This article is dedicated to the late Sandra ‘Sandy’ Newman of the Van D. and Barbara
B. Fishback Honors College at South Dakota State University.
Abstract
Ketene N,O-acetals are robust and versatile synthons. Herein, we outline the synthesis of stable
ketene N,O-acetals in the twenty-first century. In addition, we review recent developments in
the chemistry of ketene N,O-acetals, as it applies to the vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, electrolysis,
and pericyclic transformations. While dated reports rely on in situ use, modern methods
of ketene N,O-acetal synthesis are heavily oriented towards producing products with high ‘bench’
stability; moreover, in the present century, chemists typically enhance the stability
of ketene N,O-acetals by positioning an electron-withdrawing group at the β-terminus or at the
N-position. As propitious substrates in the vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, ketene
N,O-acetals readily provide polyketide adducts with high regioselectivity. When exposed
to electrolysis conditions, the title functional group forms a reactive radical cation
and cleanly couples with a variety of activated olefins. Given their electron-rich
nature, ketene N,O-acetals act as facile substrates in several rearrangement reactions; further, ketene
N,O-acetals reserve the ability to act as either dienophiles or dienes in Diels–Alder
reactions. Lastly, ketene N,O-acetals are seemingly more stable than their O,O-counterparts and more reactive than analogous N,N- or S,S-acetals; these factors, in combination, make ketene N,O-acetals advantageous substitutes for other ketene acetal homologues.
1 Introduction
2 Select Methods of Stabilization-Oriented Ketene N,O-Acetal Synthesis
3 Ketene N,O-Acetals in the Vinylogous Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction
4 Ketene N,O-Acetals in Anodic Coupling and Electrochemical Oxidation Reactions
5 Rearrangement and Diels–Alder Reactions of Ketene N,O-Acetals
6 Conclusions, Perspectives, and Directions
Key words
ketene acetals - push-pull alkenes - imide enolates - vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction
- Kobayashi reaction - electrolysis - rearrangement - Diels–Alder reactions