Efficient synthesis of 3-benzoyl Benzo[b]thiophenes and raloxifene via Mercury(II)-Catalyzed cyclization of 2-alkynylphenyl alkyl sulfoxides

The unique selective estrogen receptor modulator, Raloxifene (1), and antitubulin agent 2 were synthesized through the key intermediate, 4-methoxybenzyl 2-bromo-4-methoxyphenyl sulfoxide (6), respectively. It was found that compared with the o-sulfanyl aryl bromides, the sulfinyl group at ortho position accelerated the Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl bromides. Thus, compound 6 was coupled with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl acetylene, followed by mercury-catalyzed cyclization reaction afford compound 2 in 79% overall yield. Raloxifene (1) was prepared from compound 6 in four steps and 33% overall yield via coupling reaction with 1-trimethylsily-2-(4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenylethyne, mercury-catalyzed cyclization reaction, alkylation and demethylation.     

Synthetic scope, computational chemistry and mechanism of a base induced 5-endo cyclization of benzyl alkynyl sulfides

We present an experimental and computational study of the reaction of aryl substituted benzyl 1-alkynyl sulfides with potassium alkoxide in acetonitrile, which produces 2-aryl 2,3-dihydrothiophenes in poor to good yields. The cyclization is most efficient with electron withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring. Evidence indicates there is rapid exchange of protons and tautomerism of the alkynyl unit prior to cyclization. Theoretical calculations were also conducted to help rationalize the base induced 5-endo cyclization of benzyl 1-propynyl sulfide (1a). The potential energy surface was calculated for the formation of 2,3-dihydrothiophene in a reaction of benzyl 1-propynyl sulfide (1a) with potassium methoxide. Geometries were optimized with CAM-B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) in acetonitrile with the CPCM solvent model. It is significant that the benzyl propa-1,2-dien-1-yl sulfane (6) possessed a lower benzylic proton affinity than the benzyl prop-2-yn-1-yl sulfane (8) thus favoring the base induced reaction of the former. From benzyl(propa-1,2-dien-1-yl sulfane (6), 2,3-dihydrothiophene can be formed via a conjugate base that undergoes 5-endo-trig cyclization followed by a protonation step.     

Radical cyclization of homopropargylic bromomethyldimethylsilyl ethers. Evidence for a hetero-trans-cycloheptene intermediate

This communication describes our preliminary results on the radical cyclization of homopropargylic bromomethyldimethylsilyl ethers, an unknown reaction. With precursor 5a, only the very rare 7-endo-dig process was observed. The reduction of the resulting vinyl radical is not stereoselective and gives a cis/trans, 1.35:1 mixture of silaoxepan derivatives, as determined after a methyllithium treatment yielding olefins 11 and 12. This represents a new example of formation of a trans heterocyclic cycloheptene. With disubstituted precursor 5b, the system is less reactive and still no 6-exo-dig radical cyclization has been observed.     

Synthesis of 1,7-dimethoxy-2-hydroxyxanthone,a natural product with potential activity on erectile dysfunction

The natural product,1,7-dimethoxy-2-hydroxyxanthone(1),isolated from Securidaca inappendiculate Hassk,has a potential in the treatment of erectile dysfunction due to its significant relaxation activity on rabbit Corpus cavernosum.However,the isolation of compound 1 is problematic because of its high similarity in structure to its analogs.In this paper,the first synthesis of 1 was reported featuring two key reactions:a copper-catalyzed coupling reaction and an intramolecular cyclization.     

An unexpected cyclization discovered during the synthesis of 8-substituted purines from a 4,5-diaminopyrimidine

Attempted conversion of 4-chloro-5-(N-4-bromobutanoyl)amino-6-phenethylaminopyrimidine (2) to 6-chloro-8-[1-(3-bromo)propyl]-9-phenethylpurine (1) under standard cyclization conditions did not give the targeted product. Instead, an unexpected cyclization occurred to give 6-chloro-5-[1-(3-hydroxy)propyl]-9-phenethylpurine (3), which can be viewed as a hydrolysis product of the resulting halide. The cyclization reaction was optimized and compound 3 was prepared in excellent yield. A mechanism involving transient generation of a spiro-tetrahydrofuran is also proposed.     

Concise synthesis and revision of the proposed biogenesis of helicascolides

A concise synthesis of helicascolides A, B and C was achieved in three to five steps from commercially available materials. The key transformations of the synthesis include an Evans-Metternich anti-aldol reaction of the known β-keto imide 10 and strategic base-mediated one-pot cyclization/alkylation. Based on the new chemical evidence of ring-opening reaction of β-keto ester under biocompatible basic conditions, Krohn’s proposal for the biosynthetic relationship between helicascolide A (1) and a naturally co-existing acyclic dienone 4 was suggested in a reverse manner.     

tert-BuOK-mediated carbanion-yne intramolecular cyclization: synthesis of 2-substituted 3-benzylbenzofurans

A mild, efficient, and regioselective carbanion-yne intramolecular cyclization mediated by t-BuOK for the synthesis of 2-substituted 3-benzylbenzofurans is developed. It was started from o-iodophenol (1), based on O-alkylation, and the Sonogashira reaction in sequence to produce 2-(2-phenylethynylphenoxy)-1-arylalkanones (5). An intramolecular carbanion-yne 5-exo-dig cyclization reaction of 5, which was mediated by t-BuOK, yielded title benzofurans in good yields.     

