Sulfated polyborate-catalyzed efficient and expeditious synthesis of (un)symmetrical ureas and benzimidazolones

The excellent catalytic potential of sulfated polyborate is utilized in the synthesis of (un)symmetrical ureas and benzimidazolones by heating amines or substituted OPDA and urea or N-phenylureas under a solvent-free condition at 120?°C is described. The key advantages of the present protocol are phosgene-free, and other hazardous reagents or organic solvent free, high reaction rates and yields, simple workup procedure, and recyclability of the catalyst.     

A novel access to pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold via Staudinger/intramolecular aza-Wittig reaction of 5-acyl-4-(β-azidoalkyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones

A general four-step approach to 1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-2-ones via Staudinger/intramolecular aza-Wittig reaction of 5-acyl-4-(β-azidoalkyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones promoted by PPh₃ was developed. Synthesis of the starting pyrimidinones included preparation of 3-azidoaldehydes by the addition of hydrazoic acid to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, transformation of 3-azidoaldehydes into N-[(3-azido-1-tosyl)alkyl]ureas followed by the reaction with enolates of dibenzoylmethane, benzoylacetone, acetylacetone, or ethyl 2,4-dioxo-4-phenylbutanoate and dehydration of the resulting products under acidic conditions.     

An unexpected migration of O-silyl group under Mitsunobu reaction conditions

A 1,4 O→O silyl migration followed by nucleophilic substitution with phthalimide was observed under Mitsunobu reaction conditions. This one step secondary alcohol protection and primary alcohol substitution with N-nucleophiles was extended to a variety of 2-hydroxyethyl trialkylsilylether derivatives. A possible mechanism has been postulated based on the pK_a values of the alcohol and nucleophile. The present one-pot silyl migration and substitution reaction might find application in the stereoselective synthesis of novel iminosugar derived anti diabetic agents.     

Facile direct synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas from N-Alloc-, N-Cbz-, and N-Boc-protected amines using DABAL-Me3

A practical synthetic method for the direct synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted ureas from N-Alloc-, N-Cbz-, and N-Boc-protected amines is described. In this study, efficient direct conversion of the Alloc-, Cbz-, and Boc-carbamate compounds to ureas was achieved in the presence of DABAL-Me₃, an air stable and easily handled reagent. Using this reaction method, both protected aromatic and aliphatic amines were successfully transformed into various trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted ureas with high yields without side product. Our findings offer promising guidelines for direct preparation of useful ureas from N-Alloc-, N-Cbz-, and N-Boc-carbamates.     

Effective approach to ureas through organocatalyzed one-pot process

An efficient approach to N, N′-unsymmetrically substituted ureas 9 has been developed through the ammonolysis process of N-Boc protected anilines 7 with amines prompted by 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD). Moreover, a convenient protocol for the synthesis of the symmetric N, N'-substituted ureas 12 by one-pot diammonolysis process of Boc₂O with amines catalyzed by DABCO has also been achieved. With broad substrate scope and mild conditions, these two methods demonstrate practical preparation of both unsymmetrical and symmetrical ureas.     

NIS/PhI(OAc)2‐Mediated Diamination/Oxidation of N‐Alkenyl Formamidines: Facile Synthesis of Fused Tricyclic Ureas

Facile synthesis of bicyclic ureas by NIS/PhI(OAc)₂‐mediated diamination/oxidation of N‐alkenyl formamidines is reported. Bulky aromatic groups such as 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl and mesityl and alkyl groups were tolerated towards the process. Several control experiments have been performed, and the reaction outcomes indicate that the oxidation process is probably concerted with the diamination cyclization, and succinimide generated from NIS‐mediated aminoamidiniumation step promoted the PhI(OAc)₂‐mediated oxidation step. The new methodology provides an efficient method for the synthesis of fused tricyclic ureas.     

Infrared spectroscopic study of the configuration of some alkylaryl ureas

The conformation of a series of 1-aryl-3-(n-butyl)ureas and 1-aryl-1-methyl-3-(n-butyl)-ureas having an orthohydroxyl group in the aromatic ring is studied by infrared spectroscopy. The spectral data show that in organic solvents (CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, CCl₄) the compounds are in a Z,Z-conformation. Conclusive evidence is obtained for the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the OH and CO groups in all N-methylated ureas.     

Efficient Brønsted acid-catalyzed aza-Michael reaction of amides and ureas with α,β-unsaturated enones under high-pressure conditions

A new strategy for the aza-Michael reaction of amides and ureas with α,β-unsaturated enones, which uses p-TsOH·H₂O as an efficient and inexpensive catalyst under high-pressure conditions, has been developed.     

Synthesis of new di- and triamine diosgenin dimers

In this study, a high yield synthesis of symmetrical steroidal polyamine dimers was achieved by the dimerization of (25R)-3β-acetoxyfurost-5-en-26-al via several di- and triamine linkers under mild conditions. To ensure the dimerization via E-E ring, the hydroxyl group in diosgenin was protected by an acetyl group. The important step is opening the spiroketal moiety using NaCNBH₃/AcOH to furnish the primary alcohol at C-26, followed by oxidation using PCC/CH₂Cl₂ to synthesize the desired aldehyde. Finally, reductive amination with diaminopropane, diaminobutane, diaminohexane, and spermidine using Na(OAc)₃BH as reducing agent, afforded the required four dimers.     

Chameleonic reactivity of α-amino nitrile-derived ureas. Synthesis of highly functionalized imidazolidin-2-one and imidazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives

The potential of α-amino nitrile-derived ureas for the synthesis of imidazolidin-2-one derivatives has been studied in the context of a medicinal chemistry project focused on the search of antagonists of the thrombin receptor PAR1. In this study α-amino nitrile-derived ureas have shown chameleonic reactivity. Thus, under neutral, basic or mild acid media they cyclize to 4-iminoimidazolidin-2-one derivatives, which tautomerize to 4-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ones. This tautomerism triggers epimerization at the C₅ of the imidazolidine ring, as well as its oxidation. However, they give stable highly functionalized hydantoin derivatives under strong acid media, by a no-epimerizing two-step hydrolysis.     

