A convenient method for constructing novel tetrahydropyrido[4′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]-pyrimidinones-carbohydrate and amino acid conjugates via copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide ‘Click Chemistry’

Novel conjugates of tetrahydropyridothienopyrimidones and carbohydrates or amino acids linked by 1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized. After establishing the tetrahydropyridothienopyrimidones ring system by ring closure, propargyl groups were introduced by N-alkylation. Cu-catalyzed cycloaddition of the propargyl products with azido group containing hexoses or amino acids gives the corresponding 1,2,3-triazoles in high yields. This methodology also allowed attaching two carbohydrate molecules to the tetrahydropyridothienopyrimidone core. Interesting dependence of the regioselectivity of the N-propargylation of the pyrimidone ring on the exocyclic substituent found adjacent to the pyrimidine-N-atom was observed. A remarkable case of a non-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition of an alkyne with an azide to a 1,2,3-triazole was observed, which occurred in the solid state at rt or below.     

Synthesis of novel pyrazoles via [2+3]-dipolar cycloaddition using alkyne surrogates

The syntheses of an important class of hitherto unreported novel pyrazoles are described. The regioselective synthesis of 1,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrazoles was achieved by the Huisgen cyclization of nitrile imines with a trisubstituted bromoalkene. The substituted bromoalkene functions as an alkyne synthon which was used to construct 5,5-disubstituted bromopyrazoline intermediates that undergo aromatization to the analogous pyrazoles through the loss of HBr. The cycloaddition regioselectivity was confirmed through single X-ray crystal data of one of the pyrazoles.     

Catalyst-Controlled Divergent Generations and Transformations of α-Carbonyl Cations from Alkynes**

α-Carbonyl cations are the umpolung forms of the synthetically fundamental α-carbonyl carbanions. They are highly reactive yet rarely studied and utilized species and their precursors were rather limited. Herein, we report the catalyst-controlled divergent generations of α-carbonyl cations from single alkyne functionalities and the interception of them via Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement. Two chemodivergent catalytic systems have been established, leading to two different types of α-carbonyl cations and, eventually, two different types of products, i.e. the α,β- and β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Broad spectrum of alkynes including aryl alkyne, ynamide, alkynyl ether, and alkynyl sulfide could be utilized and the migration priorities of different groups in the Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement step was elucidated. Density functional theory calculations further supported the intermediacy of α-carbonyl cations via the N−O bond cleavage in both the two catalytic systems. Another key feature of this methodology was the fragmentation of synthetically inert tert-butyl groups into readily transformable olefin functionalities. The synthetic potential was highlighted by the scale-up reactions and the downstream diversifications including the formal synthesis of nicotlactone B and galbacin.     

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkynyl Thioamides: An Efficient Thioacylation of Alkynes

A copper-catalyzed efficient synthesis of alkynyl thioamides starting from tetraalkyl thiuram compounds (TMTM: tetramethyl thiuram monosulfide, TIBTM: tetraisobutyl thiuram monosulfide) and alkynes was reported. Thus, tetraalkyl thiurams reacted with alkynes smoothly, giving a variety of alkynyl thioamides promoted by CuI/Cs₂CO₃ system. This protocol features easy operation, inexpensive starting materials and good yields, illustrating its potential synthetic value for the synthesis of thioamides and their derivatives.     

One-Handed Helical Tubular Ladder Polymers for Chromatographic Enantioseparation**

Defect-free one-handed contracted helical tubular ladder polymers with a π-electron-rich cylindrical helical cavity were synthesized by alkyne benzannulations of the random-coil precursor polymers containing 6,6′-linked-1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-diol-based chiral monomer units. The resulting tightly-twisted helical tubular ladder polymers showed remarkably high enantioseparation abilities toward a variety of chiral hydrophobic aromatics with point, axial, and planar chiralities. The random-coil precursor polymer and analogous rigid-rod extended helical ribbon-like ladder polymer with no internal helical cavity exhibited no resolution abilities. The molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the π-electron-rich cylindrical helical cavity formed in the tightly-twisted tubular helical ladder structures is of key importance for producing the highly-enantioseparation ability, by which chiral aromatics can be enantioselectively encapsulated by specific π-π and/or hydrophobic interactions.     

Selective Reductive Coupling of Vinyl Azaarenes and Alkynes via Photoredox Cobalt Dual Catalysis

A visible light-induced Co-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective reductive coupling of vinyl azaarenes and alkynes has been developed. Notably, Hünig's base together with simple ethanol has been successfully applied as the hydrogen sources instead of commonly used Hantzsch esters in this catalytic photoredox reaction. This approach has considerable advantages for the straightforward synthesis of stereodefined multiple substituted alkenes bearing an azaarene motif, such as excellent regioselectivity (>20 : 1 for >30 examples) and stereoselectivity (>20 : 1 E/Z), broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility under mild reaction conditions, which has been utilized in the concise synthesis of natural product monomorine I. A reasonable catalytic reaction pathway involving protolysis of the cobaltacyclopentene intermediate has been proposed based on the mechanistic studies.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Unsymmetrical Bis-Allylation of Alkynes

The catalytic bis-allylation of alkynes is an important but challenging protocol to construct all-carbon tetra-substituted alkenes. Particularly, the catalytic unsymmetrical bis-allylation of alkynes remains as an underexplored task to date. We herein report an unprecedented unsymmetrical bis-allylation by simultaneously utilizing electrophilic trifluoromethyl alkene and nucleophilic allylboronate as the allylic reagents. With the aid of robust Ni⁰/NHC catalysis, valuable skipped trienes can be obtained in high regio- and stereo-selectivities under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction may proceed through a β-fluorine elimination of a nickelacycle followed by a transmetalation step with allylboronate. The present method exhibits a good tolerance of various functional groups. Besides, the skipped triene products can undergo an array of elaborate transformations, which highlights the potential applications of this strategy.