Carbamoylimidazolium and thiocarbamoylimidazolium salts: novel reagents for the synthesis of ureas, thioureas, carbamates, thiocarbamates and amides

Carbamoylimidazolium salts act as efficient N,N-disubstituted carbamoylating reagents. These salts are readily prepared by the sequential treatment of secondary amines with N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and iodomethane. The carbamoylimidazolium salts are more efficient carbamoyl transfer reagents than the intermediate carbamoylimidazoles, as a result of the ‘imidazolium’ effect. Kinetic studies on the base promoted hydrolysis of both carbamoylimidazoles and carbamoylimidazolium salts reveal over a hundred-fold rate acceleration. The salts react with amines, thiols, phenols/alcohols, and carboxylic acids in high yields, without the need for subsequent chromatographic purification of the products, producing ureas, thiocarbamates, carbamates, and amides, respectively. Analogous thiocarbamoylimidazolium salts were also synthesized from secondary amines and N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI), followed by methylation with iodomethane.     

New protic salts of aprotic polar solvents

Aprotic polar solvents such as DMF, acetonitrile or DMSO can be protonated to form stable triflate salts when treated with triflic acid. The reaction of the same solvents with N,N-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide led to the isolation of the corresponding N,N-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts.     

Resolution of nitrogen-centered chiral tetraalkylammonium salts: application to [1,2] Stevens rearrangements with N-to-C chirality transmission

The resolution of N-chiral, amino acid-derived quaternary ammonium salts is demonstrated by using chiral BINOL as a complexing agent. Determination of the enantiopurities and absolute configurations of the resolved N-chiral tetraalkylammonium salts are described. The [1,2] Stevens rearrangement of N-chiral ammonium salts is shown to proceed with N-to-C chirality transmission to afford optically active 3-substituted morpholin-2-one derivatives.     

Facile synthesis of C-phosphanylformamidines via a carbene pathway

A direct synthetic approach to C-phosphanyl-N,N-dialkyl-N′-aryl(alkyl)-formamidines was developed. It was shown that phosphorylation of the formamidines proceeds at the nitrogen atom affording N-phosphanylformamidinium salts. Upon deprotonation, these salts gave C-phosphanylformamidines via formation of carbenes followed by a 1,2-phosphorus shift.     

Intramolecular dehydrochlorination of [2-(N’,N’-dialkylhydrazino)ethyl]phosphonium salts. Chemoselective alkaline hydrolysis of triphenylphosphonioalkylhydrazinium salts

The reactions of N,N-dimethylhydrazine and N-aminopiperidine with potential triphenylvinyl-and-propenylphosphonium bromides were used to obtain adducts by the α,β-double bonds of the latter. The resulting [2-(N’,N’-dimethylhydrazino)ethyl]phosphonium salts just on moderate heating in alcohol undergo dehydration leading to the corresponding hydrazone or α,β-unsaturated hydrazine derivatives. Contrary to that, [2-(N’,N’dimethylhydrazino)-2-methylethyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide under the same conditions does not undergo dehydration. The reaction of (3-bromopropyl)-and (4-bromobutyl)triphenylphosphonium bromides with N,N-dimethylhydrazine gives phosphoniohydrazinium salts with a tri-or tetramethylene common radical. When treated with equimolar amount of ethanolic sodium ethylate, the latter products undergo alkaline reduction of one of the phenyl groups to give the corresponding diphenylphosphinoylalkylhydrazinium salts in high yields.     

Copper-catalyzed direct N-arylation of N-arylsulfonamides using diaryliodonium salts in water

An efficient copper-catalyzed N-arylation of N-arylsulfonamides with diaryliodonium salts is reported. The reaction employs diaryliodonium salts and N-arylsulfonamides in water at room temperature, giving the products in moderate to excellent yields.     

Trialkylammonium salt degradation: implications for methylation and cross-coupling

Trialkylammonium (most notably N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) salts are known to display dual reactivity through both the aryl group and the N-methyl groups. These salts have thus been widely applied in cross-coupling, aryl etherification, fluorine radiolabelling, phase-transfer catalysis, supramolecular recognition, polymer design, and (more recently) methylation. However, their application as electrophilic methylating reagents remains somewhat underexplored, and an understanding of their arylation versus methylation reactivities is lacking. This study presents a mechanistic degradation analysis of N,N,N-trimethylanilinium salts and highlights the implications for synthetic applications of this important class of salts. Kinetic degradation studies, in both solid and solution phases, have delivered insights into the physical and chemical parameters affecting anilinium salt stability. ¹H NMR kinetic analysis of salt degradation has evidenced thermal degradation to methyl iodide and the parent aniline, consistent with a closed-shell S_N2-centred degradative pathway, and methyl iodide being the key reactive species in applied methylation procedures. Furthermore, the effect of halide and non-nucleophilic counterions on salt degradation has been investigated, along with deuterium isotope and solvent effects. New mechanistic insights have enabled the investigation of the use of trimethylanilinium salts in O-methylation and in improved cross-coupling strategies. Finally, detailed computational studies have helped highlight limitations in the current state-of-the-art of solvation modelling of reaction in which the bulk medium undergoes experimentally observable changes over the reaction timecourse.

The dual reactivity of N,N,N-trimethylanilinium salts towards arylation and methylation is decoupled in this mechanistic investigation to enable more strategic application of these salts in either reaction class.     

A simple access to metallic or onium bistrifluoromethanesulfonimide salts

Numerous salts of the (CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻ anion, called TFSI, were prepared according to an original one-pot procedure. First, N-benzyl trifluoromethanesulfonimide (N-benzyl triflimide) was treated with ethanol to form an oxonium intermediate, which was then neutralized by various bases to provide metallic or trialkylammonium triflimides salts. Alternatively, N-benzyl triflimide was directly treated with trialkyl sulfonium, quaternary ammonium or phosphonium halides to deliver the corresponding triflimide derivatives. N-Benzyl triflimide can be also reacted with di- or tri-alkylamines and phosphines to get benzyl onium salts. Analogous reactions can be carried out with N-allyl triflimide. Therefore, the TFSI anion can be very easily and expediently associated with a wide range of metallic or organic cations. Such salts can find applications as electrolytes for batteries and fuel cells, ionic liquids or Lewis acids.     

N-tripodal ligands to generate copper catalysts for the syndiotactic polymerization of methyl-methacrylate: Crystal structures of copper complexes

A library of N-tripodal ligands, based on a central nitrogen atom connected to three different functionalized arms, was investigated via a parallel approach for the polymerization of methyl-methacrylate (MMA) in presence of late transition metal salts. Copper salts CuCl₂ and Cu(OAc)₂ in combination with N-(2-furanylmethyl)-N-(1-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolylmethyl)-N- (phenylmethyl)amine were detected as efficient catalysts for the syndiotactic polymerization of MMA ([rr] up to 78%). Kinetic studies and X-ray structures of the best catalysts were reported.     

Electronic structure and electro-optical properties of ion radicals formed during the reduction of N,N′-dialkylsubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl

Symmetric N,N′-disubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl (viologens) are synthesized and described. It is shown by cyclic voltammetry that disubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl have a tendency toward reversible two-electron reduction. Normal first and second step oxidation-reduction potentials with respect to saturated silver chloride electrodes at various potential scan rates are found. The spectra of the high-resolution electron paramagnetic resonance of viologen cation radicals formed during the reduction of N,N′-disubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl are obtained and interpreted. It is established that the nature of substitutes and counterions in a viologen molecule considerably influences the distribution of its spin density, voltammetric curves, and electro-optical properties.     

Tris(1-alkylindol-3-yl)methylium salts as a novel class of antitumor agents

Tris(1-alkylindol-3-yl)methanes were obtained and oxidized into tris(1-alkylindol-3-yl)methylium salts. The resulting salts are more toxic to cultured tumor cells than to non-tumor ones. The cytotoxicity of tris(1-alkylindol-3-yl)methylium salts depends on the length of the substituent at the N atom of the heterocycle, increasing from an N-unsubstituted derivative toward N-butyl- and N-pentyl derivatives. A further increase in the length of the N-alkyl substituent lowers the cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity of tris(1-alkylindol-3-yl)methylium salts for tumor cells correlates with their antibacterial and antifungal activity. Tris(1-alkylindol-3-yl)methylium salts produced a cytocide effect on Gram-positive microorganisms and the most active compounds, on Gram-negative microorganisms as well. Similar patterns of the structure—activity relationship of N-alkylated tris(indol-3-yl)methylium derivatives, which was observed for various lines of tumor cells, bacteria, and fungi, suggest the general character of the mechanisms of the death of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells induced by these compounds.     

A modular synthesis of chiral aminoindanol-derived imidazolium salts

A modular synthesis of N-substituted chiral imidazolium salts derived from (1R,2S)-(+)-1-amino-2-indanol is described. A wide range of amines are amenable to late stage introduction of the N-substituent to provide N-aryl, N-alkyl, and N-amino imidazolium salts, which serve as precursors to chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). A multi-gram synthesis of the N-mesityl derivative provides an important imidazolium salt for ongoing studies aimed at the development and understanding of NHC-catalyzed annulations. Critical to the success of this synthetic strategy is a chemoselective alkylation, 6-exo-tet ring closure of a formamide onto an epoxide, and a heterocyclic interconversion strategy.     

Synthesis and cationic polymerization of oxyranyl-functionalized triphenylamine

Synthesis and cationic polymerization of N-{4-[(oxiranylmethoxy)methyl]phenyl}-N,N-diphenylamine is reported. Diaryliodonium salts and iron-arene complex were used as photoinitiators. Iodonium salts have appeared to be much more effective photoinitiators for polymerization of the monomer than iron-arene complex. The effect of the temperature on the rate of photopolymerization of the monomer with iron-arene complex has been studied.     

Oxidative coupling of malononitrile with formation of 1,1,2,3,3-pentacyanopropene salts

A simple and convenient route for the synthesis of 1,1,2,3,3-pentacyanopropene salts is reported. These salts are formed by interaction of malononitrile with SeO₂ in presence of organic N-containing bases or pyridinium salts.     

An efficient,one-pot synthesis of N-isatinylmethylthioacetic acid and its derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A convenient, one-pot synthesis of N-isatinylmethylthioacetic acid and several of its derivatives, as potential anticancer agents, by reactions of N-(hydroxymethyl)isatins with Bunte salts in TFA is described. The reactions involve attack of these salts on the S(II) atom by C-electrophilic species generated from hydroxy derivatives.     

Visible-light-induced N-heterocyclic carbene mediated cascade transformation of N-alkenoxypyridinium salts

While N-alkenoxypyridinium salts are widely used for the synthesis of α-functionalized ketones via umpolung strategy, such approaches are usually limited to special nucleophiles at high temperatures. Herein, we developed an alternative photoinduced N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)- mediated functionalization of N-alkenoxypyridinium salts with various nucleophiles, including tetramethylammonium azide, secondary amines, aryl and alkyl thiols, and even the challenging C(sp³)-nucleophiles, under mild conditions. A cascade radical-radical coupling/nucleophilic substitution sequence was proposed, wherein the NHC enabled the formation of a photoactive electron donor-acceptor complex for α-iodo ketone synthesis.     

Furan- and thiophene-functionalised bis-carbene ligands: Synthesis,silver(I) complexes,and catalysis

New furan- and thiophene-functionalised nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of Ag(I) were prepared via the reaction of novel furan- and thiophene-functionalised bis-imidazolium salts with Ag₂O. Samples of both the N-methyl substituted furan- and thiophene-functionalised Ag(I) complexes suitable for single crystal X-ray studies were obtained following anion metathesis to the tetrafluoroborate salts. The structural characterisations revealed dinuclear [Ag₂(_MeCEC)₂](BF₄)₂ (E = O, S) formulations with discrete twenty-membered dimetallacycles present in both instances; however, the overall molecular conformation varies considerably, notably in the orientations of the two bridging furan or thiophene heterocycles to the silver coordination plane. The functionalised bis-imidazolium salts were tested as in situ additives in a Pd(0)-catalysed aryl amination coupling reaction, with the best observed activities around 20% of those seen with 1,3-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)imidazolium chloride under identical conditions. The bulkier N-^tBu and N-mesityl substituted salts were found to be more active than the N-methyl substituted analogues.     

N,N-Ethylene-bridged flavinium salts derived from l-valinol: synthesis and catalytic activity in H2O2 oxidations

Three chiral N¹,N¹⁰-ethylene-bridged flavinium salts with a stereogenic centre derived from l-valinol are prepared and investigated as oxidation catalysts. These salts efficiently catalyse chemoselective H₂O₂ oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and the oxidation of 3-phenylcyclobutanone to the corresponding lactone at room temperature. The flavinium salts react with hydrogen peroxide to form flavin-10a-hydroperoxide, which is the agent responsible for oxidation of the substrate.     

N- and O-arylation of pyridin-2-ones with diaryliodonium salts: base-dependent orthogonal selectivity under metal-free conditions

Metal-free N- and O-arylation reactions of pyridin-2-ones as ambident nucleophiles have been achieved with diaryliodonium salts on the basis of base-dependent chemoselectivity. In the presence of N,N-diethylaniline in fluorobenzene, pyridin-2-ones were very selectively converted to N-arylated products in high yields. On the other hand, the O-arylation reactions smoothly proceeded with the use of quinoline in chlorobenzene, leading to high yields and selectivities. In these methods, a variety of pyridin-2-ones in addition to pyridin-4-one and a set of diaryliodonium salts were accepted as suitable reaction partners.

The metal-free N- and O-arylation reactions of pyridin-2-ones with diaryliodonium salts were achieved on the basis of base-dependent chemoselectivity.     

A study of tautomerism in N,N-dialkyl-4(5)-bromoalkanecarboxamides

N,N-Dialkyl-4-bromobutanamides exist in solution in tautomeric equilibrium with N,N-dialkyl-N-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylidene)ammonium bromides, while related 4,5-dibromopentanamides show no similar interconversions with the corresponding iminium salts. A similar difference is observed when comparing the chemical behavior of their homologs, viz., N, N-dialkyl-5-bromopentanamide and N, N-dialkyl-5,6-dibromohexanamide