Stereoselective formation of fused tricyclic amines from acyclic aldehydes by a cascade process involving condensation, cyclization, and dipolar cycloaddition

The preparation of tricyclic amines from acyclic precursors is described using a cascade of tandem reactions involving condensation of an aldehyde with a primary amine, cyclization (with displacement of a halide), and then in situ deprotonation or decarboxylation to give an azomethine ylide or nitrone followed by intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition. The methodology is straightforward, and the aldehyde precursors are prepared easily and quickly in high yield using nitrile alkylations followed by DIBAL-H reduction. The relative ease of reaction of various substrates with different tether lengths between the aldehyde and the halide or dipolarophile has been studied. Several primary amines including simple amino acids such as glycine, alanine, and phenylalanine and derivatives such as glycine ethyl ester and also hydroxylamine have been investigated. High yields are obtained in the formation of different tricyclic ring sizes; the dipolar cycloaddition necessarily creates a five-membered ring, and we have investigated the formation of five- and six-membered rings for the other two new ring sizes. In all cases, yields are high (except when using glycine when the tether to the terminal alkene dipolarophile leads to a six-membered ring), and most efficient is the formation of the tricyclic product in which all five-membered rings are formed. Examples with an alkyne as the dipolarophile were also successful. In all the reactions studied, the products are formed with complete regioselectivity and remarkably with complete stereoselectivity. The key step involves the formation of three new rings and potentially up to four new stereocenters in a single transformation. The power of the chemistry was demonstrated by the synthesis of the core ring systems of the alkaloids (+/-)-scandine and (+/-)-myrioneurinol and the total syntheses of the alkaloids (+/-)-aspidospermine, (+/-)-quebrachamine, and (+/-)-aspidospermidine.     

Cascade cyclization, dipolar cycloaddition to bridged tricyclic amines related to the Daphniphyllum alkaloids

A tandem one-pot reaction of an aldehyde with a primary amine involving condensation and then cyclization (N-alkylation), followed by intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition of the resulting nitrone or azomethine ylide, provides a synthesis of bridged tricyclic amines. The reaction was most successful using hydroxylamine, and when the dipolarophile was an unsaturated ester, subsequent reduction of the N-O bond and cyclization to the lactam provided the core ring system of the yuzurimine, daphnilactone B, and bukittinggine type Daphniphyllum alkaloids.     

On the mechanism of the thermal retrocycloaddition of pyrrolidinofullerenes (retro-Prato reaction)

In contrast to N-methyl or N-unsubstituted pyrrolidinofullerenes, which efficiently undergo the retrocycloaddition reaction to quantitatively afford pristine fullerene, N-benzoyl derivatives do not give this reaction under the same experimental conditions. To unravel the mechanism of the retrocycloaddition process, trapping experiments of the in-situ thermally generated azomethine ylides, with an efficient dipolarophile were conducted. These experiments afforded the respective cycloadducts as an endo/exo isomeric mixture. Theoretical calculations carried out at the DFT level and by using the two-layered ONIOM (our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics) approach underpin the experimental findings and predict that the presence of the dienophile is not a basic requirement for the azomethine ylide to be able to leave the fullerene surface under thermal conditions. Once the 1,3-dipole is generated in the reaction medium, it is efficiently trapped by the dipolarophile (maleic anhydride or N-phenylmaleimide). However, for N-unsubstituted pyrrolidinofullerenes, the participation of the dipolarophile in assisting the 1,3-dipole to leave the fullerene surface throughout the whole reaction pathway is also a plausible mechanism that cannot be ruled out.     

One-Pot,Three-Component Cycloaddition of Nonstabilized Azomethine Ylides to β-Nitrostyrene,a Highly Electron Deficient Dipolarophile

A facile route to tetra-substituted pyrrolidines has been accomplished by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. Several pyrrolidine compounds have significant biological activity. A highly electron-deficient dipolarophile, β-nitrostyrene, was reacted with nonstabilized azomethine ylides derived from aryl aldehyde and L-phenylglycine in dry dimethyl formanide. The structures and stereochemistry of the cycloadducts were established by infrared, NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal x-ray crystallographic analyses.     

