Electrosynthesis of Dihydropyrano[4,3‐b]indoles Based on a Double Oxidative [3+3] Cycloaddition

Oxidative [3+3] cycloadditions offer an efficient route for six‐membered‐ring formation. This approach has been realized based on an electrochemical oxidative coupling of indoles/enamines with active methylene compounds followed by tandem 6π‐electrocyclization leading to the synthesis of dihydropyrano[4,3‐b]indoles and 2,3‐dihydrofurans. The radical–radical cross‐coupling of the radical species generated by anodic oxidation combined with the cathodic generation of the base from O₂ allows for mild reaction conditions for the synthesis of structurally complex heterocycles.     

A Facile Approach for Synthesis of Benzofuro[2,3‐c]pyridines via Intramolecular Cascade Annulations

A facile synthesis of benzofuro[2,3‐c]pyridines has been achieved under mild conditions by using ammonium acetate as the nitrogen source through intramolecular cascade annulation. This reaction could efficiently construct pyridine ring and furan ring in one step. Moreover, the key annulation step was demonstrated through dihydrobenzofuran intermediates.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of (Aza)indolines via Dehydrogenative [3+2] Annulation: Application to Total Synthesis of (±)‐Hinckdentine A

An electrochemical synthesis of functionalized (aza)indolines through dehydrogenative [3+2] annulation of arylamines with tethered alkenes has been developed. Previous reported syntheses through similar inter‐ and intramolecular annulation reactions required noble‐metal catalysts and are mostly limited to terminal alkenes or 1,3‐dienes. The electrosynthesis employs the easily available and inexpensive ferrocene as the molecular catalyst and is compatible with di‐, tri‐ and even tetrasubstituted alkenes to construct indolines as well as the more challenging azaindolines. Employing the newly developed electrosynthesis as a key step, the total synthesis of marine alkaloid (±)‐hinckdentine A has been achieved in 12 steps (longest linear sequence) from commercially available materials.     

Gadolinium Photocatalysis: Dearomative [2+2] Cycloaddition/Ring‐Expansion Sequence with Indoles

Lanthanide photocatalysts are much less investigated in synthetic chemistry than rare and expensive late transition metals. We herein introduce Gd^III photocatalysis of a highly regioselective, intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition/ring‐expansion sequence with indoles, which could provide divergent access to cyclopenta[b]indoles and indolines. A simple and commercially available Gd(OTf)₃ salt is sufficient for this visible‐violet‐light‐induced transformation. The reaction proceeds either through a transient or start‐to‐end dearomatization cascade and shows excellent regioselectivity (usually >95:5 r.r.), broad scope (59 examples), good functional group tolerance and facile scale‐up under mild, direct visible‐light‐excitation conditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that direct excitation of the Gd(OTf)₃/indole mixture gives an excited state intermediate, which undergoes the subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition and cyclobutane‐expansion cascade.     

Skeletal Rearrangement in the ZnII‐Catalyzed [4+2]‐Annulation of Disubstituted N‐Hydroxy Allenylamines with Nitrosoarenes to Yield Substituted 1,2‐Oxazinan‐3‐one Derivatives

This work reports zinc‐catalyzed [4+2]‐annulation reactions of disubstituted N‐hydroxy allenylamines with nitrosoarenes to afford substituted 1,2‐oxazinan‐3‐ones with a skeletal rearrangement. This annulation is applicable to a reasonable scope of allenylamines and nitrosoarenes. Our control experiments indicate that nitrosobenzene can also implement this annulation through a radical annulation path, but with poor efficiency. Zn(OTf)₂ or AgOTf greatly improves the efficiency of this [4+2]‐annulation; the effect of these metal species is discussed in detail.     

Facile Synthesis of Polysubstituted Indolizines via One‐Pot Reaction of 1‐Acetylaryl 2‐Formylpyrroles and Enals

An efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted indolizines has been developed based on formal [4+2] annulation of 1‐acetylaryl 2‐formylpyrroles with enals, followed by oxidative aromatization. Pyridine‐type six‐membered rings were constructed in this transformation. This transition metal‐free reaction features mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and excellent functional group tolerance. Notably, the formyl group is well tolerated under reaction conditions.     

