Synthesis of (Z)-1-benzylidene-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-1H-indene-2,2(3H)-dicarbonitriles via three-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, malononitrile, and indole

Three-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, malononitrile, and indole under mild conditions is described, which generates the desired (Z)-1-benzylidene-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-1H-indene-2,2(3H)-dicarbonitriles in moderate to good yields. This reaction proceeds smoothly with high selectivity. The tandem condensation, nucleophilic addition, and 5-exo-cyclization may be involved in the process.     

Site-selective Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of 2,3-dibromo-1H-inden-1-one

The first transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 2,3-dibromo-1H-inden-1-one are reported. The Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of 2,3-dibromo-1H-inden-1-one with 2 equiv of arylboronic acid gave 2,3-diaryl-1H-inden-1-ones. The reaction with 1 equiv of arylboronic acid gave 2-bromo-3-aryl-1H-inden-1-ones with very good site-selectivity. The one-pot reaction of 2,3-dibromo-1H-inden-1-one with two different arylboronic acids afforded 2,3-diaryl-1H-inden-1-ones containing two different terminal aryl groups.     

New efficient synthesis of 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolines by a sequential Van Leusen/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/carbodiimide-mediated cyclization

A new efficient synthesis of multisubstituted 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinoline derivatives via sequential van Leusen/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/carbodiimide-mediated cyclization was developed. Azides 4, obtained from Van Leusen reaction of 2-azidobenzaldehyde 1, amine 2 and TosMIC (tosylmethyl isocyanide) 3, reacted with triphenyl phosphine to produce iminophosphorane 5. A tandem aza-Wittig reaction of iminophosphorane 5 with isocyanate generated 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinoline 7 through carbodiimide intermediate 6 in moderate to good yield.     

Stereospecific preparation of (2E, 4Z)-monofluorodienyl esters by the Heck reaction of high E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes

High E/Z ratio (E/Z>75:25) 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes, which were prepared by isomerization of 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes (E/Z≈1:1), underwent the Heck reaction with methyl acrylate, and (2E, 4Z)-methyl 5-aryl-4-fluoropenta-2,4-dienoates were successfully isolated. Heck reactions of (Z)-1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes also occur. However, the products are difficult to separate in a pure form, since they have an obvious tendency to isomerize on a silica gel column.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 3a,7a-dihydro-3H,4H-furo[3,4-c]pyran-1-ones via intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction

The synthesis of 3a,7a-dihydro-3H,4H-furo[3,4-c]pyran-1-ones via an intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of easily accessible α,β-unsaturated γ-ketoesters was investigated. The reaction was found to proceed in a highly stereoselective way leading to single, cis-configured product isomers. The same diastereomer is formed, independently of the configuration of the enone double bond of the precursor. The respective E- and Z-isomers react either through an endo-E-syn or an exo-Z-syn transition state.     

Synthesis of (+)-(1S,2R) and (−)-(1R,2S)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acids

(+)-(1S,2R) and (−)-(1R,2S)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acids have been prepared in >97% ee and in 33% and 20% overall yields starting from a single, chiral, bicyclic compound perceived as a chiral uracil equivalent. Construction of the cyclobutane ring is achieved via a [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction of this chiral precursor with ethylene.     

Racemic [1SR,2RS,(RS)]-N-cyano(phenyl)methyl-1-aminoindan-2-ol: crystal structure and reactivity towards thermal epimerization in the solid state

A diastereomeric mixture of racemic α-amino nitriles [1SR,2RS,(SR)]- (1) and [1SR,2RS,(RS)]-N-cyano(phenyl)methyl-1-aminoindan-2-ol (2) was thermally epimerized in the solid state to give diastereopure [1SR,2RS,(SR)]-1. The reaction was about 26 times slower than the same reaction of a mixture of their enantiopure counterparts, showing that different mechanisms operated between the two transformations. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that in the former transformation, racemic-compound crystals of 2 were converted into conglomerate crystals of 1, while in the latter, enantiomeric crystals of 2 were converted into enantiomeric crystals of 1. The difference in the reactivity toward the epimerization between the racemic and the enantiopure mixture could be rationalized by the difference in the stability of compound 2 in the two crystal forms.     

