The regioselectivity of addition of organolithium reagents to enones and enals: The role of HMPA

The role of polar solvents (particularly HMPA) in controlling the ratio of 1,2 to 1,4 addition of sulfur-substituted organolithium reagents to cyclohexenones and hexenal was studied. Low-temperature, multinuclear NMR studies provided quantitative information about the ratio of contact (CIP) and solvent-separated (SIP) ion pairs in solutions of dithianyllithiums and phenylthiobenzyllithiums in THF-HMPA solutions. The ratio of contact and separated ion pairs was manipulated by changes in the strength of solvation (generally through the addition of HMPA). Although the results are consistent with the CIP/SIP distribution being an important factor in determining the regioselectivity of these additions (Curtin-Hammett limitations prevent a direct correlation), it cannot be the only one. Changes in diastereomeric product ratios upon addition of HMPA suggest that complexation of HMPA to lithium has two effects. First, it causes ion pair separation, which enhances 1,4 addition. Second, it lowers the Lewis acidity and catalytic effectiveness of the lithium cation, which also favors 1,4 addition. For most sulfur-stabilized lithium reagents, 2 equiv of HMPA suffice to achieve >95% 1.4 addition, whereas 4 equiv of DMPU are required to achieve identical regiochemical and stereochemical results.