Direct access to anthranilic acid derivatives via CO2 incorporation reaction using arynes

CO2 was found to be directly convertible into anthranilic acid derivatives of great synthetic value through a three-component coupling using arynes and amines. Zwitterions arising from nucleophilic attack of amines to arynes serve as key intermediates in the coupling.     

Three-component coupling using arynes and DMF: straightforward access to coumarins via ortho-quinone methides

ortho-Quinone methides, arising from a formal [2+2] cycloaddition between arynes and DMF, were found to facilely undergo a [4+2] cycloaddition with ester enolates or ketenimine anions to produce diverse coumarins in a straightforward manner.     

Three-component coupling using arynes and isocyanides: straightforward access to benzo-annulated nitrogen or oxygen heterocycles

A variety of aldehydes, ketones, benzoquinones, or sulfonylimines were found to couple with arynes and isocyanides, giving iminodihydroisobenzofuran or iminoisoindoline derivatives of structural diversity in a straightforward manner. Nucleophilic addition of isocyanides to arynes, a first step of the three-component coupling, was proved to be reversible by the reaction of an unsymmetrical aryne.     

Microwave-assisted aza-Prins reaction. Part 2: straightforward access to 2,6-disubstituted 1-azaadamantanes

Novel symmetrically and unsymmetrically disubstituted 1-azaadamantanes were prepared as a single, chiral diastereomer via double microwave-assisted aza-Prins cyclization in one-pot or sequential reaction format.     

A 2:1 coupling reaction of arynes with aldehydes via o-quinone methides: straightforward synthesis of 9-arylxanthenes

[reaction: see text] A novel coupling reaction, where an aldehyde and two molar amounts of an aryne are assembled selectively, has been demonstrated to afford diverse 9-arylxanthene derivatives in one step. o-Quinone methide arising from the [2 + 2] cycloaddition of an aldehyde with an aryne was postulated as a transient intermediate.     

Rhodium-catalyzed tandem conjugate addition-Mannich cyclization reaction: straightforward access to fully substituted tetrahydroquinolines

A new Rh(I)-catalyzed tandem conjugate addition-Mannich cyclization reaction of imine-substituted electron-deficient alkenes with arylboronic acids has been developed to afford 2,3,4-trisubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines. This is the first example involving imine group as a secondary electrophile in Rh(I)-catalyzed tandem reactions.     

Zinc mediated straightforward access to diacylpyrroles

In this article, we report the preparation of various 2,4- and 2,5-diacylpyrroles via two zinc-mediated acylation reactions of non-protected pyrroles.     

Straightforward access to 2-iminoisoindolines via three-component coupling of arynes, isocyanides and imines

A three-component coupling reaction of arynes, isocyanides and N-tosylaldimines has been developed to offer modest to high yields of diverse 2-iminoisoindolines in one step. Intermediacy of arynes in the coupling has been verified by the reaction of unsymmetrical arynes.     

First selective lithiation of pyridylpiperazines: straightforward access to potent pharmacophores

The three isomers of pyridylpiperazines have been lithiated for the first time. The use of a superbase, an aminoalkoxide containing lithiating agent overcomes the chelating influence of the basic piperazine nitrogens, so that selective mono lithiation occurred alpha to pyridine nitrogen. This methodology offers a new access to diverse potent pharmacophores not easily prepared by other routes.     

A straightforward access to pyrrolidine-based ligands for asymmetric synthesis

A straightforward and flexible method for the preparation of ligands based on the pyrrolidine scaffold is presented. The synthetic strategy involves a diastereoselective allylation of phenylglycinol-derived imines, followed by a cyclization promoted by a hydrozirconation/halogenation sequence. Enantioselectivities of up to 84% ee in the asymmetric allylic allylation were obtained using these ligands.     

Cross-coupling of highly pyramidalized alkenes: A straightforward access to functionalized tetrasecododecahedradienes

The synthesis and chemical trapping of a highly pyramidalized pentacyclo[6.4.0.0(2,10).0(3,7).0(4,9)]dodec-8-ene containing ketal functions is reported. Its cross-coupling reaction with 3, 7-dimethyltricyclo[3.3.0.0(3,7)]oct-1(5)-ene followed by a [2 + 2] retrocycloaddition reaction gives a straightforward access to functionalized tetrasecododecahedradienes.     

