Towards organo-click chemistry: development of organocatalytic multicomponent reactions through combinations of aldol, Wittig, Knoevenagel, Michael, Diels-Alder and Huisgen cycloaddition reactions

Here we report on our studies on combinations of amino acids and copper(I) for catalyzing multicomponent reactions (MCRs). We aimed to prepare both diene and dienophiles simultaneously, under very mild and environmentally friendly conditions, thus giving the constituents for a stereocontrolled Diels-Alder reaction, which in turn yields compounds 4 to 8. A diversity-oriented synthesis of polysubstituted spirotriones 4 to 6 were assembled from simple substrates like 1-(triphenylphosphanylidene)-propan-2-one, two aldehydes, and cyclic-1,3-diketones through Wittig/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder and aldol/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder reaction sequences in one pot under stereospecific organocatalysis. Chemical diversity libraries of polysubstituted spirotrione-1,2,3-traizoles 8 were assembled from simple substrates by means of Wittig/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder/Huisgen cycloaddition reaction sequences in one pot under stereospecific organo/Cu(I) catalysis. Functionalized dispirolactones such as 6 are biologically active antioxidants and radical scavengers, and spirotrione-1,2,3-traizoles 8 have found wide applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science. Experimentally simple and environmentally friendly, organocatalytic, asymmetric four-component Diels-Alder (AFCDA) reactions of 1-(triphenylphosphanylidene)- propan-2-one, two different aldehydes, and cyclic-1,3-diketones produced diastereospecific and highly enantioselective substituted spirotriones 4 by means of a Wittig/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder reaction sequence in one pot. Additionally we have developed an organocatalytic, asymmetric three-component Michael (ATCM) reaction of 1-(triphenylphosphanylidene)-propan-2-one, aldehyde, and cyclic-1,3-diketones that produced Michael adducts 15, 16 through a Wittig/Michael reaction sequence in a highly enantioselective one-pot process.     

A versatile combined N-heterocyclic carbene and base-catalyzed multiple cascade approach for the synthesis of functionalized benzofuran-3-(2H)-ones

Functionalized 2,2-disubstituted benzofuran-3-(2H)-ones have been synthesized from simple aldehyde building blocks in a combined NHC- and base-catalyzed one-pot cascade reaction in moderate to excellent yields. This modular approach comprises a NHC-catalyzed hydroacylation/Stetter reaction sequence followed by a retro-Michael, 1,3-H shift and oxa-Michael cascade rearrangement promoted by strong bases.     

Synthesis of fused uracils: pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidines and 1,4-bis(pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidinyl)benzenes by domino Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder reactions

Abstract  

Knoevenagel condensation of barbituric acids with aromatic aldehydes containing one or two formyl groups was carried out. 5-Arylidenebarbituric acids underwent smooth hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reactions with enol ethers to afford cis and trans diastereoisomers of pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones and 5,5′-(1,4-phenylene)bis[2H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione] derivatives in excellent yields (75–88 %). Syntheses were realized by Knoevenagel condensation and HDA reaction in four different reaction conditions: Knoevenagel condensation in water and Diels-Alder reaction in methylene chloride solution, Knoevenagel condensation in water and Diels-Alder reaction without solvent, three-component one-pot reaction in methylene chloride solution, or three-component one-pot reaction in water. All reactions were carried out without catalyst at room temperature. The reactions of malononitrile with Knoevenagel condensation products of barbituric acids and heteroaromatic aldehydes or terephthalaldehyde were examined and did not provide corresponding pyranopyrimidines.     

The first ionic liquid-promoted one-pot diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5-diamino-/2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3-thiazin-4-ones using masked amino/mercapto acids

The first expeditious synthesis of 2,5-diamino-/2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3-thiazin-4-ones from masked and activated amino/mercapto acids, viz. 2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5-one or 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-one, aromatic aldehydes and thioureas using the ionic liquid [Bmim]Br as an environmentally benign reaction promoter is reported. The synthesis is highly diastereoselective and involves tandem Knoevenagel, Michael and ring transformation reactions in a one-pot procedure. The sequential reaction pathway is supported by the isolation of arylidene derivatives and their Michael adducts with thiourea, and quantitative conversion of the latter into the final products under the same reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of spiroindene-1,3-dione isothiazolines via a cascade michael/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one and 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones

The reaction of 1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one derivative with 2-arylidene-1,3-indandione to furnish novel spiroindene-1,3-dione isothiazoline derivatives by Michael/1,3-dipolar [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction was investigated. The key 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction step was examined in toluene solvent at reflux temperature to obtain mixture of two regioisomers (6a and 6b – 14a and 14b) and single isomers (15–20). The scope of this new reaction was demonstrated with many examples with high reactivity and yields.     

