Regioselective N- and C2-electrophilic substitution of 3-substituted indoles

The reaction of 3-substituted indoles with 2-cyclohexenone under Lewis acid mediated conditions with Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O has been investigated. We have demonstrated that electrophilic substitution of 3-substituted indoles with 2-cyclohexenone will readily occur at the nitrogen. Furthermore, the extent of regioselectivity is dependent on reaction solvent and the C3-substituent. Excellent conversion is obtained with good to excellent isolated yields of N- and C2-adducts. In general, more polar, aprotic solvents (CH₃CN) give greater N-selectivity whereas with polar protic solvents (CH₃OH) an increase in the C2-adduct is observed.     

Concise synthesis of trans- and cis-3,4-disubstituted piperidines based on regio- and stereoselective allylation of cyclopentenyl esters

3,4-Disubstituted piperidines were synthesized through anti S_N2′ allylation of 4-substituted 2-cyclopentenyl esters with reagents based on RMgX and CuX, thus allowing equal access to both trans- and cis-isomers. As an application, the paroxetine intermediate was synthesized efficiently. During the investigation, the MeOCH₂CO₂ group was found to show high reactivity in the pivotal anti S_N2′ type reaction using the reagent derived from (i-PrO)Me₂SiCH₂MgCl and CuCN.     

Catalytic and chemoselective deprotection of S,S- and S,O-acetals and ketals in the presence of their O,O-analogs with electrophilic halogens under neutral conditions

A novel and catalytic method is described for the selective deprotection of S,S- and S,O-acetals and ketals in the presence of their O,O-analogs to their corresponding carbonyl compounds based on the use of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS), 2,4,4,6-tetrabromo-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-one (TABCO), trichlorocyanuric acid (TCCA) or molecular bromine as sources of electrophilic halogens in the presence of DMSO as the source of oxygen in CHCl₃.     

Stereoselective radical cyclizations of N-(2-halobenzoyl)-cyclic ketene-N,X(X=O, S)-acetals

2-Alkyloxazolines and 2-alkylthiazolines react with 2-halobenzoyl chlorides to form N-(2-halobenzoyl)-cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals and N-(2-halobenzoyl)-cyclic ketene-N,S-acetals in excellent yields, respectively. These ketene acetals readily undergo stereocontrolled aryl radical cyclizations to afford the central six-membered rings of substituted-2,3,10,10α-tetrahydrooxazolo[3,2-b]isoquinolin-5-ones and their 2,3,10,10α-tetrahydrothiazolo[3,2-b]isoquinolin-5-one analogs. The tertiary N,O- and N,S-radicals formed upon aryl radical reaction at the ketene-N,X(X=O, S)-acetal double bond appear to have reasonable stability. The stereoselectivity in hydrogen abstractions by these intermediate radicals from both Bu₃SnH and (Me₃Si)₃SiH was investigated. The N,S-heterocyclic fused ring products may have potential medical value.     

Reaction of ferrocenecarbothioamide and N-(ethoxycarbonyl)ferrocenecarbothioamide with alkyl halides

Reaction of ferrocenecarbothioamide and N-(ethoxycarbonyl)ferrocenecarbothioamide with alkyl (mainly benzyl) halides in the presence of K₂CO₃ has been studied. The former compound yielded cyanoferrocene in high yield whereas the latter was transformed into the corresponding thioimidates as a result of S-alkylation and deprotonation. The molecular structure of S-p-nitrobenzyl-N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-ferrocenethioimidate was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis and revealed the E configuration. The plausible reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of anti-2-oxazolidinones by Ph3P-CCl4-Et3N mediated SN2 cyclization of N-Boc-β-amino alcohols

Ethyl anti-4-substituted phenyl-2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidine-5-carboxylates were synthesized stereoselectively in excellent yields using the Ph₃P-CCl₄-Et₃N system by S_N2 cyclization of N-Boc-β-amino alcohols. syn to anti conversion of ethyl 4-substituted phenyl-2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidine-5-carboxylates using DBU as base is also described.     

