A facile synthesis of indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization

A new efficient synthesis of indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles by the palladium-catalyzed cyclization of N-(2-bromoaryl)carbazoles is described. The reaction involves intramolecular C-C bond formation, coupled with the cleavage of a C-X bond and a C-H bond on carbazole ring. Substitutions on N-aryl core with either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups are introduced, and different reaction factors for cyclization are evaluated.     

铜催化苯甲酰胺与烷基偶氮试剂环化合成含α-取代季碳中心异喹啉二酮

发展了一种苯甲酰胺自由基自由基环化制备α-官能化叔烷基取代的异喹啉二酮的新反应。此环化反应以偶氮试剂为α-取代叔烷基自由基源物质,利用碘化亚铜/空气体系催化N-烷基-N-甲基丙烯酰基苯甲酰胺发生环化,经过串联自由基加成/环化/碳-碳键形成过程,一步构建了三重碳-碳键,以41%~71%的产率合成了一系列异喹啉二酮及其衍生物。特别值得提出得是,此研究发展了一种新型α-官能叔烷基自由基源物质,发现了一种同时引入两个α-官能叔烷基片段的串联新反应。反应底物适应范围广,反应高效,催化体系廉价实用,为具有潜在药用价值的含α-取代季碳中心的异喹啉二酮及衍生物的合成提供了一条廉价、简单、快捷的新途径。     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of carbazoles from N-(2-halophenyl)-2,6-diisopropylanilines via C-C cleavage

The synthesis of 1-isopropyl-substituted carbazoles by the palladium-catalyzed dealkylative cyclization of N-(2-halophenyl)-2,6-diisopropylanilines is described. The reaction involves intramolecular C-C bond formation, coupled with the cleavage of a C-X bond and a C-C bond, and is proposed to proceed through the formation of a dearomatized intermediate.     

Nickel catalyzed cross-coupling of modified alkyl and alkenyl Grignard reagents with aryl- and heteroaryl nitriles: activation of the CCN bond

The nickel catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl and alkenyl Grignard reagents with aryl nitrile derivatives affords good yields of the corresponding aryl alkanes or aryl alkenes via activation of the CCN bond. To prevent direct addition of the nucleophile to the nitrile group, the reactivity of the Grignard reagent was modulated by reaction with either LiOt-Bu or PhSLi prior to cross-coupling. The optimum catalyst was determined to be NiCl₂(PMe₃)₂, which is a convenient air stable commercially available complex.     

Metal-free visible-light-promoted thiocyanation/cyclization cascade for the synthesis of thiocyanato-containing isoquinolinediones

A visible-light induced metal-free thiocyanate radical addition/intramolecular cyclization cascade reaction for the synthesis of thiocyanato-containing isoquinolinediones from N-alkyl-N-methacryloylbenzamides is described. The organic dye 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium perchlorate (Acr⁺-Mes ClO₄⁻) is used as a photocatalyst, and cheap and readily available ammonium thiocyanate is used to provide thiocyanate radical by single-electron transfer pathway. The reaction completes the synthesis of CS and CC bonds in one pot with abundant molecular oxygen as the sole sacrificial reagent. The method is easy to implement, and 25 new compounds have been prepared in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This is the first time that a thiocyanate group has been introduced into isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones to construct highly functional drug-like molecules.     

Synthesis of 1H-indol-2-yl-(4-aryl)-quinolin-2(1H)-ones via Pd-catalyzed regioselective cross-coupling reaction and cyclization

An efficient and novel route for the synthesis of 1H-indol-2-yl-(4-aryl)-quinolin-2(1H)-one 1 via palladium-catalyzed site-selective cross-coupling reaction and cyclization process was described. Reaction of 3-bromo-4-trifloxy-quinolin-2(1H)-one 3 with arylboronic acid catalyzed by PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ afforded 3-bromo-4-aryl-quinolin-2(1H)-one 4, which then reacted with 2-ethynylaniline 5 via Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling and CuI-mediated cyclization leading to the desired 1H-indol-2-yl-(4-aryl)-quinolin-2(1H)-one 1 in good yields.     

