# Cycloaddition Reaction of Ethyl Thioxoacetate and the Dienamine Derived from Pummerer's Ketone

Authors: Brahim Kouissa; Nourreddine Beghidja; Karim Bouchouit; Mechehoud Youcef
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2013)

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## Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the regio- and stereochemistry of the cycloadducts obtained from the treatment of ethyl thioxoacetate and the dienamine derived from Pummerer's ketone.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The use of Bunte salt (1), for example, the ethyl ester as precursors of thioaldehydes, for example, ethyl thioxoacetate, was described by the german chemist Hans Bunte [1, 2]. This early work employed symmetrical dienes as trapping agents, the one exception being thebaine.Kirby and coworkers [3–8] reported the formation of ethyl thioxoacetate (3) from sulphonyl chloride (2) by elimination of hydrogen chloride with triethylamine. The thioaldehyde was trapped by a variety of 1,3-dienes such as 2,3-dimethylbutadiene (4), cyclohexadiene(5), anthracene (6a), 9,10-anthracene (6b), and thebaine (7). The cycloadducts of the corresponding dienes (8), (9), (10), and (11) were obtained in high yields, as it is shown in Scheme 1.Scheme 1The major thebaine cycloadduct (11) was found to be unstable. When it was heated under reflux in toluene for 8 h, it was converted in high yield into the isomer (12) indicating that the cycloadduct (11) had been formed under kinetic control.Y. Watanabe and T. Skakibara [9] treated 1,4-diacetoxy-1,3-butadiene (13) with ethyl thioxoacetate (3) derived in situ from thioglycolate [10], and obtained an inseparable mixture of threo- and erythro-isomers in 68% yield Scheme 2.Scheme 2Recently, we reported [11] that treatment of the transient thioaldehyde (3) with unsymmetrical diene 1-methoxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene (15) gave the cycloadducts (16) and (17) in good yield in an endo : exo ratio of 4 : 1, Scheme 3.Scheme 3The aim of the present study is to extend and explore the regiochemistry and stereochemistry of the reaction of ethyl thioxoacetate (3) with unsymmetrical diene, which is the dienamine (19) derived from Pummerer’s ketone.