Synthesis and hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of (E)-α-perfluoroalkanesulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones

Catalyzed by ammonium acetate, the Knoevenagel reactions of β-keto perfluoroalkanesulfones 1 with aromatic aldehydes 2 afforded α-perfluoroalkanesulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones 4 in moderate to good yields. The possible mechanism for the reactions was proposed. These fluorine-containing α,β-unsaturated ketones, which are electron-poor 1-oxa-1,3-butadienes, could be used in inverse electron demand hetero Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction with electron-rich olefins to give tetrasubstituted dihydropyrans 6 in quantitative yields.     

Enantioselective synthesis of spiro[4H-pyran-3,3′-oxindole] derivatives catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid thioureas: Significant water effects on the enantioselectivity

An efficient stereoselective three-component reaction for the synthesis of functionalized spiro[4H-pyran-3,3′-oxindole] derivatives was realized through an organocatalyzed domino Knoevenagel/Michael/cyclization reaction using a cinchonidine-derived thiourea as the catalyst. Using water as the additive was found to improve the product ee values significantly. Under the optimized conditions, the reactions between isatins, malononitrile, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds yield the desired spirooxindole products in good yields (71–92%) and moderate to high ee values (up to 87% ee).     

5-Oxo-1,4-dihydroindenopyridines: Calcium modulators with partial calcium agonistic activity

The title compounds 4a-g were prepared by Knoevenagel reactions of 1,3-indandione ( 1 ) with the aromatic aldehydes 2a-g followed by cyclizing Michael addition of the products thus obtained with methyl β-aminocrotonate ( 3 ). The structures of products 4 were characterized by spectal data. Positive inotropic activities were observed on electrically stimulated, left atria of giunea pigs and these effects could be attributed to calcium agonism. On the other hand, barium chloride-induced contractions of guinea pig ileum were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.     

Synthesis of 3,5-Disubstituted-4,5-dihydroindeno[1,2-c] [1,2]diazepin-6(1H)-ones

3,5-Disubstituted 4,5-dihydroindeno[1,2-c][1,2]diazepin-6 (1H)-ones ( 3a–g ) were obtained in 29–72% yields by condensing 2-(substituted-2-acylethyl)-1,3-indandiones ( 1a–n ) with hydrazine. The NH group of the indenodiazepinones 3a–g is quite unreactive. Two methods based on the Michael reaction were used for preparing the acylethylindandiones 1a–n : one from 1,3-indandione and chalcone-type compounds and the other from 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandione and acetophenones. The latter method was found more practical and of more general application.     

Oleylamine-catalyzed Tandem Knoevenagel/Michael Addition of 1,3-Cyclohexanediones with Aromatic Aldehydes

A convenient and efficient method was developed for the synthesis of 2,2'-(arylmethylene)bis(3-hydrox-ycyclohex-2-enone) derivatives via the oleylamine-catalyzed tandem Knoevenagel/Michael addition reactions of aromatic aldehydes and cyclohexane-1,3-diones. This transformation proceeded without any metal catalyst in non-toxic solvent at room temperature with high isolated yields. A plausible mechanism for this process was proposed.     

Amine-catalyzed direct assembly of indanedione-fused spirobenzo[a]carbazoles from α,α-dicyanomethylidenecarbazoles

An unprecedented amine-catalyzed stereoselective reaction of α,α-dicyanomethylidenecarbazoles with indane-1,3-dione and aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes afforded a series of indanedione-fused benzo[a]carbazoles. The plausible mechanism for the formation of the final products result from the above MCR is described based on successive Knoevenagel/Michael/nucleophilic reactions. The products were obtained in moderate to good yields without the use of any chromatographic techniques. The structures of the synthesized spirocycloadducts were confirmed by elemental analysis and spectral data (FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and 13C NMR).     

Indium Trichloride (InCl3) Catalyzed Synthesis of Fused 7‐Azaindole Derivatives Using Domino Knoevenagel‐Michael Reaction

An efficient and high yielding methodology developed for the synthesis of fused 7‐azaindole derivatives via one pot multicomponent assembly process of cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyls with substituted aldehydes and 5‐amino‐1‐tert‐butyl‐1H‐pyrrole‐3‐carbonitrile. The transformation occurs via domino Knoevenagel‐ Michael reaction followed by intramolecular cyclization in the presence of catalytic amount of InCl₃ (10 mol %). Mild reaction conditions, easy isolation of products, and good to excellent yields in a shorter period of time are the silent features of present methodology. Structures of all the newly prepared compounds have been corroborated by various spectroscopic methods.     

Asymmetric synthesis of multicyclic spiro-1,3-indandiones via a cascade Michael/Michael reaction of curcumins and 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones

An organocatalytic cascade Michael/Michael reaction between curcumins and 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones has been studied. Prolinol, chiral thiourea-tertiary amines, and cinchona alkaloids were evaluated as catalysts. Quinine was identified as the best catalyst for the transformation. Multicyclic spiro-1,3-indandiones were prepared in moderate to excellent yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities.     

Imidazole‐catalyzed Three‐component Cascade Reaction for the Facile Synthesis of Highly Substituted 3,4‐Dihydropyridin‐2‐one Derivatives

A novel one‐pot protocol for the synthesis of valuable 3,4‐dihydropyridin‐2‐ones from the condensation of aldehyde with cyanoacetamide and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of imidazole was developed. A series of aldehydes and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds were employed to examine the scope of substrates for this protocol. This reaction proceeded through the formation of one ring and four new bonds (two C? C, one C? N, one C?C) via the sequence involving Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition and intramolecular cyclization with moderate to excellent yields. All new compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS.     

Broadly effective enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions of 1-amino-substituted-1,3-butadienes

[reaction: see text] A broad range of substituted 1-amino-1,3-butadienes undergo enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions with methacrolein in the presence of 5 mol % of Cr(III)-salen complex 1. The reactions are carried out conveniently, at room temperature, and they afford the cycloadducts in high yields and excellent ee's.     

Electrolytic partial fluorination of organic compounds. 83. Anodic fluorination of N-substituted pyrroles and its synthetic applications to gem-difluorinated heterocyclic compounds

Anodic fluorination of N-substituted pyrroles was carried out in MeCN containing supporting fluoride salts such as Et3N-nHF (n = 2-5) and Et4NF-4HF with use of platinum electrodes under constant current conditions. Anodic fluorination of N-methyl- and N-p-tosylpyrroles having an electron-withdrawing cyano group proceeded smoothly to provide the corresponding fluorinated products in moderate to excellent yields, while anodic fluorination of N-methylpyrrole devoid of an electron-withdrawing cyano group did not take place and a polymeric product was formed at the anode surface. In sharp contrast to the cases of N-methylpyrroles, even N-p-tosylpyrrole devoid of an electron-withdrawing cyano group underwent anodic fluorination efficiently. Diels-Alder reaction of 5,5-difluoro-1-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one (2e) derived from anodic fluorination of 2-cyano-1-methylpyrrole (2a) with various dienes was carried out to provide the cycloaddition products in excellent yields. Furthermore, Michael reaction of 2e with various nucleophiles was also successfully carried out to provide the Michael addition products in good to excellent yields.     

Chiral bicyclic guanidine-catalyzed enantioselective reactions of anthrones

Chiral bicyclic guanidine 1 was found to be an excellent catalyst for reactions between anthrones and various dienophiles. The catalyst can tolerate a range of substituents and substitution patterns, making several anthrone derivatives suitable for this reaction. Both Diels-Alder and Michael adducts were obtained in excellent yields, high regioselectivities, and high enantioselectivities. This is the first case of a highly enantioselective base-catalyzed anthrone Diels-Alder reaction.     

Synthesis and diels-alder reactions of 5,5-dicyanocyclopentadiene: regioselective synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted-1,3-cyclohexadienes

5,5-Dicyanocyclopentadiene, readily prepared in three steps from commercially available cis-1,4-dichloro-2-butene, undergoes Diels-Alder reactions with a number of dienophiles to give 5-substituted 7,7-dicyanobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes with high endo-selectivity. The adduct produced with methyl acrylate undergoes base-induced retro-Michael reactions to give 1-carbomethoxy-5-dicyanomethyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene.     

Solvent-controlled dehydration and diastereoselective formation of indenone-fused thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines via a one-pot four-component reaction

A solvent-controlled four-component reaction has been described for the preparation of either hydroxy-tetrahydro-thiaza-cyclopenta[c]fluoren-6-one or dihydro-thiaza-cyclopenta[c]fluoren-6-one from nitroketene dithioacetals, cysteamine hydrochloride, 1,3-indandione and aromatic aldehydes starting materials by changing solvent systems. These reactions proceed under catalyst-free conditions affording a range of two types of skeletally distinct thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines-based heterocycles. Hydroxy-tetrahydro-thiaza-cyclopenta[c]fluoren-6-one was obtained in H₂O/EtOH (3:1, v/v) in high yield and diastereoselectivity but in contrast dihydro-thiaza-cyclopenta[c]fluoren-6-one was synthesised in EtOH in moderate to good yields and in the longer reaction time. The structural diversities have been confirmed spectroscopically, by IR ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and EI-MS spectra, which agree with the proposed structures.     

3-Methoxalylchromones--versatile reagents for the regioselective synthesis of functionalized 2,4'-dihydroxybenzophenones, potential UV-filters

The reaction of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with 3-methoxalylchromones affords a great variety of functionalised 2,4'-dihydroxybenzophenones. These products are formed by a domino Michael/retro-Michael/Mukaiyama-aldol reaction. The synthesized compounds are promising candidates for the synthesis of the novel UV-A/B and UV-B filters.