A novel one-pot pyrrole synthesis via a coupling-isomerization-Stetter-Paal-Knorr sequence

[reaction: see text]. 1,2,3,5-tetrasubstituted pyrroles can be synthesized in good yields in a one-pot, three-step, four-component process by a coupling-isomerization-Stetter reaction-Paal-Knorr sequence of an electron-poor (hetero)aryl halide, a terminal propargyl alcohol, an aldehyde, and a primary amine. The structures of the 1,4-diketone 4f and the pyrrole 6b were additionally supported by X-ray structure analyses.     

Solid-phase synthesis of lidocaine and procainamide analogues using backbone amide linker (BAL) anchoring

New solid-phase strategies have been developed for the synthesis of lidocaine (1) and procainamide (2) analogues, using backbone amide linker (BAL) anchoring. Both sets were prepared starting from a common resin-bound intermediate, followed by four general steps: (i) attachment of a primary aliphatic or aromatic amine to the solid support via reductive amination (as monitored by a novel test involving reaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with residual aldehyde groups); (ii) acylation of the resultant secondary amine; (iii) displacement of halide with an amine; and (iv) trifluoroacetic acid-mediated release from the support. A manual parallel strategy was followed to provide 60 novel compounds, of which two dozen have not been previously described. In most cases, initial crude purities were >80%, and overall isolated yields were in the 40-88% range.     

One pot,three component 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition: Regio and diastereoselective synthesis of spiropyrrolidinyl indenoquinoxaline derivatives

A competent and highly discriminating one-pot synthesis of highly diversified novel functionalized indenoquinoxalone grafted spiropyrrolidine linked chromene-3-carbonitrile conjugates accumulating three pharmocophoric cores, heterocyclic indenoquinoxalone, pyrrolidines and chromene-3-carbonitrile in a single molecular framework by means of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between indenoquinoxalone, proline/benzyl amine and chromene-3-carbonitrile in ethanol under classical and microwave conditions is described. The three component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction proceeds via in situ generation of azomethine ylides by the decarboxylative condensation of indenoquinoxalone with proline/benzyl amine and their selectivity towards the endo cyclic double bonds of dipolarophile (chromene-3-carbonitrile) leading to the formation of highly functionalised regio- and diastereoselective molecular hybrids. This methodology exemplifies the green chemistry protocol such as mild reaction conditions, high yields, one-pot procedure and operational simplicity.     

Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-metalated azomethine ylides to methyl (S)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)acrylate. Synthesis of optically pure 2,4,5-trisubstituted 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles

The first 1,3-dipolar reaction of azomethine ylides with optically pure vinyl sulfoxide are reported. The presence of the sulfinyl group increase the reactivity of the acrylate moiety as a dipolarophile, and the reactions evolve with complete regio- and endo-selectivities. Nevertheless, mixtures of the two diastereoisomers 4 and 5 (75-88% de) resulting from the anti dipole/s-cis dipolarophile and syn dipole/s-trans dipolarophile approaches, respectively, are obtained. The stereoselectivity can be controlled by using THF or MeCN as solvents or by changing the reaction temperature in MeCN. After separation of the cycloadducts, optically pure 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles are easily obtained by pyrolytic desulfinylation.     

Indium- or Zinc-Mediated One-Pot Synthesis of Homoallylamines, beta-Amino Esters, and beta-Amino Nitriles

Homoallylamines, beta-amino esters, and beta-amino nitriles were obtained in a one-pot synthesis directly from an aldehyde and a secondary amine such as dibenzylamine or diallylamine. Their condensation with titanium(IV) isopropoxide generates an intermediate aminoalkoxy titanium complex. Further reaction in THF with nucleophilic organometallic species, generated in situ from indium or zinc and a reactive halide (allyl bromide, alkyl bromo- or iodoacetate, iodoacetonitrile), furnished the corresponding amines.     

A facile route to ruthenium–carbene complexes and their application in furfural hydrogenation

A number of new N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized via a multicomponent reaction, wherein an aldehyde or ketone, a primary amine and an α‐acidic isocyanide were reacted, giving the corresponding 2H‐2‐imidazolines. These were easily alkylated with an alkyl halide at position N‐3, yielding the final NHC precursors, that were then complexed with Ru in situ. The resulting complexes are shown to be active and selective catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of furfural to furfurol, using isopropanol as the hydrogen source. Importantly, the carbene ligand remains coordinated to the ruthenium center throughout the reaction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-a]pyrrolizine and pyrrolizine[2,3-a]pyrrolizine derived from allyl derivatives of Baylis-Hillman adducts through intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

The synthesis of a series of pyrrole-based polycyclic heterocycles has been accomplished through an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of an azomethine ylide with the dipolarophile derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts. Improved yields of the products were obtained when the reaction was carried out under microwave conditions.     

Approach to the homoerythrina alkaloids using a tandem N-alkylation/azomethine ylide cycloaddition

Synthetic efforts toward the homoerythrina alkaloids 1-3 are described. Two separate model systems guided the pivotal [3 + 2] azomethine ylide cycloaddition cascade to form the A-C rings of these alkaloids. The cycloaddition precursors 63 and 68, prepared in nine and ten steps, respectively, from alkyne 47, each contain an enolizable ketone, a tethered electrophile, and an electron-poor dipolarophile. Heating 63 and 68 with the stannyl amine 17 generated demethoxyschelhammeridine 65 and demethoxyschelhammericine 70, the products of intramolecular azomethine ylide cycloadditions. Subsequent attempts to install the C-3 methoxy group of 1-3 are also described.     

Synthesis of pyrrolidine-fused [34]- and [36]octaphyrins via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

[reaction: see text] The utility of expanded porphyrins as a dipolarophile in cycloaddition reactions has been investigated. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of meso-octakis(pentafluorophenyl)[36]octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1) with an azomethine ylide provides mono- and bis-pyrrolidine-fused octaphyrins regio- and stereoselectively. Treatment of the cycloadduct with MnO(2) afforded [34]octaphyrin quantitatively.     

A facile synthesis of chromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles derived from allyl derivatives of Baylis-Hillman adducts through intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using ultrasonication

Synthesis of a series of chromene[4,3-b]pyrroles has been accomplished through an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of an azomethine ylide with the dipolarophile derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts. Improved yields of the same products were obtained when the reaction was carried out under ultrasonication.     

X=y-zh systems as potential 1,3-dipoles—5 : Intramolecular cycloadditions of imines of α-amino acid esters

Azomethine ylides are readily generated from imines of α-amino acid esters by a formal 1,2-H shift. A suitably positioned unactivated double or triple bond in either of the two precursors of the imines (aldehyde or α-amino ester) leads to an intramolecular cycloaddition generating fused ring systems in good yield. Cis stereochemistry is assigned to the newly created ring junction of the cycloadducts based on NOE difference spectroscopy and, in the case of 8a, by a single crystal X-ray structure. Equilibration of the kinetically formed dipole leads to mixtures of epimeric cycloadducts for imines of phenylglycine methyl ester but equilibration is not observed for other imines. Reasons for this are discussed. The intramolecular cycloaddition is sensitive to ring size with 6/5 and 5/5 cis-fused systems being most easily formed depending in which moiety (aldehyde or amino acid) the dipolarophile is located. Intramolecular trapping of the azomethine ylide by an alkyne is accompanied by variable amounts of aromatized pyrrolic products.     

Theory of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions: distortion/interaction and frontier molecular orbital models

Quantum chemical calculations of activation barriers and reaction energies for 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions by the high-accuracy CBS-QB3 method reveal previously unrecognized quantitative trends in activation barriers. The distortion/interaction model of reactivity explains why (1) there is a monotonic decrease of approximately 6 kcal/mol in the activation energy along the series oxides, imine, and ylide for the diazonium, nitrilium, and azomethine betaine classes of 1,3-dipoles; (2) nitrilium and azomethine betaines with the same trio of atoms have almost identical cycloaddition barrier heights; (3) barrier heights for the cycloadditions of a given 1,3-dipole with ethylene and acetylene have the same activation energies (mean absolute deviation of 0.6 kcal/mol) in spite of very different reaction thermodynamics (Delta DeltaH(rxn) range = 14-43 kcal/mol) and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energy gaps. The energy to distort the 1,3-dipole and dipolarophile to the transition state geometry, rather than FMO interactions or reaction thermodynamics, controls reactivity for cycloadditions of 1,3-dipoles with alkenes or alkynes. A distortion/interaction energy analysis was also carried out on the transition states for the cycloadditions of diazonium dipoles with a set of substituted alkenes (CH2CHX, X = OMe, Me, CO 2Me, Cl, CN) and reveals that FMO interaction energies between the 1,3-dipole and the dipolarophile differentiate reactivity when transition state distortion energies are nearly constant.     

Concerted vs. Non‐Concerted 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of Azomethine Ylides to Electron‐Deficient Dialkyl 2,3‐Dicyanobut‐2‐enedioates

The quantum‐chemical calculations of the thermal ring opening of 1‐methyl‐2,3‐diphenyl‐ and 1,2,3‐triphenylaziridine with formation of the corresponding azomethine ylides of S‐, U‐, and W‐type as well as their cycloaddition to dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and dimethyl 2,3‐dicyanobut‐2‐enedioate, were performed at the DFT B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory with the PCM solvation model. The calculations are in complete accordance with experimental results and explain the switch from the concerted to the non‐concerted pathway depending on substituents in the dipolarophile and the ylide. It was found that strong electron‐withdrawing substituents in dipolarophiles, such as in dialkyl dicyanobutenedioates, significantly reduce the barrier for the formation of zwitterionic intermediates in the reaction of azomethine ylides with such dipoles. This can render the stepwise cycloaddition competitive with the concerted one. However, the concertedness of the cycloaddition even to dipolarophiles with several electron‐withdrawing substituents is governed by a fine balance of electronic and steric effects in both ylide and dipolarophile counterparts. The hypothesis that introduction of substituents in the azomethine ylide that destabilize the positive charge in a corresponding zwitterion will favor the concerted cycloaddition even with dialkyl dicyanobutenedioates was tested theoretically and experimentally.     

One-pot amide synthesis from allyl or benzyl halides and amines by Pd-catalysed carbonylation

Amides can be prepared from allyl or benzyl halides and primary or secondary amines, using Pd(0) catalyst under CO pressure, in a one-pot synthesis. The reaction proceeds through the acyl palladium halide formation which undergoes an acylic nucleophilic substitution from the amine.     

Silica-bonded N-propylsulfamic acid as a recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones

2,3-Dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives are synthesized via a one-pot,three component reaction of isatoic anhydride and an aromatic aldehyde with ammonium acetate or primary amine catalyzed by silica-bonded N-propylsulfamic acid(SBNPSA) in refluxing ethanol.     

Synthesis of highly functionalized pyrrolidines via a mild one-pot, three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition process

[reaction: see text] A simple and efficient one-pot, three-component synthesis of highly functionalized pyrrolidines via cascade imine --> azomethine ylide --> 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions is reported. Admixing a variety of aldehydes, dimethyl 2-aminomalonate, and electron deficient alkenes in THF leads to the clean production of pyrrolidines in good to excellent yields. The mild reaction conditions enabled the generation of previously inaccessible azomethine ylides from enolizable aldehydes. Endo selectivity was exclusive with N-phenyl maleimide and maleic anhydride. Good chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities were observed with methyl acrylate, though catalysis by Ag(I) was necessary with this dipolarophile.