Solid-phase synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas through the use of Kenner safety-catch linker

A new strategy for the solid-phase synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas is described. Upon treatment of Kenner safety-catch linker with an isocyanate, followed by TMSCHN₂ or iodoacetonitrile and an amine, the corresponding unsymmetrical ureas are released in solution.     

A novel convenient synthesis of 5-acyl-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones via 4-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones

A novel four-step methodology for the synthesis of 5-acyl-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones has been developed. The reaction of readily available N-[(1-acetoxy-2,2,2-trichloro)ethyl]ureas with Na-enolates of 1,3-diketones or β-oxoesters followed by heterocyclization-dehydration of the oxoalkylureas formed gave 5-acyl-4-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones. The latter, in the presence of NaH, eliminate CHCl₃ to give the target compounds.     

New approach to 5-arylsulfonyl-substituted 1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones via base-induced chloroform elimination from 4-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones

A four-step method for the synthesis of 5-arylsulfonyl-substituted 1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones has been developed. The reaction of readily available N-[(1-acetoxy-2,2,2-trichloro)ethyl]ureas with sodium enolates of α-arylsulfonylketones followed by heterocyclization-dehydration of the oxoalkylureas formed gave 5-arylsulfonyl-4-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones. The latter, in the presence of strong bases, eliminate CHCl₃ to give the target compounds.     

Reaction of Carbodiimides with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid

Carbodiimides RN=C=NR (R = i-Pr, c-C₆H₁₁, Ph) react with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid with successive formation of O-triflyl isoureas RNHC(OTf)=NR, the isomeric N-triflyl ureas RN(Tf)C(O)NHR, and symmetrically substituted ureas RNHC(O)NHR. Carbodiimide Me₃SiN=C=NSiMe₃ in the reaction with TfOH undergoes desilylation to afford ester CF₃SO₂OSiMe₃ and unsubstituted carbodiimide (cyanamide), which gives the products of di- and trimerization and urea.     

Carbamoylimidazolium salts as diversification reagents: an application to the synthesis of tertiary amides from carboxylic acids

An efficient method for the preparation of tertiary amides from carbamoylimidazolium salts and carboxylic acids is described. The transformation occurs at room temperature and under relatively mild conditions. The carbamoylimidazolium salts are obtained from the reaction of secondary amines with N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole, followed by methylation with methyl iodide. The utility of this reaction was demonstrated in the formation of Weinreb amides and in a short synthesis of fused bicyclic amides. The introduction of this reaction now permits carbamoylimidazolium salts to be utilized in the formation of tertiary amides, ureas, carbamates and thiocarbamates under a single set of conditions.     

The direct conversion of carbamates to ureas using aluminum amides

The conversion of carbamates into ureas using aluminum amide complexes is reported. This reaction is a convenient method to prepare bi-, tri- and tetra-substituted ureas from carbamate-protected primary or secondary amines by reaction with primary or secondary amines in the presence of stoichometric quantities of trimethylaluminum. A reactivity trend of the various carbamates was observed and methyl and benzyl carbamates were reacted selectively in the presence of t-butyl carbamates.     

An efficient one-pot synthesis of N,N′-disubstituted phenylureas and N-aryl carbamates using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid

We have developed an efficient one-pot method for the microwave-assisted synthesis of ureas and carbamates via a proposed Lossen rearrangement. Herein we report the first examples of the direct conversion of benzoyl chlorides into N,N′-disubstituted ureas and N-aryl carbamates using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid as reagent. Using our general method, we have produced 11 examples of N,N′-disubstituted phenylureas in yields up to 95% using various substituted anilines, and primary and secondary amines. Additionally, we were able to generate a series of N-aryl carbamates in moderate yields using primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.     

Polynuclear Gold [AuI]4, [AuI]8, and Bimetallic [AuI4AgI] Complexes: C−H Functionalization of Carbonyl Compounds and Homogeneous Carbonylation of Amines

The synthesis of tetranuclear gold complexes, a structurally unprecedented octanuclear complex with a planar [Au^I₈] core, and pentanuclear [Au^I₄M^I] (M=Cu, Ag) complexes is presented. The linear [Au^I₄] complex undergoes C?H functionalization of carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. In addition, [Au^I₄Ag^I] catalyzes the carbonylation of primary amines to form ureas under homogeneous conditions with efficiencies higher than those achieved by gold nanoparticles.     

N-tert-Butoxycarbonylation of amines using H3PW12O40 as an efficient heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst

The commercially available heteropoly acid H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.5 mol %) is a very efficient and environmentally benign catalyst for N-tert-butoxycarbonylation of amines (primary, secondary) with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate at room temperature in short reaction times (<10 min). No competitive side products such as isocyanates, ureas, N,N-di-tert-butoxycarbonyls, O-Boc and oxazolidinones were observed. Chiral α-amino alcohols and esters afforded the corresponding N-Boc derivatives chemoselectively in excellent yields.     

Synthesis of Urea Derivatives from CO2 and Silylamines

A series of thirty‐three N,N′‐diaryl, dialkyl, and alkyl‐aryl ureas have been prepared in pyridine or toluene by reaction of silylamines with CO₂. This protocol is shown to provide facile access to ¹³C‐labeled ureas, as well as chiral and macrocyclic ureas. These reactions proceed through initial generation of the corresponding silylcarbamates, which subsequently react with silylamine under thermal conditions to afford the thermodynamically favored urea and disilyl ether.