Ab-inito Calculations in Reductive Bond-breaking Reaction of C-X Bond in CH3X and CH2X2 with X = F and CI

MP4/6-31+G* level calculations are performed to study the reductive bond-breaking reaction of the C-X bond in halomethanes, CH₃X and CH₂X₂ where X is a fluorine atom or chlorine atom. This type of reaction involves a radical anion, after attaching an extra electron to the halomethane molecule, in which a C-X bond-breaking takes place. Products are a radical and a halogen anion. The equilibrium geometry and bond dissociation energy of the C-X bond thus found are in good agreement with previous theoretical and experimental results. The anomeric effect, electrostatic effect, and radical re-stabilization effect, are investigated to find their influences on bond length and bond dissociation energy in CH₃X and CH₂X₂. Potential energy curves are calculated for the reductive bond-cleavage process, and trends in activation energy for various cases are discussed.     

Selective enhancement effects of silver salts on the transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of gem-difluorinated heterocyclics using 2,2-difluorohomopropargyl amides

The addition of silver salts had an effect on the catalyst activity in the Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclization-coupling tandem reaction, as well as in the Rh(I)-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction. The cationic palladium complex generated from Pd(PPh₃)₄ (2.5 mol%) with AgSbF₆ (1.5 equiv.) activates the triple bond of 2,2-difluoropropargylic amides to give the 4,5-disubstituted 3,3-difluoro-γ-lactams, through a sequential 5-endo-dig cyclization and cross-coupling reaction. The γ-lactam was transformed into ring-opened monofluorovinylic compounds after silica-gel chromatography. Pauson-Khand reaction of fluorinated 1,7-enyne amides using catalytic amounts of [Rh(COD)₂]₂ (5 mol%) and AgOTf (20 mol%) gave the corresponding gem-difluorinated bicyclic lactam.     

One-pot synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and fused quinazolinones by a palladium-catalyzed domino process

An efficient one-pot synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones, benzoimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-12(6H)-ones and imidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-5(1H)-ones via a palladium-catalyzed domino process has been developed. The Pd-catalyzed reactions of 2-azidobenzamides 1 with isocyanides 2 produced quinazolin-4(3H)-ones 4 at room temperature by a domino Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling/carbodiimide-mediated cyclization. However, as 2-azido-N-(2-bromophenyl)benzamides 1 were used under heating condition in the presence of Cs₂CO₃, the benzoimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-12(6H)-ones 5 were directly obtained by twice Pd-catalyzed domino cyclization. A domino reogioselective 5-exo-dig intramolecular cyclization reaction of alkynyl-containing azides 6 with isocyanides 2 generated imidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-5(1H)-ones 9 in 74–93% yields in the presence of catalyst Pd(PPh₃)₄ and K₂CO₃.     

Synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles using exo- and endo-selective radical cyclizations onto enamides

The effect of positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides on Bu₃SnH-mediated alkyl radical cyclization leading to five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles was examined. A 5-exo cyclization is generally preferred over a 6-endo ring closure in systems having an alkyl radical center on the enamide-acyl side chain, whereas enamides having an alkyl radical center opposite to the acyl side chain predominantly gave 6-endo cyclization products. These results suggest that the exo or endo selectivity of radical cyclization onto the alkenic bond of enamides can be controlled by positional change of the carbonyl group. For an understanding of these selectivities, heat of formation for each transition state was calculated. 6-endo-Selective radical cyclization was applied to the radical cascade, enabling a concise synthesis of a cylindricine skeleton. A 7- or 8-endo alkyl radical cyclization, however, predominated over a corresponding 6- or 7-exo ring closure regardless of the positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides.     

