related Reactions|journal=Synthesis|year=1976|volume=1976|issue=12|pages=777–794|doi=10.1055/s-1976-24200}}</ref>
==Variations==


===Stereochemistry===
===Asymmetric Robinson annulation===
Studies have been completed on the formation of the [[hydroxyl|hydroxy]] ketones in the Robinson annulation reaction scheme. The trans compound is favored due to antiperiplanar effects of the final aldol condensation in kinetically controlled reactions. It has also been found though that the cyclization can proceed in synclinal orientation. The figure below shows the three possible stereochemical pathways, assuming a chair transition state.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Nussbaumer|first=Cornelius|title=Stereochemistry of the Robinson Anellation: Studies on the Mode of Formation of the Intermediate Hydroxy Ketones|journal=Helvetica Chimica Acta|year=1990|volume=73|issue=6|pages=1621–1636|doi=10.1002/hlca.19900730607}}</ref>
The [[organocatalyst]] [[Proline]] has been used to resolve the [[enantiomer]]ic [[isomer]]s of Robinson [[annulation]]s in [[asymmetric synthesis]]. <ref>''[[Organic Syntheses]]'', Coll. Vol. 7, p.368 (1990); Vol. 63, p.37 (1985). ([http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv7p0368 Article])</ref>. A proline derivative was employed in an asymmetric annulation of a [[geranial]] <ref>''Total Synthesis and Revised Structure of Biyouyanagin'' A [[K. C. Nicolaou]], David Sarlah, and David M. Shaw [[Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.]] '''2007''', 46, 4708 –4711 {{DOI|10.1002/anie.200701552}}</ref>:


[[Image:RobinsonAnnulationAsymmetric.png|center|400px|Asymmetric Robinsion annulation]]
[[File:Stereochemical Possibilities of Robinson Annulation.png|center|400px|Stereochemical pathways of Robinson annulation]]

It has been postulated that the difference in the formation of these transition states and their corresponding products is due to solvent interactions. Scanio found that changing the solvent of the reaction from dioxane to DMSO gives different stereochemistry in step D above. This suggests that the presence of protic or aprotic solvents gives rise to different transition states.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Scanio|first=Charles J. V.|author2=Starrett, Richmond M. |title=Remarkably stereoselective Robinson annulation reaction|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|year=1971|volume=93|issue=6|pages=1539–1540|doi=10.1021/ja00735a059}}</ref>

=== Mechanistic classification ===
[[File:22 fig. 1.png|thumb|Generalised Tandem Michael-aldol reaction]]Robinson annulation is one notable example of a wider class of chemical transformations termed Tandem Michael-aldol reactions, that sequentially combine [[Michael addition]] and [[aldol reaction]] into a single reaction. As is the case with Robinson annulation, Michael addition usually happens first to tether the two reactants together, then aldol reaction proceeds intramolecularly to generate the ring system in the product. Usually five- or six-membered rings are generated.

==Scope and variations==

===Reaction conditions===
Although the Robinson annulation is generally conducted under basic conditions, reactions have been conducted under a variety of conditions. Heathcock and Ellis report similar results to the base-catalyzed method using [[sulfuric acid]].<ref name="Tetra"/> The Michael reaction can occur under neutral conditions through an [[enamine]]. A [[Mannich base]] can be heated in the presence of the ketone to produce the Michael adduct.<ref name=Gawley /> Successful preparation of compounds using the Robinson annulation methods have been reported.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Buchschacher|first=Paul|author2=A. Fürst|author3=J. Gutzwiller|title=(S)-8a-Methyl-3,4,8,8a-Tetrahydro-1,6(2H, 7H)- Napthalenedione|journal=Organic Syntheses|year=1985|volume=63|pages=37|url=http://orgsyn.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV7P0368.pdf|doi=10.15227/orgsyn.063.0037|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424230124/http://orgsyn.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV7P0368.pdf|archive-date=24 April 2012}}</ref>

===The Michael acceptor===
A typical [[Michael acceptor]] is an α,β-unsaturated ketone, although [[aldehydes]] and acid derivatives work as well. In addition, Bergmann ''et al.'' reports that donors such as [[nitriles]], nitro compounds, [[sulfones]] and certain [[hydrocarbon]]s can be used as acceptors.<ref>{{cite book|last=Adams|first=Roger|title=Organic Reactions|year=1959|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=978-0471007593|pages=179–555}}</ref> Overall, Michael acceptors are generally activated olefins such as those shown below where EWG refers to an electron withdrawing group such as cyano, keto, or ester as shown.

