Controlled oligomerization of [1.1.1]propellane through radical polarity matching: selective synthesis of SF₅- and CF₃SF₄-containing [2]staffanes

• Jón Atiba Buldt,
• Wang-Yeuk Kong,
• Yannick Kraemer,
• Masiel M. Belsuzarri,
• Ansh Hiten Patel,
• James C. Fettinger,
• Dean J. Tantillo and
• Cody Ross Pitts

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3134–3143, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.259

• oligomerizations involving [1.1.1]propellane – i.e., to make [n]staffanes – has been notoriously challenging to control when n > 1 is desired. Herein, we report selective syntheses of SF5- and CF3SF4-containing [2]staffanes from SF5Cl and CF3SF4Cl, demonstrating cases whereby oligomerization is preferentially

• -containing [2]staffane in the solid state. Keywords: pentafluorosulfanylation; [1.1.1]propellane; radical chain oligomerization; staffanes; strain-release; Introduction In various radical additions of X–Y across [1.1.1]propellane (1), functionalized oligomers known as [n]staffanes – with n > 1, where n

• denotes the number of individual [1.1.1]bicyclopentane (BCP) linkers – are often observed and swiftly devalorized as side-products [1]. However, targeted synthesis of functionalized [n]staffanes as rigid "molecular spacers" as proposed by Kaszynski and Michl [2][3][4] could facilitate new developments in

Insertion of [1.1.1]propellane into aromatic disulfides

• Robin M. Bär,
• Gregor Heinrich,
• Martin Nieger,
• Olaf Fuhr and
• Stefan Bräse

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 1172–1180, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.114

• in most cases. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the rod-like structure of the [2]staffanes that is often required in material applications. Keywords: bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane; bioisosteres; disulfides; linkers; [1.1.1]propellane; Introduction Rigid structures are emerging in both

• ] the compound and its reactions were intensely investigated [10]. Michl et al. synthesized terminally functionalized polymers derived from 1, so-called [n]staffanes, and discussed their application as rigid tectones [11][12]. The characteristic reactivity of 1 emerges from the strained central bond

• the first to use UV irradiation in this reaction, but did not report detailed conditions [28]. They used diacetyldithiol and 1 to obtain bisacetylthio[n]staffanes. To find feasible conditions for the insertion of 1 into disulfide bonds, a screening with irradiations of different wavelengths and other