Photocycloaddition of Six‐Membered Cyclic Enones to Propen‐2‐yl Isocyanate

On irradiation in the presence of propen‐2‐yl isocyanate ( 4 ), six‐membered cyclic enones 3 are converted into regio‐ and stereoisomeric mixtures of [2+2] cycloadducts 5 – 10 ; the preferentially formed HT products, 5 – 8 , can be converted into the corresponding bicyclic amines by acid hydrolysis, whereas, under these conditions, the regioisomeric HH‐isocyanato derivatives undergo a retro‐Mannich reaction.     

Photocycloaddition of Conjugated Cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2,3‐Dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene

On irradiation, in the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene, naphthalen‐2‐ones 1 are quantitatively and regioselectively converted to mixtures of diastereoisomeric cyclobutane adducts 3 and 4 , whereas, under these conditions, 3‐(alk‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones 5 give only one cyclobutane adduct 6 regio‐ and diastereoselectively. In contrast, 3‐(alk‐1‐ynyl)‐2‐methylcyclohex‐2‐enones 10 undergo [2+2]‐cycloaddition to the same diene exclusively at the C≡C bond to afford hitherto unknown 3‐cyclobutenylcyclohex‐2‐enones 11 .     

Synthesis of trans‐Fused Oxabicyclo[5.2.0]nonan‐2‐ones via [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Oxepinones to Conjugated Alkenes

On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene, benzoxepinone 2 and dioxepinone 3 were converted regio‐ and diastereoselectively to trans‐fused oxabicyclo[5.2.0]nonanones 5 and 9 , respectively.     

Interconversion of cis‐ and trans‐Fused Oxabicyclo[5.2.0]nonan‐2‐ones

On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of alkenes (2,3‐dimethylbut‐2‐ene, 1,1‐dimethoxyethene, and 2,4,4‐trimethylpent‐1‐ene), benzoxepinone 1 and dioxepinone 2 are converted into mixtures of cis‐ and trans‐fused oxabicyclo[5.2.0]nonan‐2‐ones. Their relative thermodynamic stabilities (as reflected by the observed diastereoisomer ratios after equilibration with basic alumina) depend on the substitution pattern of the alkene moiety.     

Photocycloaddition Reactions of 2‐(Alk‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones

The newly synthesized 2‐(alk‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones 4 undergo photodimerization (chemo‐ and regio‐)selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to give diastereoisomeric mixtures of 1,2‐dialkynyl‐1,2‐dimethylcyclobutanes. On irradiation of 4 in the presence of 2‐chloroacrylonitrile, cyclobutane formation occurs again (chemo‐ and regio‐)selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to afford diastereoisomeric mixtures of 2‐alkynyl‐1‐chloro‐2‐methylcyclobutanecarbonitriles. Similarly, compounds 4 undergo photoaddition to 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene exclusively at the exocyclic C?C bond to afford mixtures of [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadducts.     

Photocycloaddition of Cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2‐Alkylprop‐2‐enenitriles

The outcome of the photocycloaddition of cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2‐alkylprop‐2‐enenitriles differs basically from that of the corresponding 2‐alkylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes. While the latter afford mainly products resulting from 1,6‐cyclization of the intermediate triplet alkyl‐(prop‐2‐ynyl) 1,4‐biradical, the former give only cyclobutanecarbonitriles resulting from 1,4‐cyclization of the singlet alkyl‐cyanoalkyl 1,4‐biradical.     

Synthesis of 4‐fluoroalkyl‐2H‐pyrido [1, 2‐a] pyrimidin‐2‐ones from 2, 2‐dihydropolyfluoroalkanoic acids

In the presence of N, N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 2‐aminopyridine and its derivatives (2) condensed with 2, 2‐di‐hydropolyfluoroalkanoic adds (1) to give the corresponding amides. Subsequent intramolecular Micheal addition‐elimination reactions of the fluorine‐containing amides under basic conditions gave 4‐fluoroalkyl‐2H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐2‐ones (3) in good yields.     

Vinylogous Reactivity of Cyclic 2‐Enones: Organocatalysed Asymmetric Addition to 2‐Enals to Synthesize Fused Carbocycles

A method for asymmetric and site selective annulations at the γ and γ′ positions of cyclic 2‐enones with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The organocatalysed [3+3]‐annulations proceed with high levels of regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivity, affording a series of high value fused carbocycles. Further elaboration gave key lactones (both bridged and fused).     

