Interception and Synthetic Application of Diradical and Diene Forms of Dual-Nature Azabicyclic o-Quinodimethanes Generated by 6pi-Azaelectrocyclization

We demonstrate that 2-alkenylarylaldimines and ketimines undergo thermal 6pi-azaelectrocyclization to generate a wide range of azabicyclic o-quinodimethanes (o-QDMs). These o-QDMs exist as a hybrid of a diene and a benzylic diradical. The diradical nature was confirmed by their ability to undergo dimerization and react with H-atom donor, TEMPO and O2. In addition, the interception of the diradicaloid o-QDMs by H-atom transfer was used to synthesize five tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids and related bioactive molecules. The diene form can undergo [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with different dienophiles to generate bridged azabicycles in high endo:exo selectivity. The azabicyclic o-QDMs can be generated for [4 + 2] cycloaddition from a wide range of electronically and sterically varied 2-alkenylarylimines, including mono, di, tri and tetrasubstituted alkenes, and imines derived from arylamine, alkylamine (1°, 2°, 3°), benzylamine, benzylsulfonamide and Boc-amine.