可见光诱导烯烃串联加成环化合成多氟烷基化异喹啉二酮

发展了一种可见光诱导的活泼烯烃与全氟碘代烷串联加成环化合成多氟异喹啉二酮的反应。 在可见光诱导下,多种N-丙烯酰基-N-丁基苯甲酰胺衍生物与全氟碘代烷发生自由基串联加成环化反应,以54%~80%的产率合成了一系列的多氟取代异喹啉二酮衍生物。 为具有潜在药用价值的多氟取代异喹啉二酮合成提供了一条高效、条件温和、绿色的新途径。     

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with allylic and benzylic Grignard reagents and their application to tandem radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions

Details of cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with allylic Grignard reagents are disclosed. A combination of cobalt(II) chloride and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DPPE) or 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) is suitable as a precatalyst and allows secondary and tertiary alkyl halides--as well as primary ones--to be employed as coupling partners for allyl Grignard reagents. The reaction offers a facile synthesis of quaternary carbon centers, which has practically never been possible with palladium, nickel, and copper catalysts. Benzyl, methallyl, and crotyl Grignard reagents can all couple with alkyl halides. The benzylation definitely requires DPPE or DPPP as a ligand. The reaction mechanism should include the generation of an alkyl radical from the parent alkyl halide. The mechanism can be interpreted in terms of a tandem radical cyclization/cross-coupling reaction. In addition, serendipitous tandem radical cyclization/cyclopropanation/carbonyl allylation of 5-alkoxy-6-halo-4-oxa-1-hexene derivatives is also described. The intermediacy of a carbon-centered radical results in the loss of the original stereochemistry of the parent alkyl halides, creating the potential for asymmetric cross-coupling of racemic alkyl halides.     

Cobalt-catalyzed sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with Grignard reagents and their application to the synthesis of 1,3-diols

Cobalt/N-heterocyclic carbene system or cobalt/diamine combination effectively catalyzes sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with trialkylsilylmethyl, 1-alkynyl, and aryl Grignard reagents. The sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions are applied to the synthesis of 1,3-diols starting from siloxy-tethered 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives.     

Samarium diiodide-mediated reductive couplings of chiral nitrones with aldehydes/ketones and acyl chlorides

The SmI₂-mediated and H₂O-promoted reductive cross-coupling reactions of the l-tartaric acid derived nitrone (3S,4S)-8 with aldehydes/ketones, and the l-malic acid derived nitrone (S)-6 with aliphatic acyl chlorides have been investigated, respectively. (2R,3S,4S)-1,3,4-Trihydroxyprolinol derivatives 9a-f were obtained with high C-2/C-3 trans-selectivities, and 72:28-85:15 diastereoselectivities at the carbinol center from aromatic ketones/aldehydes, while low diastereoselectivities for aliphatic aldehydes. Conditions have been established for the syntheses of (2R,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyprolinol derivatives such as 18, by N-O bond cleavage of the corresponding N-hydroxyprolinol derivatives 9b-f, or more conveniently by a one-pot reductive coupling of nitrone 8 and in situ N-O bond cleavage of the resultant coupling product. The 2-acyl-3-benzyloxy-1-hydroxypyrrolidines 10a-f were formed in 48-82% yields, and in 74:26-78:22 diastereoselectivities. It was revealed that the amount of water required for the reaction is substrate-depending.     

Synthesis of angularly fused cyclopentanoids and analogous tricycles via photoinduced ketyl radical/radical anion fragmentation-cyclization reactions

Angular fused tricycles were synthesized through intramolecular tandem fragmentation-cyclization reactions by photochemically induced electron transfer (PET) of tricyclic α-cyclopropyl ketones with an unsaturated side chain at the position γ to the carbonyl group. The reactions resulted in regioselective cleavage of a β-cyclopropyl bond with formation of angular fused tricyclic ring systems via ketyl radical/radical anions as reactive intermediates. In general, triethylamine (TEA) was used as a strong reducing reagent in acetonitrile. The preferred regioselectivity of the cyclization step (exo vs endo) depending on the substitution pattern at the quaternary carbon center (Cβ′) of the tricyclic α-cyclopropyl ketones was investigated. In addition, we also checked a two-step pathway for the synthesis of angular dioxa-triquinanes including photolysis of an allyloxy-substituted cyclopenta[c]furanone derivative and subsequent β-cleavage of the resulted dioxa-[4.5.5.5]fenestrane under reductive PET conditions.     