## 2. Results and Discussion

### 2.1. Cycloaddition Reaction of Ethyl Thioxoacetate and the Dienamine Derived from Pummerer’s Ketone

With the aim of extending the study of thioxoacetate ester reactions with unsymmetrical conjugated dienes, a diene substituted in the 2-H position with an amino group was selected. The compound chosen was the dienamine (19) prepared [12] from the readily accessible enone, Pummerer’s ketone (18). Scheme 4.Scheme 4The dienamine was formed as oil, from the ketone and pyrrolidine in methanol, as described in reference [12], and used immediately without purification. The Bunte salt (1) was treated with triethylamine in ethanol-benzene in the presence of 1 mol equivalent of the dienamine (19) and calcium chloride dihydrate for 3 days. Then the mixture was workedup under acidic conditions, which could be hydrolysed to the enamine (20) to give the cycloadduct (21) as a gum in 20% yield (Scheme 5). The yield of this product was increased to 40% by using 3 mol equivalents of the Bunte salt (1) for 4 days. Purification of the adduct (21) was carried on preparative silica t. l. c. plates.Scheme 5The molecular formula of the cycloadduct (5) was identified by accurate mass measurement. The fragmentation patterns are discussed in (Table3). The presence of the carbonyl groups was confirmed by i. r. spectroscopy; a strong band at μ̅ 1730 cm−1 was attributed to both carbonyl groups. The structure of the adduct (21), with the exception of stereochemistry, was assigned on the basis of the 1H n.m.r. spectrum. The 90 MHz spectrum distinguishes between the 2 possible regioisomers (21) and (22) as shown in Scheme 6.Scheme 6The 4a-H signal,δ 4,86 (d, j 4.0 Hz), is easily recognized by its low field position, similar to that of the corresponding signal, δ 4,65, in Pummerer’s ketone (18), arising from deshielding by the inductive effect of oxygen. This allows identification of the signal for 4-H, δ 3.35 (d, j 4Hz), since no other signals have this splitting. The fact that this signal is a clean doublet discounts structure (22), since 4-H would be coupled with 11-H. It was not possible to established the stereochemistry (i.e., with of 4, racemic, diastereoisomers (21) is, assuming that the cis ring fusion of Pummerer’s ketone is maintained) from the 90 MHz spectrum (Scheme 7).Scheme 7However, the 200 MHz spectrum and the nuclear overhauser (n.o.e) studied (Tables1 and 2) established the structure (21) unambiguously. The structure (21) can be distinguished from (21a) by the long-range “W” coupling, J 1.3 Hz, between H-11 and 2α-H. This coupling would not be expected in the isomer (21a). Importantly, this is supported by n.o.e experiments. Thus, irradiation at δ 4.11 (11-H) increased the intensity of the singlet centered at δ 1.63 (9b-Me). Conversely, the doublet at δ 4.11 (11-H) increased in intensity when the methyl group, δ 1.63 was irradiated. These observations establish the relative stereochemistry at the centers 11, 1, and 9b and also confirm the regiochemistry.Table 1
200 MHz1H N.M.R spectrum of the cycloadduct (21).
Protonsδ P.P.m.Coupling constants (Hz)76.93ddq, j 8.2, 1.9 and 0.696.86dP, j1,9 and 0.666.61dm, j 8.2 and <0.44a4.86dd, j 4.0 and 0,7OCH2CH34.21q, j 7.2de 114.11dd, j 2.9 and1.343.35d, j 4.012.92qd, j 3.1 and 0.82β2.57dd, j 19.8 and 3.18-Me2.26S, with fine splitting2α1.97ddd, j 19.8, 3.3 and 1.39b-CH31.63SOCH2CH31.28t,  j 7.2Table 2
