Gabriela Siemiaszko

Yvan Six
email: yvan.six@polytechnique.edu

Combination of Reagents Function as a Catalyst for [2+2+2] Alkyne Cyclotrimerisation Reactions? † ‡

Can the Ti

Introduction

Since the initial discoveries by the group of O. G. Kulinkovich, 1,2 the combined use of titanium(IV) isopropoxide and excess amounts of Grignard reagents [> 2 equivalents (equiv) vs Ti(OiPr) 4 ] has led the development of a family of powerful synthetic tools. 3 Analogous chemistry using organolithium reagents RLi only emerged in the early 2000s, with reports by the group of J. J. Eisch,4 although earlier studies on the monotransmetallation of organolithium reagents with Ti(OiPr) 4 had been carried out from the mid-20th century. 5,[START_REF]This chemistry was thoroughly investigated in the 1980s[END_REF] Using 2 equiv of an organolithium reagent having a β-hydrogen atom with 1 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 , the behaviour of the organometallic species generated is consistent with the titanacyclopropane structure 1 (Scheme 1). The conditions described by J. J. Eisch (-78 °C then overnight, 25 °C) are in fact not applicable because of the low thermal stability of 1 but subsequent work reported by several groups has revealed the synthetic potential of the combination of reagents. [7][8][9][10] Moreover, using non-standard proportions, i.e. 2 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 3 equiv of nBuLi, we showed that 1 can be conveniently and reproducibly generated at 0 °C in THF. 11 It was also disclosed that terminal alkynes 2 undergo rapid cyclotrimerisation when treated with a solution of 1 prepared in this way (about 1.1 equiv, generated from 2.2 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 3.3 equiv of nBuLi, Scheme 2). 12 Excellent 1,2,4 regioselectivity is observed in the case of aryl-substituted substrates. The mechanism is likely to proceed via titanacyclopropene and titanacyclopentadiene intermediates 3 and 4. To account for the eventual formation of the [2+2+2] product 5 (/5'), several pathways can be put forward, for instance a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction as shown in Scheme 2. Every possibility formally involves extrusion of Ti(OiPr) 2 and in principle, the latter could then react with the alkyne starting material 2 to regenerate species 3, thereby establishing a catalytic cycle.

Results and discussion

Initial investigation

A preliminary study on this prospect was conducted with phenylacetylene 2a. The first experiment, involving the generation of ca. 0.5 equivalent of complex 1, was not encouraging (Table 1, entry 2 vs entry 1). Conversion of 2a was not complete and large amounts of diene 6a were produced, presumably by hydrolysis of unreacted intermediate 4a Scheme 1 Generation of the active titanacyclopropane complex 1. Please do not adjust margins Please do not adjust margins (structure 4 in Scheme 2 with R = Ph). Better results could be obtained by extending the reaction time to 20 h, even with decreased amounts of Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi (entry 3). Further decrease to 0.1 equiv of 1 led to lower conversion of 2a (entry 4) but gratifyingly, heating the reaction mixture at reflux restored reactivity (entry 5). An attempt made at simplifying the procedure by generating the active complex 1 directly in the presence of the alkyne reactant led to a somewhat inferior result (entry 7). Switching the solvent to tBuOMe was unsatisfactory, with lower conversion of 2a (entry 8), as well as the production of polymeric material. § We next investigated the effect of microwave irradiation (entries 9-13). Much faster production of the cyclotrimerisation product 5a was observed (entry 11). Finally, attempts at further decreasing the amount of catalyst 1 down to less than 0.1 equiv led to poor results (entries 6, 12 and 13).

THF 0 °C + nBuTi(OiPr) 3 ( 1 equiv) ( 1 equiv) + iPrOLi (3 equiv) ( 1 equiv) + nBuH ( 1

Development of a better procedure, under microwave conditions

This first set of experiments had established that complex 1 could catalyse the cyclotrimerisation of 2a but the experimental protocol remained somewhat tedious. Indeed, it involved pre-formation of species 1 in a separate vessel (procedure A). We sought to simplify this procedure in two ways, either by generating 1 in the presence of 2a [Table 2, entry 2, (procedure B)], as had been attempted already under standard reflux conditions (Table 1, entry 7), or by adding 2a directly into the solution of pre-formed 1 [Table 2, entry 3, (procedure C)]. When procedure B was applied, comparatively large amounts of undesired polymer compounds were produced again. This problem was minimised with the convenient procedure C and little difference was observed with the results obtained with procedure A (Table 2, entry 3 vs entry 1). § However, the amounts of Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi could not be reduced further, even using freshly distilled THF from sodium/benzophenone. Moreover, at times, we experienced difficulties reproducing our results. This is not surprising since in practice, the septum on the reaction vial must be quickly replaced with a cap for the microwave apparatus, which causes introduction of a small quantity of oxygen and traces of water. Eventually, our best result was obtained with 0.14 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 0.21 equiv of nBuLi, corresponding to 0.07 equiv of complex 1 (Table 2, entry 4).

One experiment performed with Cp 2 TiCl 2 instead of Ti(OiPr) 4 left 2a essentially unscathed, with the production of minor amounts of unidentified new compounds. More interestingly, when Grignard reagents were used, the cyclotrimerisation of 2a proceeded with strikingly modified regioselectivity (Scheme 3). Indeed, the 1,3,5-triphenyl isomer 5'a, which had not been observed so far, was now produced in comparatively large amounts, suggesting the extensive formation of the titanacyclopentadiene intermediate complex 4'a. Explanation for this phenomenon is not straightforward, especially if one remembers that when treated with Ti(OiPr) 4 and a Grignard reagent in Et 2 O at low temperature, phenylacetylene 2a is transformed selectively into (E,E)-1,4diphenylbutadiene 6a. 13 However, similar selectivity in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions has been reported by the group of S. Okamoto using a reagent system composed of Ti(OiPr) 4 (1 equiv), Mg powder (3 equiv) and Me 3 SiCl (2 equiv). Experimental procedure, unless otherwise stated: a solution of 1 in the dry solvent indicated, generated at 0 °C from Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi, was added dropwise to a cold (0 °C) solution of 2a in the same solvent. The mixture was then stirred at T °C for the time indicated. b Qualitative estimation obtained by 13 C NMR spectroscopy. c Isolated yield. d A simplified experimental procedure was applied, whereupon 1 was generated in the presence of the alkyne. e "μW" stands for heating by microwave irradiation. :00:87 a Procedure A: a solution of 1 in dry THF, generated at 0 °C from Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi, was added dropwise to a cold (0 °C) solution of 2a in THF. The mixture was then heated with a microwave apparatus for 30 minutes. Procedure B: as Procedure A except nBuLi was added dropwise, at 0 °C, to a solution of 2a and Ti(OiPr) 4 in dry THF. Procedure C: 2a was added to a solution of 1 in dry THF, generated at 0 °C from Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi. The mixture was then heated with a microwave apparatus for the time indicated. b Qualitative estimation obtained by 13 Please do not adjust margins Please do not adjust margins

Optimised conditions and scope

To circumvent the reproducibility issues encountered at the lowest loadings of Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi and even, occasionally, with 0.2 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 0.3 equiv of nBuLi, one could consider excluding water and oxygen more rigorously from the system. This, of course, would be inconvenient, costly and hazardous, with the routine use of a glove box and distillation of THF over sodium. Given the low cost and wide availability of both Ti(OiPr) 4 and nBuLi, we chose a more practical solution consisting in increasing their amounts to 0.6 and 0.9 equivalents respectively. The reaction could not be considered truly catalytic any longer but became more efficient (5a was isolated in 84% yield from 2a) and, more importantly, perfectly reliable. The results of the reactions of several terminal alkynes, under these conditions, are presented in Table 3. Moderate to excellent yields and high regioselectivities in favour of the 1,2,4 products 5a-d were achieved with arylacetylene derivatives 2a-d. The reactivity of 2e was non-typical (see next paragraph). Enyne substrates 1ethynylcyclohexene 2f and 2-methyl-1-buten-3-yne 2g reacted with excellent regioselectivity as well but 5f and 5g were produced in low yields, together with a number of unidentified by-products. More interestingly, hept-1-yne 2h was converted into the [2+2+2] adduct 5h in 86% yield. This is remarkable, since the same transformation had performed poorly under the previously developed conditions (2.2 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 3.3 equiv of nBuLi at room temperature), with large amounts of diene by-products. 12 These experimental results suggest that the reaction of the third molecule of 2h with the titanacyclopentadiene intermediates 4/4' is more difficult than in the case of 2a but can be sufficiently accelerated upon heating. Another difference with the reaction of 2a is the lower regioselectivity (5h/5'h ≈ 65:35), indicating that the 1,3disubstituted intermediate complex 4'h is produced in significant amounts. The reactions of the bulkier substrates 3,3-dimethyl-but-1-yne 2i and cyclopropylacetylene 2j proceeded with better selectivities (86:14 and 89:11 respectively) but in somewhat lower yields, perhaps because of their volatility.

Unexpected hydro-dehalo-substitution

Intriguing hydro-dehalo-substitution processes were observed when halophenylacetylene substrates were engaged (Scheme 4). The single hydro-dehalo-substitution products 7e, 7k and 7l are formed predominantly, § with remarkable selectivity in the case of the fluoro substrates 2e and 2k. The hydro-dehalo-substitution appears to be more facile with chloro derivatives, as evidenced by the low yield (6%) of the trichloro product 5l and the significant formation of monochloro by-products 8l and 9l. § Work-up of the reaction mixture with D 2 O did not result in any deuterium atom incorporation into the products. Interestingly, the phenomenon is significantly minimised when only 0.3 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 0.6 equiv of nBuLi are employed, instead of 0.6 and 0.9 equiv respectively. § This suggests that nBuTi(OiPr) 3 might play a key role in the reduction process. Moreover, when purified 5e is submitted to the reaction conditions again, the defluorinated molecule 7e is formed in significant amounts. This is consistent with a hydro-dehalo-substitution reaction taking place after the alkyne cyclotrimerisation process. A tentative mechanistic proposal is presented in Scheme 5.

Table 3 Titanium-mediated cyclotrimerisation reactions of terminal alkynes, performed under simplified and reliable conditions. a a Unless indicated otherwise, all the yields are for isolated products. 5/5' regioisomeric ratios are indicated in parentheses. b The starting alkyne was added as a solution in THF. c 5e was formed together with a hydrodefluoro-substitution product (total yield 63%). The 39% yield indicated is for 5e only. Please do not adjust margins Please do not adjust margins

According to this hypothesis, an aryltitanium intermediate complex, e.g. 10e starting from 5e, would be generated by oxidative addition of a C-halogen bond onto "Ti(OiPr) 2 ". Subsequent reaction with nBuTi(OiPr) 3 , by σ-bond metathesis, would lead to the new complex 11e. Eventually, intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer, analogous to the initial formation of 1 from nBu 2 Ti(OiPr) 2 , would produce 7e and regenerate 1. The latter would thus function as a catalyst in this transformation and the source of hydrogen atom would be nBuTi(OiPr) 3 . It is interesting to note that in the 13 C NMR spectra of 5e, 5k and 5l, the most downfield C-halogen signals belong to the very aryl groups where the hydro-dehalo-substitution take place preferentially. This is reasonable, since it corresponds to oxidative addition of the most polarised carbon-halogen bonds. Nonetheless, further work is still needed, and will be carried out, in order to support this mechanistic picture more decisively or rule it out.

Disubstituted alkyne substrates

Finally, the possibility to extend the titanium-mediated cyclotrimerisation process to internal alkynes 12 was briefly examined (Table 4). The reactions of but-2-yne 12a and 1phenylprop-1-yne 12d afforded the corresponding hexasubstituted benzene derivatives 13a and 13d in satisfactory yields, 13d being obtained with good selectivity (88:12). In contrast, oct-4-yne 12b, diphenylacetylene 12c and 1-phenylpent-1-yne 12e gave poor results, suggesting that the transformation does not tolerate internal alkyne substrates having both substituents larger than a methyl group. Interestingly, in the case of the reaction of 12b, which gave hexapropylbenzene 13b in low yield (14%), no trace of diene resulting from hydrolysis of the titanacyclopentadiene intermediate of type 4 was observed. The only by-product is (Z)-oct-4-ene, the presence of which presumably results from hydrolysis of unreacted titanacyclopropene complex. The limiting factor thus appears to be the reaction of the second molecule of 12b. A similar situation is met starting from 12c and 12e, with substantial amounts of cis-stilbene and (Z)-1phenylpent-1-ene being produced, while neither diene resulting from dimerisation nor cyclotrimerised product 13 are observed.

Table 4 Titanium-mediated cyclotrimerisation reactions of disubstituted alkynes 12. a a Typical experimental procedure as in Table 3. § Unless indicated otherwise, all the yields are for isolated products. The 13d/13'd ratio is indicated in parentheses. b Yield estimated by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Only partial conversion took place and the production of (Z)-oct-4-ene, in about 28% yield, was also observed. 30% 26%

[ 1 ] R 1 R 2 R 1 R 1 R 1 R 2 R 2 R 2 R 1 R 1 R 1 + R 2 R 2 R 2 13
[ 1 ] ( 0.3 equiv)

[ 1 ] ( 0.3 equiv)

[ 1 ] ( 0.

Scheme 5

Tentative mechanism for the formation of hydro-dehalosubstitution products.

Conclusions

To conclude, our new results demonstrate that the Ti(OiPr) 4 /nBuLi system can function as a catalyst for the cyclotrimerisation of alkynes. However, the use of 0.6 equiv of Ti(OiPr) 4 and 0.9 equiv of nBuLi with respect to the alkyne substrate gives the most reliable results. Although these new conditions cannot be applied to the heterocyclotrimerisation reactions we developed earlier, which require the stoichiometric preparation of titanacyclopropene complexes from internal alkynes, 12 they represent a dramatic improvement over our previously described alkyne homocyclotrimerisation method, as summarised in Scheme 6. In addition, comparison with the few other Ti-catalysed processes reported in the literature 15 reveals significant advantages, notably the low cost and direct availability of the reagent system, as well as the practicability of the experimental procedure.

Experimental section

For general information, see the ESI. ‡ Compounds 5a, 12,16 5'a, 17 5b, 12,15b,18 5c, 19 5d, 12,18a,20 5e, 18a,21 5f, 5'f, 22 5g, 23 5'g, 23a 5h, 12,24 5'h, 24 5i, 25 5'i, 26 5j, 5'j, 27 5l, 18,19,20 9l, 18b 13a, 26 13b, 28 13d 29 and 13'd 29a have already been described and their analytical data are in good agreement with those reported in the literature. § General procedure (GP) for the cyclotrimerisation reactions under optimised conditions. nBuLi (≈ 2.0 M solution in hexanes, 0.900 equiv, 2.70 mmol) was added dropwise, over 1 min, into a solution of Ti(OiPr) 4 (0.600 equiv, 1.80 mmol) in dry THF (4.0 mL), in a flame-dried 10 mL microwave vial, under argon at 0 °C. After 5 min of stirring at 0 °C, the alkyne substrate (1.00 equiv, 3.00 mmol) was then added dropwise. The septum on the vial was quickly replaced with the suitable sealed cap and the vial was immediately heated with the microwave synthesis reactor (100 °C, 15 min). After cooling, 2 M HCl aqueous solution (10 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 15 min, then extracted with Et 2 O (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product.

Cyclotrimerisation of phenylacetylene 2a.

