Direct C?H Functionalization of Enamides and Enecarbamates by Using Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

Direct C? H functionalization of various enamides and enecarbamates was realized through visible‐light photoredox catalyzed reactions. Under the optimized conditions using [Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)PF₆] as photocatalyst in combination with Na₂HPO₄, enamides such as N‐vinylpyrrolidinone could be easily functionalized by irradiation of the reaction mixture overnight in acetonitrile with visible light. The scope of the reaction with respect to enamide and enecarbamate substrates by using diethyl 2‐bromomalonate for the alkylation reaction was explored, followed by an investigation of the scope of alkylating reagents used to react with the enamides and enecarbamates. The results indicated that reaction takes place with quite broad substrate scope, however, tertiary enamides with an internal C?C double bond in the E configuration could not be alkylated. Alkylation of N‐vinyl tertiary enamides and enecarbamates gave monoalkylated products exclusively in the E configuration. Alkylation of N‐vinyl secondary enamides gave doubly alkylated products. Double bond migration was observed in the reaction of electron‐deficient bromides such as 3‐bromoacetyl acetate with N‐vinylpyrrolidinone. A mechanism is proposed for the reaction that is different from reported reactions of SOMOphiles with a nonfunctionalized C?C double bond. Further tests on the trifluoromethylation and arylation of enamides and enecarbamates under similar conditions showed that the reactions could serve as a mild, practical, and environmentally friendly approach to various functionalized enamides and enecarbamates.     

Synthesis of pentabromopseudilin and other arylpyrrole derivatives via Heck arylations

Pentrabromopseudilin and other 2 and 3-arylpyrrole derivatives were synthesized through the Heck–Matsuda reaction involving endocyclic enecarbamates and N-protected 3-pyrrolines, respectively. The overall processes permitted an easy and efficient access to these structural motifs present in several bioactive compounds. Attempts to synthesize the compound isopentabromopseudilin led to a tribromo aryl maleimide. We hypothesize that this latter compound is the putative product arising from the unusual thermal instability of isopentabromopseudilin.     

N,N′‐Dioxide/Nickel(II)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Inverse‐Electron‐Demand Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction of β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Ketoesters with Enecarbamates

N,N′‐Dioxide/nickel(II) complexes have been developed to catalyze the inverse‐electron‐demand hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction of β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters with acyclic enecarbamates. After detailed screening of the reaction parameters, mild optimized reaction conditions were established, affording 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyranamines in up to 99 % yield, 99 % ee and more than 95:5 d.r. The catalytic system was also efficient for β‐substituted acyclic enecarbamates, affording more challenging 2,3,4‐trisubstituted 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyranamine with three contiguous stereogenic centers in excellent yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. The reaction could be scaled up to a gram scale with no deterioration of either enantioselectivity or yield. Based on these experiments and on previous reports, a possible transition state was proposed.     

Synthesis of N-(2-(Methylamino)ethyl) Derivatives of 2H-Phthalazin-1-ones

A series of new alkyl, tosyl, acetyl, and tert-butoxycarbonyl derivatives of 2-(2-aminoethyl)-phthalazinones were efficiently synthesized by reaction of lactams with N-Boc-, N-acetyl-, or N,O-ditosyl derivatives of N-methylethanolamine in the presence of MeONa or under Mitsunobu reaction conditions. Selected compounds were converted into corresponding 2-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]phthalazinones in good yields.     

A convenient transformation of α-alkylserines into α-halogenomethyl-α-alkylglycines

An efficient and facile synthesis of N-Boc-α-chloromethyl- and α-bromomethyl-α-alkylglycines is reported that involves cyclization of N-Boc-α-alkylserines to the corresponding β-lactones under Mitsunobu reaction conditions, followed by ring opening with anhydrous MgCl₂ or MgBr₂.     

Probing the stereoselectivity of the Heck arylation of endocyclic enecarbamates with diazonium salts. Concise syntheses of (2S,5R)-phenylproline methyl ester and Schramm's C-azanucleoside

[reaction: see text] The diastereoselectivity of the Heck arylation of several chiral, nonracemic, five-membered endocyclic enecarbamates with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates was evaluated. The cis selectivity observed for some enecarbamates bearing coordinating groups was explored in the concise synthesis of the (2S,5R)-(+)-phenylproline methyl ester, a scaffold for the nonpeptide cholecystokinin antagonist (+)-RP 66803, and in the synthesis of Schramm's potent antiprotozoan C-azanucleoside.     

Addition reactions of heterocycles. VII. Pyrrole and C-Acetyl-N-phenylnitrilimine

The addition reaction of C-acetyl-N-phenylnitrilimine to pyrrole has been investigated. The products obtained show that the reaction proceeds via two distinct pathways. The 1,3-addition reaction leads to the non-cyclic-adduct III, whereas the 1,3-cycloaddition reaction gives a mixture of regioisomeric Δ₂-pyrroline IV and V, and Δ₁ -pyrroline VI and VII mono-cycloadducts. These latter compounds cannot be isolated because they undergo a further 1,3-cycloaddition reaction leading to the N-substituted bis-adducts X and XI, and to the bis-adduets XII and XIII. The stereochemical assignment for X, XI, XII and XIII is provided by nmr data which suggest also that in X and XI the rotation around the exocyclic N-C bond is relatively slow on the instrument time scale.     

A new entry to the synthesis of substituted azetidines: [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of four-membered endocyclic enamides to ketenes

The first example of a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of a four-membered endocyclic enamide (2-azetine) to dichloroketene is described and constitutes a new entry to the synthesis of substituted azetidines. Preliminary studies concerning the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the [2+2] cycloadduct revealed an unusual regioselectivity. The synthesis of a new azetidine-3-carboxylic acid derivative from the [2+2] cycloadduct is also presented.     

A convenient, large-scale synthesis of 4′-carboxamido N-Boc-2′,6′-dimethyl-l-phenylalanines

A large-scale synthesis of a series of 4′-carboxamido N-Boc-2′,6′-dimethyl-l-phenylalanines is described. This method features mild reaction conditions and high chemical yields from commercially available N-Boc-2′,6′-dimethyl-l-tyrosine methyl ester.     

Acyl iodides in organic synthesis. Reactions with morpholine,piperidine, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydrocarbylpiperidines

Acyl iodides RCOI (R = Me, Ph) reacted with morpholine and piperidine to give the corresponding N-acyl derivatives and morpholine or piperidine hydroiodides. Reactions of acyl iodides with N-methyl- and N-ethylpiperidines involved cleavage of the exocyclic R-N bond with formation of N-acylpiperidine and alkyl iodide and were accompanied (to insignificant extent) by cleavage of the endocyclic N-C bond, leading to N-alkyl-N-(5-iodopentyl)acylamides. In the reaction of acetyl iodide with N-phenylpiperidine, the main process was cleavage of just endocyclic N-C bond to produce N-(5-iodopentyl)-N-phenylacetamide and its dehydroiodination product, N-(pent-4-en-1-yl)-N-phenylacetamide. Analogous reaction with benzoyl iodide afforded N-(5-iodopentyl)-N-phenylbenzamide in a poor yield.     

Synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines from endocyclic enamine derivatives. Synthesis of (±)-laburnamine

Functionalization of the α- and β-positions of readily available endocyclic enamine derivatives provides a convenient method for the formation of substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines. α-Alkoxy-β-iodopyrrolidines are formed by the electrophilic addition of iodine to the endocyclic enamine double bond of an N-substituted 2-pyrroline, and nucleophillic attack by an alcohol on the intermediate iodonium ion. The resultant α-alkoxy-β-iodopyrrolidines can be used in radical cyclization reactions to give bicyclic hemiaminal compounds, which can be further elaborated using N-acyliminium chemistry to form α,β-cis-dialkylsubstituted pyrrolidines. A strategy for the incorporation of amino functionality at the β-position was also established by using iodoamination of the enamine double bond, followed by migration of the amine functionality through an aziridination/methanolysis protocol. An alternative method uses an azidomethoxylation protocol using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in the presence of NaN₃ and methanol. Formation and trapping of the N-acyliminium ions derived from these substrates, afforded the 3-carbamate and 3-azido-2-substituted products with good diastereoselectivity, with the preferential formation of the trans and cis stereoisomers, respectively. Using the sequential iodoamination, aziridination in methanol and N-acyliminium transformation, trans-3-NHCO₂Me-2-allyl-pyrrolidine was prepared, which was used as the key precursor in a synthesis of the natural 1-amidopyrrolizidine alkaloid, (±)-laburnamine.     

Preparation of 1,3-disubstituted isoquinoline derivatives from N-boc-3-substituted-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines

3-Substituted N-Boc-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines 2 can be functionalized at the 1-position via lithiation and subsequent electrophilic trapping. The resulting products 3 can be deprotected and oxidized to afford the corresponding 1,3-disubstituted isoquinolines 5 . Deprotection of dihydroisoquinoline 3k followed by sodium borohydride reduction affords the cis-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydroisoquinoline 11 . The 1,3-disubstituted N-Boc-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline 3g is efficiently alkylated at the 1-position to give 1,1,3-trisubstituted analogs 12 .     

Base-catalyzed reaction between isatins and N-Boc-3-pyrrolin-2-one

The base-catalyzed reaction between isatins and N-Boc-3-pyrrolin-2-one yields Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) adducts instead of the expected aldol products in good to high yields (up to 97%). Various organic and inorganic bases are efficient catalysts for this reaction. Our study excluded the Morita–Baylis–Hillman mechanism for the formation of the MBH-type products. The MBH products are most likely formed as a result of the subsequent isomerization of the original aldol products between isatins and N-Boc-3-pyrrolin-2-one.     

Asymmetric syntheses of methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-l-erythroside,methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-d-threoside and methyl N-Boc-2,3-dideoxy-3-amino-l-arabinopyranoside

The asymmetric syntheses of methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-l-erythroside and methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-d-threoside have been achieved from sorbic acid, in six and eight steps, and in 35 and 13% overall yield, respectively. Diastereoselective aminohydroxylation of tert-butyl sorbate gives access to two diastereoisomeric α-hydroxy-β-amino-γ,δ-unsaturated esters. Reduction of the ester functionality and ozonolysis of the double bond gives the corresponding aldehyde, which exists exclusively in the ring-closed (furanose) form. An alternative synthesis of methyl N-Boc-2-deoxy-2-amino-l-erythroside was also developed, reliant on aminohydroxylation of an α,β-unsaturated ester bearing an acetal functionality at the γ-position, and this synthesis proceeded in five steps and 54% overall yield from acrolein diethyl acetal. This approach was extended to permit the synthesis of methyl N-Boc-2,3-dideoxy-3-amino-l-arabinopyranoside in six steps and 58% overall yield from ethyl 3,3-diethoxypropanote.     

RuO4-mediated oxidation of N-benzylated tertiary amines. 3. Behavior of 1,4-dibenzylpiperazine and its oxygenated derivatives

1,4-Dibenzylpiperazine (1),-2-piperazinone (7),-2,6-piperazinedione (9), and 1-benzoyl-4-benzylpiperazine (30) were oxidized by RuO₄ (generated in situ) by attack at their endocyclic and exocyclic (i.e., benzylic) aminic N-α-C-H bonds to afford various oxygenated derivatives, including acyclic diformamides, benzaldehyde, and benzoic acid. The reaction outcome was complicated by (i) the hydrolysis of diformamides, occurred during the work-up, and (ii) the reaction of benzaldehyde with the hydrolysis-derived amines giving imidazolidines and/or Schiff bases. Benzoic acid resulted from benzaldehyde only. Compounds 7, 30, and 1-benzylpiperazine, but not 9, were transiently formed during the oxidation of 1. In the same reaction conditions, 1,4-dibenzyl-2,3-(or 2,5)-piperazinedione, 1,4-dibenzyl-2,3,6-piperazinetrione, 4-benzyol-1-benzyl-2-piperazinone, and 1,4-dibenzoylpiperazine were inert. The proposed oxidation mechanism involves the formation of endocyclic and exocyclic iminium cations, as well as of cyclic enamines. The latter intermediates probably result by base-induced deprotonation of the iminium cations, provided an N ⁺−β-proton is available. In the case of 1, the cations were trapped with NaCN as the corresponding α-aminonitriles. The statistically corrected regioselectivity (endocyclic/exocyclic) of the RuO₄-induced oxidation reaction of 1, 7, and 30 was 1.2–1.3.     

Pyranosides with 2,3‐trans Carbamate Groups: Exocyclic or Endocyclic Cleavage Reaction?

Pyranosides with 2,3‐trans carbamate groups exhibit high 1,2‐cis selectivity in glycosylation reactions. Using glycosyl donors with N‐benzyl 2,3‐trans carbamate groups, an anti‐Helicobacter pylori oligosaccharide was synthesized in an efficient manner. Moreover, pyranosides with 2,3‐trans carbamate groups readily undergo anomerization from the β to the α configuration under mild acidic conditions via endocyclic cleavage. Acyclic cations generated during the endocyclic cleavage reaction were captured using reduction and intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction. By exploiting this anomerization, multiply aligned 1,2‐trans glycosyl bonds can be transformed to 1,2‐cis glycosyl bonds in a single operation.     

Addition of allyltrichlorostannanes to aldehydes: application in the synthesis of 4-N-Boc-amino-3-hydroxy ketones

We wish to describe here the diastereoselective reaction between chiral N-Boc-α-amino aldehydes and achiral allyltrichlorostannanes leading to 1,2-syn-N-Boc-α-amino alcohols, which are treated with catalytic amounts of OsO₄ in the presence of NaIO₄ to provide the corresponding 4-N-Boc-amino-3-hydroxy ketones.     

Selective benzylic lithiation of N-Boc-2-phenylpiperidine and pyrrolidine: expedient synthesis of a 2,2-disubstituted piperidine NK1 antagonist

Unlike the lithiation of N-Boc-2-alkylpiperidines, which occurs at the 6-position, N-Boc-2-phenylpiperidine and N-Boc-2-phenylpyrrolidine can be lithiated exclusively at the 2-position. The tertiary carbanions can be trapped with a variety of electrophiles. This chemistry was used for the synthesis of a potent NK₁ ligand (K_i = 0.3 nM). The bioactive configuration at the piperidine quaternary center was determined by X-ray analysis to be (S).     

Practical synthesis of (3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

Three synthetic methods for the preparation of (3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine, an important intermediate in the synthesis of the novel quinolone antitumor agent, AG-7352, have been developed. By one route, an efficient and large-scale preparation of the chiral pyrrolidine could be achieved through resolution of (±)-1-Boc-3-benzylamino-4-hydroxypyrrolidine, which is prepared from either 3-pyrroline or 1,4-dichloro-2-butene.     

An efficient synthesis of optically pure α-alkyl-β-azido- and α-alkyl-β-aminoalanines via ring opening of 3-amino-3-alkyl-2-oxetanones

N-Boc-α-alkylserine β-lactones on ring opening with sodium azide provide N-Boc-α-alkyl-β-azidoalanines, as N-protected amino acids are suitable for direct incorporation into peptides. N-Boc-α-alkyl-β-azidoalanines can be transformed by catalytic hydrogenation into the corresponding N-Boc-α-alkyl-β-aminoalanines.