Nuclear overhauser difference NOE (CDCl3; 200 MHz) of the cycloadduct (21).
Irradiated protonsδ1-H2B-H2A-H4-H4a-H6-H7-H8-Me9-H9b-Me11-HOCH2CH3OCH2 CH31-H2.92−74.752.061.620.090.170.140.530.034.541.474.780.640.452B-H2.572.72−56.5921.160.260.260.320.230.310.67−0.3−0.030.240.132A-H1.971.9920.95−62.440.26−0.010.160.09−0.71−0.13−0.150.290.510.294-H3.35−0.030.080.26−65.226.10.080.070.070.08−0.12−0.060.170.124a-H4.860.080.120.227.98−83.160.20.120.360.062.710.060.560.098-Me2.260.010.09−0.520.090.380.217.02−262.86.980.10.060.160.329b-Me1.634.370.340.59−0.4311.280.570.310.84.68−224.9618.830.960.4011-H4.115.62−0.240.300.360.910.07−0.270.190.146.73−76.67−7.370.52OCH2CH34.210.400.170.350.130.260.090.220.300.050.57−6.58−150.134.98OCH2CH31.280.130.070.270.090.120.120.300.260.130.040.284.56−232.28Table 3
Mass spectrum of Ethyl 1,2,3,4a,9b-hexahydro-8,9b-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,1-(epithiomethano)dibenzofuran-11-endo-carboxylate (21).
FoundCalculated% base peaksCompositionConstitution332,1079332,10829,3C18H20O4SM+∙317,0842317,08470,15C17H17O4SM-CH3]+259,0796259,07931,6C15H15O2SM-C3H5O2]+257,0637257,06370,7C15H13O2SM-C3H7O2]+217,0679217,06870,7C13H13OS159,0812159,0810100C11H11O146,0731146,07327,7C10H10OWhen the cycloadduct (21) was hydrolysed with 1.03 M sodium hydroxide in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature the acid (23) was obtained as a gum in 83% yield (Scheme8).Scheme 8The molecular formula, C16H16O4S, was determined by accurate mass measurementas shown in Table 4. The i. r. spectrum showed a broad, strong band at μ̅ 1730 cm−1, arising from the ketonic and carboxylic carbonyl groups. The 1H n.m.r. spectra of the ester (21) and the acid (23) were closely similar, apart from the replacement of ethoxyl signals by a broad hydroxyl signal, which disappeared upon exchange with deuterium oxide.Table 4
Mass spectrum of 1,2,3,4a,9b-hexahydro-8,9b-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,1-(epithiomethano)dibenzofuran-11-endo-carboxylic acid (23).
FoundCalculated%CompositionConstitution304.0773304.07697.6C16H16O4SM+∙215.0511215.05210.7C13H11OSM-C3H5O3]+∙214.0993214.09942.1C14H14O2159.0809159.0810100C11H11O146.0727146.073111.3C10H10OIt was hoped that a crystalline product, suitable for combustion analysis, would be obtained. However, so far the acid (23) has resisted crystallization.The formation of predominantly only one (21) of eight possible diastereoisomers requires comment. Vedejs et al. reported [13] a related cycloaddition reaction. They found that the thioaldehydes having electron-withdrawing groups (ZCHS; Z=CN, CO2CH3, or COCH3), generated from the phenacyl sulphides, could be trapped by 2-ethoxybutadiene to give Diels-Alder adducts. The compounds with sulphur attached to C (1) of the diene were found to be formed predominantly. This regiochemistry corresponds to that observed in the reaction of thioxoacetate and the dienamine (19). The unusually high endo selectivity of the latter reaction could be due to the strong steric repulsion between the 9b-methyl and ester groups in the exo isomer. Finally, attack by the thioaldehyde on the dienamine (19) has occurred cis to the 9b-methyl group and 4a-hydrogen atom and trans to the larger 9b-aryl group and 4a-oxygen atom. The 200 MHz 1H n.m.r spectrum showed weak signals that could represent another isomer, but otherwise the reaction was remarkably stereo- and region-selective.


