A novel intramolecular Ugi 3CC for the synthesis of N-alkyl-3-oxo-2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-a]indole-1-carboxamides

An intramolecular Ugi reaction of 2-(2-formyl-1H-indol-1-yl)acetic acid with aryl amines and isocyanides has been developed to produce a novel class of N-alkyl-3-oxo-2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-a]indole-1-carboxamides in good yields. This is the first report on intramolecular Ugi three component reaction of 2-(2-formyl-1H-indol-1-yl)acetic acid, aryl amine, and isonitrile.     

Electrochemically initiated intramolecular cyclization of 2-nitro-2′-isothiocyanatobiphenyl

2-Nitro-2′-isothiocyanatobiphenyl was prepared as a new substance, suitable for the investigation of an electrochemically initiated intramolecular cyclization. If it is reduced at a mercury cathode in acidic media an acid catalysed intramolecular follow-up reaction occurs which leads to the formation of 6-mercaptodibenzo (d, f)-(1,3)-diazepin-5-oxide. The rate of the follow-up reaction decreases in neutral or alkaline media and the reduction of the isothiocyanato group also takes place. The main product is here 5,6-dihydrobenzo(c)cinnoline.     

New synthetic approach to substituted isoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline carboxylic acids via intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of 4-(N-furyl-2)-4-arylaminobutenes-1 with maleic anhydride

Acylation of substituted 4-(furyl-2)-4-arylaminobut-1-enes with maleic anhydride provided 2-allyl-6-carboxy-4-oxo-3-aza-10-oxatricyclo[5.2.1.0^1,5]dec-8-enes in high yield under mild reaction conditions. The Diels-Alder adducts are formed via an initial amide formation followed by a stereoselective intramolecular [4+2] exo-cycloaddition reaction. Treatment of the tricyclic compounds with phosphoric acid at high temperatures (70-120 °C) promoted cyclic ether opening, intramolecular cyclization and aromatization to give the corresponding tetracyclic compounds, 5,6,6a,11-tetrahydro-10-carboxyisoindolo[2,1-a]quinolines, in moderate yields. The influence of the acid and the reaction temperature on the cyclization reactions are also discussed.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-ephedradine A (orantine)

The stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-ephedradine A has been accomplished. The synthesis features an asymmetric C-H insertion reaction, an intramolecular ester-amide exchange reaction, and a Sharpless asymmetric aminohydroxylation reaction. Construction of the complex macrocyclic ring was performed by Ns-strategy and an intramolecular aza-Wittig reaction.     

Thermal cyclization of N-[2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthyl] ketenimines: intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction versus [1,5] hydrogen migration. Synthesis of dibenz[b,h]acridines and benzo[h]quinolines

The thermal treatment of N-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthylamines provided the expected aza-Claisen rearranged products, 2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthylamines and benz[g]indoles, these last derived from an intramolecular hydroamination reaction on those primary products. The 2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthylamines were converted into their triphenylphosphazene derivatives, which by aza-Wittig reaction with disubstituted ketenes yielded N-[2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthyl] ketenimines. The heating of these ketenimines in boiling toluene induced their cyclization either via an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, to afford dibenz[b,h]acridines, or via [1,5] hydrogen migration from the sp³ carbon atom of the propenyl substituent to the central carbon atom of the ketenimine fragment, followed by a 6π electrocyclic ring closure, to give benzo[h]quinolines.     

Sulfated mesoporous alumina: a highly effective solid strong base catalyst for the Tishchenko reaction in supercritical carbon dioxide

Heterogeneous strong base catalysis for the intramolecular Tishchenko reaction of aromatic 1,2-dicarbaldehydes to the corresponding phthalides in supercritical CO2CscCO2 has been realized with mesoporous alumina containing SO4(2-) ions in the alumina framework (mesoAl2O3/SO4(2-)). Infrared spectroscopy of pyrrole adsorbed on the alumina and strong poisoning by a weak Br?nsted acid of methanol revealed that the SO4(2-) ions in the framework slightly suppressed the average strength of base sites (O2-) on mesoAl2O3/SO4(2-), but there exists a small number of strong base sites that promote the Tishchenko reaction in scCO2. Although the intramolecular Tishchenko reaction of phthalaldehyde to phthalide in scCO2 was somewhat slower than those in organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and benzene, the addition of a small amount of THF as a cosolvent remarkably increased the reaction rate; the reaction in the scCO2-THF system proceeded 1.5-fold faster than those in pure benzene and THF solvents.     