Highly efficient substitution of allylic picolinates with copper reagents derived from aryl-, alkenyl-, furyl-, and thienyl-lithiums

Substitution of optically active allylic picolinate, cis R¹-CH(OC(O)(2-Py))CHCHR² (R¹=(CH₂)₂Ph, R²=CH₂OTBS), with phenylcopper reagents derived from salt free PhLi (2 equiv) and CuBr·Me₂S (2 and 1 equiv, respectively) was highly promoted by MgBr₂ (3 equiv), producing anti S_N2′ product regio- and stereoselectively. This reagent system was proven to be general with several picolinates (R¹, R²: Ph(CH₂)₂, PMBO(CH₂)₃, Me, TBSOCH₂, PMBOCH₂, c-Hex). Furthermore, aryl copper reagents prepared from ArLi, which was in turn prepared by Li-halogen exchange, was proven to be compatible with the substitution in the presence of larger quantity of MgBr₂ than that of LiX coproduced by the exchange. Substitution was not interfered with the steric hindrance on aryl coppers (Ar: 2-MeOC₆H₄, 2,6-(MOMO)₂-4-MeC₆H₂, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, etc.). Similarly, stereodefined cis and trans alkenyl, furyl, and thienyl reagents gave the corresponding anti S_N2′ products efficiently.     

An efficient synthetic route to substituted tetrahydropyrimidines by Cu(OTf)2-mediated nucleophilic ring-opening followed by the [4+2] cycloaddition of N-tosylazetidines with nitriles

A highly efficient strategy for Cu(OTf)₂-mediated S_N2 type nucleophilic ring-opening followed by the [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of a number of 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines with nitriles to afford a variety of substituted tetrahydropyrimidines in excellent yields is reported. The resulting tetrahydropyrimidines could easily be transformed into synthetically important 1,3-diamines by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. The strategy has been extended to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure tetrahydropyrimidines from enantiopure disubstituted azetidines. The reaction proceeds through an S_N2 type mechanism as proposed by us earlier.     

N-(Benzoyloxy)amines: an investigation of their thermal stability, synthesis, and incorporation into novel peptide constructs

A series of N-benzoyloxyamines were pyrolyzed and their decomposition temperatures correlated well with the amine architecture's ability to stabilize a N-centered radical. A variety of amine substrates were treated with a biphasic mixture of benzoyl peroxide (BPO), CH₂Cl₂ and an aqueous carbonate buffer (at pH 10.5). Primary and secondary amines were successfully N-benzoyloxylated in good yield. Tertiary amines and BPO gave low yields of the corresponding N-oxide and complex product mixtures, presumably via radical decomposition. Electron deficient amines (such as fluorinated aliphatic amines, α-aminoacids, α-aminoesters, and α-aminoamides) were not N-benzoyloxylated under these conditions. Instead, N-benzoylation was observed with the fluorinated amines and the reaction was sensitive to temperature and the pH of the aqueous medium. A one-pot-two-step synthesis of N^α-FMOC-l-Leu-N^β-(benzoyloxy)-β-alanine ethyl ester, a peptide containing both an α- and a novel β-amino acid framework, was also developed.     

N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine palladium(II) complex as efficient catalyst for the Suzuki/Miyaura reaction in water

A new water soluble palladium(II) complex (2) derived from N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH₄) (1) was synthesized in high yield and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, HMQC and COSY NMR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction studies on a single crystal of 2 confirmed the cis square planar geometry; the edteH₄ ligand (1) is κ² (N,N)-coordinated with four pendant CH₂CH₂OH groups. This new complex [PdCl₂(edteH₄)] (2) and the previously synthesized triethanolamine complex [Pd(OCH₂CH₂N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂)₂] (3) were tested as catalysts for the Suzuki/Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of various aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in water. Electronically activated aryl bromides, such as 4-bromoacetophenone and 4-bromobenzaldehyde undergo the cross-coupling with extremely high turnover numbers (TON) of up to 1,00,000 without organic solvent.     

