Intramolecular palladium-catalyzed cyclization of alkenylboronate prepared from hydroboration of terminal acetylene and its application to the stereoselective synthesis of (E)-doxepin

The hydroboration of 2-[(2-ethynylphenyl)methoxy]-1-iodobenzene with bis(pinacolato)diboron in the presence of palladium catalyst and followed by consecutive oxidative addition, cis-cyclocarbopalladation, and cis-β-elimination could give highly stereoselective exocyclic alkenylboronate ester. The following cross-coupling of the exocyclic alkenylboronate ester with 2-bromo-N,N-dimethylacetamide in the presence of palladium catalyst and followed by LAH reduction gives (E)-doxepin in fair yields.     

Cascade radical cyclization/cross-coupling of halobenzamides by synergistic Cu/Fe catalysis: An access to 7-tert-alkylated isoquinolinediones

A Cu/Fe-cocatalyzed cyclization of halobenzamides with azo reagents involving regioselective radical/radical cross-coupling toward functionalized isoquinolinediones was developed. Applying azo reagents as the coupling partner, in the presence of cheap, facile and ligand-free catalytic combination of CuI/Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂·6H₂O/air, the halobenzamide radicals generated by a prior radical addition/cyclization process underwent radical/radical cross-coupling via the cleavage of C-X (X?=?F, Cl, Br, I, OMe, OBn) bond with excellent site selectivity, leading to a series of isoquinolinediones furnished dual distal α-functional quaternary moieties. In addition, the theoretical calculation on the C-X bond cleavage and the positional selectivity using unrestricted density functional theory (DFT) was also conducted.     

Efficient synthesis of 5-nitro-benzo[b]furans via 2-bromo-4-nitro-phenyl acetates

Acetylation/Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction/cyclization has been carried out in one-pot using a Na₂PdCl₄/2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)-N-phenylindole/CuI system in TMEDA to give 5-nitro-2-substituted benzo[b]furans in excellent yields. We also describe the extension of this method to 4-EWG-2-bromo-phenols obtaining 2,5-disubstituted-benzo[b]furans in good yields.     

Electrophilic cyclization of 3-alkynyl-4-chalcogen-2-H-chromenes: synthesis of 3-halo-chalcogenophene[3,2-c]chromene derivatives

An efficient synthesis of 3-halo-chalcogenophene[3,2-c]chromene has been accomplished via electrophilic cyclization reaction of 3-alkynyl-4-chalcogen-2H-chromene using I₂, PhSeBr, and BuTeBr₃ as electrophilic sources. The cyclization reaction proceeded cleanly under mild reaction conditions, and 3-halochalcogen-chromenes were formed in good yields. In addition, the obtained 3-iodo-chalcogenophene-chromenes were readily transformed to more complex products using a metal-halogen exchange reaction with n-BuLi and trapping the lithium-intermediate formed with aldehyde, furnishing the desired secondary alcohol in good yield. Conversely, using the palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with terminal alkynes and boronic acid, we were able to obtain the Sonogashira and Suzuki type products in good yields.     

I2-Promoted Intramolecular Oxidative Cyclization of Butenyl Anilines: A Facile Route to Benzo[b]azepines

A metal-free approach for the synthesis of seven-membered N-heterocycles has been developed by the I₂-promoted intramolecular cross-coupling/annulation of butenyl anilines. This cyclization reaction involves C−H activation and C−C bond formation and exhibits good functional group tolerance. A series of benzo[b]azepine derivatives are obtained in moderate to good yields.     

Enantioselective Cascade Michael Addition/Cyclization Reactions of 3‐Nitro‐2H‐Chromenes with 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindoles: Efficient Synthesis of Functionalized Polycyclic Spirooxindoles

An unprecedented Zn(OTf)₂‐catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition/cyclization cascade of 3‐nitro‐2H‐chromenes with 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles has been disclosed. This transformation provides an efficient access to various synthetically important polycyclic spirooxindoles in a highly stereoselective manner under mild conditions (72–99 % yields, up to >95:5 d.r. and >99 % ee). The reaction leads to the formation of three consecutive stereocenters, including 1,3‐nonadjacent tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters, in a single operation. A bifunctional activation model of the chiral Zn(OTf)₂/bis(oxazoline) complex was proposed based on control experiments, wherein the Zn^II moiety serves as a Lewis acid and the N atom of the free NH group acts as a Lewis base by a hydrogen‐bonding interaction.     

A convenient hydroiodination of alkynes using I2/PPh3/H2O and its application to the one-pot synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes via iodoalkenes using Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

A facile hydroiodination of alkynes using readily-available reagents such as I₂, PPh₃, and H₂O has been developed. This is extended to the one-pot synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes from alkynes via iodoalkenes using Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling and related methods such as the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling, Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction, and Mizoroki–Heck reaction.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cyclization of ortho‐Iodoketoximes and ortho‐Iodoketimines with Alkynes: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Isoquinolines and Isoquinolinium Salts

A convenient method for the synthesis of highly substituted isoquinolines and isoquinolinium salts by the nickel‐catalyzed cyclization of ortho‐haloketoximes and ‐ketimines, respectively, with alkynes is described. The reaction of ortho‐haloketoximes and various alkynes in the presence of [Ni(PPh₃)₂Br₂] and zinc powder in a mixture of acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran at 80 °C for 15 hours gave 1,3,4‐trisubstituted isoquinoline products in moderate to excellent yields and high regioselectivity. The corresponding isoquinoline N‐oxide was found to be the intermediate in the cyclization reaction pathway. In contrast, the reaction of ortho‐haloketimines and alkynes under similar catalytic conditions in tetrahydrofuran at 70 °C for two hours gave 1,2,3,4‐tetrasubstituted isoquinolinium salts in good to excellent yields.     

Nucleophilic Addition of Amines to Ruthenium Carbenes: ortho‐(Alkynyloxy)benzylamine Cyclizations towards 1,3‐Benzoxazines

A new ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclization of ortho‐(alkynyloxy)benzylamines to dihydro‐1,3‐benzoxazines is reported. The cyclization is thought to take place via the vinyl ruthenium carbene intermediates which are easily formed from [Cp*RuCl(cod)] and N₂CHSiMe₃. The mild reaction conditions and the efficiency of the procedure allow the easy preparation of a broad range of new 2‐vinyl‐2‐substituted 1,3‐benzoxazine derivatives. Rearrangement of an internal C(sp) in the starting material into a tetrasubstituted C(sp³) atom in the final 1,3‐benzoxazine is highly remarkable.     

Synthesis of 1H-indol-2-yl-(4-aryl)-quinolin-2(1H)-ones via Pd-catalyzed regioselective cross-coupling reaction and cyclization

An efficient and novel route for the synthesis of 1H-indol-2-yl-(4-aryl)-quinolin-2(1H)-one 1 via palladium-catalyzed site-selective cross-coupling reaction and cyclization process was described. Reaction of 3-bromo-4-trifloxy-quinolin-2(1H)-one 3 with arylboronic acid catalyzed by PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ afforded 3-bromo-4-aryl-quinolin-2(1H)-one 4, which then reacted with 2-ethynylaniline 5 via Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling and CuI-mediated cyclization leading to the desired 1H-indol-2-yl-(4-aryl)-quinolin-2(1H)-one 1 in good yields.     

Modular Synthesis of Furans with up to Four Different Substituents by a trans-Carboboration Strategy

Propargyl alcohols, on treatment with MHMDS (M=Na, K), B₂(pin)₂, an acid chloride and a palladium/copper co-catalyst system, undergo a reaction cascade comprised of trans-diboration, regioselective acylation, cyclization and dehydration to give trisubstituted furylboronic acid pinacol ester derivatives in good yields; subsequent Suzuki coupling allows a fourth substituent of choice to be introduced and hence tetrasubstituted (arylated) furans to be formed. In terms of modularity, the method seems unrivaled, not least because each product can be attained by two orthogonal but convergent ways (“diagonal split”). This asset is illustrated by the “serial” formation of a “library” of all twelve possible furan isomers that result from systematic permutation of four different substituents about the heterocyclic core.     

Utility of 4,6-dichloro-2-(methylthio)-5-nitropyrimidine. Part 2: Solution phase synthesis of tetrasubstituted purines

A simple synthesis of tetrasubstituted purines is disclosed based on the solution phase elaboration of 4,6-dichloro-2-methylthio-5-nitropyrimidine. One-pot sequential C4 and C6 chloride substitution by secondary and primary amines yields 4,6-diamino-2-methylthio-5-nitropyrimidines. mCPBA-mediated oxidation of the methylthio moiety to the corresponding sulfone allows facile substitution at the 2-position. CrCl₂ assisted reduction of the nitro group, followed by acid catalyzed orthoester cyclization, then provides novel tetrasubstituted purines not accessible by other methods.     

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents and their application to sequential radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions

Reactions of alkyl halides with arylmagnesium bromides in the presence of cobalt(II)(diphosphine) complexes are discussed. Treatment of 1-bromooctane with phenylmagnesium bromide with the aid of a catalytic amount of CoCl₂(dppp) [DPPP=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] yielded octylbenzene in good yield. The reaction mechanism would include single electron transfer from an electron-rich cobalt complex to alkyl halide to generate the corresponding alkyl radical. The mechanism was justified by CoCl₂(dppe)-catalyzed [DPPE=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] sequential radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives that yielded benzyl-substituted cyclopentane skeletons.     