Viscosity dependence of intra- and intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions

The kinetics of the bimolecular Diels-Alder reaction between anthracene-9-carbinol and N-ethyl maleimide have been studied in a series of pyridinium-based ionic liquids with the tetrafluoroborate ([BF(4)](-)) and the bis(trifluorosulfonimide) ([NTf(2)](-)) anions and the viscosity dependence of the rate constants have been compared with the results for the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of (E)-1-phenyl-4-[2-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)benzylidene]-5-pyrazolone. The comparison leads to the surprising observation that the intermolecular reaction is less susceptible to viscosity variations of the ionic liquids as compared to the intramolecular reaction. The observed similarities and differences emphasize the complicated nature of solvent friction on the kinetics of cycloaddition reactions. The results are explained by considering the bimolecular and intramolecular processes as cases of translational and rotational diffusion, respectively. Plausible indicators of microviscosity consistent with the kinetic data for the Diels-Alder reactions are briefly discussed along with the constraints involved in designing a general microviscosity scale.     

Synthetic studies on (−)-FR182877: construction of the ABCD ring system via the intramolecular cycloadditions (2)

Construction of the ABCD ring system of (−)-FR182877 via the intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction and the highly diastereoselective intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder (IMHDA) reaction is described. The IMHDA reactions of the substrates incorporating the oxabutadiene with the E- or Z-alkene were examined, revealing that the sole product was obtained from both substrates and the E-alkene geometry was found to be crucial to obtaining the desired product.     

Intramolecular ionic Diels-Alder reactions of alpha-acetylenic acetals

The intramolecular ionic Diels-Alder reaction of alpha-acetylenic acetals as a precursor of the propargyl cation has been investigated in the presence of Lewis acids and in protic acids. The reaction of diene-tethered alpha-acetylenic acetals (1-2) with formic acid yielded the regioselective intramolecular ionic Diels-Alder reaction products, bicyclodienal (9) and bicyclodienone (11) derivatives, in good yields.     

Synthesis of 4H-1,3,4-oxadiazino[5,6-b]quinoxalines from 2-substituted quinoxaline 4-oxides

The reaction of 6-chloro-2-(1-methylhydrazino)quinoxaline 4-oxide 8 with acetic anhydride resulted in the intramolecular cyclization to give 8-chloro-2,4-dimethyl-4H-1,3,4-oxadiazino[5,6-b]quinoxaline 7a , while the reaction of compound 8 with acetic anhydride/pyridine or acetic anhydride/acetic acid afforded 3-(2,2-diacetyl-1-memymydrazmo)-7-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoxaline 9 , effecting no intramolecular cyclization. The reaction of 2-(2-acetyl-1-methylhydrazino)-6-chloroquinoxaline 4-oxide 10a or 6-chloro-2-(1-methyl-2-trifluoroacetylhydrazino)quinoxaline 4-oxide 10b with phosphoryl chloride provided compound 7a or 8-chloro-4-memyl-2-trifluoromethyl-4H-1,3,4-oxadiazino[5,6-b]quinoxaline 7b , respectively. The reaction of compound 7b with phosphorus pentasulfide gave 7-chloro-3-(1-methyl-2-trifluoroacetylhydrazino)-2-thioxo-1,2-dihydroquinoxaline 11 , whose dehydration with sulfuric acid in acetic acid afforded 8-chloro-4-methyl-2-trifluoromemyl-4H-1,3,4-thiadiazino[5,6-b]quinoxaline 12 .     

A novel synthesis of N-(piperidin-4-yl)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one via an intramolecular Pd-catalyzed amination

A novel efficient synthetic route to the pharmaceutical key intermediate N-(piperidin-4-yl)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one is described. The key step involves a high-yielding intramolecular palladium-catalyzed amination reaction using Buchwald’s X-Phos ligand under mild reaction conditions.     

Synthetic application of acylnitroso Diels-Alder derived aminocyclopentenols: total synthesis of (+)-streptazolin

Concise total syntheses of (+)-streptazolin 1 and its more stable dihydro derivative 2 were accomplished via an intramolecular aldol condensation strategy starting from readily available aminocyclopentenol (-)-7. The synthetic sequence included reductive amination, stereoselective epoxidation, intramolecular aldol (and condensation) reaction, and Wittig reaction. The overall yield for dihydro derivative 2 from aminocyclopentenol (-)-7 was about 7% for a total of 14 steps.     

A convenient synthesis of 2-substituted indoles by the reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanides with organolithiums

The reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanides, readily available by dehydration of the respective N-[2-(chloromethyl)phenyl]formamides, with organolithiums produced 2-substituted indoles in satisfactory yields through addition of organolithiums to the isocyano carbon followed by intramolecular substitution reaction of the resulting imidoyl anion intermediates.     

