Intramolecular cyclization of organometallic compounds represents
a promising tool for synthesis in general. The use of strategically-
placed heteroatoms in the cyclizing molecule can influence
the stereochemistry and/or efficiency of an organometallic cyclization
while providing for functionality in the cyclic product.
The work described herein first concerns cyclizations of organolithiums....
The stereospecific reagent-controlled homologation (StReCH) of boronic esters with enantioenriched carbenoid species generated in situ by the addition of organolithium initiators to stereodefined α-chloroalkyl aryl sulfoxides was previously reported. The reaction of an organolithium with an α-chloroalkyl aryl sulfoxide ostensibly generates an α-chloroalkyllithium via sulfoxide-lithium exchange; however, the true nature...