3H-Pyrroles as a platform for the catalyst-free construction of dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazoles: [4 + 2]-cycloaddition vs [2 + 3]-annulation with 1-cyano-3-hydroxyalkynes

Non-aromatic pyrrole isomers, 3,3-dialkyl-2-aryl-3H-pyrroles, were reacted with 1-cyano-3-hydroxyalkynes under mild, catalyst-free conditions (20–60?°C) to regio- and stereoselectively afford (Z)-2-(dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazolylidene)acetonitriles in 62–82% yield, thus evidencing the preference for [2?+?3]-annulation over the [4?+?2]-Diels-Alder alternative. The reaction involves initial nucleophilic addition of the pyrrole moiety at the triple bond followed by tandem ring closure of an anionic intermediate.     

Intramolecular [8+2] cycloaddition and 10π-electron electrocyclization reactions of an 8-acylheptafulvene

Compound 8-(trans-3-ethoxycarbonylallylacetyl)heptafulvene,8, undergoes both an intramolecular [8+2] cycloaddition and a 10π-electron electrocyclization followed by 1,5-sigmatropic hydrogen shifts to give10 and₁₂, respectively.     

Diversity-oriented synthesis of 1,2,3,5-tetrahydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]oxadiazepines and 2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,2,4]triazepines by base-induced [4 + 3] annulation reactions

The base-induced formal [4 + 3] annulation reactions of N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides with nitrones or hydrazonoyl chlorides have been reported. When nitrones are used as the 1,3-dipole, the corresponding reaction afforded a series of 1,2,3,5-tetrahydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]oxadiazepine derivatives. Highly functionalized 2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,2,4]triazepine derivatives were also synthesized via an unprecedented tandem aza-Michael addition/rearrangement aromatization between N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and hydrazonoyl chlorides.     

The rearrangement of 1H,1′H-spiro[quinoline-4,2′-quinoxaline]-2,3′ (3H,4′H)-diones – a new and efficient method for the synthesis of 4-(benzimidazol-2-yl)quinolin-2(1H)-ones

A new and highly efficient method for the synthesis of 4-(benzimidazol-2-yl)quinolin-2(1H)-ones via the rearrangement of spiroquinoxalinones in moderate-to-excellent yields has been developed. The rearrangement represents a facile approach to medicinally important biheterocyclic compounds. Compared to other methods, the present protocol has a number of advantages such as – cost-effectiveness, avoidance of difficult of access quinolin-2-one and benzimidazole derivatives as reaction partners, and easy accessibility of starting materials, making it a highly practical approach to access various 4-(benzimidazol-2-yl)quinolin-2(1H)-ones.     

Four-component synthesis of alkyl [2-[(cyclohexylamino)carbonyl]-4-oxo-2H-chromen-3(4H)-ylidene]methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahalophthalates via a domino O-acylation/α-addition cyclization/alcoholysis sequence

A novel protocol was developed for the synthesis of alkyl [2-[(cyclohexylamino)carbonyl]-4-oxo-2H-chromen-3(4H)-ylidene]methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahalophthalate derivatives via the one-pot, four-component domino O-acylation/α-addition cyclization/alcoholysis reaction of tetrahalophthalic anhydrides, 3-formylchromones, cyclohexyl isocyanide and various alcohols. The highlights of this novel cascade reaction include mild reaction conditions, easy workup, and high bond efficiency resulting in the formation of four new bonds (two CO, one CO and one CC) in a single operation.     

Synthesis of novel spiro[benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-14,3′-indoline]-1,2′,13(2H)-triones via three component reaction

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of hitherto unreported spiro[benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-14,3′-indoline]-1,2′,13(2H)-triones was developed via the Domino Knoevenagel condensation–Michael addition–intermolecular cyclization sequences of isatin derivatives, cyclohexane-1,3-diones, and 2-hydroxy-4H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones, employing 12-tungstophosphoric acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) as an effective and inexpensive catalyst.     

Cobalt(I)-catalyzed [4π+2π] cycloaddition reactions of 1,3-diynes with 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene

The cycloaddition reaction between conjugated diynes and 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene in the presence of the catalyst Co(acac)₂/dppe/Zn/ZnI₂, led to the selective formation of tricyclo[4.2.2.0^2,5]deca-7,9-diene derivatives in 72–85% yield.     