[[File:Typical Michael Acceptors.svg|center|220px|Common Michael acceptors]]


===Wichterle reaction===
===Wichterle reaction===
The '''Wichterle reaction''' is a variant of the Robinson annulation that replaces methyl vinyl ketone with [[1,3-dichloro-cis-2-butene]]. <ref>Wichterle, O. ''et al.'' ''Coll. Czech. Chem. Commun.'' '''1948''', ''13'', 300.</ref> <ref>Kobayashi, M.; Matsumoto, T. ''Chem. Lett.'' '''1973''', 957.</ref> <ref>''[[Organic Syntheses]]'', Coll. Vol. 5, p.869 (1973); Vol. 45, p.80 (1965). ([http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv5p0869 Article])</ref>
The Wichterle reaction is a variant of the Robinson annulation that replaces [[methyl vinyl ketone]] with 1,3-dichloro-''cis''-2-butene. This gives an example of using a different [[Michael acceptor]] from the typical α,β-unsaturated ketone. The 1,3-dichloro-''cis''-2-butene is employed to avoid undesirable polymerization or condensation during the Michael addition.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wang|first=Zerong|title=Comprehensive organic name reactions and reagents|year=2009|publisher=John Wiley|location=Hoboken, N.J.|isbn=978-0-470-63885-9|doi=10.1002/9780470638859.conrr669|chapter=Wichterle Reaction|pages=3003–3007 }}</ref>


[[Image:Wichterle Reaction Scheme.png|center|550px|The Wichterle reaction]]
[[File:Witherle Reaction.svg|center|550px|Wichterle reaction]]


===Hauser annulation===
===Hauser annulation===
The reaction sequence in the related Hauser annulation is [[michael addition]] - [[Dieckman condensation]] - [[elimination]] <ref>''Recent Advances in the Hauser Annulation '' Mal, D.; Pahari, P. [[Chem. Rev.]]; (Review); '''2007'''; 107(5); 1892-1918. {{DOI|10.1021/cr068398q}}</ref>. The Hauser donor is an aromatic methylene [[sulfoxide]] or [[sulfone]] with a [[carboxylic ester]] group in the [[Arene substitution patterns|ortho position]]. The Hauser acceptor is also a Michael acceptor. In the original Hauser publication ''ethyl 2-carboxybenzyl phenyl sulfoxide'' reacts with [[3-pentene-2-one]] with [[LDA]] as a base in THF at -78°C <ref>''New synthetic methods for the regioselective annelation of aromatic rings: 1-hydroxy-2,3-disubstituted naphthalenes and 1,4-dihydroxy-2,3-disubstituted naphthalenes''Frank M. Hauser and Richard P.Rhee[[J. Org. Chem.]]; '''197'''8; 43(1) pp 178 - 180; {{DOI|10.1021/jo00395a048}}</ref>:
The reaction sequence in the related Hauser annulation is a [[Michael addition]] followed by a [[Dieckmann condensation]] and finally an elimination. The Dieckmann condensation is a similar ring closing [[intramolecular reaction|intramolecular chemical reaction]] of diesters with base to give β-ketoesters. The Hauser donor is an aromatic sulfone or methylene sulfoxide with a carboxylic ester group in the ortho position. The Hauser acceptor is a [[Michael acceptor]]. In the original Hauser publication ethyl 2-carboxybenzyl phenyl sulfoxide reacts with pent-3-ene-2-one with LDA as a base in [[THF]] at −78&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hauser|first=Frank M.|author2=Rhee, Richard P. |title=New synthetic methods for the regioselective annelation of aromatic rings: 1-hydroxy-2,3-disubstituted naphthalenes and 1,4-dihydroxy-2,3-disubstituted naphthalenes|journal=The Journal of Organic Chemistry|year=1978|volume=43|issue=1|pages=178–180|doi=10.1021/jo00395a048}}</ref>


[[Image:HauserAnnulation.png|400px|center|The Hauser annulation]]
[[File:Hauser Annulation.svg|center|520px|Hauser annulation]]


