Alkyl‐Group Selection in an Acidic‐Surfactant‐Promoted Reaction of Homoallyl Alcohols and Aldehydes in Water

The hydrophobic effect in the reaction of a homoallyl alcohol with an aldehyde (Yadav's reaction system) under aqueous conditions in the presence of an acidic surfactant was studied indicating the presence of the alkyl‐substituent effect, although not a dramatic one. The DBSA‐promoted reaction proceeds relatively faster when both the homoallyl alcohol and the aldehyde carry a cycloalkyl group (DBSA=4‐dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid). In contrast, the reaction of the substrates having an unbranched alkyl group is relatively more favorable in SDS/HCl than in DBSA (SDS=sodium dodecyl sulfate).     

Unusual behaviour of N‐cinnamoyl‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)‐arylethylamines in pictet‐gams cyclization. Synthesis of 2‐styryl‐5‐aryl‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐2‐oxazolines

Cyclization of N‐acyl‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)arylethylamines 4 under Pictet‐Gams conditions afforded 2‐oxazolines 5 instead of the expected isoquinolines 6 . The effect of the trifluoromethyl group on the result of the reaction is discussed.     

Facile and Selective Synthesis of 4‐Methyl‐ and 4‐Phenylthiosemicarbazide (=N‐Methyl‐ and N‐Phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide) Derivatives of Benzil (=1,2‐Diphenylethane‐1,2‐dione)

A selective synthesis of 4‐methylthiosemicarbazide (=N‐methylhydrazinecarbothioamide; 4a ) derivatives by reaction with benzil (=1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐dione; 3 ) is described. The reaction conditions determined the condensation product formed. The most important factor was the acid used: in the presence of conc. HCl solution, the open‐chain 2 : 1 compound 1a was exclusively obtained, whereas in the presence of 2M HCl, the cyclic 1 : 1 condensation product 2a was formed. The alcohol used, the presence of H₂O, and the time of heating were additional crucial factors. The new cyclic compound 2a with a MeO group was exclusively formed when working under high‐dilution conditions. The reaction with the 4‐phenyl derivative 4b gave new cyclic compounds as the major products under all conditions used (Scheme).     

PdII‐Catalyzed Mild CH ortho Arylation and Intramolecular Amination Oriented by a Phosphinamide Group

A novel protocol for the Pd‐catalyzed ortho‐arylation of aryl phosphinamide with boronic acid is reported. By using phosphinamide as a new directing group, the reaction proceeds efficiently under mild conditions at 40 °C. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds via a Pd^II to Pd⁰ cycle. The phosphinamide group is also shown to be an effective orienting group for direct C?H amination.     

Visible‐Light‐Enabled Ruthenium‐Catalyzed meta‐C−H Alkylation at Room Temperature

Visible‐light‐induced ruthenium catalysis has enabled remote C?H alkylations with excellent levels of position control under exceedingly mild conditions at room temperature. The metallaphotocatalysis occurred under exogenous‐photosensitizer‐free conditions and features an ample substrate scope. The robust nature of the photo‐induced mild meta‐C?H functionalization is reflected by the broad functional group tolerance, and the reaction can be carried out in an operationally simple manner, setting the stage for challenging secondary and tertiary meta‐C?H alkylations by ruthenaphotoredox catalysis.     

Simple Synthesis of Quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one N‐Oxides from N‐Aryl‐2‐nitrosoanilines and Alkylated Cyanoacetic Esters

N‐Aryl‐2‐nitrosoanilines, available from the reaction of N‐arylamines with nitroarenes, condense under alkaline conditions with alkylated derivatives of cyanoacetic esters furnishing quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one N‐oxides in good to excellent yields. The reaction involves the condensation of the carbanion with the nitroso group leading to the nitrone intermediate, followed by intramolecular acylation of the amine function.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C8‐Dienylation of Quinoline‐N‐Oxides

An efficient Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed C8‐dienylation of quinoline‐N‐oxides was achieved by employing allenes bearing leaving groups at the α‐position as the dienylating agents. The reaction proceeds by Co^III‐catalyzed C?H activation of quinoline‐N‐oxides and regioselective migratory insertion of the allene followed by a β‐oxy elimination, leading to overall dienylation. Site‐selective C?H activation was achieved with excellent selectivity under mild reaction conditions, and 30 mol % of a NaF additive was found to be crucial for the efficient dienylation. The methodology features high stereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and good functional‐group tolerance. C8‐alkenylation of quinoline‐N‐oxides was achieved in the case of allenes devoid of leaving groups as coupling partners. Furthermore, gram‐scale preparation and preliminary mechanistic experiments were carried out to gain insights into the reaction mechanism.     

