Catalyst-free ipso-nitration of aryl boronic acids using bismuth nitrate

We report a catalyst-free ipso-nitration of aryl boronic acids using bismuth (III) nitrate as nitrating agent. Reaction proceeds in shorter reaction times with moderate to excellent yields. This method is operationally simple, regioselective, and possesses excellent functional group compatibility to synthesize nitroarenes.     

Regioselective hydrostannation of highly hindered arylalkynes under ortho-directing effects

Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannation reactions of ortho-disubstituted arylalkynes were achieved with total stereo- and regio-selectivity in THF at room temperature. The regioselectivity was found to be under the control of the ortho-substituents (ortho-directing effects, ODE) and pure α-vinylstannanes are produced in good yields and as single isomers regardless of the substituents’ nature. These hydrostannation α-products are precursors of choice for the preparation of stereo-defined triarylolefins.     

Regioselective ortho-acetoxylation/methoxylation of N-(2-benzoylphenyl)benzamides via substrate directed C-H activation

A highly regioselective ortho-acetoxylation of N-(2-benzoylphenyl)benzamides has been achieved using a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ (10 mol %) and a stoichiometric amount of PhI(OAc)₂ in a mixture of acetic anhydride and acetic acid via C-H activation to produce the corresponding 2-acetoxybenzamides in good yields. ortho-Methoxylation has been accomplished using methanol under similar conditions.     

ortho-Formylation of oxygenated phenols

Oxygenated phenols are mono-formylated using a mixture of paraformaldehyde, MgCl₂, and Et₃N in THF. In all cases but one, only one regioisomer of the salicylaldehyde is obtained in good to high yield.     

GaCl3-Catalyzed ortho-ethynylation reaction of N-benzylanilines

Lithiated N-benzylanilines were ethynylated at the ortho-position with silylchloroethyne at 120 °C in the presence of a catalytic amount of GaCl₃. Trimethylsilylated N-methylaniline could also be used for this transformation.     

First synthesis of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans via the ipso-nitration reaction

The first synthesis of a series of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans is reported. Our synthetic approach is based on a linear synthesis in two steps from appropriate brominated 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans 12-17, which requires the preliminary preparation of bromophenols 7-11. These latter were easily obtained by the reaction of phenols 1-5 with a mild and selective brominating agent tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBA·Br₃). The key intermediates 12-17 were efficiently elaborated through an univocal classic chromenization between the commercially available 1,1-diphenyl-2-yn-1-ol and the brominated phenols 6-11. The compounds 12-17 so obtained were converted into arylboronic acids 18-23 by a metalation/boronylation sequence, followed by acid hydrolysis. From advanced building blocks 18-23, the introduction of nitro group, which constitutes the ultimate step of our strategy, was achieved by an ipso-nitration reaction using the Crivello's reagent. This highly selective method provides only the ipso-nitrated products 24-29 in moderate to high yield.     

One-pot synthesis of ortho-hydroxycinnamate esters

Phenols are converted to salicylaldehydes with paraformaldehyde, MgCl₂-Et₃N in THF, and subsequent treatment with methyl (triphenylphosphoranylidene)acetate gave the corresponding methyl ortho-hydroxycinnamate derivatives. The sequence is conveniently carried out as a one-pot procedure.     

Transition-metal-free approach to synthesis of indolines from N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and iodonium ylides

A transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of indolines has been developed. In the presence of K₂CO₃, the cyclization reaction of N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and iodonium ylides proceeded smoothly at room temperature in moderate to good yields.     

Synthesis of functionalized 7-azaindoles via directed ortho-metalations

Functionalization at C-5 of 4-fluoro- and 4-chloro-1-triisopropylsilyl-7-azaindole, 1 and 2, respectively, leads to a variety of new substituted 7-azaindole derivatives. We also describe two approaches to introduce functionality at C-6.     

Michael addition of chiral formaldehyde N,N-dialkylhydrazones to activated cyclic alkenes

The nucleophilic conjugate addition of chiral formaldehyde N,N-dialkylhydrazones 1 to doubly activated cyclic alkenes 2-8 proceeds smoothly to afford the corresponding Michael adducts 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 in variable yields and selectivities. The reactions take place either spontaneously or in the presence of MgI₂ as a mild Lewis acid depending on the type of substrate. Release of the chiral auxiliary was achieved by transformation of the hydrazone moiety into acetals, dithioacetals or nitriles.     

Palladium-catalyzed arylation of N,N-dialkylhydrazines and the subsequent conversion to anilines

Palladium-catalyzed aminations of different ArBr with N,N-dialkylhydrazines are described. The reaction proceeded in moderate to excellent yield (up to 90%) with good functional groups compatibilities as cyano, ester, ketone and Boc-amine groups are all well tolerated. Several hydrazines were proved to be good coupling partners and this process provided a general method for the isosteric replacement of benzyl amines with arylhydrazines. Moreover, a method for the N-N bond cleavage of arylhydrazines was discovered, and this two-step sequence could be employed as an alternative synthesis of aniline derivatives.     

Preparation of p-nitrocalix[n]arene methyl ethers via ipso-nitration and crystal structure of tetramethoxytetra-p-nitrocalix[4]arene

Nitration of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arene methyl ethers under a variety of reaction conditions has been examined. It has been determined that amongst different nitration procedures adopted (AlCl₃/KNO₃, HNO₃/CH₃COOH, HNO₃/(CH₃CO)₂O, cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate/CH₃COOH), ipso-nitration with CH₃COOH/HNO₃ gives best yields of p-nitrocalixarenes and work up conditions. ipso-Nitration of tetramethoxytetra-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene gives tetramethoxytetra-p-nitrocalix[4]arene as triclinic crystals with space group with a=9.102(3) Å, b=11.623(3) Å, c=18.368(3) Å and α=77.99(2)°, β=81.10(2)°, γ=73.37(2)°. Its conformation is partial cone and it forms an exocylic 1:1 complex with DMF.     

Total synthesis of pawhuskin C: a directed ortho metalation approach

The total synthesis of the opioid modulator pawhuskin C has been accomplished in eight steps from methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate. The key step in this sequence is a directed ortho metalation reaction conducted without protection of a benzylic alcohol and thus presumed to involve a formal dianion intermediate.     

A convenient synthesis of ortho-ortho disubstituted biphenyls containing an eight-membered lactam ring using radical chemistry

Compound 4 prepared from Isatin in two steps underwent an unusual radical-induced rearrangement reaction to yield 9 as the major product and 10 as the minor component. Compound 9 shows structural similarities to the antimitotic agent rhazinilam and the gamma secretase inhibitor LY411575. The scope of the reaction has been studied by changing the substitutions on the aromatic rings and the mechanism for the formation of 9 and 10 from 4 is suggested.     

Efficient, protection-free Suzuki-Miyaura synthesis of ortho-biphenyltetrazoles

We describe an efficient protocol for the Suzuki-Miyaura synthesis of ortho-biphenyltetrazoles from non-protected 2-bromophenyltetrazole and arylboronic acids. The optimised conditions were achieved using [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) as catalyst and Na₂CO₃ as base. A panel of structurally diverse arylboronic acids was used to demonstrate the scope of the coupling procedure.     

On the cyclization of ortho-alkynylbenzene diazonium salts

Cyclization of ortho-(phenylethynyl)benzene diazonium salts containing groups of +C character at the para-position of the phenyl ring proceeds with closure to a pyrazole, but not to a pyridazine as is the case in the presence of neutral or −C groups.     

ortho-Formylation of estrogens. Synthesis of the anti-cancer agent 2-methoxyestradiol

Several estrogens were mono-formylated using a mixture of paraformaldehyde, MgCl₂, and Et₃N in refluxing THF. In all cases, the 2-isomer was formed as the major product with high regioselectivity compared to the 4-isomer. Excellent to high yields were obtained in all examples except one. The method was applied for an efficient synthesis of the anti-cancer agent 2-methoxyestradiol.     

Competition of substituents for ortho direction of metalation of veratric acid

LTMP (5 equiv) metalates randomly veratric acid (1). Under external quench conditions, the thermodynamically more stable lithium 2-lithio-3,4-dimethoxybenzoate (2) reacts with a variety of electrophiles to give versatile building units that are not easily accessible by conventional means. Under in situ quench conditions (LTMP/TMSCl), a reversal of regioselectivity is observed and 6-trimethylsilyl-3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid (10) is formed predominantly.     

Synthesis of ortho-substituted cyanopyridines through lithio intermediate trapping

Ortholithiation of 4-cyanopyridine using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LiTMP) and trapping the lithio intermediate with electrophiles represents an efficient and straightforward access to ortho-substituted-4-cyanopyridines. The cyano group can be used as an ortho-directing group and allows the preparation of 3-halogeno-4-cyanopyridines. Reactivity of 2- and 3-cyanopyridines is also investigated and seems to give similar results.