Tetracyclic 1,6-methano-[10]annulenes a novel class of steroidal annulenes

Reaction of 19-hydroxyandrosta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione (8b) and the corresponding Δ⁷-compound (8c) with diethyl-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-amine affords 5β,19-cyclo-Δ^1,6- and 5β,19-cyclo-Δ^1,7-3-ketones (4b) and (4c) respectively. Solvolysis experiments with the 19-tosylates of the 19-hydroxy-Δ^4,6- and Δ^4,7-3-ketones (8b) and 8c) are described as alternate approaches to (4b) and (4c). Exposure of 5β,19-cyclo compounds (4b) and (4c) to acetic anhydride-acetic acid-p-toluenesulfonic acid yields the respective 3-acetoxycycloheptatrienes (5a) and (6a). The latter substance (6a) is converted into the novel tetracyclic 1,6-methano-[10]annulene (2a) on exposure to N-bromosuccinimide in boiling carbon tetrachloride. Synthesis of the corresponding 3-methoxy- and 3-desoxy-1,6-methano-[10]annulenes (2b) and (2c) are also described. The NMR spectra of (2a), (2b) and (2c) and related intermediates are discussed.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of novel bis(2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one) derivatives as potential GSK-3 inhibitors

(5Z,5′Z)-3,3′-(1,4-Phenylenebis(methylene)-bis-(5-arylidene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one) derivatives (5a-r) have been synthesized by the condensation reaction of 3,3′-(1,4- or 1,3-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones) (3a,b) with suitably substituted aldehydes (4a-f) or 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (8a-c) under microwave conditions. The bis(2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones) were prepared from the corresponding primary alkyl amines (1a,b) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetaldehydes (8a-c) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (7a-c) using HSnBu₃.     

2-(1-Isopropyl-2-benzimidazolyl)-6-(1-aryliminoethyl)pyridyl transition metal (Fe, Co, and Ni) dichlorides: Syntheses, characterizations and their catalytic behaviors toward ethylene reactivity

A series of 2-(1-isopropyl-2-benzimidazolyl)-6-(1-aryliminoethyl)pyridyl metal complexes [iron (II) (1a-6a), cobalt (II) (1b-6b) and nickel (II) (1c-6c)] were synthesized and fully characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of five coordinated complexes 5a, 3b, 5b, 1c and 2c reveal 5a and 5b as distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, and 3b, 1c and 2c as distorted square pyramidal geometry. All complexes performed ethylene reactivity with the assistance of various organoaluminums. The iron complexes displayed good activities in the presence of MAO and MMAO. Upon activated by Et₂AlCl, the cobalt analogues showed moderate ethylene reactivity, while the nickel analogues exhibited relatively higher activities.     

Methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropanes: synthesis and biological activity of (Z)- and (E)-9-{[2-ethynyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene]methyl}adenine and -guanine

Synthesis of methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane analogues of nucleosides 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b is described. Ethyl methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 14 was hydroxymethylated to give alcohol 15, which was reduced to diol 16. Selective protection with tert-butyldimethylsilyl group gave derivative 17, which was oxidized to aldehyde 18. Wittig reaction with CBr₄ gave dibromoalkene 19. Elimination of both bromine atoms afforded methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane 20. Bromoselenenylation using N-bromosuccinimide and diphenyldiselenide gave intermediate 21. Alkylation of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with 21 provided the Z,E-isomeric mixtures 22a and 22c. Oxidation afforded selenoxides 23a and 23c. Mild thermolysis furnished methylenecyclopropanes Z-24a, E-24a, and 24c. Deprotection and separation of Z,E-isomers gave adenine analogues 12a and 13a, and 2-amino-6-chloropurine intermediates 12c and 13c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 12c and 13c afforded guanine analogues 12b and 13b. Adenine Z-isomer 12a inhibits replication of Epstein-Barr virus through its cytotoxicity. The E-isomer 13a is a substrate for adenosine deaminase.     

