Selectivity in Transition Metal-catalyzed Cyclizations: Insights from Experiment and Theory

Authors

  • Edward A. Anderson Chemistry Research Laboratory University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK;, Email: edward.anderson@chem.ox.ac.uk
  • Robert S. Paton Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Center Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2018.614

Keywords:

Cycloisomerization, Mechanistic study, Selectivity, Theoretical analysis, Transition metal catalysis

Abstract

Transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions offer a powerful tool for the synthesis of complex cyclic organic molecules from acyclic precursors. In addition to ring formation, these processes can result in the generation of new stereocentres at the site of ring formation; understanding the origins of stereoselectivity enables the use of cycloisomerization chemistry in synthesis, and promotes the design of new reactions. In this article, some recent developments from our groups in regio- and stereoselective cycloisomerization reactions are discussed. Alongside experimental observations, crucial to developing a robust understanding of selectivity has been the use of computation to explore theoretical reaction pathways, which provides an exceptional level of insight into selectivity. In its most valuable form, this correlation between experiment and theory enables the design of improved catalyst systems exhibiting both enhanced reactivity, and selectivity.

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Published

2018-09-01