Chitosan-SO3H: an efficient,biodegradable, and recyclable solid acid for the synthesis of quinoline derivatives via Friedländer annulation

Chitosan-SO₃H is found to catalyze the Friedländer condensation/annulation reaction of 2-aminoaryl ketones with α-methyleneketones to produce the corresponding quinoline derivatives in high yields in short reaction times. The use of recyclable and biodegradable chitosan-SO₃H makes this method quite simple, more convenient, and economically viable compared to acid catalyzed methods reported in the literature.     

6,8-Dimethylpyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazine-5,7(6H,8H)-dione: new heterocyclizations based on SN-methodology. Unexpected formation of the first iso-π-electronic analogue of the still unknown dibenzo[a,o]pycene

N₍₂₎-Oxide and 3-amino derivatives of 6,8-dimethylpyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazine-5,7(6H,8H)-dione have been shown to react with primary alkylamines in the presence of an oxidant to produce condensed imidazolines or imidazoles. Both conversions based on S_N^H-strategy represent a new approach to imidazoline-(imidazole-)ring annulation. Heterocyclic analogues of the still unknown dibenzo[a,o]pycene were obtained as a by-products of the above transformations upon using of cyclohexylamine.     

First straightforward synthesis of 1-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione and structure revision of a bioactive benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione from Psychotria camponutans

For the first time, a synthesis of 1-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione (3), which is claimed to be a bioactive compound isolated from Psychotria camponutans, was achieved with a phthalide annulation reaction using 3-cyano-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone (5) and 5,6-dihydropyran-2-one (6) and subsequent reduction of the lactone moiety in the key steps. However, full spectral characterization of the synthesized target compound revealed that the isolated compound is not 1-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-benz[g]isochromene-5,10-dione (3). Structure revision shows the previously isolated compound to be the known psychorubrin (2).     

Sequential one-pot and three-component reactions of an N-heterocyclic carbene to form 4-(1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones: a tandem umpolung/annulation sequence via deoxy-Breslow intermediates

The tandem sequence of the umpolung of α,β-unsaturated esters by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) followed by annulation is demonstrated. The deoxy-Breslow intermediates are selectively generated from the reaction of NHC with methyl methacrylate, dimethyl itaconate, or methyl crotonate. Subsequently, they undergo annulation with isocyanates to give 4-(1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones in good isolated yields. In addition, the stoichiometric three-component reaction of NHC, methyl methacrylate, and phenyl isocyanate proceeded, accompanied by the formation of the 1:2 adduct of NHC with phenyl isocyanate.     

Constructing the architecturally distinctive ABD-tricycle of phomactin A through an intramolecular oxa-[3+3] annulation strategy

Our efforts in constructing the ABD-ring of phomactin A through an intramolecular oxa-[3+3] annulation strategy is described. This struggle entailed finding a practical and efficient preparation of annulation precursor, and a realization of the unexpected competing regioisomeric pathway. The success entailed accessing the A-ring through Diels-Alder cycloaddition of Rawal’s diene. Furthermore, the discovery that the regioisomers from the annulation existed as atropisomers with respect to the D-ring olefin and that they could be equilibrated to the desired ABD-tricycle, allowing large quantities of tricycle to be accessed.     

Indium(III) chloride catalyzed one step synthesis of some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives

In the presence of catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride (10 mol %), 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl and bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane react quickly, without using any solvent, with ketones or β-keto esters possessing at least one hydrogen atom in α to the ketone-carbonyl group, to afford some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and some 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives, respectively.     

Heteroaromatic annulation studies on 2-[bis(methylthio)methylene]-1,3-indanedione: efficient routes to indenofused heterocycles

2-[Bis(methylthio)methylene]-1,3-indanedione has been shown to be a useful three carbon 1,3-dielectrophilic synthon for the highly efficient regiospecific synthesis of a variety of indenofused five- and six-membered heterocycles via heteroaromatic annulation. The methodology has been further elaborated to the corresponding N,S-acetals leading to amino substituted heterocycles, thus providing further point of diversity in the newly synthesized heterocyclic frameworks. Further, the facile access to cytotoxic indeno[2,1-c]quinolin-7-ones and the novel polycyclic heteroaromatics demonstrates the versatility of heteroaromatic annulation protocol via α-oxoketene-S,S-acetal in generating novel biologically important polycyclic heteroaromatics.     

Regioselective intramolecular annulations of ambident β-enamino esters: A diversity-oriented synthesis of nitrogen-containing privileged molecules

Diversity-oriented, regioselective, intramolecular annulation of β-enamino esters is described under solvent-free, calcium-catalysis. 2-aminoaryl ketones and alkyl propiolates undergone a [4+2] annulation to yield substituted quinolines; with an excess of alkyl propiolates, benzodiazepines were formed via a [4+2+1] annulation. We also described a one-pot, 3-component synthesis of quinoline derivatives via a [4+2+2] annulation. Interestingly, 2-aminoaryl ketones undergone a self-condensation [4+4] and gave the dibenzodiazocines.     

N-Polyfluoro(trimethylsilyl)ethyl azole derivatives

A facile synthetic route to N-polyfluoro(trimethylsilyl)ethyl azole derivatives was developed starting from N-bromo(chloro)polyfluoroethyl-substituted azoles. The silanes thus obtained were reacted with various electrophiles in the presence of the fluoride ion to yield the corresponding fluorinated carbinols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and methyl dithiocarboxylates as well as N-pentafluoroethylbenzimidazole.     

Synthesis of modified Weinreb amides: N-tert-butoxy-N-methylamides as effective acylating agents

An efficient preparation of N-methyl-O-tert-butylhydroxylamine hydrochloride has been settled, which allowed the synthesis of modified Weinreb amides. Nucleophilic addition of organolithium and Grignard reagents on these N-tert-butoxy-N-methylamides afforded efficiently the corresponding ketones and reduction with DIBAL furnished the corresponding aldehydes in good yields up to 97%.     

Expedient synthesis of indoles from N-Boc arylhydrazines

The readily available N-Boc arylhydrazines undergo efficient Fischer cyclizations to provide the indoles in good yields, when reacted with enolizable ketones.     

Synthesis of 2-indanones via [4 + 1] annulation reactions of (trialkylsilyl)arylketenes

[reaction: see text] (Trialkylsilyl)arylketenes combine with (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane in a new [4 + 1] annulation process leading to 2-indanone derivatives. The (trialkylsilyl)arylketene annulation substrates are available via the photochemical Wolff rearrangement of alpha-silyl-alpha-diazo ketones, which are themselves prepared by silylation of the corresponding diazo ketones. The mechanism of the annulation reaction is proposed to involve the formation of a 2,3-bis(silyl)cyclopropanone, which is in equilibrium with an oxyallylic cation. Electrocyclic closure of this intermediate forms the new cyclopentenone ring.     

Photochemistry of 3H-furo[3,4-c]pyrazoles and 3H-thieno[3,4-c]pyrazoles

The first examples of 3H-furo[3,4-c]pyrazoles and 3H-thieno[3,4-c]pyrazoles were prepared in an attempt to isolate examples of cyclopropane-fused thiophenes and furans. Adducts of acetylenic ketones and 2-diazopropane were reacted with 10-camphorsulfonic acid or phosphorus pentasulfide to produce the title compounds. Photolysis of these compounds did not give the cyclopropane-fused products rather an unreported photochemical fragmentation was observed.     

Rhodium catalyzed synthesis of isoindolinones via C-H activation of N-benzoylsulfonamides

An efficient approach to a wide range of isoindolinones, including 3-monosubstituted and 3,3-disubstituted isoindolinones, from the annulation of N-benzoylsulfonamides with olefins and diazoacetate has been developed. The transformation is broadly compatible with both terminal and internal olefins. Moreover, diazoacetate is for the first time incorporated into an amide-directed C-H functionalization reaction. Specifically, the rhodium complex [{RhCl₂Cp*}₂] enables the in situ dimerization of diazoacetate in addition to its role in catalyzing C-H functionalization/cross-coupling.     

An expedient synthesis of 3-alkylideneoxindoles by Ti(OPr)4/pyridine-mediated Knoevenagel condensation

3-Alkylideneoxindoles have been prepared in excellent yields from oxindole and carbonyl compounds via an in situ generated titanium enolate of oxindole. (Z)-3-Alkylideneoxindoles could be synthesized selectively as major products from unsymmetrical ketones.     

Phosphine-catalyzed [3+3] annulation reaction of modified tert-butyl allylic carbonates and substituted alkylidenemalononitriles

A phosphine-catalyzed [3+3] annulation reaction of modified tert-butyl allylic carbonates with various alkylidenemalononitriles to form cyclohexenes was developed. The use of protic solvent is crucial in this reaction. When non-polar solvent, toluene or xylene, was used, only non-cyclized product was obtained.     

1-Methylimidazole 3-N-oxide as a new promoter for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of aldehydes with α,β-unsaturated ketones can be affected by the Lewis bases. We have found that 1-methylimidazole 3-N-oxide promoted the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of various activated aldehyde compounds in non-solvent system. This is a mild reaction condition and requires no special equipment to give the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.     

Preparation of α,n-dilithiotoluene equivalents. Synthesis of tamoxifen

The successive reaction of chlorobenzyl alcohols with n-butyllithium and lithium powder in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB) at −78°C yields the expected (lithiooxymethyl)phenyllithium derivative, which is trapped by reaction with different ketones. The subsequent arene-catalysed lithiation at 25°C permits the one-pot chemoselective lithiation of the primary benzyl alcoholate in the presence of a tertiary one. These new functionalised benzyllithium derivatives react with different electrophilic compounds, such as aldehydes, ketones and chlorotrimethylsilane, to give after hydrolysis the expected functionalised benzyl alcohols. Some of these alcohols are successfully transformed into mono- or di-olefins by acidic treatment. This whole strategy is applied to the preparation of anti-cancer drug tamoxifen.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 1-substituted-1-(pyridin-2-yl)methylamines by diastereoselective reduction of enantiopure N-p-toluenesulfinyl ketimines

Reduction of enantiopure N-p-toluenesulfinyl ketimines derived from 2-pyridyl ketones affords N-p-toluenesulfinyl amines with good yields and diastereoselectivities.     

N-Heterocyclic carbene catalyzed intramolecular crossed aldehyde-ketone benzoin condensation in the chalcone of o-phthalaldehyde: a facile synthesis of naphthalenones

The intramolecular crossed aldehyde-ketone benzoin condensation in the chalcone of o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHCs) generated in situ from readily available imidazolium and thiazolium salts is described. In this reaction, bicyclic α-hydroxyl ketones (naphthalenone type tertiary alcohol) were selectively produced in good yields (75-94%) in shorter reaction times (20 min) through nucleophilic addition of acyl anion generated by umpolung in OPA-chalcone (regio controlled).