Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of Benzoylated Deoxyfluoropyranosides

Benzoylated deoxyfluoropyranosides have been synthesized, starting with protected, unprotected, or fluorinated precursors. Fluorination of eight derivatives was compared using DAST and Deoxo-Fluor as reagents. Deoxo-Fluor was found to be especially useful in the fluorination of methyl 2,3,4-O-tribenzoyl α-D-mannopyranoside and β-D-glucopyranoside, resulting in better yields and avoiding the 1,6-methoxy migration experienced with DAST for one derivative. The two reagents gave comparable yields in the fluorination of other methyl pyranosides, confirming Deoxo-Fluor as a safer alternative to DAST. Methyl α-D-mannopyranoside underwent fluorination to yield the 4,6-difluorotalopyranoside and the corresponding cyclic sulfite. The NMR spectroscopic properties of 11 benzoyl deoxy-fluoropyranosides are reported.     

Glycosylidene Carbenes. Part 19. Regioselective glycosidation of allyl 2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-D-allopyranosides

The regio- and stereoselectivity of the glycosidation of the partially protected mono-alcohols 3 and 7 , the diols 2 and 8 , and the triol 4 by the diazirine 1 have been investigated. Glycosidation of the α-D -diol 2 (Scheme 2) gave regioselectively the 1,3-linked disaccharides 11 and 12 (80%, α-D /β-D 9:1), whereas the analogous reaction with the βD -anomer 8 led to a mixture of the anomeric 1,3- and 1,4-linked disaccharides 13 (12.5%), 14 (16%), 15 (13%), and 16 (20.5%; Table 2). Protonation of the carbene by OH–C(4) of 2 is evidenced by the observation that the α-D -mono-alcohol 3 did not react with 1 under otherwise identical conditions, and that the β-D -alcohol 7 yielded predominantly the β-D -glucoside 18 (52%) besides 14% of 17 . Similarly as for the glycosidation of the diol 2 , the influence of the H-bond of HO? C(4) on the direction of approach of the carbene, the role of HO? C(4) in protonating the carbene, and the stereoelectronic control in the interception of the ensuring oxycarbenium cation are evidenced by the reaction of the triol 4 with 1 (Scheme 3), leading mostly to the α-D -configurated 1,3-linked disaccharide 19 (41%), besides its anomer 20 (16%), and some 4-substituted β-D -glucoside 21 (9%). No 1,6-linked disaccharides could be detected. In agreement with the observed reactivity, the ¹H-NMR and IR spectra reveal a strong H-bond between HO? C(3) and the phthalimido group in the α-D -, but not in the β-D -allosides. The different H-bonds in the anomeric phthalimides are in keeping with the results of molecular-mechanics calculations.     

Desoxy-nitrozucker. 3. Mitteilung. Synthese von Ketosen durch Kettenverlängerung von 1-Desoxy-1-nitro-aldosen. Nucleophile Additionen und Solvolyse von Nitroaethern

Synthesis of Ketoses by Chain Elongation of 1-Deoxy-1-nitroaldoses. Nucleophilic Additions and Solvolysis of Nitro Ethers A method for the preparation of chain elongated uloses based upon the base-catalyzed addition of 1-deoxy-1-nitroaldoses to aldehydes and Michael acceptors and subsequent solvolytic replacement of the nitro group by a hydroxy group is described. Thus, addition of 1 , 3 and 9 to formaldehyde, followed by solvolysis gave the chain elongated ulose derivatives 2 , 8 and 10 (63–76%), respectively. The configuration at the anomeric center of the addition products was deduced from ¹³ C – NMR . spectra and mutarotation. In the case of 3 , the primary addition products 4 and 6 were isolated and acetylated to 5 and 7 . The nitro derivatives 4 – 7 do not follow Hudson's rule of isorotation. Addition of 1 to benzaldehyde (44%) and to nonanal (74%) preceded with a small degree of diastereoselectivity to give 15a / 15b , and 11 / 12 , respectively. The configuration of the secondary hydroxyl group of 12 was determined by correlation with methyl 2-hydroxydecanoate ( 14 ). Addition of 1 to the galacroaldehyde 16 gave a single compound 17 (78%). The structure of this dodecosulose was determined by X-ray crystallography. Solvolysis of the acetylation product 18 in formamide gave the hemiacetal 19 (69%). Michael addition of 1 to acrylonitrile, methyl vinyl ketone and cyclohexenone under solvolytic conditions gave the hemiacetals 27 , 30 and 31a , b (49%, 71% and 76%, respectively). Under non-solvolytic conditions (Bu₄NF), 1 reacted with acrylonitrile, and crotononitrile to give the anomeric nitro ethers 23 and 24 (67%) and 25 and 26 (84%). respectively. Similarly. 3 added to acrylonitrile to give 28 and 29 (55%, 4:1). This reaction appears to proceed under kinetic control. Addition of 1 to ethyl propiolate and solvolysis yielded the unsaturated spirolactone 32 (50%) and the hemiacetal 33 (17%). Hydrogenation of 32 gave the saturated spirolactone 34 (100%) which was also obtained from 1 and methyl acrylate (63%). Addition of 1 to dimethylmaleate gave the unsaturated ester 35 (48%).     