## 2.1. Cycloaddition Reaction of Ethyl Thioxoacetate and the Dienamine Derived from Pummerer’s Ketone

With the aim of extending the study of thioxoacetate ester reactions with unsymmetrical conjugated dienes, a diene substituted in the 2-H position with an amino group was selected. The compound chosen was the dienamine (19) prepared [12] from the readily accessible enone, Pummerer’s ketone (18). Scheme 4.Scheme 4The dienamine was formed as oil, from the ketone and pyrrolidine in methanol, as described in reference [12], and used immediately without purification. The Bunte salt (1) was treated with triethylamine in ethanol-benzene in the presence of 1 mol equivalent of the dienamine (19) and calcium chloride dihydrate for 3 days. Then the mixture was workedup under acidic conditions, which could be hydrolysed to the enamine (20) to give the cycloadduct (21) as a gum in 20% yield (Scheme 5). The yield of this product was increased to 40% by using 3 mol equivalents of the Bunte salt (1) for 4 days. Purification of the adduct (21) was carried on preparative silica t. l. c. plates.Scheme 5The molecular formula of the cycloadduct (5) was identified by accurate mass measurement. The fragmentation patterns are discussed in (Table3). The presence of the carbonyl groups was confirmed by i. r. spectroscopy; a strong band at μ̅ 1730 cm−1 was attributed to both carbonyl groups. The structure of the adduct (21), with the exception of stereochemistry, was assigned on the basis of the 1H n.m.r. spectrum. The 90 MHz spectrum distinguishes between the 2 possible regioisomers (21) and (22) as shown in Scheme 6.Scheme 6The 4a-H signal,δ 4,86 (d, j 4.0 Hz), is easily recognized by its low field position, similar to that of the corresponding signal, δ 4,65, in Pummerer’s ketone (18), arising from deshielding by the inductive effect of oxygen. This allows identification of the signal for 4-H, δ 3.35 (d, j 4Hz), since no other signals have this splitting. The fact that this signal is a clean doublet discounts structure (22), since 4-H would be coupled with 11-H. It was not possible to established the stereochemistry (i.e., with of 4, racemic, diastereoisomers (21) is, assuming that the cis ring fusion of Pummerer’s ketone is maintained) from the 90 MHz spectrum (Scheme 7).Scheme 7However, the 200 MHz spectrum and the nuclear overhauser (n.o.e) studied (Tables1 and 2) established the structure (21) unambiguously. The structure (21) can be distinguished from (21a) by the long-range “W” coupling, J 1.3 Hz, between H-11 and 2α-H. This coupling would not be expected in the isomer (21a). Importantly, this is supported by n.o.e experiments. Thus, irradiation at δ 4.11 (11-H) increased the intensity of the singlet centered at δ 1.63 (9b-Me). Conversely, the doublet at δ 4.11 (11-H) increased in intensity when the methyl group, δ 1.63 was irradiated. These observations establish the relative stereochemistry at the centers 11, 1, and 9b and also confirm the regiochemistry.Table 1
200 MHz1H N.M.R spectrum of the cycloadduct (21).
Protonsδ P.P.m.Coupling constants (Hz)76.93ddq, j 8.2, 1.9 and 0.696.86dP, j1,9 and 0.666.61dm, j 8.2 and <0.44a4.86dd, j 4.0 and 0,7OCH2CH34.21q, j 7.2de 114.11dd, j 2.9 and1.343.35d, j 4.012.92qd, j 3.1 and 0.82β2.57dd, j 19.8 and 3.18-Me2.26S, with fine splitting2α1.97ddd, j 19.8, 3.3 and 1.39b-CH31.63SOCH2CH31.28t,  j 7.2Table 2
Nuclear overhauser difference NOE (CDCl3; 200 MHz) of the cycloadduct (21).
Irradiated protonsδ1-H2B-H2A-H4-H4a-H6-H7-H8-Me9-H9b-Me11-HOCH2CH3OCH2 CH31-H2.92−74.752.061.620.090.170.140.530.034.541.474.780.640.452B-H2.572.72−56.5921.160.260.260.320.230.310.67−0.3−0.030.240.132A-H1.971.9920.95−62.440.26−0.010.160.09−0.71−0.13−0.150.290.510.294-H3.35−0.030.080.26−65.226.10.080.070.070.08−0.12−0.060.170.124a-H4.860.080.120.227.98−83.160.20.120.360.062.710.060.560.098-Me2.260.010.09−0.520.090.380.217.02−262.86.980.10.060.160.329b-Me1.634.370.340.59−0.4311.280.570.310.84.68−224.9618.830.960.4011-H4.115.62−0.240.300.360.910.07−0.270.190.146.73−76.67−7.370.52OCH2CH34.210.400.170.350.130.260.090.220.300.050.57−6.58−150.134.98OCH2CH31.280.130.070.270.090.120.120.300.260.130.040.284.56−232.28Table 3
Mass spectrum of Ethyl 1,2,3,4a,9b-hexahydro-8,9b-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,1-(epithiomethano)dibenzofuran-11-endo-carboxylate (21).
FoundCalculated% base peaksCompositionConstitution332,1079332,10829,3C18H20O4SM+∙317,0842317,08470,15C17H17O4SM-CH3]+259,0796259,07931,6C15H15O2SM-C3H5O2]+257,0637257,06370,7C15H13O2SM-C3H7O2]+217,0679217,06870,7C13H13OS159,0812159,0810100C11H11O146,0731146,07327,7C10H10OWhen the cycloadduct (21) was hydrolysed with 1.03 M sodium hydroxide in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature the acid (23) was obtained as a gum in 83% yield (Scheme8).Scheme 8The molecular formula, C16H16O4S, was determined by accurate mass measurementas shown in Table 4. The i. r. spectrum showed a broad, strong band at μ̅ 1730 cm−1, arising from the ketonic and carboxylic carbonyl groups. The 1H n.m.r. spectra of the ester (21) and the acid (23) were closely similar, apart from the replacement of ethoxyl signals by a broad hydroxyl signal, which disappeared upon exchange with deuterium oxide.Table 4
Mass spectrum of 1,2,3,4a,9b-hexahydro-8,9b-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,1-(epithiomethano)dibenzofuran-11-endo-carboxylic acid (23).
FoundCalculated%CompositionConstitution304.0773304.07697.6C16H16O4SM+∙215.0511215.05210.7C13H11OSM-C3H5O3]+∙214.0993214.09942.1C14H14O2159.0809159.0810100C11H11O146.0727146.073111.3C10H10OIt was hoped that a crystalline product, suitable for combustion analysis, would be obtained. However, so far the acid (23) has resisted crystallization.The formation of predominantly only one (21) of eight possible diastereoisomers requires comment. Vedejs et al. reported [13] a related cycloaddition reaction. They found that the thioaldehydes having electron-withdrawing groups (ZCHS; Z=CN, CO2CH3, or COCH3), generated from the phenacyl sulphides, could be trapped by 2-ethoxybutadiene to give Diels-Alder adducts. The compounds with sulphur attached to C (1) of the diene were found to be formed predominantly. This regiochemistry corresponds to that observed in the reaction of thioxoacetate and the dienamine (19). The unusually high endo selectivity of the latter reaction could be due to the strong steric repulsion between the 9b-methyl and ester groups in the exo isomer. Finally, attack by the thioaldehyde on the dienamine (19) has occurred cis to the 9b-methyl group and 4a-hydrogen atom and trans to the larger 9b-aryl group and 4a-oxygen atom. The 200 MHz 1H n.m.r spectrum showed weak signals that could represent another isomer, but otherwise the reaction was remarkably stereo- and region-selective.


## 3. Experimental

### 3.1. Preparation of 1-(4a,9b-Dihydro-8-9b-dimethyl-3-dibenzofuranyl)Pyrrolidine (19)

Following the steps developed in reference [12], pyrrolidine (0.85 mL) was added to a suspension of 4a,9b-dihydro-8,9b-dimethyl-dibenzo-furan-3(4H)-one, Pummerer’s ketone (18) (0.5 g, 2.3 mmol) in methanol (12.5 mL), and the mixture was heated in a steam bath for 10 min. The resulting clear yellow solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for 1 h. After that, evaporated from the solution which resulted in a yellow syrupy residue which was redissolved in benzene and evaporated to dryness to yield the dienamine (19) (0.61 g, 98%) as a yellow syrupy. Found: m/z 267 (M, basepeak); (μ̅ CHCl3) 1580 (weak band) and 1650 cm−1 (strong band); δ (CDCl3, 90 MHz) 1.36 (S, 9b-CH3), 1.85 (m, 3′- and 4′-CH2), 2.25 (S, 8-CH3), 3.2 (m, 2′- and 5′-CH2), 4.5–6.5 (bs, 4H), and 6.55–7.2 (m, aryl-H).


### 3.2. Preparation of the Cycloadduct 21 of Ethyl Thioxoacetate and 1-(4a,9b-Dihydro-8-9b-dimethyl-3-dibenzofuranyl)Pyrrolidine (19)

The Bunte salt (3) (0.478 g, 2.05 mmol) and calcium chloride dihydrate (0.32 g, 2.05 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (15 mL). Then dienamine (19) (0.457 g, 1.72 mmol) in benzene (15 mL) and triethyl-amine (0.218 g, 2.05 mmol) were added to the mixture of salts. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days then was diluted with analar chloroform (40 mL) and water (30 mL). After that dilute (5%) hydrochloric acid was added until the calcium sulphite had dissolved and the mixture had become clear. The organic layer was washed successively with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, brine (10 mL), and water (20 mL), subsequently dried over (MgSO4), and evaporated. The obtained residue (0.55 g) was chromatographed on a silica (HF254) column. Elution with light petroleum-chloroform (1 : 1) gave a mixture (0.37 g) which was separated on silica t. l. c. plates developed several times with light petroleum-ether (7 : 3), to give ethy1 1,2,3,4a,9b-hexahydro-8,9b-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,1-(epithiomethano)dibenzofuran-11-endo-carboxylate (21) (100 mg, 18%). (Found: m/z 332.1079; C18H20O4S requires M, 332.1077; μ̅ (CHCl3) (strong band) 1730 cm−1, δ (CDCl3, 90 MHz) 1.28 (t, J 7.0 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.67 (S, 9b-CH3) 2.26 (S, 8-CH3), 1.97–2.57 (m, 2-CH2), 2.92 (m, 1-H), 3.35 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4-H), 4.11 (m, 11-H), 4.21 (q, J 7 Hz), 4.86 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4a-H), and 6.60–6.95 (m, 6-, 7-, and 9-H); δ (CDCl3; 200 MHz) 1.28 (t, J 7.2 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.63 (S, 9b-CH3), 1.97 (ddd, J 19.8, 3, 3, and 1.3 Hz, 2α-H), 2.26 (S with fine splitting, 8-CH3), 2.57 (dd, J 19.8 and 3.1 Hz, 2β-H), 2.92 (qd, J 3.1 and 0.8 Hz, 1-H), 3.35 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4-H), 4.11 (dd, J 2.9 and 1.3 Hz, 11-H), 4.21 (q, J 7.2 Hz, OCH2CH3), 4.86 (dd, J 4.0 and 0.7 Hz, 4a-H) 6.61 (dm, J 8.2 and 0.4 Hz, 6-H), 6.86 (dp, J 1.9 and 0.6 Hz, 9-H), and 6.93 (ddq, J 8.2, 1.9 and 0.6 Hz, 7-H).


