Photoinduced [4 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions of vinyldiazo compounds for the construction of heterocyclic and bicyclic rings

Highly selective formal [4 + 2]-cycloaddition of vinyldiazoacetates with azoalkenes from α-halohydrazones, as well as with cyclopentadiene and furan, occurs with light irradiation at room temperature, producing highly functionalized heterocyclic and bicyclic compounds in good yields and excellent diastereoseletivity. Under blue light these vinyldiazoacetate reagents selectively form unstable cyclopropenes that undergo intermolecular cycloaddition reactions at a faster rate than their competitive ene dimerization. [4 + 2]-cycloaddition of vinyldiazoacetates with in situ formed azoalkenes produces bicyclo[4.1.0]tetrahydropyridazine derivatives and, together with their cycloaddition using cyclopentadiene and furan that form tricyclic compounds, they occur with high chemoselectivity and diastereocontrol, good functional group tolerance, and excellent scalability. Subsequent transformations portray the synthetic versatility of these structures. Under blue light vinyldiazoacetate reagents selectively form unstable cyclopropenes that undergo intermolecular cycloaddition reactions at a faster rate than their competitive ene dimerization.