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of phenoxy-ketimine ligands: Synthesis,structures and their utility in bulk ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide

Synthetic, structural and catalysis studies of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of a series of phenoxy-ketimine ligands with controlled variations of sterics, namely 2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1a), 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1b) and 2-[1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1c), are reported. Specifically, the ligands 1a, 1b and 1c were synthesized by the TiCl₄ mediated condensation reactions of the respective anilines with o-hydroxyacetophenone in 21–23% yield. The nickel complexes, {2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Ni(II) (2a) and {2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Ni(II) (2b), were synthesized by the reaction of the respective ligands 1a and 1b with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O in the presence of NEt₃ as a base in 71–75% yield. The copper complexes, {2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3a), {2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3b) and {2-[1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3c) were synthesized analogously by the reactions of the ligands 1a, 1b and 1c with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O in 70–87% yield. The molecular structures of the nickel and copper complexes 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 3c have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Structural comparisons revealed that the nickel centers in 2a and 2b are in square planar geometries while the geometry around the copper varied from being square planar in 3a and 3c to distorted square planar in 3b. The catalysis studies revealed that while the copper complexes 3a, 3b and 3c efficiently catalyze ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide at elevated temperatures under solvent-free melt conditions, producing polylactide polymers of moderate molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distributions, the nickel counterparts 2a and 2b failed to yield the polylactide polymer.     

Steric course of some cyclopropanation reactions of L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosides

Completely protected 4-deoxy-α-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosides 1c,d undergo the dichlorocarbene addition affording exclusively diastereomeric adducts 5c,d with the cyclopropane ring anti to the C-3 alkyloxy substituent, while the reaction with 3-unprotected derivatives 1a,b affords a mixture of syn and anti derivatives. Under the Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation adducts 2a-d with a syn stereochemistry are obtained. Starting from 5b, the cyclopropanated sugar 3b is obtained by reduction with LiAlH₄, thus the two diastereomers 2b and 3b can be stereoselectively obtained through the two different pathways. For a useful comparison, 4-deoxy-β-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranoside 1e was also subjected to the above two cyclopropanation methods affording the expected cycloadduct 2e and a diastereomeric mixture of dichlorocycloadducts 4e and 5e (4e/5e=2.8:1).     

Synthesis and reactivity of new functionalized Pd(II) cyclometallated complexes with boronic esters

Treatment of the functionalized Schiff base ligands with boronic esters 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d with palladium (II) acetate in toluene gave the polynuclear cyclometallated complexes 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, respectively, as air-stable solids, with the ligand as a terdentate [C,N,O] moiety after deprotonation of the -OH group. Reaction of 1j with palladium (II) acetate in toluene gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complex 5j. Reaction of the cyclometallated complexes with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear species 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 6j with cleavage of the polynuclear structure. Treatment of 2c with the diphosphine Ph₂PC₅H₄FeC₅H₄PPh₂ (dppf) in 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complex 4c as an air-stable solid.Deprotection of the boronic ester can be easily achieved; thus, by stirring the cyclometallated complex 3a in a mixture of acetone/water, 3e is obtained in good yield. Reaction of the tetrameric complex 2a with cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol in chloroform gave complex 2c after a transesterification reaction. Under similar conditions complexes 3a and 3d behaved similarly: with cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol, pinacol or diethanolamine complexes 3c, 3b, 3g and 3f, were obtained. The pinacol derivatives 3b and 3g experiment the Petasis reaction with glyoxylic acid and morpholine in dichloromethane to give complexes 3h, and 3i, respectively.     

First cross-coupling reactions on halogenated 1H-1,2,4-triazole nucleosides

The halogenated 1H-1,2,4-triazole glycosides 6-10 were synthesized by BF₃-activated glycosylation of 3(5)-chloro-1,2,4-triazole (2), 3,5-dichloro-1,2,4-triazole (3), 3,5-dibromo-1,2,4-triazole (4), and 3(5)-bromo-5(3)-chloro-1,2,4-triazole (5) with 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-pivaloyl-β-d-xylopyranose (1). The β-anomeric major products 3-chloro-1-(2,3,4-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole (6β), 3,5-dichloro-1-(2,3,4-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole (7β), and 3,5-dibromo-1-(2,3,4-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole (8β) were used as starting materials for transition metal catalyzed C-C-coupling reactions. Arylations of the triazole ring of 7β, and 8β were successful in 5-position with phenylboronic acid, 4-vinylphenylboronic acid, and 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid, respectively, under Suzuki cross-coupling conditions (products 11-17). Moreover, a Cu-catalyzed perfluoroalkylation of 8β is reported with 1-iodo-perfluorohexane yielding 3-perfluorohexyl-1-(2,3,4-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole (18). Compound 18 was depivaloylated to the trihydroxy derivative 19. The copper-mediated reaction of 8β with Rupert's reagent gave the bis(3-bromo-1-(2,3,4-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl) (20).     

