Tandem Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization for stereoselective synthesis of heterotricyclic systems

Homoallylic substrates such as (E)-6-arylhex-3-enyl alcohols, N-tosylamides, and thiols undergo smooth cross-coupling with various aldehydes in the presence of 10 mol % Sc(OTf)(3) and 30 mol % TsOH to afford the trans-fused hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromenes, N-tosyloctahydrobenzo[f]isoquinolines, and hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isothiochromenes, respectively. However, the cross-coupling of (Z)-olefins such as 6-arylhex-3-enyl alcohols, N-tosylamides, and thiols with aldehydes affords the corresponding hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromenes, N-tosyloctahydrobenzo[f]isoquinolines, and hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isothiochromenes with complete cis selectivity via intramolecular Prins-, aza-Prins-, and thia-Prins/Friedel-Crafts cyclizations, respectively. Though the Prins cyclization proceeds smoothly under the influence of Sc(OTf)(3), high conversions and enhanced reaction rates are achieved using a mixture of Sc(OTf)(3) and TsOH (1:3).     

Room temperature MgI2-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction between electron-rich (het)arenes and ethyl glyoxylate

Magnesium iodide-catalyzed addition of electron-rich (het)arenes to ethyl glyoxylate proceeds at room temperature with high chemoselectivity to afford ethyl 2-(het)aryl- 2-hydroxyacetates in yields up to 95%.     

Catalytic and highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts type reactions of heteroaromatic compounds with trifluoropyruvate and glyoxylate by a dicationic palladium complex

The highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of furan and thiophene derivatives with trifluoropyruvate, which have never provided the high level of asymmetric induction and yield until now, was achieved by using dicationic palladium complexes as Lewis acid catalysts. Moreover, glyoxylate instead of trifluoropyruvate as an electrophile led to complete change of regioselectivity with 2-trimethylsilylated furan, thiophene, and pyrrole derivatives to give the corresponding heteroarylated products in high yields and enantioselectivities. The respective products with trifluoropyruvate and glyoxylate could also be obtained via sequential catalytic reaction; intramolecular cyclization of alkynyldiols using cationic Au catalyst followed by Friedel–Crafts type reactions using dicationic Pd catalyst.     

Magnetically recoverable γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles as a highly active catalyst for Friedel–Crafts benzoylation reaction under ultrasound irradiation

A simple, facile and efficient method has been developed for the Friedel–Crafts benzoylation of arenes using magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles under solvent-free sonication. The γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were used as an efficient and magnetically recoverable catalyst for the synthesis of aromatic ketones in good to excellent yields at room temperature under solvent-free. The reaction occurred with high regioselectivity under mild condition. The magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are economically synthesized in large-scale, easily separated from the reaction mixture by an external magnet and able to be reused several times without significant loss of the catalytic performance, which make them easy application to industrial processes.     

Asymmetric intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction catalyzed by a spiropyrrolidine organocatalyst: Enantioselective construction of indolizine and azepine frameworks

The asymmetric intramolecular Friedel–Crafts type Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with pyrrole, catalyzed by a spiropyrrolidine (SP)-type organocatalyst, has been accomplished, which allows the construction of a series of azepine and indolizine frameworks with high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Moreover, the substrate scope could be extended to generate a quaternary center in indolizine frameworks (up to 96% ee).     

An expedient route to highly functionalized 2H-chromene-2-thiones via ring annulation of β-oxodithioesters catalyzed by InCl3 under solvent-free conditions

A convenient and one-pot synthesis of 3-aroyl/heteroaroyl-2H-chromene-2-thiones and benzo[f]2H-chromene-2-thiones has been developed by the condensation of β-oxodithioesters and salicylaldehydes/α-hydroxynaphthaldehydes in the presence of indium trichloride under solvent-free conditions. The reaction is operationally facile, readily scalable, and offers rapid entry into differentially substituted chromene-2-thione scaffolds.     

InX3-catalyzed haloamidation of vinyl arenes: a facile synthesis of α-bromo- and α-fluoroamides

A variety of alkenes are converted into the corresponding α-fluoroamides in high yields by selectfluor^TM in the presence of 10 mol % of InF₃ in nitrile solution. α-Bromoamides are obtained with NBS in the presence of 10 mol % InBr₃ under similar conditions. The use of Lewis acid in haloamidation significantly improved the yields and reaction rates.     