### 3.3. Preparation of the Cycloadduct Ketone 21 Using 3 mol Equivalents of the Bunte Salt

The Bunte salt (3) (0.743 g, 3.35 mmol) and calcium chloride dihydrate (0.493 g, 3.35 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (15 mL). A mixture of the dienamine (19) (0.299 g, 1.12 mmol) and triethylamine (0.339 g, 3.35 mmol) was added to the salt mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days then was worked up and chromatographed as described before to give the ketone (21) (0.12 g, 33.4%). The1H n.m.r. spectrum was identical obtained by using 1 mol equivalent of the Bunte salt.


### 3.4. Hydrolysis of the Ester 21

1.03 M sodium hydroxide (1 mL) was added to a solution of the ester (21) (40 mg, 0.12 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (2 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. After 24 h the solution was concentrated with slight heating under reduced pressure. The resulting aqueous solution was concentrated, washed with ether (5 × 10 mL), then acidified with 5% hydrochloric acid (2 mL) and after extracted with ether (5 × 10 mL). The ethereal extracts were washed with brine (5 mL), dried (MgSO4), and evaporated under reduced pressure with slight heating to give the acid (23) (30 mg, 83%) as an amorphous solid. (Found: m/z 304.0773; C16H16O4S requires M, 304.0765):μ̅ (CHCl3) 1730 cm−1 (strong band); δ (CDCl3, 90 MHz) 1.65 (s, 9b-CH3), 2.26 (s, 8-CH3), 1.80–2.90 (m, 2-CH2), 2.95 (m, 1-H), 3.40 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4-H), 4.19 (m, 11-H), 4.87 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4a-H), 6.57–7.0 (m, 6-, 7- and 9-H), and 8.0 (bs, COOH).


## 3.1. Preparation of 1-(4a,9b-Dihydro-8-9b-dimethyl-3-dibenzofuranyl)Pyrrolidine (19)

Following the steps developed in reference [12], pyrrolidine (0.85 mL) was added to a suspension of 4a,9b-dihydro-8,9b-dimethyl-dibenzo-furan-3(4H)-one, Pummerer’s ketone (18) (0.5 g, 2.3 mmol) in methanol (12.5 mL), and the mixture was heated in a steam bath for 10 min. The resulting clear yellow solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for 1 h. After that, evaporated from the solution which resulted in a yellow syrupy residue which was redissolved in benzene and evaporated to dryness to yield the dienamine (19) (0.61 g, 98%) as a yellow syrupy. Found: m/z 267 (M, basepeak); (μ̅ CHCl3) 1580 (weak band) and 1650 cm−1 (strong band); δ (CDCl3, 90 MHz) 1.36 (S, 9b-CH3), 1.85 (m, 3′- and 4′-CH2), 2.25 (S, 8-CH3), 3.2 (m, 2′- and 5′-CH2), 4.5–6.5 (bs, 4H), and 6.55–7.2 (m, aryl-H).


## 3.2. Preparation of the Cycloadduct 21 of Ethyl Thioxoacetate and 1-(4a,9b-Dihydro-8-9b-dimethyl-3-dibenzofuranyl)Pyrrolidine (19)

The Bunte salt (3) (0.478 g, 2.05 mmol) and calcium chloride dihydrate (0.32 g, 2.05 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (15 mL). Then dienamine (19) (0.457 g, 1.72 mmol) in benzene (15 mL) and triethyl-amine (0.218 g, 2.05 mmol) were added to the mixture of salts. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days then was diluted with analar chloroform (40 mL) and water (30 mL). After that dilute (5%) hydrochloric acid was added until the calcium sulphite had dissolved and the mixture had become clear. The organic layer was washed successively with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, brine (10 mL), and water (20 mL), subsequently dried over (MgSO4), and evaporated. The obtained residue (0.55 g) was chromatographed on a silica (HF254) column. Elution with light petroleum-chloroform (1 : 1) gave a mixture (0.37 g) which was separated on silica t. l. c. plates developed several times with light petroleum-ether (7 : 3), to give ethy1 1,2,3,4a,9b-hexahydro-8,9b-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,1-(epithiomethano)dibenzofuran-11-endo-carboxylate (21) (100 mg, 18%). (Found: m/z 332.1079; C18H20O4S requires M, 332.1077; μ̅ (CHCl3) (strong band) 1730 cm−1, δ (CDCl3, 90 MHz) 1.28 (t, J 7.0 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.67 (S, 9b-CH3) 2.26 (S, 8-CH3), 1.97–2.57 (m, 2-CH2), 2.92 (m, 1-H), 3.35 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4-H), 4.11 (m, 11-H), 4.21 (q, J 7 Hz), 4.86 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4a-H), and 6.60–6.95 (m, 6-, 7-, and 9-H); δ (CDCl3; 200 MHz) 1.28 (t, J 7.2 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.63 (S, 9b-CH3), 1.97 (ddd, J 19.8, 3, 3, and 1.3 Hz, 2α-H), 2.26 (S with fine splitting, 8-CH3), 2.57 (dd, J 19.8 and 3.1 Hz, 2β-H), 2.92 (qd, J 3.1 and 0.8 Hz, 1-H), 3.35 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4-H), 4.11 (dd, J 2.9 and 1.3 Hz, 11-H), 4.21 (q, J 7.2 Hz, OCH2CH3), 4.86 (dd, J 4.0 and 0.7 Hz, 4a-H) 6.61 (dm, J 8.2 and 0.4 Hz, 6-H), 6.86 (dp, J 1.9 and 0.6 Hz, 9-H), and 6.93 (ddq, J 8.2, 1.9 and 0.6 Hz, 7-H).


## 3.3. Preparation of the Cycloadduct Ketone 21 Using 3 mol Equivalents of the Bunte Salt

The Bunte salt (3) (0.743 g, 3.35 mmol) and calcium chloride dihydrate (0.493 g, 3.35 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (15 mL). A mixture of the dienamine (19) (0.299 g, 1.12 mmol) and triethylamine (0.339 g, 3.35 mmol) was added to the salt mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days then was worked up and chromatographed as described before to give the ketone (21) (0.12 g, 33.4%). The1H n.m.r. spectrum was identical obtained by using 1 mol equivalent of the Bunte salt.


## 3.4. Hydrolysis of the Ester 21

1.03 M sodium hydroxide (1 mL) was added to a solution of the ester (21) (40 mg, 0.12 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (2 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. After 24 h the solution was concentrated with slight heating under reduced pressure. The resulting aqueous solution was concentrated, washed with ether (5 × 10 mL), then acidified with 5% hydrochloric acid (2 mL) and after extracted with ether (5 × 10 mL). The ethereal extracts were washed with brine (5 mL), dried (MgSO4), and evaporated under reduced pressure with slight heating to give the acid (23) (30 mg, 83%) as an amorphous solid. (Found: m/z 304.0773; C16H16O4S requires M, 304.0765):μ̅ (CHCl3) 1730 cm−1 (strong band); δ (CDCl3, 90 MHz) 1.65 (s, 9b-CH3), 2.26 (s, 8-CH3), 1.80–2.90 (m, 2-CH2), 2.95 (m, 1-H), 3.40 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4-H), 4.19 (m, 11-H), 4.87 (d, J 4.0 Hz, 4a-H), 6.57–7.0 (m, 6-, 7- and 9-H), and 8.0 (bs, COOH).



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*Source: 813451-2012-08-07.xml*