===Asymmetric Robinson annulation===
The original reaction product still contains the sulfoxide group but it is lost on heating in an elimination reaction. The ultimate reaction product is a [[napthalene]] derivative. The dual purpose of the sulfoxide group is as stabilizing group for the [[carbanion]] in the first reaction step and as [[leaving group]] in the second.
Asymmetric synthesis of Robinson annulation products most often involve the use of a [[proline]] [[catalysis|catalyst]]. Studies report the use of L-proline as well as several other [[chiral]] [[amines]] for use as catalysts during both steps of the Robinson annulation reaction.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Eder|first=Ulrich |author2=Sauer, Gerhard |author3=Wiechert, Rudolf|title=New Type of Asymmetric Cyclization to Optically Active Steroid CD Partial Structures|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English|year=1971|volume=10|issue=7|pages=496–497|doi=10.1002/anie.197104961}}</ref> The advantages of using the optically active proline catalysis is that they are stereoselective with [[enantiomeric excess]]es of 60–70%.<ref name=Proline>{{cite journal|last=Bui|first=Tommy|author2=Barbas, Carlos F |title=A proline-catalyzed asymmetric Robinson annulation reaction|journal=Tetrahedron Letters|year= 2000|volume=41|issue=36|pages=6951–6954|doi=10.1016/s0040-4039(00)01180-1}}</ref>

[[File:22 fig. 3.png|thumb|Organocatalytic tandem Michael-aldol reaction for the one-pot synthesis of chiral thiochromenes]]

[[File:Example of Proline Catalysts.png|center|400px|Examples of proline catalysts]]

Wang, et al. reported the one-pot synthesis of chiral thiochromenes by such an organocatalytic Robinson annulation.<ref>Wang, W.; Li, H.; Wang, J.; Zu, L., ''J. Am. Chem. Soc.'' 2006; 128, 10354.</ref>

==Applications to synthesis==

The [[Wieland–Miescher ketone]] is the Robinson annulation product of 2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione and methyl vinyl ketone. This compound is used in the syntheses of many [[steroids]] possessing important biological properties and can be made enantiopure using proline catalysis.<ref name=Proline />

[[File:Wieland–Miescher ketone.svg|center|100px|Wieland–Miescher ketone]]
F. Dean Toste and co-workers<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Kenedy-Smith|first2=J. J.|last3=Toste|first3=F. D.|year=2007|title=Total Synthesis of (+)-Fawcettimine|journal=Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.|volume=46|issue=40|pages=7671–3|last1=Linghu|first1=X.|doi=10.1002/anie.200702695|pmid=17729226}}</ref> have used Robinson annulation in the total synthesis of (+)-fawcettimine, a tetracyclic [[Lycopodium]] alkaloid that has potential application to inhibiting the [[acetylcholine esterase]].

===Enantioselective route to platensimycin===
[[File:Platensimycin Structure.svg|right|200px|Platensimycin structure]]
Scientists at [[Merck & Co.|Merck]] discovered [[platensimycin]], a novel antibiotic lead compound with potential medicinal applications as seen in the adjacent picture.<ref>{{cite journal
|last1=Wang |first1=Jun |last2=Soisson |first2=Stephen M. |last3=Singh |first3=Sheo |last4=Young |first4=Katherine |display-authors=3 |date=2006 |title=Platensimycin is a selective FabF inhibitor with potent antibiotic properties |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nature04784 |journal=Nature |volume=441 |issue=7091 |pages=358–61 |doi=10.1038/nature04784 |pmid=16710421 |bibcode=2006Natur.441..358W |s2cid=4329677 |access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>

Initial synthesis gave a racemic form of the compound using an intramolecular etherification reaction of the alcohol motifs and the double bond. Yamamoto and coworkers report the use of an alternative intramolecular Robinson annulation to provide a straightforward enantioselective synthesis of tetracyclic core of platensimycin. The key Robinson annulation step was reported to be accomplished in one pot using L-proline for chiral control. The reaction conditions can be seen below.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Li|first=Pingfan|author2=Payette, Joshua N. |author3=Yamamoto, Hisashi |title=Enantioselective Route to Platensimycin: An Intramolecular Robinson Annulation Approach|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|year=2007|volume=129|issue=31|pages=9534–9535|doi=10.1021/ja073547n|pmid=17630748|pmc=2553032}}</ref>

[[File:Platensimycin Reaction.png|center|550px|Platensimycin synthesis]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Name reactions]]
[[Category:Addition reactions]]
[[Category:Addition reactions]]
[[Category:Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions]]
[[Category:Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions]]