A novel and easy two-step,microwave-assisted method for the synthesis of halophenyl pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines via their pyrrolo precursors. Evaluation of their bioactivity

A novel, two-step, facile route for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines via 2,3-dioxopyrroles, enhanced by microwave irradiation, is presented. The newly synthesized 2,3-dioxo-5-halophenyl pyrrolo precursors 4a–c as well as the non-aromatized ethyl 2-(4-halophenyl)-1-methyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline-3-carboxylates 6a–c and the aromatized ethyl 2-(4-halophenyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline-3-carboxylates 7a–c were evaluated for their antioxidant, cytostatic, and antiviral properties. Most of them proved to be potent hydroxyl radical scavengers and inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation. The compounds showed moderate antiproliferative activity, while 6a inhibited vaccinia virus at an EC₅₀ value of 2 μM, and 4c and 6c inhibited Sindbis virus at EC₅₀ values of 4 μM.     

Synthesis and photochemistry of pH-sensitive GFP chromophore analogs

GFP chromophore analogs (7a-e, 8, and 10a,b) containing 2-thienyl-, 5-methyl-2-furyl-, 2-pyrryl, and 6-methyl-2-pyridyl-groups were synthesized and their fluorescence spectra recorded in the pH range 1-7. NMR studies showed that protonation of 8 (2-thienyl system) inhibited photoisomerization (Z-E) about the exocyclic double bond but that protonation of 7c (E + Z) (2-pyrryl system) gave only 7cE. Fluorescence studies revealed enhancement of fluorescence intensity of 7c and 7b,e (furyl system) below pH 2.5 and gave a similar result for 10a (pyridyl system) below pH 6. Quantum yields at pH 1 were low, probably due to excited state proton transfer (ESPT).     

Gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene based initiators for bulk ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide

Synthesis, structures, and catalysis studies of gold(I) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes namely, a di-O-functionalized [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(acetophenone)imidazol-2-ylidene], a mono-O-functionalized [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(benzyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] and a non-functionalized [1,3-di-i-propyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene], are reported. Specifically, the gold complexes, [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(acetophenone)imidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl (1c), [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(benzyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl (2c), and [1,3-di-i-propyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl (3b), were prepared from the respective silver complexes 1b, 2b, and 3a by treatment with (SMe₂)AuCl in good yields following the commonly used silver carbene transfer route. The silver complexes 1b, 2b, and 3a were synthesized from the respective imidazolium halide salts by the reactions with Ag₂O. The N-heterocyclic carbene precursors, 1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(acetophenone)imidazolium chloride (1a) and 1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(benzyl)imidazolium chloride (2a), were synthesized by the direct reactions of cyclohexene oxide and imidazole with chloroacetophenone and benzyl chloride respectively. The gold (1c, 2c, and 3b) and the silver (3a) complexes along with a new O-functionalized imidazolium chloride salt (1a) have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The structural studies revealed that geometries around the metal centers were almost linear in these gold and silver complexes. The gold (1c, 2c, and 3b) complexes efficiently catalyze ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide under solvent-free melt conditions producing polylactide polymer of moderate to low molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distributions.     

A convenient one-pot synthesis of 2β-(O-dibenzyl-phosphate)-oxymethyl-2α-methyl penam 3α-carboxylic acid benzyl ester and 3β-(O-dibenzyl-phosphate)-3α-methyl cepham 4α-carboxylic acid benzyl ester

The 2β-(O-dibenzyl-phosphate)-oxymethyl-2α-methyl penam 3α-carboxylic acid benzyl ester and 3β-(O-dibenzyl-phosphate)-3α-methyl cepham 4α-carboxylic acid benzyl ester were synthesized. The conversion of the acyclic azetidione disulfides 1a-c prepared by Kamiya’s procedure to their bicyclic penam 2a-c and cefam 3a-c derivatives are described.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitriles from anthranilonitriles via N-unprotected 2-(cyanomethylamino)benzonitriles

Anthranilonitrile 3a, 4,5-dimethoxyanthranilonitrile 3b and 5-nitroanthranilonitrile 3c, react with paraformaldehyde, KCN and ZnCl₂ in acetic acid under acid catalysis (H₂SO₄) in a sealed tube at ca. 55 °C to give the corresponding 2-(cyanomethylamino)benzonitriles 4a-c in 96, 86 and 57% yields, respectively. Thorpe-Ziegler cyclisation of the N-unprotected 2-(cyanomethylamino)benzonitriles 4a-c with K₂CO₃ in EtOH at elevated temperatures and pressures using either microwave heating or conventional heating in a sealed tube gives 3-amino, 3-amino-5,6-dimethoxy, and 3-amino-5-nitroindole-2-carbonitriles 2a-c in moderate to good yields. All new compounds are fully characterised.     