Enantioselektive α-Alkylierung von Asparagin- und Glutaminsäure über die Dilithium-enolatocarboxylate von 2-[3-Benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl]essigsäure und 3-[3-Benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl]propionsäure

Overall Enantioselective α-Alkylation of Aspartic and Glutamic Acid through Dilithium Enolatocarboxylates of 2- [3-Benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl]acetic and 3-[3-Benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl]propionic Acid, respectively The pure methyl esters 10 of the heterocyclic carboxylic acids specified in the title were prepared in several steps by known methods from aspartic and glutamic acid, with overall yields of ca. 20%. The corresponding heterocyclic acids 11 were doubly deprotonated by LiNEt₂/BuLi or LiN(i-Pr)₂/BuLi to give enolatocarboxylates ( 3 ). The latter were reacted with electrophiles (MeOD, Mel, C₆H₅CH₂Br) to give the crystalline products 14 – 21 diastereoselectively. Hydrolysis of the imidazolidinone ring of three such products gave the corresponding α-branched aspartic and glutamic acids 22 – 24 of known absolute configuration, thus establishing the stereochemical course of the overall enantioselective alkylations.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of 6′-Deoxy-6′-Fluoro Derivatives of Methyl α-Sophoroside, α-Laminaribioside, α-Kojibioside and α-Nigeroside

Abstract

Sequential tritylation, benzoylation and detritylation of D-glucose, followed by resolution of the crude product by chromatograpEy gave crystalline 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-benzoyl-α- (1) and β-D-glucopyranose (2). Compound 1, 2, and the corresponding methyl α-glycoside 5 were treated with dimethylaminosulfur trifluoride (methyl DAST) to give, respectively, the 6-deoxy-6-fluoro derivatives 3, 4, and 6. Crystalline 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α-D-glucopyranosyl chloride (10) could be obtained from either 3, 4, or 5 by reaction with dichloromethyl methyl ether in the presence of anhydrous zinc chloride. Silver trifluoromethanesulfonate-promoted reaction of 10 with methyl 2-O-(9) and 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside (8) gave the corresponding, (β-linked disaccharidës in high yield. Subsequent deprotection afforded the 6′-deoxy-6′-fluoro derivatives of methyl α-sophoroside (13) and methyl 6′ -deoxy-o′-fluoro-α-laminaribioside (16). Condensation of 8 and 9 with 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl chloride in the presence of silver perchlorate was highly stereoselective and produced the α-linked disaccharidës 17 and 21, respectively, in excellent yield. Deacetylation of 17 and 21, followed by fluorination of the resulting alcohols 18 and 22 with methyl DAST and subsequent hydrogenolysis, gave 6′-deoxy-6′-fluoro derivatives of methyl α-kojibioside and methyl α-nigeroside 20 and 24, respectively.     

4-Methylumbelliferyl 5-Acetamido-3,4,5-trideoxy-α-D-manno-2-nonulopyranosidonic Acid: Synthesis and Resistance to Bacterial Sialidases

The synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D -glycoside 13 of N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid and its behaviour towards bacterial sialidases is described. N-Acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid ( 1 ) was transformed into its methyl ester 2 and then acetylated to give the anomeric pentaacetates 3 and 4 of methyl 4-deoxyneuraminate and the enolacetate 5 (Scheme). A mixture 3/4 was treated with HCl/AcCl to give the glycosyl chloride, which was directly converted into the 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D -glycoside 9 of methyl 7-O,8-O,9-O,N-tetraacetylneuraminate and into the 2,3-dehydrosialic acid 11 . The ketoside 9 was de-O-acetylated to 12 with NaOMe in MeOH. Saponification (NaOH) of the methyl ester 12 followed by acidification gave the free 13 , which was also converted into the sodium salt 14 by passage through Dowex 50 (Na⁺). The 4-deoxy α-D -glycoside 13 is not hydrolyzed at significant rates by Vibrio cholerae and Arthrobacter ureafaciens sialidase. Neither the free N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid ( 1 ), nor the α-D -glycoside 13 inhibit the activity of these sialidases.     

A Novel Route for the Synthesis of Deoxy Fluoro Sugars and Nucleosides

The reaction of (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) with methyl 5-O-benzoyl-β-D -xylofuranoside ( 1 ) followed by column chromatography afforded the riboside 2 (62%) and the ribo-epoxide 3 (18%) (Scheme 1). Under similar reaction conditions, the α-D -anomer 4 gave the riboside 5 and the difluoride 6 in 60 and 9% yield, respectively. Treatment of the β-D -xyloside 10 with DAST gave, after chromatographic purification, the riboside 11 as the principal product (48%; Scheme 2). These results suggest that the C(3)−O−SF₂NEt₂ derivatives were initially formed in the case of the xylosides studied. The distinctive feature of the reaction of DAST with the β-D -arabinoside 12 consists in the formation of a 3- or 5-benzylideneoxoniumyl-substituted intermediate on one of the consecutive transformations, which finally give rise to the inversion of the configuration at C(3) affording the xylosides 17 (18%) and 18 (55%); the lyxoside 14 was also isolated from the reaction mixture in a yield of 25% (Scheme 3). In the presence of the non-participating 5-O-trityl group, i.e., from the reaction products of 21 with DAST, the compounds 23 and 24 were isolated in 16 and 52% yield, respectively (Scheme 4). It may be thus reasonable to conclude that, in the case of the β-D -arabinosides 12 and 21 , the principal route of the reaction is the formation of the intermediate C(2)−O−SF₂NEt₂ derivative. Unlike 21 , the α-D -arabinoside 26 was converted to the lyxo-epoxide 25 (53%) and the lyxoside 27 (14%), which implies the intermediate formation of the C(3)−O−SF₂NEt₂ derivative (Scheme 5).     

Methyl 2, 3-Dichloropropanoate as a New Domino Bisannelating Reagent

Kinetically generated enolate of cyclohexenone when reacted with methyl 2, 3-dichloropropanoate provided methyl tricyclo-[3. 2. 1. 0^{2, 7}]octane-l-carboxylate and its congeners via domino Michael-Michael-alkylation reaction.     

Reactions of 4-aminocycloheptimidazoles with alkyl iodides,acyl chlorides,and α-haloketones

The reactions of 4-amino-2-phenylcycloheptimidazole with alkyl iodides and α-bromoketones gave respectively 1-alkyl- and 1-acetonyl- (or 1-phenacyl)-substituted cycloheptimidazol-4(1H)-ones, while the reactions with acyl chlorides gave 4-arylamino-2-phenylcycloheptimidazoles. On the other hand, 2,4-diaminocycloheptimidazole were benzoylated with benzoyl chloride on the amino group at the 2- and/or 4-position and reacted with α-haloketones to give tricyclic 2-substituted 9-aminocyclohept[d]imidazo[1,2-a]imidazoles.     

Synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives through condensation of 1,2-diaminobenzenes with β-keto sulfoxides

The reaction of o-phenylenediamine with α-methylsulfinylcyclohexanone and α-methylsulfinylcyclopentanone in the presence of acetic acid afforded 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenazine and 2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]-quinoxaline, respectively. 3,4-Diaminotoluene and 3,4-diaminochlorobenzene were reacted with α-methyl-sulfinylacetophenone to give a mixture of the corresponding 6- and 7-substituted 2-phenylquinoxaline. Condensation of 3,4-diaminomethoxybenzene with α-methylsulfinylacetophenone gave 7-methoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, whereas, the same reaction between 3,4-diaminonitrobenzene and α-methylsulfinylacetophenone yielded 6-nitro-2-phenylquinoxaline.     

Acetylenic ketones. Part V. Reaction of acetylenic ketones with thiourea and some of its derivatives

Aroylphenylacetylenes (I) reacted with thiourea and S-benzylisothiourea to give 4,6-diaryl-pyrimidine-2(1H)thiones (IV) and α-aroyl-β-benzylmercaptostyrenes (X), respectively. Methyla-tion and acetylation of the thiones (IV) gave the corresponding S-methyl- (V) and S-acetyl- (VI) derivatives, respectively. The oxidation of these thiones gave the corresponding disulfide derivatives (VII). Reaction of α-aroyl-β-benzylmercaptostyrenes (X) with hydrazine hydrate and phenylhydrazine gave 3(5)-aryl-5(3)-phenylpyrazoles (XI) and 3-aryl-1,5-diphenylpyrazoles (XIII), respectively. Reaction of aroylphenylacetylenes (1) with N-allylthiourea gave 1-allyl-4,6-diaryl-pyrimidine-2-thiones (XVI).     

2,4-Disubstituted Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine α-D- and β-D-Ribofuranosides Related to 7-Deazaguanosine

Nucleobase-anion glycosylation (KOH, tris[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl]amine (TDA-1), MeCN) of the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 4a – d with 5-O-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-2,3-O-(1-methylethylidene)-α-D -ribo-furanosyl chloride ( 5 ) gave the protected β-D -nucleosides 6a – d stereoselectively (Scheme 1). Contrary, the β-D -halogenose 8 yielded the corresponding α-D -nucleosides ( 9a and 9b ) apart from minor amounts of the β-D -anomers. The deprotected nucleosides 10a and 11a were converted into 4-substituted 2-aminopyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidine β-D -ribofuranosides 1 . 10c , 12 , 14 , and 16 and into their α-D -anomers, respectively (Scheme 2). From the reaction of 4b with 5 , the glycosylation product 7 was isolated, containing two nucleobase moieties.     

Pyridazine Derivatives and Related Compounds,Part 1. Some Reactions with 4-Cyano-5,6-Diphenyl-2,3-Dihydropyridazine-3-One

4-Cyano-5,6-diphenyl-2,3-dihydropyridazine-3-onc 1 reacts with phosphorous oxychloride to give 70% of the corresponding 3-chloro derivative 2. Treating 2 with anthranilic acid in butanol, 4-cyano-2,3-diphenyl-10H-pyridazino[6,1-b]quinoxaline-10-one, 3 was obtained. Compound 1 reacts with phosphorous pentasulphide to give 3-mercapto derivative 4, which was converted by acrylonitrile to S-(2-cyanoethyl)pyridazine derivative 5. Compound 4 reacts with ethyl bromoacetate and with phenacyl bromide gave the corresponding thieno[2,3-c] pyridazine derivatives 8, 9, Alkylation of 1 with ethyl chloroacetate afforded 3-0-carbethoxymethyl derivative 10. Compound 10 reacts with amines (aniline, hydrazine) to give the corresponding amide and acid hydrazide 13, 12 respectively. Hydrolysis of 10 with sodium hydroxide gave the corresponding acid derivative 11. Treating 1 with methyl iodide, 3-0-methyl derivative 14 was obtained, which was converted by ammonium acetate/acetic acid to 3-amino-4-cyano-5,6-diphenyl pyridazine 15. Compound 1 reacts with methyl magnesium iodide gave 4-acetyl derivative 16, which was reacted with hydrazine, phenyl hydrazine and with hydroxylamine to give the substituted I H pyrazolo [3,4-c] pyridazine 17 a,b and isoxazolo [5,4-c] pyridazine 18 derivatives respectively.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Chromanone Lactone Homo‐ and Heterodimers

A one pot borylation/Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of the 4‐bromochromanone lactones 21 and 23 , respectively, followed by cleavage of the methyl ether moieties gave the homodimeric chromanone lactones 10 and 11 . Reaction of a 1:1 mixture of 21 and 23 under otherwise identical conditions gave a 1:1:2‐mixture of the two homodimers 10 and 11 and the heterodimer 12 . This is the first example of the preparation of a heterodimeric chromanone lactone. For the enantioselective synthesis of the starting material, phenol 17 was transformed into the chromane 18 using a Wacker‐type cyclisation with 99 % ee and 80 % yield.     