Phosphine-Catalyzed Annulations between Modified Allylic Derivatives and Polar Dienes and Substituent Effect on the Annulation Mode

in this work, the phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions between modified allylic derivatives and polar 1,1-dicyano-1,3-dienes have been studied. In the catalysis of PPh3 （20 mol%）, a [4 ＋ 1 ] annulation reaction is realized between a series of l,l-dicyano-2,4-diaryl-1,3-dienes and ethoxycarbonyl-activated allylic acetate, producing polysubstituted cyclopentenes in modest to excellent yields. It is also observed that the substituents of both 1,3-dienes and allylic derivatives have a significant influence on the annulation mode： under the catalysis of PPh3 or PBu3 （20 mol%）, regioselective [3 ＋ 2] annulation products are formed from differently substituted substratcs.     

Dirhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Annulation of Enoldiazoacetamides with α‐Diazoketones: An Efficient and Highly Selective Approach to Fused and Bridged Ring Systems

A dirhodium(II)‐catalyzed annulation reaction between two structurally different diazocarbonyl compounds furnishes the donor–acceptor cyclopropane‐fused benzoxa[3.2.1]octane scaffold with excellent chemo‐, regio‐, and diastereoselectivity under exceptionally mild conditions. The composite transformation occurs by [3+2]‐cycloaddition between donor–acceptor cyclopropenes generated from enoldiazoacetamides and carbonyl ylides formed from intramolecular carbene–carbonyl cyclization in one pot with one catalyst. The annulation products can be readily transformed into benzoxa[3.3.1]nonane and hexahydronaphthofuran derivatives with exact stereocontrol. This method allows the efficient construction of three fused and bridged ring systems, all of which are important skeletons of numerous biologically active natural products.     

Advances in [4+3]‐Annulation/Cycloaddition Reactions Leading to Homo‐ and Heterocycles with Seven‐Membered Rings

In this review, we summarize advances in [4+3] and a few other annulation/cycloaddition reactions for the construction of seven membered rings, with an emphasis on the literature subsequent to the year 2010. The type of products include the following: azepines, diazepines, benzazepinones, 1,2‐diazepinones, oxazepinones, benzothiazepines, benzodiazepinones, benzoxopinones, cyclohepta[b]indoles, benzoxazepines, azepino‐indoles, oxepines/oxazepanes, triazepines oxepinoindolones/azepinoindolones, oxadiazepines, azabicyclooctanes. Emphasis is also given to cover diverse types of annulations; possible intermediates are displayed in the illustrated schemes to aid future work.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [3+2]/[5+2] Annulation of 4‐Aryl 1,2,3‐Triazoles with Internal Alkynes through Dual C(sp2)H Functionalization

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed [3+2]/[5+2] annulation of 4‐aryl 1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with internal alkynes is presented. This transformation provides straightforward access to indeno[1,7‐cd]azepine architectures through a sequence involving the formation of a rhodium(III) azavinyl carbene, dual C(sp²)? H functionalization, and [3+2]/[5+2] annulation.     

A Novel Pd‐Catalysed Annulation Reaction for the Syntheses of Pyrroloindoles and Pyrroloquinolines

Pd‐catalysed annulation reactions between indole derivatives and internal alkyne esters leading to various pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines have been developed. The strategy involves an intermolecular addition of the indole nitrogen on to the internal alkyne ester followed by an intramolecular insertion of a vinyl–palladium complex into the carbonyl group. This method offers a facile and practical approach to pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines.     

Siloxy Alkynes in Annulation Reactions

Siloxy alkynes are a family of versatile species in organic synthesis. This account reviews the annulation reactions of siloxy alkynes for the synthesis of a variety of carbo‐ and heterocyclic products. With various dipolarophiles or dipolarophile‐like reaction partners, siloxy alkynes are capable of forming small (three‐ to six‐membered) rings. Recently, we have expanded the scope to the synthesis of medium‐ and large‐ring lactones, enabled by the design of new amphoteric molecules as well as a new ring‐expansion strategy. These annulation reactions provide not only practically useful syntheses of cyclic molecules, but also important understanding of the fundamental reactivity of siloxy alkynes.     

Highly Regio‐, Diastereo‐, and Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroazepines and Benzo[b]oxepines through Palladium‐Catalyzed [4+3] Cycloaddition Reactions

A novel Pd⁰‐catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] annulation reaction of two readily accessible starting materials has been developed for building seven‐membered heterocyclic architectures. The potential [3+2] side pathway could be suppressed though fine tuning of the conditions. A broad scope of cycloaddition donors and acceptors participated in the transformation with excellent chemo‐, regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivtities, leading to valuable tetrahydroazepines and benzo[b]oxepines.     