Greener fluorous chemistry: Convenient preparation of new types of ‘CF3-rich’ secondary alkyl mesylates and their use for the synthesis of azides, amines, imidazoles and imidazolium salts

2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, and nonafluoro-tert-butyl alcohol were used as precursors for the preparation of the appropriate bis(polyfluoroalkoxymethyl)carbinols [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOH, 1a-c, R_FH = (a) CF₃CH₂, (b) (CF₃)₂CH, and (c) (CF₃)₃C] and the corresponding mesylates [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOSO₂CH₃, 2a-c]. This novel design paradigm is introduced to eliminate the persistence and bioaccumulation problems of fluorous chemistry, which are associated with the use of longer linear perfluoroalkyl groups (e.g. R_fn ≥ n-C₈F₁₇, n-C₇F₁₅). Secondary mesylates 2a,b and the primary tosylate [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂OTs, 2d] displayed acceptable reactivity towards azide and imidazole nucleophiles to allow the syntheses of novel fluorous azides, which on hydrogenolysis with H₂/Pd-C offered fluorous amines [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHNH₂, 8a,b], and 1-(polyfluoroalkyl)imidazoles (5a,b,d), respectively, while 2c showed no reactivity due to steric hindrance. The reaction of 8a,b with formaline, glyoxal and hydrochloric acid gave symmetrical 1,3-dialkylated imidazolium chlorides (9a,b), while 5a,b,d were effectively alkylated using n-C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃I, methyl iodide, 2-bromoethanol, and 2d to yield the corresponding 1,3-dialkylimidazolium iodides, bromides, and tosylates (7aa-ec). Some physical properties of new compounds including mp, bp and solubility patterns were also analyzed; and the fluorophilicity values of 1a-c, and 2a-c were experimentally determined by GC and/or ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and properties of novel methanofullerenes having ethylthienyl and/or n-pentyl group for photovoltaic cells

Novel methanofullerenes 3 having ethylthienyl and/or n-pentyl groups were designed and synthesized for the purpose of developing new acceptors for an organic photovoltaic cell with higher performance than that of the [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butylic acid methyl ester (PCBM) used as the standard acceptor. The electronic absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry (CV) of 3, PCBM, and [6,6]-(thiophene-2-yl)-C₆₁-butylic acid methyl ester (ThCBM) were measured to estimate solubility and reduction potentials as characteristics of n-type semiconductor for organic photovoltaic devices. The CV measurements revealed reversible reduction waves for all of the methanofullerenes and the first reduction potentials of the n-pentyl-substituted 1-(5-ethylthiophene-2-yl)-[6,6]-methanofullerene[60] (3b) and 1-phenyl-[6,6]-methanofullerene[60] (3c) were negatively shifted compared to those of the corresponding terminal methyl ester-substituted homologues (3a and PCBM). The performances of photovoltaic devices consisting of 3b and 3c were slightly higher than those of PCBM.     

Synthesis, structure and photo-physical properties of phosphorus-supported fluorescent probes

Various phosphorus-supported fluorescent probes have been synthesized by the condensation reaction of multi-functional phosphorus hydrazides with various fluorophore-containing carboxaldehydes. Compounds, thus prepared, in this study are (PhO)₂P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R] (1a, 1b), Ph₂P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R] (2b, 2c, 2d), PhP(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₂ (3b, 3c), P(S)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₃ (4b, 4c), P(O)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₃ (5a, 5b, 5c), N₃P₃(O₂C₁₂H₈)₂[N(Me)-NCH-R]₂ (6a, 6b, 6c), N₃P₃(O₂C₁₂H₈)[N(Me)-NCH-R]₄ (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and N₃P₃[N(Me)-NCH-R]₆ (8b, 8c), where R=1-pyrenyl (a), 9-anthracenyl (b), 9-phenanthryl (c) and 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-coumarinyl (d). All of these compounds have been characterized by various analytical techniques including ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 5c and 6d have also been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. All of these phosphorus-supported compounds exhibit excellent fluorescence properties in aqueous solution at near physiological conditions.     