Synthesis of Some New [1,8]Naphthyridine,Pyrido[2,3‐d]‐Pyrimidine,and Other Annulated Pyridine Derivatives

2‐Aminopyridine‐3‐carbonitrile derivative 1 reacted with each of malononitrile, ethyl cyanacetate, benzylidenemalononitrile, diethyl malonate, and ethyl acetoacetate to give the corresponding [1,8]naphthyridine derivatives 3 , 5 , 8 , 11 , and 14 , respectively. Further annulations of 3 , 5 , and 8 gave the corresponding pyrido[2,3‐b][1,8]naphthyridine‐3‐carbonitrile derivative 17 , pyrido[2,3‐h][1,6]naphthyridine‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives 18 and 19 , respectively. The reaction of 1 with formic acid, formamide, acetic anhydride, urea or thiourea, and 4‐isothiocyanatobenzenesulfonamide gave the pyridopyrimidine derivatives 20a , b , 21 , 22a , b , and 26 , respectively. Treatment of compound 1 with sulfuric acid afforded the amide derivative 27 . Compound 27 reacted with 4‐chlorobenzaldehyde and 1H‐indene‐1,3(2H)‐dione to give the pyridopyrimidine derivative 28 and spiro derivative 30 , respectively. In addition, compound 1 reacted with halo compounds afforded the pyrrolopyridine derivatives 32 and 34 . Finally, treatment of 1 with hydrazine hydrate gave the pyrazolopyridine derivative 35 . The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by elemental and spectral data.     

Synthesis of New Nucleosides by coupling of chloropurines with 2- and 3-deoxy derivatives of N-methyl-D-ribofuranuronamide

The synthesis of new deoxyribose nucleosides by coupling chloropurines with modified D -ribose derivatives is reported. The methyl 2-deoxy-N-methyl-3-O-(p-toluoyl)-α-D -ribofuranosiduronamide (α-D - 8 ) and the corresponding anomer β-D - 8 were synthesized starting from the commercially available 2-deoxy-D -ribose ( 1 ) (Scheme 1). Reaction of α-D - 8 with the silylated derivative of 2,6-dichloro-9H-purine ( 9 ) afforded regioselectively the N⁹-(2′-deoxyribonucleoside) 10 as anomeric mixture (Scheme 2), whereas β-D - 8 did not react. Glycosylation of 9 or of 6-chloro-9H-purine ( 17 ) with 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-N-methyl-β-D -ribofuranuronamide ( 13 ) yielded only the protected β-D -anomers 14 and 18 , respectively (Scheme 3). Subsequent deacetylation and dechlorination afforded the desired nucleosides β-D - 11 , β-D - 12,15 , and 16 . The 3′-deoxy-2-chloroadenosine derivative 15 showed the highest affinity and selectivity for adenotin binding site vs. A₁ and A_2A adenosine receptor subtypes.     

Syntheses of a new type of chiral phosphines from glucose

Methyl 3-deoxy-3-(diphenylphosphino)-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-altropyranoside (1) and methyl 2-deoxy-2-(diphenylphosphino)-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-altropyranoside (2) were prepared from methyl 2,3-anhydro-4,6-O-benzylidene-O-D-mannopyranoside and methyl 2,3-anhydro-4,6-O-benzyl-idene-α-D-allopyranoside,respectively,via regioselective and stcreospecific ring-opening reactions in high yields.Compounds 1 and 2 were oxidized to give the corresponding phosphine oxides (3 and 4).     

