Catalyzed reactions of 1,2-bisketenes - Source for new classes of potentially biologically active compounds

New catalytic reactions have been developed to transform readily available 1,2-bisketenes into valuable precursors for preparative organic chemistry a nd into potentially biologically active compounds. In addition to the catal ytic stepwise conversion of both ketenyl groups of various 1,2-bisketenes w ith nucleophiles and olefins to form medium-ring compounds, cycloaddition p roducts and several succinic derivatives, a new copper complex catalyzed ri ng closure reaction with hydroxyl group bearing compounds was discovered, w hich leads to almost unknown ring products - 5-alkoxy-2,3-dihydrofuran-2-on es - as potential biomimetics. Secondary reactions of the new ring products are also a subject of this account. 1 Introduction 2 Amine catalyzed enantioselective mono addition of alcohols to 1,2-biskete nes 3 Carboxamide catalyzed mono addition of nucleophiles to 1,2-bisketenes 4 Copper complex catalyzed ring closure reactions of 1,2-bisketenes 5 Secondary reactions of the new ring products 6 Secondary reactions of the remaining ketenyl group of the ketenyl esters 7 Further catalyzed reactions of 1,2-bisketenes 8 Conclusion.