New trans/cis tetrahydroisoquinolines. 2. trans‐ and cis‐3‐(1‐methyl‐1h‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐1‐(2H)‐oxo‐2‐phenethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquino‐lin‐4‐carboxylic acids and subsequent transformations

Stereochemical course of the reaction of homophthalic anhydride and N‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐methylidene)‐phenethylamine was studied. Mixtures of the expected trans‐ and cis‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroiso‐quinoline‐4‐carboxylic acids trans‐ 4 and cis‐ 4 were obtained along with by‐products 5 and 6 . The ratios of all products and the diastereomers, obtained under different reaction conditions, were established by pmr. THF as a solvent and ultrasonic treatment are applied for the first time in the reaction of this type. The reaction was made diastereoselective towards any isomer. The carboxylic group of trans‐ 4 was transformed in four steps into various cyclic amino‐methyl groups yielding numerous new tetrahydroisoquinolinones trans‐ 10a‐i incorporating a given fragment of pharmacological interest. Reduction of 10a‐i was studied.     

(±)‐2‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones by a tandem reduction–Michael addition reaction

An efficient synthesis of (±)‐2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones has been developed from chalcones prepared from 2′‐nitroacetophenone and a series of substituted benzaldehydes. The cyclization sequence is initiated by reduction of the nitro group under dissolving metal conditions using iron powder in concentrated hydrochloric acid. Milder conditions, using acetic acid or acetic acid–phosphoric acid as the reaction medium, were less satisfactory. Procedural details as well as a mechanistic discussion and reaction optimization studies are presented. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Synthesis of 5‐aryl and 5‐amidocamptothecins

A variety of 5‐aryl‐(20S)‐camptothecin derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of 5‐hydroxy‐(20S)‐camptothecin with aromatic hydrocarbons under Friedel‐Craft reaction conditions in moderate to good yield as diastereomeric pairs. The methodology was then extended for the synthesis of 5‐amido‐(20S)‐camptothecin derivatives by reacting 5‐hydroxy‐(20S)‐camptothecin with alkyl and aryl nitriles under Ritter type reaction conditions. The reaction is presumed to proceed through an iminium ion intermediate under Friedel Craft and Ritter type reaction condition, which is further trapped by nucleophile present in the reaction medium. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 00 , 00 (2011).     

Platinum‐Catalyzed Cascade Rearrangement Reaction of 1,5‐Diynyl Esters: Unusual Regioselective 1,5‐Hydride Migration

A highly regioselective sequential 1,3‐acyloxy migration/pentannulation/1,5‐hydride migration reaction is disclosed which provides an efficient access to (E)‐2‐vinyl‐3‐oxo‐1‐methyleneindenes under neutral and mild reaction conditions. The migrated hydrogen atom was derived from an unactivated alkyl group, and the long‐range 1,5‐H shift was confirmed through related deuterium experiments.     

Isoquinoline‐1‐Carboxylate as a Traceless Leaving Group for Chelation‐Assisted Glycosylation under Mild and Neutral Reaction Conditions

Glycosyl isoquinoline‐1‐carboxylate was developed as a novel benchtop stable and readily available glycosyl donor. The glycosylation reaction was promoted by the inexpensive Cu(OTf)₂ salt under mild reaction conditions. The copper isoquinoline‐1‐carboxylate salt was precipitated from the solution and thus rendered a traceless leaving group. Surprisingly, the proton from the acceptor was absorbed by the precipitated metal complex and the reaction mixture remained at neutral pH. The copper‐promoted glycosylation was also proven to be completely orthogonal to the gold‐promoted glycosylation, and an iterative synthesis of oligosaccharides from benchtop stable anomeric ester building blocks becomes possible under mild reaction conditions.     

Highly efficient AgNO3‐catalyzed approach to 2‐(benzo[d]azol‐2‐yl)phenols from salicylaldehydes with 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminophenol and benzene‐1,2‐diamine

A new, convenient and efficient AgNO₃‐catalyzed strategy for the preparation of 2‐(benzo[d]azol‐2‐yl)phenol derivatives in good to excellent yields (63–98%) is described. The reaction proceeds via condensation/intramolecular nucleophilic addition/oxidation process between substituted salicylaldehydes and 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminophenol or benzene‐1,2‐diamine under mild reaction conditions. Notably, this reaction utilizes cheap AgNO₃ as a readily available and low‐cost benign oxidant at low catalyst loadings with excellent functional group tolerance.     