AN EFFICIENT AND PRACTICAL SYNTHESIS OF α-(1→3)-LINKED MANNOHEXAOSE AND MANNOOCTAOSE

α-(1→3)-Linked mannohexaose and mannooctaose as their methyl glycosides were synthesized from condensation of the corresponding α-(1→3)-linked di- (9) and tetrasaccharide donor (21) with the tetrasaccharide acceptor (23), respectively, followed by deacylation. The donor 21 and acceptor 23 were prepared readily from activation of C-1 of the tetrasaccharide 20 and deallylation of the tetrasaccharide 22, respectively. The tetrasaccharide 20 was prepared from oxidative cleavage of 1-O-p-methoxyphenyl of 19, which was obtained from coupling of 9 with 11. The tetrasaccharide 22 was obtained from condensation of the donor 13 with the acceptor 18. These disaccharides 9, 11, 13, and 18 were produced easily by simple chemical transformation using p-methoxyphenyl 3-O-allyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (1) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (6), and methyl 3-O-allyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (14) as the synthons.     

N-Monoalkylation of Tetra-O-benzyl-D-arabinonamide: Synthesis of Some Open-Chain Analogues of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid and Their Evaluation as Sialidase Inhibitors

N-Arabinonoylglycine 2 , its phospho analogue (arabinonoylamino)methylphosphonate 14 , N-arabinonoyltaurine salt 18 , and [2-(arabinonoylamino)ethylidene]bis[phosphonic acid] 22 have been synthesized from D -arabinose in seven ( 2 or 14 ), and eight steps ( 18 or 22a ), respectively. With the exception of the salt 22b , none of these compounds showed a significant inhibitory activity in vitro against the sialidases of Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium, or Influenza A (N9), or B (B/Lee/40) virus. Ammonolysis of the oxosulfonate 8 obtained by oxidation of the hydrogensulfite adduct 7 of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-benzyl-aldehydo-D -arabinose ( 6 ) yielded the primary amide 9 (64% from 6 ), which was alkylated with the triflates 10 or 11 of benzyl glycolate and dibenzyl hydroxymethylphosphonate, respectively, to give the protected N-arabinonoylglycinate 12 and the (arabinonoylamino)methylphosphonate 13 (45 and 90%, resp.). N-Alkylation of 9 with 2-bromoethyl triflate 15 followed by nucleophilic displacement with sodium sulfite yielded the protected taurine analogue 17 (21% from 9 ), whereas the protected tetraethyl bis[phosphonate] 20 was formed in 90% yield by 1,4-addition of 9 to tetraethyl ethenylidenebis[phosphonate] 19 . Debenzylation of 12 and 13 , followed by purification by reversed-phase HPLC gave the triethylammonium salt of N-(D -arabinonoyl)glycine ( 2 ) and triethylammonium (D -arabinonoylamino)methylphosphonate ( 14 b ), respectively, whereas the deprotection of 17 afforded the N-(D -arabinonoyl)taurine salt 18 . Debenzylation of 20 , followed by treatment with Me₃SiBr and hydrolysis of the resulting silyl ester gave the bis[phosphonic acid] 22 a (3 steps, 88%).     

5,12-Diacylated-5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,f][1,4]-diazocines and related compounds

Both N,N′ -(o-phenylene)diformamide (1) and N,N′ -(4-chloro-1,2-phenylene)diformamide (30) reacted with α,α-dibromo-o-xylene (2) in DMF at 95–100° to give 5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo-[b,f][1,4]diazocine-5,12-dicarboxaldehyde (3a) and the corresponding 2-chloro derivative (3b). With potassium hydroxide in ethylene glycol at 110°, 3a and 3b were selectively saponified to the 5-carboxaldehyde derivatives (4) and either 21a or 22a. Reacylation of the latter led to a series of 5,12-unsymmetrically diacylated derivatives, 5–18. Additionally, 4 was subjected (a) to a basecatalyzed addition to acrylonitrile to give the 12-cyanoethyl derivative (19) and (b) alkylation with α-bromotoluene to give the 12-benzyl compound (20). Saponification of both carboxaldehyde groups in 3a,b required potassium hydroxide in ethylene glycol at 135° and gave the N,N′ -unsubstituted heterocycles (23 and 24) ; these were subsequently reacted with several aldehydes to yield the 5,12-methano derivatives (25–29) .