A tandem Diels–Alder/Mannich approach to the synthesis of AE and ABE ring analogues of Delphinium alkaloids

The one-pot TiCl₄ catalysed Diels–Alder/Mannich reaction of α-cyanoaminoacrylates with 2-silyloxy-1,4-butadienes gives 6-keto-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-1-carboxylates. Reduction of the ketone and alkylation of the resultant alcohol gives 6-alkoxy-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes mimicking the AE rings of a number of Delphinium and Aconitum alkaloids, with the same stereochemistry as the natural products.     

Synthesis of highly pure nanocrystalline and mesoporous CaTiO3 by a particulate sol–gel route at the low temperature

The low temperature perovskite-type calcium titanate (CaTiO₃) thin films and powders with nanocrystalline and mesoporous structure were prepared by a straightforward particulate sol–gel route. The prepared sol had a narrow particle size distribution about 17 nm. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that, the synthesized powders had highly pure and crystallized CaTiO₃ structure with preferable orientation growth along (1 2 1) direction at 400–800 °C. The activation energy of crystal growth was calculated 5.73 kJ/mol. Furthermore, transmission electron microscope images showed that the average crystallite size of the powders annealed at 400 °C was around 3.5 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscope analysis and atomic force microscope images revealed that, the deposited thin films had uniform, mesoporous and nanocrystalline structure with the average grain size in the range 33–39 nm depending on annealing temperature. Based on Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, the synthesized powders showed mesoporous structure with BET surface area in the range 51–21 m²/g at 400–800 °C. One of the smallest crystallite size and one of the highest surface areas reported in the literature is obtained which can be used in many applications, such as photocatalysts.     

FeCl3-promoted formation of C–C bonds: synthesis of substituted quinolines from imines and electron-deficient alkynes

An efficient method for the synthesis of substituted quinolines is described. By FeCl₃-promoted C–C bond formation, 2,3-disubstituted and 2,3,4-trisubstituted quinolines were successfully synthesized from the reaction between imines and electron-deficient alkynes in good yields. The reaction can also be performed in a sequential three-component manner by using aromatic amines and aromatic aldehydes instead of the corresponding imines.     

Iron-catalyzed three-component tandem process: a novel and convenient synthetic route to quinoline-2,4-dicarboxylates from arylamines,glyoxylic esters,and α-ketoesters

A new and convenient iron-catalyzed three-component tandem reaction of aromatic amines, glyoxylic esters, and α-ketoesters has been developed for the synthesis of quinoline-2,4-dicarboxylates under mild conditions. The present protocol, which utilizes cheap catalysts, readily-available starting materials and mild reaction conditions, provides an attractive approach to a series of functionalized quinoline derivatives with promising unique pharmaceutical, biological, and fluorescence-labeling applications.     

A one-pot synthesis of 4-aryl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-γ-carbolines from 5-aryloxazolidines and indoles via a Mannich/Friedel–Crafts sequence

Benzaldehydes react smoothly with the nonstabilized azomethine ylide derived from sarcosine and formaldehyde to form 5-aryloxazolidines, which undergo ring-opening to give 2-(indol-3-ylmethylamino)-1-arylethanols in 69–79% yields on reaction with indoles in acetic acid. Their subsequent acid-catalyzed cyclization into 4-aryl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-γ-carbolines was performed in polyphosphoric acid in moderate yields. The latter can also be prepared directly from 5-aryloxazolidines and indoles in polyphosphoric acid.     

SiCl4-catalyzed/PR3-mediated β-C(sp3)−H functionalization of nitrones to α,β-unsaturated imines and aromatic heterocycles

A novel method of SiCl₄-catalyzed/PR₃-mediated β-C(sp³)?H functionalization of nitrones with aldehydes/ketones to α,β-unsaturated imines was developed. The synthesis of α,β-unsaturated imines mainly invovles deoxygenation and aldol condensation, each proceeding under a cooperation effect between Lewis acid and Lewis base. In addition, both the acidity and hydrolytic stability of the weak SiCl₄ were supposed to be enhanced by coordination with phosphine oxide (R?=?Et) or phosphoric triamide (R?=?NMe₂) that originated from deoxygenation of nitrones by PR₃. In the case of 6-membered nitrone, a [1,3]-hydride shift within the resulted α,β-unsaturated imines renders the aromatization leading to 3,5-dialkylpyridines.     

