1. Advanced Organic Synthesis
Dr. A. G. Nikalje

2. 9. Latent Polarity
Think about some of the reactions we've looked at for carbonyl compounds:
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3. Let, 2/

4. 10. Latent polarity in bifunctional compounds
Consider a 1,3-disubstituted molecule, e.g.
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5. Let, 2/

6. Let, 2/

7. But what about 1,4-disubstitution?
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8. Let, 2/

9. The German word UMPOLUNG, meaning polarity reversal is used to describe the situation where the polarity in a compound is deliberately changed to facilitate a particular reaction.
example:
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10. 11. Strategy in retrosynthesis
Consider different possibilities.
Try a number of disconnections and FGI's.
Try to keep the number of steps down, and stick to known & reliable reactions.
In real life, a synthesis has to be economically viable.
Whenever possible, go for a convergent route rather than a linear one, as this will lead to a higher overall yield
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11. eg. Linear vs. convergent synthesis assume 80% yields (optimistic!)
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12. Linear:
Convergent:
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13. 12. Aim for the greatest simplification 1
12. Aim for the greatest simplification 1. make disconnections towards the middle of the molecule
(this is more convergent anyway) 2. disconnect at branch points 3. use symmetry where possible eg. (towards the middle)
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14. eg. (at branches)
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15. eg. (look for symmetry)
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16. better syntheses minimise the use of protecting groups.
Alternatively, potentially reactive groups can be protected or masked so
they don't react, eg. reduction of an ester in the presence of a ketone
Note that protection strategy requires two extra steps (must be efficient);
better syntheses minimise the use of protecting groups.
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17. Sometimes it helps the retrosynthesis
if you add a functional group to facilitate bond formation
(Functional Group Addition, FGA).
An example of this is acetoacetic ester synthesis:
Thus:
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18. The synthesis therefore is
Let, 2/

19. 13. Ring Closing Reactions
Synthesis of carbocyclic molecules
Same approach as to acyclic systems. The probability of reaction between two functional groups is higher if:
a) reaction is intramolecular (faster reaction)
b) the distance between the two groups is shorter
e.g. Intramolecular alkylation:
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20. e.g. Intramolecular alkylation:
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21. Intramolecular acylation eg. the Dieckmann cyclisation;
especially good for 5-membered rings:
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22. Condensation:
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23. similarly 14. Medium and Large Rings (8-11 membered and 12+)
Intramolecular reaction is less favoured with bigger rings. Often, high-dilution conditions and slow addition can be used to suppress intermolecular reaction and hence promote ring closure.
eg.
similarly
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24. eg 15. Cycloaddition reaction (Diels-Alder)
Generic reaction (in retrosyntheic terms): eg
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25. Unsymmetrical Diels-Alder reactions:
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26. note that the 1,3-disubstituted product is the minor product in both cases
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27. 16. Disconnections & Functional Group Interconversion in Aromatic Systems
Some reactions used in aliphatic systems don't apply for aromatic systems
(SN1 and SN2 reactions, for example, are extremely unfavourable for ArX.
eg.
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28. In planning synthesis of polysubstituted aromatics,
the order of reactions is important to ensure that the reagents are compatible
and to take advantage of the directing effect of existing substituents:
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29. Examples
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30. 17. Birch Reduction
Partial reduction of aromatic systems by (usually) sodium in liquid ammonia.
It's an example of dissolving metal reduction.
Such methods used to be quite popular but most applications have been replace by modern hydride reagents.
Dissolving metal reduction does still have it's uses thoughand the Birch reduction is one of them, . (also recall the specific reduction of alkynes totrans-alkenes).
The typical conditions involve liquid ammonia (bp. −33 °C) and sodium metal,in the presence of a proton source (usually an alcohol, EtOH).
Let, 2/

31. Let, 2/

32. 18. Fusing Rings onto aromatic systems
The classical Hayworth naphthalene synthesis.
The fused aromatic system is formed by dehydration of a tetralin intermediate,
which is prepared from an existing benzene ring and succinic anhydride.
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33. Thus:
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34. 19. Blocking positions in aromatic rings
Functional groups that are introduced reversibly, or can be easily cleaved under mild condtions, can be used to access otherwise
hard-to-make compounds
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35. You have to know the terminology of stereochemistry
a) Chiral, achiral compounds.
b) Stereogenic, nonstereogenic centers.
c) Enantiomers, diastereomers.
d) Prochiral, prostereogenic.
e) Enantiotopic, diastereotopic atoms and faces.
f) Ways of drawing stereochemistry.
g) For two adjacent stereocenters, we can use
i. (R) and (S)
ii. For cyclic structures, cis and trans
iii. threo and erythro (very old-fashioned)
iv. syn and anti (for a chain drawn in zigzag fashion)
v. like and unlike (only Europeans use this one)
Let, 2/