Stereodivergent Synthesis of N‐Heterocycles by Catalyst‐Controlled,Activity‐Directed Tandem Annulation of Diazo Compounds with Amino Alkynes

A stereodivergent synthesis of five‐membered N‐heterocycles, such as 2,3‐dihydropyrroles, and 2‐methylene and 3‐methylene pyrrolidines, has been developed through a tandem annulation of amino alkynes with diazo compounds and involves the trapping of in situ formed intermediates. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the copper‐catalyzed tandem annulations proceed by allenoate formation and subsequent intramolecular hydroamination. In contrast, the rhodium‐catalyzed protocol features a carbenoid insertion into the N? H bond and subsequent Conia‐ene cyclization.     

Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of [1, 2, 3]Triazolo[1, 5‐a]Pyridines from 2‐Acylpyridines by Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Oxidative NN Bond Formation

An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of various [1, 2, 3]triazolo[1, 5‐a]pyridines has been established. The method involves a copper(II)‐catalyzed oxidative N?N bond formation that uses atmospheric oxygen as the terminal oxidant following hydrazonation in one pot. The use of ethyl acetate as the solvent dramatically promotes the oxidative N?N bond‐formation reaction and enables the application of oxidative cyclization in the efficient one‐pot reaction. A mechanism for the reaction was proposed on the basis of the results of a spectroscopic study.     

Stereodivergent Synthesis of N‐Heterocycles by Catalyst‐Controlled,Activity‐Directed Tandem Annulation of Diazo Compounds with Amino Alkynes

A stereodivergent synthesis of five‐membered N‐heterocycles, such as 2,3‐dihydropyrroles, and 2‐methylene and 3‐methylene pyrrolidines, has been developed through a tandem annulation of amino alkynes with diazo compounds and involves the trapping of in situ formed intermediates. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the copper‐catalyzed tandem annulations proceed by allenoate formation and subsequent intramolecular hydroamination. In contrast, the rhodium‐catalyzed protocol features a carbenoid insertion into the N H bond and subsequent Conia‐ene cyclization.     

Room Temperature Copper(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Enamides to 2,5-Disubstituted Oxazoles via Vinylic C-H Functionalization

A copper(II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of enamides to oxazoles via vinylic C-H bond functionalization at room temperature is described. Various 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles bearing aryl, vinyl, alkyl, and heteroaryl substituents could be synthesized in moderate to high yields. This reaction protocol is complementary to our previously reported iodine-mediated cyclization of enamides to afford 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoles.     

Studies on the oxidative cyclization of 3-hydroxyalkyl-1,2,4-trialkoxynaphthalenes and synthetic application for the biologically active natural compound rhinacanthone

The oxidative intramolecular cyclization of 3-hydroxyalkyl-1,2,4-trimethoxynaphthalenes was investigated. A series of 1,2-naphthoquinone fused cyclic ethers were synthesized directly from 3-hydroxyalkyl-1,2,4-trimethoxynaphthalenes by exposure to diammonium cerium (IV) nitrate. To understand the reaction mechanism, the intramolecular cyclization of 3-hydroxyalkyl-naphthoquinones that were formed as reaction intermediates was also examined. The results suggested that the reaction proceeds by a stepwise oxidation–cyclization mechanism. Using this methodology, five-step synthesis of rhinacanthone was achieved with high yield.     

Synthesis of carbazolones and 3-acetylindoles via oxidative C-N bond formation through PIFA-mediated annulation of 2-aryl enaminones

A series of carbazolone derivatives and 3-acetylindoles have been achieved via PIFA-mediated intramolecular cyclization of 2-aryl enaminones. This process allows the N-moiety on the side-chain to be annulated to the benzene ring via the metal-free oxidative aromatic C-N bond formation.     

Copper(II)-catalyzed synthesis of benzo[f]pyrido[1,2-a]indole-6,11-dione derivatives via naphthoquinone difunctionalization reaction

Benzo[f]pyrido[1,2-a]indole-6,11-diones have been synthesized in high yields by copper(II)-catalyzed three-component reactions of acyl bromide, 1,4-naphthoquinone, and pyridine (or isoquinoline) via sp(2)-C-H difunctionalization of naphthoquinone followed by intramolecular cyclization and oxidative aromatization. In an attempt to expand the reaction scope and to help clarify the reaction mechanism, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds are used in place of acyl bromides to take part in this reaction, and the benzo[f]pyrido[1,2-a]indole-6,11-diones derivatives are also obtained in excellent yields.     

Rhenium-catalyzed formation of indene frameworks via C-H bond activation: [3+2] annulation of aromatic aldimines and acetylenes

A rhenium complex, [ReBr(CO)3(thf)]2, catalyzes the reaction of an aromatic aldimine with an acetylene to give an indene derivative in a quantitative yield. The reaction proceeds via C-H bond activation, insertion of the acetylene, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, and reductive elimination. In contrast to ruthenium and rhodium catalysts, which are usually employed in this type of reaction, the rhenium catalyst promotes the intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization of the alkenylmetal species generated by insertion of the acetylene.     

Rhenium-catalyzed synthesis of naphthalene derivatives via insertion of aldehydes into a C-H bond

A rhenium complex, [ReBr(CO)₃(THF)]₂, catalyzed reactions of aromatic ketimines and aldehydes with dienophiles, followed by dehydration, to give naphthalene derivatives in good to excellent yields. This reaction proceeds via C-H bond activation, insertion of an aldehyde, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, reductive elimination, elimination of aniline and Diels-Alder reaction. After dehydration, naphthalene derivatives were formed.     

Rhodium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes with an intramolecular halogen shift: reaction scope and mechanism

The rhodium(I)-species-catalyzed cycloisomerization reaction of a wide spectrum of 1,6-enynes with an unusual intramolecular halogen shift was investigated. This Rh-catalyzed enyne cyclization reaction represents a new process for the synthesis of stereodefined alpha-halomethylene-gamma-butyrolactones, lactams, tetrahydrofurans, pyrrolidines, and cyclopentanes. Coordinatively unsaturated rhodium species ([Rh(COD)Cl](2) + dppb + AgSbF(6)) only catalyzes the reaction with enyne substrates bearing a Z-form double bond, while neutral rhodium species (RhCl(PPh(3))(3)) could catalyze enyne substrates bearing a Z- or E-form double bond to form the desired products and has a wider substrate scopes. The mechanism of the reaction was studied by the employment of control experiments with different enyne isomers, and a pi-allyl rhodium intermediate was suggested to explain the formation of the cyclic products with an intramolecular halogen shift.     

Acid-catalyzed cyclization of vinylsilanes bearing an amino group. Stereoselective synthesis of pyrrolidines

[reaction: see text] In the presence of an acid catalyst, vinylsilanes 1 bearing an amino group protected by an electron-withdrawing group were smoothly cyclized to 2-(silylmethyl)pyrrolidines 2. This cyclization was utilized for the stereoselective synthesis of 2,n-disubstituted pyrrolidines (n = 3-5). The cyclized products could be converted to the corresponding alcohols by oxidative cleavage of the carbon-silicon bond with TBAF and H2O2.     

Intramolecular Cyclization of 1-Benzyl-2-(nitromethylene)pyrrolidines in Triflic Acid

1-Benzyl-2-(nitromethylene)pyrrolidines in triflic acid undergo intramolecular cyclization to afford the corresponding 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinolinium triflates and/or 10-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinolinium triflates, depending on the nature of the aromatic substituent. Structures of products and reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidines via tin-lithium exchange and cyclization

We report a method for the synthesis of chiral pyrrolidines using tin-lithium exchange and cyclization reactions. The precursors are formed readily from simple starting materials and undergo tin-lithium exchange by treatment with n-butyllithium. Subsequent intramolecular carbolithiation is stereoselective to give highly enantiomerically enriched pyrrolidines in excellent yields.     

Synthesis of H-pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines via copper(II)-catalyzed oxidation of an aliphatic C-H bond of tertiary amine in air

A multicomponent reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, sulfonohydrazide, and tertiary amine is discovered, which generates the unexpected H-pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines in good yields under mild conditions. In the reaction process, silver(I)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization and copper(II)-catalyzed oxidation of an aliphatic C-H bond of tertiary amine in air are involved.     

Mechanistic analysis of oxidative C-H cleavages using inter- and intramolecular kinetic isotope effects

A series of monodeuterated benzylic and allylic ethers were subjected to oxidative carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage to determine the impact of structural variation on intramolecular kinetic isotope effects in DDQ-mediated cyclization reactions. These values are compared to the corresponding intermolecular kinetic isotope effects that were accessed through subjecting mixtures of non-deuterated and dideuterated substrates to the reaction conditions. The results indicate that carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage is rate determining and that a radical cation is most likely a key intermediate in the reaction mechanism.     

RhIII‐Catalyzed C(sp3)H Bond Activation by an External Base Metalation/Deprotonation Mechanism: A Theoretical Study

The C(sp³)?H bond activation of 8‐methylquinoline followed by alkyne insertion catalyzed by a Rh^III complex has been studied by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Contrary to common belief, the C?H bond activation of methylquinoline does not occur by the traditional intramolecular concerted metalation/deprotonation (CMD) mechanism but by an external base CMD mechanism. The use of free acetate or copper(II) acetate as base permits the C?H activation step, as observed experimentally. However, the following insertion is possible only if copper(II) acetate is used. The insertion followed by metathesis occurs via a cationic Rh^III complex and is irreversible, which ensures the efficiency of the entire process. Therefore the use of copper is crucial for completing the catalytic cycle. The present work should help to rationalize the origins of the experimental results described in the literature.     

Synthesis of novel tetrahydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrrolidines via Ugi multicomponent and palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization

Novel tetrahydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrrolidines were conveniently prepared in moderate to good yields via a sequential Ugi multicomponent reaction or Staudinger/aza-Wittig/Ugi combination, followed by the palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of the resulting Ugi adducts.     

One-step multi-electron transfer mechanism of polynuclear copper complexes for molecular conversions

The oxidative coupling reaction of 2,6-dimethylphenol may result in either a desired polymeric substance (i.e. the polyphenylene ether, PPE) or the undesired “dimeric” species diphenoquinone, DPQ. The relative amounts of each product depend on the experimental conditions and the used catalytic system. Usually copper amine compounds are used as a catalyst for the oxidative coupling reactions. They have the advantage of easy access and produce high yields of high molecular PPE; however, other metal coordination compounds, like those of Mn, may also be used as catalysts. The present paper focuses on mechanistic studies with various copper (aliphatic and aromatic) amine compounds as catalysts. Owing to the steric constraints of the amine ligands, dinuclear Cu(II) compounds, with small bridging anionic ligands, are easily formed. Such species are believed to be the catalyst precursors. Upon addition of a base (1:1 on copper) and excess phenol, phenolate ligands coordinate as bridging ligands to copper. After a two-electron transfer reaction, the resulting phenoxonium ligand, which is a rather poor ligand, remains attached to the Cu(I), probably coordinating via its aromatic ring. Nucleophilic attack by a phenol to the phenoxonium ion at the 4-position is likey to be most important to the coupling reaction. In the beginning of the reaction the undesired side product DPQ is also formed via a C–C coupling reaction. With copper(II) compounds containing imidazole-type chelating ligands, good activity was obtained; in the case of pyrazole-based and bridging S-donor chelating ligands, that no or very weak activity was found. In a study of the mechanism of the propagation reaction the rate-determining reaction was thought to be probably a one-step, two-electron transfer, during which the two Cu(II) ions in the dinuclear complex oxidize the phenolate to phenoxonium. After the phenoxium ion is formed the bonding with the (then) Cu(I) species is weakened and the reactions with phenolic end groups can take place. The effect of the amine ligands appears to be both steric and electronic. With certain ligands the reoxidationof the reduced catalyst is not possible.     

Ruthenium (II)-catalyzed synthesis of phthalides via the cascade addition and cyclization of aromatic acids with aldehydes

The ruthenium-catalyzed intermolecular cascade cyclization of aromatic acids with aromatic aldehydes, which involves the direct insertion of C–H bond into a polar C=O bond and the successive intramolecular nucleophilic substitution, was developed for the synthesis of 3-substituted phthalides in good to excellent yields. This one-pot procedure characterizes in a short reaction time, the cheaper Ru(II) as a catalyst, readily available acids and aldehydes as starting materials, and water as the only theoretical by-product.These merits make the protocol an efficient and cost-effective route for the synthesis of 3-substituted phthalides.     

Synthesis of functionalized carbo- and heterocycles via gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of enynes

The PPh₃AuCl/AgSbF₆ catalytic system promotes a tandem Friedel-Crafts' type addition of electron-rich aromatic and heteroaromatic derivatives to unactivated alkene followed by a C-C bond cyclization reaction. The efficiency of this system allowed room temperature reactions in a very short time. The scope and limitations of this reaction were investigated. The reaction conditions were compatible with various functional groups on the nucleophiles. Severe limitations were observed when the allylic position of the enyne is substituted by electron-withdrawing groups. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated via the synthesis of a deuterated aromatic ring: we showed that the source of proton involved in the protodemetallation step originates from the acidic activated C-H bond of the nucleophile.