[[de:Robinson-Annellierung]]
[[es:Anelación de Robinson]]
[[ja:ロビンソン環化反応]]

Latest revision as of 15:21, 26 September 2024

Robinson annulation
Named after Robert Robinson
Reaction type Ring forming reaction
Identifiers
Organic Chemistry Portal robinson-annulation
RSC ontology ID RXNO:0000380

The Robinson annulation is a chemical reaction used in organic chemistry for ring formation. It was discovered by Robert Robinson in 1935 as a method to create a six membered ring by forming three new carbon–carbon bonds.[1] The method uses a ketone and a methyl vinyl ketone to form an α,β-unsaturated ketone in a cyclohexane ring by a Michael addition followed by an aldol condensation. This procedure is one of the key methods to form fused ring systems.

Robinson annulation reaction
Robinson annulation reaction

Formation of cyclohexenone and derivatives are important in chemistry for their application to the synthesis of many natural products and other interesting organic compounds such as antibiotics and steroids.[2] Specifically, the synthesis of cortisone is completed through the use of the Robinson annulation.[3]

The initial paper on the Robinson annulation was published by William Rapson and Robert Robinson while Rapson studied at Oxford with professor Robinson. Before their work, cyclohexenone syntheses were not derived from the α,β-unsaturated ketone component. Initial approaches coupled the methyl vinyl ketone with a naphthol to give a naphtholoxide, but this procedure was not sufficient to form the desired cyclohexenone. This was attributed to unsuitable conditions of the reaction.[1]

Robinson and Rapson found in 1935 that the interaction between cyclohexanone and α,β-unsaturated ketone afforded the desired cyclohexenone. It remains one of the key methods for the construction of six membered ring compounds. Since it is so widely used, there are many aspects of the reaction that have been investigated such as variations of the substrates and reaction conditions as discussed in the scope and variations section.[4] Robert Robinson won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1947 for his contribution to the study of alkaloids.[5]

Reaction mechanism

[edit]
Arrow pushing for the Robinson annulation between 2-methylcyclohexan-1-one and but-3-en-2-one in the presence of sodium ethoxide as the base

The original procedure of the Robinson annulation begins with the nucleophilic attack of a ketone in a Michael reaction on a vinyl ketone to produce the intermediate Michael adduct. Subsequent aldol type ring closure leads to the keto alcohol, which is then followed by dehydration to produce the annulation product.

In the Michael reaction, the ketone is deprotonated by a base to form an enolate nucleophile which attacks the electron acceptor (in red). This acceptor is generally an α,β-unsaturated ketone, although aldehydes, acid derivatives and similar compounds can work as well (see scope). In the example shown here, regioselectivity is dictated by the formation of the thermodynamic enolate. Alternatively, the regioselectivity is often controlled by using a β-diketone or β-ketoester as the enolate component, since deprotonation at the carbon flanked by the carbonyl groups is strongly favored. The intramolecular aldol condensation then takes place in such a way that installs the six-membered ring. In the final product, the three carbon atoms of the α,β-unsaturated system and the carbon α to its carbonyl group make up the four-carbon bridge of the newly installed ring.

In order to avoid a reaction between the original enolate and the cyclohexenone product, the initial Michael adduct is often isolated first and then cyclized to give the desired octalone in a separate step.[6]

Stereochemistry

[edit]

Studies have been completed on the formation of the hydroxy ketones in the Robinson annulation reaction scheme. The trans compound is favored due to antiperiplanar effects of the final aldol condensation in kinetically controlled reactions. It has also been found though that the cyclization can proceed in synclinal orientation. The figure below shows the three possible stereochemical pathways, assuming a chair transition state.[7]

Stereochemical pathways of Robinson annulation
Stereochemical pathways of Robinson annulation

It has been postulated that the difference in the formation of these transition states and their corresponding products is due to solvent interactions. Scanio found that changing the solvent of the reaction from dioxane to DMSO gives different stereochemistry in step D above. This suggests that the presence of protic or aprotic solvents gives rise to different transition states.[8]

Mechanistic classification

[edit]
Generalised Tandem Michael-aldol reaction

Robinson annulation is one notable example of a wider class of chemical transformations termed Tandem Michael-aldol reactions, that sequentially combine Michael addition and aldol reaction into a single reaction. As is the case with Robinson annulation, Michael addition usually happens first to tether the two reactants together, then aldol reaction proceeds intramolecularly to generate the ring system in the product. Usually five- or six-membered rings are generated.