3-Iodo-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyran as a convenient precursor for the sonogashira cross-coupling: synthesis of 3-alkynyl-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyrans

3-Iodo-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyran derivatives underwent a direct Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction with several terminal alkynes in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ with CuI as a co-catalyst, using Et₃N as base and solvent. This cross-coupling reaction proceeded cleanly under mild conditions and was performed with propargylic alcohols, propargylic ethers, as well as alkyl and aryl alkynes, furnishing the correspondent 3-alkynyl-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyrans in good yields.     

One-pot synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and fused quinazolinones by a palladium-catalyzed domino process

An efficient one-pot synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones, benzoimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-12(6H)-ones and imidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-5(1H)-ones via a palladium-catalyzed domino process has been developed. The Pd-catalyzed reactions of 2-azidobenzamides 1 with isocyanides 2 produced quinazolin-4(3H)-ones 4 at room temperature by a domino Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling/carbodiimide-mediated cyclization. However, as 2-azido-N-(2-bromophenyl)benzamides 1 were used under heating condition in the presence of Cs₂CO₃, the benzoimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-12(6H)-ones 5 were directly obtained by twice Pd-catalyzed domino cyclization. A domino reogioselective 5-exo-dig intramolecular cyclization reaction of alkynyl-containing azides 6 with isocyanides 2 generated imidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-5(1H)-ones 9 in 74–93% yields in the presence of catalyst Pd(PPh₃)₄ and K₂CO₃.     

PdCl2-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylacetylene iodides with arylboronic acids to diarylacetylenes

A new Suzuki-type cross-coupling reaction between 1-iodo-2-arylalkynes and arylboronic acids to afford a wide variety of functionalized diarylacetylenes in a mild reaction condition was developed. The reaction was catalyzed by a small amount of a structurally simple, commercially available, and stable PdCl₂. This unique sp-sp² carbon-carbon bond formation provides a new protocol for the synthesis of diarylacetylenes, which is a new addition to the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction.     

Modular Synthesis of Furans with up to Four Different Substituents by a trans‐Carboboration Strategy

Propargyl alcohols, on treatment with MHMDS (M=Na, K), B₂(pin)₂, an acid chloride and a palladium/copper co‐catalyst system, undergo a reaction cascade comprised of trans‐diboration, regioselective acylation, cyclization and dehydration to give trisubstituted furylboronic acid pinacol ester derivatives in good yields; subsequent Suzuki coupling allows a fourth substituent of choice to be introduced and hence tetrasubstituted (arylated) furans to be formed. In terms of modularity, the method seems unrivaled, not least because each product can be attained by two orthogonal but convergent ways (“diagonal split”). This asset is illustrated by the “serial” formation of a “library” of all twelve possible furan isomers that result from systematic permutation of four different substituents about the heterocyclic core.     

A carrier-free and recyclable protocol for the cross-coupling of terminal alkynes with arylboronic acids in H2O/TBAB

A new and recyclable protocol was developed for Pd(OAc)₂-catalyzed the cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with arylboronic acids using environmentally friendly H₂O/TBAB as reaction medium. A series of cross-coupling products containing internal acetylenic bond can be obtained with good selectivity and yield. The Pd(OAc)₂/H₂O/TBAB system was stable in the Sonogashira-type cross-coupling reaction and could be used at least three cycles without considerable decrease in catalytic performance. The results suggest that the unsupported and recyclable systems can be extended to the other realm of CC bond formation in synthetic organic chemistry.     

Selective enhancement effects of silver salts on the transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of gem-difluorinated heterocyclics using 2,2-difluorohomopropargyl amides

The addition of silver salts had an effect on the catalyst activity in the Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclization-coupling tandem reaction, as well as in the Rh(I)-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction. The cationic palladium complex generated from Pd(PPh₃)₄ (2.5 mol%) with AgSbF₆ (1.5 equiv.) activates the triple bond of 2,2-difluoropropargylic amides to give the 4,5-disubstituted 3,3-difluoro-γ-lactams, through a sequential 5-endo-dig cyclization and cross-coupling reaction. The γ-lactam was transformed into ring-opened monofluorovinylic compounds after silica-gel chromatography. Pauson-Khand reaction of fluorinated 1,7-enyne amides using catalytic amounts of [Rh(COD)₂]₂ (5 mol%) and AgOTf (20 mol%) gave the corresponding gem-difluorinated bicyclic lactam.     

An efficient route to diverse H-pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines via sequential multi-component/cross-coupling reactions

Multi-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, sulfonohydrazide, electrophile (bromine or iodine), and ketone or aldehyde under mild conditions proceeds smoothly to afford the functionalized H-pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines in good yields. This one-pot process involves intermolecular condensation, electrophilic cyclization, nucleophilic addition, intramolecular condensation, and aromatization. The resulting halo-containing H-pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines could be further elaborated via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.