Intramolecular ipso-halocyclization of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes leading to spiro[4,5]trienones: scope, application, and mechanistic investigations

A new, general method for the synthesis of spiro[4,5]trienones is described by the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes. In the presence of halide electrophiles, a variety of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes underwent the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization with water smoothly, affording the corresponding halo-substituted spiro[4,5]trienones in moderate to good yields. The obtained spiro[4,5]trienones can be applied in constructing the azaquaternary tricyclic skeleton via Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction. Notably, the prepared spiro[4,5]trienones and azaquaternary tricycles are of importance in the areas of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The mechanism of the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization reaction is also discussed according to the (18)O-labeling experiments and DFT calculations.     

Intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of 2-diphenylphosphinyl-5-(propargyloxymethyl)furans followed by nucleophilic 1,2-rearrangement of the phosphinyl group

The base-catalyzed intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of 2-diphenylphosphinyl-5-(propargyloxymethyl)furans 2a-e gave the tetrahydrofuran ring annulated o-diphenylphosphinophenols 3a-e in 70-80% yields, a novel reaction involving an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of furan diene with allenyl ether dienophile followed by a nucleophilic 1,2-rearrangement of the diphenylphosphinyl group.     

Enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation of α-diazo-β-keto sulfones: asymmetric synthesis of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes and tricyclo[4.4.0.0]decenes

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of some new chiral building blocks useful for natural product synthesis is described. The intramolecular cyclopropanation (IMCP) reaction of α-diazo-β-keto sulfones affording bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes such as 9a-d is found to proceed with high enantioselectivity (93-98% ee). The yield is moderate due to the competing intramolecular C-H insertion reaction. As intramolecular C-H insertion reaction is not observed in the reaction of the substrates possessing a quaternary carbon at the allylic position, the reactions of 19a and 19b proceed with high enantioselectivity (95% ee) and yield. It was also found that the substrates possessing an ether group, such as 19a and 19b, could be used in this enantioselective IMCP reaction.     

Unique charge-separated intermolecular and eight-membered intramolecular H-bonds in bis-(thio)barbiturates

Reaction of symmetrical and unsymmetrical (thio)barbituric acids with aldehydes in the presence of triethylamine afforded a new form of bis-(thio)barbiturate containing charge-separated inter- and eight-membered intramolecular H-bonds. The reaction products were obtained as bis-(thio)barbiturates containing eight-membered intramolecular H-bond in the presence of l-(+)-tartaric acid (TA). The intramolecular H-bond strength (kcal/mol) and corresponding pKa value for 4ab′ were estimated to be 37 kcal/mol and ?1.3, respectively.     

The 2-(N,N-Dimethylamino)phenylsulfinyl group as an efficient chiral auxiliary in intramolecular heck reactions

The synthesis, reactivity, and stereochemical behavior of differently substituted iodoalkenyl alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfoxides in intramolecular Heck reaction is described. Particularly, the 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenylsulfinyl group is demonstrated to be an effective chiral auxiliary for the intramolecular Heck reaction of 2-iodo-1,6-(or 1,7)dienes. A desulfinylation sequence removes the auxiliary and yields cyclic compounds of high enantiopurity.     

Solvent-dependent Baylis–Hillman reactions for the synthesis of 3-benzyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles and benzo-δ-sultams

We have developed a solvent-dependent method for the preparation of novel benzo-δ-sultam and 3-benzyl-3-hydroxy-N-methyloxindole scaffolds. A variety of 3-(methoxy(phenyl)methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzo-[c][1,2]thiazine 2,2-dioxides and 3-benzyl-3-hydroxy-1-methylindolin-2-ones were obtained in moderate to high yields via DBU-catalyzed Baylis–Hillman reaction of a number of (E)-N-(2-formylphenyl)-N-methyl-2-phenylethenesulfonamides in DMF and MeOH, respectively. The proof of the structures relies on analytical investigation and X-ray crystallography. Whereas reaction of (E)-N-(2-formylphenyl)-N-methyl-2-phenylethenesulfonamides in MeOH presumably proceeds through intramolecular Baylis–Hillman/dehydration, 3-hydroxy-N-methyloxindoles seem to have been generated via intramolecular Baylis–Hillman/1,3-H shift/oxidation/intramolecular cyclization tandem sequences in DMF.     

Total synthesis of (+)-quassin

A total synthesis of (+)-quassin from naturally occurring (S)-(+)-carvone is described. The total number of steps was 28, and the overall yield was about 2.6%. The synthetic strategy for the construction of the tetracyclic carbon framework was based on a C-->ABC-->ABCD ring annulation sequence, involving an aldol reaction, an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, and an intramolecular acylation as the key steps. Subsequent functionalization of ring A and ring C then afforded the target (+)-quassin.