PMA-SiO2–Mediated MCR in PEG-400: A Greener aza-Friedel–Crafts Reaction Leading to 3-Arylmethyl/Diarylmethyl Indoles

A greener approach for the synthesis of 3-arylmethyl/diarylmethyl indoles has been achieved via a PMA-SiO₂-mediated three-component reaction (the aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction) involving indoles, aldehydes, and N,N-disubstituted anilines in PEG-400. A variety of indole derivatives were prepared by using this operationally simple and straightforward methodology in acceptable yields.     

SbCl3-catalyzed solvent-free Friedel–Crafts reaction of phenols with mandelic acids to 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones: Synthesis of spirocyclic 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-ones

A facile, SbCl₃-catalyzed, one-pot, tandem Friedel–Crafts/lactonization reaction of phenols and mandelic acids has been developed under solvent-free conditions to afford 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones in good to high yields (52–90%). Additionally, the utility of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones is demonstrated by using them as precursors in the synthesis of a new class of spirocyclic benzofuran-2-ones using classical synthetic methodologies.     

Low temperature transformation from γ-Fe2O3 to Ti doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles through an epoxide assisted sol–gel route

Maghemite and Ti doped hematite nanoparticles were synthesized through an epoxide assisted sol-gel route. Maghemite nanoparticles were prepared through the boiling of the resultant obtained by the gelation reaction of propylene oxide with FeCl₂. The production of Ti doped hematite nanoparticles follows the same preparation procedure with one difference where TiCl₃ was added to the FeCl₂ solution before reaction. The unique chemistry of the route results in the low temperature preparation of monodisperse Maghemite nanoparticles. It also minimizes the huge difference of reactivity between Ti³⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions, which guarantees the synthesis of Ti doped hematite at low temperature, resulting in the small size of the particles.     

AgNO3 catalyzed cyclization of propargyl-Meldrum’s acids in aqueous solvent: highly selective synthesis of Z-γ-alkylidene lactones

γ-Alkylidene lactones have attracted considerable attention due to their diverse biological activities and ubiquitous structural units in natural products. Herein, an efficient AgNO₃ catalyzed highly regio- and stereo-selective cyclization of propargyl-Meldrum’s acids in aqueous solvent was developed, which provides a practical synthetic strategy for the synthesis of substituted Z-γ-alkylidene butyrolactones under neutral reaction conditions.     

A highly selective Bi(OTf)3 mediated fragmentation-contraction of δ-ortholactones. A facile route to functionalized γ-lactones

A very selective method for the formation of γ-lactones from pyranyl ortholactones has been developed which occurs via a fragmentation-acetate migration-ring contraction process. The reaction is very functional group tolerant, providing functionalized γ-lactones as a single isomeric product following the ring contraction. Mechanistic studies indicate the reaction is mediated by triflic acid liberated from Bi(OTf)₃ in a slow and controlled manner providing excellent chemo and regioselectivity. We propose the triflic acid acts as both a proton and a nucleophile source with triflate anion mediating the fragmentation process.     

Novel radical tandem 1,6-enynes thioacylation/cyclization: Au–Pd nanoparticles catalysis versus thermal activation as a function of the substrate specificity

We studied the reactivity of 1,6-enynes with thioacetic acid (AcSH) under either thermal conditions or in the presence of catalytic amounts of supported Au or Au–Pd nanoparticles (NPs) under mild conditions. The 1,6-enynes undergo a tandem thioacylation/cyclization to original cyclic products featuring either a homoallylic thioester function or an enol thioester function depending on the substrate topology. Interestingly, the former process was found more efficient when performed in the presence of Au–Pd NPs while the latter process can be efficiently carried out under thermal conditions (100 °C). The reaction proceeds by a radical mechanism and the presence of precious metal NPs seems to stabilize the formation of free radical intermediates, as supported by experimental and theoretical results.     

Pd-catalyzed 5-endo-trig-type cyclization of β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds: an efficient ring closing reaction to give γ-butenolides and 3-pyrrolin-2-ones

The 5-endo-trig-type cyclization has been performed using a Pd-bis(isoxazoline) catalyst. The present cyclization of β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds gave γ-butenolides and 3-pyrrolin-2-ones in good to excellent yields.