Urchin-like Nb2O5 hollow microspheres enabling efficient and selective photocatalytic C–C bond cleavage in lignin models under ambient conditions

Selective cleavage of robust C?C bonds to harvest value-added aromatic oxygenates is an intriguing but challenging task in lignin depolymerization. Photocatalysis is a promising technology with the advantages of mild reaction conditions and strong sustainability. Herein, we show a novel urchin-like Nb₂O₅ hollow microsphere (U-Nb₂O₅ HM), prepared by one-pot hydrothermal method, are highly active and selective for Cα?C_β bond cleavage of lignin β-O-4 model compounds under mild conditions, achieving 94% substrate conversion and 96% C?C bond cleavage selectivity. Systematic experimental studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the superior performance of U-Nb₂O₅ HMs arises from more exposed active sites, more efficient free charge separation and the active (001) facet, which facilitates the activation of C_β?H bond of lignin models and generate key C_β radical intermediates by photogenerated holes, further inducing the C_α?C_β bond cleavage to produce aromatic oxygenates. This work could provide some suggestions for the fabrication of hierarchical photocatalysts in the lignin depolymerization system.     

A new approach to indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines through radical cyclization of 2-acyl-1-phenylthiotetrahydro-β-carbolines bearing pendent α,β-unsaturated esters

A new method is reported for the preparation of indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines based on radical cyclization of a 2-acyl-1-phenylthiotetrahydro-β-carboline bearing a pendent α,β-unsaturated ester. The required radical cyclization precursor is efficiently assembled from E-5-ethoxycarbonyl-4-pentenoic acid and 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline through a DCC/HOBt-activation/N-acylation and BF₃·Et₂O/PhSH iminium-ion trapping sequence. Tin-mediated radical cyclization of the radical cyclization precursor affords stereoselectively a cis-lactam (dr = 7:1) in good yield (81%), bearing the correct D/E ring fusion stereochemistry for the Tacaman alkaloids. The methodology has been applied to formal syntheses of the indoloquinolizidine alkaloids, (±)-eburnaminol and (±)-larutensine.     

Evidence for a nucleophilic anti-attack on the cleaved C(2)-oxygen bond in Cl2AlH-catalyzed ring-opening of 2-substituted 1,3-dioxolanes

The Cl₂AlH-mediated ring-opening of 2-substituted cis-4-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1,3-dioxolanes was found to occur with regioselective cleavage of the O1-C2 bond by attack of the aluminum hydride from the direction anti to the departing oxygen. This stereochemical outcome, which appears to be unprecedented in the reductive cleavage of chiral acetals by aluminum reagents, is interpreted on the basis of theoretical calculations.     

Directing Group-Promoted Inert C−O Bond Activation Using Versatile Boronic Acid as a Coupling Agent

A simple Ni(cod)₂ and carbene mediated strategy facilitates the efficient catalytic cross-coupling of methoxyarenes with a variety of organoboron reagents. Directing groups facilitate the activation of inert C−O bonds in under-utilized aryl methyl ethers enabling their adaptation for C−C cross-coupling reactions as less toxic surrogates to the ubiquitous haloarenes. The method reported enables C−C cross-coupling with readily available and economical arylboronic acid reagents, which is unprecedented, and compares well with other organoboron reagents with similarly high reactivity. Extension to directing group assisted chemo-selective C−O bond cleavage, and further application towards the synthesis of novel bifunctionalized biaryls is reported. Key to the success of this protocol is the use of directing groups proximal to the reaction center to facilitate the activation of the inert C−OMe bond.     

Efficient synthesis of 5-nitro-benzo[b]furans via 2-bromo-4-nitro-phenyl acetates

Acetylation/Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction/cyclization has been carried out in one-pot using a Na₂PdCl₄/2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)-N-phenylindole/CuI system in TMEDA to give 5-nitro-2-substituted benzo[b]furans in excellent yields. We also describe the extension of this method to 4-EWG-2-bromo-phenols obtaining 2,5-disubstituted-benzo[b]furans in good yields.