Pd2dba3/P(i-BuNCH2CH2)3N: a highly efficient catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of trans-4-N,N-diarylaminostilbenes and N,N-diarylaminostyrenes

A Pd₂dba₃/P(i-BuNCH₂CH₂)₃N catalyzed one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted trans-4-N,N-diarylaminostilbenes and both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted N,N-diarylaminostyrene derivatives is reported. The procedure involves two or more palladium catalyzed sequential coupling reactions (an amination and an inter-molecular Heck reaction) in one-pot using the same catalyst system with two different aryl halides, including aryl chlorides and hetero aryl halides as the coupling partners.     

Bis(dialkylmetal)-N,N′-dimethyloxamides of aluminium,gallium and indium,preparation, physical and spectroscopic properties

The reaction of N,N′-dimethyloxamide with trialkyl derivatives of aluminium, gallium, and indium yields bis(dialkylmetal) compounds of structural formula (R₂M)₂[O₂C₂(NCH₃)₂] (M = Al, Ga, In; and R = CH₃, C₂H₅). The M₂O₂C₂N₂ skeleton of these monomeric products forms an almost planar system of two fused five-membered rings, with S₂ symmetry. For the dimethylgallium and dimethylindium derivatives, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra show the presence of two conformational isomers which differ in the orientation of the N-methyl relative to the two metal-bound CH₃ groups.     

Unexpected course of rearrangement of substituted S-(1(3H)-isobenzofuranone-3-yl)isothiuronium bromides

Three series of S-(1(3H)-isobenzofuranone-3-yl)isothiuronium bromides differing in substitution at the isothiuronium moiety (none, one or two methyl groups) and at the benzene ring were prepared and characterized. These salts were then treated with various bases (acetate, triethylamine, Na₂CO₃) to give either 1-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-carbothioamides or the product of S to N isobenzofuranone-3-yl migration, i.e., 1,3-dimethyl-1-(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl)thioureas. If ammonia was used in reaction with N,N′-dimethyl isothiuronium salts then 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones were formed together with 1,3-dimethyl-1-(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl)thioureas in parallel reaction with the yields increasing with ammonia concentration. The formation of isoindolones takes place in two steps with an aldehyde intermediate, which can be trapped with N,N-dimethylhydrazine.     

Radical addition of RFI to alkenylsuccinic anhydrides and gem-substituted alkenyl triesters : Zinc and radical induced, or spontaneous radical cyclization, of the δ-iodoalkanoic esters to γ-lactones

Radical addition of R_FI to alkenylsuccinic anhydrides affords ω-(perfluoroalkyl)-δ-iodoalkyl-2-butane-1,4-dioc acid anhydrides, and these adducts are reductively dehalogenated and esterified by zinc and acid in ethanol without lactonization. However, the R_FI adducts react with KOH in ethanol to give the alkenyl half esters (but no γ-lactone), which convert to the γ-lactones by acid catalysis. When treated with water, ethanol, Zn and 48% HBr, the R_FI adduct from but-3-en-2-yl-succinic anhydride converts to the iodo half ester, R_FCH₂CHICH(CH₃)CH(CO₂H)CH₂CO₂Et, which undergoes Zn induced (S_Hi) conversion to γ-lactone. R_FI (AIBN) and the triester CH₂CHCH₂C(CO₂Et)₂CH₂CO₂Et yield R_FCH₂CHICH₂C(CO₂Et)₂CH₂CO₂Et (95%). When heated to 140 °C, the adduct loses iodoethane.and cyclizes to diester γ-lactones (94%). With benzoyl peroxide, R_FI and the triester at 99 °C, spontaneous radical cyclization of the adduct to lactone occurs. Evidently, the gem-disubstituted triester readily forms a five-membered lactone as a consequence of steric compression in the open chain form.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans-α-ketohydrazones from silyl enol ethers mediated by iodobenzene diacetate

Stereoselective synthesis of a variety of trans-α-ketohydrazones from silyl enol ethers in the presence of iodobenzene diacetate [PhI(OAc)₂] as oxidant with N-aminophthalimide (PthNH₂) as the nitrogen source in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature was accomplished in good yields (up to 75%) with exclusive trans-selectivity.     