Stereoselektive totalsynthese von (±)-torreyol

Enones of formulae Ia-d undergo cyclization to give stereoselectively the enol esters IIa-d, respectively, IIa-d are suitable synthones for some sesquiterpene syntheses .— In this paper the synthesis of torreyol (1) is described by an all step stereocontrolled reaction sequence: cyclization educt 10 (Ic) was prepared by alkylation of 8 with 5 and enol ether cleavage of 9. The reaction sequence 11a (IIc)→14a 15 → 18 (ester hydrolysis, formation of the tert. alcohol, degradation of the isopropenyl group) followed by oxidation resulted in the formation of ketone 19 whose relative configuration was determined by the 2D J-resolved 400 MHz ¹H NMR spectrum. After methylation at C-8 (22→23) the tosylhydrazone 25 underwent Bamford-Stevens reaction to yield (±)-1.     

Structure and temperature controlled synthesis of novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives bearing an azasugar

Novel thiazolidin-4-one linked pseudo-aza-disaccharides and thiazolidin-4-ones containing C-pseudo-aza-nucleosides were synthesized via a one-pot three component reaction. The former was synthesized stereoselectively by the tandem Staudinger/aza-Wittig/cyclization reaction of azasugar aldehyde 1, an azidosugar, and mercaptoacetic acid. The reaction was structure and temperature controlled, and could be performed stereospecifically under 40 °C. It was the first report of a stereospecific synthesis of thiazolidin-4-one linked derivatives. However, these derivatives were synthesized with low stereoselectivity by involving the condensation reaction of azasugar aldehyde 1, aniline, and mercaptoacetic acid.     

Facile ring-closure cyclization of arenes by nucleophilic C-alkylation reaction in ionic liquid

A novel synthetic method using an ionic liquid (IL) for a six-membered ring-closure cyclization is described. The ring-closure cyclization by nucleophilic C-alkylation was achieved with various halo- and alkanesulfonyloxyalkyl aromatic compounds in high yields with minimal byproducts using ILs as the reaction media in the absence of any catalyst. For example, the cyclization of 2-(3-methanesulfonyloxy-propoxy)naphthalene (1a) to 2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran (2) in IL [bmim][PF₆] proceeded selectively at 150 °C for 24 h in 85% yield.     

Photochemical reactions of allylphenoxide anions

Photochemical behaviour of sodium allylphenoxides 1a–3a was compared with that of corresponding neutral allylphenols 1b–3b, and a striking difference was found in reactivity as well as in course of the reaction. Remarkably higher photoreactivity of allylphenoxide anions, especially that of o-allylphenoxide 1a, is ascribed to the efficiency of electron transfer. The characteristic reaction products derived only from the anions were as follows: (a) intramolecular cyclization products, indanols 9, from 2a, (b) rearranged reduction products 10 from both 2a and 3a, and (c) degradative methanol-adduct 11 from 3a. Methanol-adducts 7 and photo-reduction products 6 were formed in either case. In addition cyclization products with the participation of O atom, 4 and 5, were obtained from 1a and 1b. Occurrence of the di-π-methane rearrangement was restricted to the reaction of neutral species 1b–3b. A mechanism based on electron transfer in the excited state is suggested for the course of the photoreaction.     

New efficient synthesis of 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolines by a sequential Van Leusen/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/carbodiimide-mediated cyclization

A new efficient synthesis of multisubstituted 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinoline derivatives via sequential van Leusen/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/carbodiimide-mediated cyclization was developed. Azides 4, obtained from Van Leusen reaction of 2-azidobenzaldehyde 1, amine 2 and TosMIC (tosylmethyl isocyanide) 3, reacted with triphenyl phosphine to produce iminophosphorane 5. A tandem aza-Wittig reaction of iminophosphorane 5 with isocyanate generated 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinoline 7 through carbodiimide intermediate 6 in moderate to good yield.     

Synthesis of enantiopure 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes by a radical ring closure

The first synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes by an intramolecular radical reaction of the trichloroacetamido group bearing an (S)-N-1-phenylethyl substituent with the silyl enol ether moiety in compounds 7 is described. The procedure allows the two enantiomers of the 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,6-dione, 3 and ent-3, to be prepared separately. β-Lactam 8 and normorphan 9 are also formed from 7 through an initial radical translocation process in the cyclization step.     

An efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-[(2R)-arylmorpholin-2-yl]ethanols,key intermediates of tachykinin receptor antagonist

We report herein an efficient and practical synthetic method for the preparation of enantiomerically pure 2-[(2R)-arylmorpholin-2-yl]ethanols 1a–d, key intermediates of tachykinin receptor antagonist. Sharpless catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation of 4a–d was employed to introduce the required absolute stereochemistry, and cyclization of 7a–d was accomplished by the Mitsunobu reaction.     

Asymmetric synthesis of a dopamine D1 agonist,dihydrexidine from d-serine

A scalable asymmetric synthesis of trans-2-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-1-phenyltetralin 2 and its N-nosyl derivative 12 have been achieved from Garner aldehyde derived from easily available d-serine using a stereoselective PhMgBr addition, Wittig reaction and TFA-mediated Friedel–Crafts cyclization as the key steps. The synthesis of dihydrexidine is accomplished from the N-nosyl-2-amino-1-phenyltetralin 12.     

Manganese(III)-mediated facile synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones: selectivity of the 6-endo and 5-exo cyclization

The 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones 2 were easily synthesized by the oxidative 6-endo-trig cyclization of 2-[2-(N-arylamino)-2-oxoethyl]malonates 1 with manganese(III) acetate in good to excellent yields. The same reaction of N-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-substituted malonate 1t exclusively produced the 5-exo-cyclized 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-azaspiro[4,5]deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione 5t instead of the corresponding dihydroquinolinone. The regioselectivity during the cyclization could be explained by the difference in the activation energy of the transition state of the 6-endo/5-exo cyclization.     

A one-pot synthesis of 3-methyl-5-aryl-4H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-isoxazoles

Sharpless epoxidation of 4-amino-3-methyl-5-styrylisoxazoles 1 resulted in the formation of 3-methyl-5-aryl-4H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-isoxazoles 4 in a one-step reaction. The reaction initially involves epoxide formation, followed by ring-opening and cyclization. Finally dehydration leads to the title compounds. The pyrrolo[2,3-d]-isoxazoles 4 were also synthesized via an alternative procedure.     

A general strategy for selective detection of hypochlorous acid based on triazolopyridine formation

Triazolopyridines are an important kind of fused-ring compounds. A HOCl-promoted triazolopyridine formation strategy is reported here for the first time in which hypochlorous acid (HOCl) mildly and efficiently promotes the formation of 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines NT1-NT6 from various 2-pyridylhydrazones N1-N6. N6, a rhodol-pyridylhydrazone hybrid, was developed into a fluorescent probe for the selective detection of HOCl, and successfully applied to probe endogenous HOCl in living cells and zebrafish in situ and in real time. The present intramolecular cyclization reaction is selective and atom-economical, thereby not only providing an important approach for the convenient synthesis of triazolopyridines, but also offering a general strategy for sensitive, selective and biocompatible detection of endogenous HOCl in complex biosystems.     

A novel synthesis of 2'-hydroxy-1',3'-xylyl crown ethers

Six novel 2' - hydroxy - 1',3' - xylyl crown ethers (8a–e and 13)¹ have been synthesized utilizing the allyl group to protect the OH function during the cyclization reaction. The macrocycles 6a-e were formed in yields of 26 to 52%, by intermolecular reaction of 4 - chloro - 2,6 - bis(bromomethyl) - 1 - (2 - propenyloxy)benzene (5) with polyethylene glycols; 6a was also obtained by an intramolecular cyclization reaction of monotosylate 14.A 30-membered ring with a 2' - hydroxy - 1',3' - xylyl sub-unit was obtained in 87% yield by reaction of ditosylate 9 with bis [2 - (o - hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]ether (11) in the presence of cesium fluoride. The synthesis of crown ethers with a 2' - hydroxy - 1',3' - xylyl sub-unit (1c–e, H for CH₃) by demethylation of the corresponding 2'-methoxy crown ethers 1c–e with lithium iodide were unsuccessful; it would appear that the demethylation reaction is restricted to 15- and 18-membered rings. One of the 2' - hydroxy - 1',3' - xylyl crown ethers 8d forms a crystalline 1:1-complex with water.     

An efficient synthesis of furano analogs of duocarmycin C1 and C2: seco-iso-cyclopropylfurano[e]indoline-trimethoxyindole and seco-cyclopropylfurano[f]quinoline-trimethoxyindole

seco-Iso-cyclopropylfurano[e]indoline-trimethoxyindole 1 and seco-cyclopropylfurano[f]quinoline-trimethoxyindole 2 are potent cytotoxic agents. Previous synthesis of these compounds was inefficient and the approach required separation of a mixture containing the isomeric indoline and quinoline intermediates 11 and 12, formed from radical cyclization of allylic bromide 10. Reported herein is an efficient and selective synthesis of either intermediate 11 or 12, thus product 1 or 2, as needed. The conditions of the Stobbe condensation, bromination, 5-exo-trig radical cyclization, amine-carboxylic acid coupling, and debenzylation were optimized for multi gram scale. As a result, the reaction times were shortened, the products were readily isolated, and the yields and purity improved.