Reaction of benzoyl chlorides with Huisgen's zwitterion: synthesis of functionalized 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles and tetrasubstituted furans

The 1:1 intermediate generated by the addition of alkyl(aryl) isocyanides to dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate is trapped by benzoyl chloride to yield functionalized 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles. The presence of electron-withdrawing groups at the para position of benzoyl chloride leads to tetrasubstituted furans. The structures of these products were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

‘Higher-order’ azomethine ylides in the synthesis of functionalized pyrroles and 5-oxo-5H-pyrrolizines

Azafulvenium methides generated by the thermal extrusion of SO₂ from 1-methyl- and 1,1-dimethyl-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole-2,2-dioxides undergo [1,8]H sigmatropic shifts to give vinylpyrroles. Flash vacuum pyrolysis of the C-vinylpyrroles affords 5-oxo-5H-pyrrolizines or C-allyl-1H-pyrroles.     

Synthesis of 2H-pyrroles via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrile ylides with acrylamides

3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyrrole derivatives were synthesized by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrile ylides with acrylamides. Acrylamide substitution patterns and benzimidoyl chloride equilibration were investigated.     

Short and efficient synthesis of 2H-pyrroles from 7-oxanorbornadiene derivatives

A microwave-assisted tandem [3+2] cycloaddition/retro-Diels-Alder reaction of azomethine ylides derived from imines of α-amino esters to dimethyl 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene-2,3-dicarboxylate derivatives is described. The procedure delivers, in a short reaction time, pyrrolines in high yields. In a such sequence, the oxanorbornadiene derivatives behave as masked forms of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. Subsequent oxidation of the synthesized 3-pyrrolines with DDQ affords 2H-pyrroles with yields in the 76-88% range. If this three-step sequence is run on the non-substituted 7-oxabicycloheptadienedicarboxylate, purification of the intermediate 3-pyrrolines is avoided to afford 2H-pyrroles in less than 2 h.     

Recent advances in the enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and dipolarophiles

The synthesis of diastereo- and enantiopure heterocyclic molecules via catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between azomethine ylides, generated in situ from α-amino acid-derived iminoesters and dipolarophiles is considered one of the most powerful and versatile techniques. In this review, we make a detailed overview of the latest developments in this area since 2014 and highlight the recent improvements in the structural scope of dipolarophiles, azomethine ylide precursors, and chiral ligands.     

Ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of 2H- and 4H-chromenes

Six 4H-chromenes were synthesized from substituted phenols using vinylstannylation and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as key steps. In addition, a different approach involving amongst other steps, an aryl allyl isomerization and RCM afforded a set of seven 2H-chromenes from phenolic precursors.     

Proline-mediated dimerization of cinnamaldehydes via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with azomethine ylides. A rapid access to highly functionalized hexahydro-1H-pyrrolizine

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reaction of cinnamaldehyde with azomethine ylides generated through decarboxylation of iminium or oxazolidinone intermediate formed by the reaction of l-proline with cinnamaldehydes is reported. The stereoselective reaction provides an efficient access to the highly functionalized hexahydro-1H-pyrrolizine.     

A facile synthesis of ferrocene grafted N-methyl-spiropyrrolidines through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

One-pot synthesis of novel ferrocene grafted N-methyl-spiropyrrolidines has been accomplished in good yields through a facile 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of various azomethine ylide derived from ninhydrin and sarcosine with various ferrocene derivatives as dipolarophile. The regiochemical and stereochemical outcome of the cycloaddition reaction is ascertained by X-ray crystallographic studies of one of the cycloadducts.     

Novel dipolarophiles and dipoles in the metal-catalyzed enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

The catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides constitutes one of the most powerful and atom economical methods for the enantioselective construction of pyrrolidines. This article highlights the recent developments in this area, with special focus on contributions improving the structural scope at the dipolarophile and azomethine ylide partners.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides with dipolarophiles. II. Synthesis of pyrrolizidines

Substituted pyrrolizidines have been synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of various dipolarophiles with the azomethine ylide generated by treatment of proline with benzaldehyde in dimethylsulfoxide. The regio- and stereochemical outcome of the reaction as well as the stability of the isomers obtained are discussed.     

Intramolecular [3+2] cycloadditions of functionalized azomethine ylides

The use of dithiane chemistry to synthesize functionalized azomethine ylides which are then employed in [3+2] cycloaddition chemistry is described. The advantages of this methodology as well as an approach to the lycorenine alkaloid system are presented.     

A facile entry into a novel class of dispiroheterocyclic framework through 1,3-dipolarcycloaddition of azomethine ylides with 3-arylidene-4-chromanones as dipolarophiles

The cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides, generated through decarboxylation, with (E)-3-arylidene-4-chromanones as dipolarophiles has been investigated. A high degree of regioselectivity has been observed in the synthesis of a new class of functionalized dispiroheterocyclic compounds bearing chromanone and acenaphthenequinone framework. The structures were established by spectroscopic techniques as well as single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of 2H-pyrroles by treatment of pyrrolidines with DDQ

A mild and efficient synthesis of 2,2-dialkyl-3,5-diaryl-2H-pyrroles is described. Treatment of 2,2-dialkyl-3,5-diarylpyrrolidines with DDQ in dioxane for 12-24 h at rt afforded the corresponding 2H-pyrroles in 55-81% overall yields.     

A facile method for the synthesis of polycyclic indole derivatives: the generation and reaction of tungsten-containing azomethine ylides

Treatment of N-(o-alkynylphenyl)imine derivatives with W(CO)(5)(L) induces the 5-endo-mode of cyclization of the imine nitrogen onto the electrophilically activated alkyne moiety to afford a novel reactive species, a metal-containing azomethine ylide. [3 + 2] cycloaddition of this ylide species with various electron-rich alkenes proceeds smoothly to give unstable carbene complexes, which in turn undergo 1,2-hydrogen-, alkyl-, and aryl-migration to afford in good yield 6-5-5 tricyclic indole skeletons having an alkyl or an aryl substituent at the 3-position of the indole nucleus.     

Highly diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylides to 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes: synthesis of 1-benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines

Reactions of 3-nitro-2-trifluoro(trichloro)methyl-2H-chromenes, including 2-unsubstituted derivatives, with N-alkyl-α-amino acids (sarcosine, proline) and paraformaldehyde proceed diastereoselectively to give 1-benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines in good yields as a result of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the intermediate nonstabilized azomethine ylide at the Δ³-bond of the chromene system.     

A facile synthesis of novel dispiroheterocycles through solvent-free microwave-assisted [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

A comparative study of the synthesis of novel dispiro pyrrolo/pyrrolizidino ring systems by the cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated by a decarboxylative route from sarcosine/proline and isatin with the dipolarophile 9-arylidine-fluorene using four different methodologies is described. A solvent-free microwave-assisted approach gave products with the highest yields in a short time. Additionally, our solvent-free approach allowed the use of 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, which failed to yield the desired cycloadducts under conventional approaches.     

A new enlargement methodology for the preparation of 2H-1- and 2H-3-benzazepin-2-one derivatives

An investigation of the one-carbon homologation of some 1-tribromomethyl-isoquinoline and 2-tribromomethyl-quinoline derivatives was conducted. Under the influence of an aqueous solution of silver nitrate in the presence of a nucleophilic species (MeOH, H₂O, EtNH₂), these derivatives led to the respective expanded heterocycles, 2H-1- and 2H-3-benzazepin-2-one derivatives. A mechanism for this novel ring enlargement involving initial formation of an aziridinium, and its subsequent opening to form a stabilized benzylic carbocation, is proposed to explain the results.     

Efficient sulfonation of 1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-pyrroles and 1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indoles using chlorosulfonic acid in acetonitrile

The sulfonation of various 1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-pyrroles and 1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indoles using chlorosulfonic acid in acetonitrile has been studied, leading to the development of a clean and operationally simple protocol allowing direct synthesis of the corresponding 1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-pyrrole-3-sulfonyl chlorides and 1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indole-3-sulfonyl chlorides, respectively, both of which may be easily converted to various sulfonamide derivatives by treatment with nitrogen nucleophiles. Efficient and selective removal of the phenylsulfonyl- or tosyl groups in the sulfonamide series may be achieved under mild conditions.