Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Endocyclic Allenes and Their Application in Stereoselective [2 + 2]Cycloaddition with Ketenes

Palladium-catalyzed reactions of various 2-bromo-3-exo-methylenecycloalkenes with a stabilized nucleophile were examined. When the carbocycles were nine-membered or larger, the corresponding endocyclic allenes were isolated in excellent yields. In a reaction of the eight-membered cyclic substrate, initial formation of a cycloocta-1,2-diene derivative was detected; however, it dimerized slowly. The seven-membered carbocycle was inert to the reaction. Using a chiral Pd-catalyst, an axially chiral endocyclic allene was obtained in 65% ee. The cyclic allenes were applied to [2 + 2]cycloaddition with ketenes, and the stereoselectivity was studied.