The reaction of biphenyl radical anion and dianion with alkyl fluorides. From ET to SN2 reaction pathways and synthetic applications

The reaction of dilithium biphenyl (Li₂C₁₂H₁₀) with alkyl fluorides has been studied from the point of view of the distribution of products. Two main reaction pathways, the nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) and the electron transfer (ET), can compete to yield the same alkylation products in what is known as the S_N2-ET dichotomy. S_N2 seems to be the main mechanism operating with primary alkyl fluorides (n-RF). Alkylation proceeds in good yields, and the resulting alkylated dihydrobiphenyl anion (n-RC₁₂H₁₀Li) can be trapped with a second conventional electrophile (E⁺) affording synthetically interesting dearomatized biphenyl derivatives (n-RC₁₂H₁₀E). The reaction gives a higher amount of ET products as we move to secondary (s-RF) and to tertiary alkyl fluorides (t-RF), in which case the mechanism seems to be dominated by ET. In this case, alkylation by radical coupling is still feasible, giving access to the synthesis of t-RC₁₂H₁₀E, although in lower yields. A rational interpretation of this S_N2-ET dichotomy is given on the basis of the full distribution of products observed when 5-hexenyl fluoride and 1,1-dimethyl-5-hexenyl fluoride were are used as radical probes in their reaction with Li₂C₁₂H₁₀ and LiC₁₂H₁₀.     

The fragmentation of exo-5-norbornenyl-2-oxychlorocarbene: stereochemistry and mechanism

The fragmentation of (S)-exo-5-norbornenyl-2-oxychlorocarbene (3) affords (S)-exo-5-norbornenyl-2-chloride (4), (R)-endo-5-norbornenyl-2-chloride (5), and (S)-3-nortricyclyl chloride (6) with varying degrees of enantiomeric excess. A weighted blend of S_Ni fragmentation and escape to norbornenyl/nortricyclyl ion pairs rationalizes the stereochemical results.     

The application of novel methodology for the synthesis of o-, m-, and p-(SF5-perfluoroethyl) benzene derivatives

The reaction of o-, m-, and p-F₂CCFC₆H₄X with SF₅Br produces an intermediate adduct, F₅SCF₂CFBrC₆H₄X, which, on treatment with AgBF₄, affords the first useful, high yield preparation of o-, m-, and p-F₅SCF₂CF₂C₆H₄X.     

Metal-organic chains constructed from pre-organized N2S2 donor ligands

Three new N₂S₂ donor ligands 1,1′-((2-(2-(phenylthio)phenylthio)phenyl)methylene)bis(3,5-R-1H-pyrazole), R = H (L^H), R = Me (L^Me), R = i-Pr (L^i-Pr) have been prepared and characterized. These bifunctional ligands incorporate two distinct chelate donor systems, by virtue of the presence of bispyrazole and bisthioether functions. The preferred conformation of these ligands is such that the N₂ and S₂ donor moieties may be oriented in opposite directions, thus favoring the formation of molecular chains when treated with AgBF₄. The X-ray structures of Ag(I) complexes show that, depending on the steric hindrance present on the pyrazole rings, these ligands behave as κ⁴-SSNN-μ bridging tetradentate (when R = H), or κ³-SNN-μ bridging tridentate (when R = Me, i-Pr). Interestingly, [Ag(L^H)]BF₄ crystallizes in the chiral space group P4₁, with the molecular chain that is folded around the 4₁ screw axis.     

Enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-N-(heteroarenesulfonyl)aziridines with TMSN3 catalyzed by chiral Lewis acids

A catalytic enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-N-(heteroarenesulfonyl)aziridines with TMSN₃ using chiral Lewis acids afforded products with high enantioselectivity. As proof of the utility of this procedure, the precursor of selective κ-opioid agonist (1S,2S)-(−)-U-50,488 was synthesized.