A novel approach to benz[e]indenes

A number of benz[e]indene derivatives have been prepared at room temperature in good to excellent yields by treating 3-(2-formyl-cycloalkenyl)-acrylic acid esters with diphosphorus pentasulfide. An azulene derivative was also synthesized by this simple method.     

Thermal isomerizations of cis,anti,cis-tricyclo[6.4.0.0]dodec-3-ene to trans- and cis,endo-tricyclo[6.2.2.0]dodec-9-ene: diradical conformations and stereochemical outcomes in [1,3] carbon shifts

The gas-phase thermal isomerizations at 315 °C of cis,anti,cis-tricyclo[6.4.0.0^2,7]dodec-3-ene to trans-tricyclo[6.2.2.0^2,7]dodec-9-ene and to cis,endo-tricyclo[6.2.2.0^2,7]dodec-9-ene favor the former, the more geometrically strained product, by a ratio of 2.4:1. These products correspond to suprafacial inversion (si) and suprafacial retention (sr) stereochemical outcomes. The reaction stereochemistry shown by the 11-carbon homolog, cis,anti,cis-tricyclo[6.3.0.0^2,7]undec-3-ene, is strikingly different: the [1,3] carbon shift takes place to give only the ‘forbidden’ sr product. Two related bicyclic vinylcyclobutanes, 8-deuterio- and 8-exo-methylbicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-enes, evidence contrasting reaction stereochemical predilections in [1,3] shifts, but the 12-carbon tricyclic system and the 8-exo-methyl bicyclic analog isomerize with the same si:sr ratio! These observations prompt fresh considerations of structural influences on conformational preferences available to the alkyl, allyl diradical reactive intermediates involved.     

Short diastereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives

A new and highly stereoselective access to 4,10b-trans or 4,10b-cis hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives is reported, both requiring an intramolecular Mannich-type reaction as key step. The cis diastereoisomer is obtained in three steps from a 2-alkyl benzaldehyde through the stereoselective formation of a 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidine, while the trans stereomer is efficiently obtained, in a single step, if a 2-formyl benzoic acid is involved in the Mannich cyclization process.     

Synthesis of 4-substituted azepino[3,4-b]indole-1,5-diones

Mono- or dibromo derivatives 2 and 3 were prepared by an efficient two-step route from 10-methyl-azepino[3,4-b]indole-1,5-dione 1. Elimination reaction on 2 gave access to 4-bromo-10-methyl-2H,10H-azepino[3,4-b]indole-1,5-diones 4. Finally, 4-substituted 10-methyl-2H,10H-azepino[3,4-b]indole-1,5-diones 6-14 were synthesised in good yields from 4 via palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions.     

Stereoselective synthesis of morphine fragments trans- and cis-octahydro-1H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-e]isoquinolines

A stereoselective synthesis of the ACNO partial structures of morphine has been developed. Palladium-catalyzed cyclization of carbamate 2 provided the tetracyclic (ACNO) 3-ethoxycarbonyl-9-methoxy-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-benzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinoline (14); while treatment of 5-(2-bromo-6-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroisoquinoline (8) under the same reaction condition gave 8a-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,8a-octahydroisoquinoline (11) via an unusual Claisen rearrangement. 9-Methoxy-3-methyl-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-benzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinoline (7) was successfully transformed to trans-octahydroisoquinoline 3 and cis-octahydroisoquinoline 4 via catalytical hydrogenation over PtO₂ and chemical reduction with acidic NaBH₄, respectively.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of 4H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,4]diazepin-6-ones via a post-Ugi copper-catalyzed intramolecular Ullmann coupling

An efficient post-Ugi copper-catalyzed intramolecular Ullmann coupling strategy has been elaborated for the diversity-oriented synthesis of 4H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,4]diazepin-6-ones and the scope and limitations of this protocol are investigated.     

Highly enantioselective aldol reactions using a tropos dibenz[c,e]azepine organocatalyst

The four-step synthesis of a chiral primary tertiary diamine salt, possessing a tropos dibenz[c,e]azepine ring is described. It is shown that 3.5-5 mol % of this salt is capable of promoting highly enantioselective crossed-aldol reactions between cyclohexanone and a series of aromatic aldehydes. In all cases, the aldol reactions proceed with high diastereoselectivity for the anti-aldol product. The outcome of crossed-aldol reactions involving other cyclic ketones and acyclic ketones are also described. All examples involving cyclic ketones result in selectivity for the anti-aldol products, whereas acyclic ketones were found to favour the syn-aldol products. A discussion on the role of the chiral primary tertiary diamine salt in the catalysis of the aldol reactions is also presented.     

