Stereoselective epoxidation of 4-fluoro-4-nitrocyclohexenes

Novel fluorinated α-epoxycyclohexanes were synthesized in up to 96% yields by epoxidation of the Diels–Alder adducts of β-fluoro-β-nitrostyrenes and 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene. The epoxidation with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid and subsequent hydrolysis into diols were found to proceed in a highly stereoselective manner.     

Synthesis and utility of new amine/nucleobase addition products of allenylphosphonates

In the reaction of allenylphosphonates with amines/nucleobases, depending on the amine and the allenylphosphonate, either Z- or E-vinylphosphonate or allylphosphonate as a single isomer with a β-amino functionality was isolated. A simple route to phosphonates with a β-NH₂ group is developed by direct reaction with ammonia. In reactions with adenine, three different modes of reaction, with one of them involving an unusual cyclisation, are observed. The utility of (enamino)allyl phosphonate products thus obtained in the synthesis of (enamino)-1,3-butadienes via Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction is also demonstrated.     

Synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles via a gold(I)-catalyzed tandem three-component reaction at room temperature

A gold(I)-catalyzed three-component reaction of β-nitrostyrenes with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and primary amines to form polysubstituted pyrroles has been developed at room temperature in ethanol. The key advantages of the three-component reaction are the mild reaction conditions and environm entally safer solvent     

Hexafluorothioacetone based synthesis of fluorinated heterocycles

Cycloadducts of hexafluorothioacetone (HFTA) were prepared in high yield by a CsF catalyzed reaction between readily available 2,2,4,4-tetrakis-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dithietane (as a source of HFTA) with conjugated electron-rich hydrocarbon dienes, such as cyclopentadiene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, cyclohexa-1,3-diene or (1Z,3Z)-cyclohepta-1,3-diene. Cyclohexa-1,4- and (1Z,5Z)-cycloocta-1,5-dienes, also undergo the reaction with in situ generated HFTA, but form the products of insertion of HFTA into the C-H bond of the diene as a result of ene-reaction. The highly selective reaction of HFTA with (1Z,3Z,5Z)-cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene and (1Z,3Z,5Z,7Z)-cycloocta-1,3,5,7-tetraene leads to the formation of cycloadducts derived from exclusive addition of thioacetone to the corresponding bicyclic isomers—bicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-2,4-diene or bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4,7-triene, respectively. The corresponding cycloadducts of HFTA with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-1,3-cyclohexa-1,3-cyclohexa-1,4-dienes and (1Z,3Z,5Z)-cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene were also prepared by direct reaction of sulfur/hexafluoropropene/KF and the corresponding hydrocarbon substrate at 35-45 °C in DMF.     

Operationally convenient asymmetric synthesis of (S)- and (R)-3-amino-4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid: Part II. Enantioselective biomimetic transamination of 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxo-N-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]butanamide

An asymmetric synthesis of (S)- and (R)-3-amino-4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid via DBU-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-proton shift transfer reaction of (Z)-3-[(R)-1-phenylethylamino]-4,4,4-trifluoro-N-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]but-2-enamide has been developed. The intermediate Schiff base (S,R′)-9 was found to be relatively configurationally stable under the highly basic reaction conditions allowing preparation of the target amino acid in high chemical yield and enantioselectivity. This method was demonstrated to be practical for large (>25 g) scale synthesis of the target β-amino acid.     

A convenient synthesis of olefins via deacylation reaction

A convenient and environmentally-friendly synthetic method of olefins via deacylation reaction is described. The reaction gives olefins by condensation of aldehydes with a variety of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate at room temperature in high yields (70-90%) in one step. The synthetic potential of this strategy can be used as an alternative procedure to the Wittig, Wittig-Horner reactions. The stereochemistry of the resulted olefins was determined by NOE experiment with correct radio frequency and X-ray analysis. The E/Z selectivity of the deacylation reaction depends on the α-substituents of the 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.     

A practical access to novel 2-amino-5-arylidene-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-ones via sulfur/nitrogen displacement under solvent-free microwave irradiation

A new effective approach to the synthesis of a small library of 2-amino-5-arylidene-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-ones was reported using solvent-free reaction conditions under microwave irradiation. In the first step, rhodanines were subjected to Knoevenagel condensation with aryl aldimines according to a facile one-pot protocol. Then the (5Z)-5-arylidene rhodanine derivatives were transformed directly into the corresponding 2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-ones by sulfur/nitrogen displacement reaction under microwaves with retention of configuration and good overall yields.     

Novel bifunctional sulfonamides catalyze an enantioselective conjugate addition

A new bifunctional organocatalyst with a novel structural and functional motif has been developed. This bifunctional sulfonamide organocatalyst was used in the conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (13) to β-nitrostyrenes (12). Yields up to 91% and enantiomeric excesses up to 79% were obtained in this reaction. This catalyst activates both 13 via its basic moiety and 12 through hydrogen bonding.     

The combination of TsNBr2/TsNH2 as the nitrogen/halo source for the aminobromination of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by Mn(OAc)2

The combination of N,N-dibromo-p-tolunesulfonamide (4-TsNBr₂) and TsNH₂ was found to be an efficient halogen/nitrogen source for the aminohalogenation of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes with manganese (II) acetate as the catalyst in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves. The reaction results in vicinal bromoamino nitroalkanes with the opposite regioselectivity comparing with those reported, which was also confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.     

Aminochlorination reaction with N-chlorophthalimide as a new nitrogen/chlorine source resulting in α-amino derivatives

A commercial available compound, N-chlorophthalimide was reported as an efficient nitrogen/chlorine source for the aminohalogenation of β-nitrostyrenes, which tolerates a wide range of β-nitrostyrenes substrates with good chemical yields, as well as excellent regioselectivities. The resulted vicinal haloamino nitro products have been converted into several other valuable α-amino compounds under simple and mild conditions.     

New synthetic approach to α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones and their application in Diels-Alder reactions

A new pathway towards α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones was elaborated. The reaction of β-bromo-β-fluorostyrenes with sodium 4-methylphenylsulfinate proceeds with maximum 94:6 stereoselectivity and 72-90% yields. The formed α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones were found to be good dienophiles for Diels-Alder reactions with simple 1,3-dienes. From corresponding (E)-configured dienophiles and cyclopentadiene, cycloadducts bearing the fluorine substituent in exo-position were formed predominantly, while with diphenylisobenzofuran the products with endo-orientation of the fluorine were obtained as the major products. From these cycloadducts, as a proof of principle, p-toluenesulfinic acid was eliminated to give 2-fluoro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)norbornadiene, the formal [4+2]-cycloadduct of cyclopentadiene and 1-fluoro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetylene, or the corresponding diphenylisobenzofuran cycloadducts, respectively. This reaction was not successful when other β-hydrogen atoms are accessible for elimination.     

Metal-free,base catalyzed oxidative amination and denitration reaction: Regioselective synthesis of 3-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A metal-free, regioselective strategy for the synthesis of 3-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from β-nitrostyrenes and 2-aminopyridines using triethylamine as the catalyst and H₂O₂ (30% aq.) as the oxidant is reported. The use of an inexpensive base and facile reaction conditions make this strategy a practical alternative for the synthesis of 3-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.     

Novel sequence of two base-catalyzed 1,3 proton shifts and [1,2] Wittig rearrangement in the synthesis of 2,4-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-6-phenylpyridine

The reaction of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione with (R)-phenylglycinol was found to proceed via intermediate formation of (R, 4E, 6Z)-5,7-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydro-3-phenyl-1,4-oxazepine which further underwent a base-catalyzed 1,3-proton shift reaction followed by [1,2] Wittig rearrangement giving rise to 2,4-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-6-phenylpyridine.     

Synthesis of C3-nitroalkylated-4-hydroxycoumarin and hydroxyiminodihydrofuroquinolinone derivatives via the Michael addition of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to β-nitrostyrenes

Herein, we describe a practical and efficient method for the C3-alkylation of 4-hydroxycoumarin by sonication under ‘on water’ conditions and mild temperatures using various substituted β-nitrostyrenes. In addition, we report on the development of a convenient process for the regioselective synthesis of angular hydroxyiminodihydrofuroquinolinone catalyzed by base. 4-Hydroxycoumarin and 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one reacted smoothly with various nitroolefins to furnish C3-nitroalkylated hydroxycoumarin derivatives (by sonication and ‘on water’ conditions) and hydroxyiminodihydrofuroquinolinone derivatives (ambient condition) as a mixture of Z (minor) and E (major) isomers, respectively. The mild reaction conditions employed, ease of isolation of the products and excellent yields constitute important features of the methodology.     

Synthesis of β-branched Morita-Baylis-Hillman-type adducts from 1,3-diaryl-2-propynyl trimethylsilyl ethers and aldehydes catalyzed by potassium tert-butoxide

1,3-Diaryl-2-propynyl trimethylsilyl ethers were easy to isomerize into the corresponding siloxyallenes using a catalytic amount of potassium tert-butoxide under very mild conditions. The siloxyallenes reacted in situ with various aldehydes to afford Z-selective β-branched Morita-Baylis-Hillman-type adducts in a one-pot reaction after acid treatment.     

Generation of ketone dilithio α,β-dianions and their reactions with electrophiles

Ketone dilithio α,β- and α,β′-dianions can be generated by a tin-lithium exchange reaction of the lithium enolate of β-tributyltin substituted ketones. A chelation-aided approach, which employs β-dichlorobutyltin substituted ketones and n-BuLi, is also useful for the generation of ketone α,β-dianions having the Z-geometry at the alkene. The generated dianions can be transformed into substituted ketones by reaction with various carbon electrophiles.     

Tautomeric equilibria in the reaction products of asymmetric 1,3-diamines with β-dicarbonyl compounds

The reaction products of 1,3-butanediamine and 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediamine with β-keto aldehydes were shown by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy to exist as tautomeric mixtures in solutions, comprising one cyclic and two open-chain forms due to the non-equivalence of the amino groups. The chain products exist as Z- and E-isomers. After equilibration, the products from 1,3-butanediamine contain relatively less of the cyclic form than those from 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediamine. The products of 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediamine with p-substituted aroylacetaldehydes, exhibit a linear correlation between log K of the ring-chain equilibria and Hammett's σ values of the aromatic ring substituents. α-Substitution of β-keto aldehydes notably increased the relative amounts of the chain E-isomers in their condensation products and also resulted in the formation of two diastereomers for each of the cyclic products. No ring-chain equilibria were observed in the products of 1,3-butanediamine and 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediamine with β-diketones, β-keto esters, or β-keto amides.     

Domino pericyclic reactions of acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes

Acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes, upon thermolysis, undergo a domino pericyclic process involving 6π electrocyclisation of the (E,Z,E)-triene moiety to give the corresponding cis-disubstituted 5-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadienes, followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction with the vinyl side chain to give tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]oct-3-enes.     

A facile synthetic method of α-quaternary-β,γ-unsaturated aldehydes via the stereoselective 1,4-elimination and α-regioselective Ferrier reaction

The 1,4-elimination reaction of 2-substituted-(2Z)-4-methoxy-O-alkenyl acetals with n-butyllithium is shown to afford the 2-substituted-(1Z,3E)-O-1,3-dienyl acetals in high stereoselectivities. The Ferrier reaction of the O-1,3-dienyl acetals thus obtained provides the corresponding α-quaternary-β,γ-unsaturated aldehydes in excellent yields with high α-regioselectivities.     

The first example of fluoro-Meinwald rearrangement

Novel fluorinated norbornadienes were synthesized in up to 95% yield by the base-induced elimination of HNO₂ from 5-fluoro-5-nitro-6-arylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes prepared, in turn, by the Diels–Alder reaction of β-fluoro-β-nitrostyrenes with cyclopentadiene. The subsequent epoxidation initiated the Meinwald type rearrangement affording 6-aryl-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-carboxylic acid fluorides as individual (1SR,5RS,6RS)-diastereomers. The transformation is the first example of fluoro-Meinwald rearrangement to form the corresponding acyl fluorides.