This study is part of an ongoing effort to develop synthetic access to bicyclic lactones (AB-ring system) and later tricyclic iridoid lactones, structures that are inherently present in many bioactive secondary metabolites. Among the most notable sources of such compounds is Verbena littoralis, a medicinal plant traditionally used across South America to treat diarrhea, typhoid, and tonsillitis. More recently, extracts of V. littoralis have been reported to potentiate nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12D cells, suggesting that its iridoid lactone constituents may serve as promising lead structures for neurodegenerative disease research [1][2].

The key bioactive component littoralisone, a highly oxygenated iridoid lactone, embodies a complex tricyclic lactone scaffold. Such motifs are frequently found in natural products with neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties [3]. Motivated by their pharmacological potential, our group has previously reported multiple routes for the stereoselective synthesis of bicyclic lactones, including an annelation protocol involving 2-chlorocyclopentanone and diesters [4], and a Lewis acid-mediated ene-reaction strategy utilizing silver triflate as a promoter [5].

In this work, we expand our synthetic toolbox by applying a photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition strategy, specifically the reaction of cyclopentene-1-one with ketene, to access highly functionalized bicyclic lactone cores. This approach offers several synthetic advantages, including mild reaction conditions, minimal byproducts, and high stereocontrol. Photochemical [2+2] cycloadditions of enones and ketenes are well-established for generating strained and reactive bicyclic intermediates, suitable for further derivatization into natural product-inspired scaffolds [6][7].

As shown in Figure 1, this method provides an efficient entry into the target lactone framework while simultaneously enabling ketone functionalization. This feature is particularly important for elaboration toward tricyclic iridoid analogs, positioning this approach as a versatile and practical alternative for accessing neuroactive lactone architectures.

Figure 1. Retro-synthetically guided photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of cyclopent-2-en-1-one ketene.

The photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of cyclopent-2-en-1-one with 1,1-dimethoxyethylene, a ketene acetal, was carried out under UV irradiation to produce the corresponding bicyclic cyclobutane adduct. The use of 1,1-dimethoxyethylene serves as a stabilized enol-ether analogue of ketene, offering safer handling while maintaining the reactivity required for photocycloaddition. This approach provides a convenient route to bicyclic lactone intermediates that serve as precursors to iridoid-inspired tricyclic scaffolds. A quick retrosynthetic analysis reveals that replacement of cyclopentadiene with cyclopentene-1-one (1) should lead us to AB-ring system (4) lacking a side chain. It was hoped the ketone could provide easier functionalization and further elaboration of the bicyclic framework. This strategy in the end finally rewarded us with some success.

The protocol is depicted in Figure 1. 1,1-Dimethoxyethene (2)was redistilled twice prior to its photochemical reaction; the ensuing photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition proceeded without any problem and the reaction was quantitative with two products being formed. The cycloadduct (3), thus formed, had a ¹H NMR spectrum that displayed methylene protons (dd, J 8.8 Hz, centred at 2.49 ppm), two resonances for the methoxy groups (s, 3.18 ppm and 3.16 ppm), and bridgehead protons at 2.68 - 2.49 ppm. The molecular ion peak (MH⁺ 171) together with the presence of nine carbons as shown in the ¹³C NMR bears testimony to a successful [2+2] cycloaddition. The carbonyl stretches at 1735 cm⁻¹ together with ¹³C NMR chemical shifts 221.9 (C=O), 101.3 (C(OMe)₂), also provide additional evidence for the formation of (3).However, a side product was also isolated. This product (5) was characterized by the appearance of a band at 1748 cm⁻¹ in the IR spectrum. The ¹H NMR spectrum showed a two proton multiplet at 3.82-3.65 ppm and a two proton multiplet at 3.39 - 3.15 ppm corresponding to the four methine protons. The molecular ion peak at (MH⁺ 164) further showed the undesired adduct to be (5)The photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition between cyclopent-2-en-1-one and 1,1-dimethoxyethylene afforded two products: the desired cycloadduct (3) in 23% yield and the cyclopentenone photodimer (5) as the major product (75%). This outcome suggests that under the present reaction conditions, self-dimerization of cyclopentenone competes strongly with the intended cross-cycloaddition. Such behavior is consistent with literature reports of enone photochemistry, where high substrate concentration or extended irradiation often favors dimer formation. Optimization of reaction parameters, such as lowering the concentration of cyclopentenone, modifying solvent polarity, or using a selective wavelength filter could potentially suppress homodimerization and enhance the formation of the target cycloadduct (3). The side product (5) was identified as the known photodimer of cyclopent-2-en-1-one,formed through [2 + 2] self-cycloaddition of the enone under UV irradiation. This side reaction competes effectively with the intended cycloaddition, accounting for the high proportion of dimer observed relative to the desired adduct (3) (Figure 2).

Figure 2.Photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of cyclopent-2-en-1-one with 1,1-dimethoxyethylene and competing enone photodimerization.

Commercial reagents were obtained from Aldrich and Lancaster chemical suppliers and were used directly as supplied or purified prior to use following the guidelines of Perrin and Amarego [9]. Dichloromethane and acetonitrile were refluxed over and distilled from CaH₂ prior to use. Diethyl ether and ethanol were obtained dry from Aldrich. THF was dried by distillation from the sodium benzophenone ketyl radical under nitrogen. Light petroleum is the fraction of petroleum ether boiling in the range 30-40˚C, and it was fractionally distilled through a 36 cm Vigreux column before use.

Non-aqueous reagents were transferred under argon via syringe. Organic solutions were concentrated under reduced pressure on a Büchi rotary evaporator using a water bath. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on Merck aluminium-backed plates coated with 0.2 mm silica gel 60-F plates. Visualization of the developed chromatogram was performed by UV fluorescence quenching at 254 nm, or by staining with a KMnO₄ solution.

¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DPX250 (250 MHz for protons) and a Brüker AMX400 (400 MHz for protons). Data for ¹H NMR are reported as follows: chemical shift (δ-ppm), multiplicity (s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, q = quartet, m = multiplet), integration, coupling constant in (Hz). Data for ¹³C NMR spectra are reported in terms of chemical shift (ppm) down field from TMS.

IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer Paragon 1000 or a Perkin Elmer 881 spectrometer as a thin film between sodium chloride plates or as a KBr disk. All absorptions are reported in terms of frequency of absorption (cm⁻¹).

Mass spectrometric data were recorded on VG Autospec, under conditions of chemical ionisation (C.I) using ammonia as the ionising source. Peaks are quoted in the form (m/z) (relative intensity).

6,6-dimethoxybicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-2-one (6) [10]

anti-tricyclo[5.3.0^2,6]decan-3,8-dione(5)

Solution of redistilled cyclopentanone (4.00 g, 48.8 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in pentane (70 mL) was added 1,1-dimethoxy-ethylene (4.30 g, 48.8 mmol, 1.00 equiv) under nitrogen was cooled in a dry ice bath and irradiated using high pressure mercury arc, quartz well, and corex filter in a Rayonet^® photoreactor (366 nm) for 3 h. TLC analysis indicated no starting material was present. The solvent was removed in vacuo,and the residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica, eluting with hex: ethyl acetate (2:1) to afford (273)as a colourless oil (6.1 g, 75%); υ_max (thin film/cm⁻¹), 2928, 1718, 1636, 1158; δ_H (250 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.82 - 3.65 (2H, m, O=CCH=CHC=O), 3.39 - 3.15 (2H, m, O=CCH=CHC=O), 2-86-2.70 (4H, m, CH₂C=O, CH₂C=O), 2.52 - 1.99 (4H, m, CH₂C=O, CH₂C=O); δ_C (62.5 MHz, CDCl₃) 220.1, 49.9, 37.7, 36.5, 28.5; m/z (C.I) 164 (M⁺, 100%), 162, (56%), 161, (8%) C₁₀H₁₃O₂, requires 164.0837, found, 164.0834; further elution gave (272) (1.9 g, 23%), m.p. 29-30˚C; υ_max (thin film/cm⁻¹), 2970, 2836, 1735, 1142, 1043; δ_H (250 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.18 (1H, s, COCH₃), 3.16 (1H, s, COCH₃ ), 2.68 - 2.49 (2H, m, CH=CH bridgehead), 2.49 (1H, dd, J8.8 Hz, J 3.0 Hz, CH₂COMe₂), 2.33 - 2.15 (3H, m, CH₂COMe_2,CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂), 2.02 - 1.93 (2H, m, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂); δ_C (62.5 MHz, CDCl₃) 221.9, 101.3, 48.8, 48.7, 45.5, 37.9, 37.1, 35.8, 20.9; m/z (C.I) 171 (MH⁺, 79%), 169 (48%), 167 (9%), 163 (5%), 161 (11%), C₉H₁₆O₃, requires 171.1022 found, 171.1016.

Bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2,6-dione(6) [10]

To a stirred solution of 6,6-dimethoxybicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-2-one (272) (70 mg, 0.41 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in water (5 mL) and THF (1 mL) was added two drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 10 h until TLC analysis showed no presence of starting material. The product was concentrated invacuo to remove the THF and most of the water. The residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (4 × 10 mL), washed with brine (4 × 5 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated invacuo to give a near colourless oil. The oil was further purified by column chromatography on silica using hexane: ethyl acetate (1:1) to afford the title compound (268) as a colourless oil (43 mg, 85%); υ_max (thin film/cm⁻¹), 3164, 2360, 1783, 1738, 1145; δ_H (250 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.95 - 3.51 (2H, m, CHC=O, CH₂C=O), 3.06 - 2.98 (2H, m, CHCH₂C=O, CH₂C=O), 2.58 - 2.15 (4H, m, CH₂CH_2, CH₂CH₂C=O); δ_C (62.5 MHz, CDCl₃) 224.4, 221.6, 61.9, 52.4, 36.2, 36.1, 22.3; m/z (C.I) 124 (M⁺, 21%), 123, (67%), 100, (99%), 86 (54%), 84 (82%), C₇H₉O₂, requires 124.0524, found, 124.0519.

Tetrahydro-cyclopenta[b]furan-2,4-dione(4)

To a stirred solution of bicyclo [3.2.0] hept-2-ene-6-one (268) (50.0 mg, 0.40 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in 90% aqueous acetic acid (5 mL) cooled to 0˚C was added 27.5% H₂O₂ (110 mg, 3.23 mmol, 8.00 equiv) in 90% aqueous acetic acid (5 mL). The reaction was allowed to warm-up to room temperature for 24 hr, by which time TLC analysis revealed a new product had been formed. The product was extracted with ether (4 × 10 mL), washed with 10% aqueous sodium sulfite (2 × 5 mL) and saturated sodium carbonate (4 × 5 mL). The ether layer was dried over MgSO₄ and the solvents were removed in vacuo. Column chromatography on silica, eluting with hexane: ethyl acetate gave the product as a colourless oil (36 mg, 64%); υ_max (thin film/cm⁻¹), 2929, 2851, 1751, 1737, 1644, 1088; δ_H (250 MHz, CDCl₃) 5.24 (1H, t, J5.0 Hz, CHO), 2.96 (1H, dddd, J 5.0 Hz, J 2.5 Hz, CH=CH₂C=O), 2.85 (1H, d, J 10 Hz, J 2.5 Hz, CH₂C=O), 2.78 (1H, d, J 15.0 Hz, CH₂C=O), 2.57 - 2.43 (3H, m, CH₂CHO, CH₂C=O), 2.32 - 2.22 (1H, m, CH₂CHO); δ_C (62.5 MHz, CDCl₃) 209, 176.6, 82.6, 77.6, 48.0, 35.0, 32.8, 27.3; m/z (C.I) 141 (MH⁺, 90%), 130 (61%), 132 (100%), 112 (21%), 99 (11%) C₇H₁₀O₃ requires 141.0809, found, 141.0549.

Dr. Bello Makama conducted all experimental work, analyzed the results, and drafted the manuscript. Prof. Laurence M. Harwood supervised the project and contributed to the characterization of all compounds via NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry, as well as providing critical revisions to the manuscript. While Samia Elashry contributed significantly to the writing of the manuscript.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the University of Reading, United Kingdom, for providing laboratory space, instrumentation, and technical support essential to the successful completion of this research.