Stereochemistry in control of photochemical reactivity: 2,6-Diaryl-4H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-indene]-1′,3′,4-triones

Photochemical reaction of trans-2,6-diaryl-4H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-indene]-1′,3′,4-triones gives rise to the formation of the ylidenephthalide derivatives as previously observed for 2,2-disubstituted 1,3-indandiones. In contrast, the respective cis-isomers afford different products originating from the unprecedented reversible cyclohexanone cycle breaking (photo-induced retro-Michael reaction). The difference between the reaction pathways does not depend on the irradiation wavelengths or the light source power and is observed both in solution and solid state.     

Synthesis of 2-aryl-2H-[1,2,4]triazoloquinolin-3-one and 2-aryl-2H-[1,2,4]triazoloisoquinolin-3-one derivatives from α-chloroformylarylhydrazines hydrochloride

The reaction of α-chloroformylarylhydrazines hydrochloride with quinoline under air provided the corresponding 2-aryl-2H-[1,2,4]triazoloquinolin-3-ones 3a-3d in 33-42% yields and unexpected isomeric 2-aryl-2H-[1,2,4]triazoloisoquinolin-3-ones 4a-4d in 30-42% yields. These two isomers were isolated and fully characterized by spectroscopic methods including X-ray crystallography. By employing 3-methylquinoline as the starting material under the same condition, the reaction only gave compound 3e-3h as sole products in 70-82% yields without the formation of isomers. A plausible mechanism was proposed through electrophilic aromatic reaction, the tandem ring cyclization and ring-opening, and oxidation for the generation of 2-aryl-2H-[1,2,4]triazoloisoquinolin-3-ones (4).     

Conjugate additions of lithium dialkynylcuprates [(RCC)2CuLi] to activated chromones. Unexpected formation of the 6H-bis[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b:3′,4′-e]pyridine system

Lithium dialkynylcuprates [(RCC)₂CuLi], 1a-d, are easily generated and undergo conjugate additions to activated chromones giving 2-alkynylchroman-4-ones 4a-d, 13, 15c,d and 5, however, 1,4-additions to 3 proceed anomalously to give the eneynonitriles 6a-b and the bisbenzopyranopyridine 7.     

Double [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with allenoates: Synthesis of spirobidihydroisoxazoles

The double [3+2] cycloaddition of allenoates with nitrile oxides was presented. The reaction worked well under mild reaction conditions to give the spirobidihydroisoxazole in moderate to excellent yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.     

Synthesis of novel 8-(het)aryl-6H-pyrano[4′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-b]pyridines by 6-endo-dig cyclization of Sonogashira products and halolactonizations with Cu salts/NXS. Preliminary antitumor evaluation

Novel 8-(het)aryl-6H-pyrano[4′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-b]pyridines were prepared in good to high yields by a tandem one-pot procedure of Sonogashira coupling and 6-endo-dig lactonization from 3-bromothieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid and (het)arylalkynes. Sonogashira coupling products were also prepared from the corresponding methyl ester giving in the same reaction the corresponding 6-endo-dig compounds as minor products. The Sonogashira phenyl ester product gave cyclization with electrophiles only in low to moderate yields. Nevertheless, halolactonizations using Cu(I) or (II) salts/N-halosuccinimides (NXS) from either the phenyl ester or the carboxylic acid derivatives occurred in good to high yields. The growth inhibition potential of the compounds was evaluated using human tumor cell lines, HCT-15 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer) and studies of apoptosis induction were performed for the three most promising compounds in HCT-15?cells. Two of them caused almost 40% of cell death by apoptosis when tested at their 1.5?×?GI₅₀ concentrations. The tricyclic lactone with a F atom in the meta position showed to be the most promising one.     

Enantioselective synthesis of indolo[2,3-b]-dihydrothiopyranones via [3+3] cycloaddition of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts

A nucleophile-catalyzed Michael addition/proton transfer/lactonization (NCMPL) organocascade process of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts and indoline-2-thiones is described, which delivers the indolo[2,3-b]dihydrothiopyranone motifs in high yields (up to 97%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).     

First green protocols for the large-scale preparation of γ-diisoeugenol and related dihydro(1H)indenes via formal [3+2] cycloaddition reactions

Trans-isoeugenol and related styrenes (trans-isohomogenol or O-benzylated isoeugenol), important components of the essential oil of various tropical plants, dimerize easily in the presence of catalytic amounts of BF₃·OEt₂ in poly(ethylene glycol) with M_n = 400 (PEG-400) or SiO₂-OSO₃H in MeCN via formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction to give respective natural products (diisoeugenol and its O-substituted analog) with the 1,2-trans-2,3-trans-configuration in excellent yields. γ-Diisoeugenol scale-up preparation has also been described.     

Synthesis of dipyrrolo[2,3-a:1′,2′,3′-fg]acridin-12(1H)-ones

Acylation reactions of 4,6-dimethoxyindoles with glyoxyloyl chlorides were achieved by the use of graphite powder in 1,2-dichloroethane at reflux. The products were monoketones as a result of decarbonylation, rather than the expected 1,2-diketones. Treatment of these monoketones with base led to their cyclisation and elimination of methanol to afford the novel dipyrrolo[2.3-a:1′,2′,3′-fg]acridin-12(1H)-ones.     

A tandem hetero Diels–Alder/Mannich approach for the synthesis of a versatile hexahydro-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-4(3H)-one core

The synthesis of a highly functionalizable hexahydro-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-4(3H)-one core is described and sequentially involves a hetero-Diels Alder (HDA) reaction and an intramolecular Mannich reaction resulting in selective formation of the trans-fused ring geometry.     

One-pot heterocyclic ring closure of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol to 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole

An operationally simple ring closure of racemic 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) yielded the heterocyclic aromatic compound 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (DBC). This one-pot method gave a good conversion and is suitable for gram-scale synthesis. DBC derivatives have high thermal durability, amorphous and crystalline structures with unique morphological properties, and semi-conducting behavior with potential applications in organic electronics.     

Improved synthesis of (S)-7-amino-5H,7H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-6-one, a building block for γ-secretase inhibitors

An improved synthesis of (S)-7-amino-5H,7H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-6-one (1), involving a selective crystallization of epimeric menthylcarbamates for the resolution step followed by simultaneous cleavage of the carbamate and the lactam protecting group is described. Epimerization conditions of the undesired epimer have also been determined.     

Formal [4 + 1] cycloaddition strategy for the synthesis of dihydrobenzofurans via Michael addition of 2-(2-nitrovinyl)-phenols and malonate esters (C1 synthon) and subsequent iodine-catalyzed oxidative annulation

A novel [4 + 1] cycloaddition protocol for the synthesis of dihydrobenzo(naphtho)furan skeletons from readily available 2-(2-nitrovinyl)-phen(naphth)ols and malonate esters via a tandem Michael addition/iodine-catalyzed oxidative annulation has been developed. This method provides a new and facile application of malonate esters as 1,1-nucleophilic/electrophilic type C1 synthons without a pre-functionalization step and the plausible reaction mechanism is proposed.     

π-Extended conjugate phenylacetylenes. Synthesis of 4-[(E) and (Z)-2-(4-ethenylphenyl)ethenyl]pyridine. Dimerization, quaternation and formation of charge-transfer complexes

The conjugate (E)- and (Z)-(4′-pyridylethenyl)-4-phenylethyne (E-4 and Z-4) has been satisfactorily prepared by two different routes: (a) by dehydrohalogenation of 4′-pyridylethenyl-4-phenyl-β-chloroethene; (b) by the Wittig reaction between p-(iodobenzyl)(triphenyl)phosphine ylide and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, E/Z isomer separation, and cross-coupling with 2-methyl-but-3-yn-2-ol followed the propanone elimination. The Glaser oxidative dimerization of (Z)-4 yields (Z,Z)-1,4-di[(4′-pyridylethenyl)-4-phenyl]-buta-1,3-diyne in good yield, (Z,Z)-5. (E,E)-5 was obtained by phase transfer oxidative dimerisation of (E)-4 in presence of their N-methyl salt (E)-10. Mono- and di-N-methylated salts of conjugate (E,E)-5 and (Z,Z)-5, were obtained by quaternation with iodomethane. The (Z,Z)-5 di-N-methylated salt forms charge-transfer complexes with TCNE, TCNQ and TMPD.