Scope and variations

[edit]

Reaction conditions

[edit]

Although the Robinson annulation is generally conducted under basic conditions, reactions have been conducted under a variety of conditions. Heathcock and Ellis report similar results to the base-catalyzed method using sulfuric acid.[2] The Michael reaction can occur under neutral conditions through an enamine. A Mannich base can be heated in the presence of the ketone to produce the Michael adduct.[6] Successful preparation of compounds using the Robinson annulation methods have been reported.[9]

The Michael acceptor

[edit]

A typical Michael acceptor is an α,β-unsaturated ketone, although aldehydes and acid derivatives work as well. In addition, Bergmann et al. reports that donors such as nitriles, nitro compounds, sulfones and certain hydrocarbons can be used as acceptors.[10] Overall, Michael acceptors are generally activated olefins such as those shown below where EWG refers to an electron withdrawing group such as cyano, keto, or ester as shown.

Common Michael acceptors
Common Michael acceptors

Wichterle reaction

[edit]

The Wichterle reaction is a variant of the Robinson annulation that replaces methyl vinyl ketone with 1,3-dichloro-cis-2-butene. This gives an example of using a different Michael acceptor from the typical α,β-unsaturated ketone. The 1,3-dichloro-cis-2-butene is employed to avoid undesirable polymerization or condensation during the Michael addition.[11]

Wichterle reaction
Wichterle reaction

Hauser annulation

[edit]

The reaction sequence in the related Hauser annulation is a Michael addition followed by a Dieckmann condensation and finally an elimination. The Dieckmann condensation is a similar ring closing intramolecular chemical reaction of diesters with base to give β-ketoesters. The Hauser donor is an aromatic sulfone or methylene sulfoxide with a carboxylic ester group in the ortho position. The Hauser acceptor is a Michael acceptor. In the original Hauser publication ethyl 2-carboxybenzyl phenyl sulfoxide reacts with pent-3-ene-2-one with LDA as a base in THF at −78 °C.[12]

Hauser annulation
Hauser annulation

Asymmetric Robinson annulation

[edit]

Asymmetric synthesis of Robinson annulation products most often involve the use of a proline catalyst. Studies report the use of L-proline as well as several other chiral amines for use as catalysts during both steps of the Robinson annulation reaction.[13] The advantages of using the optically active proline catalysis is that they are stereoselective with enantiomeric excesses of 60–70%.[14]

Organocatalytic tandem Michael-aldol reaction for the one-pot synthesis of chiral thiochromenes
Examples of proline catalysts
Examples of proline catalysts

Wang, et al. reported the one-pot synthesis of chiral thiochromenes by such an organocatalytic Robinson annulation.[15]

Applications to synthesis

[edit]

The Wieland–Miescher ketone is the Robinson annulation product of 2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione and methyl vinyl ketone. This compound is used in the syntheses of many steroids possessing important biological properties and can be made enantiopure using proline catalysis.[14]

Wieland–Miescher ketone
Wieland–Miescher ketone

F. Dean Toste and co-workers[16] have used Robinson annulation in the total synthesis of (+)-fawcettimine, a tetracyclic Lycopodium alkaloid that has potential application to inhibiting the acetylcholine esterase.

Enantioselective route to platensimycin

[edit]
Platensimycin structure
Platensimycin structure

Scientists at Merck discovered platensimycin, a novel antibiotic lead compound with potential medicinal applications as seen in the adjacent picture.[17]

Initial synthesis gave a racemic form of the compound using an intramolecular etherification reaction of the alcohol motifs and the double bond. Yamamoto and coworkers report the use of an alternative intramolecular Robinson annulation to provide a straightforward enantioselective synthesis of tetracyclic core of platensimycin. The key Robinson annulation step was reported to be accomplished in one pot using L-proline for chiral control. The reaction conditions can be seen below.[18]

Platensimycin synthesis
Platensimycin synthesis

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Rapson, William Sage; Robinson, Robert (1935). "307. Experiments on the synthesis of substances related to the sterols. Part II. A new general method for the synthesis of substituted cyclohexenones". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed): 1285. doi:10.1039/JR9350001285.
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