Aminoalkoxide-mediated formation and stabilization of phenylpyridyllithium: straightforward access to phenylpyridine derivatives

It is shown that lithium aggregates promoted the efficient metalation of phenylpyridines and stabilization of phenylpyridyllithium. The BuLi-LiDMAE superbase prevented dimerization or nucleophilic addition encountered with t-BuLi or n-BuLi. The reported selective pyridine ring lithiation of 2-, 3-, and 4-phenylpyridine alpha to nitrogen opens a straightforward access to their derivatives.     

A tandem Finkelstein-rearrangement-elimination reaction: a straightforward synthetic route to allyl esters

Allyl esters can be obtained by a Finkelstein-rearrangement-elimination reaction of 2-chloro-1-(chloromethyl)ethyl esters induced by NaI. Sodium iodide can be used below equivalence using a reductive agent as sodium thiosulfate. High yields are obtained with most of the diverse esters studied. The method described avoids the use of allyl alcohol as a reagent. 2-Chloro-1-(chloromethyl)ethyl esters are prepared from glycerol, the main by-product of biodiesel industry. The effectiveness of iodine as reagent to hydrolyze allyl esters is also confirmed.     

Palladium-catalysed dimerisation-distannylation of arynes: synthesis and reaction of 2,2'-distannylbiaryls

Two molar amounts of arynes were found to insert into a Sn-Sn bond of a distannane in the presence of a sub-stoichiometric amount of a palladium-phosphite complex, affording straightforwardly 2,2'-distannylbiaryls.     

Oxidising CO to CO2 using ceria nanoparticles

We calculate, using simulated amorphisation and recrystallisation (A&R), that ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles, about 8 nm in diameter, comprise a high concentration of labile surface oxygen species, which we suggest will help promote the oxidation of CO to CO2. In particular, the ceria nanoparticle contains a high proportion of reactive {100} surfaces, surface steps and corner sites. When reduced to CeO1.95, the associated Ce3+ species and oxygen vacancies decorate step, corner and {100} sites in addition to plateau positions on {111}. The energetics of CO oxidation to CO2, catalysed by a ceria nanoparticle, is calculated to be lower compared with CO oxidation associated with the lowest energy surface (i.e. CeO2(111)) of the corresponding 'bulk' material. Our calculated morphologies for the ceria nanoparticles are in accord with experiment.     

Facial synthesis of trifluoromethylated xanthenes via tandem reaction of arynes and 2-trifluoroacetylphenols

A tandem insertion-nucleophilic cyclization reaction between arynes and 2-trifluoroacetylphenols has been described, providing trifluoromethylated xanthenes in good to excellent yield.     

Enantioselective straightforward access to benzo[b]thiophene analogs of Azatoxin

Horner-Wadsworth Emmons olefination followed by asymmetric hydrogenation allowed the first synthetic access to the chiral thiotryptophan with good enantiomeric excess. Oxazolidinone formation followed by a Pictet–Spengler condensation provided the benzothiophenic analog of Azatoxin.     

A straightforward synthetic access to symmetrical glycosyl disulfides and biological evaluation thereof

Symmetrical glycosyl disulfides can be prepared within a few hours from per-O-acetylated precursors via a sequential approach entailing short reactions and no purification of any intermediate. The final thiolate-to-disulfide oxidation step is noticeably accelerated by low amounts of phenyl diselenide under air. Applicability of the strategy to non-saccharidic symmetrical alkyl disulfides has also been examined. A preliminary assay of the cytotoxic activity of symmetrical 1,1'- disulfides was performed on two human tumor cell lines, and a noteworthy activity was recorded for a range of these synthetic compounds.     

A straightforward access to 2-hydroxyoxazino[3,2-f ]phenanthridines from phenanthridine,oxalylacetylenes and water

Phenanthridine is readily annulated at room temperature with dihydro-1,3-oxazine ring under the action of oxalylacetylene ethyl ester to diastereoselectively deliver (R*,R*)-2-hydroxy-4-aryl-2H,13bH-[1,3]oxazino[3,2-f]- phenanthridines in up to 58% yield. According to quantum chemical calculations, among the possible transformations of the 1,3(4)-dipole phenanthridine/oxalylacetylene inter- mediate, protonated with water, the preferred route leading to the target product is attack of the hydroxyl anion at the carbonyl moiety, followed by closing of the oxazine ring. The calculated stability of oxazinophenanthridine with respect to the oxazinoquinoline derivative in terms of ΔG, and the higher C6–O bond order in the former are confirmed by experimental results of differences between the reactions of phenanthridine and quinoline with aryloxalylacetylenes in water.