Highly Efficient Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 3,3′‐Bis(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methanes in Water

A simple and practical approach for the preparation of unsymmetric bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) was realized by Lewis acid InBr₃‐catalyzed Friedel‐Crafts reaction of indoles with 3‐indolyl‐substituted phthalides in water.     

Practical Synthesis of anti‐β‐Hydroxy‐α‐Amino Acids by PdII‐Catalyzed Sequential C(sp3)H Functionalization

An improved and practical procedure for the stereoselective synthesis of anti‐β‐hydroxy‐α‐amino acids (anti‐βhAAs), by palladium‐catalyzed sequential C(sp³)?H functionalization directed by 8‐aminoquinoline auxiliary, is described. followed by a previously established monoarylation and/or alkylation of the β‐methyl C(sp³)?H of alanine derivative, β‐acetoxylation of both alkylic and benzylic methylene C(sp³)?H bonds affords various anti‐β‐hydroxy‐α‐amino acid derivatives. As an example, the synthesis of β‐mercapto‐α‐amino acids, which are highly important to the extension of native chemical ligation chemistry beyond cysteine, is described. The synthetic potential of this protocol is further demonstrated by the synthesis of diverse β‐branched α‐amino acids. The observed diastereoselectivities are strongly influenced by electronic effects of aromatic AAs and steric effects of the linear side‐chain AAs, which could be explained by the competition of intramolecular C?OAc bond reductive elimination from Pd^IV intermediates vs. intermolecular attack by an external nucleophile (AcO^?) in an S_N2‐type process.     

Catalytic Reductive N‐Alkylations Using CO2 and Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Recent Progress and Developments

N‐Alkylamines are key intermediates in the synthesis of fine chemicals, dyes, and natural products, and hence are highly valuable building blocks in organic chemistry. Consequently, the development of greener and more efficient procedures for their production continues to attract the interest of both academic and industrial chemists. Reductive procedures such as reductive amination or N‐alkylation through hydrogen autotransfer by employing carbonyl compounds or alcohols as alkylating agents have prevailed for the synthesis of amines. In the last few years, carboxylic/carbonic acid derivatives and CO₂ have been introduced as alternative and convenient alkylating sources. The safety, easy accessibility, and high stability of these reagents makes the development of new reductive transformations with them as N‐alkylating agents a useful alternative to existing procedures. In this Review, we summarize reported examples of one‐pot reductive N‐alkylation methods that use carboxylic/carbonic acid derivatives or CO₂ as alkylating agents.     

Preparation of 3-arylmethylindoles as selective COX-2 inhibitors

The 3-arylmethylation of indoles using TMSOTf/Et₃SiH with a wide variety of substituted benzaldehydes has been accomplished. Under these mild Lewis acid mediated reductive conditions, it was demonstrated that indoles bearing both 6-MeSO₂ and 2-methyl substituents could be 3-arylmethylated in good to excellent yields to afford the corresponding 3-arylmethyl indoles, effective as selective COX-2 inhibitors. In addition, the viability of this method for the reductive alkylation of indoles by ketones was demonstrated and shown to be C-3 regioselective. For indoles bearing both a 6-MeSO₂ and 2-cyano substituent where this indole reductive alkylation methodology was unsuccessful, an unprecedented Pd(0) mediated arylorganozinc coupling with the requisite substituted 3-methylcarbonatomethylindole proved successful in affording the desired 2-cyano-6-MeSO₂-3-arylmethylindoles effective as selective COX-2 inhibitors.     

Synthesis of 2‐substituted‐3‐nitroimidazo[1,2‐b]pyridazines as potential biologically active agents

A new heterocyclic reductive alkylating agent, 6‐chloro‐2‐chloromethyl‐3‐nitroimidazo[1,2‐b]pyridazine, was synthesized for the first time. It was shown to react under phase‐transfer catalysis conditions with 2‐nitropropane anion by an S_RN1 mechanism to give excellent yield of isopropylidene derivative formed from a base‐promoted nitrous acid elimination of C‐alkylation product. Extension of this S_RN1 reaction to various nitronate anions led to a new class of 3‐nitroimidazo[1,2‐b]pyridazine derivatives bearing a trisub‐stituted double bond at the 2‐position.     