Indium(III)chloride catalyzed synthesis of novel 1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-5,10-diones and 1H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-5,8-diones under solvent-free condition

An efficient, inexpensive and environmentally friendly synthesis of novel 3-amino-2-benzoyl-1-aryl-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-5,10-dione and 3-amino-2-benzoyl-1-aryl-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-5,8-dione derivatives has been developed via one-pot three-component reaction of phthalhydrazide or maleic hydrazide, aldehydes and arylacetonitrile in the presence of catalytic amount of InCl₃ as a Lewis acid catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The most important features of the present protocol are mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, high yields, and a wide range of functional group tolerance.     

A facile method for the stereoselective preparation of (1E,3E)-4-substituted-1-amino-1,3-dienes via 1,4-elimination

The 1,4-elimination reaction of 1-amino-4-methoxy-(2Z)-alkenes is shown to proceed with high (1E,3E)-stereoselectivities to afford the corresponding 4-substituted-1-amino-1,3-dienes in good yield. The scope and stereochemical features of the synthetic method are described.     

Domino pericyclic reactions of acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes

Acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes, upon thermolysis, undergo a domino pericyclic process involving 6π electrocyclisation of the (E,Z,E)-triene moiety to give the corresponding cis-disubstituted 5-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadienes, followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction with the vinyl side chain to give tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]oct-3-enes.     

Heck reactions of aryl bromides with alk-1-en-3-ol derivatives catalysed by a tetraphosphine/palladium complex

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ efficiently catalyses the Heck reaction of alk-1-en-3-ol with a variety of aryl bromides. In the presence of hex-1-en-3-ol or oct-1-en-3-ol, the β-arylated carbonyl compounds were selectively obtained. Linalool and 2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol led to the corresponding 1-arylalk-1-en-3-ol derivatives. Turnover numbers up to 69,000 can be obtained for this reaction. A minor electronic effect of the substituents of the aryl bromide was observed. Similar reaction rates were observed in the presence of activated aryl bromides such as bromoacetophenone and deactivated aryl bromides such as bromoanisole.     

Formation of benzo[c]thiophen-1-aminium iodide by the reaction of o-alkynylbenzothioamide with iodine

Reaction of o-alkynylbenzothioamide with molecular iodine was investigated. Unique benzo[c]thiophen-1-aminium iodide was obtained when the tertiary thioamide was used as a reactant. The reaction proceeded efficiently in less polar solvent, whereas the corresponding product was also obtained in a polar solvent. Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the benzo[c]thiophen-1-aminium structure possesses a resonance structure in N–C–S bond. Its stabilization shows a clear difference in the result from the reaction of amide analogue with iodine to give no stable compound.     

Reaction of 1-alkyl/aryl-3-amino-1H,3H-quinoline-2,4-diones with urea. Synthetic route to novel 3-(3-acylureido)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ones, 4-alkylidene-1′H-spiro[imidazolidine-5,3′-indole]-2,2′-diones, and 3,3a-dihydro-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-2,4-diones

1-Substituted 3-alkyl/aryl-3-amino-1H,3H-quinoline-2,4-diones react with urea in boiling acetic acid to give products depending on the type of substitution in position 3 and at the nitrogen atom of the 3-amino group. Starting compounds bearing a primary amino group in position 3 give 3-(3-acylureido)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ones. Starting compounds bearing a secondary amino group in position 3 react according to the character of the other substituent in position 3. If there is a hydrogen atom α to the carbon atom C(3), 4-alkylidene-1′H-spiro[imidazolidine-5,3′-indole]-2,2′-diones arise. If a hydrogen atom is not present in this position, the reaction leads to 3,3a-dihydro-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-2,4-diones. Reaction mechanisms for these transformations are proposed. All compounds were characterized by their ¹H, ¹³C, IR and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectra and some of them also by ¹⁵N NMR data.     

Regioselective synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 1-alkyl pyrrolo[2,3-b] quinoxalines through palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of chalcones and evaluation of their anti-bacterial activities

The regioselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-aryl-3-acyl pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines through palladium-catalyzed Heck coupling reaction/heteroannulation was reported. The reaction of N-alkyl/benzyl-3-chloroquinoxaline-2-amines with chalcones catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of KO^tBu, as the base, in DMSO afforded the desired products in good-to-high yields. The MIC and MBC determinations revealed that these compounds could be used in the future research works for the development of antibiotics.     

