Gold‐catalyzed Reactions of 3‐Alkynyloxireno[2, 3‐b]chromenones to Form 3(2H)‐Furanones via a Domino Pathway

3(2H)‐Furanones are efficiently generated from 3‐alkynyl oxireno[2,3‐b]chromenones by an Au/DDQ‐catalyzed domino reaction through a pathway composed of cyclization, C? C cleavage, nucleophilic addition, oxidation, and nucleophilic addition. It was found that stoichiometric AuCl₃ or catalytic Au with stoichiometric DDQ can oxidize the benzylic sp³ C? H bond to facilitate nucleophilic addition.     

Cascade One‐Pot Synthesis of Orange‐Red‐Fluorescent Polycyclic Cinnolino[2,3‐f]phenanthridin‐9‐ium Salts by Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Activation of 2‐Azobiaryl Compounds and Alkenes

Quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized in moderate to good yields through double oxidative C?H bond activation on azobenzenes. The mechanism of the highly regioselective reaction of 2‐azobiaryls with alkenes to give orange‐red‐fluorescent cinnolino[2,3‐f]phenanthridin‐9‐ium salts and 15H‐cinnolino[2,3‐f]phenanthridin‐9‐ium‐10‐ide is proposed to involve ortho C?H olefination of the 2‐azobiaryl compound with the alkene, intramolecular aza‐Michael addition, concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD), reductive elimination, and oxidation.     

Tracking the Process of a Solvothermal Domino Reaction Leading to a Stable Triheteroarylmethyl Radical: A Combined Crystallographic and Mass‐Spectrometric Study

A new free carbon radical was obtained in a microwave‐assisted solvothermal reaction of the primary amine (1‐methyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)methanamine with FeCl₃?6 H₂O in methanol at 140 °C. Through a combination of crystallography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, the reaction process was studied. The longest domino reaction includes 14 steps and forms up to 12 new covalent bonds (9 C?N and 3 C?C bonds) and 3 five‐membered heterocycles. For the first time, the homolytic cleavage of a C?O bond was used to synthesize a triarylmethyl radical.     

A Simple and Facile Synthesis of 4‐Phenylquinoline‐fused Pyrrolidin‐2‐ones

In the present investigation, a simple and facile synthesis of a series of 4‐phenylquinoline‐fused pyrrolidin‐2‐ones, namely, 9‐phenyl‐2‐substituted‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐1‐ones is described, involving the tandem intermolecular C‐N bond formation reaction between readily available ethyl 2‐(chloromethyl)‐4‐phenylquinoline‐3‐carboxylate and various amines followed by in situ intramolecular C–N bond cyclization process in the presence of EtOH‐AcOH (v/v, 10:1) solvent system as the reaction medium.     

Direct Synthesis of Benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyrroles through a Radical Addition/[3,3]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangement/Cyclization/Lactamization Cascade

A straightforward synthetic method for the construction of benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyrrol‐2‐ones by a novel domino reaction through a radical addition/[3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement/cyclization/lactamization cascade has been developed. The domino reaction of O‐phenyl‐conjugated oxime ether with an alkyl radical allows the construction of two heterocycles with three stereogenic centers as a result of the formation of two C?C bonds, a C?O bond, and a C?N bond in a single operation, leading to pyrrolidine‐fused dihydrobenzofurans, which are not easily accessible by existing synthetic methods. Furthermore, asymmetric synthesis of benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyrrol‐2‐one derivatives through a diastereoselective radical addition reaction to a chiral oxime ether was also developed.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C−C Bond Cleavage of 2H‐Azirines: A Formal [3+2+2] Cycloaddition to Fused Azepine Skeletons

2H‐azirines can serve as three‐atom synthons by C?C bond cleavage, however, it involves a high energy barrier under thermal conditions (>50.0 kcal mol^?1). Reported is a ruthenium‐catalyzed [3+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2H‐azirines with diynes, thus leading to the formation of fused azepine skeletons. This approach features an unprecedented metal‐catalyzed C?C bond cleavage of 2H‐azirines at room temperature, and the challenging construction of aza‐seven‐membered rings from diynes. The results of this study provide a new reaction pattern for constructing nitrogen‐containing seven‐membered rings and may find applications in the synthesis of other complex heterocycles.     

Base‐Dependent Stereodivergent Intramolecular Aza‐Michael Reaction: Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,3‐Disubstituted Isoindolines

The nucleophilic addition (A_N) / intramolecular aza‐Michael reaction (IMAMR) process on Ellman’s tert‐butylsulfinyl imines, bearing a Michael acceptor in the ortho position, is studied. This reaction affords 1,3‐disubstituted isoindolines with a wide range of substituents in good yields and diastereoselectivities. Interestingly, careful choice of the base for the aza‐Michael step allows either the cis or the trans diastereoisomers to be exclusively obtained. This stereodivergent cyclization has enabled the synthesis of C₂‐symmetric bisacetate‐substituted isoindolines. In addition, bisacetate isoindolines bearing two well‐differentiated ester moieties are also noteworthy because they may allow for the orthogonal synthesis of β,β′‐dipeptides using a single nitrogen atom as a linchpin.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative C≡C Triple Bond Cleavage of 2‐Alkynyl Carbonyl Compounds Toward 1,2‐Dicarbonyl Compounds†

A new, general palladium‐catalyzed oxidative strategy for the cleavage of the C≡C triple bond is presented. By employing PdCl₂, CuBr₂, TEMPO and air as the catalytic system and H₂O as the carbonyl oxygen atom source, a wide range of 2‐alkynyl carbonyl compounds, including 1,3‐disubstituted prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ones, propiolamides and propiolates, lost an alkynyl carbon to access various 1,2‐dicarbonyl compounds, e.g., 1,2‐diones, 2‐keto amides and 2‐keto esters, through Wacker oxidation, intramolecular cyclization and C—C bond cleavage cascades.     

Pd0‐Catalyzed Intramolecular α‐Arylation of Sulfones: Domino Reactions in the Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydroisoquinolines

A new strategy for the synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines based on the Pd⁰‐catalyzed intramolecular α‐arylation of sulfones is reported. The combination of this Pd‐catalyzed reaction with intermolecular Michael and aza‐Michael reactions allows the development of two‐ and three‐step domino processes to synthesize diversely functionalized scaffolds from readily available starting materials.     

Synthesis of a Benzannulated Pyrrolizidine by a Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular α‐Arylation Reaction

A synthetic route to the pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indole ring system (benzannulated pyrrolizidine) involving a base‐induced intramolecular aza‐Michael reaction as the key C? N bond‐forming penultimate step, followed by a Cu‐catalyzed intramolecular α‐arylation reaction, to provide the tricyclic framework over six steps is described.     

Sulfilimines as Versatile Nitrene Transfer Reagents: Facile Access to Diverse Aza‐Heterocycles

We herein report the unprecedented synthesis of diverse biologically important aza‐heterocycles by employing sulfilimines as nitrene transfer reagents. This class of sulfur‐based aza‐ylides had not been successfully used for gold nitrene transfer before. This work contains an efficient generation of α‐imino gold carbenes by N?S cleavage of sulfilimines. These gold carbenes undergo C?H insertion, cyclopropanation, and nucleophilic attack to form indoles (44 examples), 3‐azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan‐2‐imines (24 examples), and imidazoles (3 examples). Our study represents a unique gold‐catalyzed reaction between alkynes and sulfur ylides, and also includes the first aza‐heterocycle synthesis that proceeds by intermolecular nitrene transfer followed by cyclopropanation of the α‐imino gold carbenes. Moreover, an unexpected synthesis of 4‐acylquinolines (3 examples) from 2‐acylphenyl sulfilimines and propargylic silyl ether derivatives by a 1,2‐hydride shift onto the α‐imino gold carbene and a subsequent Mukaiyama aldol cyclization was discovered.     

Efficient microwave‐assisted synthesis and antioxidant activity of 4‐arylidene‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐5(4H)‐ones

The efficient synthesis of 4‐arylidene‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐5(4H)‐ones was achieved via microwave‐assisted reactions of 4‐arylmethylene‐2‐phenyloxazol‐5(4H)‐ones with urea in glycol. This approach provides a facile shortcut for the synthesis of this type of compounds with short reaction time, high yields, broad substrate scope and easy operation. Besides, the synthesized compounds were subject to the test of antioxidant activity, which is represented by their capacities for scavenging 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl and superoxide anion free radicals. Bioassay of these compounds resulted in the finding of several 4‐arylidene‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐5(4H)‐ones with significant antioxidant activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).     

Oxidative Coupling of Anionic Abnormal N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Efficient Access to Janus‐Type 4,4′‐Bis(2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)s

The oxidative coupling of anionic imidazol‐4‐ylidenes protected at the C2 position with [MnCp(CO)₂] or BH₃ led to the corresponding 4,4′‐bis(2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene) complexes or adducts, in which the two carbene moieties are connected through a single C?C bond. Subsequent acidic treatment of the later species led to the corresponding 4,4′‐bis(imidazolium) salts in good yields. The overall procedure offers practical access to a novel class of Janus‐type bis(NHC)s. Strikingly, the coplanarity of the two NHC rings within the mesityl derivative 4,4′‐bis(IMes), favored by steric hindrance along with stabilizing intramolecular C?H???π aryl interactions, allows the alignment of the π‐systems and, as a direct consequence, significant electron communication through the bis(carbene) scaffold.     

Access to 1‐Phospha‐2‐azanorbornenes by Phospha‐aza‐Diels–Alder Reactions

The unprecedented phospha‐aza‐Diels–Alder reaction between an activated electron‐poor imine and 2H‐phospholes yields 1‐phospha‐2‐azanorbornenes in a highly chemoselective and moderately diastereoselective reaction. The intermediate 2H‐phospholes, which act as dienes, are formed in situ from the corresponding 1H‐phospholes. Theoretical calculations confirm that the phospha‐aza‐Diels–Alder reaction is of normal electron demand. The reactive P?N bond in 1‐phospha‐2‐azanorbornenes can be cleaved by nucleophiles leading to the formation of 2,3‐dihydrophospholes.     

Synthesis of Substituted 2‐Amino‐1,3‐oxazoles via Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Enamines and N,N‐Dialkyl Formamides

A facile synthesis of 2‐amino‐1,3‐oxazoles via Cu^I‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization of enamines and N ,N ‐dialkyl formamides has been developed. The reaction proceeds through an oxidative C−N bond formation, followed by an intramolecular C(sp²)−H bond functionalization/C−O cyclization in one pot. This protocol provides direct access to useful 2‐amino‐1,3‐oxazoles and features protecting‐group‐free nitrogen sources, readily available starting materials, a broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of Indolines via a SmI2 Promoted Domino Nitro Reduction–Intramolecular aza‐Michael Reaction

A simple and straightforward synthesis of substituted indolines based on a domino nitro reduction intramolecular aza‐Michael reaction is described. The reaction employs Samarium diiodide under mild conditions for the addition of dibromoacetic acid to substituted 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl) acetaldehyde derivatives and their subsequent cyclization upon nitro group reduction to provide corresponding indoline heterocycles in good yields. This “one pot” strategy also permitted the expeditious synthesis of a 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline, whereas the seven‐membered 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzoazepines compounds were not formed under these reaction conditions.     

Regioselective Synthesis of 2‐Acylquinazolines and 3H‐1,4‐Benzodiazepin‐3‐ones by a Ugi 4CC/Staudinger/aza‐Wittig Sequence

α‐Acylamino‐carboxamide azides 1 , obtained from Ugi reactions of o‐azidobenzaldehyde, amines, benzoylformic acid, and isocyanides, reacted with triphenylphosphine to give various 2‐acylquinazolines 3 and/or 3H‐1,4‐benzodiazepin‐3‐ones 4 in moderate to good yields via sequential Staudinger and intramolecular aza‐Wittig reaction.     

The Pseudo‐Michael Reaction of 2‐Hydrazinylidene‐1‐Arylimidazolidines with Diethyl Ethoxymethylenemalonate

The pseudo‐Michael reaction of 2‐hydrazinylidene‐1‐arylimidazolidines with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate (DEEM) was investigated. The reaction yields the chain adduct, namely diethyl{[2‐(1‐arylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)hydrazinyl]methylidene}propanedioates. This is contrary to the pseudo‐Michael reaction of DEEM with 1‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐amines that does not allow isolation of chain derivatives and leads to cyclic imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine derivatives while even at thermodynamic control. At first cyclization of diethyl{[2‐(1‐arylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)hydrazinyl]methylidene}propanedioates leads to ethyl 1‐aryl‐5(1H,8H)oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐imidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazepine‐6‐carboxylates. 1,5‐Sigmatropic shift, following the cyclization, caused isomerization of 5(1H,8H)oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐imidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazepine‐6‐carboxylates to ethyl 1‐aryl‐5(1H)hydroxy‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazepine‐6‐carboxylates. Presence of both isomers in the reaction product was detected in the NMR spectra. The structure of all the compounds was confirmed with spectroscopic studies (¹H NMR and MS). The structure of diethyl{[2‐(1‐phenylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)hydrazinyl]methylidene}propanedioate was also confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. In the addition reaction, thermodynamics and HOMO–LUMO orbitals of the reactants were studied by using quantum chemical calculations.     

New Approaches to the Synthesis of 4‐(2‐Aminophenyl)‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ones and 3‐Ureidoindoles and a Study of Their Interconversion

3‐Alkyl/aryl‐3‐ureido‐1H,3H‐quinoline‐2,4‐diones ( 2 ) and 3a‐alkyl/aryl‐9b‐hydroxy‐3,3a,5,9b‐tetrahydro‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐c]quinoline‐2,4‐diones ( 3 ) react in boiling concentrated HCl to give 5‐alkyl/aryl‐4‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ones ( 6 ). The same compounds were prepared by the same procedure from 2‐alkyl/aryl‐3‐ureido‐1H‐indoles ( 4 ), which were obtained from the reaction of 3‐alkyl/aryl‐3‐aminoquinoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐diones ( 1 ) with 1,3‐diphenylurea or by the transformation of 3a‐alkyl/aryl‐9b‐hydroxy‐3,3a,5,9b‐tetrahydro‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐c]quinoline‐2,4‐diones ( 3 ) and 5‐alkyl/aryl‐4‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ones ( 6 ) in boiling AcOH. The latter were converted into 1,3‐bis[2‐(2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)phenyl]ureas ( 5 ) by treatment with triphosgene. All compounds were characterized by ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as atmospheric pressure chemical‐ionisation mass spectra.