Efficient synthesis of indoles using [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazines

[3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazines provides a novel method for the construction of indoles. N-Trifluoroacetyl enehydrazine having a cyclopentene ring smoothly underwent [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement followed by cyclization to give indolines in excellent yield. On the other hand, both cyclohexenyl N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazine and acyclic N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazine gave indoles in good yield. Additionally, the substituent effect on the benzene ring was also studied. The rearrangement of N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazines proceeded smoothly even under either aqueous or solvent-free conditions.     

Facile Synthesis of Spirooxindole‐Cyclohexenes via Phosphine‐Catalyzed [4 + 2] Annulation of α‐Substituted Allenoates

A phosphine‐catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation of α ‐substituted allenoate with exocyclic alkene moiety of oxindoles or indan‐1,3‐diones has been developed. Thus, under the catalysis of PPh₃ (20 mol%), a series of spirooxindole‐ or spiroindan‐1,3‐dione‐cyclohexenes have been obtained in moderate to excellent yields and regioselectivity from the annulations of α ‐methyl allenoates with 3‐methyleneoxindoles or 2‐methyleneindan‐1,3‐diones. This method offers an easy access to structurally novel spirocyclohexenes.     

Divergent Reactivity in Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation with Diarylamines and α,β‐Unsaturated Acids: Direct Access to Substituted 2‐Quinolinones and Indoles

A palladium‐catalyzed C?H activation strategy has been successfully employed for exclusive synthesis of a variety of 3‐substituted indoles. A [3+3] annulation for synthesizing substituted 2‐quinolinones was recently developed by reaction of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with diarylamines under acidic conditions. In the present work, an analogous [3+2] annulation is achieved from the same set of starting materials under basic conditions to generate 1,3‐disubstituted indoles exclusively. Mechanistic studies revealed an ortho‐palladation–π‐coordination–β‐migratory insertion–β‐hydride elimination reaction sequence to be operative under the reaction conditions.     

Synthesis for Pyridopyrimidinones

An improved clean methodology has been developed for the synthesis of pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones through a simple one‐pot reaction of chalcones, ketones, and ammonium acetates via a [3+2+1] ring annulation. This dry media methodology, where the three components absorbed over solid inorganic support under microwave irradiation, afforded the desired product in a short reaction time.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones through Phosphine‐Catalyzed [4+1] Annulation

An enantioselective synthesis of spiropyrazolones from allenoate‐derived MBH acetates and pyrazolones through a phosphine‐mediated [4+1] annulation process has been developed. Spiropyrazolones were readily prepared in good chemical yields and good to high enantioselectivities. This is the first asymmetric example in which α‐substituted allenoates were utilized as a C₄ synthon for phosphine‐catalyzed [4+1] annulation.     

Electrosynthesis of Dihydropyrano[4,3-b]indoles Based on a Double Oxidative [3+3] Cycloaddition

Oxidative [3+3] cycloadditions offer an efficient route for six-membered-ring formation. This approach has been realized based on an electrochemical oxidative coupling of indoles/enamines with active methylene compounds followed by tandem 6π-electrocyclization leading to the synthesis of dihydropyrano[4,3-b]indoles and 2,3-dihydrofurans. The radical–radical cross-coupling of the radical species generated by anodic oxidation combined with the cathodic generation of the base from O₂ allows for mild reaction conditions for the synthesis of structurally complex heterocycles.     

Gadolinium Photocatalysis: Dearomative [2+2] Cycloaddition/Ring-Expansion Sequence with Indoles

Lanthanide photocatalysts are much less investigated in synthetic chemistry than rare and expensive late transition metals. We herein introduce Gd^III photocatalysis of a highly regioselective, intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition/ring-expansion sequence with indoles, which could provide divergent access to cyclopenta[b]indoles and indolines. A simple and commercially available Gd(OTf)₃ salt is sufficient for this visible-violet-light-induced transformation. The reaction proceeds either through a transient or start-to-end dearomatization cascade and shows excellent regioselectivity (usually >95:5 r.r.), broad scope (59 examples), good functional group tolerance and facile scale-up under mild, direct visible-light-excitation conditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that direct excitation of the Gd(OTf)₃/indole mixture gives an excited state intermediate, which undergoes the subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition and cyclobutane-expansion cascade.