Synthesis of new tetracyclic 7-oxo-pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine derivatives

A series of (±)3-hydroxyl- and 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines were synthesized for antitumor evaluation. These agents can be considered as analogues of glyfoline or (±)1,2-dihydroxyacronycine derivatives. The key intermediates, 3,7-dioxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines (15a,b or 24a,b), for constructing the target compounds were synthesized either from 3-(N,N-diphenylamino)propionic acid (14a,b) by treating with Eaton’s reagent (P₂O₅/MsOH) (Method 1) or from (9-oxo-9H-acridin-10-yl)propionic acid (23a-c) via ring cyclization under the same reaction conditions (Method 2). Compounds 15a,b and 24a,b were converted into (±)3-hydroxy derivatives (25a-d), which were then further transformed into pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridin-7-one (28a-d) by treating with methanesulfonic anhydride in pyridine via dehydration. 1,2-Dihydroxylation of 28a-d afforded (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine (29a-d). Derivatives of (±)3-hydroxy (25a,b) and (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy (29a-d) were further converted into their O-acetyl congeners 26a,b and 30a-d, respectively. We also synthesized 2,3-cyclic carbonate (31, 32, and 33) from 29a-c. The anti-proliferative study revealed that these agents exhibited low cytotoxicity in inhibiting human lymphoblastic leukemia CCRF-CEM cell growth in culture.     

Facile synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-3-allylidene-β-lactams via thermal β-elimination of trans-3-allyl-3-sulfinyl-β-lactams

A competent synthetic route for the synthesis of novel (Z)- and (E)-3-allylidene-β-lactams is described. The strategy involves oxidation of trans-3-allyl-3-phenylthio-β-lactams 1 using sodium metaperiodate (NaIO₄) to diastereomeric trans-3-allyl-3-phenylsulfinyl-β-lactams 2 and 3, which further undergo thermal β-elimination in refluxing carbon tetrachloride to furnish (Z)- and (E)-3-allylidene-β-lactams 5 and 6 in good to excellent yields. The molecular structure of 3b has been established with the help of single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and non-linear optical properties of boronates derivatives of salicylideniminophenols

The condensation in one step of a series of salicylaldehydes and 2-amino-5-nitrophenol with 1-naphthylboronic acid, 2-naphthylboronic acid, and o-tolylboronic acid to give the corresponding boronates 1a-3a, 1b-3b and 1c-3d, is reported. The X-ray crystal structures of 1a, 2b and 3b allowed determining the α- and β-angle between the stilbene skeleton and the aryl or naphthylboronic fragments; these values are indicative of different conformations for the aryl moieties around the (B-C) boron-carbon bond which could potentially modulate the electronic properties on the boron stilbene compounds. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹¹B and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, UV, IR and mass spectrometry. Second- and third-order non-linear optical characterizations were also performed by EFISH and THG Maker Fringe techniques, respectively. Compounds 3a-3d containing an -N(Et)₂ donor group gave the best NLO response in second- and third-order.     

Manganese(III) acetate based oxidative cyclizations of 3-oxopropanenitriles with conjugated alkenes and synthesis of 4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitriles containing heterocycles

4,5-Dihydrofuran-3-carbonitriles 3a-i were obtained through oxidative cyclizations of 3-oxo-3-phenylpropanenitrile 1a, 3-oxo-3-thien-2-ylpropanenitrile 1b, 3-(2-furyl)-3-oxopropanenitirle 1c, 3-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile 1d, and 4,4-dimethyl-3-oxopropanenitrile 1e mediated manganese(III) acetate with 1,1-diphenyl-1-butene 2a and 1,2-diphenyl-1-pentene 2b. The treatments of these 3-oxopropanenitriles with 2-thienyl substituted alkenes such as 2-[(E)-2-phenylvinyl]thiophene 2c, 2-[(E)-1-methyl-2-phenylvinyl]thiophene 2d, and 2-(1-phenylvinyl)thiophene 2e formed 5-(2-thienyl)-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitriles 3j-r in good yields (45-93%). As a result, 2-thienyl substituted alkenes formed products in higher yields than phenyl substituted derivatives.