Novel Synthesis of 2‐Alkylquinolizinium‐1‐olates and Their 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions with Acetylenes

Several 2‐alkylquinolizinium‐1‐olates 9 , i.e., heterobetaines, were prepared from ketone 11 , the latter being readily available either from pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde via a Grignard reaction, followed by oxidation with MnO₂, or from 2‐picolinic acid (=pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) via the corresponding Weinreb amide and subsequent Grignard reaction. Mesoionic heterobetaines such as quinolizinium derivatives have the potential to undergo cycloaddition reactions with double and triple bonds, e.g., 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions or Diels? Alder reactions. We here report on the scope and limitations of cycloaddition reactions of 2‐alkylquinolizinium‐1‐olates 9 with electron‐poor acetylene derivatives. As main products of the reaction, 5‐oxopyrrolo[2,1,5‐de]quinolizines (=‘[2.3.3]cyclazin‐5‐ones’) 19 were formed via a regioselective [2+3] cycloaddition, and cyclohexadienone derivatives, formed via a Diels? Alder reaction, were obtained as side products. The structures of 2‐benzylquinolizinium‐1‐olate ( 9a ) and two ‘[2.3.3]cyclazin‐5‐ones’ 19i and 19l were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Rearrangements of the [2+2]-cycloadducts of DDQ and 2-ethynylpyrroles

The [2+2]-cycloadducts of DDQ and 2-ethynylpyrroles, upon ethanolysis (reflux, 15 min or room temperature, 24 h), rearrange from bicyclo[4.2.0]octadienediones to bicyclo[3.2.0]heptadienone- and cyclobutenyl-dihydrofuranone moieties in 55-83% yields, the former rearrangement being the major direction. Benzoquinone ring cleavage is regioselective to afford mostly bicyclo[3.2.0]heptadienone-pyrrole ensembles (85-90% selectivity) in 39-78% yields. The only exception is when the starting compounds contain an ethoxycarbonyl substituent and the pyrrole counterpart is a 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole fragment. In this case, the ratio of the rearrangement products is 1:1.2 in a total yield of 83%. An important feature of the dihydrofuranone pathway rearrangement is its 100% diastereoselectivity.     

Photocycloaddition of Cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2‐Methylbut‐1‐en‐3‐yne

Irradiation (350 nm) of 2‐alkynylcyclohex‐2‐enones 1 in benzene in the presence of an excess of 2‐methylbut‐1‐en‐3‐yne ( 2 ) affords in each case a mixture of a cis‐fused 3,4,4a,5,6,8a‐hexahydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one 3 and a bicyclo[4.2.0]octan‐2‐one 4 (Scheme 2), the former being formed as main product via 1,6‐cyclization of the common biradical intermediate. The (parent) cyclohex‐2‐enone and other alkylcyclohex‐2‐enones 7 also give naphthalenones 8 , albeit in lower yields, the major products being bicyclo[4.2.0]octan‐2‐ones (Scheme 4). No product derived from such a 1,6‐cyclization is observed in the irradiation of 3‐alkynylcyclohex‐2‐enone 9 in the presence of 2 (Scheme 4). Irradiation of the 2‐cyano‐substituted cyclohexenone 12 under these conditions again affords only traces of naphthalenone 13 , the main product now being the substituted bicyclo[4.2.0]oct‐7‐ene 16 (Scheme 5), resulting from [2+2] cycloaddition of the acetylenic C−C bond of 2 to excited 12 .     

1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of Ethyl 2‐Diazo‐3,3,3‐trifluoropropanoate to Alkynes and [1,5] Sigmatropic Rearrangements of the Resulting 3H‐Pyrazoles: Synthesis of Mono‐, Bis‐ and Tris(trifluoromethyl)‐Substituted Pyrazoles

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of ethyl 2‐diazo‐3,3,3‐trifluoropropanoate with electron‐rich and electron‐deficient alkynes, as well as the van Alphen? Hüttel rearrangements of the resulting 3H‐pyrazoles were investigated. These reactions led to a series of CF₃‐substituted pyrazoles in good overall yields. Phenyl‐ and diphenylacetylene proved to be unreactive, but, at high temperature, the diazoalkane and phenylacetylene furnished a cyclopropene derivative. As expected, the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition to the ynamine occurred much faster than those to electron‐deficient alkynes. With one exception, all cycloadditions proceeded with excellent regioselectivities. The [1,5] sigmatropic rearrangement of the primary 3H‐pyrazoles provided products with shifted acyl groups; products resulting from the migration of a CF₃ group were not detected. In agreement with literature reports, this rearrangement occurs faster with 3H‐pyrazoles bearing electron‐withdrawing substituents.     

The First Ring‐Enlargement of a 1‐Azabicyclo[1.1.0]butane to a 1‐Azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane

The reactions of 3‐phenyl‐1‐azabicyclo[1.1.0]butane ( 4 ) with dimethyl dicyanofumarate ((E)‐ 8 ) and dimethyl dicyanomaleate ((Z)‐ 8 ) lead to the same mixture of cis‐ and trans‐4‐phenyl‐1‐azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 2,3‐dicarboxylates (cis‐ 11 and trans‐ 11 , resp.; Scheme 3). This result of a formal cycloaddition to the central C? N bond of 4 is interpreted by a stepwise reaction mechanism via a relatively stable zwitterionic intermediate 10 , which could be intercepted by morpholine to give a 1 : 1 : 1 adduct 12 , which undergoes a spontaneous elimination of HCN to yield the fumarate 13 (Scheme 4).     