Hydrophosphonylation of chiral hexahydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives as an effective route to new bicyclic compounds: Aminophosphonates,enamines and imines

A series of new aminophosphonate and phosphonic acid derivatives of hexahydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and tetrahydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were synthesised via hydrophosphonylation of the corresponding bicyclic imines with various dialkyl or diaryl H-phosphonates, H-phosphinates or H-phosphine oxides as phosphorus nucleophiles. The utility of the obtained compounds was demonstrated by their application as a source of phosphonate carbanion in the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction leading to new bicyclic amines with an exocyclic, and unexpectedly, also endocyclic double bond depending on the structure of the aldehyde used.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and density of (W1−xAlx)C

A new solid solution system of Al in WC, with the stoichiometry of (W_1−xAl_x)C (x=0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 0.86), has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction between W_1−xAl_x alloys and carbon at around 1673 K in vacuum. Environment scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma analyses are used to certify the formation of the products. The mechanism of the solid-state reaction is also discussed. (W_1−xAl_x)C is identified to crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6m2 (No. 187) and belongs to the WC structure type. The atoms of W and Al occupy the same lattice site (1a site) in the cell of (W_1−xAl_x)C. The cell parameters for each specimen in the phase of W-Al-C are quite close to that of WC, while their densities are far lower than that of WC.     

Catalyst-free Mannich-type reaction of 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salts with silyl enolates

A catalyst-free reaction of 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium tetrafluoroborates with silyl enolates was developed to prepare β-amino carbonyl compounds. The reported method is a useful approach for the preparation of N-protected β-amino esters as well as N-protected β-amino ketones. The starting 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium tetrafluoroborates are readily available from N-protected α-amino acids. Therefore, the presented approach can be considered a new method for the α-homologation of N-protected α-amino acids to prepare β-amino acid derivatives.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 1-(R)-hydroxypolygodial and its 9α epimer, 1-(R)-hydroxyisotadeonal

The enantioselective synthesis of 1-(R)-hydroxypolygodial and its epimer at C-9 is described. α-Ionone was the starting material. Key steps of these syntheses included a Corey-Bakshi-Shibata oxazaborolidine-mediated reduction and a stereoselective Diels-Alder reaction. No vanilloid activity was detected for both compounds in assays on VR1 vanilloid receptor in HEK cells transfected with the human VR1.     

Unexpected behavior of 6H,13H-5:12,7:14-dimethanedibenzo[d,i][1,3,6,8]tetraazecine (DMDBTA) toward phenols

A new 20-membered octaazamacrocyclic compound named 1:4,6:9,11:14,16:19-tetramethylentetrabenzo[b,g,l,q][1,4,6,9,11,14,16,19]octaazaeicocine (TTBOE) (9) has been prepared by means of in situ one-pot synthesis between the aminal 6H,13H-5:12,7:14-dimethanedibenzo[d,i][1,3,6,8]tetraazecine (DMDBTA) (3) and electron-deficient phenols. Otherwise, electron-rich phenols such as 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol or 2-naphthol produce an ortho-regioselective aminomethylation resulting in 2-(1H-benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol (7) and 1-(1H-benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2-naphthol (8) in a Mannich type reaction in a basic medium. Moreover, obtainment of 1,1′-methylenbis(1H-benzimidazole) (15) from TTBOE is discussed.     

Synthesis of 6-substituted 7-aryl-5,6-dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine(1H,3H)-2,4-diones using the Vilsmeier reaction

The reaction of 6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracil with equimolar amounts of arylalkanone Mannich bases under optimized reaction conditions leads to 7-aryl-5,6-dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines in a yield of 50-80%. Functionalization of these dihydropyridopyrimidine(1H,3H)-2,4-diones with the Vilsmeier reagent affords, depending on the reaction conditions, either 6-dimethylaminomethylidene substituted 5H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine(1H,3H)-2,4-diones or the corresponding pyridopyrimidine(1H,3H)-2,4-diones bearing a carboxaldehyde function in position 6 of the heterocycle. Some further transformations of the aldehyde function demonstrate the synthetic potential of the synthesized structures, introducing pharmacologically relevant basic substituents into the side chain of these pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives.