Synthesis of Polysubstituted γ‐Butenolides via a Radical Pathway: Cyclization of α‐Bromo Aluminium Acetals and Comparison with the Cyclization of α‐Bromoesters at High Temperature

Polysubstituted butenolides were obtained in good to high yields from α‐bromoesters derived from propargyl alcohols by a one‐pot reaction involving the radical cyclization of α‐bromo aluminium acetals, followed by the oxidation of the resulting cyclic aluminium acetals in an Oppenauer‐type process and migration of the exocyclic C?C bond into the α,β‐position. Comparison with the direct cyclization of α‐bromoesters at high temperature and under high dilution conditions is described. Deuterium‐labelling experiments allowed us to uncover “invisible” 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfers (1,5‐HATs) that occur during these cyclization processes, together with the consequences of the latter in the epimerization of stereogenic centres. Compared to the classical approach, the cyclization of aluminium acetals proved to be highly chemoselective and its efficiency was illustrated by the short total syntheses of optically enriched γ‐butenolides isolated from Plagiomnium undulatum and from Kyrtuhrix maculans.     

Catalytic,Cascade Ring‐Opening Benzannulations of 2,3‐Dihydrofuran O,O‐ and N,O‐Acetals

An Al(OTf)₃‐catalyzed intramolecular cascade ring‐opening benzannulation of 2,3‐dihydrofuran O,O‐ and N,O‐acetals is described. The cascade sequence involves the dihydrofuran ring‐opening by acetal hydrolysis, an intramolecular Prins‐type cyclization, and aromatization to generate an array of benzo‐fused (hetero)aromatic systems in up to 95 % yield. This method represents the first example of dihydrofuran acetal usage in benzannulation reactions. The approach provides excellent regiocontrol based on the choice of alkenes used to form the requisite dihydrofuran acetals.     

Studies on the Reaction of α‐Chloroformylarylhydrazine Hydrochloride with Imidazole and 1,2,4‐Triazole

α‐Imidazolformylarylhydrazine 2 and α‐[1,2,4]triazolformylarylhydrazine 3 have been synthesized through the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1 with imidazole and 1,2,4‐triazole, respectively. 2,2′‐Diaryl‐2H,2′H‐[4,4′]bi[[1,2,4]‐triazolyl]‐3,3′‐dione 4 was obtained from the cycloaddition of α‐chloroformylarylhydrazine hydrochloride 1 with 1,2,4‐triazole at 60 °C and in absence of n‐Bu₃N. The inducing factor for cycloaddition of 1 with 1,2,4‐triazole was ascertained as hydrogen ion by the formation of 4 from the reaction of 3 with hydrochloric acid. 4 was also acquired from the reaction of 3 with 1 and this could confirm the reaction route for cycloaddition of 1 with 1,2,4‐triazole. Some acylation reagents were applied to induce the cyclization reaction of 2 and 3.1 possessing chloroformyl group could induce the cyclization of 2 to give 2‐aryl‐4‐(2‐aryl‐4‐vinyl‐semicarbazide‐4‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]‐triazol‐3‐one 6. 7 was obtained from the cyclization of 2 induced by some acyl chlorides. Acetic acid anhydride like acetyl chloride also could react with 2 to produce 7D . 5‐Substituted‐3‐aryl‐3H‐[1,3,4]oxadiazol‐2‐one 8 was produced from the cyclization reaction of 3 induced by some acyl chlorides or acetic acid anhydride. The 1,2,4‐triazole group of 3 played a role as a leaving group in the course of cyclization reaction. This was confirmed by the same product 8 which was acquired from the reaction of 1 , possessing a better leaving group: Cl, with some acyl chlorides or acetic acid anhydride.     

Asymmetric and Geometry‐Selective α‐Alkenylation of α‐Amino Acids

Both E‐ and Z‐N′‐alkenyl urea derivatives of imidazolidinones may be formed selectively from enantiopure α‐amino acids. Generation of their enolate derivatives in the presence of K⁺ and [18]crown‐6 induces intramolecular migration of the alkenyl group from N′ to Cα with retention of double bond geometry. DFT calculations indicate a partially concerted substitution mechanism. Hydrolysis of the enantiopure products under acid conditions reveals quaternary α‐alkenyl amino acids with stereodivergent control of both absolute configuration and double bond geometry.     

A pair of diastereomeric 1:2 salts of (R)‐ and (S)‐2‐methylpiperazine with (2S,3S)‐tartaric acid

The crystal structures of a pair of diastereomeric 1:2 salts of (R)‐ and (S)‐2‐methylpiperazine with (2S,3S)‐tartaric acid, namely (R)‐2‐methylpiperazinediium bis[hydrogen (2S,3S)‐tartrate] monohydrate, (I), and (S)‐2‐methylpiperazinediium bis[hydrogen (2S,3S)‐tartrate] monohydrate, (II), both C₅H₁₄N₂²⁺·2C₄H₅O₆⁻·H₂O, each reveal the formation of well‐defined head‐to‐tail‐connected hydrogen tartrate chains; these chains are linked into a two‐dimensional sheet via intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving hydroxy groups and water molecules, resulting in a layer structure. The (R)‐2‐methylpiperazinediium ions lie between the hydrogen tartrate layers in the most stable equatorial conformation in (I), whereas in (II), these ions are in an unstable axial position inside the more interconnected layers and form a larger number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds than are observed in (I).     

Theoretical studies of spin state‐specific [2 + 2] and [5 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions of n‐(1‐penten‐5‐yl)maleimide

N‐alkenyl maleimides are found to exhibit spin state‐specific chemoselectivities for [2 + 2] and [5 + 2] photocycloadditions; but, reaction mechanism is still unclear. In this work, we have used high‐level electronic structure methods (DFT, CASSCF, and CASPT2) to explore [2 + 2] and [5 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction paths of an N‐alkenyl maleimide in the S₁ and T₁ states as well as relevant photophysical processes. It is found that in the S₁ state [5 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction is barrierless and thus overwhelmingly dominant; [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction is unimportant because of its large barrier. On the contrary, in the T₁ state [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction is much more favorable than [5 + 2] photocyclo‐addition reaction. Mechanistically, both S₁ [5 + 2] and T₁ [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions occur in a stepwise, nonadiabatic means. In the S₁ [5 + 2] reaction, the secondary C atom of the ethenyl moiety first attacks the N atom of the maleimide moiety forming an S₁ intermediate, which then decays to the S₀ state as a result of an S₁ → S₀ internal conversion. In the T₁ [2 + 2] reaction, the terminal C atom of the ethenyl moiety first attacks the C atom of the maleimide moiety, followed by a T₁ → S₀ intersystem crossing process to the S₀ state. In the S₀ state, the second C C bond is formed. Our present computational results not only rationalize available experiments but also provide new mechanistic insights. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of 1,3‐Dihydro‐3‐oxo‐2‐benzofuran‐1‐carboxylates via Intramolecular Cyclization of 2‐[2‐(Dimethoxymethyl)phenyl]‐ 2‐hydroxyalkanoates Followed by Oxidation

A novel and efficient method for the preparation of 1,3‐dihydro‐3‐oxo‐2‐benzofuran‐1‐carboxylates 4 under mild conditions has been developed. Thus, the reaction of [2‐(dimethoxymethyl)phenyl]lithiums, generated easily from 1‐bromo‐2‐(dimethoxymethyl)benzenes 1 , with α‐keto esters gives the corresponding 2‐[2‐(dimethoxymethyl)phenyl]‐2‐hydroxyalkanoates 2 . The TsOH‐catalyzed cyclization of these hydroxy acetals is followed by the oxidation of the resulting cyclic acetals 3 with PCC to give the desired products in satisfactory yields. The reaction of [2‐(dimethoxymethyl)‐4,5‐dimethoxyphenyl]lithium with (MeOC?O)₂, followed by treatment with NaBH₄ or organolithiums, affords 2‐[2‐(dimethoxymethyl)‐4,5‐dimethoxyphenyl]‐2‐hydroxyalkanoates 6 , which can similarly be transformed into the corresponding 1,3‐dihydro‐3‐oxo‐2‐benzofuran‐1‐carboxylates 7 in reasonable yields.     

Cross‐Coupling of α‐Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides with C−H Bonds

The functionalization of carbon–hydrogen bonds in non‐nucleophilic substrates using α‐carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides has not been so far investigated, despite the potential safety advantages that such reagents would provide over either diazo compounds or their in situ precursors. Described herein are the cross‐coupling reactions of sulfoxonium ylides with C(sp²)−H bonds of arenes and heteroarenes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The reaction proceeds by a succession of C−H activation, migratory insertion of the ylide into the carbon–metal bond, and protodemetalation, the last step being turnover‐limiting. The method is applied to the synthesis of benz[c]acridines when allied to an iridium‐catalyzed dehydrative cyclization.     

(1S)‐1‐Phenylethanaminium 4‐{[(1S,2S)‐1‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H,1′H‐[2,2′‐biinden]‐2‐yl]methyl}benzoate

The title molecular salt, C₈H₁₂N⁺·C₂₆H₂₁O₃⁻, contains a dimeric indane pharmacophore that demonstrates potent anti‐inflammatory activity. The indane group of the anion exhibits some disorder about the α‐C atom, which appears common to many structures containing this group. A model to account for the slight disorder was attempted, but this was deemed unsuccessful because applying bond‐length constraints to all the bonds about the α‐C atom led to instability in the refinement. The absolute configuration was determined crystallographically as S,S,S by anomalous dispersion methods with reference to both the Flack parameter and Bayesian statistics on Bijvoet differences. The configuration was also determined by an a priori knowledge of the absolute configuration of the (1S)‐1‐phenylethanaminium counter‐ion. The molecules pack in the crystal structure to form an infinite two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network in the (100) plane of the unit cell.     

Umpolung Reactivity of Ynamides: An Unconventional [1,3]‐Sulfonyl and [1,5]‐Sulfinyl Migration Cascade

A regioselective sulfonyl/sulfinyl migration cycloisomerization cascade of alkyne‐tethered ynamides is developed in the presence of XPhosgold catalyst. This reaction is the first example of a general [1,3]‐sulfonyl migration from the nitrogen center to the β‐carbon atom of ynamides, followed by umpolung 5‐endo‐dig cyclization of the ynamide α‐carbon atom to the gold‐activated alkyne, and final deaurative [1,5]‐sulfinylation. This process allows the synthesis of peripherally decorated unconventional 4‐sulfinylated pyrroles with broad scope from N‐propargyl‐tethered ynamides. In contrast, N‐homopropargyl‐tethered ynamides undergo intramolecular tetradehydro Diels–Alder reaction to provide 2,3‐dihydro‐benzo[f]indole derivatives. Control experiments and density‐functional theory studies were used to study the reaction pathways.     

Precursor of a β‐lactamase inhibitor: allyl (4S,8S,9R)‐10‐[(E)‐ethyl­idene]‐4‐methoxy‐11‐oxo‐1‐aza­tri­cyclo­[7.2.0.03,8]­undec‐2‐ene‐2‐carboxyl­ate

The molecular structure of the title tricyclic compound, C₁₇H₂₁NO₄, which is the immediate precursor of a potent synthetic inhibitor {Lek157: sodium (8S,9R)‐10‐[(E)‐ethyl­idene]‐4‐methoxy‐11‐oxo‐1‐aza­tri­cyclo­[7.2.0.0^3,8]­undec‐2‐ene‐2‐carboxyl­ate} with remarkable potency, provides experimental evidence for the previously modelled relative position of the fused cyclo­hexyl ring and the carbonyl group of the β‐lactam ring, which takes part in the formation of the initial tetrahedral acyl–enzyme complex. In this hydro­phobic mol­ecule, the overall geometry is influenced by C—H?O intramolecular hydrogen bonds [3.046 (4) and 3.538 (6) Å, with corresponding normalized H?O distances of 2.30 and 2.46 Å], whereas the mol­ecules are interconnected through intermolecular C—H?O hydrogen bonds [3.335 (4)–3.575 (5) Å].     

DFT 1H–1H coupling constants in the conformational analysis and stereoisomeric differentiation of 6‐heptenyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐ones: configurational reassignment of synargentolide A

Density functional theory (DFT) ¹H–¹H NMR coupling constant calculations, including solvation parameters with the polarizable continuum model B3LYP/DGDZVP basis set together with the experimental values measured by spectral simulation, were used to predict the configuration of hydroxylated 6‐heptenyl‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐ones 1 , 2 , 4 , and 7 , allowing epimer differentiation. Modeling of these flexible compounds requires the inclusion of solvation models that account for stabilizing interactions derived from intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, in contrast with peracetylated derivatives ( 3 , 5 , and 6 ) in which the solvation consideration can be omitted. Using this DFT NMR integrated approach as well as spectral simulation, the configurational reassignment of synargentolide A ( 8 ) was accomplished by calculations in the gas phase among four possible diastereoisomers ( 8–11 ). Calculated ³J_H,H values established its configuration as 6R‐[4′S,5′S,6′S‐(triacetyloxy)‐2E‐heptenyl]‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one ( 8 ), in contrast with the incorrect 6R,4′R,5′R,6′R‐diastereoisomer previously proposed by synthesis ( 12 ). Application of this approach increases the probability for successful enantiospecific total syntheses of flexible compounds with multiple chiral centers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formal Synthesis of (±)‐Trachelanthamidine via Base‐Induced Formal [3+2] Annulation and Intramolecular Cyclization

Base‐induced coupling/cyclization stepwise [3+2] annulation of α‐sulfonylacetamide with (Z)‐2‐bromoacrylates yielded polysubstituted pyroglutamates with three contiguous chiral centers with trans‐trans orientation in a one‐pot synthesis. The pyrrolizidine skeleton was obtained via an intramolecular cyclization. This facile strategy was used to synthesize (±)‐trachelanthamidine.     

Reactivity studies of ethyl(Z)‐N‐(2‐amino‐1,2‐dicyanovinyl) formimidate with carbonyl compounds in the presence of base

The reaction of ethyl(Z)‐N‐(2‐amino‐1,2‐dicyanovinyl)formimidate 6 with carbonyl compounds in the presence of triethyl amine occurs with formation of the Schiff s base and intramolecular hydrolysis of the adjacent cyano group to give the alkylideneamino derivatives 8a‐f . When the α‐carbon of the ketone has at least one proton, the prolonged contact of 8a‐f with triethylamine causes intramolecular cyclization between this carbon and the imidate carbon atom to form a seven membered ring. This is followed by cyclization of the cyano and amido groups, leading to the pyrrolo[4,3‐b][1,4]diazepines 9 . If a strong base is used the first ring to be formed is the pyrrole ring as evidenced in the reaction of 8a with 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene leading to 14 . The subsequent addition of methyl amine to the reaction mixture, caused cleavage of the alkylideneamino unit and formation of the amidine function from the imi date ( 15 ). The addition of acid to the imidates 8a and 8f led to the diazepine compounds 10a and 10f respectively. A suspension of compound 8e in ethanol and triethylamine evolved to a pyrazinone structure 12 under kinetic conditions (4 hours, room temperature) and to the pyrrolo[4,3‐b][1,4]diazepine 9e under thermodynamic conditions (48 hours, room temperature).     

A detailed theoretical study on the excited‐state hydrogen‐bonding dynamics and the proton transfer mechanism for a novel white‐light fluorophore

In this work, density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods were used to investigate the excited‐state dynamics of the excited‐state hydrogen‐bonding variations and proton transfer mechanism for a novel white‐light fluorophore 2‐(4‐[dimethylamino]phenyl)‐7‐hyroxy‐6‐(3‐phenylpropanoyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one ( 1 ). The methods we adopted could successfully reproduce the experimental electronic spectra, which shows the appropriateness of the theoretical level in this work. Using molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) as well as the reduced density gradient (RDG) versus the product of the sign of the second largest eigenvalue of the electron density Hessian matrix and electron density (sign[λ₂]ρ), we demonstrate that an intramolecular hydrogen bond O1–H2···O3 should be formed spontaneously in the S₀ state. By analyzing the chemical structures, infrared vibrational spectra, and hydrogen‐bonding energies, we confirm that O1–H2·O3 should be strengthened in the S₁ state, which reveals the possibility of an excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. On investigating the excitation process, we find the S₀ → S₁ transition corresponding to the charge transfer, which provides the driving force for ESIPT. By constructing the potential energy curves, we show that the ESIPT reaction results in a dynamic equilibrium in the S₁ state between the forward and backward processes, which facilitates the emission of white light.     

Polymorphism in 3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one

A new polymorph (denoted polymorph II) of 3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, C₁₁H₈O₄, was obtained unexpectedly during an attempt to recrystallize the compound from salt–melted ice, and the structure is compared with that of the original polymorph (denoted polymorph I) [Lyssenko & Antipin (2001). Russ. Chem. Bull. 50 , 418–431]. Strong intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed equally in the two polymorphs [O...O = 2.4263 (13) Å in polymorph II and 2.442 (1) Å in polymorph I], with a slight delocalization of the hydroxy H atom towards the ketonic O atom in polymorph II [H...O = 1.32 (2) Å in polymorph II and 1.45 (3) Å in polymorph I]. In both crystal structures, the packing of the molecules is dominated and stabilized by weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Additional π–π stacking interactions between the keto–enol hydrogen‐bonded rings stabilize polymorph I [the centres are separated by 3.28 (1) Å], while polymorph II is stabilized by interactions between α‐pyrone rings, which are parallel to one another and separated by 3.670 (5) Å.     

2‐Ethyl‐1‐[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)pyrazol‐3‐yl]‐3‐(thiophene‐2‐carbonyl)isothiourea: molecular ribbons containing three types of hydrogen‐bonded ring

The title compound, C₁₈H₁₈N₄OS₂, was prepared by reaction of S,S‐diethyl 2‐thenoylimidodithiocarbonate with 5‐amino‐3‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazole using microwave irradiation under solvent‐free conditions. In the molecule, the thiophene unit is disordered over two sets of atomic sites, with occupancies of 0.814 (4) and 0.186 (4), and the bonded distances provide evidence for polarization in the acylthiourea fragment and for aromatic type delocalization in the pyrazole ring. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond is present, forming an S(6) motif, and molecules are linked by N—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds to form a ribbon in which centrosymmetric R₂²(4) rings, built from N—H...O hydrogen bonds and flanked by inversion‐related pairs of S(6) rings, alternate with centrosymmetric R₂²(6) rings built from N—H...N hydrogen bonds.     

Four oxoindole‐linked α‐alkoxy‐β‐amino acid derivatives

Four structures of oxoindolyl α‐hydroxy‐β‐amino acid derivatives, namely, methyl 2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐methoxy‐2‐phenylacetate, C₂₄H₂₈N₂O₆, (I), methyl 2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐ethoxy‐2‐phenylacetate, C₂₅H₃₀N₂O₆, (II), methyl 2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐[(4‐methoxybenzyl)oxy]‐2‐phenylacetate, C₃₁H₃₄N₂O₇, (III), and methyl 2‐[(anthracen‐9‐yl)methoxy]‐2‐{3‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐yl}‐2‐phenylacetate, C₃₈H₃₆N₂O₆, (IV), have been determined. The diastereoselectivity of the chemical reaction involving α‐diazoesters and isatin imines in the presence of benzyl alcohol is confirmed through the relative configuration of the two stereogenic centres. In esters (I) and (III), the amide group adopts an anti conformation, whereas the conformation is syn in esters (II) and (IV). Nevertheless, the amide group forms intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds with the ester and ether O atoms in all four structures. The ether‐linked substituents are in the extended conformation in all four structures. Ester (II) is dominated by intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions. In contrast, the remaining three structures are sustained by C—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions.     

Highly Efficient Non‐Palladium‐Catalyzed Controlled Synthesis and X‐ray Analysis of Functionalized 1,2‐Diaryl‐, 1,2,3‐Triaryl‐, and 1,2,3,4‐Tetraarylbenzenes

A general, two‐step, highly efficient synthesis of 1,2‐diaryl‐, 1,2,3‐triaryl‐, and 1,2,3,4‐tetraarylbenzenes from simple stitching of α‐oxo‐ketene‐S,S‐acetals and active methylene compounds via a lactone intermediate is described. This procedure offers easy access to highly functionalized arylated benzenes that contain sterically demanding groups in good to excellent yields. The novelty of the procedure lies in the construction of aromatic compounds with the desired conformational flexibility along the molecular axis in a transition‐metal‐free environment through easily accessible precursors. Crystal analysis of these arylated benzene scaffolds showed that the peripheral aryl rings are arranged in a propeller‐like fashion with respect to the central benzene ring. Examination of the crystal packing in the structure of a 1,2,3,4‐tetraarylbenzene revealed an N???π interaction between molecules related by a two‐fold screw axis running in the direction of the a axis. Interestingly, the repeating array of N???π interactions around the axis of this 1,2,3,4‐tetraarylbenzene forces the molecules into a helical pattern.