Catalytic reaction performed at reflux (Table 1,entry 5). nBuLi (2.14 M solution in hexanes, 0.300 equiv, 1.80 mmol, 841 μL) was added dropwise, over 2.5 min, into a solution of Ti(OiPr) 4 (0.200 equiv, 1.20 mmol, 355 μL) in dry THF (8.0 mL), under argon at 0 °C. After 5 min of stirring at 0 °C, the resulting solution was added dropwise, over 2.5 min, into a solution of phenylacetylene 2a (1.00 equiv, 6.00 mmol, 660 μL) in THF (1.0 mL) at 15 °C. The mixture was then heated at reflux for 20 h. After cooling, 2 M HCl aqueous solution (15 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 15 min, then extracted with Et 2 O (3 × 15 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product. Purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 10%) afforded pure 1,2,4triphenylbenzene 5a (418 mg, 1.36 mmol, 68%). Catalytic reaction performed under microwave conditions, with a simplified procedure (Table 2, entry 3 and Scheme 3, top). nBuLi (2.34 M solution in hexanes, 0.300 equiv, 900 μmol, 385 μL) was added dropwise, over 1 min, into a solution of Ti(OiPr) 4 (0.200 equiv, 600 μmol, 178 μL) in dry THF (4.5 mL), in a flamedried 10 mL microwave vial, under argon at 0 °C. After 5 min of stirring at 0 °C, 2a (1.00 equiv, 3.00 mmol, 330 μL) was added dropwise. The septum on the vial was quickly replaced with the suitable sealed cap and the vial was immediately heated with the microwave synthesis reactor (100 °C, 30 min). After cooling, 2 M HCl aqueous solution (10 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 15 min, then extracted with Et 2 O (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product. Purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 2%) afforded pure 5a (222 mg, 725 μmol, 72%). Catalytic reaction performed under microwave conditions with iPrMgCl (Scheme 3, bottom). iPrMgCl (1.73 M solution in THF, 0.300 equiv, 900 μmol, 520 μL) was added dropwise, over 1 min, into a solution of Ti(OiPr) 4 (0.200 equiv, 600 μmol, 178 μL) in dry THF (4.5 mL), in a flame-dried 10 mL microwave vial, under argon at 0 °C. After 5 min of stirring at 0 °C, 2a (1.00 equiv, 3.00 mmol, 330 μL) was added dropwise. The septum on the vial was quickly replaced with the suitable sealed cap and the vial was immediately heated with the microwave synthesis reactor (100 °C, 30 min). After cooling, 2 M HCl aqueous solution (10 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 15 min, then extracted with Et 2 O (3 × 10 mL). General procedure GP was applied with 2l [added into the reaction mixture as a solution in THF (0.5 mL)]. Analysis of the crude product (422 mg, orange oil) by 13 C NMR spectroscopy showed full conversion of the starting material and the presence of 7l as the major product of the reaction. Purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 2%) afforded a 27 : 73 mixture of 5l and 7l (78.7 mg, 55.3 and 149 μmol respectively), pure 7l (6 mg, 16.0 μmol, 2%) and a mixture of 7l with other reduced compounds (ratio dichloro/monochloro compounds 28 : 72 as determined by MS; 75.5 mg, 60.3 and 155 μmol respectively). Assuming 7l is the sole dichloro product, the yields obtained are thus 6% (5l), 23% (7l) and 16% (9l and isomers).

7l. Colourless oil. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz): δ 7.09 (2 H, br d, J 8.5), 7.11 (2 H, br d, J 8.5), 7.23 (2 H, br d, J 8.5), 7.24 (2 H, br d, J 8.5), 7.38 (1 H, br t, J 7.5), 7.47 (1 H, d, J 8.0), 7.47 (2 H, br dd, J 8.0, 7.5), 7.61 (1 H, br d, J 2.0), 7.66 (2 H, br d, J 8.0), 7.66 (1 H, br dd, J 8.0, 2.0). 13 C NMR (CDCl 3 , 100.6 MHz): δ 126. 6, 127.1, 127.6, 128.32, 128.34, 128.9, 129.3, 131.03, 131.06, 131.10, 132.84, 132.92, 138.1, 139.2, 139.56, 139.64, 140.2, 140.9. HRMS (EI; performed on a 73 : 27 mixture of 7l and 5l): m/z 374.0639 (M +• C 24 H 16 35 Cl 2 +• requires 374.0624). 8l. 13 C NMR (CDCl 3 , 100.6 MHz), characteristic signals (tentative proposal): δ 126. 2, 126.8, 129.5, 138.1, 140.9, 141.1. Note: this compound was not obtained in pure form. It is proposed that as one of the contaminants observed in a mixture containing 7l and 9l. § Cyclotrimerisation reactions internal alkynes 12a-e (Table 4). Hexamethylbenzene 13a. General procedure GP was applied with 12a. Purification of the crude product (177 mg, yellow solid) by flash column chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether) afforded pure 13a (97.8 mg, 603 μmol, 60%). Hexapropylbenzene 13b. General procedure GP was applied with 12b. 1 H and 13 C NMR analyses of the crude product (orange oil) showed the presence of starting 12b as the main component (58%), (Z)-oct-4-ene (28%) and 13b (14%). Hexaphenylbenzene 13c. General procedure GP was applied with 12c. Analysis of the crude product by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy showed that it contained essentially only starting material 12c and cis-stilbene in 83:17 ratio. 13c was not detected. 1,2,4-Trimethyl-3,5,6-triphenyl-benzene 13d and 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-triphenyl-benzene 13'd. General procedure GP was applied with 12d. Purification of the crude product (412 mg, brown oil) by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 5%) afforded a 82 : 18 mixture of 13d and 13'd (208 mg, 597 μmol, 60%). 1,2,4-Triphenyl-3,5,6-tripropyl-benzene 13e and 1,3,5-triphenyl-2,4,6-tripropyl-benzene 13'e. General procedure GP was applied with 12e. Analysis of the crude product by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy showed that it contained essentially only starting material 12e and (Z)-1-phenyl-pent-1-ene in 61:39 ratio. Neither 13e nor 13'e were detected.

Scheme 2

 2 Scheme 2 Alkyne cyclotrimerisation mediated by 1: previous work and tentative mechanism.

  . Name., 2012, 00, 1-3 This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 20xx

  Scheme 3 Comparison of the uses of nBuLi and Grignard reagents in the titanium-catalysed cyclotrimerisation of phenylacetylene 2a.

Scheme 6

 6 Scheme 6Comparison of the two terminal alkyne cyclotrimerisation methods developed by our group.

14

Table 1

 1 Modification of the initial experimental procedure for the cyclotrimerisation of phenylacetylene 2a. a

	Entry	Ti(OiPr) 4 (equiv)	nBuLi (equiv)	solvent	T (° C)	time	5a/6a/2a ratio b	5a yield c
	1	2.2	3.3	THF	20	20 min 94:06:00	84%
	2	1.0	1.5	THF	20	20 min 36:36:28
	3 0.40 0.60	THF	20	20 h	91:09:00
	4 0.20 0.30	THF	20	20 h	60:07:33
	5 0.20 0.30	THF	66 (reflux) 20 h	92:08:00	68%
	6 0.10 0.15	THF	66 (reflux) 20 h	27:02:71
	7 d 0.20 0.30	THF	66 (reflux) 20 h	81:19:00	55%
	8 0.20 0.30 tBuOMe 55 (reflux) 20 h	72:04:24
	9 0.20 0.30	THF	70 (μW) e 45 min 91:09:00
	10 0.20 0.30	THF	70 (μW) e 30 min 93:07:00	74%
	11 0.20 0.30	THF	70 (μW) e 10 min 93:07:00
	12 0.10 0.15	THF	70 (μW) e 10 min 09:01:90
	13 0.10 0.15	THF	70 (μW) e 90 min 15:01:84

Table 2

 2 Cyclotrimerisation studies performed with phenylacetylene 2a, under microwave conditions.

	Entry	Ti(OiPr) 4 (equiv)	nBuLi (equiv)	solvent procedure a time (min)	5a/6a/2a ratio b	5a yield c
	1 d	0.20	0.30	THF	A e	30	93:07:00 74%
	2	0.20	0.30	THF	B	30	100:0:0 f
	3	0.20	0.30	THF	C	30	91:06:03 72%
	4	0.14	0.21	THF	C	30	95:05:00 71%
	5	0.10	0.15	THF	C	30	54:03:43
	6	0.10	0.15	THF	C	60	34:03:63
	7	0.070	0.105 THF	C	30	13

6a 2a 2a New Journal of Chemistry Accepted Manuscript Published

  C NMR spectroscopy. c Isolated yield. d Entry 1 is taken from Table 1 (entry 10) for comparison purposes.

						View Article Online
					DOI: 10.1039/C8NJ04931A
	[ 1 ] (generated at 0 °C) microwaves	Ph
	THF, 100 °C
	Ph	Ph	Ph	+	Ph	Ph	+
	(1.0 equiv)	5a

e Reaction performed at 70 °C. f Polymeric by-products were observed. on 16 November 2018. Downloaded by INIST -CNRS on 11/16/2018 8:35:41 AM.

d

  Yield estimated by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. §

			R
				2
			microwaves	R	R
			100 °C, 15 min
					R	R	+	R
					R
	Ph
	Ph	Ph			5b 78% (>98 : 2)
	5a
	84% (>98 : 2)
					OMe
				MeO	OMe
					5d
					57% (>98 : 2) b
				nC 5 H 11	5f 19% (97 : 3) d
			nC 5 H 11	nC 5 H 11
	5g 7% (98 : 2)	tBu	5h 86% (65 : 35)
	tBu		tBu
		5i			5j
	49% (86 : 14)		41% (89 : 11)

  Published on 16 November 2018. Downloaded by INIST -CNRS on 11/16/2018 8:35:41 AM.

			Please do not adjust margins
	(EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 2%) afforded pure	View Article Online
	5k (4.2 mg, 11.7 μmol, 1%) and a 52 : 48 mixture of 5k and 7k	DOI: 10.1039/C8NJ04931A
	(198 mg, 286 and 264 μmol respectively). The yields obtained
	for both compounds are thus 30% (5k) and 26% (7k).
	5k. Colourless oil. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz): δ 6.94 (1 H, ddd,
	J 10.0, 8.0, 1.0), 6.95 (1 H, ddd, J 10.0, 8.0, 1.0), 7.02 (2 H, br d,
	J 7.5), 7.13-7.24 (5 H, m), 7.23 (1 H, br t, J 7.5), 7.34 (1 H, tdd,
	J 8.0, 5.0, 2.0), 7.52 (1 H, d, J 8.0), 7.54 (1 H, dd, J 8.0, 2.0), 7.64
	(1 H, br s), 7.67 (1 H, ddd, J 8.0, 2.0, 1.5). 13 C NMR (CDCl 3 ,
	100.6 MHz): δ 115.3 (2 C, d, J 22.5), 116.2 (d, J 22.5), 123.6 (d,
	J 3.0), 123.6 (d, J 3.0), 124.4 (d, J 3.5), 128.5, 129.02 (d, J 8.0),
	129.03 (d, J 8.0), 129.2 (d, J 8.0), 130.8, 130.8, 131.3 (d, J 2.5),
	131.8 (2 C, br s), 135.0, 135.4, 135.8, 159.4 (d, J 247.0), 159.5
	(d, J 246.5), 159.8 (d, J 248.0). The signals of carbons C3, C11
	and C19 could not be identified with certainty. 19 F NMR (CDCl 3 ,
	282.4 MHz): δ -117.76 (1 F, br m), -115.32 (2 F, br m). HRMS
	(EI): m/z 360.1130 (M +• C 24 H 15 F 3 +• requires 360.1120).
	7k. Colourless oil. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz): δ 6.91-6.97 (2 H,
	m), 6.98-7.04 (2 H, m), 7.36 (1 H, br t, J 7.5), 7.45 (2 H, br t,
	J 7.5), 7.52 (1 H, d, J 8.0), 7.12-7.24 (4 H, m), 7.63-7.70 (2 H,
	m), 7.66 (2 H, br d, J 8.0). 13 C NMR (CDCl 3 , 100.6 MHz): δ 115.3
	(2 C, d, J 22.5), 123.5 (d, J 3.0), 123.6 (d, J 3.0), 126.5, 127.2,
	127.5, 128.8, 129.4, 128.9 (d, J 7.5), 129.0 (d, J 7.5), 131.1,
	131.7 (2 C, br s), 134.5, 136.0, 140.3, 140.8, 159.4 (d, J 247.0),
	159.4 (d, J 247.0). The signals of carbons C9 and C17 could not
	be identified with certainty. 19 F NMR (CDCl 3 , 282.4 MHz):
	δ -115.38 (2 F, br m). HRMS (EI): m/z 342.1221 (M +• C 24 H 16 F 2 +•
	requires 342.1215). Note: this compound was not obtained in
	pure form but as a mixture with other reduction compounds in
	minor amounts and with 5k.
	1,2,4-Tris(4-chlorophenyl)benzene 5l, 1,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-4-
	phenyl-benzene 7l, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4-diphenyl-benzene 8l
	and	1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-diphenyl-benzene	9l.
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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to École Polytechnique for the PhD grant awarded to G. S. We warmly thank Prof. Armin de Meijere from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen for a generous gift of cyclopropylacetylene, and Vincent Jactel for MS analyses. Y. S. also wishes to thank Prof. S. Z. Zard for his constant support.

New Journal of Chemistry Accepted Manuscript

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The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product (380 mg, brown sticky oil). 13 C NMR analysis showed full conversion of the starting material and the production of 1,2,4-and 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene 5a and 5'a in 60 : 40 ratio.

Purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 2%) afforded a 58 : 42 mixture of 5a and 5'a (197 mg, 642 μmol, 64%).

Reaction performed under optimised conditions (Table 3).

General procedure GP was applied with 2a. Purification of the crude product (420 mg, brown sticky oil) by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/petroleum ether, gradient from 0 to 2%) afforded pure 5a (257 mg, 839 μmol, 84%).

Cyclotrimerisation reactions of terminal alkynes 2b-j (Table 3). 1,2,4-Tri(cyclohexen-1-yl)benzene 5f and 1,3,5-tri(cyclohexen-1yl)benzene 5'f. General procedure GP was applied with 2f but the work-up was performed as follows: H 2 O (0.5 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred at r.t. for 30 min, before being filtered through a short pad of sand, MgSO 4 , celite and sand (from bottom to top) (rinsing: Et 2 O). The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO 4 and filtered. trans-Cinnamic acid (200 μmol, 29.6 mg) was added as an internal standard and the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product. 1 H NMR analysis, with comparison of the integrals of relevant signals, showed that 5f and 5'f had been produced in 19% yield (ratio 97 : 3). 1,2,4-Triisopropenylbenzene 5g and 1,3,5-triisopropenylbenzene 5'g. General procedure GP was applied with 2g. Purification of the crude product (278 mg) by flash column chromatography on silica gel (pentane) afforded pure 5g (11.2 mg) and a 90 : 10 mixture of 5g and the 1,3,5 isomer 5'g (3.0 mg). The total amount of triisopropenylbenzene isomers isolated is thus 13.2 mg (66.6 μmol, 7%). 1,2,4-Tripentylbenzene 5h and 1,3,5-tripentylbenzene 5'h.

General procedure GP was applied with 2h. Analysis of the crude product by 1 H NMR spectroscopy showed full conversion of the starting material and the production of 5h and 5'h in an estimated 65 : 35 ratio. Minor diene by-products 4h and 4'h made purification difficult and they were therefore destroyed by the following treatment: concentrated H 2 SO 4 (0.5 mL) was added dropwise to the crude product at 0 ºC. After 15 min of stirring at r.t., H 2 O (20 mL) was added dropwise at 0 ºC and the mixture was extracted with Et 2 O (3 × 20 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue (351 mg, brown oil) by flash column chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether) afforded a 62 : 38 mixture of 5h and 5'h (247 mg, 530 and 330 µmol respectively). The yields obtained for both compounds are thus 53% (5h) and 33% (5'h) 1,2,4-Tri(tert-butyl)benzene 5i and 1,3,5-tri(tert-butyl)benzene 5'i.

General procedure GP was applied with 2i. Purification of the crude product (360 mg, orange oil) by flash column chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether) afforded a 90 : 10 mixture of 5i and 5'i (121 mg, 491 μmol, 49%). 1,2,4-Tricyclopropylbenzene 5j and 1,3,5-tricyclopropylbenzene 5'j. General procedure GP was applied with 2j. Purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel (pentane) afforded pure 5j (28.1 mg, 142 μmol, 14%) and a 86 : 14 mixture of 5j and 5'j (52.7 mg, 229 and 37, μmol respectively). The yields obtained for both compounds are thus 37% (5j) and 4% (5'j).

Cyclotrimerisation reactions of halo substrates 2k-l (Scheme 4).

1,2,4-Tris(2-fluorophenyl)benzene 5k and 1,2-bis(2-fluorophenyl)-4-phenyl-benzene 7k. General procedure GP was applied with 2k. Analysis of the crude product by 13 C NMR spectroscopy showed full conversion of the starting material and the production of 5k and 7k in an estimated 55 : 45 ratio.

Purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts to declare. Prityskaya, Zh. Org. Khim., 1989, 25, 2244-2245; Russ. J. Org. Chem., 1989, 25, 2027-2028. 2 O. G. Kulinkovich, S. V. Sviridov and D. A. Vasilevski, Synthesis, 1991, 234-234. 3 Selected reviews: (a) A. Wolan and Y. Six, Tetrahedron, 2010, 66, 15-61; (b) A. Wolan and Y. Six, Tetrahedron, 2010, 66, 3097-3133; (c)

Notes and references