Stereoselective Synthesis of cis‐2,5‐Disubstituted Pyrrolidines via Copper‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Alkenes

An efficient methodology for the stereoselective synthesis of cis‐2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines using copper catalyst was developed. The corresponding cis‐2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines could be obtained in reasonable yields and with good stereoselectivities in the presence of 4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine as ligand and 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone as solvent.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Cascade Reaction: Facial Access to Densely Functionalized Indolizines

A palladium‐catalyzed three‐component cascade reaction of 2‐(2‐enynyl)pyridines with nucleophiles and allyl halides has been developed, enabling the synthesis of densely functionalized indolizines in moderate to good yields. The newly developed methodology offers several practical advantages, including operational simplicity, ready availability of starting materials, and mild reaction conditions.     

MgII‐Mediated Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomatization (CADA) Reaction of β‐Naphthols with Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylates

A Mg^II‐mediated catalytic asymmetric dearomatization (CADA) reaction of β‐naphthols has been developed. The reaction proceeds under ambient temperature and give a series of chiral trisubstituted olefins with good chemoselectivities, Z/E ratios, and excellent enantioselectivities. A fluorinated β‐naphthol was designed to generate chiral organofluorine skeletons through the current CADA reaction. Moreover, an interesting tandem cyclization reaction was observed in the following transformation process through an undiscovered intramolecular hydride transfer pathway.     

Synthesis of Cyclic Amine Boranes through Triazole‐Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Alkyne Hydroboration

The first catalytic alkyne hydroboration of propargyl amine boranecarbonitriles is accomplished with triazole‐Au^I complexes. While the typical [L‐Au]⁺ species decomposes within minutes upon addition of amine boranecarbonitriles, the triazole‐modified gold catalysts (TA‐Au) remained active, and allowed the synthesis of 1,2‐BN‐cyclopentenes in one step with good to excellent yields. With good substrate tolerability and mild reaction conditions (open‐flask), this new method provides an alternative route to reach the interesting cyclic amine borane with high efficiency.     

NaBArF4‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of 1,5‐ and 1,6‐Diynes: Efficient and Divergent Synthesis of Functionalized γ‐ and δ‐Lactams

An efficient NaBAr^F₄‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization of readily available 1,5‐ and 1,6‐diynes has been developed. Importantly, this transition metal‐free oxidative catalysis proceeds via a presumable Lewis acid‐catalyzed S_N2’ pathway, which is distinct from the relevant oxidative rhodium and gold catalysis. This method leads to the facile and practical construction of a diverse range of synthetically useful γ‐ and δ‐lactams in mostly good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope.     

Efficient Synthesis of 14C‐Labeled 1H‐Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine and Related [4.3.0]‐Bicyclic Pyrimidino Systems

In support of a research program aimed at discovering purine‐related anticancer drug candidates, a method for the ¹⁴C‐labeling of pyrazolopyrimidines utilizing the readily available labeled starting material, sodium [¹⁴C]formate, has been developed with a good overall yield. This new method was proven to be general in the preparation of other related [4.3.0]heterocycles containing N, O, and S atoms. A concise synthesis of a model compound, 8‐aza‐7‐deaza‐5′‐[¹⁴C]noraristeromycin, was achieved utilizing this methodology as a key step.     

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of (+)‐ and (−)‐Pyrrolidine 197B: Synthesis of trans‐2,5‐Disubstituted Pyrrolidines by Intramolecular Hydroamination

A highly efficient, diastereoselective, iron(III)‐catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization reaction involving α‐substituted amino alkenes is described. Thus, enantiopure trans‐2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines and trans‐5‐substituted proline derivatives were synthesized by means of a combination of enantiopure starting materials, easily available from l ‐α‐amino acids, with sustainable metal catalysts such as iron(III) salts. The scope of this methodology is highlighted in an enantiodivergent approach to the synthesis of both (+)‐ and (?)‐pyrrolidine 197B alkaloids from l ‐glutamic acid. In addition, a computational study was carried out to gain insight into the complete diastereoselectivity of the transformation.     

Aqueous Titanium Trichloride Promoted Reductive Cyclization of o‐Nitrostyrenes to Indoles: Development and Application to the Synthesis of Rizatriptan and Aspidospermidine

Treatment of o‐nitrostyrenes with aqueous TiCl₃ solution at room temperature afforded indoles through a formal reductive C(sp²)–H amination process. A range of functions such as halides (Cl, Br), carbonyl (ester, carbamate), cyano, hydroxy, and amino groups were tolerated. From β,β‐disubstituted o‐nitrostyrenes, 2,3‐disubstituted indoles were formed by a domino reduction/cyclization/migration process. Mild conditions, simple experimental procedure, ready accessibility of the starting materials and good to excellent yields characterize the present transformation. The methodology was used as a key step in a concise synthesis of rizatriptan and a formal total synthesis of aspidospermidine.     

Metal‐Free One‐Pot Synthesis of Benzofurans

Ethyl acetohydroxamate was efficiently arylated with diaryliodonium salts at room temperature under transition‐metal‐free conditions. The obtained O‐arylated products were reacted in situ with ketones under acidic conditions to yield substituted benzo[b]furans through oxime formation, [3,3]‐rearrangement, and cyclization in a fast and operationally simple one‐pot fashion without using excess reagents. Alternatively, the O‐arylated products could be isolated or transformed in situ to aryloxyamines or O‐arylaldoximes. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of Stemofuran A and the formal syntheses of Coumestan, Eupomatenoid 6, and (+)‐machaeriol B.     

The Use of Cobalt‐Mediated Cycloisomerisation of Ynedinitriles in the Synthesis of Pyridazinohelicenes

A cobalt‐mediated [2+2+2] cycloisomerisation of ynedinitriles to helical pyridazines in good to high yields was developed. The construction of the pyridazine nucleus from one alkyne and two nitrile units is proposed to follow either a conventional organometallic mechanism or to be triggered by a single‐electron transfer from a Co^II species. Various [5]‐, [6]‐ and [7]helicene pyridazines were prepared.     

Formal Total Synthesis of (−)‐Apicularen A by a Strategy Based on Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Transannular Cyclization

A formal synthesis of (?)‐apicularen A, a potent antitumor agent with unique biological properties, has been completed in a 15‐step sequence starting from a known, enantiomerically pure hydroxyepoxide, which was generated by using the Jacobsen hydrolytic‐kinetic‐resolution methodology. The 12‐membered macrocyclic lactone in the target was constructed by ring‐closing metathesis, and the trans‐tetrahydropyran ring system was created through the transannular etherification of a hydroxyalkene.     

Syntheses and properties of new herbicidal 2‐arylthio‐l,2,4‐triazolo [l,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives

In search of novel herbicides with high activity, a series of 2‐arylthio‐1,4,2,‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines (3) were synthesized by cyclization of 5‐amino‐3‐arylthio‐1,2,4‐triazoles with 1, 3‐diketones or by the nucleophilic substitution of substituted thiophenols with 2‐methylsulfonyl‐l,2,4‐triazolo [1,5‐a]‐pyrimidine. The structures of all compounds prepared were confirmed by ¹H NMR and MS spectroscopy along with elemental analyses. Preliminary bioassays indicated that some of the compounds 3 had good herbicidal activity against rape. In addition, the regioselectivity in the reaction of 5‐amino‐3‐substituted arylthio‐l,2,4‐triazoles with benzoylacetone was studied.     

Imidazole‐catalyzed Three‐component Cascade Reaction for the Facile Synthesis of Highly Substituted 3,4‐Dihydropyridin‐2‐one Derivatives

A novel one‐pot protocol for the synthesis of valuable 3,4‐dihydropyridin‐2‐ones from the condensation of aldehyde with cyanoacetamide and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of imidazole was developed. A series of aldehydes and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds were employed to examine the scope of substrates for this protocol. This reaction proceeded through the formation of one ring and four new bonds (two C? C, one C? N, one C?C) via the sequence involving Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition and intramolecular cyclization with moderate to excellent yields. All new compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS.     

PdII‐Catalyzed Domino Heterocyclization/Cross‐Coupling of α‐Allenols and α‐Allenic Esters: Efficient Preparation of Functionalized Buta‐1,3‐dienyl Dihydrofurans

A mild, palladium(II)‐catalyzed reaction of α‐allenols with α‐allenic esters in a heterocyclization/cross‐coupling sequence, applicable to a wide range of substitution patterns, has been developed for the preparation of 2,3,4‐trifunctionalized 2,5‐dihydrofurans. Our studies indicate high levels of chemo‐ and regiocontrol. The possibility of using optically active substrates as well as substrates of increased steric demand, such as tertiary α‐allenols, makes this novel sequence of heterocyclization/cross‐coupling an attractive method in organic synthesis. The current mechanistic hypothesis invokes a regiocontrolled palladium(II)‐mediated intramolecular oxypalladation of the free allenol component, that then undergoes a cross‐coupling reaction with the allenic ester partner, followed by a trans‐β‐deacyloxypalladation with concomitant regeneration of the Pd^II species.     

Synthesis of Substituted 2‐Amino‐1,3‐oxazoles via Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Enamines and N,N‐Dialkyl Formamides

A facile synthesis of 2‐amino‐1,3‐oxazoles via Cu^I‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization of enamines and N ,N ‐dialkyl formamides has been developed. The reaction proceeds through an oxidative C−N bond formation, followed by an intramolecular C(sp²)−H bond functionalization/C−O cyclization in one pot. This protocol provides direct access to useful 2‐amino‐1,3‐oxazoles and features protecting‐group‐free nitrogen sources, readily available starting materials, a broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative α‐Arylation of 2‐Oxindoles with (Hetero)aryl Bromides: Efficient and Complementary Approach to 3‐Acyl‐2‐oxindoles

An efficient Pd‐catalyzed carbonylative α‐arylation of 2‐oxindoles with aryl and heteroaryl bromides for the one‐step synthesis of 3‐acyl‐2‐oxindoles has been developed. This reaction proceeds efficiently under mild conditions and is complementary to the more common oxindole forming reactions. The transformation only requires a mild base and provides good to excellent yields even with heteroaromatic substrates. Employing a near stoichiometric amount of ¹³COgen, the methodology was easily extended to [¹³C] acyl labeling. The general applicability of the reaction conditions was demonstrated in the synthesis of a structure related to the pharmaceutically active 3‐acyl‐2‐oxindoles, tenidap.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Reaction of Terminal Propargyl Alcohols,Aldehydes, and Amines: Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐2‐pyrones and 2,5‐Dihydrofurans

A novel copper(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction for the efficient synthesis of 3‐amino‐2‐pyrones and 2,5‐dihydrofurans from propargyl alcohols, aldehydes, and amines has been developed. The starting materials are easily available and the scope of this method is broad. Through mechanistic studies, it is believed that the three‐component reaction consists of an A³‐coupling to propargylic amine, alkyne–allene isomerization, and intramolecular cyclization of the allenol to form a furan. In case of using ethyl glyoxalate as the aldehyde, a ring‐opening, lactonization, and isomerization process affords the 3‐amino‐2‐pyrones.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C8‐Dienylation of Quinoline‐N‐Oxides

An efficient Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed C8‐dienylation of quinoline‐N‐oxides was achieved by employing allenes bearing leaving groups at the α‐position as the dienylating agents. The reaction proceeds by Co^III‐catalyzed C?H activation of quinoline‐N‐oxides and regioselective migratory insertion of the allene followed by a β‐oxy elimination, leading to overall dienylation. Site‐selective C?H activation was achieved with excellent selectivity under mild reaction conditions, and 30 mol % of a NaF additive was found to be crucial for the efficient dienylation. The methodology features high stereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and good functional‐group tolerance. C8‐alkenylation of quinoline‐N‐oxides was achieved in the case of allenes devoid of leaving groups as coupling partners. Furthermore, gram‐scale preparation and preliminary mechanistic experiments were carried out to gain insights into the reaction mechanism.     

A Transition‐Metal‐Free Synthesis of Multisubstituted Imidazoles

A novel and simple t‐BuOLi/I₂‐mediated synthesis of 1,2,4‐trisubstituted imidazoles was developed without transition‐metal added. The transition‐metal‐free strategy tolerated a range of substrates and provided products in moderate to good yields with 100% regioselectivity.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 4‐Aza‐1,6‐enynes to 3‐Aza‐bicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐2‐enes

A method for the synthesis of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes from 1,6‐enynes through Pd‐catalyzed cycloisomerization has been developed. N‐ and O‐tethered 1,6‐enynes were successfully transformed to their corresponding 3‐aza‐ and 3‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes in reasonable‐to‐high yields using the catalysts [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂]/P(OPh)₃ or [Pd(maleimidate)₂(PPh₃)₂] in toluene. The computational calculations using density functional theory indicate that [PdCl₂{P(OPh)₃}] in the oxidation state Pd^II acts as the active catalyst species for the formation of 3‐azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes through 6‐endo‐dig cyclization.