Synthesis of novel substituted naphthoquino[b]-benzo[e][1,4]diazepines via Pictet-Spengler cyclization

Synthesis of novel 4,5-dihydro-1H-1,4-naphthoquino[b]-benzo[e][1,4]diazepine derivatives via Pictet-Spengler cyclization is reported. Reaction of 2,3-diamino-naphthoquinones with aldehydes in the presence of BF₃·Et₂O gives benzodiazepine-naphthoquinones in good yields.     

Dehydrative intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition in confined aqueous media: a green chemical route to cis-fused chromano[4,3-c]isoxazoles

An efficient synthetic route to the formation of cis-fused chromano[4,3-c]isoxazoles via dehydrative intramolecular 1,3-dipolar nitrone cycloaddition in organized aqueous media in the presence of a surfactant (viz. CTAB) as catalyst was developed, which indeed appeared to be green and a more sustainable method than the existing methods with the additional advantage of easy isolation of products.     

Novel one pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]- and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines

We have described a convenient regioselective one-pot approach to pyrazolo[1,5-a]- and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives from α,β-unsaturated imines generated in situ and amino heterocycles. Reaction is general with respect to all three components, namely (i) nitrile, (ii) aldehyde, and (iii) amino heterocycle reagents. Good yields (52-77%), convenient isolation of the targeted molecules are the distinct characteristics of the developed protocol.     

Novel intramolecular aza-Diels-Alder reaction: a facile synthesis of trans-fused 5H-chromeno[2,3-c]acridine derivatives

A novel series of 5H-chromeno[2,3-c]acridine derivatives has been prepared through the intramolecular aza-Diels-Alder reaction of alkene-tethered chromene-3-carboxaldehyde with various aromatic amines. This is the first example of the preparation of pentacyclic poly aromatic compounds in a single-step operation at ambient temperature.     

Efficient synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins via intramolecular domino Knoevenagel hetero-Diels-Alder reactions

The domino Knoevenagel hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of the O-propargylated salicylaldehydes and 4-hydroxycoumarin leads to pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins 3 and pyrano[2,3-c]chromones 4 in high yield in the presence of CuI as a Lewis acid. In all cases, the reaction was shown to exhibit high regioselectivity and form product 3 as main product.     

1,5-Electrocyclisation of azomethine ylides leading to pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines—concise construction of the lamellarin skeleton

A new, general route to the 1,2-diaryl-substituted pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines has been developed via the 1,5-dipolar electrocyclisation reactions of azomethine ylides derived from readily available stilbenic acid derivatives. This method was applied to the concise construction of a lamellarin skeleton.     

Synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]indoles via copper(I)-catalyzed intramolecular amination

A variety of pyrazolo[1,5-a]indole derivatives were synthesized via Cu(I)-catalyzed intramolecular amination reactions. This novel method provides a general and efficient synthesis to indoles fused with pyrazole rings in high yields.     

Synthesis of fused dihydropyrido[e]purines via ring closing metathesis

Ring closing metathesis (RCM) of 8,9-diallylpurines or 9-butenyl-8-vinylpurines with the Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst resulted in fused 6,9- or 8,9-dihydropyrido[e]purines, respectively. The 8,9-dialkenylpurines were prepared from 8-bromopurines after 9-alkenylation and subsequent Stille coupling at C-8 with alkenylstannanes in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ or Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂.     

The isomerization of cis,trans-1,5-cyclodecadiene by RhCl3 · 3H2O in ethanol

The isomerization of cis,cis-1,6-cyclodecadiene to cis,trans-1,5-; and cis,cis-1,5-cyclodecadiene in the presence of their rhodium complexes seems to indicate an isomerization for which no thermal conversion has been reported. Evidences are presented for the functioning of ethanol as a hydride source in these polymerizations.     

Diastereoselective one-pot synthesis of novel ABCD-fused chromeno[2,3-d]pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines

A new aspect concerning chromone chemistry leading to the one-pot synthesis of functionalized novel ABCD-fused chromenopyrazolopyridines has been described. The synthesis involves a multicomponent reaction of chromone-3-benzoylhydrazones with isocyanides and acetylenedicarboxylates, whereupon novel complex tetracyclic benzopyrone derivatives containing three stereogenic centres were formed. The structure elucidation of the products was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Full assignment of all ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts has been unambiguously achieved. The reaction mechanism is also discussed. In addition, eight chromenopyrazolopyridine derivatives were tested for possible biological activity (antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition).