A 2-Azapentadienyl Carbanion: a Nonstereospecific Electrocyclization

Abstract

Treatment of 1,3,5-triphenyl-4-aza-1,3-pentadiene under selected basic conditions leads to either isomerization among the azapentadienes or to cyclization. Analysis of the products from reaction under aprotic conditions (LiTMP in THF) suggested that the open-chain delocalized carbanion exists in both the W and sickle forms. The open-chain anions were observed to electrocyclize in a nonstereospecific manner to produce a 1:1 mixture of cis- and trans-2,4,5-triphenyl-1-pyrrolines. Reaction in protic media (methanol and tert-butyl alcohol) produced a 1,5-proton transfer as well as cyclization. The details of the 1,5-proton transfer reaction were elucidated using methanol-O-d and the collapse preferences and intramolecularity in this medium were determined.