Synthesis of Isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione Derivatives via the Reductive One‐Pot Reaction of N‐Substituted 2‐Nitrobenzamides and 2‐Formylbenzoic Acids

Various isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione derivatives 3 were synthesized in good yields by means of the reductive reaction of N‐substituted 2‐nitrobenzamides 1 and 2‐formylbenzoic acids 2 in the presence of SnCl₂?2 H₂O under reflux in EtOH (Scheme, Table). The procedure needed two steps, the reduction of the nitro group of the 2‐nitrobenzamide and ring closure by nucleophilic addition of the NH₂ group to both the formyl and carboxylic acid C?O groups.     

Divergent Reactivity in Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation with Diarylamines and α,β‐Unsaturated Acids: Direct Access to Substituted 2‐Quinolinones and Indoles

A palladium‐catalyzed C?H activation strategy has been successfully employed for exclusive synthesis of a variety of 3‐substituted indoles. A [3+3] annulation for synthesizing substituted 2‐quinolinones was recently developed by reaction of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with diarylamines under acidic conditions. In the present work, an analogous [3+2] annulation is achieved from the same set of starting materials under basic conditions to generate 1,3‐disubstituted indoles exclusively. Mechanistic studies revealed an ortho‐palladation–π‐coordination–β‐migratory insertion–β‐hydride elimination reaction sequence to be operative under the reaction conditions.     

A New and Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Fluoroalkyl Substituted Indoles

A new simple and efficient one‐pot synthesis of 2‐fluoroalkyl substituted indoles from 2‐aminobenzyl alcohols with fluorine‐containing carboxylic acids in the presence of Ph₃P, CCl₄, and NEt₃ is described. Various kinds of 2‐fluoroalkyl substituted indole derivatives can be conveniently prepared.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Reductive Arylation of N‐(2‐Pyridinyl)amides with Isopropanol and Arylboronate Esters

A new three‐component reductive arylation of amides with stable reactants (iPrOH and arylboronate esters), making use of a 2‐pyridinyl (Py) directing group, is described. The N‐Py‐amide substrates are readily prepared from carboxylic acids and PyNH₂, and the resulting N‐Py‐1‐arylalkanamine reaction products are easily transformed into the corresponding chlorides by substitution of the HN‐Py group with HCl. The 1‐aryl‐1‐chloroalkane products allow substitution and cross‐coupling reactions. Therefore, a general protocol for the transformation of carboxylic acids into a variety of functionalities is obtained. The Py‐NH₂ by‐product can be recycled.     

A Simple Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized 4‐Aminopyrazolidin‐3‐ones as ‘Aza‐deoxa’ Analogs of D‐Cycloserine

A simple five‐step synthesis of fully substituted (4RS,5RS)‐4‐aminopyrazolidin‐3‐ones as analogs of D ‐cycloserine was developed. It comprises a two‐step preparation of 5‐substituted (4RS,5RS)‐4‐(benzyloxycarbonylamino)pyrazolidin‐3‐ones, reductive alkylation at N(1), alkylation of the amidic N(2) with alkyl halides, and simultaneous hydrogenolytic deprotection/reductive alkylation of the primary NH₂ group. The synthesis enables an easy stepwise functionalization of the pyrazolidin‐3‐one core with only two types of common reagents, aldehydes (or ketones) and alkyl halides. The structures of products were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of [2,2’]Bifuranyl‐5,5’‐dicarboxylic Acid Esters via Reductive Homocoupling of 5‐Bromofuran‐2‐carboxylates Using Alcohols as Reductants†

Herein, we describe an environmentally benign and cost‐effective protocol for the synthesis of valuable bifuranyl dicarboxylates, starting with α‐bromination of readily accessible furan‐2‐carboxylates by LiBr and K₂S₂O₈. Furthermore, the bromination intermediate product 5‐bromofuran‐2‐carboxylates were then conducted in a palladium‐catalyzed reductive homocoupling reactions in the presence of alcohols to afford bifuranyl dicarboxylates. One of the final products in this protocol, [2,2’]bifuran‐5,5’‐dicarboxylic acid esters, are essential monomers of poly(ethylene bifuranoate), which can be served as an green and versatile alternative polymer for traditional poly(ethylene terephthalate) that is currently common in technical plastics.     

Manganese‐Mediated C−H Alkylation of Unbiased Arenes Using Alkylboronic Acids

The alkylation of arenes is an essential synthetic step of interest not only from the academic point of view but also in the bulk chemical industry. Despite its limitations, the Friedel–Crafts reaction is still the method of choice for most of the arene alkylation processes. Thus, the development of new strategies to synthesize alkyl arenes is a highly desirable goal, and herein, we present an alternative method to those conventional reactions. Particularly, a simple protocol for the direct C?H alkylation of unbiased arenes with alkylboronic acids in the presence of Mn(OAc)₃?2H₂O is reported. Primary or secondary unactivated alkylboronic acids served as alkylating agents for the direct functionalization of representative polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or benzene. The results are consistent with a free‐radical mechanism.     

Microwave‐Accelerated Pd‐Catalyzed Desulfitative Direct C2‐Arylation of Free (NH)‐Indoles with Arylsulfinic Acids

The rapid and efficient direct C2‐arylation of free (NH)‐indoles with arylsulfinic acids proceeded through a microwave‐accelerated palladium‐catalyzed desulfitation reaction. By using PdCl₂ as a catalyst, silver acetate as an oxidant, and H₂SO₄ as an additive, arylsulfinic acids with both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups underwent desulfitative coupling with an array of free (NH)‐indoles, thereby selectively providing C2‐arylindoles in good yields.     

Distal γ‐C(sp3)−H Olefination of Ketone Derivatives and Free Carboxylic Acids

Reported herein is the distal γ‐C(sp³)?H olefination of ketone derivatives and free carboxylic acids. Fine tuning of a previously reported imino‐acid directing group and using the ligand combination of a mono‐N‐protected amino acid (MPAA) and an electron‐deficient 2‐pyridone were critical for the γ‐C(sp³)?H olefination of ketone substrates. In addition, MPAAs enabled the γ‐C(sp³)?H olefination of free carboxylic acids to form diverse six‐membered lactones. Besides alkyl carboxylic acids, benzylic C(sp³)?H bonds also could be functionalized to form 3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin structures in a single step from 2‐methyl benzoic acid derivatives. The utility of these protocols was demonstrated in large scale reactions and diversification of the γ‐C(sp³)?H olefinated products.     

PdII‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3)−H Activation/Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Free Carboxylic Acids

Pd^II‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp³)?H cross‐coupling of free carboxylic acids with organoborons has been realized using either mono‐protected amino acid (MPAA) ligands or mono‐protected aminoethyl amine (MPAAM) ligands. A diverse range of aryl‐ and vinyl‐boron reagents can be used as coupling partners to provide chiral carboxylic acids. This reaction provides an alternative approach to the enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropanecarboxylic acids and cyclobutanecarboxylic acids containing α‐chiral tertiary and quaternary stereocenters. The utility of this reaction was further demonstrated by converting the carboxylic acid into cyclopropyl amine without loss of optical activity.     