Organophotoredox‐Catalyzed Cascade Radical Annulation of 2‐(Allyloxy)arylaldehydes with N‐(acyloxy)phthalimides: Towards Alkylated Chroman‐4‐one Derivatives

An organophotoredox catalyzed efficient and robust approach for the synthesis of highly important 3‐alkyl substituted chroman‐4‐one scaffold is developed using visible light induced radical cascade cyclization strategy. The reaction is initiated through the generation of alkyl radicals from N‐(acyloxy)phthalimides under photoredox conditions, which subsequently undergo intermolecular cascade radical cyclization on 2‐(allyloxy)arylaldehydes to afford chroman‐4‐one scaffolds. The presented strategy is attractive with regard to mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, high functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope.     

Photochemistry of 1‐Cyclopropyl‐6‐fluoro‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐7‐ (piperazin‐1‐yl)quinoline‐3‐carboxylic Acid (=Ciprofloxacin) in Aqueous Solutions

The 1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐fluoro‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐7‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)quinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid (=ciprofloxacin; 1 ) undergoes low‐efficiency (Φ=0.07) substitution of the 6‐fluoro by an OH group on irradiation in H₂O via the ππ* triplet (detected by flash photolysis, λ_max 610 nm, τ 1.5 μs). Decarboxylation is a minor process (≤5%). The addition of sodium sulfite or phosphate changes the course of the reaction under neutral conditions. Reductive defluorination is the main process in the first case, while defluorination is accompanied by degradation of the piperazine moiety in the presence of phosphate. In both cases, the initial step is electron‐transfer quenching of the triplet (k_q=2.3⋅10⁸M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 2.2⋅10⁷M ⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively). Oxoquinoline derivative 1 is much more photostable under acidic conditions, and in this case the F‐atom is conserved, and the piperazine group is stepwise degraded (Φ=0.001).     

The antioxidant methyl 3‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionate

The title compound, C₁₈H₂₈O₃, was prepared by the reaction of 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol with methyl acrylate under basic conditions using dimethyl sulfoxide as the promoter. The structure of this antioxidant indicates significant strain between the ortho tert‐butyl substituents and the phenolic OH group. In spite of the steric crowding of the OH group, it participates in intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the ester carbonyl O atom.     

Four‐Component,One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,4‐Disubstituted 1,2,3‐Triazoles Bearing 1‐(2‐Phenylselenocyclohexyl) Group

An efficient, one‐pot, three‐step, regioselective synthesis of 4‐substituted 1‐(2‐phenylselenocyclohexyl)‐1,2,3‐triazoles, involving in situ generation of l‐azido‐2‐phenylselenocyclohexane has been developed via four‐component reaction of phenylselenenyl bromide, cyclohexene, sodium azide and terminal alkynes catalyzed by copper iodide in a mixture of DMF/THF (1:1) at room temperature under mild conditions with simple workup and good yields.     

Three‐Component Synthesis of Spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridines] under Microwave Irradiation

A domino three‐component strategy with high efficiency for the synthesis of spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b ]pyridines] from easily available isatins, pyrazol‐5‐amines and β‐ketonitriles under microwave heating. During reaction process, HOAc plays dual roles as reaction media as well as a Brønsted acid‐promoter. Flexible structural modification, broad functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions make this strategy a useful and attractive process of library generation for drug discovery.     

Room‐Temperature ortho‐Alkoxylation and ‐Halogenation of N‐Tosylbenzamides by Using Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed CH Activation

The N‐tosylcarboxamide group can direct the room‐temperature palladium‐catalyzed C?H alkoxylation and halogenation of substituted arenes in a simple and mild procedure. The room‐temperature stoichiometric cyclopalladation of N‐tosylbenzamide was first studied, and the ability of the palladacycle to react with oxidants to form C?X and C?O bonds under mild conditions was demonstrated. The reaction conditions were then adapted to promote room‐temperature ortho‐alkoxylations and ortho‐halogenations of N‐tosylbenzamides using palladium as catalyst. The scope and limitation of both alkoxylations and halogenations was studied and the subsequent functional transformation of the N‐tosylcarboxamide group through nucleophilic additions was evaluated. This methodology offers a simple and mild route to diversely functionalized arenes.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Interrupted Click/Sulfenylation Cascade: One‐Pot Synthesis of Sulfur Cycle Fused 1,2,3‐Triazoles

Herein, we report a practical protocol for the synthesis of sulfur cycle fused 1,2,3‐triazoles through a copper(I)‐catalyzed tandem click/intramolecular sulfenylation reaction. The reaction proceeded via a copper‐catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition, followed by interception of the in situ formed cuprate‐triazole intermediate with p‐toluenesulfonothioate. This reaction shows broad substrate scope, complete regioselectivity, and excellent functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions.