A carbanion induced synthesis of highly congested pyrazole and imidazole containing heterocycles

An efficient approach to the synthesis of highly congested di, penta and hexacyclic pyrazoles as well as imidazole fragment containing novel heterocyclic molecule has been developed through a carbanion induced transformation of suitably functionalized 2H-pyran-2-ones, benzo[h]chromene and thiochromeno[4,3-b]pyrans. Due to the presence of fluorescence, we report their prime application metal sensor as off/on switching in ferric ions.     

Selective synthesis of 4,5-dihydroimidazo- and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalines via modified Pictet–Spengler reaction

An efficient tandem approach for the selective synthesis of 4,5-dihydroimidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalines 6a–g and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalines 7a–h by the reaction of 2-imidazolyl anilines 4a–c with aryl aldehydes 5a–k under mild reaction conditions is described. Introduction of electron releasing alkyl groups in substrates 4a–b was found to be instrumental for the success of the reaction.     

Understanding the Diels-Alder reactivity of 1,2-azaborine analogues

The Diels-Alder reactivity of 1,2-heteroborines (H₄C₄B(H)X, X?=?NH, PH, AsH; O, S, Se) has been computationally explored by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The influence of the HB?=?X fragment on the reactivity of the system has been quantitatively analyzed in detail by means of the so-called Activation Strain Model (ASM) of reactivity. It is found that the interaction between these species and the dienophile is significantly stronger than that computed for their all-carbon isoelectronic counterpart, benzene. In addition, the strain energy plays a key role in the observed reactivity trends. The role of the aromaticity strength of these heteroarenes on the reactivity is also assessed.     

Synthesis of N-substituted carbazolones from α-iodo enaminones via Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular coupling under microwave irradiation

A variety of N-aryl and N-alkyl carbazolones were conveniently achieved in good to high yields via Pd₂(dba)₃-mediated intramolecular coupling of N-substituted α-iodo enaminones under microwave irradiation. The Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclization was found to proceed favorably with the more electron-deficient phenyl ring during the reactions involving unsymmetrical N,N-diaryl α-iodo enaminones. This unique property enables the construction of carbazolone skeleton containing nitro substituted benzenoid ring.     

Synthesis of substituted 2,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazoles and 2,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles by intramolecular nitrilimine cycloaddition

Both substituted 2,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazoles and 2,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles have been synthesized by the 3+2 intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition of nitrilimines to alkynes. This cyclization has been extended to more versatile 3-bromo derivatives by the use of alkynylbromides as dipolarophiles.     

Catalyst free,visible-light promoted photoaddition reactions between C60 and N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted tertiary amines for synthesis of aminomethyl-1,2-dihydrofullerenes

An efficient and benign method for the preparation of aminomethyl-substituted fullerenes has been developed. The process, involving catalyst free, visible-light irradiation of 10% EtOH-toluene solutions containing fullerene C₆₀ and N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted amines by using a 20 W compact fluorescent lamp, leads to formation of aminomethyl-substituted fullerene adducts in a highly efficient manner. The photoaddition reaction takes place via a pathway initiated by visible light absorption by C₆₀, followed by SET from the amine to the triplet excited state of C₆₀. Ethanol-promoted desilylation of the resulting a minimum radical then generates the corresponding α-amino radical which couples with the C₆₀ radical anion to form the anion precursor of the fullerene adducts. The new approach using visible-light takes place under mild conditions and it does not require the use of photocatalysts. Thus, the method developed in this effort could broadens the range of functionalized fullerene derivatives that can be readily prepared.     

Highly efficient and stereoselective cycloaddition of nitrones to indolyl- and pyrrolylacrylates

The reactions of various nitrones with indolyl- and pyrrolylacrylates proceeds regioselectively with high diastereoselectivity in the case of aldonitrones, and represents an effective method for obtaining new indolyl- and pyrrolyl-substituted isoxazolidine carboxylates stabilized by weak (CH?O) and moderate (NH?N) strength intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The resulting cycloadducts exhibit promising in vitro anti-influenza activities.     

Transition metal-free direct amination of benzoxazoles using formamides as nitrogen sources

A transition metal-free method for the direct amination of benzoxazoles using formamides as nitrogen sources is reported, which was mediated by an inexpensive and environmentally friendly tetrabutylammonium iodide/tert-butyl hydroperoxide system and gave the 2-aminobenzoxazole derivatives with moderate to good yields.     

l-Proline-catalyzed five-component domino reaction leading to multifunctionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines

Multifunctionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines are concisely synthesized in good yields via l-proline-catalyzed or l-proline/FeCl₃-cocatalyzed one-pot multicomponent reactions (MCRs). The MCRs involve a domino hydroamination/prins reaction/Mannich-type reaction/intramolecular dehydration-cyclization process. The molecular structure of 5baa, one of multifunctionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines, was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Exploring the scope of the Gewald reaction: Expansion to a four-component process

An efficient four-component reaction was developed to take advantage of the reactivity of the 2-aminothiophene-3-carbonitrile functionality, which is obtained during the classical three-component Gewald reaction. Various α-methylene bearing ketones were reacted with malononitrile, elemental sulfur, and aryl/heteroarylnitrile derivatives in t-BuOH/NaOH to afford 2-arylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amines in high yields. Preliminary studies revealed the photophysical properties of the products and their potential for use as metal sensors.