A Novel,One‐Pot Four‐Component Route to 2′‐Thioxo‐2′,3′‐dihydrospiro[indole‐3,6′‐[1,3]thiazin]‐2‐one Derivatives

An efficient route to 2′,3′‐dihydro‐2′‐thioxospiro[indole‐3,6′‐[1,3]thiazin]‐2(1H)‐one derivatives is described. It involves the reaction of isatine, 1‐phenyl‐2‐(1,1,1‐triphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)ethan‐1‐one, and different amines in the presence of CS₂ in dry MeOH at reflux (Scheme 1). The alkyl carbamodithioate, which results from the addition of the amine to CS₂, is added to the α,β‐unsaturated ketone, resulting from the reaction between 1‐phenyl‐2‐(1,1,1‐triphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)ethan‐1‐one and isatine, to produce the 3′‐alkyl‐2′,3′‐dihydro‐4′‐phenyl‐2′‐thioxospiro[indole‐3,6′‐[1,3]thiazin]‐2(1H)‐one derivatives in excellent yields (Scheme 2). Their structures were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses.     

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Boonein

A total synthesis of (±)‐boonein ( 8 ) from bicyclo[2.2.1]ketone 9 is described. Bicyclo[3.2.1]lactone 10 is the key intermediate.     

Synthesis of Certain 3-Aminopyrazolo[5,4-b]pyridine and 3,4-Substituted Pyrido[2′,3′：3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine Derivatives

2-Thioxo-1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives 2a, 2b were reacted with methyl iodide to give 2-methylthiopyridines 3a, 3b, which were reacted with hydrazine hydrate to produce 3-aminopyrazolo[5,4-b]pyridines 4a, 4b. Compounds 4a, 4b were diazotized to afford the corresponding diazonium salts 5a, 5b, which were reacted with some active methylene compounds 6a-6h to give the corresponding pyrido[2′,3′ ： 3,4]pyrazole[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines 7-14.     

Regioselective Synthesis of 4‐(Arylsulfanyl)‐2‐hydroxyhomophthalates by [4+2] Cycloaddition of 3‐(Arylsulfanyl)‐1‐(trimethylsilyloxy)buta‐1,3‐dienes with Dimethyl Penta‐2,3‐dienedioate

The [4+2] cycloaddition of 3‐(arylsulfanyl)‐1‐(trimethylsilyloxy)buta‐1,3‐dienes with dimethyl penta‐2,3‐dienedioate provides a convenient and regioselective approach to a variety of 4‐(arylsulfanyl)‐2‐hydroxyhomophthalates.     

Photocycloaddition of 4‐(Alk‐1‐ynyl)‐Substituted Coumarins and Thiocoumarins to 2,3‐Dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene

On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene ( 8 ), 4‐(alk‐1‐ynyl)coumarins 1 afford mixtures of cyclobuta‐ and cycloocta‐annulated products 9 and 10 , respectively. In contrast, the corresponding thiocoumarins 2 react with the same diene chemoselectively to give cyclohexa‐annulated products 11 .     

Synthesis of 2‐Thioxohydropyridine‐3‐Carbonitrile, 2‐Alkylthiopyridine,Thienopyridine, Pyrazolopyridine Derivatives and Their Theoretical Calculations

Cyanothioacetamide ( 1 ) reacted with but‐2‐enal ( 2 ) to give the corresponding 4‐methyl‐2‐sulfanylpyridine‐3‐carbonitrile ( 7 ) which was used as a good starting material for the synthesis of 1‐(3‐amino‐4‐methylthieno[2,3‐b]pyridin‐2‐yl)ethan‐1‐one ( 10 ), 3‐amino‐4‐methylthieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxamide ( 15 ), 3‐amino‐4‐methylthieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxylate ( 18 ) and 3‐amino‐4‐methylthieno[2,3‐b]pyridin‐2‐ylarylketone 25a‐c through its reactions with each of (1‐chloroacetone ( 8 ), 3‐chloropentane‐2,4‐dione ( 11 ) or ethyl 2‐chloro‐3‐oxo‐butanoate ( 19 )), 2‐chloroacetamide ( 13 ), ethyl 2‐chloroacetate ( 16 ) and 2‐bromo‐1‐arylethan‐ 1 ‐one 23a‐c , respectively. Considering the data of elemental analyses, IR, ¹HNMR, mass spectra and theoretical calculations, structures of the newly synthesized heterocyclic compounds were elucidated.     

Synthesis of Novel Pyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolin‐4‐ones with Potential Antitumor Activity

The 5,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐2‐methylthiopyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolines 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d and their oxidized forms 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d were obtained from the reaction of 6‐amino‐2‐(methylthio)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 2 or 6‐amino‐3‐methyl‐2‐(methylthio)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 3 and α,β‐unsaturated ketones 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d using BF₃.OEt₂ as catalyst and p‐chloranil as oxidizing agent. Some of the new compounds were evaluated in the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), where compound 5a presented remarkable activity against 46 cancer cell lines, with the most important GI₅₀ values ranging from 0.72 to 18.4 μM from in vitro assays.