Camphorsulfonamide-Shielded,Asymmetric 1,4-Additions and Enolate Alkylations; Synthesis of a Southern Corn Rootworm Pheromone. Preliminary Communication

Using readily accessible 10-sulfonamido-isoborneols as regenerable, chiral auxiliaries, highly face-selective C–C-bond formations at C_α and C_β of carboxylates could be conveniently achieved. Thus, conjugated additions of RCu to enoates ( 1 → 2 ) furnished, after saponification, β-substituted carboxylic acids 3 in 94–98% e.e. Similarly, propionates 12 yielded after deprotonation, enolate alkylation, and reductive ester cleavage the (R)-alcohols 15 in 78–98% e.e. The acid (+)- 3e was converted to the pheromone (–)- 11 .     

Functionalization of Quinazolin‐4‐ones Part 1: Synthesis of Novel 7‐Substituted‐2‐thioxo Quinazolin‐4‐ones from 4‐Substituted‐2‐Aminobenzoic Acids and PPh3(SCN)2

4‐(Nitro, amino, acetylamino)‐2‐aminobenzoic acid were allowed to react with PPh₃(SCN)₂ and gave the crossholding 7‐nitro, 7‐acetylamino‐ and 7‐amino‐2‐thioxo quinazolin‐4‐ones respectively. The nature of the substituent at position 4 of the 2‐aminobenzoic acids has significant influence on the outcome of the cyclisation reaction with PPh₃(SCN)₂. Similarly, the nature of the substituent at position 7 of the 2‐substituted quinazolin‐4‐ones significantly affected the ease with which alkylation reactions could be performed. The alkylation selectivity of the 7‐ substiuted‐2‐thioxo quinazolin‐4‐ones was found to depend on the nature of the alkyl halide and the nature of the substituent at position 2.     

Visible Light‐Induced Decarboxylative Alkylation of Heterocyclic Aromatics with Carboxylic Acids via Anthocyanin as a Photocatalyst

A visible light‐induced decarboxylative alkylation of heterocyclic aromatics with aliphatic carboxylic acids was developed by using anthocyanins as a photocatalyst under mild conditions. A series of alkylated heterocyclic compounds were obtained in moderate to good yields by using the metal‐free decarboxylative coupling reaction under blue light. This strategy uses cheap and readily available carboxylic acids as alkylation reagents with good functional group tolerance and environmental friendliness. It is worth noting that this is the first time that anthocyanin has been used to catalyze the Minisci‐type C?H alkylation. The mechanism of decarboxylation alkylation was studied by capturing the adduct of alkyl radical and hydroquinone, thus confirming a radical mechanism. This protocol provides an alternative visible light‐induced decarboxylative alkylation for the functionalization of heterocyclic aromatics.     

PIII‐Chelation‐Assisted Indole C7‐Arylation,Olefination, Methylation,and Acylation with Carboxylic Acids/Anhydrides by Rhodium Catalysis

Rhodium‐catalyzed C7‐selective decarbonylative arylation, olefination, and methylation of indoles with carboxylic acids or anhydrides by C?H and C?C bond activation have been developed. Furthermore, C7‐acylation products can also be generated selectively at a lower reaction temperature in the developed system. The key to the high reactivity and regioselectivity of this transformation is the appropriate choice of an indole N‐PtBu₂ chelation‐assisted group. This method has many advantages, including easy access and removal of the directing group, the use of cheap and widely available coupling agents, no requirement of an external ligand or oxidant, a broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and the formation of a sole regioisomer.     

PIII‐Chelation‐Assisted Indole C7‐Arylation,Olefination, Methylation,and Acylation with Carboxylic Acids/Anhydrides by Rhodium Catalysis

Rhodium‐catalyzed C7‐selective decarbonylative arylation, olefination, and methylation of indoles with carboxylic acids or anhydrides by C?H and C?C bond activation have been developed. Furthermore, C7‐acylation products can also be generated selectively at a lower reaction temperature in the developed system. The key to the high reactivity and regioselectivity of this transformation is the appropriate choice of an indole N‐PtBu₂ chelation‐assisted group. This method has many advantages, including easy access and removal of the directing group, the use of cheap and widely available coupling agents, no requirement of an external ligand or oxidant, a broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and the formation of a sole regioisomer.